The young one sees Gabriel and eyes go wide. It's hard to tell if it's a girl or boy, dirty faced and dirty blonde hair hacked off as if with a kitchen knife to just over the shoulders.
"Misters...?" she looks between the grinning scary-looking half-orc and the Knight in Shining Armor. "Are you... adventurers?"
“Well Derv, if I may call you that, we seem to be adventurers now. Would you like to join us for a while to help us along?”
Grzak lowers his voice a little and continues in a mock conspiratorial tone with a slight smile and overly dramatic shifting eyes,
”Currently our adventuring has turned into a bit of an investigation and we’re trying to put some clues together. Would you be willing to help by filling out gaps in our understandings? We won’t ask you to do anything dangerous or for you to stick your neck out far enough to endanger you or your family.”
Grzac focuses his eyes on Dervish and leans towards the child slowly while twisting his head slightly indicating he’s expecting an answer in a hushed voice.
”What say you?”
Persuasion or performance are both -1, but if needed: 18
That elderly halfling was rather rude, but I assume you will still want to go find Quelline and Carp?
You make your way back down the porch stairs. It's easy to find your way around the house to the farm area. You see an older and younger halfling at work in the fields. Which do you approach first?
Somehow I missed this post. Alarion approaches the older in a non-confrontational manner.
Daran politely tries to ignore the goblin's manners ;)
“Regarding The Order of the Gauntlet…
“I was once a member. I’ve… retired. I only mention this because I see potential… in both you and some of your party. The Order of the Gauntlet believes in overcoming evil forces and battling for the side of good at any cost.”
Daran sighs and runs a hand through his hair.
“There are some zealots in the group. That’s part of why I retired. Nonetheless, I believe that the good outweighs the bad. We were fighters for the good fight.”
You approach the halfling you met the night before in the Stonehill Inn.
Looking up with a start, the elder says "I recognize you good Sir, but may I ask what you are doing on my property. Please, watch where you step, the seedlings are young."
Alarion's transformer shovel receives a surprised look.
Derv giggles and says to Gabriel, "Wait, say that aloud again Mr. Knight? Didya say Slaypin Geint? I dunno how to read letters."
"Mr. Scary, I don't think you really mean it when you say I can join you, but... could I be an adventurer too someday?" the little one asks Grzak.
At this point a young teenage boy comes out from around the side of the dwelling with a pitchfork in hand. "Leave my little sister alone if you know what's good for ya!"
The halfling looks you up and down from under a big floppy sun hat... and finally nods.
"Alright, if you'll take a hand in the fields, I'll tell you what I can. I assume that means you're not friends of the Redbrands, and as they say, the enemies of my enemies are my friends?"
Interrupted by the boy wielding the pitchfork, Grzak straightens back up to full height and backs away from Dervish. He turns to face the boy and offers both hands face up to show he’s unarmed.
”Whoa there laddy! I don’t believe we were bothering your sister, but she can speak for herself.”
Grzak quickly surveys the scene for defensive and advantageous positioning should this not de-escalate.
”Please lower your weapon. We’re not looking for a fight.”
Kathrine nods to the old adventurer. “I can agree that fighting evil is what everyone should be doing. All of the petty rivalries, unneeded wars between goodly folk, it is all pointless. The civilized races should promote peace among themselves, so they can fight the battle that really matters, that against evil in all of its forms.” She has gotten a bit rosy-cheeked in the talk, clearly feeling strongly about this.
Cringer has his tongue stuck out, holding it with is hand as he breathes and tries to cool off his insides after the hot tea.
The boy holding the pitchfork yells to his sister: "Get behind me, they're strangers!"
He moves slightly closer in order to protect his sister. She sighs and wanders behind him, slouching. His trembling hands make the pitchfork he's holding waver badly. He has the barest touch of facial growth and is rather scrawny, but his eyes are fierce.
Derv turns around as soon she's behind him, sticks out her tongue and rolls her eyes.
Daran darts a fond look at Cringer and then back at Katherine earnestly. “M’Lady, there are a couple more matters I would like to speak to you about. Perhaps I can entice you and your friend to hear me out if I offer you something that I like to cook up on occasion?”
“Spiced poached apples, fresh from my orchard, with a touch of syrup? It’s a nice mid-morning snack if you’ve been up since early.”
Alarion:
You work side by side with Qelline...
Sidelong glances make it appear that she is judging the worthiness of this 'unfoldable' shovel as much as how much can be safely said. Around mid-morning, she takes off her floppy hat, and says "Are you willing to fight the Redbrands then? What do you want to know?"
