[IC] The Wild Beyond Witchlight

[XxFellsingxX]

Jub the Peculiar

Jub was still stewing over the encounter with Jingle Jangle and Brutrumukk's violent - and uncomfortably familiar - reaction to her when the house approached. He raised his head, looking at the building, then at the feet, then back up at the building. "You know, you'd think after a day of being here, I'd become numb to all the weird shit," Jub said. "But no. Just when I think I've seen the weirdest this place has to offer, something literally comes round the corner that dares to be weirder." He gave a loud sigh. "This place is exhausting." When Brutrumukk started to walk inside, Jub was inevitability brought in along with him as he was perched on the bugbear's shoulder. "Oh I guess we're going in, sure, okay, fine," Jub said as he threw up his hands in exasperation. "March straight into the spooky leg house. What could go wrong?"

[Guardian Angel Haruki]

Hither

The Inn at the End of the Road

Brutrumukk finds that entering the inn with the raft in tow is nearly impossible. He would need to leave that item outside. Upon entering the weird building, they find that the interior seems to be like that of any other tavern. The only difference the party can notice is this tavern interior is decorated with vibrant and beautiful flowers not typically found in a swamp.

There is an elderly human woman wearing druidic vestments standing behind the bar. She gives the adventurers who enter a warm smile and she greets them kindly, "Ah, Guests! It's been a long time since I've had patrons come by! Welcome to the Inn at the End of the Road,"

"You are welcome to have some stew, and even a few slices of plum pie I baked just today! You are also welcome to stay and rest. There are beds that you can sleep in upstairs,"

OOC

That's right! With this encounter, you guys can take a long rest!

[Dark Cloud]

G A B R I E L

A twinkle in his eye returned, as his senses were greeted by the smell of stew he didn't need to guess that the building was some sort of inn which could only mean...

Thank Corellon, the gods that be have heard my prayers! Gabriel didn't even wait for the rest of the party, leaping from the boat causing it to rock as he practically sprinted through knee deep swamp water soaking his trousers as he waded like his life depended upon it towards the inn.

Soaking wet, panting from loss of breath the bard stumbled over to wherever the bar was or whatever looked most like a counter, he really couldn't tell it was all blurry.

"My good woman, please and I beg you please tell me you have any ..." he heaved heavy breaths as he tried to get it together "And I mean any alcohol, by the gods I need a drink after the day this had been."

[Guardian Angel Haruki]

Hither

The Inn at the End of the Road

The elderly innkeeper looks to Gabriel and she apologizes as she gives a disappointing answer, "I'm sorry, young man. I wish I did have some drink to offer you. But Slack-Jawed Lorna-" The last three words were spoken bitterly before the old woman takes a moment to spit at the floor off to her side and away from the party. She continues from where she left off, "She had her minions take every single drop I had to offer,"

She sighed and she sighs "In Zybilna's time, this inn was the talk of Prismeer,"

[Dark Cloud]

G A B R I E L

The twinkle in his eye disappeared, replaced by a slight twitch either from becoming slightly neurotic or slightly annoyed either way he was tired and out of breath, so madness wasn't that farfetched.

Once the old crone finished, and spat on the floor like she cursed the very name she spoke a manic laugh escaped the bards mouth, there was a tear in his eye that he wiped away. He wanted to scream to the heavens and curse the gods, however his mind latched onto the name Slack-Jawed Lorna.

Taking a moment to collect himself, and keep himself from weeping uncontrollably Gabriel spoke up after taking a deep breath "So you say some brigands up and lifted all your precious liquor?" although he had just met this old crone, and for all he knew she could be a man eating crone but all he cared about was getting a gods damned drink in this fucking shit hole of a swamp.

"My good woman, please tell me more of this Lorna. To take is very odd knowing what so far I know of the goings on in Prismeer." oh he would love nothing more than to meet this Lorna and run her through with his rapier at that moment if it meant having something to drink. He was getting tired of running around a swamp without having some sort of buzz other than the buzz of mosquitoes.

