Everyday Life in Beachtown

[Karaunios]

Grimm gets calmer as he concentrates on the conversation. He turns to Ryathan. "Excuse me, master Ryathan. Would there be any chance of you tending to my wounds? I'm a bit battered from our last expedition."

I didn't have it on my character sheet, but when I took a look at the last post showing our health in our last adventure, I saw that Grimm was 7/10.

[Bluehorse]

Liam

He nods to Reythans words. Thank you, my friend.

He then makes sure that whatever goes on between Grimm and the cleric are able to go on uninterrupted.

Once that is done. My friend, thank you for letting us come into your house and talk with you about our concerns and offering your hospitality. Since we are all good neighbors here, what can we do for you, friend? Is there anything you need?

[Monsieur Rose]

The Princess

A muttering can be heard outside and it gets louder each moment. "Blasted sand! Gets everywhere." The voice stops as it gets close enough to hear that there are people inside.

Then, a knock. "Hello? Raythan? Do I have the right place? Nallissa said you may know where Owen is."

[ChubbyPixie]

Wes

Wes plods through the hot sand on his way to the Treehouse. The vaguely appetizing combination of a bowl of stew and a mug og grog beckons him. When he reaches the bottom of the tree, he spies the parchment tacked there and stops to read it.

He stands there for a long while. Then he hauls himself up the ladder to partake of Randall's dubious fare. Eventually he descends, full of grog, stew and his usual regret. He reads the parchment again, exhales heavily and once again trudges off.

Wes reaches the door of a shack. Banging on it, he calls out. "Chauncey! Are ye in there? It's Wes...Waesfaren...", He frowns, then rolls his eyes. "Wesley. I'll go with ye. Let me know when we're off."

The druid walks away, muttering. "Shalm save me. Going out there with him again. Ah well, if I'm lucky one of us will get eaten by something."

But Chauncey is the Troll Killer! Dominator of Pesky Crabs! Scourge of Pirates!

Maybe he'll have some character development and be slightly less of a buffoonish a-hole this time. (This is unlikely. )

"Wesley! Yes, indeed, I could not be more delighted to have you along," says Chauncey,"We shall be leaving as soon as we are able to gather up all interested parties and make ourselves ready. Fortune awaits! Also, inter-dimensional gates, probably."

[OGRE MAGE]

If Grimm is only down a few hit points, he would gain that back in a night or two of sleeping in town, so no need to bother with healing spells.

Raythan thinks about Liam's question for a moment when a fresh female voice is heard outside his cabin. Then there is a knock at the door.

Opening it, he finds a beautiful elven princess upon his doorstep. The normally taciturn half-elf appears less and less surprised by each new intrusion into his home. "I am Raythan," he replies, turning to Liam, Grimm, and Daisy before asking, "is this one with you as well?"

Great spot for a meet and greet here.

[Bluehorse]

Liam

Looks from the Elven Princess to Raythan and shrugs with a shake of his head. Not with me but pleased to make the acquaintance all the same. Liam Meadstaff, My Lady, and you are?

[Monsieur Rose]

The Princess

She nods at Raythan, obviously pleased that she found her quarry. Then she looks around at the crowd gathered. "Oh! You seem quite popular. I guess there is a waiting list for your services."

She turns to Liam. "I am Princess Bonalure Summerstars of the Royal Court of Celene. Pleased to make your acquaintance." She curtsies and asks. "Liam, Liam. Ooh. You're the animal keeper, right? Nice to see a helping hand in this place."

She looks at the dwarf with a raised brow. "And you, master Dwarf. Can I assume you are not with the local Stoneguts? You have a different air about you."

The Princess smiles at the halfling, glad to see a female around. "You have tea? This is the most civilized place I've seen here."

[Urson]

Daisy
Daisy smiles and nods to the Princess, hoping the Elf is more useful than she appears. Hello, Honey. Yes, Raythan has a wonderful tea caddy.
Ah'm Daisy Broadfoot, priestess of Arvoreen.

[Karaunios]

Grimm rolls his eyes as he hears again from the Stoneguts and specially as he hears him being connected to them because he's a dwarf. His countenance changes when The Princess says he doesn't have the same looks.

"Exactly, princess. I'm not with those... evil people." He sips his tea and keeps brooding.

[OGRE MAGE]

Raythan addresses the princess as he welcomes her into his humble home.

"Celene you say? And a royal princess no less. Well princess, you are welcome here indeed. Do you ever receive word from your homeland?"

The half-elven host pulls out another chair for his new guest, happy to feed her tea and cakes like the others.

"I have never been as popular as I am today, it seems." Raythan jokes while the others get acquainted. Once everyone has been announced, he continues.

"So do tell princess, what brings someone as important as you to our little island paradise?" He leaves the last word drip with sarcasm as he swats another fly that came in with his last guest.

[Monsieur Rose]

The Princess

She graciously accepts the chair and tea service. "Nice to meet you, Priestess Daisy. I must confess I don't know much of Arvoreen, an ally of Yondalla, right?"

She smiles at the dwarf. "Some history there, I sense. Perhaps we could talk more sometime. I have reluctantly started a relationship with some of them, it would be good to learn more about their nature."

The Princess finally addresses her host. "I have indeed had word recently. When we were in that town Siltpond. About a week ago?" She sips her tea. "Congratulations on a good cup, especially under the circumstances."

"I have come to your paradise in order to attend to some personal business before I can assume the head of my family. But while I'm here, I hope to be able to make use of the exotic nature of the island. I've started an arrangement with Ms. Nallissa just last night to sell my wares. Oh! And provide some money-changing, too."

