"Im thinking I might," Kallista says, "but it'll be a lot of work, since I wouldnt be raising a baby. Trying to gain the trust of fully grown animals is harder," she laughs

Aelar nods.  That made sense, though he had no knowledge about it himself.  "You can do it, though.  I know you can."  He goes to say more but pauses, then continues, "I'm sure there are ways to do it that Grimbuld will teach you."

"Probably," Kallista agrees. "I havent asked him though."

“I bet food will help. I know I can’t help become endeared with whoever feeds me. Love you, Miss Hana!” The satyr calls out to the busy centaur. ”You too, Hyre. You make my belly happy.“ he says, patting his stomach.  Then he thinks of his friend grinding mystery meat up for his bird and turns a shade of green. ”So… what is in the meat pie you made tonight?” He asks pushing his plate away…

((I think we've got our 2 additions. We're going to be doing some rolls and skipping forward a bit in time soon, y'all okay with that?))

Ooc: I’m good with that. 

(Fine by me.)

"The meat pie? Same as always. Nothing strange, if that's what you're asking. I wouldn't think to waste her food for you - rats aren't that easy to catch in these quantities." Though, just to make sure he made no mistake, he smells the pie. "Definitely not the smell of rat meat, I can tell."

Lazlo is torn between being offended and thankful after hearing Hyre’s statement. 

Quote from KinaJardine >>

((I think we've got our 2 additions. We're going to be doing some rolls and skipping forward a bit in time soon, y'all okay with that?))

 OOC fine with me that oo

About that time, Grimbuld comes lurching through the doors of the Horseshoe along with Raia. The pair seem to be mid-argument.
"She is not ready, I'm not going to force her."
"Then what, you would have them sit on their thumbs until the Skell return?"
"It's all so easy for you, isn't it dragon. You have no idea what it's like to be so lost as her. All your power, your centuries of supposed wisdom, you may SAY you care about us groundlings, but how long have you lived among us rather than observe us like an ant farm? You haven't changed at all."
"Why do you think I'm going to allow myself to be captured? I'm GOING to be among them you---" Raia responds, clearly getting worked up.
They realize quickly that their voices were raised and Grimbuld limps towards the group's table. Raia hangs back, looking embarrassed.
"Hope I'm not interrupting anything." he says, though he sits himself down regardless, as expected of him.
"The dragon expressed concern over your reluctance to face your past, Kallista, but I'm not going to push you. You will face it when you're ready. Besides... I have a task for the four of you. It shouldn't take too long. You four should be on break from your studies soon, after all." he states, then settles in.
"The Watch approached me about a scouting mission to try and determine exactly where the Skell entered the underground water systems below the city. I have a pretty good idea where that might have happened, and it will take us right to the area where some of the reagents are located. Two birds, one stone. It would be good experience for you all." he says.
"And while scouting the wilds isn't beyond me, age is definitely catching up... I wouldn't mind the help, if you're willing to humor this old ranger one more time. Besides, it would be another favor to the city council. I'm sure they'd be MORE than happy to spare your performer friends the cost of going to Valis then, if it's all in the name of security and safety to the town."

Aelar bristles at the way the old ranger dismisses Raia's help and her knowledge and her 'supposed' wisdom, and a hot retort rises to his lips.  But then he remembers the others saying he was sometimes too impetuous.  He takes a deep breath then says, "Thank you, Mr. Grimbuld, for all your help and the way you're looking out for my sister, Kallista.  That's all Raia's trying to do, too.  But maybe instead of arguing over who's right and who's not, you two," as he says this word he gives Raia a long look so everyone knows he's talking to them both, "could work together and come up with some ideas.  You both know much more than us and maybe there's something of value in what you're both saying?"

"As for this job of yours, how long will it take?"

What a strange turn of events if Aelar the Impetuous is the voice of reason.

Raia and Grimbuld glance at one another, then away, both 'hmphing' at the same time. Even grown adults and ancient dragons can revert to pouting children every now and again when it comes to disagreements. The two clearly have a history and it's not being resolved anytime soon.
"Anyway..."
"Blackrock Lake is a few days ride away, especially if my hunch is correct about where the Skell entered the stream system, which will take us very close to the shore. We'll stay well back from the waterline; this time of year, the waters are thick with giant catfish that prowl the shallows. Quite dangerous. Additionally, there are primitive karsh tribes that frequent those lands. They're often hostile to outsiders." Grimbuld explains. "They're a semi-aquatic humanoid species that favor up close hand to hand combat, though their simple mindedness make them easy to outmaneuver."
Grimbuld borrows a map from Hana and points to the location, then moves his finger up from the mouth of the river that passes close to Guiston.
"There's also an old Guiston outpost that's been decommissioned here, not too far away. The city council has expressed interest in refortifying it, in light of recent events. If it hasn't already been ransacked, there may be some supplies we're welcome to if you all want to explore that, and they're even offering 100 gold pieces if it can be secured. Kina's offered to come along to act as the council liaison and pack mule for the trip."
Grimbuld looks like he's doing some calculations in his head.
"Maybe a week's trip in total. You'll be back before your classes resume... and Hyre's bird should be a fledgling and eating solid food by the time your break arrives, it would be good to get her used to seeing the outside. Hone her senses."

