Chapter 7: Unconscious Revelations

[Jeff]

Chapter 7
Unconscious Revelations

Sul, the 15th of Sypheros 998 YK

"Breakfast is ready!"

You're wrenched from consciousness by the clanging of a bell—Esthryn's, used to signal mealtime. Dragged from bed, you're only able to grab your nearest clothes—and favored weapon, because you never know—before going down to the dining room of the Eatery. Already a number of patrons have come in for breakfast on their way to work. The seats at the bar remain empty, reserved for the Tavven "children," Streko and Varna, and their friends. You all.

Adamant is walking in the door right at this time, having returned from Esthryn's latest food donation to the needy of High Walls. Syrdan, too, has been alert for hours, but only now leaves the solitude of the room the Tavvens have given to him. Later today he knows should be returning to Shae Lias and to the high priest, with at least Varna for company.

The breakfast crowd is chattering away through mouthfuls of omelets and stew. Esthryn shoves food in front of you and starts talking to you all even before you're seated, whether or not you pay attention. Having a topic or not doesn't seem to deter her from speaking. But in particular, one of her bits of gossip does sound interesting:

Evidently, it's one of the latest stories circulating around Sharn. Something involving King Boranel's youngest son, Prince Halix. Most citizens know that the young prince had been part of the exchange of royals that shortly followed the Treaty of Thronehold. It was intended to be a sign of good will and tolerance among the sovereigns of the remaining Five Nations after the Last War. But in truth, most understood this "heir exchange program" to be a guarantee of peace. Why declare war on an enemy monach when he or she has one of your children under their care?

So this in itself isn't news. The exchange of royals took place a year ago or more. Breland's king sent two of his children over to King Kaius's court (Halix and Borina), while Karrnath's king sent over his younger sister (Haydith) to Boranel's court in the city of Wroat and his younger brother (Gaius) to study with the Keeper of the Flame in Thrane. The only monarch who noticeably did not participating in this program was Queen Aurala of Aundair, who refused to send any of her kin to foreign courts—a fact many critics say is telling about her political stance.

What is news, which Esthryn tells you about: Apparently, recently, Prince Halix was kidnapped by some terrorist group ("must be that cursed Emerald Claw!") somewhere in Karrnath, but was shortly afterwards rescued by one of Sharn's up and coming inquisitives. A Brelish hero saves a Brelish prince in the perilous, dark land of Karrnath. The event itself is a few days old now, but it had only hit the Korrenburg Chronicle yesterday, so now it's the talk of the town.

Then without missing a beat, Esthryn launches seamlessly into gossip about a shop-owner several blocks away who lets the boxed flowers outside her ship get over-watered. Orval merely looks on, half paying attention and making small talk with customers who come and go. He usually handles the coins. Tangat remains at Esthryn's feet constantly, although the dog is large enough to resemble a small pony relative to her.

Through the windows you can see a light rain falling. A typical morning in the Lower City, but somehow it manages to be fairly bright outside. Your bellies are soon full.

Condign still feels a light fever but he doesn't feel the nausea like he did yesterday. Streko is proving to be an excellent healer, a rival to the best of the Ghaash'kala healers. The tiefling can't quite tell if it's Streko's studied skill, his faith in Olladra, or the natural magic of his dragonmark. Most likely it's all three.

A pair of industrious-looking dwarves are also working at installing a hole in the central wall, a large semi-oval window that would allow people on the west side of the common room (such as the bar) to see the stage on the east side. Orval seems proud of the idea.

Varna sits quietly from her stool at the bar, staring across the common room and out one of the windows.

______________________________

Condign's condition is improving. Gone are the defense penalties. Now he's just down 1 healing surge. If another successful save is made tonight (Joe, you don't have to roll any more Heal checks, I'll simply use your second roll for tonight's)

[Darren]

As Kal eats Esthryn's cooking, he lets out a satisfied groan. "By all the gods above," he exclaims, "I have never had a finer meal! Deneith may know a thing or two about fighting, but the cooks in Sentinel Tower could rarely tell the front end from the back on most animals." Kal reaches out and grabs Esthryn's hand as she passes and kisses it lightly. "You are a marvel."

