5 Within Phandalin

Continuing here.

As if he cannot help himself, Alex takes a silver shard from his coin pouch, dances it across his knuckles, spins it into the air a few times, before having it land with with a pleasant ring right in front of Toblen. One of each, mine host. he says with a large smile. Pulling a second silver out of his picket and spinning it on his thumbnail, he turns to Raven and asks, same for you lad, my treat?

Tatiana pays for two midday meals, and requests that one be delivered to Ammos upstairs. She heads to the booth formerly occupied by Gundren to await her lunch.

On the way, Tatiana looks to the scarred spellcaster. "Decklan. Please join me." Turning to Alex and Raven, she adds, "You two, as well. There is something we should discuss."

"Yeah... alright, sure thing." Decklan will fall in with the others and follow Tatiana. Once they get to where she leads them, he glances around then asks, "So, what's on your mind?"

A bit confused and thoughtful Trakomak returns to the Tavern planning to ask Toblen directions to Alderleaf farm (or house with blue doors if he happen to know where the wizard lived).

Raven watched the coin trick with a slight smile. He was getting ready to order himself, when Alex offered. One should never turn down a free meal, so Raven accepted with a quick a nod, "Yes, thank you. How long did it take you to learn to do that coin trick?"

When Tatiana asked them to follow her to the booth, he paused for a second wondering if he should wait for his meal. Deciding a waitress might bring it when it was ready, he followed the noble to the table she indicated.

Once seated, he waited expectantly for Tatiana to speak.

"With delivery of the supplies to Master Barthen complete and having obtained receipt of your compensation, your obligation to Master Rockseeker has been fulfilled," Tatiana says to those gathered at the booth. "I would like to discuss your future plans."

She continues, "Ammos and I will remain in Phandalin for a while longer. Ammos has promised to help Master Rockseeker beyond the initial delivery and I intend to help him keep that commitment. Even if Sister Garaele is able to remedy his affliction, Master Rockseeker obviously requires more assistance. Towards that end, there appear to be complications in town that might prove too much for us to handle on our own."

Tatiana glances to the door. "You've heard that there are hooligans flaunting their power openly in the streets. I believe they will continue to be a menace to Master Rockseeker's business until someone puts them in their place or drives them out of town. However," and here she looks at Decklan, "I doubt an open confrontation at their watering hole will lead to any improvement. Not without more information as to their organization and numbers."

She turns to Alex. "There is also the matter of the goblins along the Triboar Trail. If Master Rockseeker requires more supplies to be delivered, those caravans will be threatened with attack. The goblins must be destroyed and any goods that were taken must be recovered."

Tatiana's eyes find Raven. "Finally, there is the rumored dragon. Whatever caused the carnage on the road is large, capable of flight, and quite predatory. This is another threat, not just to continued trade, but to the town itself should that creature turn its eyes here."

She clasps her hands together upon the table. "If you have business that will take you away from Phandalin, I wish you safe travels. On behalf of Ammos and myself, you have my thanks." Tatiana unclasps her hands in a gesture to encompass those seated around her. "If, however, you would like to stay here and help us secure this town's prosperity, I can promise no regular pay except for any unclaimed bounty discovered during an operation.

"What do you all intend to do?"

"Go murder a bunch of thugs who prey on the common citizen," Decklan replies rather nonchalantly. "After finding out where their home base is, of course, to stomp them out at the source. Probably by joining their group. Why, what were you planning?"

Raven's ash grey eyes looked around the table at the others as Tatiana was speaking.

At Decklan's statement, "I was not planning that..."

The farmer was momentarily distracted as one of the tavern cats snuck up into the chair with him, giving him a meow. Raven scratches the cat's head and responds in a whispered voice to the cat, "Wait a minute, we are talking"

Glancing at Tatiana, "Sorry, I do not know why, but tavern cats are always hungry.

I have no plans and am not in a rush to leave. I would be happy to stay and help how I can. Especially if the healer needs anything to help heal Gundren."

"Then it's a good thing I wasn't speakin' f'r you, kid." Decklan shrugs, and reclines in his seat. As if planning violence was commonplace.

Tatiana nods, processing the answers. She looks at Alex and waits for his response.

