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dymondy2k wrote:Giovanni gets excited about the thought of those thick Gar steaks..

I saya we sell this fish and stick around to partake of our conquest!!

"Indeed, time for Durnan to host a fish fry if you ask me!" Hermia laughs, noticing the young halfling out of the corner of her eye.

"Giovanni, keep an eye on my supper, won't you? Something has just come to my attention."

Hermia slips away from the table and the attention of the crowd, attempting to follow her fellow halfling. It's been too long since she had the chance to feast and share stories with one of her cousins, she reasons, and it would be a shame to miss the opportunity now.

As Opyeen and Giovanni discuss the particulars of the sale of the still fresh fish Hermia slips away to see if she can't find the halfling she saw a second ago. A few turns through the massive tavern reveal nothing so she turns back towards her table. Coming in sight of her stew and tea Hermia can see the other halfling standing patiently by her chair. As she gets closer Hermia gets some better details about the other. Female and wearing tight fitting leathers with small pockets sewn here and there. Small backpack on the floor with a thin bladed sword tied on top. The halfling is sporting deep black hair cut in a pixie bob and shining black eyes that seem to be laughing. An open face tanned by the sun indicates an adventurer or at least a traveler. Once within speaking distance the new comer pulls her thin gloves off and tucks them into her belt before offering a hand. Hi! I'm Maephina Lightfoot, you can call me Mae.

The hand shake Mae offers Hermia is firm without being crushing, for an instant there is the subtle play of muscle under the leather of the forearm. Then with a smile and laugh she is suddenly a young halfling out to see the world. I'll have someone bring me something, errrr.... I'm not much of a tea drinker most times. She hails a passing waiter and orders something. So I saw your group come in a little while ago, folks say you've been down there a couple of times and each time you come up you have more riches. Do you fight much down there? Ever see anything really scary? Is it true there are dragons and beholders down there? I like maps, do you like maps? Why did you bring back a fish?? I also like traps, do you like traps too? The questions come almost one on top of the other until her drink arrives and she takes a few seconds to take a mouthful. After swallowing, her cheeks a little flushed in embarrassment, Mae does her best to look the part of the old and wise adventurer.... and fails miserably.

Ol' Prydwyn pours some tea as Rykken unwraps the statuette that the group found. Once revealed the old man studies it for quite sometime before touching it. Very delicate..... but also very hard. Strange combination for what I thought was simple basalt. Hmmm. Not to sound too mean but it's a black stone from the rough and untamed heart of the world so go take it to a black elf from the same area. HA! He blushes a bit. Do not tell Jysteen I said that.


Rykken says his goodbyes and heads over to the herbalists house and knocks on the door. Once again there is the nagging feeling of dread most beings feel when looking upon the fierce beauty of a Drow. For her part Jysteen takes no offense but instead brings the mage inside. Young Rykken, so good to see you again. What brings you to my little garden this time? Rykken unwraps the statuette for the second time that day. The herbalist quickly reaches for it and then stops herself. Rykken that is the beholders key. Hlethvagi will have been looking for that. Her hands reach for it and she visibly stops herself.That key you hold will allow him access to the next set of lower levels in Undermountain. He'd pay more than you can ever imagine for that key......my friend.............. With the last few words of that statement whispering in his ears Rykken finds himself waking in his bed above the Yawning Portal. He remembers the visits with both his magically inclined contacts but can't quite recall when the meeting with Jysteen ended or what exactly was said. He's still pretty tired.

Rykken looks around, trying to get his bearings. "How in the seven hells did I get back here? What did that witch do to me?"

He pats himself down and checks his equipment to see if he is still in possession of the statuette (and anything else that he had with him before meeting Jysteen).

Jandolar wrote:The hand shake Mae offers Hermia is firm without being crushing, for an instant there is the subtle play of muscle under the leather of the forearm. Then with a smile and laugh she is suddenly a young halfling out to see the world. I'll have someone bring me something, errrr.... I'm not much of a tea drinker most times. She hails a passing waiter and orders something. So I saw your group come in a little while ago, folks say you've been down there a couple of times and each time you come up you have more riches. Do you fight much down there? Ever see anything really scary? Is it true there are dragons and beholders down there? I like maps, do you like maps? Why did you bring back a fish?? I also like traps, do you like traps too? The questions come almost one on top of the other until her drink arrives and she takes a few seconds to take a mouthful. After swallowing, her cheeks a little flushed in embarrassment, Mae does her best to look the part of the old and wise adventurer.... and fails miserably.

"We've been down there three times, but we haven't been once without getting in some kind of fight. It's exciting, but it's pretty dangerous! I lost some of my friends the last time we were there... and I lost my favorite necklace too. You should have seen it, it was so pretty. We definitely think there might be a dragon, 'cause we found one of its scales. And we've seen undead and ghosts and some kind of black thing with lots of arms that could vanish into portals. That fish you saw us bring in was barely a foot away from swallowing me whole when we got it! I love maps too, I make them for a living!" This kind of chatty animatedness has been missing from Hermia's life too long, so Hermia throws herself headlong into the conversation, showing off her necklace scar and relating anecdotes about the road up to Waterdeep.

Rykken does a quick inventory of his things and finds nothing missing. Once up and moving around he notices the faint smell of frying fish and the sounds of revelry from downstairs. It seems he has slept for a while as it is now dinner time.

Hermia and Mae have their conversation temporarily interrupted by the arrival of a steaming platter of fried gar. Looking up the halflings realize they've been chatting for a couple of hours.

Relieved that nothing is missing, Rykken stretches and then makes his way downstairs. He rejoins the rest of the CoS crew at the table. "Wow, something sure smells good. Is that our fish he's cooking?"
He pauses, "Did anyone notice when I came before? Did I do or say anything unusual?"

After eating he will visit Prydwyn again and relate his experience at Jysteen's to see if he has heard of anything like that happening before and whether he thinks she might have done something to him.

"Sorry, I was distracted talking with Mae here. Mae, this is Rykken, one of my friends," Hermia says between bites of gar and chips.