Grzak goes silent, sighs and smiles at the siblings. He figures now is the time for the “knight in shining armor” to speak up. His thoughts then jump back to speculate what it might have been like to grow up with a sibling that would have stuck up for him. Well, there’s nothing for it. His lot is his lot and his past is his past.
His attention snaps back to the present and he looks to Gabriel and non-verbally motions for him to try something.
"Or perhaps..." Daran says, looking at how Cringer is still pulling his tongue out in order to cool it down after the tea, "I will save that for another time, and simply slice up some apples to put before us on the table as we talk?"
Daran darts a fond look at Cringer and then back at Katherine earnestly. “M’Lady, there are a couple more matters I would like to speak to you about. Perhaps I can entice you and your friend to hear me out if I offer you something that I like to cook up on occasion?”
“Spiced poached apples, fresh from my orchard, with a touch of syrup? It’s a nice mid-morning snack if you’ve been up since early.”
Alarion:
You work side by side with Qelline...
Sidelong glances make it appear that she is judging the worthiness of this 'unfoldable' shovel as much as how much can be safely said. Around mid-morning, she takes off her floppy hat, and says "Are you willing to fight the Redbrands then? What do you want to know?"
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Before Gabriel speaks he asks Torm for guidance (cast guidance)
"Easy lad, easy. We mean you no harm, I am a paladin and a sworn servant of Torm. We mean you no harm. We have just arived here and are trying to make sense of some shadow figures we saw last night. Perhaps you can help us?" Gabriel tries to calm the young man.
Daran slices up an apple and places the plate on his table for Cringer and you.
"I will cut to the chase. The Redbrands are terrorizing this community. We all moved here within the last several years, hoping for a simple, peaceful life. The Order of the Gauntlet would regard any who could rid the town of these ruffians in high regard."
"There is another matter... there are some reports regarding Old Owl Well, a two-day march northeast of Phandalin. The Gauntlet is very keen on putting the undead to true death... there is reason to believe that undead are, well... alive is not the right word... afoot perhaps? These ruins dates back to Netheril. There could be dangerous magic dormant there."
Alarion pulls his foldable shovel from his pack and heads around back.
“Well Derv, if I may call you that, we seem to be adventurers now. Would you like to join us for a while to help us along?”
Grzak lowers his voice a little and continues in a mock conspiratorial tone with a slight smile and overly dramatic shifting eyes,
”Currently our adventuring has turned into a bit of an investigation and we’re trying to put some clues together. Would you be willing to help by filling out gaps in our understandings? We won’t ask you to do anything dangerous or for you to stick your neck out far enough to endanger you or your family.”
Grzac focuses his eyes on Dervish and leans towards the child slowly while twisting his head slightly indicating he’s expecting an answer in a hushed voice.
”What say you?”
Persuasion or performance are both -1, but if needed: 18
Mana - Verdan Bard - Dragon Heist
”I love deadlines. I like the whooshing sound they make as they fly by.” - Douglas Adams
”I’ve suffered a great many catastrophes in my life. Most of them never happened.” - Mark Twain
Somehow I missed this post. Alarion approaches the older in a non-confrontational manner.
"Derv do you know the name Slaypin Gent? I found this for cloak with that name on it?"
Katherine:
Daran politely tries to ignore the goblin's manners ;)
“Regarding The Order of the Gauntlet…
“I was once a member. I’ve… retired. I only mention this because I see potential… in both you and some of your party. The Order of the Gauntlet believes in overcoming evil forces and battling for the side of good at any cost.”
Daran sighs and runs a hand through his hair.
“There are some zealots in the group. That’s part of why I retired. Nonetheless, I believe that the good outweighs the bad. We were fighters for the good fight.”
Alarion:
You approach the halfling you met the night before in the Stonehill Inn.
Looking up with a start, the elder says "I recognize you good Sir, but may I ask what you are doing on my property. Please, watch where you step, the seedlings are young."
Alarion's transformer shovel receives a surprised look.
(They are a thing.)
"I came to ask you if you knew anything about the redbrands that could help my party and I. And to offer my help with your work."
G&G:
Derv giggles and says to Gabriel, "Wait, say that aloud again Mr. Knight? Didya say Slaypin Geint? I dunno how to read letters."
"Mr. Scary, I don't think you really mean it when you say I can join you, but... could I be an adventurer too someday?" the little one asks Grzak.
At this point a young teenage boy comes out from around the side of the dwelling with a pitchfork in hand. "Leave my little sister alone if you know what's good for ya!"
