May 3-4, 1106 CR
The Granite Badger
Over the course of the evening, the group is entertained by Nathaniel's excellent music, as is the rest of the tavern. (Perform 26) Haversham seems a bit taken aback by being called an "ilk" but takes it in stride. It doesn't take long for the Badger to fill to near bursting, as more and more people hear about the adventurer's exploits, and others wander in from the streets just because of the excitement.
One of the people drawn into the Badger by all the hubbub is a gnome, obviously dressed for travel, a crossbow slung on his back. He is able to draw close to the adventurers, and hear of their exploits, which are the talk of the tavern, and indeed of the streets outside.
At some point during the merriment, Haversham takes his leave.
Larren makes the re-acquaintance of the merrymakers he met his first night in Stonegate, and has no lack of company throughout the evening and night. He awakens the next morning with a tremendous hangover, and a room and bed full of various persons, most of whom he doesn't know. On the other hand, the disarray certainly does make for interesting entropic flow in the room, and he feels especially blessed. (Blessed of Entropy: +2 on one saving throw, I'll throw it on to the next one Larren fails, if it'll turn the tide)
Redbeard, before retiring, is treated to a long, hot bath, courtesy of the Granite Badger. The lady of the establishment makes it clear that it would be impolitic to refuse such generosity, as does Olephas. Olephas does privately mention to Redbeard that the one thing he hates about visiting his "city" friends is the need for bathing beyond the once a month that is plenty for most decent folk.
Johanna finds herself a center of attention. Female warriors, though not unknown in Avonleigh, are uncommon, and she is plied with questions, till she is finally able to seek her bed. As she sleeps, her dreams are disturbing, of storms, and murky shapes of darkness, and at the end, of her father, grievously wounded and pursued, on a rocky beach, holding aloft a greatsword, wrought of star-metal, the runes of power on it's bloodied blade alight with blue eldritch fire. His eyes seem to meet hers, and he gives her a fierce, bloody grin, then she awakens.
Broderick spends much of the evening drinking with his grandfather, Dunrick, who says very little, but is visibly beaming with pride at his fighting grandson. The old dwarf's eyes light up, when he sees Nottus, and he waves him over. "Nottus Zok...lad, it's been years since I saw ye. Broderick, I don't think ye ever met Nottus...he's a son of an old friend of the family, down in the Silver Hills." Then he looks at Nottus, and says, "I heard you'd taken up the trade of adventuring, Nottus. My grandson here is a mighty fine fighter, and has a band of like-minded youngsters, perhaps ye ought to join forces. I think they'll go far, before all is said and done!"
Jillian does indeed survive the drumstick assault and before Haversham leaves, is quietly taken aside by him. "You've fulfilled your duty to the Crown. I'd urge you to find a line of work other than that which you pursued formally. This lot, if it stays together, seems likely to offer you considerable opportunity for profit and adventure."
Pauli gets the opportunity to observe all sorts of interesting things, spending a good part of the evening in the company of the merrimakers, who remember him from the alleyway as well, before excusing himself when things move up to Larren's room. When he does retire for the evening, he finds a small rolled up scroll on his bed. The scroll contains only one line. "The locus of evil has been expunged. Well done. We'll be in touch."
Nathaniel, after his bombardment with diverse foodstuffs, spends much of the evening playing for the crowd, though eventually things get too raucous for such delicate music. As he is packing it in, Morris the Quick appears at his elbow. "Well now, you've been telling me how you seek opportunities. These adventurers are an opportunity if ever I saw one. And they can use your talents, I'm thinking. Why don't you stay the night, we'll fix up a cot for you in the family quarters, and see what the morning brings?"
The morning comes, bright and early. As the various adventurers make their way into the common room, several men in white clerical garb, and steel breastplates, are waiting, lingering over breakfast. The oldest of them introduces himself as Father Dunstan of the Temple of Iron Virtue, and has two of the others bring over a chest, which they set on the table. The chest is opened, revealing itself to be full of gold bars, each marked with the seal of Avonleigh. "Eighty-four trade bars (4200 gp), we'll offer for that device of evil in the stable. And of course you are all invited to the ceremony of cleansing where the foul thing will be destroyed."