Turning to look at the window being installed, Kal grins at Orval. "Was it my performance that inspired you?" He laughs at his joke.

Kal leans back casually. "Well, my friends, what is the plan for the day? We have many tasks to accomplish. Do we divide and conquer, or stay together for company? Personally, I recommend a trip to our shopkeeper friend as a group, and then we can split from there, as required. Besides myself, Syrdan and Adamant, who else has business they must attend to?"

[Mike]

Jul 28, 2010 20:54:16 GMT -4 Jeff said:

Returning to Olladra's Kitchen and the Eatery, Varna introduces Syrdan to her mother, Esthryn, and her father, Orval. Syrdan hasn't known many halflings personally, but he suspects that these elders represent some of the best qualities of their race. And now that he's spent time with Streko, he can see the family resemblance and where the spark of passion came from.

He immediately sees, from the look of the place, that Orval is a gardener and herbalist by trade, and that Esthryn's sole purpose seems to be the feeding of those around her. She thrusts a bowl of soup in front of him almost immediately.

He also catches on that halflings do pay some measure of respect to their ancestors, certainly far more than humans. From what he's seen, nobles and dragonmarked humans seem to refer to their sires only when it suits them, when title and privilege can be invoked to influence others. The Tavvens, though not exactly recent immigrants from the Talenta Plains, still make casual remarks that refer to their tribes of old. They don't record and recite and ritualize their connection to the deep past, as do the Aereni, but they do remember where they came from; it's a strong part of their culture. Syrdan can't help but respect that. And although he knows the Tavvens are part of the extended Jorasco house, they certainly don't act like a family affiliated with the dragonmarked. Then again, neither does Streko.

"You really should have some more," Esthryn remarks to Syrdan when he finishes the soup.

The reverence for which the Tavverns have for each other - and for their ancestors - is something that impresses Syrdan greatly. He speaks to Esthryn and Orval at length about their family history, genuinely interested in what they have to say. He speaks of his own family and lands, when allowed to ... and when not having soup practically shoveled into his face by Esthryn! His protests that for an elf, he is actually not all that slender ... well, Esthryn seems deaf to those words. He learns quickly to eat slowly, as an empty bowl invariably leads to a fresh one that's full.

As he speaks, he keeps an eye on Varna. She doesn't interest him in the way that he suspects she interests his other companions, but he remains curious about her own interest in Shae Lias. He does briefly mention the elven district, comparing it to Aerenal, listening to what any of the halflings have to say about the place.

In speaking about the City of the Dead, the elf takes care to downplay the dangers that were faced. He suspects that Esthryn and Orval fear enough for the safety of their children, and he has little interest in stoking those fears further.

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Sorry ... Chapter Six got locked while I originally was writing this as a response there! Needed to rewrite and repost here.

[Brian]

Condign motions for Adamant to join him.

"If I may be permitted a question--or maybe it is a favor. That ghostly woman we freed down below the city. I did not get her name, but she seemed to be a disciple of your order. She spoke of her father. Do you know if there is a way to locate this man? I would like to relate to him what we have discovered. He may be worrying about her."

[Dave W.]

Jul 29, 2010 14:25:02 GMT -4 Brian said:

Condign motions for Adamant to join him.

"If I may be permitted a question--or maybe it is a favor.  That ghostly woman we freed down below the city.  I did not get her name, but she seemed to be a disciple of your order.  She spoke of her father.  Do you know if there is a way to locate this man?  I would like to relate to him what we have discovered.  He may be worrying about her."

"I have the feeling that she has been nonfunctional for so long that it is unlikely that we will find her father. But perhaps a relative of some sort."

"I seem to recall her mention that she took vows at a local temple, the Pavilion of the Host. Perhaps we could start there. I've noticed that many humans like to write these sorts of things down."

"in any case, yes, my friend I will help you search."