Alex smiles at Raven's acceptance. "Master Toblen, one more of the same for my companion here" he called out. This time he pulled out not a silver shard, but ten copper nibs. "Lad, I promised you a show on our walk, didn't I", Alex said with a wide grin. He took five nibs in each hand—three between each of his non-thumb fingers and two clasped between thumb and index in both hands. Rolling his wrists, seemingly innocuously catching the light on the coins and having them glow with a warm luster, Alex started to toss the four clasped between thumb and index between his hands, setting up a simple cascade. "Well, Raven my friend, before I decided to hit the road in search of my fortune, I kept myself in drinking money by performing in various taverns. Many a laborer is willing to part with a copper or two for a smile or a thrill—and many coppers become silver. As Alex explains, he starts adding to the cascade—his intent to set up a veritable circle of warm firelit copper rotating within his hands.
Soon, all ten nibs were whirling in what seemed to be an unbroken circle of liquid copper between Alex's hands.

"As fun and exciting as this is, it pales in comparison to the riches one can make on Tymora's Path. Of course, the risk is greater as well, but isn't that true in all of life?" With a final flourish, Alex arranges that the coins fall neatly into his open palm in a well-behaved stack, which he gently placed in front of Toblen. "This is for my friend Raven's stew and ale, mine host." Turning to Raven, Alex said "I'm off to attend to her highness the dragoness; I'll see you when you receive your fare."

Alex takes his food to the table at which Tatiana and Decklan waited. Placing his food on the table, he takes a pocket handkerchief and wipes his brow. That could have gone very wrong, he thought. I haven't done a tenfold cascade in much too long.

Alex dug into his stew as Tatiana held court. When she had finished, Alex allowed the others to answer as he continued to devour his stew. Being close to death scant hours ago seemed to afford him a hearty appetite. Finally, though, it was his turn.

M'lady Tatiana, there is nothing pressing me to return. Rather, what is pressing is my need to further develop the resources necessary for my quest. Tymora's eyes shone brightly on our joint endeavors until now; I see reason to flee neither the beneficent gaze of Tyche's Fair-Tressed Daughter nor the steely-eyed gaze of the golden-tressed dragoness. A shame your brother does not share your locks; he would be lady-killer with golden curls" At this point, Alex realized that the ale may have been a mite stronger than he suspected, and promptly shut his mouth with the hint of a blush forming on his cheeks.

"I... see," says Tatiana, taking a moment to politely parse the many words. "Well, if you find it meaningful and worthwhile to join me... er, us, in this venture, you have my thanks. I welcome whatever support you can provide. We must still wait for Sister Garaele to determine Master Rockseeker's treatment, but in the meantime, I think the immediate threat is the one here in town."

She turns her attention back to Decklan. "I share your goal regarding those brigands, though I have reservations about the method. I suppose your infiltration of their ranks would supply us with the information we'd need to dismantle their operation, but what should we do if you are tasked with shaking down Master Rockseeker or any of the townsfolk in Phandalin? I should not want to jeopardize your safety, nor would I think of bending the knee to those hooligans."

Tatiana brings out her small book and places it on the table to her side. She thoughtfully taps her pen against her lower lip, then says, "No matter the method, it will be difficult to make any move without knowing more about these Redbrands. How many are there? Who leads them? Where do they sleep?" As she speaks, the questions are noted upon a blank page without her eyes even referring to the book.

"We know they frequent another tavern in town, called the Sleeping Giant. We know they've only recently become better organized, which may imply a change in leadership. The fact that the Townmaster fears retaliation implies previous cases of physical violence against those that have stood up to them. Perhaps the disappearance of the Lords Alliance representative was their doing; I should speak with Master Hallwinter about that." More notes are scratched quickly and loudly upon the pages, and Tatiana's penmanship devolves into barely legible scribbles more appropriate to an arcane script from a lost civilization rather than any courtly calligraphy.

Momentarily lost in her train of thought, Tatiana blinks and looks at her companions. "I apologize," she says, setting down her pen. "I did not think to first ask if any of you, aside from Decklan, were interested in stopping the Redbrands."

