4) Undermountain: The Beholders Key

[Woe]

I'm sure my order will have the means to destroy it...
Sorry, I missed that. Which order? I'm going to play the "new kid who didn't get a full background on everyone" card. If you want to take it to your order, I/Ravoneth won't have any problem with that.

[Woe]

Ravoneth is a bit uncomfortable with the attention. It was one straightforward punch to incapacitate a (12th level cleric with a glass jaw), nothing more. She's really starting to wonder about these civilized people... She will ask Durnan or Kallas why all the fuss? Talpyn was obviously a wicked man, but how wicked was he?

[Jandolar]

It was one straightforward punch to incapacitate a (12th level cleric with a glass jaw), nothing more.

(DMs note: There was nothing glass jawed about him. In the round before you hit him he was hit in in the mouth with a mace wielded by Giovanni who is stronger than you are and all Talpyn did was spit some teeth and smile. Don't count that one punch as nothing. It was an amazing (nat20) shot at the exact time that the company needed it. You did well. Keep in mind this same 12th level Cleric also defeated a 10th level Fighter, Kallas, in single combat at one time.)

[Jandolar]

It seems a band has been hired for the evening and they begin to set up for a rousing chorus of songs. Durnan stops by the table again There will be no descent into the undermountain tonight. Instead we seal the well and have an evening of revelry and fun, no talk of the darker arts of what brings us fame and fortune eh? As the pipes and lutes begin to play he turns and grabs a serving maid, with a bow and impromptu twirl he has her dancing along with the music. The tavern owner is in high spirits tonight..... his bar is full of paying customers after all.

Hermia and Mae quickly find themselves spirited away to a table of other halflings and since all halflings are related in one way or another (according to lore) they soon find themselves surrounded by cousins. Upon the table is a pile of maps, some of the locale, others of far off regions of sand and one or two of the deep oceans depths. Cake is ordered, ink is shared, maps are marked and soon the entire group is half "cake drunk" and giddy with the trading of maps, quills and ink vials.

The music plays and the patrons laugh and joke, although the joking is respectful of the CoS and their stature amongst adventurers. Giovanni, torn between spreading his Word and enjoying the attention (not to mention food) settles himself down to dine. At one point he glances up to see a fellow cleric looking at him across the table. She is short, probably five feet tall at most, and powerfully built. Her plate armor is spotless although marked in numerous places with dents and cuts. The chain mail she wears under the plate is sleeveless and upon her right arm is an intricate tattoo of flowers and petals reaching almost to her wrist. The mace at her left side is plain with a handle stained from use, the shield upon her back is likewise well used. Smiling an invitation to him with her green eyes she blows an errant strand of black short cut hair out of her face. Well met Giovanni of the CoS. My name is Stephanie, fancy a dance?

[Blazeguard]

Rykken basks in the adoration. He schmoozes and works the room like the practiced pro that he is. He is convinced that his business will triple or even quadruple in the days and weeks to come. He breathes a silent prayer of thanks that Alfred and his wife are going to be helping out at the store. Finally, his hunger overpowers his pride and he settles down at the table to partake in the magnificent feast.

At some point during the evening he pulls Durnan aside and quietly asks, "So, who is this Mirt and what exactly can he offer us?"

[Jandolar]

Rykken eats well and talks with Durnan about this Mirt character. When pressed Durnan simply smiles and says Well.... Mirt is rather an important merchant and money lender around here. You'd do well to get into, and stay in, his good graces. Just about the time they conclude the conversation Rykken sees Lysandyr, his shop tender, arrive on scene. She is dressed in a form hugging dress of elven make that truly accentuates her heritage. Pale green in color to match her eyes and with her hair done in long flowing curls she is a far greater beauty dressed this way than in her clerks clothes. Shyly she asks Rykken... um.... would you perhaps let me buy you a drink? She colors a bit at the cheeks. Don't worry. I've got Alfred watching the shop.

[Jandolar]

Opyeen in turn is inundated with requests for council from the Elven "power players" from Waterdavian society and politics. He is completely in his element as both orator and philosopher. At some point it strikes him as ironic that these elves of power and prestige have traveled to this "entry into hell" tavern just to seek him out, an elf with no title, no lands, no political or societal clout.... until now.......

[Hywaywolf]

Oypeen is in his element. He may have no lands and no title, but he is well trained in the arts of the power brokers. He carefully takes note of every name given to him and treats them all as lost lost friends. But his eyes are always looking past these people to scan the crowd for his brother or any other danger that may lurk.

[Woe]

Ravoneth will ask Durnan or Kallas why all the fuss? Talpyn was obviously a wicked man, but how wicked was he?

[LibraryLass]

[Wait, we've got a Hermia and a Lysander? I'd almost call it kismet, except that she's clearly already got it bad for Rykken.]