In response to Thpas and Erme's conversation, Valanthe simply replies, rather firmly, "We need to destroy Strahd." 

After a beat, she continues, "... but we're not ready - yet. Until then, we treat this entire land as a triage station on the battlefield - help those who we can, until we win the war."

Thpas sighs a breath of resignation "not worth saving?" He points at the boy, "look him in the eyes and tell him he's not worth saving. If you will go to talk, then go, and talk. Until you are ready to take action you know where you can find me."

Turning back to the bar, he pulls up a stool next to the new face "I'll have a dragon crush, as well, barkeep. And what's your name? I am Thpas and this is Sylciss"  Thpas reaches into his pack and unwraps a pastry, setting a place for the imp, next to himself. 

Looking at Thpas storming away, Byllemura says: "I have never seen him so concerned about something..." Turning to Emre and Val: "It looks like we have driven the old crone away, at least for today. This gives us a bit of time to wander around town and then we can fetch Thpas and go say hi to Morgantha and her daughters. What do you think? Where should we start? The toymaker or the burgomaster hall?" Pausing for a short moment: "We could also ask the burgomaster why he is letting his people give away their children..."

Valanthe grabs Thpas by the collar and drags him back to the table (... or at least attempts to... Athletics 18), telling him, "Part of living free, and seeing the world beyond the eyes of a slave, is to focus on more than just the two inches beyond your face. Stop with the tantrums and out bursts and be still."

Addressing everyone, now, "We are focusing on a tree, rather than seeing the whole forest. We will go to the Old Bonegrinder, and if there aren't dozens of happy children running about - I'll run through that old b***** of a woman with my own blade...“

“...but, she is a small piece of the larger puzzle. Strahd is the curse on this land. Everything we do should be to strengthen us against Strahd. We will AVENGE this entire land once he is made dust. So our COMBINED efforts while we are here, should be on that goal. And we shouldn't split the party - the very land is against us - separating puts us in danger and makes us weaker."

"So... we either explore the resources this town has to offer, whether Lore or Physical, in our battle on Strahd, or we just go straight to the Bonegrinder and satisfy our immediate urges for vengeance, and hope that whatever is here that can help us against Strahd remains on our return."

"Whichever choice, we do it together."  Valanthe says this last sentence with the typical "we all need to grow up" face that mothers are excellent at giving - observers would likely conclude that she was on the receiving end of similar speeches quite often. 

//  jeezus an 11....  //

"Ow, Ow, Ow!" The barstool topples as Thpas is wrenched from his seat. Shuffling back to the table with the neck of his cape firmly gripped by Valanthe, he hides his face, opting to examine the dusty floor, rather than look the others in the eye. 

Thpas takes a moment to consider Valanthe's words "Im sorry, Emre....really, to all of you. It's just that I remember being young, and I remember it all being taken away. I let it effect me too much. I will go along with you, whatever the decision."

Considering Thpas words, Valanthe responds with some softness to her voice and a sigh, "Fine - we'll go to Bonegrinder and resolve this situation...," then with an urgency to her voice, "... but we MUST be quick about it. We go in, see if the children are safe, "resolve" the situation and come back. No lollygagging."

Then looking at Erme and Byllemura, "If you two agree to this, of course."

Quote from Kickinitlegit >>

Turning back to the bar, he pulls up a stool next to the new face "I'll have a dragon crush, as well, barkeep. And what's your name? I am Thpas and this is Sylciss"  Thpas reaches into his pack and unwraps a pastry, setting a place for the imp, next to himself. 

Quote from Kickinitlegit >>

"Ow, Ow, Ow!" The barstool topples as Thpas is wrenched from his seat. Shuffling back to the table with the neck of his cape firmly gripped by Valanthe, he hides his face, opting to examine the dusty floor, rather than look the others in the eye. 

Thpas takes a moment to consider Valanthe's words "Im sorry, Emre....really, to all of you. It's just that I remember being young, and I remember it all being taken away. I let it effect me too much. I will go along with you, whatever the decision."

Quote from jr_el_leon>>

Then looking at Erme and Byllemura, "If you two agree to this, of course." 

"Sure. Whatever. Let's go have a look at the windmill then." says Byllemura impatiently, a bit tired of the discussions. She grabs her staff tightly, stretches her arms, mutters a slight incantation under her breath and a shimmering force immediately surrounds her, as if wearing a magic armor (casting Mage armor). "I wouldn't mind a bit of exercise and fresh air."

Quote from DungeonLord58 >>

 

 "My name is Izek. Izek Stranzi." says the large man, "I work for the buromaster."

Quote from Kickinitlegit >>

Thpas sighs a breath of resignation "not worth saving?" He points at the boy, "look him in the eyes and tell him he's not worth saving. If you will go to talk, then go, and talk. Until you are ready to take action you know where you can find me."

Turning back to the bar, he pulls up a stool next to the new face "I'll have a dragon crush, as well, barkeep. And what's your name? I am Thpas and this is Sylciss"  Thpas reaches into his pack and unwraps a pastry, setting a place for the imp, next to himself. 

Seeing the general consensus is to be off immediately to the Bonegrinder, Emre shrugs. "I'll go with you, obviously. And apology accepted, Thpas. I just thought the idea that everyone was in on some massive child-selling racket to be wholly uncharitable...and I'm not someone who really believes in charity to begin with."

Quote from DungeonLord58 >>

 "My name is Izek. Izek Stranzi." says the large man, "I work for the buromaster."

Byllemura, smiling, turns to Thpas and tells him: "Let's take care of these witches, shall we?" with a wink and heads outside of the inn.

Without a word, Thpas follows the others into the cold and muddy streets.

// So we're heading back to the old bone grinder then? Should we assume we got directions from Ireena and the inn's owners? //

// Weren't we told by the Vistani where it is? I thought there was a fork a bit before Vallaki that led to the windmill. //

//yes. We saw the road leading to the windmill on our way to vallaki//

Emre casts an eye to the gray above. "Maybe we should purchase some rain gear on the way out of town?"