[Jeff]

Kal:

"Was it my performance that inspired you?"

Orval winks. "Maybe that helped convinced me. Why, you thinking of doing that again?"

He does briefly mention the elven district, comparing it to Aerenal, listening to what any of the halflings have to say about the place.

It's pretty evident that they don't know much about Shae Lias, but they're quite keen to learn more. Varna tends to speak of the Upper City with a derisive tone, but the elven district seems to be an exception. It mostly just come across as curiosity. The elves of Aerenal are certainly exotic to the Brelish, even in a city like Sharn, which sees visitors from every part of the world.

But right now Varna seems distracted, eyes continually straying to the window.

[Ken]

Jul 29, 2010 11:37:49 GMT -4 Darren said:

Kal leans back casually. "Well, my friends, what is the plan for the day? We have many tasks to accomplish. Do we divide and conquer, or stay together for company? Personally, I recommend a trip to our shopkeeper friend as a group, and then we can split from there, as required. Besides myself, Syrdan and Adamant, who else has business they must attend to?"

Belarin leans back in his chair and stares up at the ceiling for a moment. "I need to start doing some preparation... for a task that I was given and which I've neglected for too long." He lowers himself down and stands up. "And I've happily neglected it in the Tavvens' wonderful company. But the game pieces are moving, and I still don't know the rules or who I'm playing against."

He looks over to Syrdan and then to Varna, sitting by the window. "If you two don't mind, I'd like to join you in going to Shae Lias. I need resources, and I have may have better luck finding some of them in the upper levels."

[Joe]

Streko listens to everyone's plans. He makes a decision, one that isn't easy. He steps over to Kal and begins speaking in soft tones.

"Kalarian, I shall go with you. My first impulse is to stay with Varna and not let her from my sight. If I don't let her go, I may become somewhat overprotective, which would not bode well for our relationship. She has always needed her freedom and has always gone her own way. I fear that I am wanting to coddle her, protect her and keep her from danger, which will only make her search it out that much more. So, I shall go with you and allow Belarin and Syrdan to watch over her. I trust they will protect her as well as myself or Adamant."

[Darren]

Kal rubs his hands together and leans closer to Orval. "I may be able to come up with a story or two," he says conspiratorially.

"Is there a Deneith enclave anywhere near where you're going?" Kal says to Syrdan. "Perhaps we can accompany you up there before going to find someone else who is marked."

[Jeff]

Orval interrupts, looking at Kal. "Dragon Towers is the district you may want to try on the way to...wherever you're going. It's in the Middle City, and part of Central Plateau." He taps his foot, indicating where you are now. "It's where all the dragonmarked enclaves are centralized in the city...though, of course, the houses have outposts scattered throughout the wards."

He pauses. "Me and the misses have been there, to Dragon Towers, a few times, once we came to Sharn the first time. To, uhh, talk with the folks in the House Jorasco enclave."

"With our kin, as it turned out," Esthryn adds with a twinkle, reddening.

"Yeah, they helped us out," Orval concludes. "On account of Streko being the link to our old roots." He smiles proudly at his son.

Varna speaks up for the first time in a while. "Well, I'll be going with Syrdan to Shae Lias, whenever he wants to." She glances at the elf. "Would it be allowed for a small group to join you? And actually, unless you're in a hurry, I'm thinking of stopping through Little Plains on the way up. I wouldn't mind introducing you all to some of my friends there. I could use some more—"

Varna stops abruptly, her eyes fixing on something outside. She stands up, hand going to the hilt of her dagger. She looks at the rest of you again, appraisingly. Strangely. "Condign, Syrdan...can you come with me a moment? And, uhh, play along?"

She heads for the door, intent on something outside.

[Darren]

A concerned look comes over Kal's face, but he doesn't rise from his chair. Instead, he looks down at Tangat, catching the dog's eyes. Then he looks towards the door and nods in that direction. He watches at the dog pads off, waiting for the sense of emotion that will indicate whether or not the dog perceives danger. Though he looks relaxed, Kal's entire body is tensed, ready to spring to the door in an instant.