[Guardian Angel Haruki]

Hither

The Inn at the End of the Road

The innkeeper raises an eyebrow at Gabriel's request, and she asked him, "Slack-Jawed Lorna? You know, Bavlorna Blightstraw?" She takes a moment to spit to the side twice upon saying the hag's name twice.

She continues, "She never leaves her cottage in Downfall? Caused this whole region to be a flooded swamp in the first place?"

She then asked curiously, "Why do you ask?"

[Dark Cloud]

G A B R I E L

Bavlorna-what now? a confused Gabriel shook his head, taking a moment to rub the center of his temples with one hand and the other he looked at for a brief moment enough to notice his hands were shaking. Oh by Corellon's blade... the half elves expression turned from confusion to embarrassment, realizing he made a fool of himself all for a drop of alcohol.

"Why do you ask?" he'd blanked out for a brief moment mising a bit of what the old woman had said, peering back up at her wrinkled face looking at him with curiosity "I'd be lying if I said noble intentions," Gabe told her, his tone somewhat melancholy but he breathed a sigh and offered her an apologetic smile "My inhibitions often get the better of my judgment my fair lady, and drink is just that."

Sometimes he needed to forget the past, his life as a gutter rat, having to fight for even a morsel of food.

Sometimes he just wanted to forget it all, it was the reason he left Waterdeep and put so much distance between himself and the place he grew up but sometimes the memories were too much to ignore.

Sometimes numbing the memories were all he could do to keep the nightmares of his childhood at bay. Sometimes no matter how much he strived to live a better life, his past always haunts him.

"I'm a bit too fond of the finer things you see, things that were a rarity in my youth." Gabriel chuckled, his smile returning to him as he offered a hand to the innkeeper "Gabriel, man of the sword and duelist by trade."

[rush99999]

Brutrumukk

"Future plans on murderin' this beer stealin' bitch aside, I got two questions." Brutrumukk stated once Gabriel was done talking. "First off, what would you be wantin' in return fer all this food an' stuff yer offerin'? An' secondly, do got anywhere we could put our raft outside? I couldn't fit through the door an' I'd rather not leave it behind it if this place starts walkin' again. We might need it later."

[Lurking Krog]

Aurora

The trudge through the swampy terrain was an inconvenience but more progress would be made this way than by the raft with the water levels this low. Before she even looked towards the sound that was approaching, the smell of the stew caught her nose. The legged structure did cause her own suspicion to rise but the fact that both Gabe and Brut walked into the inn with no caution didn't leave Rory many options. She quietly walked in behind Gabe and attempted to stay slightly hidden behind Brutrumukk and Jub.

As the two went on asking their questions, and finding out Bavlorna Blightstraw had her minions take the drink from the inn. Aurora looked up towards where Jub was perched on Brutrumukk's shoulder. "You ok Jub?"

[XxFellsingxX]

Jub the Peculiar

Jub was only half-listening to the conversation between his teammates and the woman, and was somewhat startled by Aurora suddenly saying his name. "Hmm?" He glanced over at the elf. He was about to say he was fine, but his condition kicked in and he ended up saying, "Well, no actually. This whole situation is very much stressing me out." Realising what he had just said, Jub quickly clamped one hand over his mouth. He started shaking his head and waving with his free hand as if trying to signal for everyone else to ignore him and continue on with their conversation.

[rush99999]

Brutrumukk

"Yeah, a pub without beer ain't the best thing in the world." Brutrumukk said to Jub with a nod of agreement, not understanding what his shoulder goblin's gestures meant. "But look on the bright side. They still got food. An' it sure does smell tasty, don't it? Yeah, a pub without beer ain't the best thing in the world, but it ain't the worst thing either."

