(Unless you all want to do anything, the rest of the night passes uneventfully. A couple of more travelers stop by, a young Halfling couple that keeps making out inappropriately in the corner, as well as a young mother with a small child of about 3 years old. The child gawks inappropriately at Carxus, perhaps never having seen a Tiefling before. The mother apologizes and the mother and child soon retreat to their room for the night.)

DM's note: Sorry about the delay between updates, had a busy weekend. In the interest of moving the story along, I can tell you all there's not much more to the story here, in case you all want to make your way to Hogsbottom. 

OOC: Yeah I'm fine with moving forward.

Yep, presuming we'd pay up in the a.m. if we haven't already, and then head on our way. I'll cast up that Mage Armor invocation again and would likely be on-edge a little, fully expecting some retaliation from the thugs from last night...

OOC: I agree with moving on.

Carxus smiles awkwardly in an attempt to put the child at ease and only makes the child more nervous. After graciousness accepting the mother’s apology, he decides to cut his losses and head to bed. 

(The party wakes up early, bids a farewell to Goldie and Trish, and you're on your way to Hogsbottom. You travel most of the day at a pretty good pace, passing a couple of travelers who bid you all a good day but don't seem to be too keen on making much conversation, hurrying along.

As you get closer to the town and go over a hill, you get a good view of Hogsbottom. You see that it is quite a bit larger than Calla, with a large wall surrounding the main city. On the North and South you see sprawling ranches with livestock. It appears the North is mostly pigs and the South is mostly cows. Much farther East, on the outskirts of town, you see large rows of lush trees. The main city part has lots of smoke and steam rising, very dirty. The smell of hogs and blood hits you all even though you're still about 2 miles away from the actual city.

You all make your way into the city about 5 in the afternoon. Lots of travelers are entering and exiting, but most of them are traveling the roads going North and South, not really heading in the direction you all came from. A pair of guards are at the main gate, mostly surveying and making sure nothing is going terribly wrong. There's a lot of shops here: mostly butcher's shops, a couple of leather goods stores, a blacksmith, and, of course, a Tavern. The Tavern has a sign that reads 'The Laughing Maid'. You all enter and notice a few stares, but for the most part everyone is going about their business. The bartender, a young Halfling standing on a step stool to be able to see over the bar, greets you all.)

"Welcome to The Laughing Maid. What can I get you all?" 

(You all survey the Tavern and see just a bunch of normal looking townspeople, nothing too out of the ordinary.)

DM's note: That's because you all can't percept worth a damn. :) LOL

"Hello there!" Lena greets the bartender enthusiastically, in her native halfling tongue. She jumps up on to a nearby chair to be eye level with the rest.

"My name is Lena and these are my companions. We are curious if you have heard any rumors or any other events goings on?"

(The young halfling man looks happy to speak to someone in Halfling.)

Spoiler for Lena:

(The Halfling's eyes go wide and he lowers his head in a humble bow as he sees someone approach the bar. A young, kind of doughy, pasty-faced man with thinning hair and a doublet bearing a symbol of a barrel with an apple on it--the symbol of a local ciderworks, the Tapwell Ciderworks--approaches you.)

"Put whatever they're ordering on our tab, Tomin."

(The man turns to you all and subtly looks you all over.)

"You have the look of seasoned adventurers. That's very interesting. My name is Augustus Tapwell. Perhaps you have heard of my family's Cider fortune?"

(He looks at you expectantly.) 

"I'm sorry I've only heard a little. Living out in the forests one doesn't get much information about cities or what they hold. I've have had some of your cider though! It's very good."

(Augustus looks slightly taken aback but is trying not to show it.)

"How about the rest of you?"

“Of course I’ve heard of the Tapwells...your good name has traveled as far as your cider.” 

Carxus smiles, hoping Augustus believes him.

Deception: 6

"I've been made aware. Your operation is hard to miss."

(Augustus' ego seems sufficiently placated.)

