The Breakfast of Legends.

[dizzypip]

As he wandered over he could hear the drow and half elf in conversation, some language he didn't know, elven?
"Excuse me, do you mind if I sit down? I feel we all got off on the wrong foot last night. How much of the common language do you understand and speak? I'm afraid in my ignorance I cannot speak your native tongue. The name's Zhen by the way."

And with that he sat himself down at the table as far away as politely possible.

[Kemuel]

Kemuel glanced around the Tavern as the group mustered themselves - but was that really the Dark-Elf and the Monk sitting together in a bar of all places?! Especially after the stand-off they had been embroiled in just last night. Absolutely fascinating. The Knight watched on, but as discreetly as possible, so as to cause no offence to either party.

[cleanrabbit]

"Zhen, yes, we briefly spoke last night." Orcana fidgited in her seat. She saw the immediate unease in Shadow's posture and found comfort in knowing she wasn't the only one not enjoying the addition to the table.
" I'm Orcana-Rae, and my companion is Shadow. He understands the common tongue but speaks very little, which as you saw only helps to cause trouble."

Orcana ran her thumb nail down the palm of her other hand before settling her eyes on Zhen. "Sleep well last night?" she said, as easily a disposable comment as it was a jibe at the monk for causing last nights antics in the first place.

[dizzypip]

"Orcana Rae, a pleasure to finally get your name. You left in somewhat of a rush last night that I never caught it. And your companion is Shadow I believe, yes? "

"Truth be told I slept very well, how about you two? I should say I slept better after having reached a somewhat unusual conclusion."
Looking directly at Shadow now, "A stranger, surrounding himself in secrecy turns out to be from one of the most feared races in the lands. But yet he does no harm to anyone, even when confronted you looked to try resolve things without a fight. And you travel with a half elf as well, you might say you've piqued my interest."

How is this Shadow going to cope with people, you can sense an arrogance common in most elves. What made him come out into the world where he will find nothing except revulsion? He must be running from something. A crime so vile even his race couldn't tolerate it? Regardless of this, the chance to get a bit of first hand knowledge is too good to pass up

[tom]

Shadow was physically tense but held his posture, content with letting Orcana do the talking. That was the usual case, after all. Orcana was by far the more approachable of the two. It wasn't by choice of course; she would prefer it if nobody ever spoke to her. However when the other choice is a drow, most conversations went to the half-elf. When Zhen spoke directly to him, Shadow's grey eyes met his dead on.

"Not from there. Not... evil," he said. The latter choice in words was all that came to him in the Common tongue. He looked at Orcana and spoke softly to her in Elven. "Friendly enough for an imbecile, no? He is direct in his speech. Tell him that I forswore the drow way many years ago, and he would do well to forget what he knows of us when presuming knowledge of me." As always, Shadow wished he had mastered the Common tongue more completely. Alas, he would have to do with understanding and counting on Orcana to relay his more complex thoughts to the human.

[kuffeh]

Durgean rolled out his bed. The hubbub of others moving around did little to wake him. Instead it was the smell of bacon and sausage that swept through the inn that roused him from his slumber. Chucking some cold water onto his face, the dwarf climbed back into his clothing from the previous night. Reaching into a pocket he withdrew his pipe, and sparked up. The heavy smell of tobacco mixed with the delightful smell of bacon. Breathing deep Durgean puffed out a ring of smoke, grinned to himself; "Just like home" he said out loud. Then as quick as the grin came, it slipped off of his face as he remembered he had no home. Not yet.

Opening the door into the hallway, he made his way down the stairs. Pausing briefly he looked at the crowd from last night in conversion and eating breakfast. He especially noticed the monk, elf and the drow who caused the problems last night in conversation. Even from this distance the three at that table were obviously uncomfortable being around one another. Sauntering over the bar Durgean, caught the eye of the owner, the female adventurer who now owns a bar. There is a story to be heard. He had also hoped to catch the cook again, he was eager for the chance to talk more about this dwarf he had been friends with.

"A full breakfast would you lass. Oh, and an ale."

As he waited for his food and drink, he decided to get a look at the noticeboard, now that the jobs had been replaced again.

"Goblins, eh? he muttered into his beard. "Best look into that." Still puffing away on his pipe he sat on a stool not far from two of the men from last night.

