Yuey looks at the two elves staring off into space. And motions with his head toward the camp.
Yuey: Are you guys coming?
He leads them back to the druids camp where they share the news of Fel's destruction. Yssl, enigmatic as always, doesn't show any obvious emotion at the news, but gives both elves a mysterious smile. She re-enchants the feather with one charge of sending and gives it back to the them. Before they can say anything she leaves quickly and disappears through the razorvine.
The druids give them direction back to Cragglefrock and it looks like an uneventful day or two of traveling. It is currently late morning on the 3rd day of Eleint.
As the elves walk through the village, people wave and greet them but understand that they have important business to attend to so they don't delay them long.
Past the Commons on the west side of town are mostly residential districts, to the southeast is the Mayor's house. It is a charming two story building that nicely constructed primarily out of wood rather than stone. A sign is posted on the outside of the house. It reads: "Mayor's Office. Please ring bell". There is a thin metal rod connected to a small bell attached near the door of the house.
After disposing of not-so-pleasant Moon Elf, we have permission to harvest wood from these specific locations. Heec hands Junea the map. Hopefully, it will be an adequate supply for our reinforcements. They were pretty clear that no more than what is marked on the map may be used for supplies. If you don't have any more questions, I believe Tae and I will be taking a few days to rest. If you need anything else...
Junea sets the map down and smiles in a kind and motherly way.
J: You boys have been through so much. If anyone deserves some time off it's you two.
She motions for the two to sit and offers them honeyed tea.
Her office has simple but well-made furniture and strikes the perfect balance between organization and clutter. There are maps of the surrounding areas nailed to the wall and laid out on side tables, complete with colored pins denoting some kind of coded system. Three shelves of books hang from the wall and have everything from newer looking ledgers to old tomes. Her main desk has some scattered papers that look like official village business but also some scrolls and notes that look quite old. The most striking features are small dioramas carefully arranged on side tables. Small, intricate figurines are set up in scenes complete with carefully painted backgrounds and miniature objects.
I'm going to visit a few shops and then go talk to Marta. I believe you have business on the edge of town?
I... I suppose I do... What do I even say to her? It... It just doesn't feel right. It's been so long. I should probably just go with you...
Tae, go there now! You don't need to get married today! Just talk to her as a friend would after many years have passed. Tell her about the liberal Moon Elves in Ser'bastia! That's a saucy little tale!
They were only interested in me because they'd never seen a Drow before...
It's still something to talk about! I love it when you tell that tale after a few brews. You tell it so well! Go tell her!
But Teek is there... It just doesn't seem...
You. Go. Visit your friend. I'm sure she wants to see you again. I'm off. Don't wait up for me.
Without another word, Heec heads for the heart of the town. Halfway down the road, he turns back to see Tae still standing there. He points towards the apothecary hut and mouths "Go!"
Tae heads over to the apothecary hut, dreading each step he takes. Nervousness swells within him as he reaches the front door, but doesn't know if he should knock, or why he should knock or what he's doing there or what he'll say when she answers. He oddly decides to enter the hut without knocking.
Heec heads to... Heec doesn't know... Ah yes! To the gem cutter! After their adventuring, they happened across quite a few gems. After tallying the value to the tune of 210 GP, Heec decides he's better off holding on to the gems for now. He then goes to the general store to sell off some of the supplies he's acquired while in Neverwinter Woods. Shortly after his trading, he travels to the Foundry to attempt to locate the materials for a finer set of nunchaku than he is currently using. He oddly decides to enter the Foundry without knocking.
Tae opens the door of the Apothecary without knocking in a sudden burst. Teekskrid looks up from the counter.
T: Hello! How are you brother, elf?
Apparently this is normal to enter storefronts without knocking even when it is at a private residence. Shae is not present.
Heec also walks up to the foundry and enters without knocking, a feat that isn’t that strange since there are huge double doors standing wide open on the side of the massive building. The building itself is easily three stories tall and 800 feet long. On either side of a wide center aisle are various catwalks, ramps and ladders all accommodated to the six foundry chimneys, three on each side. The foundries are large cylindrical vats that whose tops can be accessed by the catwalks above. Several men and dwarves are pouring materials into the top of these foundries and below men are working bellows and collecting the molten materials coming from the bottom sluices. At the far end of the building there appears to be a workshop area where these materials are being brought, most likely to put into molds to make copper ingots.
