"Oh, like the Facon Six!" Dani exclaims. "That's what they called them. The Falcon Six. The ones saved us all from the black scour taint."

"What should we be called?" She puts a thumb under her chin and forefinger to cheek in thought. "I'm sure we'll come up with something. "

Almar and Alaion spend most of the morning talking with sheriff Deldrin. Alaion detailed the venture to find the killer of his deputy. Afterwards, the sheriff makes the same offer he made to Valeros to Alaion, who declines. Then to Almar, who accepts.  After a few more minutes, Alaion excuses himself to let the two iron out details of Almar's new position.

Alaion wanders back toward The Sitting Duck.
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:30, Fri 27 Jan 2023.

“It is good to have a long-term plan,” Duivelssmak says.  “No doubt, there will be other evils to be dealt with once we’ve finished with the necromancer.  Not that we can take it for granted that we will handle him successfully.”

He turns his attention to Alion.  “Welcome back.”

Sitting near atable where many others, of multiple races, were sitting discussing things, the elf Elmona had paid little attention as she pondered instead the few meager coins in her pouch and what she could do to earn some more. However, when the tall, brown-haired, muscular human spoke about forming an adventuring party, her ears perked up and she listened more closely. She listened as they talked fondly about some past adventure and friends who were no longer with them. They seemed a competent group, and having companions along is always a good thing, especially ones who seemed to look after each other.

She sat there a bit as she tried to think of how to approach them, but when the grey clad elf approached and was greeted, she saw her opportunity. Rising from her seat, she approached the group, saying, "Excuse me if I'm intruding, but I couldn't help overhearing your conversation. It sounds like you are looking at taking on a necromancer of some sort. While I have no skills dealing with the undying, I do offer my skills with bow and spell to assist you, if you would welcome them."

After having spoken, she stands there, wondering if they would accept her offer or if she'd have to look for other opportunities.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:35, Fri 27 Jan 2023.

Alaion had slipped in the tavern as the others were talking.

Not wanting to interrupt, he kept quiet until the new elven woman had worked her way toward the table and spoke.

Moving over as well, he offered a smile.

Hello, I'm Alaion.   Another elf is always welcome to the party.   Especially now that Almar wants to become a new deputy for the sherrif here in town.   On a positive note, we now have someone here in town we can talk to an work with that knows us.   By the way, you can count me in to being with you all.   Taking down the necromancer and any evil undead or people sounds good to me."

He smiled lightly and worked his way into the discussion.

"We need to make moves and plan to head there sooner than later.   More time for evil to work is a harder time for us.   I have a few things i want to get with my money here in town.   Has anyone heard anything new or any rumors?"
This message was last edited by the player at 00:36, Sun 29 Jan 2023.

Myshra pulls a chair for the elven woman, offering it to her to sit.  "I'm Myshra." she says. "Welcome to the table.  We are all just really getting to know each other. I am a cleric of Heironeous."

She gestures at Dani, "That is Daniella, our rogue and specialist in getting into locked boxes and doorways.  And there, is Thorgwain our favorite dwarven fighter and the only dwarf we know.  Next is Larn.  He is the quiet one. Comes from a tribal family that has ended up in the Hollow.  Next is Alaion and where he is, Loki, his dog is somewhere nearby.  That is Xenary, mage adept.  And here on the other side of you is Duiv- well, just Duiv, because his name is hard to pronounce. He is a cleric of St. Cuthbert."

The cleric smiles warmly, "Now, to join us, we insist you tell us your name."

Thorgwain gives Valeros a knowing look, "Oi be think'n we need those other horses.  And quick like."

“Welcome indeed,” says Duivelssmak.  “You can always count on an elf to shoot straight and tell the truth.”

Privately, though, the cleric is troubled.  Were they being so obvious that anyone who overheard them would know immediately about their plans?  If so, how could they overcome their wickedly sophisticated foe, who surely had ears in every wall and on every street?
This message was last edited by the player at 06:06, Sat 28 Jan 2023.

"I am Valeros, I'm a simple fighter. Where is Loki Alaion? I promised him a steak and a beer for saving our lives and almost giving his!" Then he looked at Elmona, "what do they call you? we could use you, yes, we are after the evil in the hollow first. Then on to greater adventures, though this one might take awhile."
This message was last edited by the player at 15:30, Sat 28 Jan 2023.

Elmona takes the profferred seat with gratitude. She had been afraid that there were too many already interested and that her overtures would be rebuffed. As she is introduced to the others at the table she gives a simple nod of her head in acknowledgement and greeting.

"People normally just call me Elmona, as it is easier to pronounce than my name in my native tongue."