"Lass, better make that two ales. And tell me what you about these goblins, or tell me where I can find the person who can. Please." Thinking of goblins and orcs, Durgean couldn't help but touch his hammer. Resting his hand on the cool metal, he hoped this would bring him one step closer to 'Him', and his father's Hammer.

[Toastee]

Ameiko grinned. "Two ales?" she shrugged with a smile. "Must be a Dwarf thing?"

She retrieved a plate with the mornings breakfast and placed it down on the bar next to the two Dwarven Stouts shes just poured.

"Well, she said, Balor Hemlock is the man you want to see about the Goblins. You should be able to find him at the Garrison.
Or, if you can find Shalelu, she might be able to tell you about them as well, you may have trouble finding her though, as she'll be somewhere in the Hinterlands."

----
Durgean: -4gp from your gold total.

[kuffeh]

"Never too early for an ale lass. Helps the beard grow." Durgean replied with a joking wink. "I'll leave the elf to it, this Balor Hernlock sounds good enough. I best be having a word with him. After breakfast." And with that Durgean began his breakfast, washed down with some decent stout.

[Toastee]

Ameiko grinned as Romi entered the room from the kitchen. He nodded a morning greeting to the Dwarf, and allowed himself to pour a small measure of mead. He sat down in his normal seat at the bar.

[kuffeh]

Durgean nodded back to Romi, between quaffing ale and shovelling bits of bacon into his mouth. Finishing his breakfast, the dwarf slide the plate to one side and decided he would see if the man was in a talking mood. Sliding off of his stool, he walked over the Romi and took up a stool close by.

"Morning manling. We didn't get much chance to talk last night, with all the excitement and threats being thrown about. You mentioned a dwarf with a hammer. Who was he?"

[dizzypip]

Sipping his water and listening to the elven exchange, none of which he grasped at all, Zhen wondered where he was going with this. Thinking to himself while waiting to see if Orcana Rae was going to translate anything he thought to himself "I'm obviously making them uncomfortable, but is that because of last night, the fact he's a drow or is it because of what they are doing here?"

Deciding to pre-empt any translation he forged ahead with his questions "So have you travelled far, enjoying the scenery and weather? You seemed to be in a bit of rush when you left last night Orcana, did you find out anything from that elf or was it pretty much the same as the job board?"

Why am I doing this, they've shown no intent of harm to the surrounding area that i've seen from the events of last night. There's the tale of monsters and goblins but I feel that's beneath a drow, why steal livestock and what point in riling up the goblins if preparing them for an attack on villages and towns? But I can't leave him to wander free. "So last night I was about to put forward the idea of assistance in the search of this mysterious monster before you left in a hurry. And well then you Shadow came running full tilt down the stairs and collided into me resulting in an amusing standoff!"

Zhen trailed off after the last bit, seeing two faces staring back at him as if he had a second head.

[cleanrabbit]

Orcana-Rae noted the lack of response to the Elven dialog her and Shadow had shared so made the assumption that Zhen couldn't understand a word of it as he rattled on, talking about weather and goblins. Orcana spared a glance at Shadow and muttered "Talkative.". When Zhen started talking about the issue last night, both Shadow and Orcana turned to eyeball Zhen directly.

Orcana felt the conflict within her grow - she didn't want to talk to Zhen but at the same time, she knew from her discussion with Shalelu that she did need him. "What I learnt was there is a bigger job than just the two of us can handle." Orcana fidgeted, looking down at her hands. "There's a tall task ahead of us if we hope to solve the farmers problems."
Orcana waited for Zhen to reply for a moment but took his silence as a queue to continue. "There is at least one juvenile dragon in the Tors. There's a chance that is the cause of the missing livestock."

Shadow tensed, almost bending his fork as he did so. The dark-skin saw where this was going and hated it as much as Orcana did, though she hoped he wasn't stupid enough to think the two of them alone could take on a dragon. "We could just walk away and forget all about it if you'd prefer?" she hissed at Shadow.

[tom]

Shadow almost scowled at Orcana but didn't protest. He knew where this was going all right, and he didn't like it at all. They couldn't trust the others in this inn, especially the human who outed him in the first place. The drow certainly wanted to help the farmers though. He knew what it was like to approach winter with little food and if whatever beast kept stealing their livestock, they would be in trouble come snowfall. He didn't like it, but he had to accept it.

