11. Return to O'Hare

[tooleychris]

GRIM, returning from his own adventures in window smashing, hears the boy mention the others might be at the temple and motions to the Knight and ranger. "Lemme take da...lock picker and go sees whats what at da temple. Tis close enough fer ya ta hear us bark if'n help be needed. Be easier on me if a...prettier face be doin da talkin."

[dmw71]

"Lemme take da...lock picker and go sees whats what at da temple. Tis close enough fer ya ta hear us bark if'n help be needed. Be easier on me if a...prettier face be doin da talkin."

Just as a point of reference, the temple is on the opposite side of town and not exactly "close."

O'Hare Remains

[Alethan]

"The temple, did they say? As in... where that smell's comin' from?"

Gwillt shakes his head and continues to keep watch.

[saalaria]

"After our experience last time, friend Grim, I suggest we move as a group. We won't divide again unless for a very good reason!" Kaltar glances around and lowers his voice so he isn't heard by the children:
"With the window smashed in I suggest we take them to an alternative abode of their choosing for safety as there is a strong possibility their parents have been slain in the attack"

[Stonjuz]

Seeing that the group is insistent on remaining at the Dragon for the moment, the hobbit goes over to the porch awning pole and appears to be readying for a climb. Pointing to the roof, he can be heard saying, "Bet we can get a good look from up there. Here, give me a boost."

[tooleychris]

Grim offers cupped hands for his feet and pushes him as high up as He can.
Still stares off in the direction of the temple.

[Stonjuz]

climb 60 [1d100] = 93
"Can.....'t.....reach......it. OOOOoooh."
The hobbit lands, on the ground, jerkingly, dusts himself off and looses a bit of that self-confidence exhibited earlier.
"Ah, forget it."

[onlyme]

Ewell continues to engage the child. "I dont know if you want to trust us, lad. I probably wouldn't either, if I were you." he starts. "But, we aint here to hurt you. And if we wanted to steal from you, we already would have, right?" reasons the knight, attempting to be as convincing as possible. "We just want to know who we can talk to around here, to best help the town recover and get rid of them lizard monsters. Can you help us by answering that?

The boy cringes at the mention of the lizard monsters. He quickly looks back to the girl hiding behind the bar, then turns and faces the knight and shrugs his shoulders. "They ain't tell us, but said they'd be back. I'm thinkin' they went to the temple for some food."

Ewell answers back.
Food? Do you want us to check on them for you? By the way, are you hungry? is there anything here to eat? I 'spect the wine out back might be a bit strong for ya, but we can find some water or a ration or two if you need.

[dmw71]

While the young boy slowly begins to become less defensive, the little girl refuses to come out from behind the bar. Any attempts to get a response from her are met with silence. "She's just doin' what she's been told." the boy says, whose eyes light up at the mention of food. "A'int eaten since yesterday" he admits.

The group is able to scrounge up some simple food items for the kids, and allow the boy to bring the portion meant for the girl behind the bar for her. After a brief exchange behind the bar, the boy returns. "Shes refusin' to come out." he says. "She always does what she's told; at least, what our parents tell her to do. She never listens to me." he sighs. "'cept for when the lizards were here," he continues.

The boy continues to ramble. While he's certainly attempting to sound impressive, you suspect he's also thankful to simply have an audience willing to listen. The boy, identifying himself as Landon, volunteering all that he knows about recent events:

---

"The lizards were everywhere!" he exclaims. "Our parents hid us in the closet while they came downstairs to see what was happenin'... 'course, I snuck out. That's how I saw 'em!" he says excitedly. "I even had a pile of stuff I was gonna throw at 'em if they came in here" he says proudly. "They didn't." he says; clearly relieved, but trying to sound disappointed. "The whole town smelled!" he says, making a face. "Then, after they left, it smelled like smoke for a few days." Sniffing. "Yeah, today's the first day it's startin' to smell normal again."

"Soon as the lizards left 'n it was safe, everyone here - 'cept for our parents - left. Not sure where they went? Sure did make our parents mad, though, people leavin' without payin'."

"Then, this morning, me mom woke me early. She 'n me dad told me to look after me sister, that they was goin' to get some food, and would be back."

"Was hopin' you were them." he finishes, his mood becoming more sullen.

[tooleychris]

"How long da mum 'n pop been gone now boy?"

[dmw71]

"How long da mum 'n pop been gone now boy?" Grim asks. The boy looks at the half-orc strangely, then looks to Ewell as if seeking confirmation that it's safe. "As me already said, they woke me early this mornin'." he quips.

The boy instinctively moves a step or two further away from the barbarian, mumbling something under his breath about how this stranger listens to him about as well as his sister does.

---

The above snarkiness is the boys, not mine. I get how a little detail like that can be missed on a larger block of dialogue, but wanted to role play it a bit. Besides, the strange looking barbarian did just break through the window of his parents inn...

[tooleychris]

snark away wasnt sure how much time has passed since we broke camp.

Grim, seeing the boys discomfort gives him a wide smile and walks toward the stairs
"Come little lock picker. Let's see 'bout dat roof again. Twas a guut idea."

[Alethan]

snark away wasnt sure how much time has passed since we broke camp.

Grim, seeing the boys discomfort gives him a wide smile and walks toward the stairs
"Come little lock picker. Let's see 'bout dat roof again. Twas a guut idea."

I believe Shanny is outside with Gwillt.

[tooleychris]

Grim notices that Shanny isn't also in the room, shrugs his shoulders and heads for the stairs up.

[wolfpack]

Epsilon having observed all this quielty sks the child.

besides your parents have you seen any other adults since the lizards came?

[dmw71]

Epsilon, having observed all this quietly, asks the child: "Besides your parents, have you seen any other adults since the lizards came?" Landon considers the question then informs the group that, once it became safe and everyone fled, no one has been to the inn. "Me parents seem to think everyone is at the temple. Me? I think most people just left."

[dmw71]

Grim notices that Shanny isn't also in the room, shrugs his shoulders and heads for the stairs up.

Will detail this later, once on a computer. I haven't created the map for the upper floor yet.

[tooleychris]

no problem. Being the great guy I am, I detailed it for you.
"As you reach the top of the stairs you are blinded by reflection of light off of thousands of precious stones and gold coins. The gurgle of an ivory fountain catches Grims attention and you notice it seems to be flowing with wine. You are startled as you realize you're not alone. A feminine figure dips a golden goblet into the fountain and approaches you. The sparkle of treasure on her smiling face reveals she's a half-orc! And a beauty at that."

[dmw71]

The sparkle of treasure on her smiling face reveals she's a half-orc! And a beauty at that."

Man, I was totally going to go with that exact scene, but obviously can't use it now. I guess I'll have to come up with something else.

[saalaria]

Kaltar whispers his earlier suggestion about moving the kids to a friend's place into Ewell's ear, for him to impart to the boy, as he seems to have the best rapport with the youngster.
"we can then press on to the temple which seems the obvious next step with no worries about these little ones' safety." he finishes..