Session 159: Is that... Deeb?

It's halfway through Day 26 of Patchwall and our troop is feeling battle-worn after our encounter with the lizard and ticks. Lucius first floats the idea of returning to Homlet because he's low on healing spells and another encounter with a dangerous creature could be disastrous. Elmo chimes in that there are three good reasons to head back and they are: ale, ale, and dinner. Can't argue with that.

We are in pretty good spirits on our expedited walk back to town (thanks to our competent guide) when Emberia catches sight of a familiar face. Deeb! Our former compatriot peeks out from behind a bush and asks "found anything today?"  He seems to be feeling out his decision to leave the group. Francis produces a goblin skull as if it's something to be valued, but Deeb just rolls his eyes. Eris mentions our haul of 33 copper pieces (which, is not much, but it's not nothing!). Nobody brings up the sundry other items we've found. Perhaps it's because their value isn't as tangible. Deeb decides he will join us on our walk. I ask him what ever happened to those two adventurers he was planning to join up with. He has no clue what I'm talking about. Maybe it really was all just a dream.

Back at the Welcome Wench, Francis and Elmo are drinking ale (what else?) and Elmo is telling Francis that his collection of skulls is a little pedestrian. Collecting common woodland creature parts (like a snake skull -- even if it is a giant one) will make people believe you are common. What he needs is something legendary! The rest of us order dinner and Burne the wizard walks in. I go over to talk to him and relay the information we have gathered so far about the moat house. He rewards our group with five silver pieces each with a promise of more for additional information or evidence of bandits of the Temple of Elemental Evil. 

Most of us turn in for the night, but Eris and Francis linger in the dining hall. Eris meets and chats with a fellow named Zert. He's a mercenary for hire whose usually quarry is guarding caravans, but he has some time until the next one rolls out. Zert is intrigued by the moat house and the prospect of finding treasure there. He offers himself as a hireling for tomorrow's excursion, but Eris demurs and says she will need to get permission from the entire group. Francis, meanwhile, chats with the druid Jaroo. He knows Burne and is also interested in whatever intel he can gather about the moat house. Jaroo entices Francis to indulge in some "nature's punch" (which is just water) and a plate of delicious mixed nuts. What a wholesome guy! Certainly his motives are pure and he is to be trusted! After this thrilling nightcap, the last two of the party retire.

It's the morning of Day 27 and the party straggles back into the dining hall where we hear of Eris' offer to extend our party by one. Tylendal and I are happy to put another beefy body between us and danger, but Contristo and Lucius are loath to split the pot any further. So with no hard feelings, we tell Zert his services are not needed. Instead of heading straight out, we plan to visit some shops this morning.

Session 155: We need to find a new adventure

It was the morning of Day 26 of Patchwall and we were all set to head out with the two adventurers that Deeb had met. One problem: neither Deeb nor the adventurers were anywhere to be found. What had happened? Had Deeb departed with them in the middle of the night? Had there been some foul play? Was it all a dream? With zero answers and no leads to get any, we decided to head back into the inn for some drinks and contemplation of what to do next.

There was one character who immediately caught Francis' eye. He was an older fellow, slightly drunk and singing. Of course the bard was drawn to music -- no matter the quality. Francis sat down and began to play his lute. The gentleman sang along (can you call it singing along if you sing the wrong words?) and introduced himself as Elmo. Then Elmo had the cheek to ask Francis to buy him an ale. Francis obliged and used it as an opening to prod for some information. Elmo shared some of his life of being a chicken farmer and the pursuits of his brother, Otis, who had gone off on a quest with a priestess of the temple of St. Cuthbert. Elmo then requested the bard share the story of the fall of the temple. Francis shared what he knew of the story and Elmo embellished it with details.

Contristo was working on a concoction. What is he hoping to accomplish? Who knows! But I'm sure its nothing to worry or even think too hard about! He found himself needing a mortar and pestle and a brazier. We went to the traders where he obtained the brazier, but the mortar and pestle needed to be ordered. I eyed some darts which, while serviceable, were clearly subpar. I talked the chatty trader, so called Greemag, down to a cost I was willing to pay. He tried to sell me a new set of motley, but I was highly offended. What sort of jester would I be if I put on the colors of who-knows-what troupe that I had bought off of some random trader? No, my Five Tents garb will will be the only colors I wear until I find another company. Greemag chatted to us about our travels protecting the caravan and the different creatures we had fought. He dropped some knowledge about gnolls, bugbears, hobgoblins, orcs and ogres. Meanwhile the trader Charles watched us silently from a corner. It was brought up that we had intended to venture out to the Moat House, but were unsure of the way. Greemag offered up Charles as an escort for the low, low price of two gold pieces a day (and 40 gold pieces to purchase some chain mail). We agreed to this arrangement -- hopefully if pays off!