"Best not beat around the bush, half-elf. If we have any hope of making progress towards the Tors today, we had best be off soon."

[Toastee]

Romi glanced at the Dwarf. "I mentioned that did I?" he pondered to himself. He nodded. "Aye, I knew a Dwarf once. He and I and a few others were a party of Adventurers who explored the Inner Sea Region... and beyond."
"His name was Brokki Greathammer, and he was from the Five Kings Mountains, from a city called Highhelm. Tis a very impressive place." Romi looked into the small cup of mead with eyes that looked to recall any number of days in his long past.

[cleanrabbit]

Orcana looked at Shadow as he spoke then returned her attention to Zhen. "He says I should stop talking and get to the point." She said as she rolled her eyes at Shadow.

She composed herself, taking a deep breath then allowing a faint smile to creep onto her face - only because of the irony - as she continued, "Regardless of last night, I think we need your help."
Taking another bite of her breakfast,

Orcana realized that even the monk wouldn't be of too much help if things got nasty. The party needed a fourth. Turning to Shadow before Zhen could speak, Orcana spoke her mind. "And I think we should invite the Dwarf on this mission too."

[dizzypip]

Rather taken aback by the abrupt invitation Zhen thought the dwarf sounded like a good addition. "only four? Perhaps we should seek another, also supplies. We'd need to stock up a little as we've no idea how long or where exactly we're going. "

[Diabel Kirito]

"Kemuel, Nice to meet you. Well shall we get on our way?" Diabel turned to his new companions and motioned towards the door "lets go"

[Scarred]

Kale lifted his backpack and slung it around his shoulder.

" Ok lets make a move. I would not mind a look about town first. Might find a few things."

Kale looked at the host of the Inn, "Ameiko, thank you for your hospitality, and to your cook. If ever on my travels and I hear someone making there way to Sandpoint, I will sure to let them know about the Rusty Dragon."

Slightly bowing his head a fraction towards Ameiko Kale turned and headed for the exit of the Rusty Dragon.

[Kemuel]

"Well met, Diabel. I am glad to be on the friendly side of that Rapier."

Just as he was about to start walking, a thought hit Kemuel. He turned back to the bar and it's young owner, Amieko. "Miss Amieko, where would we find the Garrison here in Sandpoint? Is there a map of the town that we could have? We would be grateful for any assistance".

[cleanrabbit]

Orcana's smile broadened. "So far we're only two, unless that meant you're onboard?"

[dizzypip]

"Well four if we count the dwarf that is. I still think one or even two more might help. "

Thinking to himself "I need someone to watch my back. I don't really trust the drow, they've basically told me nothing. "

"Right then Orcana you talk to the dwarf and I'll go see if I can get one more and some directions to the supplies shop. "

Getting up Zhen headed to the bar, " excuse me miss just two quick questions. Firstly where could I get some supplies, also you don't happen to have a map of the town and surrounding areas I could buy? Secondly which room did Inquisitor Godein take? I have something I need to ask him. "

[cleanrabbit]

Orcana knew what Zhen was thinking. He couldnt trust Shadow as much as he could throw him. As much as she wanted to argue, she let it slide and followed Zhen towards the bar.
As he started to talk to the barkeep she kept an ear on his conversation and detoured towards the dwarf. She could smell the ale in the air as the dwarf spoke to the chef about something or other. She chose to take a perch by the bar to wait for a break in their conversation.

[tom]

Shadow was content to let Orcana talk to the dwarf, but his eyes narrowed when he heard Zhen asking Ameiko about the inquisitor. Of the whole lot, that one was the most trouble. After all, he did brandish a weapon at Shadow. The drow remained at the table, waiting for the half-elf and their newest companion to talk to their respective individuals.

[kuffeh]

"Hm, can't say the name rings a bell. But there are many clans of us about these days. Some of us have spread far. What happened to this dwarf adventurer? Did he make it home?" Looking at Romi Durgean could see that there was some great pain or loss behind his eyes. Thus is the way of the adventurer, not all make it home again.

[Toastee]

Ameiko smiled at Kale. "Thank you for staying. Feel free to stay again when you get back." she smiled.

