(Because it's hella comical to imagine a goblin wielding a greatsword, I'll have no issue with that.)

Crash happily pays out for the stell and the chain shirt you leave her with, and before long, Frundo and ELhanna also make their way to the Driftwood tavern.

Despite what you heard from the merchants earlier, the Driftwood tavern is surprisingly clean, though simple. The bottom floor is taken up by the tap room, with a large bar occupying almost the entire back end of the room, with tables in the middle and a small stage opposite the bar for performances of some kind. By the posters hanging around the tavern, these performances range from the typical bardic fair to burlesque performances, which probably explains its popularity among the clientele here. 

The upper floor is taken up by a dozen or so rooms for guests, rentable for a week or more for a gold piece per bed. Two chambers are also rentable for single nights, but at double the price .

The furniture is made from oak, beech or pine from the forests near the city, and though roughly constructed, is clearly made to be sturdy. The bar seems almost like a fortress, guarding the casks of ale, beer, brandy, and mead from the boistorous clientele. You have no doubt however that the burly goliath barkeep is more than capable to defend herself.

At this hour, the taproom is about half full, with one table occupied with a bunch of ferrymen already too deeply into their cups, but apparently celebrating the birth of a daughter for one of their comrades. Two hunters in the corner were having an argument over who had the rights to antlers of their most recent kill, and had decided to settle the matter with an armwrestling contest, much to the entertainment of the nearby customers. In a more quiet corner, you see Oleg, Twitch, Paren and Si'Juul sitting at the table with some mead and a bowl of stew.

As Poinki and Elhanna join up with everyone and sit at the table, Si'Juul gulps down some mead.

"So, how was your religious adventure?"

"Cathedral was beautiful," Poinki says. "Gnomes fleeing from the south. Strange customs. Priests give food to gnomes. No sign of demons." He suddenly looks surprised as an idea hits him. "Poinki should have tried to detect evil there. Paladin stuff still very new..."

”Ah You can do that Frundo? You need to remember that in the future.” Elhanna tell him sternly and the turns to Si’Juul. “ we mostly spoke to the common people there. They hadn’t seen anything strange, but that is to be expected. It’s har too keep a secrete that big if you flaunt it in everyone’s face. How did your day go?”

"Paren tried to get some unique supplies, but apparently most goods are tied up in some system here, so making purchases for anything more than the most basic equipment will be difficult."

Paren nods. "Things might be more difficult here. Apparently the church controls everything." 

"Another reason why I have avoided religion."

Si'Juul takes another swig of mead as he leans back in his chair.

Paren laughs as he sips at the water in front of him. "I tried, it found me. When the gods have plans for you they seem to be able to just make things happen."

"Then I guess the gods have no plans for me. I have never seen hide or hair of a hint of contact from any of them."

Si'Juul keeps his relaxed leaned back posture in his chair.

As you discuss things, you suddenly hear the doors swing open, as a sailor bursts in and bellows out: "Hear all! The wayward isles off the riviera have been attacked by the drow! We picked up some survivors who tried to flee and made our way here. Quick, inform the authorities, our ports need to be protected!"

As you all turn around you see Twitch, staring at the messenger, white as a linen sheet. "Grandfather..."

("Wayward Isles"? Is that just the long thin one off the riviera coast or does that include the 5 north of that closer to Dastarus?)

After hearing the warning and Twitch's exclamation of worry for her relative, Si'Juul looks to the group.

"Guess we have our next job. Can't imagine Twitch will want to just sit and wait, and can't imagine the rest of us will let her go alone. But far be it for me to speak for everyone."

"Drow?" says Poinki. "Yes, authorities must be told? Who are authorities here?"

(I decided that it would be the name I used for the 5 northern ones, close to Dastarus)

Twitch immediatly looks at you all: "No, under no circumstances. It's very dangerous, and for all I know he's already dead. I have to go and make sure, maybe help him if I still can, or otherwise retrieve his possessions. That will be far easier if I'm by myself. I'm sorry, and I thank you for wanting to help out, but I must do this alone. I will come back once I have sorted everything out though." She looks at you all with a grim determination and a mind clearly made up already.

Poinki would have been ready to drop everything and fight the drow, but he sees Twitch's determination. "You sure? We can fight, come kick drowses around for you." He has a feeling, though, that Twitch is determined to go alone. "If you go alone, may light of Ilmater protect you, friend. But be very sure you want go without us."

Twitch looks at Poinki with a torn expression: "Thanks, little one. But this is something I need to do alone, plus it's probably safer that way for all of us. Thank you though, and I hope that you can all help make his name pure again."

"Very well. Good luck, and may your grandfather be in good health."

Si'Juul hoists his tankard to toast Twitch before she leaves.

(Guess I will have to relocate my portion I had planned. :P No biggie, most of the islands were just filler to be honest, nothing major. And the main plan could be situated elsewhere, so not everything is scrapped.)

Paren tips his glass in salute. "Seems that this group just isn't meant to travel together. Stay safe." 

Elhanna get down on one knee and give Twitch a hug. She was the only other female in the group and that had forged a special kind of bond between them. She hold her out at arms length “Take care Twitch and may the gods be with you.” She cast bless on her and she can feel Mishakals warm embrace. “Here, take this.” And she hand her two vials of healing potion. “Hopefully you make it to your grandfather in time and you can reunite. if that is the case, give these to someone who needs it.”

Twitch thanks you all, before making her way out and down to the river, determined to make her way to her destination as soon as possible. After a few more moments, Oleg looks at all of you: "What now?"

Paren looks a bit nervous. "Well, I would prefer to do this in a room, not out here, but I believe that I did promise to tell you all a little of the story behind why I have the strange amount of skills that I do."