Kallista looks like she's about to say something, but doesn't once Aelar speaks up and then Grimbuld continues on. She looks at the map with interest. "They marched underground for a whole week? That seems like a lot of time to be underground. But the way we saw that one group of them, I doubt they need to eat much. If at all."

Grimbuld clarifies.

"Our journey will take about a week. That's there and back again. The Skell would have been undergound for a fair leg of the journey to stay hidden nonethelesss, at least a few days... which would have been a challenge in itself. The underground cave systems are also home to some very dangerous creatures even I wouldn't dare hunt in my prime. Then again, didn't you say that they had some means to travel through the earth? They were assisted by very advanced, powerful magic..."

“I can’t wait! Too much studying  crushes the soul.” Lazlo says.

((BTW, should the group accept the job--they're free to refuse it, after all--you can take actions and roll as if you're fully fledged level 2's as far as skills and feats are concerned for your classes, you just don't have your equipment yet.

Also, I'm going to post some thoughts about a 'bond' system that I wouldn't mind getting some feedback on, just a little extra kit that could be fun to implement. Haven't wrote anything down yet, just have some vague ideas.))

Grimbuld leans back in his chair, arms folded.
"And having the council owe another favor to you can't hurt, either." he muses. "Though passage for three to Valis is a simple matter for city coffers, outpost recovery, especially after an attempt to attack Guiston from inside, is a little too much to ask of the Watch considering how thin they're already stretched. Since the Knights were disbanded, I doubt any of their musketeers have had any wilderness survival training. They may know how to defend a wall, but I wouldn't trust any of them to pitch a tent or start a fire in the rain. This is what happens when you choose to specialize rather than diversify."
After a moment, Raia glances sidelong at Grimbuld.
"You almost make it sound like Guiston being attacked was a good thing." she comments.
"I'm saying that this was a harsh lesson for Guiston to learn. The lives lost is no less of a tragedy, and it should never have come to this... but with the majority of the old council massacred, Guiston might just have a second chance to rebuild stronger than it was before."
Raia hmms and tilts her head.
"I thought you had given up on civilization, ranger. Maybe you're being inspired by a handful of brave youngsters."
"Oh, be quiet..." Grimbuld grumbles.

Aelar looks at the two then shakes his head.  It was clear to him that the two were old comrades and just couldn't get past some trouble they'd had.  Oh well.

"Well, I'm in," he says.  He looks around at this friends.  "What about you guys?"

(Ah, I thought this whole conversation occurred not long after starting, so I treated Hyre as if he's still not even a 1st level character.)

"The benefits are obvious... I wouldn't lie. However, what of the dangers? A week in the wilderness... last time was just a few days, and there weren't any... umm... Karsh tribes." Hyre ponders aloud. It doesn't sound like he's objecting to the idea entirely, but more as if he wants to be convinced that his worries are groundless, or at least superfluous. "Besides, what benefit would there be for finding the entrance? Wouldn't just blocking the way be a simpler way? There must be multiple possible entrances, and so, even if we discover and block one, they could enter through another."

((For the purposes of moving things along, we'll just say that the party are unusually quick to pick up the foundations of their studies, and if things go a little odd with the introduction of the additional two players, the planned time skip may not really be feasible. It's probably best to just play things by ear and let you all finalize your skills and feats.))

Grimbuld nods.
"Very true. I'm fairly certain however that the city council plans to secure the surrounding area and build some form of short-form fortification to guard it. Blocking or collapsing the entrance would be futile since the Skell have a way of burrowing through rock like dire moles. The old council would have used a labor to guard the entrance, but as we've seen, that's an invitation for disaster. If they've any sense, they'll train proper sentries." Grimbuld says.
"What their plans are aren't my concern, but finding the insertion point will pay my debt for rebuilding my shop. Securing the outpost would just be a bonus for you all, as I have no interest in collecting on the bounty for that."

"That sounds like a plan to me, Mr. Grimbuld,"  Aelar says.  "And, Hyre, that was a while ago.  We all know much more, can do much more.  I think we'll be fine."