[Guardian Angel Haruki]

Hither

The Inn at the End of the Road

The elderly innkeeper tilts her head at Gabriel as he spoke about how he appreciated the finer things in life. She answered his introduction with her own, "My name is Tsu Harabax. Nice to meet you,"

The innkeeper looks to Brutrumukk when he mentioned murdering the beer thief, and asked his two questions. She answered him, "There's a rope outside to tie vehicles to the building. You can use that. As for payment? Any old trinket would normally do. But if you're going after Bavlorna Blightstraw?"

Once again, she takes a moment to spit off to the side after saying her name, before she finishes, "I'll consider that recompense enough,"

[rush99999]

Brutrumukk

Brutrumukk waited for a while to see if Jub would respond. But when the goblin simply kept his hands clamped over his mouth, Brutrumukk shrugged, made his way over to where Gabriel was recovering from an alcohol theft induced breakdown and clapped a consoling hand on the bard's shoulder. "We'll get 'er back fer this" Brutrumukk told Gabriel. "An' then we'll find wherever she stashed the stuff an' drink until we drop, yeah?" Brutrumukk then patted Gabriel on the shoulder before letting Jub down off of his. "I'm gonna tie up the raft." Brutrumukk said to the two of them. "Plate up some stew fer when I'm done, yeah?" With that said, Brutrumukk headed outside to tie the raft to the inn.

[XxFellsingxX]

Jub the Peculiar

Jub breathed a small sigh of relief that neither Brutrumukk nor anyone else seemed to press him further. In fact, Brutrumukk actually took him off his shoulder and left the room for a moment to tend to the boat. Jub removed his hands from his face and loudly, and somewhat dramatically, exhaled. "It seems we can't go anywhere without everyone talking about this hag," he said. He glanced over to Aurora. "You probably have a point that we're probably going to run into her sooner rather than later."

[Dark Cloud]

G A B R I E L

Gabe breathed inwardly when Brutrumukk clapped a mighty hand upon his shoulder, ahem the half-elf made his best attempt to cover with a pained laugh "Ooph, ha..ha yeah Brut, sounds like a plan." with a nod he watched as the hulk of a goblinoid stepped outside before rubbing his shoulder.

"Mmph, at least it wasn't my good arm..." he mumbled before turning back to the elderly innkeeper "Find your largest bowl my good woman cause the big man has a big appetite." Gabe coyly smiled, nodding his head towards the door "After a day of trudging through mud and..Well you get the point, a hot bowl of stew sounds pretty good right about now." chuckling good-naturedly the bard tapped his fingers on the counter, realizing his nails were caked with dirt and his hands were filthy.

"Good gods, look at me I'm a bloody mess. I could use a dip in a hot bowl of liquid myself!" he added with a smile and a shake of his head.

[Lurking Krog]

Aurora

"I'll take a bowel of stew as well please." The elf called after the innkeeper before looking to Gabe. With several practiced wave and each followed by a short incantation, Gabriel's garments began to suddenly become clean. "I know this isn't the same but it will at least help. It's the one spell I did learn and it has been a life saver. Makes cleaning and making fires easy, as well as keeping your drink at the right temperature." A frown crept across her face as she started to recit all that prestidigitation could do. "Well now I feel like a fool. I could have made those rations taste like truffles with this spell. Perhaps should we meet Jingle Jangle again I can do so if we are unable to get them real truffles."

Aurora looked over to Jub after helping Gabe. There had been lost of people talking about Bavlorna and the things she has done to those who live here in Prismir. "Unfortunately I do believe we will have to confront her sooner than any of us would like. Well perhaps all save Brutrumukk. It does seem that many that live here have a grievance with this hag. I remember through my travels there were those who spoke of those who oppressed them, be it bandits or rulers, like many we have met spoke of Bavlorna. Though I suppose unlike prior times I am in a position that can help, at least as long as you all are with me. Who knows what may happen, by the end of this you could regain whatever it is you lost Jub." She paused as she considered the situation before them as well as what fate had befallen her sister. Rory hoped that Daebella was at least safe and whole. If Belle was only captured she could be rescued, or have a ransom paid. A slight shudder passed through the elf as she considered what ransom a hag would want in exchangefor a person. "Perhaps we ought to focus on gather strength and weakening Bavlorna's. The bandits might be a good start as they answer to her."