"As for the Garrison, Kemuel, you want to head to the market square, head along the docks, until you get to Main Street, then go right up there. The Garrison will be opposite the Town Hall at the end of the street. You really can't miss them."

She turned to Zhen
"There is a supply shop in the High Street, but I doubt you will find anywhere that is open today, given that it is Sunday."
"As for the Inquisitor, he had room ten."


Romi frowned. "No. No he did not." the old man stood, and walked to the other side of the bar. He reached under it, and pulled out a long, heavy object with both hands that was covered with a dark brown silk bag. He placed it on the bar with a thud. He untied the string at the top, and proceeded to produce a Dwarven Warhammer that he slowly set down on the silk with care and respect.

The weapon itself looked wondrously crafted. It seemed that there was not a single thing wrong with it. Its wonder demanded attention on its craftsmanship alone, though for anyone not having noticed the weapon itself, the finely carved Dwarven runes oozed a magical energy that seemed to make even Ameiko blink in awe, despite the fact that she had most likely seen this weapon many times before.

"But his weapon did. And one day, I shall return him to the Five Kings Mountains, and he will be home once more."
Romi smiled with a happiness that spoke of friendship and strong bonds.
"This will be part of my final Adventure. Brokki is just one of Many that must be returned Home."

----
Anyone with Detect Magic is Overwhelmed by the magic that comes off of the Warhammer.
Anyone without Detect Magic is still affected enough to be drawn to look at the weapon.

Hammer looks similar to this: www.deviantart.com/art/Dwarven-Hammer-158549403

[dizzypip]

"Ah yes Sunday, forgot about that. The day's all roll into one when travelling. I'll bear it in mind. Thanks."

Striding up the stairs Zhen preceded to number 10 and knocked sharply in the door.

[kuffeh]

Durgean looked at the hammer. Such was the beauty of the weapon that he was brought to the brink of tears. It pulled up emotions tied to the hammer of his father, that which was lost. For moments he was lost for words, sipping his ale he took his time coming up with them.

"You do your friend credit Romi. That is a fine looking weapon, it's craftsmanship is flawless. I have seen few hammers more beautiful than this one." He raised his hand towards the hammer as if to pick it up, but stopped himself almost immediately. It would not do well to dishonour Romi, and his friend's friendship. Instead he closed his eyes and whispered a prayer for the dwarf to Torag, asking his god to guide his son back to the golden feasting halls under the mountains. Lowering his hand, he turned to Romi. And in a breaking voice, he quietly whispered; "Thank you for showing me this my friend. May the Torag guide you in your journey and return him safely to the mountains."

[Kemuel]

Nodding his thanks to Amieko, Kemuel threw his cloak around himself and made for the Tavern door. The Garrison seemed to be on the other side of the town's market square, from Amieko's description. At least this would enable the party to find any useful places en route.

Diabel the Half-Elf, Kale the human Barbarian and Kemuel the Knight left the Rusty Dragon and started off towards the Sandpoint Market Square.

[tom]

Shadow was overwhelmed by magic in the room. The sharp sensation caused his neck hairs to prickle and his eyes flashed across the room, searching for the source. When those pale orbs finally landed on the hammer atop the bar, Shadow allowed himself to relax. There was no threat, but the magic within the weapon was strong enough to be a wonder in and of itself. The drow had no particular taste for dwarven craftsmanship, but the magic was all-consuming for a matter of moments. Blinking, he looked back to Orcana as Zhen went up the stairs.

We need to be off... the human thinks we need supplies, but Orcana and I are more than capable of surviving with what we have on us.

[cleanrabbit]

Orcana found herself in awe of the weapon laid out by Romi just feet from where she was sat. Even to her untrained eye, she could see - no, sense - something was special about it.

Orcana took a moment to compose herself as Romi returned the weapon to it's protective bag before speaking, "I can see such a work of craftmanship strikes close to your heart, Dwarf."
Orcana was once again feeling uncomfortable just talking to someone else. Her natural reaction was to run her thumb nail down the palm of her left hand. "Tell me, doesn't such a magnificent weapon just inspire you to be greater than you could have ever been?" To some degree, Orcana was lying. She didn't feel any inspiration at all by the weapon, but she could see on the face of the Dwarf that he most certainly felt something.