At this point is where Trakomak will reenter the tavern and a waitress brings all the orders to the table, except Alex’s who brought his own over with him.

"Enjoy." The food is placed quick and efficiently and she head off.

Raven thanked the waitress for the stew, starting to eat as the cat poked its head up over the table to look. He gave the cat a small piece of meat, meowing something back at the cat as he continued to eat his stew.

"I think village folks have to look out for each other, so I'm glad to help if I can with the red cloth guys. Although, I want to hear how Gundren is. If he needs anything, I think that would be first. Well, unless that dragon from the road shows up, that would change the order."

The farmer goes back to eating, occasionally handing bites to the cat.

Trakomak cry Toblen, one more ale please. approaching the bar And what's wrong with your town's master, did he fall off a tree recently?
He waves at the table with the party and plan to join them as soon as he get his mug and Toblen's opinion on the Harbin's sanity.

Toblen pours a mug and hands it over to Trakomak. "Townmaster Harben has been very good at guiding us in trade, construction planning, and crop rotation…" Toblen says firmly but then he winces, "he’s just not… forceful? He doesn’t want anyone getting hurt… especially himself."


The cat purrs at Ravens feet happy for scraps of meat.

Trakomak pause processing Toblen's message. It takes an effort for half orc mind to make sense, when finally with a an expression "of I got it"on his face he only say singe word "coward...".

Trakomak takes the mug and moves to the table, cheerfully crying a toast (ignoring any conversation that was going on there) To prosperity of Phandalin ! and drinks fair amount of his ale.

Tatiana nods. "Indeed," she says, and lifts her cup of tea delicately off the table in response. She takes a sip and returns to business. "Trakomak, this is yours," she continues, placing 10 gold coins on the table and sliding them towards the half-orc. "Your assistance at the goblin cave and escorting us to Phandalin is truly appreciated."

Returning to her small notebook and pen, Tatiana says, "If you are interested in helping Phandalin prosper, perhaps you can join us in our next venture. We were just discussing some ideas in dealing with the Redbrand threat."

Alex continued eating the rather tasty stew. Whatever few governors he had on his speech further reduced due to the effects of the alcohol, he couldn't control himself but said what came to mind without much concern about its effects.

Trakomak, my good soul, no one here could ever doubt your puissance at arms or the redoubtableness of your courage. However, prithee lend one of your battle-scarred ears to me for a moment. Not everyone's soul is made of the same stuff; nor do their minds follow the same trains of thought. That is one of the many wonders of the multiverse, is it not? For if all the beings approached the vicissitudes of life in lock-step, the thrill of adventure would be forever lost. A million billion simulacra make for the most monotonous of existence. Rejoice in the variations of body, mind, and soul that create the rich tapestry of existence as we find it.

Take this Harben, for instance. A stout warrior? Clearly not. A fearsome gladiator of martial prowess? Faugh! But apparently wise in the ways of Mother Chauntea, Waukeen, and perhaps even Gond, according to our host. The skills and knowledge embodied therein may be more valuable to the success and prosperity of a town than that of Tempus or Tyr. Not all will be as brave as you; that doth not make him a coward. Moreover, this affords you the opportunity to display your battle skills, and perhaps even be rewarded. For if Harben were like you, would he have need of us?

Raven tried to follow what Alex was saying to Trakomak but got lost pretty quickly. He liked Alex, but the man certainly could use ten words where three would do.

Raven smiled at Stripes "Kind of you to say. I'm Raven. Nice to meet you." he handed him another piece of meat from his stew.

He glanced up, but Alex seemed to still be going.

venture? redoubta-blessness? Guys can you ever just say what what you plan to do? Go kick the red bandanas? Not before I finish this mug
Half orc seems to be ready go kick some already.

Tatiana scribbles more chicken-scratch into her book. "That is the intention," she says without looking up, "but we must be careful and devise an appropriate plan." She writes a few more notes, in what might appear to be a wizard's shorthand that only she can decipher, or she just has terrible penmanship.

She finally looks at those around the table. "I think the nature of how the Redbrands are emboldened to act brazenly in town is because of their leadership. We must find out who is in charge, and what resources they have. Do they have money? Enforcers? Magic? Maybe a bit of all three?