Alarion:
The halfling looks you up and down from under a big floppy sun hat... and finally nods.
"Alright, if you'll take a hand in the fields, I'll tell you what I can. I assume that means you're not friends of the Redbrands, and as they say, the enemies of my enemies are my friends?"
Interrupted by the boy wielding the pitchfork, Grzak straightens back up to full height and backs away from Dervish. He turns to face the boy and offers both hands face up to show he’s unarmed.
”Whoa there laddy! I don’t believe we were bothering your sister, but she can speak for herself.”
Grzak quickly surveys the scene for defensive and advantageous positioning should this not de-escalate.
”Please lower your weapon. We’re not looking for a fight.”
Mana - Verdan Bard - Dragon Heist
”I love deadlines. I like the whooshing sound they make as they fly by.” - Douglas Adams
”I’ve suffered a great many catastrophes in my life. Most of them never happened.” - Mark Twain
"Correct." Alarion gets to work helping them out.
Kathrine nods to the old adventurer. “I can agree that fighting evil is what everyone should be doing. All of the petty rivalries, unneeded wars between goodly folk, it is all pointless. The civilized races should promote peace among themselves, so they can fight the battle that really matters, that against evil in all of its forms.” She has gotten a bit rosy-cheeked in the talk, clearly feeling strongly about this.
Cringer has his tongue stuck out, holding it with is hand as he breathes and tries to cool off his insides after the hot tea.
G&G:
The boy holding the pitchfork yells to his sister: "Get behind me, they're strangers!"
He moves slightly closer in order to protect his sister. She sighs and wanders behind him, slouching. His trembling hands make the pitchfork he's holding waver badly. He has the barest touch of facial growth and is rather scrawny, but his eyes are fierce.
Derv turns around as soon she's behind him, sticks out her tongue and rolls her eyes.
Katherine:
Daran darts a fond look at Cringer and then back at Katherine earnestly. “M’Lady, there are a couple more matters I would like to speak to you about. Perhaps I can entice you and your friend to hear me out if I offer you something that I like to cook up on occasion?”
“Spiced poached apples, fresh from my orchard, with a touch of syrup? It’s a nice mid-morning snack if you’ve been up since early.”
Alarion:
You work side by side with Qelline...
Sidelong glances make it appear that she is judging the worthiness of this 'unfoldable' shovel as much as how much can be safely said. Around mid-morning, she takes off her floppy hat, and says "Are you willing to fight the Redbrands then? What do you want to know?"
Grzak goes silent, sighs and smiles at the siblings. He figures now is the time for the “knight in shining armor” to speak up. His thoughts then jump back to speculate what it might have been like to grow up with a sibling that would have stuck up for him. Well, there’s nothing for it. His lot is his lot and his past is his past.
His attention snaps back to the present and he looks to Gabriel and non-verbally motions for him to try something.
Mana - Verdan Bard - Dragon Heist
”I love deadlines. I like the whooshing sound they make as they fly by.” - Douglas Adams
”I’ve suffered a great many catastrophes in my life. Most of them never happened.” - Mark Twain
Katherine:
"Or perhaps..." Daran says, looking at how Cringer is still pulling his tongue out in order to cool it down after the tea, "I will save that for another time, and simply slice up some apples to put before us on the table as we talk?"
Grzak:
"Well... you don't seem like the usual kind of stranger that has been here lately."
The young teen looks at you and takes a deep breath. He lowers his pitchfork slightly now that his sister is safely behind him.
"Maybe you're the kind that might understand that bad things can happen to good folk."
"We are. Anything you know could help us."
Before Gabriel speaks he asks Torm for guidance (cast guidance)
"Easy lad, easy. We mean you no harm, I am a paladin and a sworn servant of Torm. We mean you no harm. We have just arived here and are trying to make sense of some shadow figures we saw last night. Perhaps you can help us?" Gabriel tries to calm the young man.
Persuasion check: 14
Guidance bonus:2
Katherine:
Daran slices up an apple and places the plate on his table for Cringer and you.
"I will cut to the chase. The Redbrands are terrorizing this community. We all moved here within the last several years, hoping for a simple, peaceful life. The Order of the Gauntlet would regard any who could rid the town of these ruffians in high regard."
"There is another matter... there are some reports regarding Old Owl Well, a two-day march northeast of Phandalin. The Gauntlet is very keen on putting the undead to true death... there is reason to believe that undead are, well... alive is not the right word... afoot perhaps? These ruins dates back to Netheril. There could be dangerous magic dormant there."