It is a burly, sweaty and extremely hot work environment, even with the open building design and the abundance of chimneys to let out smoke and heat.
Heec sees a particularly burly dwarf stride up. He is wearing a thick leather apron over simple work clothes. He has obviously been working, but upon close inspection he doesn’t seem nearly as dirty and sweaty as some of the other workers. This is a dwarf who knows his trade and can do even the most laborious of tasks with ease. He also prides himself with both his work and his social appearance. HIs name is Tradstone Loderr, the owner of the foundry and mining operations for Cragglefrock and the patriarch of the Loderr clan.
TL: “Heec my boy!” he booms. “I knew you would come around and accept a job. You and your friend are always welcome, as long as you don’t mind putting in a hard days work.”
Hello, Teekskrid. I... I wanted to ask... Tae didn't come up with a reason to be there other than wanting to talk to Shae, so thanks to being a terrible ad libber... (Tae makes a Deception check of 4 (8+1-5) If the grass was as good as the leaf? (...what?)
Tradstone, my good dwarf! How goes the copper business these days?! If there's a task that needs done, I'm your elf! Well, tomorrow I'm your elf. We're resting today. What did you have in mind?
Teekskrid looks genuinely concerned for Tae. He walks around from behind the counter and approaches him.
T: Are you well? You haven’t started consuming the Rusted Root, have you? No good can come from that.
Tradstone grabs Heec by both shoulders and shakes him vigorously, which is quite a feat since he is shorter than the elf.
T: “By Dumathoin’s loins, that is splendid news!” He appraises the elf, “Your slight and slender frame would be perfect for cleaning out the stacks” he motions to the giant foundries, “I would pay you five silver twice a ten day. That’s enough to live quite comfortably in these parts. We reward good work with some extra silver each month. And you can’t put a price on the camaraderie you will find here!”
A man wheeling a cart of ore gives a lusty "Huzzah!" as he passes by.
I haven't. Tae sighs... I was just wondering if Shae was here. I knew her when I new to the surface and she was very kind to me. Is she here?
Hold on, Tradstone! That's not what I meant! Heec chuckles at Tradstone's misinterpretation. If you have work for an adventurer, I'm your elf. I cannot be bogged down by the day in, day out workings of the village. There is an entire world out there to be discovered! I intend to do just that. Now, if you have a different task in mind that could lead me down a path a justice and righteousness, you just need to point me in the right direction! Otherwise, have there been any whispers of finer ores or materials to better my nunchaku? Wood is good, but adamantite is dyna-mantite! Do you know what I am saying?! Heec chuckles a bit too loud for the comment.
T: Yes, she has spoken of you before. I know you two grew close during that time. Shae is out collecting wild herbs for our shopand won’t be back until evening. Do you want me to tell her you stopped by?
Tradstone looks a little agitated. He isn’t a dwarf who is known to indulge flights of fancy or skirt a hard day’s work.
T: You should talk to my youngest son. He is the one who fills his head with adventures and the like.
Tradstone motions to the back right of the building where there is a door leading to some offices attached like the bottom of an “L” on the south side of the building. He moves on to help a worker catch slag from one of the furnaces. Heec didn't know Tradstone had a youngest son and still doesn't know his name.
Yuey looks at the two elves staring off into space. And motions with his head toward the camp.
Yuey: Are you guys coming?
He leads them back to the druids camp where they share the news of Fel's destruction. Yssl, enigmatic as always, doesn't show any obvious emotion at the news, but gives both elves a mysterious smile. She re-enchants the feather with one charge of sending and gives it back to the them. Before they can say anything she leaves quickly and disappears through the razorvine.
The druids give them direction back to Cragglefrock and it looks like an uneventful day or two of traveling. It is currently late morning on the 3rd day of Eleint.
The two elves take a four hour long rest. Afterwards, they take the map showing which woods they can harvest and head back to Cragglefrock.
Tae and Heec arrive at the edge of town after an uneventful journey. It is evening on the the 4th day of Eleint.
The town seems quiet from a distance.
Let's take the map to Junea. I'm sure they're eager to prepare the defenses against whatever is to come.
