A Rude Awakening

[Benji Copperclaw]

Benji thanked the kind priest for his hospitality and left the church in high spirits; after all, how could he not be jubilent with a full belly and a heavier purse? Now that both employment and room and board were accounted for, the kobold figured he'd do a little Sandpoint sight-seeing and get familiarized with some of the city's more prominent areas of interest, while the evening was still young.

The little bard wandered the streets for a couple hours or so, taking in the sights. The sight of a flamboyantly-dressed kobold caught the attention of several curious townfolk, so Benji had plenty of opportunities to introduce himself and have a pleasant little chat with the locals.

Guidance on self
Gather Information: 1d20+11 18 (anything else of interest about sandpoint or the catacombs underneath that we havent learned yet)

[DM Dread]

Cutter was the first to exit. He headed toward the wharf, breaking away from the core group of Eloric, Khaymen, Robsen, Merika and Cade who headed towards the Rusty Dragon Inn. Of course they had seen it as they entered the town. The Iron Dragon on its rooftop, rusted from years in the elements marking its presence. Benji left with the core group, but soon broke off and wandered the town, playing and getting to know the lay of the land . He sought information.

He was successful in finding out that the town was unaware that Abstalar had sent for adventurers and so there is a lot of curiosity and trepidation over why. Particularly Employees of Scarnetti try to grill Benji why he has arrived. Benji is sure they are opposed to the church. Other things He discovered were there were unusual sightings of a Red Seagull at the docks and Kaleb Valdemar arrived from Maginmar recently and took up the family manor, after his family being gone for over ten years.  

The Main group entered the Rusty Dragon and were amazed at how welcoming and at ease the environment was. There was a large stage with a nearby fireplace for which bards could perform and easily 20 tables inside on the floor. A few booths had curtains that could be drawn against the furthers wall from the stage. It was apparent that the Inn was created by an adventurer by the layout. Bethana, the halfling owner waved at them eagerly and invited them in. Two sets of stairs went up to the 2nd and 3rd floors on either side of the Inn.

[Benji Copperclaw]

The fact that the church was keeping a tight lip about their dealings wasn't all that surprising, considering the nature of their request. Hunting undead was standard adventurer fare sure, but the underlying goal of communing with Nualia's soul was a deeply personal matter to Abstalar more than it was a service to Sandpoint. Plus, considering Nualia's...rocky history, it made sense not to go around stapling a notice about it on every bulletin board in the streets.

Benji's curiosity was sated for now, and as the rapidly dwindling sunlight gave way to night and people started clearing off the streets to go home, he made his way to the inn, linking back up with the rest of the group.

[Cade Fallenleaf]

Cade hadn't been particularly quiet during their trip to the temple, it was just he had nothing of any real substance to say, so it was easier for most to tune him out if possible.

He beamed a stupid smile at those who stared at Aquila, seemingly oblivious to how strange it was for a dinosaur to be stalking the streets of a town.

He was a little disappointed to hear the church only suspected ghouls to be behind the graveyard robbery, but the talk of multiple points of catacombs and tunnels discovered under the town at various points did perk him up a little bit. Vast underground adventures was a bit closer to a grand destiny!

Finding himself in the Inn with most of the others, he was happy enough to partake in any drink or smoke that was offered, just something to take the edge off the strange feeling of unease that was just under the surface. He was never big on towns in general, but now he had time to settle, the land was different here, and so was his connection to it. Weakened in some respects, probably due to the Wizard's meddling, but he seemed to be aware this wasn't the place he grew up in, and this place spoke to him in a subtly but distinctly different manner.

[Merika'arme]

Merika had been particularly quiet meanwhile. It wasn't that the lizardfolk.. that concept still bothered him mentally, wasn't talkative it was just he found it easier to observe others and let them tell you things. After all people most of them liked to talk, about themselves, about others, about anything really.  The lizardfolk had filled his gullet at the temple while the others talked, I mean it was free food. And Merika wasn't really one that liked or appreciated the gods. His last deity interaction had not gone well and Lolth wasn't usually forgiving. 

Still money for probably killing some ghouls and exploring some catacombs didn't seem too bad of a deal. The lizardfolk considered if he should care about money now. He hadn't before as well things just usually got given to him, but maybe he should be more concerned with money and things like that going forward. As he enjoyed the tavern and environment. He was quick to claim a bed after all resting would be good before the trouble started, and there was always trouble.

[Eloric Aetherion]

Eloric had already been killed, resurrected, fought his way out of imprisonment and then had to walk miles to this town.  Now that he had been fed and watered he was feeling the day weigh on him.  So he didn't bother trying to explore Sandpoint just yet.  There would be time for that later.  Instead he just strolled to his Inn, and picked out a room. He figured he would bunk with the little kobold bard. He was rather unsure of the halfling with the dinosaur and the lizard man, both of which he was not completely confident one or the other would not try to eat him in his sleep. Granted, they were probably lovely monsters, but he decided to err on the side of caution till he got to know them better. 

After their room was sorted out and his stuff put away, Eloric mosied on down to the common room.  He found a comfortable spot somewhere between the bar and the fire, sipped on some ale and listened in on the whatever town gosip he could catch wind of.  The psion was a fairly friendly individual, so he would idly chat with patrons about the state of the town, country, weather or whatever they had to say. 

Diplomacy Check (Gather Information): 1d20+10 = 20

[Robsen Ranger]

Robsen offers to take a room with the hslfling cade and his dinosaur, as he to felt a connection to wild places, and he was somewhat used to the luxuries of towns like this, Robsen was tired from his travels and looked forward to tge prospect of a bath and sleep in a comfortable bed.

[DM Dread]

The new party of adventurers enjoyed the evening. There were snacks and good drink. Eloric moved around talking to everyone he could find that would. After the evening was near over he had discovered three topics were on everyones mind. First a rumor that Ameiko Longjitsu, the Empress of Tian Min and previous owner of The Rusty Dragon was coming to visit her long time friends here. Second, why had the he and his allies come to Sandpoint. 3rd discussions of a masked vigilante referred to as The Shroud, catching common criminals or those operating in a hazardous manor within the town and delivering them to the jail, trussed up for prosecution....and who he was.

Benji returned first and was pleased to see the outstanding stage for performance.


Cutter arrived about an hour later with a bounce in his step and a smile on his face.

[Benji Copperclaw]

Benji took a moment to admire the decor, then introduced himself to the tavern owner Bethana and spent some time chatting up the old lady. Every bard worth their salt knew the importance of maintaining good relations with tavern-keepers, for they provided not only room and board, but were a great source of gossip and side-gigs as well. Afterwards the munchkin bard mingled with his new adventuring buddies and other bar patrons. At some point in the random conversations, the topic of kobolds came up; Benji's kind were an uncommon sight in humanoid settlements he was always happy to handle questions fielded by the inquisitive folk. One thing led to another and before long, Benji found himself transitioning into full storyteller mode, entertaining all his new drinking buddies with anecdotes highlighting the fortitude and cunning of his people, interspersed with some tales about the mighty dragons his clan revered. Naturally, his antics were accentuated with the proper background music.

Casting Musical Accompaniment
Performance: 1d20+14 20