Episode 1 Scene 3 A Dinner Date

Lex keeps glancing at the runes on Brindel's axe. He looks very excited.

Brindel follows Kezzel and takes a small portion of everything offered. He sits and, before eating, says, "Feliani, while you ponder your questions, I will ask mine if you don't mind."

"First, and most important of all: thank you, Kezzel, for hosting this dinner. I do not believe we were properly introduced the other day. My name is Brindel Truehand of Citadel Adbar. I am a paladin of Gorm Gulthun and I humbly ask for your assistance in discovering information about my battleaxe." He points to the weapon leaning against a wall near the table. "The battleaxe is an inheritance from my great-grandfather, Thearden the Shining, another paladin devoted to Gorm Gulthun. My great-grandfather was cursed by a priest of a malevolent god and was forced to stay in our mountain homeland, as were his sons and grandsons."

"Kustaa said the runes on the battleaxe have significance. I would be grateful for any knowledge you can share with me."

Kezzel glances over at the battleaxe and listens to Brindel's explanation and when complete he nods, "Eye 'owev'rrr I be tinkin dat und'rrrstondin' de rrrunes is not truly twat ya be a rrreely seekin' harrre butcha wontta be a knowin' 'ow ta unlock 'em. Iffin dis be so den yes I cun hep ya. 'Owev'rrr it will be a taken me a wee bit of time I be tinkin ta unrrravel its mysteries arrr ya willin to be leavin harrre wit me?"

"I want to understand what the runes are as well as how to unlock them. However, I will need the battleaxe by tomorrow morning. My companions and I have a mission and we will be departing the garrison at that time. I would be glad to stay and assist you today any way that I can."

Kezzel nods, "I be und'rrrstondin'. Ya ma stay an' I lookata o'vrrr an' see what I be needin' ferrr a moor complat analysis butta twill take moor dana day so when ya be havin' moor time den will lookin tuit den."

He then glances over to Lex, "Ya be a strrrange one, ya be lookin like a drrragonborn butchew not bein' one iff'n I not be mistak'n. Isn' dat so?"

Lex complexion pales as the colour drains from his scales. His tail coils up between his legs and he blushes.
If he were a human he might look as if he'd been caught with his pants down.

I don't know what you're...

Oh to heck with it. You are very observant, friend Kezzel. I am not a dragonborn. I am human. However, I would very much appreciate it if you kept this knowledge to yourself. Some very bad people would pay a lot of money to find me and I wish to avoid confronting them at all costs. Our last encounter was quite destructive. his eyes light up excitedly for a moment as he remembers the feel.of the flames. Then they return to normal and he continues
Innocent people got hurt and I would not like that to happen again!

"Ah yes always doze wonten sumtin dat aint dares. So wood ya be enlitenen ole kezzel on 'ow dis akurda as it tis notta normal ting." he continues with his meal in between his questions and answers.

Ah, this? Lex says gesturing towards his body. I am an alchemist by trade. I was approached by my guild to create a new recipe for a fire resistance potion. The er, results, exceeded all of our expectations. However, the full effects of my new formula are not fully understood. It may be dangerous. I have certainly felt, he pauses for a moment to look for the right words an increased disposition towards fire. I shiver to think what would happen if my formula fell into the wrong hands.

"Most intrrriguing wood ya mine iffin I had a peek at tis here rrrecipe of yers? I wood like ta tink I be a prrretty good alchemmeest me self an' perrrhaps I cun hep"

Seeing that the others had also struck up a conversation with Kezzel, Feliani ceased feeling overly concerned that she was the only one who truly wanted to meet him. She appreciated the different agendas that they brought to the metaphorical table, and decided to add her own into the mix. "I'm going to ask a more sensitive question, and trust the discretion of all those gathered here. Kezzel, do you know of the various factions operating in this city? Which are they? And do you know any of them? In return I promise to keep this information in strictest confidence."

"Eye sorrry me lassy, dat tis not sumtin I be a dealin in. I spends most me time down hare." He waves his hand in a manner that seems to indicate the entirety of the room they are in. "But I do know dat da paladins be a keepin a close eye on dat as well as makin sure dis place stays peaceful like."

Lex thinks for a moment. Clearly in turmoil. His moral self battling with his academic self. He thinks to himself.

I wasn't born with the ability to use magic. It is also one of the effects of imbibing my potion. What might happen if it fell into the wrong hands? Entire armies of magic weilding dragon-looking soldiers. It might spell the end of the world. But if he could help...? No, I can't take the risk

I'm not having any particular problems with my potion. But I do have aspirations to become a great alchemist. To that end I would love to study the magical flaura and fauna of the surrounding area. To start with, I would love to know where to find the ingredients required to make healing potions. I think the garrison could really use some and that would help to establish my reputation. What do you think?

Hearing the conversation turn towards plants, Egret visibly perks up, his gaze turning back towards Kezzel.The tiefling's tail twitches behind him, showing carefully contained excitement. "And speaking of plants, master Kezzel, do you know of any endemic flora or fauna native to these lands? Or perhaps any druids in the area? I heard about someone called Tagd living not that far away and having a talent in natural magic..." he trails off, not sure how to voice questions he has about that person. He settles on letting Kezzel figure out what information to divulge himself.

"Eye well healin' potions be made by 'erbalists not alchemeests but I be knowin da basic rrrecipe iffin ya be needin it. Den all ya be needin' is da rrreagents. Also I be guessin' da garrrrison wood apprrreciative of ya doin' dat."

"Eye dare be quite a few plawnts native ta dis rrregion, an' I and Tagd 'ave been worrkin' on catalogin' dese. I am particularly interrrested in gettin' sum giant bee honey an' while not plawnt it be comin frum a plawnt."

"Giant bee honey you say?" Feliani made a mental note. It seemed like she was always on a trek to acquire things for Kezzel.

"Aye da be a ways away doe, as da nest in da cliffs near da mountains, iffin you be willin to gatter me sum of dat honey I cun provide ya with a bee bomb dat will keep dem at bay for a while. I tink a small barrel of it would be sufficient ta start wit but if you wanna gatter more dat be fine too. I just wood ratter not kill da bees as dat mite deter future supplies."

"You have to admire bees; they're the hardest working bugs I've ever seen. I traveled several times with my cousin, Khelgrout Orelight, to a bee farm outside of Citadel Adbar. He brews a honey moss ale that combines the bitter and the sweet for an unforgettable taste."

"Good, I'd much prefer to harvest than to kill."