"Welcome Elmona, we would be happy for you to join us I'm sure."

"Shall we discuss where we go from here?" Myshra asks. She glances nervously around before continuing. "He who should not be named openly, probably knows that we know about him.  I do not see any leads there to follow. We certainly can't walk right up and say, 'Hey, what is your involvement in this' now can we?"

The cleric sighs. "Perhaps we need to go back to the farmstead and really take a good look at the place for clues or some kind of lead.  That's the only thing I can think of to lead us toward the necromancer. At least we know his name, right Xenaryn?  You said you have some papers with his name." 
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:54, Sat 28 Jan 2023.

"Are you joining us Myshra? Excellent! Yes, the farmstead would be the first place to start, we can fetch those two mares then too. The fire will be out and the smell of blood gone. Disturbing to a high strung animal. Is Loki completely healed Alaion? He's our charm! Damn good dog!"

"I suggest we get a few items to prepare ourselves and then set out either this afternoon or tomorrow morning, depending on how much  time we need. I need to buy some plate armor, that should be 60 gold or so if I recall, might be a little more too. We may be able to lend money to others to better equip themselves too."

"If you need to lighten your load of currency, there is a reputable moneylender on Magnate's Hill.  You can deposit your coin there.  Carrying forty or fifty pounds of coin will slow you down." Daniella says quietly, but loud enough for all at the table to hear. "They do not associate with lower reputable businesses in town."

Dani does not offer an explanation of how she knows this if asked.

"At least until we find ourselves a place where we can stow things safely."

"Yes, I will be an adventurer too, if you will have me." Myshra says cheerfully.  "When you go to market, I would like to go as well.  I think a mail of chain will work better than this leather armor.  And, there are some other items I should pick up as well.  For plate armor, you will want High Market on the Hill.  You will not find it in the lower market.  The blacksmith could make you some, but it might take a few weeks."

"Thank you Myshra, you are welcome as well. Well, who is going to high market and who is going low?" he asks the group around the table. "Those who don't have enough, I'm sure someone can make a loan, but we want to be ready, we don't need any unwarranted deaths."

"Aye, Oi be come'n with ye." Thorgwain says, downing the last of the ale in his cup. "Oi be want'n some 'o tha plated mail meself.  May have ta have it made if'n ye vendor donnae sell dwarven stock size."

"I'll go along. I care not whether it is to the low market, or the high market. Are you planning to visit both, or just one?" Elmona asks the group. Though it would appear that she is very light on funds, she does not ask the others for a loan of any sort.

"If you want, we can visit both! You ladies know better than we what you need, so I'll leave that to you. As I said, we are doing well, if someone needs a short term boost, we'll help, the better you are, the better we'll be. We don't wish to lose anyone. It will not be an easy road ahead, there will be pain, and maybe death. Write down where we can send your belongings if something bad happens so we can get you home with your goods, or at least inform them. We won't dwell on that though, as this is a good time! We saved two children and defeated a necromancer and his minions. Now we need to slay the necromancer and end his evil plots, we have leads we can talk about in private on the road, not here or in public. I'm glad we met this morning when the place is empty."

Xen considers her newly acquired riches. It's certainly more than she's ever owned before. With no need for armor, and uncertain about the availability of the assorted components she needs for her growing list of spells, she realizes she will need a safe place for her spare coins. Furthermore, she isn't interested in visiting the high market due to its proximity to Vade's tower. "No need to tempt fate," she thinks.

"I have no need for armor," she explains to the others. "So I may need a place to store some of this. I'll need some components, perhaps, and  maybe some new clothes, but that's it."

"I can help you in any way you need Xen." Dani offers, knowing the mage wouldn't want to venture near Vade's Tower.  "Just list me what you need and I can purchase it for you. I know where to go too, being up there just yesterday.  Easy Peasy."

Alaion listened to the others and nodded.

"I need to go High and Low.  Would like to look at armor as an option, but will probably stick with my spells for now.   I need to get some more stones and some of us should consider getting bows or crossbows.   Spell components for me also and perhaps potions or visiting an alchemist if there is one here.  Potion bombs of fire or acid would be nice for us to have a few."

He mentioned ideas for everyone, and was ready to head into the city and get supplies.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:24, Sat 15 Apr 2023.

“I also need to purchase some equipment, including a suit of plate mail and a sling.  If possible, I also want to acquire a few flasks of holy water.  Some stains can only be washed away with that most precious of cleaning agents.  I can pay for all of this, naturally.”

"I have need of a few spell ingredients myself, but otherwise have no preference for one or the other," ELmona says to the gathered group.

Please continue in the Sitting Duck Tavern thread.