"Yes, well, we don't like to talk about such crass things as money. I only mention so that you may know that you may trust us to be men of our word, you see. If you would just step this way, my father has a proposition for you four."

(Before you can object too much, Augustus puts his arms around you all and kind of bundles you to a private table in the corner, past the onlookers that are crowding around the other tables. This corner table, though able to accommodate multiple people sitting at it, only has two people, two places set currently. One is a very old man, and the other is a nearly identical doughy young man to the one that is currently pushing you over to the table.

The old man--both of those men are wearing almost identical doublets with the Tapwell logo, and they are digging into a supper in front of them. You are ushered to grab a seat while he orders tankards of ale from a passing barmaid.)

"Please, a round of ale for our new friends, here. Archie, don't be rude."

(The other son, Archie, nods his head to you in a polite bow. The old man looks to be about 60, with slicked back silver hair. He is obviously the father of these other two, younger men.)

"My name is Ambrose Tapwell. Perhaps you’ve heard of my cider fortune?"

(He assumes you nod or say yes, and continues.)

"Recently, not two nights past, my mansion house, orchard, and ciderworks were attacked by a marauding band of goblins. Luckily, my retainers sprang into action and hustled me and my family to safety. However, in doing so, they've allowed my home to be overrun by these creatures. In the hustle and bustle, I was not able to take all of my possessions, and I was hoping that I could find some strong and, well, learned types, experienced types in the ways of adventuring, such as yourselves, to break into my home and retrieve an item for me. I would be willing to pay you for your troubles, of course."

(He looks at you all and awaits your response...)

"Not into getting the whole house back, then? Just this one item?"

(Ambrose looks at Nikta, amused.)

"Well, of course, I'd love to have my home back, but it's not as simple as that. My reputation in this town... well, let's just say, if people heard about what happened, it might inspire imitators. As far as we can tell, it's a small army of goblins, probably about 25 or so. The only person I trust to discreetly help is Sheriff Lobo, but he is dealing with a situation that arose with some bandits on the northern roads and I don't know when he'll be coming back. When he returns, I'll be able to raise up a few trusted men to take my home back, but until then, not having this item is causing me a lot of anxiety and I really must have it back. I am willing to pay you each say, 75 GP? What say you?"

“What is the item in question?”

(Ambrose looks pleased.)

"The item in question is located inside a chest buried in the northeast corner of my cellar. It’s not a particularly heavy chest. One of you strapping adventurers could carry it without much trouble. It has some very, very important documents, personal effects, that sort of thing, you understand."

(The barmaid arrives with the tankards of ale and sets them down. Archie flippantly tosses a Silver Piece her way.)

"Now, to give you a bit of information, my home is about a few hours travel from Hogsbottom. It’s a simple manor house, and the orchards on the outside may provide some cover for you to sneak in. In fact, the--it's even possible the goblins may have already gotten bored and left. Otherwise, you’ll have to sneak past or murder them.

I could give you directions, but I think it would be best if you took one of my sons with you, so they can answer your questions and guide you. Go ahead and choose one of them, but I can't spare them both. I am an old man and one of them must stay with me."

"Can I ask what you both have to offer if we take you with us, besides directions, like can you protect yourselves,or do either of you know how to cast spells?" Lena asks, taking a sip of her drink.

(One of the brothers looks like he's going to answer, but Ambrose interjects.)

"They will stay out of your way, I assure you. Won't be any trouble at all. They can run away quickly if needed. I really must insist on having one of them guide you, they both know the layout of the mansion and I really think it's best if they are there to handle anything that comes up."

(The brothers look at you blankly.)

"So, do we have an accord? I'd be willing to give you each, say, 25 GP up front and the rest upon completion of the job. Will a handshake be enough, or would you prefer to draw up a contract of some sort?"

Carxus examines the facial expressions of the three Tapwells to see if they seem to be hiding anything. 

Insight:20