[Brian]

Adamant:

"I have the feeling that she has been nonfunctional for so long that it is unlikely that we will find her father. But perhaps a relative of some sort."

"I would not assume that she is dead. Or if she is, that she has been dead for long. She may have been a spirit for days or weeks, not necessarily for years or decades. We may still find her immediate family."

Varna:

Varna stops abruptly, her eyes fixing on something outside. She stands up, hand going to the hilt of her dagger. She looks at the rest of you again, appraisingly. Strangely. "Condign, Syrdan...can you come with me a moment? And, uhh, play along?"

Condign glances over at Syrdan. With a raised eyebrow and a shrug, he moves away from Adamant and his food and toward the exit.

[Mike]

Syrdan almost groansat the sight of yet more food. It is certainly delicious, as tasty as anything he's ever eaten among his own kind! I just wish the halflings understood, well, the concept of portions, he thinks. He looks at the small halflings and wonders where all the food actually goes, as he picks at his breakfast, enduring the scoldings from Esthryn for not eating enough. He does eat more as she speaks about the Emerald Claw, though, and compliments the food and the cooking profusely in an effort to keep the halfling woman talking.

Besides, the food is simply outstanding, and Syrdan thinks compliments were certainly in order anyway.

Jul 29, 2010 21:35:02 GMT -4 Ken said:

He looks over to Syrdan and then to Varna, sitting by the window. "If you two don't mind, I'd like to join you in going to Shae Lias. I need resources, and I have may have better luck finding some of them in the upper levels."

"Not at all!" Syrdan replies. "I will assist you, if I can ... just let me know what you require." He pushes away a still half-filled plate of food away from himself, and leans forward in his chair, placing his elbows on the table and templing his fingers together. "This task of yours, Belarin ... is it something that must be done alone, or would the help of others be needed? If you wish, my sword is yours. As well as the elf attached to it," he adds with a thin smile.

Jul 29, 2010 22:53:42 GMT -4 Darren said:

"Is there a Deneith enclave anywhere near where you're going?" Kal says to Syrdan. "Perhaps we can accompany you up there before going to find someone else who is marked."

Syrdan shrugs at that one. "I've only just arrived in Sharn, I barely know how to get to Shae Lias," the elf says. He looks over at Varna. "Is there such an enclave near where we're going?"

Jul 29, 2010 23:41:18 GMT -4 Jeff said:

Varna stops abruptly, her eyes fixing on something outside. She stands up, hand going to the hilt of her dagger. She looks at the rest of you again, appraisingly. Strangely. "Condign, Syrdan...can you come with me a moment? And, uhh, play along?"

She heads for the door, intent on something outside.

Syrdan shows a slight amount of surprise at Varna's comment, but merely nods, and heads out the door.

[Ken]

Belarin starts to reply to Syrdan's question, "Well, thank you, and no, it's not something I'd prefer to do by myself or...."

Varna's mysterious request compels Syrdan to depart, leaving Belarin to share a curious glance with the others. "Hmmm, maybe she wants intimidating-looking people. See, it's those clothes of yours, Kal -- they're TOO nice. That's why you weren't picked."

[Jeff]

Tangat races around the kitchen and out into the common room to obey Kal's wish. He's been spending more time around Esthryn and the kitchen than his master. He stops near the door as Varna, and shortly afterwards Condign and Syrdan, walk out it.

Varna does cut an impressive figure—she's already in her cleaned up black leather again—with the tall, horned tiefling carrying his new shield and the greatsword-toting, white-robed elf walking behind her. Even without weapons bared, they do stand out.

And then both Condign and Syrdan see who Varna is striding towards. Amidst the morning crowds milling about the street is a trio of gnolls!