I'm ready for some time off from all this adventuring. Maybe even check in at the herb hut for some medicines.
You don't fool me, Tae. I'm sure Shae is still there and would be very eager to catch up with you.
... I'm very eager as well...
Adda boy!!
The two elves head to Junea's office to deliver the map.
As the elves walk through the village, people wave and greet them but understand that they have important business to attend to so they don't delay them long.
Past the Commons on the west side of town are mostly residential districts, to the southeast is the Mayor's house. It is a charming two story building that nicely constructed primarily out of wood rather than stone. A sign is posted on the outside of the house. It reads: "Mayor's Office. Please ring bell". There is a thin metal rod connected to a small bell attached near the door of the house.
Shall I do the honors?
By all means.
Heec pulls the rod.
The bell chimes pleasantly. A minute passes before the door is opened by Junea. She immediately embraces Tae before anyone has time to react.
J: Bless both of your hearts. Come in and tell me what news you bring.
She leads them to her ground floor office.
The two elves remain standing.
After disposing of not-so-pleasant Moon Elf, we have permission to harvest wood from these specific locations. Heec hands Junea the map. Hopefully, it will be an adequate supply for our reinforcements. They were pretty clear that no more than what is marked on the map may be used for supplies. If you don't have any more questions, I believe Tae and I will be taking a few days to rest. If you need anything else...
No...
... Feel free to let us know.
Junea sets the map down and smiles in a kind and motherly way.
J: You boys have been through so much. If anyone deserves some time off it's you two.
She motions for the two to sit and offers them honeyed tea.
Her office has simple but well-made furniture and strikes the perfect balance between organization and clutter. There are maps of the surrounding areas nailed to the wall and laid out on side tables, complete with colored pins denoting some kind of coded system. Three shelves of books hang from the wall and have everything from newer looking ledgers to old tomes. Her main desk has some scattered papers that look like official village business but also some scrolls and notes that look quite old. The most striking features are small dioramas carefully arranged on side tables. Small, intricate figurines are set up in scenes complete with carefully painted backgrounds and miniature objects.
The elves roll a Perception check to see if there's anything else they need to notice.
Heec rolls a 22 (18+4), Tae rolls a 21 (19+2).
Nothing as a whole seems out of place or unusual.
We greatly appreciate the offer, but we need to be going. Have a blessed day, Junea.
The two elves take three steps towards the door.
Junea stops them as they are leaving.
J: Oh sweeties, go get some rest. But don't wait too long before talking to Marta. I think she has another offer for you.
She gives them both an affectionate pat on the back and goes back to her desk to study the map.
We will.
The two elves exit the office.
I'm going to visit a few shops and then go talk to Marta. I believe you have business on the edge of town?
I... I suppose I do... What do I even say to her? It... It just doesn't feel right. It's been so long. I should probably just go with you...
Tae, go there now! You don't need to get married today! Just talk to her as a friend would after many years have passed. Tell her about the liberal Moon Elves in Ser'bastia! That's a saucy little tale!
They were only interested in me because they'd never seen a Drow before...
It's still something to talk about! I love it when you tell that tale after a few brews. You tell it so well! Go tell her!
But Teek is there... It just doesn't seem...
You. Go. Visit your friend. I'm sure she wants to see you again. I'm off. Don't wait up for me.
Without another word, Heec heads for the heart of the town. Halfway down the road, he turns back to see Tae still standing there. He points towards the apothecary hut and mouths "Go!"
Tae heads over to the apothecary hut, dreading each step he takes. Nervousness swells within him as he reaches the front door, but doesn't know if he should knock, or why he should knock or what he's doing there or what he'll say when she answers. He oddly decides to enter the hut without knocking.
Heec heads to... Heec doesn't know... Ah yes! To the gem cutter! After their adventuring, they happened across quite a few gems. After tallying the value to the tune of 210 GP, Heec decides he's better off holding on to the gems for now. He then goes to the general store to sell off some of the supplies he's acquired while in Neverwinter Woods. Shortly after his trading, he travels to the Foundry to attempt to locate the materials for a finer set of nunchaku than he is currently using. He oddly decides to enter the Foundry without knocking.