[Bluehorse]

Liam

Liam nods in acknowledgment to the Princess's comment. Yes, that Liam Meadstaff, of the House of Meadstaff of Fort Fjord, but here, just Liam. I think we could have an interesting conversation later and I look forward to it.

He then takes some time to listen to what she knows about the local lore and rumor, some of which he had not yet heard. Seems there is more afoot than I thought. he chuckled. That aside, I am curious, My Lady, are you looking to make some long term investments on the island for these people? I am not sure if we are exactly ready for a bank here yet, but admittedly I have proven time and again to be less than wise when it comes to finances... he looks sidelong at Raythan. We are happy for any assistance that can come from the mainland though. I have written several letters to my relations back home requesting aid and notifying people of the conditions and goings-on here. The idea of more such aid from higher realms of power than my own minor house is quite reassuring.

[Urson]

Daisy
Daisy wants to get back to the discussion of the Constable, but holds her peace for now..

[Monsieur Rose]

The Princess

She raises her cup at Liam. "Then we shall talk later. As for the goings-on here, as you say, I was under the impression that the town was...a town. Five minutes was all it took to shatter those misconceptions. I have already had a few transactions as it seems that there isn't a way for treasure gatherers to liquidate the treasure. Are there other problems? Besides the lack of proper buildings and services?"

She addresses Raythan. "Which brings me back to you. Nallissa said that Owen played a large part in building the Hi-Lo and other sturdy buildings here. Do you know where I might find him? I'd like him to build an overhang off the Hi-Lo to shade my equipment from the sun. And perhaps a residence of my own, if yours is indicative of his work."

[Karaunios]

Grimm keeps drinking his tea in silence, staring at the floor. He doesn't seem to be following any of what's being said.

[Urson]

Daisy
Ah was lookin for Owen earlier. There's these wonderful little fellas that live up in the trees- They call themselves 'Phantoms' or something like that. Apparently, Owen decided to go live among them. Ah don't know if he's even find-able these days.
Ah hope I can visit him sometime- Ah want to meet the Phantoms up close.

Raythan- we were discussin' the Constable earlier. Do you know if there are... "symptoms," Ah suppose is the word- of posession by a demon? Or some sort of 'tell' that would give away a shapechanger?
For that matter, Princess- ya'll have the benefits of a fancy education. Maybe you know somethin' that might help? Daisy's words might appear a bit snarky, but her tone of voice is sincere.

[OGRE MAGE]

Raythan addresses the questions as best he can.

”Sister Daisy is correct, princess. Owen was the town’s main builder, and a good one at that. He did help me get started on my home here and his knowledge of construction was very helpful in some of the other buildings as well. He has since become infatuated with learning about the Phan-a-ton.” He says this word slowly and with respect. “A tree dwelling race of intelligent creatures that reside all over this part of the island. They are friendly, for the most part, but with their superior numbers, they need to be respected and understood if we are to remain living under them.”

Turning back to Daisy, “I am sure there are ways of learning if the Constable is possessed, whether by evil or something else. He just needs to be observed for a while and his movements noted before we can jump to any conclusions. I will keep my eyes on him, as I said. But I am no expert in such things, so it may take a group effort to solve this riddle. So hopefully some of you are willing to lend aid where you can.”

Grimm looks uncomfortable and in deep disturbed thought as the conversation progresses. Mumbling something to himself about a horn of some kind, his thoughts are completely preoccupied. Yet, nobody questions their friend and colleague about his troubles.

[Monsieur Rose]

The Princess

"That's too bad about Owen. So he doesn't come down at all anymore? But wait. If he only helped you get started, then you are capable as well, right?" She looks at the half-elf hopefully.

Turning to Daisy with a twinkle in her eye. "I have had a formal education, but sadly 'How to spot a Shapechanger' wasn't on the syllabus. I can merely lend credence to Raythan. Observe and note oddities and changes. A complete personality change or new fixations indicate something amiss. Someone under the influence of something else. A demon, a blackmailer, a drug. Maybe there's someone who knows him well, a fellow human? A stealthy type would be of use here, someone to watch him. As for possession, I defer to your expertise, Sister."

"I'm afraid I've upset Grimm. Oh! And interrupted your meeting! I must try to remember that I'm not at court anymore. If you would like me to leave you in private, I can come back."

She continues sipping her tea and makes no motion to get up and leave.

[Karaunios]

Grimm snaps out of his trance when he hears his name mentioned. "Oh, oh! No, Princess. It's not that at all. Just before you came in I realised something important. It's not related to anyone here, so don't worry..."

He takes a final sip and stands up slowly, leaving the cup of tea on the table. "Thank you for your hospitality, Raythan. It was an interesting conversation, and also nice to be here drinking tea, but I have some matters I want to attend to. I'm not useful here anyway. I'll leave the politics to those who are better suited for that."

He walks towards the door, now calmer than before. Before he leaves, he bows again, "It was a pleasure meeting you Raythan. And you too, Princess, excuse my rudeness." Then he leaves.

[Urson]

Daisy
Iffen you need help, Grimm- just ask.

Ah'm not the host here, Princess- so Ah can't really say. But new ideas and more folks thinking about a problem is always a good thing.
Ah'm working with some folks to get a small clinic built, so the townsfolk have a place to go to find a healer. We're weaving mats for the walls and roof, like the locals do. Maybe that will suit your purposes, too?