Prelude: They Met In A Tavern

[Maliki]

When he sees the half-orc is talking to him, Dorne will stand and introduce himself. "I am Dorne Fellhammer, servant of the Gods of Earth and Stone, I am new to town and like the good halfling I seek employment, but not a leech wrangler I would rather find one in need of my hammer."

[Solomoriah]

Proyst turns to look at Dorne. "Truly ye are a strange one, dwarf. This is no country of adventure nor land of strife and warfare... we do well to scrabble out a living here." Chuckling, he turned back to his comrades. "Leech wrangler," he said. "I don't know what's more amusing, friend Shybolt, that you claimed it as a profession or that yon dwarf took you at your word."

"Aye, that is funny," said Melaxas, laughing. "I wonder what's taking that girl so long with the wine? My sister will be calling us home for supper ere we ever get a sip."

"Nay, she's not that fast," replied Proyst. "Tell me, friend Shybolt, of this Dellfast from which ye hail. I'm not familiar with that country."

[Hywaywolf]

"Ahh, its a land of milk and honey, wood and field, well watered and bountiful with game. Its many a league from here, in fact I am not sure you can even get there from here. But one day when I was in my name year the earth trembled and the waters ran back up their courses and rerouted themselves. My fathers fields grew barren and he sent me out to find the great water wheel of the gods. He says a single gear from that machine can reset our watercourses and rewater our fields. So I wander the swamps and streams looking for sign of this great water wheel. And while I am at it, I figure I might as well make a few coin selling the leeches I collect." Shybolt looks very thoughtful for a moment then continues. "But it has been many years and I have naught found a single clue to its location. I am beginning to wonder if my father just wanted one less mouth to feed."

[Sir Bedivere]

(Assuming Grumm keeps looking as if he expects Timorel to answer ... )

"Timorel, at your service. As this is a land without strife or warfare, I thought it might be worth visiting to see if it had anything to trade for elven wine or other craftsmanship. And you, good sir?"

[Solomoriah]

Melaxas laughed at Shybolt's tale, but the Reeve gave him a look that was far too appraising to suit the halfling...

[Hywaywolf]

Shybolt edges away from the Reeve and claps Melaxas on the shoulder and laughs along with him. "Aha, yes its a humorous path fate has set for me, but its not always a cask full of rats (OOC: period phrase the equivalent of barrel full of monkeys). Rumor and wivestales has sent me into many an old abandoned temple or dark, dank cave complexes searching for that damned water wheel. There are more things than bats and dust in those places. Many a time have I nearly met my peril only to escape with my life, but not the wheel. I wonder which one my father values more?

[jstater]

Grumm: "Caves, eh? I've seen a few, and you're not lying about what you might find in 'em. Devilish stuff."

[Maliki]

"You two make caves sound like nothing more than holes in the ground, I have yet to see a cave that was not a wonder to behold, and they are no more dangerous than a stroll through the forest or a walk in a marketplace."

[Hywaywolf]

"Aha, well then if we are ever in a cave together it will be my honor to let you take the lead."

[jstater]

Grumm - mumbles something under his breath - "There are some dandy caves about 5 miles outside of town - maybe you can point out some of the wonders of 'em - provided the cave rats aren't too busy chewing on your toes." - this is followed by a laugh that sounds more like a combination of a cough and a clearing of one's throat and then a slap on the reeves' back and another assault on the spittoon.

With that, Grumm gets up to find out what's taking the wench so long with the wine - and to maybe whisper some sweet nothings in her ear.