Gnolls are a hyena-headed race of nomads commonly associated with the monster nation of Droaam. Along with goblins and orcs, gnolls are part of that region's major population. They're known to be savage and tribal, who sustain themselves not by growing their own crops or making their own goods but by pillaging and stealing from others. In Droaam, the various tribes tend to fall under the sway of that nation's various factions; in Sharn, it's anyone's guess. They're not known to be diplomatic. There are very few stories involving gnolls being peaceable, and a lot more stories about them worshiping demons and razing villages.

These gnolls are armored in leather that looked like it's been salvaged from victims who wore leather armor. Two of them have crude handaxes hanging from their belts, while the third carries no obvious weapons. They have dirty yellowish fur, and even with their hunched posture, they top seven and a half feet in height. As Condign and Syrdan get closer, they can smell them—like a kennel that could use some cleaning.

The nearest passers-by give the gnolls a wide berth.

"What're ye dogs sniffin' 'round the Kitch for?" Varna challenges, looking up at them. She stops when she's ten feet away, but adopts a casual, swaggering pose. She is using a strange accent you haven't heard her use before. She looks briefly around and shrugs. "I donna see any yer bones lyin' about."

The lead gnoll lets his furry, long-nailed hand fall to the handle of his axe, though he doesn't remove it. His ears flatten on his head and he bristles, his bright yellow canine eyes taking in both Condign and Syrdan and their weapons. "Just waggin' through, half-a-girl," the gnoll says with a laugh. His voice is deeper than a hyena's but still has that eerie mirth to it. "I see no problemmm. You?"

One of the gnolls in the back, who is hardly paying attention, dragons his claws across the panes of the window behind him, leaving a permanent grooves in the glass. It's not part of the Tavvens' property, but it is somebody's. Someone beyond the window quickly draws the curtain. He laughs.

Back inside the Eatery, the rest of you now spot the gnolls through the window. While they do seem a bit out of place, this is the Lower City, and people of many races come and go. You've glimpsed gnolls once or twice before, but it's usually half-orc or goblin kin roving about.

At the moment, both Esthryn and Orval seem oblivious to this encounter.

The little bs on the map are bystanders, a mix of folk. The "E" and "O" are Esthryn and Orval, and of course the gs are the gnolls.

[Brian]

Condign watches as one of the gnolls gouges his nails into the window behind him. When the creature is done laughing, Condign motions to him.

"I hope you have enough crown to pay for that," he says. He turns to Syrdan. "Then again, if they are as stupid as they are smelly, we may have to draw pictures to get them to understand us. And even that may be giving them too much credit."

In a voice so low that only the elf and the halfling can hear, he says: "How is that? Good enough?"

[Ken]

Belarin groans at the sight outside. "Gnolls," he says softly to Kal, not wanting to attract the attention of the elder Tavvens, who so far seem not to have noticed the situation. "I'll go high -- in case she misjudged this." With a final sip from his cup, he walks jauntily around the far end of the bar and into the side entrance of the kitchen, then makes his way up the stairs as discreetly as possible.

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I'm assuming that we're all quite familiar with the layout of this place by now. Belarin wants to find a window on the second floor that overlooks the scene. If he has to invoke Shadow Walk to slip through the kitchen without drawing too much attention, he'll do so.

[Mike]

Jul 30, 2010 15:24:22 GMT -4 Brian said:

In a voice so low that only the elf and the halfling can hear, he says: "How is that? Good enough?"

"Oh, quite good," Syrdan murmurs. "But let's drive home the point."

Jul 30, 2010 12:19:17 GMT -4 Jeff said:

"Just waggin' through, half-a-girl," the gnoll says with a laugh. His voice is deeper than a hyena's but still has that eerie mirth to it. "I see no problemmm. You?"

"I see three problems, actually," Syrdan says to the gnoll that laughs. "It'd be a wise idea if those three problems went away. Far, far, away. And took that horrifying stench with them."

[Dave W.]

Adamant is curious when Varna calls Condign and Syrdan outside. Then he sees the gnolls. He's run into them before, Vicious fighters, but cowards if handled right, he thinks. The girl has the right approach.

The warforged scans the inn to assess other threats and finds a large one built in a small package. He looks to Kal and sees Belarin move to the kitchens. Adamant decides he will have to counter the threat.