Tae opens the door of the Apothecary without knocking in a sudden burst. Teekskrid looks up from the counter.
T: Hello! How are you brother, elf?
Apparently this is normal to enter storefronts without knocking even when it is at a private residence. Shae is not present.
Heec also walks up to the foundry and enters without knocking, a feat that isn’t that strange since there are huge double doors standing wide open on the side of the massive building. The building itself is easily three stories tall and 800 feet long. On either side of a wide center aisle are various catwalks, ramps and ladders all accommodated to the six foundry chimneys, three on each side. The foundries are large cylindrical vats that whose tops can be accessed by the catwalks above. Several men and dwarves are pouring materials into the top of these foundries and below men are working bellows and collecting the molten materials coming from the bottom sluices. At the far end of the building there appears to be a workshop area where these materials are being brought, most likely to put into molds to make copper ingots.
It is a burly, sweaty and extremely hot work environment, even with the open building design and the abundance of chimneys to let out smoke and heat.
Heec sees a particularly burly dwarf stride up. He is wearing a thick leather apron over simple work clothes. He has obviously been working, but upon close inspection he doesn’t seem nearly as dirty and sweaty as some of the other workers. This is a dwarf who knows his trade and can do even the most laborious of tasks with ease. He also prides himself with both his work and his social appearance. HIs name is Tradstone Loderr, the owner of the foundry and mining operations for Cragglefrock and the patriarch of the Loderr clan.
TL: “Heec my boy!” he booms. “I knew you would come around and accept a job. You and your friend are always welcome, as long as you don’t mind putting in a hard days work.”
Hello, Teekskrid. I... I wanted to ask... Tae didn't come up with a reason to be there other than wanting to talk to Shae, so thanks to being a terrible ad libber... (Tae makes a Deception check of 4 (8+1-5) If the grass was as good as the leaf? (...what?)
Tradstone, my good dwarf! How goes the copper business these days?! If there's a task that needs done, I'm your elf! Well, tomorrow I'm your elf. We're resting today. What did you have in mind?
Teekskrid looks genuinely concerned for Tae. He walks around from behind the counter and approaches him.
T: Are you well? You haven’t started consuming the Rusted Root, have you? No good can come from that.
Tradstone grabs Heec by both shoulders and shakes him vigorously, which is quite a feat since he is shorter than the elf.
T: “By Dumathoin’s loins, that is splendid news!” He appraises the elf, “Your slight and slender frame would be perfect for cleaning out the stacks” he motions to the giant foundries, “I would pay you five silver twice a ten day. That’s enough to live quite comfortably in these parts. We reward good work with some extra silver each month. And you can’t put a price on the camaraderie you will find here!”
A man wheeling a cart of ore gives a lusty "Huzzah!" as he passes by.
I haven't. Tae sighs... I was just wondering if Shae was here. I knew her when I new to the surface and she was very kind to me. Is she here?
Hold on, Tradstone! That's not what I meant! Heec chuckles at Tradstone's misinterpretation. If you have work for an adventurer, I'm your elf. I cannot be bogged down by the day in, day out workings of the village. There is an entire world out there to be discovered! I intend to do just that. Now, if you have a different task in mind that could lead me down a path a justice and righteousness, you just need to point me in the right direction! Otherwise, have there been any whispers of finer ores or materials to better my nunchaku? Wood is good, but adamantite is dyna-mantite! Do you know what I am saying?! Heec chuckles a bit too loud for the comment.
Teek looks relieved that his friend is ok.
T: Yes, she has spoken of you before. I know you two grew close during that time. Shae is out collecting wild herbs for our shopand won’t be back until evening. Do you want me to tell her you stopped by?
Tradstone looks a little agitated. He isn’t a dwarf who is known to indulge flights of fancy or skirt a hard day’s work.
T: You should talk to my youngest son. He is the one who fills his head with adventures and the like.
Tradstone motions to the back right of the building where there is a door leading to some offices attached like the bottom of an “L” on the south side of the building. He moves on to help a worker catch slag from one of the furnaces. Heec didn't know Tradstone had a youngest son and still doesn't know his name.
Please. Tell her I'd like to speak with her. I'll be at the Boffing Badger tonight. Farewell. Tae heads back to the Flop House.
Heec heads over to the door and opens it.