"Whatever the strength of this leader, if they are able to keep the lower ranks of Redbrands in line, perhaps we can use that to our advantage. If we could capture some of them, we should be able to glean some answers through interrogation with our own display of force. We can find out who their leader is and where they reside. Their removal should throw the rest of the organization into disarray."

"That's a good way to get villagers killed," Decklan remarks. "If they're willing to "act brazenly" as you put it, they may just start killing people until they get their people back. Dead villagers make a good example what resistance brings, and the villagers would blame us."

Tatiana writes in her book. "The fact that the Townmaster appears hesitant to do anything about them lends credibility to your observation, Decklan," she says, acknowledging his comment with approval. "If we choose your method of infiltration, how would we coordinate the passage of information? I, for one, will not deign to join their ranks, thus we would be separated for the time being."

She glances at the others. "Would you go alone, or with another of us?" she asks Decklan. Tatiana considers the flamboyant Alex, the reserved Raven, and the non-subtle Trakomak. She glances up to the ceiling as though finding her somewhat-naive brother upstairs, then looks back at Decklan with an expression that resignedly seems to answer her own question.

"Alone would probably be easiest. The rest of you could work on coordinating with the villagers here. Look, even once we find out where to hit 'em, some of them may push back around here. The people will need to know where to fall back to, for safety. I don't think we do this with no collateral damage... but houses can be rebuilt. Dead is a little harder to fix," Decklan replies, an eye twitching ever so faintly as he mentions fixing death.

"We limit communication. If you see me around town, ignore me. Hell, run. If I need to talk with you, I'll cause a scene. Probably shake one of you down for coin to get close, or chase you to get somewhere private. I have to convince them I'm with them. It may get worse before we make it better. The question is if you trust me."

Tatiana nods. "It would give the rest of us time to address Master Rockseeker's condition," she says, tapping the nub of her pen against the page. "That is, if Sister Garaele isn't able to cure him outright."

She places her pen down and closes her book. There is no further need for notes with the next part of the discussion. Tatiana asks, "What do the rest of you think?"

Having finished his meal, and belching quietly, Alex perks up at the mention of "infiltration". You know, lady enchantress, having trod the boards to keep me in wine, women, and song, I do have some facility at appearing other than the incredibly handsome and debonair rapscallion of which all of you know and love so dearly." Alex turns to his overstuffed pack and rummages through it, muttering to himself. "Oh dear, I do need more cologne, but this is not it. No, not the whetstone, although I am overdue." Aha! he cried, pulling out a small-ish wooden box. In here I have the tools to make me, or perhaps another, look different from what they truly are. Well, different enough, perhaps, to allay suspicion. I also can tone down my natural charm and exuberance as necessity requires.

Tatiana gives a studious glare upon Alex's face. "I see," she begins, perhaps wondering if the current façade before her is the rogue's true self, or perhaps an extravagant persona carefully maintained since the beginning. "Can your little box maintain such a difference through the worst weather, or survive the night on a bunkhouse cot?"

The idea of having more than one spy in the Redbrand ranks intrigues her, of course. Tatiana's lips curl in a pleasant smile as she considers the notion that perhaps even the rowdiest of ruffians still have need of a jester.

Raven listened to the others speaking as he finished his meal. He was not sure he had much to offer, not having dealt with many bandits before.

"You know on the farm when you are dealing with a nest - it works best to wait for everything to return to one spot before you burn it out. That way you do not have to worry about what's left. You don't have to join the rats to find the nest, just follow one home. Maybe we just have to follow one of those red guys to where ever they are hiding."

Raven shrugged, not convinced his suggestion had any merit. He glanced at the cat, "I'm sure there are no rats around here with you on guard."

"That idea certainly has merit," says Tatiana. She opens her book and scribbles a long, sharp-edged line across the page.

Finally, Tatiana looks at Trakomak, her eyes inquisitive as to what the warrior might want to add.

"Not th' worst idea I've heard, but people do things rats don't. Like have more than one... nest... as you put it," Decklan replies with a shrug. "I'd hate to follow them back, murder the lot of them, and kick my feet up... only to find out we took an outpost, not th' base proper. Then we're right back to retaliation against th' villagers."