He moves to his left; using his large frame to stand between Esthryn and the windows, blocking her view. "Lady Esthryn, you know my kind does not eat and so, of course, it intrigues me. I have many questions of proportions and the meaning of ingredients. Would it be an imposition to bother you with them? Perhaps even watch you prepare something?"

[Darren]

Kal nods at Belarin, and says in a low voice, "Just observe, unless it turns violent. I think she's got the situation under control, and I don't think she wants any extra watchers."

He smiles as Adamant moves to block Esthryn's view and also gives the warforged an approving nod. With a stretch, Kal stands and moves towards the door. He leans on the frame, idly scratching Tangat's ears, looking like a man who is watching the world go by while he gets some air.

Suddenly, from around the corner of one of the buildings, the sound of multiple feet, shifting weapons and jingling armor can be heard in the distance, but getting louder as though coming this way.

______________
Kal is using Ghost Sound to make it sound as though lightly armed men (i.e. the Watch) are moving in this direction.

[Joe]

"Blast me for being the shortest person in this room," Streko mutters. He does notice the movement of his friends and especially his sister.

To Adamant: "Have mother and father show you how they prepare grilled Tribex marinated in Karnathi Ale," he says out loud, hoping his father gets the hint.

He grabs a handful of nuts from the counter. "I think I will see if Tangat knows a few tricks. Adamant, don't forget to have mother show you the special olalliberry wine she's become known for throughout the city!"

Streko takes the handful of nuts to the doorway and begins chewing on them, absent-mindedly reaching over with an open palm filled with them for Tangat, should he wish to partake.

To Tangat: "Let's see how they handle this, shall we? Before we jump in to the fray."

[Jeff]

The gnoll Condign motioned to all but ignores him, and certainly doesn't seem to follow all that the tiefling said.

The lead gnoll, clearly the smarter of the trio, bristles at Syrdan's comment. But he looks down at Varna again, not Syrdan. "Thinskins an' devilmen run with your brood now, half-girl?" he asks with a guttural grunt. "Makes sense to'm. You're needing some more height." He laughs.

Varna shakes her head. "Donna be spoilin' for a scuff, Rejda," she spits back. "These two're just visiting. Friends-like, y'know? No territory talkin' for them just yet. You give'm a reason, they'll bleed you. Not my fault." She lowers her voice, so only Condign, Syrdan, and the gnolls can here. "Not the boar's choice. Only yours Rejda. Be clear on that. Still, not wise to be sniffin' here..."

The gnoll snorts and looks at Syrdan and Condign, taking their measure.

Adamant moves to block Esthryn's and Orval's view through the window, while Streko and Kal make their way to the door, seeming casual about it, provoking no undue interest. Meanwhile, Belarin glides through the kitchen, shadows gathering around him. Neither of the Tavvan parents seem to notice as he makes his way to the stairwell...

When Kal uses his spell, creating the sounds of approaching armored soldiers, the gnolls' ears go up and they look in the direction. So do a few puzzled pedestrians.

Refresh!

______________________________

Brian and Mike: if Condign or Syrdan wish to say or do anything more, you can roll an Intimidate check (individually).

Strictly speaking, Kal can only target with his spell a space he can see. But creating the sounds right at the corner (not around it) quieter, then increasing its volume, is possible.

[Brian]

Condign moves to stand on Varna's right. He shrugs back his cloak and rests his hand on the elaborate hilt of his new sword. He glares up at the gnoll taking with Varna, his eyes wide and unblinking. A feral grin slides onto his red face. With a quick twist of his hips, his thick tail lashes out and smacks loudly against the tree next to him; the leaves tremble, and a few float down in front of the lead gnoll.

With an unusually deep growl, tries to imitate Varna's style of speaking: "No territory takin' Redja. But if you be spoilin' for a scruff, we bleed you bad. Bleed you dead. Little lady is right. Best you go sniff around somewhere else. Last chance, Redja."

