Chapter 2: The Crucible of Freya

Datura orders two pints and the stew but does her very best not to interrupt the conversation the others were having with her new future best friend. It was hard being the only proper lady in the group... Sure there was Ryenne but the holy woman hardly counted as she was tougher than most of the men! Something about Kariantha fascinated the gnome and she aimed to find out what it was.

Magic, probably, she thought.

"And what is it you hope to summon?" she asks; as her thoughts drift back to her channeling Thyr’s might to drive back the wizard’s undead a few nights before.

The waitress returns with ale and food, taking a few short trips to serve you all. The ale itself is especially fine, and tastes of fruits that are likely local.

Corian nearly spits out the first sip of ale as he listens to Kariantha's story. He looks at her as though she were a child. "The Scroll of All Summoning," he asks incredulously? "That's just a story, there's no such thing! A goose chase indeed!" He looks rather smug of himself as he comes up with an offer. "Perhaps you would be interested in assisting me in finding the tower of Eralion and the secrets within. And if we happen upon that scroll, it's all yours. In fact, if we even find a lead, then we can pursue it at your discretion. It's safer in groups now, especially with these damned orcs."

"Perhaps we ought to end the orcs, if it’s within our means." Ryenne offers, looking around the table at the reactions.

"The town has clearly had trouble with them. They may know the source, and pay to have it dealt with."

"I hate orcs," says the gnome just before she upends one of her two pints,

"They're just so mean. And ugly. And destructive. Ugh, hate 'em."

Amongst those trying to enjoy a quiet drink or late lunch, a third halfling can be seen skulking from table to table. He does not look as though he is employed by nor related to the other two, and he goes largely unnoticed. On occasion he glances over to the party, but diverts his gaze when obviously noticed.

Nebbleshuven nods and says, "I'm always in favor of that."

Faionn nods along as well. "And perhaps doing so may take us closer to the tower?" She begins to muse aloud, "I believe it was our employer who told us we'd have to do some searching for its exact location, anyway. Perhaps this search for orcs could prove doubly productive."

Privately, Faionn thinks this orc hunt far more productive (and plausible) than any cursed wizardly grave robbing.

Datura waves at the creepy halfling when she catches his eye...

Ryenne looks expectantly to their two benefactors.

"We’ve already seen one wizard use the orcs against us. Perhaps the pig-faces make it their business to aid rogue wizards in the area?"

"And what is it you hope to summon?" Ryenne asks.

"Well that’s just it!" Silverwick says with no small amount of excitement. "Anything! Sprites that glow in the dark to light the night! Giants, to act as porters! A fearsome Roc, to bear me to lands far behind the horizon, or across the sea!"

Corian bursts the woman’s bubble soundly enough, and her shoulders slump a little as she drinks from her beer. "So I think now too. And four good men paid for my master’s impatience with me with their lives." A dark look mars the woman’s pretty features as she listens to the rest of the chatter, about joining up with the party, and about slaying orcs and such. She does not hesitate in replying to Corian.

"I’m in. I mean — we should discuss terms… but I too owe these orcs dearly, and believe we would all be safer together in these lands."

The halfling, caught, scurries over to the gnome and offers his hand. "You look new in town! Adventurers, by the looks of you!" A smile breaks across his ruddy cheeks, and he runs a hand through his curly brown hair. "Lannet's the name! If you need a helping hand in town or outside the gates, let me know!" With this, and without waiting for a response, he flips his grey cloak and hurries away. It's fairly difficult to track him once he returns to the throngs of patrons.

---

Corian smiles at Kariantha and says, "Everyone here has agreed to a fair share of whatever valuables we find along the way, so long as Eralions treasures and secrets are mine." He then looks around the table. "As I do not have any more leads- Fairhill being my only- perhaps dealing with the orcs will lead us to clues as well as the goodwill of the town. We can start in the morning after a night of rest. Though we should likely find an inn before too long."

Nebbleshuven attempts to track down the hostess, Dalia. "Excuse me, ma'am. Your sign outside says that you've no rooms to rent. Is there an inn in town that you would recommend? I understand that it wouldn't be as good as your place, but we need a place to bunk for the night."

Dalia smiles broadly at Nebbleshuven. "Of course! There's the Drunken Cockatrice just off of the central market; nice place, plenty of rooms, and Glarian is a dear! I think rooms there are two gold a night? And then there's the Cask and Flagon." Her face grimaces for a moment before returning the the smile. "Ol' Tarnen runs that place, and only charges a gold; but I think it smells a little funny, and many travelers prefer it." She gives you directions, and clears away some of the emptied mugs and bowls.

"Thank you, Dalia." He hands her two silver pieces for her help.

Down to only a few silver, and no gold, Ryenne is ready to rely on the kindness of strangers, and the uprightness of Thyr’s followers in the town.

"Tomorrow then!" she says, with a nod. She relishes the chance to clear the place of orcs, as it was they themselves that slew Olaf. They’d have done more than that, if she hadn’t been so nimble when their blades struck.

"We should speak with someone here and see if anyone knows where they fester."

Having overheard Nebbles, Kariantha says when he returns, "I stayed at the Cask and Flagon last night. On the floor by the fire. The food is... well, there's a reason why I'm now here. And thank you, Nebbleshuven, for the ale and the stew!"

She then nods at Ryenne, who she's getting a bit of a cold vibe from. Might just be the kind of person Ryenne is. "Good idea. I know the town has been struggling in general with them. Someone might know where they lair, or where they were at least last seen."