Decklan leans back and puts his feet on the table, seeming to consider something before adding, "'Now, t'be honest, we don' know if they're big enough or smart enough for that type o' set-up. Problem is, we don' know if they're big enough or smart enough for that type o' set-up. Y'all can decide if we roll the dice."

Take outpost and they will defend castle. Take castle and they will abandon outpost and do what desperate people do. That's what I know about war. Not sure if it apply to bandits.
Trakomak probably surprise you sharing his opinion on the plan, though he don't seem certain about his own opinion.

About rats and nest... he add, but continue stumbling I... I promised to keep it secret, but ... I will be back soon
Trakomak finishes off his mug and goes out of the tavern looking around if he could find the buys who was talking to him earlier.

Tatiana raises an eyebrow at the secrecy, but leaves Trakomak to his own.

"Unfortunately, Decklan is right in that the townsfolk will suffer if we engage in open conflict," she says, as she idly brushes off bits of earth from the table that were deposited by the scarred man's boots. "Given what we do know, I suggest we pursue a bit of both ideas: Raven's to track a Redbrand to their actual hideout, and Decklan's to infiltrate and identify their leaders."

Decklan nods. "Nothing wrong with working two angles. Although, it makes me wonder... kid," he says, turning slightly in his seat to moredirectly face Raven, "Do animals understand us? I know you seem to understand them, but if I tell a cat something like 'half a day west,' and you asked it what I told it, would it be able to tell you what I actually said?"

Alex considers Tatiana's question studiously. After a bit of thought, he responds "Well, it depends on a lot of factors, m'lady. First, what kind of disguise is being donned. It is easier to maintain a facade which is meant to be different than my own than it is to maintain the veneer of being something in particular. Second, how much preparation time I am afforded is key. The weather is more a factor when using greasepaint of makeup; less so when using cheek inserts, gum adhesives, clothing, shoe inserts, etc. Overnight is similar to weather. In summation, it depends", Alex finishes with a smile.


He continues, "As to the lad's plan about stalking the beasts to their lair, 'tis a good idea. Just remember that stealthily tracking a sentient foe in an urban environment is a very different skill than that of tracking beasts in the wilderness. Most often, those good at the latter are rubbish at the former, and vice versa."

Trakomak with your passive perception of 12 you will have noticed that the dog the boys were with is laying on the owners side of the bar, just outside the door to the kitchen, eyes locked on something or someone inside.

Trakomak don't want to look dumb and simply goes out and takes a walk around the town. Hoping to notice any blue doors.

Tatiana stares at Alex for a bit. "You must be quite skilled as an urban tracker, then," she says with the appropriate gravitas.

Trakomak roll a perception or investigation check to look for a blue door.

Thinking back to various "procurement" missions he had performed, such as the time he has had to follow a loan shark back to her home in order to "liberate" the onerous loan documents for his client, Alex lightly blows on his fingernails, rubs them on his tunic, and responds There may be some who would say that, lady enchantress.

"Yes, well, hopefully there won't be a cave tunnel for you to navigate," says Tatiana. Turning her attention to Decklan, she says, "You've likely been seen in our company. What will you tell the Redbrands about your departure from our group? What information will you divulge if they should press you about our capabilities?"

Decklan smiles, another crack in the roadmap on his face. "I'll tell 'em the truth... more or less. I didn't have two copper to rub together, so I took the first job I could. Trying to help the boss get his eyesight back, because a merchant is a good man to know, but the group wasn't gonna cut it for my... needs.

Hoping there's at least some name recognition, but we'll see.

As for the lot o' ya... the more honest your lie is, the easier it is to tell. I tell 'em your brother has some rudimentary magical ability, but is a total bookworm. You are pretgy much useless without your brother, but you do have a strong personality -- if I needed someone to negotiate on my behalf you'd be my pick. I tell 'em the mouthy one has some skill with weapons, but his biggest threat is on your ears because it's just talk talk talk. The big guy -- wherever he got off to -- is exactly what he looks like: big, strong, kicks ass. Then I say the kid is too naive, but he's got a real knack with animals.