________________________

Intimidation Check: (1d20+10=25)

[Mike]

Syrdan looks coldly at the gnolls, his arms folded over his chest. "If you have business here, then simply tell us what it is, and then go attend to it. Unless, of course, that business involves causing grief to the good people here. Or damage to their property. If that's the case, we'll simply have to cause grief and damage to you."

He glances over at Condign, then back to the gnolls. "My horned friend would like that," Syrdan adds. "So would I, to be honest."

________________________

Assisting with Condign's Intimidate check: Intimidate check (assist) (1d20+2=10). Worth a shot.

[Jeff]

Varna winces slightly when Condign attempts the same slang she used, but the lead gnoll, Rejda, flicks his eyes from Condign's sword, to his horns...then over to Syrdan.

He barks out a laugh, drawing some wary glances from more passers-by. "No problemmm, no problemmm, devilman." He makes a guttural sound in his throat and the other two gnolls straighten.

"Be seein' you, half-girl," Rejda says as he turns and leads his lackeys away, walking south.

"Let them go," Varna says quietly to Condign and Syrdan.

As they stride away, their gaits somewhere between an animal's lope and a humanoid's pace, the gnoll without an axe lets out a vicious laugh and springs towards a pair of kids walking past with his claws outstretched, frightening them. The kids let out a startled yell, turn, and run off. The gnoll doesn't pursue, just laughs again and keeps following Rejda.

At that moment, a blonde human woman in a red coat walking directly toward the gnolls from the opposite direction pauses, looking at them. Just then, the axeless gnoll repeats his action, laughing and springing as if at another pair of children—but it's ill-timed. He jumps instead straight into the wall of a building. The gnoll grunts and stands, dizzy. The lead gnoll, Rejda, snarls and grabs his dim-witted companion, then drags him off. The three gnolls disappear around a corner a couple moments later.

The blonde woman resumes her walk, heading straight for Esthryn's Eatery. She glances at Condign, Syrdan, and Varna briefly.

Varna, after standing quietly for a moment, suddenly giggles. "Hilarious." She looks up at Condign, then. "'Spoilin' for a scruff'?" she repeats, laughing good-naturedly. "It's 'scuff,' tiefling, as in 'scuffle.' Not 'scruffy.'" She giggles.

"C'mon, let's go back inside. You guys did great."

[Brian]

"Oh," Condign says to Varna's back as she walks into the eatery. As he follows the halfling in, he turns to Syrdan. "I mean, did you see them? The were pretty scruffy too. It would be easy to mix up the words. Right?"

[Darren]

That's pretty much exactly how I figured it, Jeff. Thanks for being flexible.

As Varna walks back into Esthryn's, Kal steps aside to let her back in. "Nice day out there," he says with a smile. "Who were your friends?" Catching her arm as she tries to brush past, he pulls her closer. "We probably want to discuss it over here, where your mother can't hear."

[Dave W.]

Adamant continues to keep distracting the elder Tavvens with food questions. He is actually interested so it comes across naturally. "But what is the purpose of spices? They are used in too small a quantity to make it a better fuel, or if it does improve it's efficiency, why not add handfuls?"

[Jeff]

Varna winks and pulls away from Kal. "I'd rather not," she says sweetly, then heads over to the bar with the others.

The blonde woman in the red coat sits down at the table nearest the door as a patron vacates the chair. Her coat has a pseudo-military cut to it, and she wears a rapier at her hip. She scans the room, her eyes lingering on your group.

By the time Belarin is at the window on the second floor, the encounter is over!

Sorry, Dave and Ken. I don't mean to be skipping your actions. Just I've only had quick moments to post. I'll get to it tonight.

[Ken]

Belarin quietly makes his way back downstairs to rejoin the others. He seems a little unsettled. He says softly to Condign and Syrdan, "I unfortunately saw Esthryn's sleeping wear. I may have nightmares tonight. I shall speak no more of it."

________________
No problems, Jeff!

Dave: Adamant cracks me up. Great straight man.