DreamLyrics™ Play-by-Post Forums Fantasy SKT: The Storm King's Thunder 3W - Two Paths Diverged Near the Evermoors

DM

The sun dips low on the horizon as the weary party reaches Calling Horns, the fading light casting long shadows over the village. In the main square, merchants are packing away their wares, pulling down weathered stalls as the day's trade winds to a close. The scent of bread and roasted meats lingers in the air, while townsfolk meander toward the inn, eager to swap coins for drinks and stories.

Despite the quiet hum of commerce settling down for the night, there is a subtle shift in the village’s mood. Whispers spread quickly, and glances are cast toward the road. The party has made no effort to conceal their return, and by the time their boots reach the gates, word has already swept through the village. Tamalin Zoar, ever watchful (or at least with many watchful eyes reporting to her), has learned of their approach long before they crossed the threshold, and has dispatched a messenger to deliver a cordial invitation: the party may join her in the inn at their convenience to collect the reward for their recent deeds.

But Tamalin is not the only one awaiting the adventurers' return. Rory, the son of one of the tavern’s serving girls, is already lurking as close to the gates as the guards will allow. The wannabe-magician, eyes wide with curiosity, practically vibrates with anticipation. He has promised valuable information—-something about a secret passage—-but in return, he craves a token from the adventurers’ exploits, a memento of their daring, to inspire his own fledgling dreams of adventure.

The village may be quieting for the night, but it is clear the party’s arrival has stirred more than just curiosity.

Sindar

He listens and watches as he approaches the town. Spotting the young boy he moves over and kneels down. "Undoubtedly the others will have more interesting items to share but," he pñtugs and pulls a piece of dried stone from his cloak. "This is a piece of lava stone. It was sprayed on me and my companions by creatures that were summoned by the Fire Giant that we defeated." He holds the piece of burned volcanic stone complete with a piece of his cloak attached.

Rory

The boy's eyes widen like saucers at the gift of molten magma and cloak fragment. "Th.h....thank you," he manages to get out, his awe battling with his manners. He cradles the object in both hands, alternately looking at it and the other adventurers as they arrive in various states of disarray after the battle and travel.

Of course, Rory was not the only one to hear the words "Fire Giant ... defeated" and "creatures ... summoned" and soon the town is abuzz.

Davroar

The cooking smells from the town lights up a hunger inside him even more. To no one in particular he says, "Gods! That smells making me hungrier by the second." Stifling a yawn, he walks his horse to the Inn's barn with a slightly quicker pace anxious for a good meal and then a sleep.

Jaliera

"Agreed."

She follows Davroar in action and intent.

Zindra

"I think I'll join you two for dinner and a drink", she says to Davroar and Jaliera. Then she looks back at the others and says, "Anyone else?"

<Bern>

"Sure", he said. "I could use a drink ... or three", he said with enthusiasm.

Sindar

He straightens and nods in agreement. He follows with only a quick glance back at the boy with a smile.

Zhu

"I think I will go and visit the resident witch. Let me take our magic items with me and I will see if she can identify them for us", she pauses to see if anyone in the group can also do that. "Otherwise I'll study them overnight during my reverie."

Kriv

The noble scholar of the Art nodded assent in the human fashion.

"Seems a reasonable use of what's available."

DM

The party is met with revered awe in the tavern. First they defeat trolls and now they come back having defeated a giant. Other than Rory who's not afraid to be right in the mix of the party, the rest of the townsfolk keep their distance.

Drinks are, of course, on the house for the party.

Zindra
The ranger walks into the tavern and sees everyone stare at her. "I know. I know. I must smell like troll dung. But my bath's gonna have to wait. We need drinks!" she bellows to all in the tavern as she marches up to the bar.

She slaps several silver pieces onto the counter and says "We'll start with a pitcher of ale!"

Then, turning around, she sees the patrons gawking at her. "Did I sit in something?" she looks at her rear end to see if there was some gaudy stain. Seeing nothing out of the ordinary she looks back up and says out loud so that all the patrons can hear, "So? What is it then?"

Davroar

He finds it a little unsettling at how the towns folk react to their presence. Trying a lame joke to break the tension he says, "Maybe if I was a bear following you Zindra, they would have something to look at... you having a 'bare' behind."

<Bern>

He could only shake his head at Dav's ... attempt at a joke.

DM

The party's surprise at the townsfolk's awe is broken by clear evidence that a few words spoken near the gate have spread like wildfire through the town. Sound travels faster than light in Calling horns.

"Did you really kill a Fire Giant?"

"That's a lot more than trolls!"

"Are the giants that close to us? Did you save us from an attack?"

"What creatures did it summon?"

It's clear the bits of information they have only brings more questions, but still an appreciation that Tamalin sent them on a quest and they succeeded. That's good enough for most of them.

Pavel

Never one to try to bring attention to himself, the attention made him a little uncomfortable. At Davroar's joke he thought to himself, "Go ahead. Would give me something to hide behind."

Zhu

Once she is back in town, and Rory makes an appearance, she hands over a few troll claws she had found in the Troll village and says, "You said you would show me something?"

Rory

A volcanic rock AND troll claws? Rory has hit the jackpot!

Mindful of the required secrecy, the motions Zhu to follow him to an area separate from the rest of the crowds to explain further.

"So the entrance is in the kitchens and there's lots of people there right now, but it'll be empty later tonight. I can show you where it is and where the key is, so you can go back later? I'm down there all the time asking for sweets so they won't hardly even notice."

Zhu

She nods. "I will meet you 2 hours after the kitchen closes and everyone has left."

Jaliera

Doesn't matter to her if the drinks are on the house as she doesn't drink.. but she might have one of those berry juices instead of water. She is more interested in food and asks what is on the menu. Generally she ignores the publicity and interest, she knows what it is like as that happened after the mines. If asked she will answer any questions truthfully, without embellishment.

DM

After the initial awe, the patrons seem to go about their usual evening partying. A few curious ones ask questions, but mostly leave the group alone to relax. Or do any other things they need to do.

Zhu

Since it is still early evening, and her rendezvous with Rory isn't until after midnight, she says. "I think I will go look in on the Witch and see if she can help identify our magic items. If anyone else would like to come who has an interest?" She glances at Kriv as he seemed the most interested in the past. She gathers up the unidentified items then pauses, looking at Pavel. "If you think she might have information about that Rod I can take it as well?"

<Bern>

He was not particularly interested in sitting in a tavern and drinking ... at least not this early. "I can come along if you would like some company", he offered.

Davroar

He laughs at his own failed joke, and smiles regardless because he is ready to have a good time. Sitting down beside Jaliera to have a meal, he will take advantage of a free drink or two. More than likely Jaliera will help keep him from getting too drunk, but he pokes fun with her when she is only gets a juice drink and says, "Jaliera, come on, free beer. Don't you want to have a drinking contest with me?"

Pavel

Pavel heard Zhu say that she was planning on going to the Witch's shop and have the items identified. This peaking his interest. Not to mention a good excuse to get away from the clamor of the tavern.

"I'll go with you. It'd be better than lugging that oversized rod through the town. Besides I wouldn't mind seeing her shop if she has one."