If they call me for being dishonest, I admit that I'm fond of the kid and I just didn't want to admit it."

Decklan shrugs. "I have to give 'em something. No way we escorted a caravan and rescued the others from those caves if you're all worthless. Can't pass you off like that."

Tatiana's expression is calculative; if there was offense taken at useless, it has either been ignored or perhaps accepted given the circumstances.

"I see no flaws in that, Decklan," she finally says. "I, for one, wish you well on your mission, and look forward to your reconnaissance."

Tatiana gathers her book and pen and secures them upon herself before looking down at her cold lunch. With a soft sigh, she pokes at the salted pork as though wondering if it's still worth the effort.

Raven thought about Decklan's question for a minute as the conversation continued. He smiled Decklan's comment, "I like you too Decklan. You remind me of this grumpy bear I know back home.

Yes, I understand them, always have. More than people actually."

He looked at the cat next to him, his brow crinkled in thought, "It depends on the animal and how much they are around people. My friend here, around the tavern all the time, probably knows every word for food there is and probably knows all of the regulars. Time and distance, are kind of human concepts. I imagine some would know. Color, like following the red guys, some animals cannot see that for some reason, I do not know why. Smell - if you have a smell - many animals can follow it for miles or tell you if they have ever smelled it before."

Raven shrugged, "I can ask around - cats and dogs are especially good in villages. Wolves are great in the woods - they cover a lot of ground and know where everything huntable can be found - that includes us.

Now, if the red cloth guys have a horse - he might be able to tell us everywhere they have been, but they tend to be noble and might not say nothing if he likes his owner."

"Never said it was true, kid," Decklan retorts. "Anyway, I was wondering if I could tell some random racoon or deer to give you a message, but it doesn't sound like that would work the way I hoped. That's fine. I can pass a message while I pass a beating."

The man stands. "Alright... time to take my shot." With that, he heads out to look for his new friends.

Tatiana considers replacing her cold lunch, but she is hungry enough that she will tolerate the fare.

She flags Elsa, and asks what selection of wine is available.

Raven shrugged at Decklan's last comment as he left. Once he had watched the man leave the inn he commented. "Just like that old bear..."

The farmer paused to consider Decklan's other comment, about him being naive. He supposed it was true from the perspective of a hardened person like Decklan. There was a lot about what was going on which he did not understand. People were difficult for him, while animals were simple.

"That reminds me, Lady Tatiana, now that we have gotten Gundren some help, shouldn't we inform the coster about their goods? Or perhaps we should ask out merchant employers upstairs for their suggested approach so as to maximize the probability of a reward?"

Tatiana shuffles the salted pork and bread bits around her plate. "If I were the proprietor of the Lionshield Coster, the only reward I would offer would be contingent on the safe return of the stolen merchandise," she says. "I see no harm in informing them of the status of their goods, but I should not expect any reward for simply telling them where it is, no matter how... fluently you might describe the location."

She nibbles on a piece of pork, then dabs her lips with a cloth that serves as her napkin. "I do wish to recover those supplies," Tatiana says, "but we must consider the logistics. We are short one of our company, two if Master Rockseeker requires more care. After we put the little cretins into the ground, we have no means of transporting those supplies beyond your slender frame."

Drumming her fingers impatiently for Elsa to deliver her wine, Tatiana continues, "I suppose we could secure Master Barthen's wagon and oxen again, but it would not be without cost. And while we are away at the goblin cave, the Redbrands are free to terrorize the town. I would prefer securing Phandalin before journeying outward for our revenge... er, reward."

Drow?!, Alex exclaimed, his voice all but cracking.

Raven glanced up at the word Drow. He had heard some tales of the dark elves, but he had never met one. Interesting that one was an adventurer and retired to the village.

Tatiana gives her glass a swirl and a sniff, then a quick sip. Appraising the taste, she seems satisfied that at least there's something palatable here, even though the availability of other options would be slim in such a remote location.

She appears unconcerned about the mention of Daran Edermath's race; Waterdeep's cosmopolitan mix of varying cultures was the heart of its claim as the City of Splendors, and Tatiana was no stranger to different ethnicities and personalities. "He sounds like an interesting fellow," she says to Elsa, attempting to further the discussion. "Are there other noteworthy individuals in town with similar histories?"