[rush99999]

Brutrumukk

"Perhaps we ought to focus on gathering strength and weakening Bavlorna's. The bandits might be a good start as they answer to her."

"In that case, I best not eat too much 'ere then." Brutrumukk said as he returned from tying up the raft. "We'll be needin' to save some room fer the rabbit roast I'll be makin' fer supper." After a moment, Brutrumukk noticed how clean Gabriel had become in the time the bugbear had spent outside. "Wait a sec... 'Ow did you get clean so quickly?"

[Lurking Krog]

Aurora

Aurora looked up to Brutrumukk as she began to clean her own clothing of the swamp muck with prestidigitation. "I help him by using a simple spell I learned decades ago. It can take awhile for large quantities of things that need to be cleaned, but it works in situations like this when means of cleaning are limited. I can help you clean your gear once I am done with mine." She pauses for a moment once her boots are cleaned of the muck. "I would also like to let you that I do not agree with your intentions of eating these bandits. In all honesty I do not intend on killing them unless we have to. They are still humanoids and at least deserve a chance to redeem themselves. Besides that humanoids are not food. I know I probably cannot convince you otherwise Brutrumukk but I also want to put it out there that I will not be eating this supposed rabbit stew you plan to make from these folk."

[Guardian Angel Haruki]

Hither

The Inn at the End of the Road

While the party spoke with each other, the innkeeper, Tsu Harabax, prepared the bowls of hearty stew for the party. She sets each bowl with care, along with wooden utensils. Along with the stew, she also sets out a plate of plum pie and a glass of fresh water. The fresh water was clearly purified of any...swampy contaminants.

The hearty stew is full of vegetables and potatoes, clearly a vegetarian dish, but it is still filling and refreshing! Should any of the party partake in the plum pie, they find that it is a perfect blend tart and sweet flavors. Like the cupcakes in the Feasting Orchard in the Carnival though, the plum pie does leave purple stains behind if the party members aren't careful.

Once everything was prepared for the party, she reassures them, "Here you are. Please enjoy the food,"

[rush99999]

Brutrumukk

"I helped him by using a simple spell I learned decades ago." Aurora explained as she cleaned her clothes. "It can take awhile for large quantities of things that need to be cleaned, but it works in situations like this when means of cleaning are limited. I can help you clean your gear once I am done with mine."

"That'd be great." Brutrumukk said gratefully "The swamp stink's startin' to rub off on me. I'll be needin' that gone in case I need to sneak around. There ain't no skulkin' skill in the world what can work if a nose can smell you comin' a mile off."

"I would also like to let you that I do not agree with your intentions of eating these bandits." Aurora went on to say. "In all honesty I do not intend on killing them unless we have to. They are still humanoids and at least deserve a chance to redeem themselves. Besides that humanoids are not food. I know I probably cannot convince you otherwise Brutrumukk but I also want to put it out there that I will not be eating this supposed rabbit stew you plan to make from these folk."

"Eh, suit yerself." Brutrumukk said. "That just leaves more fer the rest of us."

"Here you are. Please enjoy the food," The innkeeper called out as he served the stew and the pie and the water.

"Oh don't you worry." Brutrumukk said as he bore down on on his bowl of stew. "I will enjoy it very much!" With that said, Brutrumukk went about the business of demolishing the stew with great gusto an gluttony. "NOM NOM NOM! Om. Nom... Oh, dish shtoo ish delishush!" Brutrumukk exclaimed before swallowing the food in his mouth and continuing. "I notice there ain't no meat in it though. Did the 'ag's goons take all the meat as well?"