Trackomak it takes you about two hours, with the Townmasters description to guide you, to find a house with a blue door. The early spring growth is tall and the small kitchen garden is overgrown.

---

Elsa nods to Alex’s exclamation, but to Tatiana’s question she taps her chin. "Well I suppose Halia Thornton is quite… interesting. At least no one seems to want to cross her. She runs the Miner's Exchange, so I suppose she’d need to command a bit of fear to keep all those kook’s in line."

Raven the cat crawls up into your lap, happy and full, and falls immediately to sleep. Purring loudly.

Trakomak will look around to talk to any neighbor about the wizard. As a matter of fact re recalls Harbin mentioned it's across some farm. Looking to find the farmer and ask some questions about the wizard, the house situation and the neighborhood (is this a good place to live).

"Thank you, Elsa," Tatiana says. She proceeds to finish her meal in little bites, silently meditating on recent events.

Tatiana, Elsa nods at your thanks.

Nearly done with her small meal, Tatiana says to those remaining at the table, "I will check on Master Rockseeker's condition. Alex, if you intend to visit the Lionshield Coster now to purchase your ammunition, I suggest you take Raven with you. Or, if it can wait until after Sister Garele's diagnosis, we can all accompany you. I do not believe it is safe for any of us to venture out alone."

With that, Tatiana excuses herself to retire upstairs. She will visit Gundren's room for updates, as well as deliver Ammos's payment from Barthen.

Raven paused at Tatiana left the table. Sitting with Alex for a moment, "I hope they can help him." The farmer scratches the cat quietly as he considers whether they will be able to heal their employer's injuries.

Alex glanced over at Daran Edermath, trying to be as unprovocative as possible. In his years entertaining in the taverns of Amphail, Rassalantar, and Waterdeep itself, he was aware that not every drow was an evil, bloodthirsty tyrant. Only most; and near all in the Underdark. But he had laid eyes on one or two of the dark elves in Waterdeep.

Responding to Raven, Alex said me too, lad; me too. Speaking of which, if the barmaid is right, that orchard-keeper over there would probably have a decent read on the situation here with the Redbrands.

Trying not to be obvious, Alex looked for any representation of a dancing drow maiden or a longsword; both symbols of Eilistraee, the only good member of the Dark Seldarine. Pushing his chair back and preparing to approach the seated drow, Alex whispered to his patroness in prayer, Bright Smiling Lady, this roll of the dice is for you.

Tatiana, you climb the stairs and enter the room where a sister Garele is looking after Gundren. After a giving a polite knock of course, and hearing Sildar call, "Enter." The four of them are all sitting around a small table in the room. There are no more chairs left. They are all looking a little dejected, though Ammos does give you a small smile upon seeing you.

Raven, the cat purrs under your attention and continues to sleep.

Alex, as you scan the room, across the way, you see a fit, silver-haired half-elf well over a hundred years old. He is of obvious Drow decent. He is sitting at a table with what appears to be an old farmer, and they are having a friendly conversation. He is currently turned a bit away from you so it’s hard to make out if he has any iconography on his person, but you do notice he has a long sword at his hip and a shield leaning against the leg of the table.

Delivery of Ammos's coin can wait for an appropriate opportunity. Tatiana closes the door and walks to the table. She positions herself just off of Ammos's left shoulder, and looks down to see if his meal had been delivered, or more-importantly, touched. She listens, at first, for the others to resume their conversation.

As Alex approached, he saw that the former adventurer was engrossed in conversation with a local farmer. The farmer's body language was relaxed, if not outrightly gregarious. That bodes well; the less friendly drow, to my understanding, are condescending and cruel to those they call surface-dwellers. Eyeing the drow's armament, Alex realizes that any standard recognition sequences would be wasted; the shield indicated the user almost certainly did not train in less…martial…pursuits.

As he reached the table, Alex waited respectfully for a lull in the conversation. At one such, he interjected "Pardon me gentlemen." Turning to Daran, he continued, "when your conversation is done, may I beg a few moments of your time, sir?" Alex waited patiently but nervously for the response.