Tukhirk nods silently at the words of the mayor.
"Those are truly disturbing news, sir. Those flying creatures... could anyone give us a description of what they look like?"
He hesitates for a second.
"What I'm about to request it might be quite hard for you or your people to accept and I'll understand if you decline it, but we could understand what beast is attacking your people if we could examine the wounds and the dead bodies of some of the victims..."
He looks at the mayor in the eyes and tries to look assuring to him.
"In any case once we catch our breath here I think we can go have a look at the castle you mentioned if you point us in the right direction."

Oswyn nods as the mayor tells his story, pausing long enough to take a sip from his ale and to gobble some food. His table manners are somewhat lacking and one might think the man hadn't had a good drink or meal in quite some time, though that was not the case.

He nods a little more vigorously at his companion's suggestions. "Yep, it would make sense to look at the bodies, or go to that castle," he says quietly.

He looks to the mayor. "How long since the latest attack, eh? Anything 'fresh' at which me can take a looksee?"

"The ones who were taken have not been seen since. As for the bodies, there is nothing but bits and pieces. We have some of them but there is nothing that is odd-torn apart, thrown here and there. We do not know who caused it, I probably mentioned so showing you them will do little good. The flying creatures do seem to be of humanoid but they strike so fast and true, just black shadows cominh down from above." The mayor seems serious and at time quiet, perhaps pondering what to be done or mourning the loss "The castle you say? No one even approached it. What was just a castle hidden within the confines of the mountains everyone believe it was haunted or abandoned. Or both but the flying creatures seem to go in its direction. Alas there is something important or perhaps not. All the woman or girls taken were never with child, never with a man..." He leans back in his chair "We are in dire straights."

The barbarian stares at her stew as she puts it on the ground. She takes a spoon and dips into it as if amazed and slowly brings it to her lips. She does this several times, concentrating on it. When the girls are mentioned, she looks up at the mayor, eyes narrowed.

"Hmm," he begins, "Flying humanoids attacking women travelling alone. And no men nor children have been their target?" Ashby looks off to the corner of the room and taps a finger on his lips. After just a moment of thought he continues, "There are a few brutes who meet the physical description you provided, but their chosen targets hint at some specific goal rather than random strikes."

His eyes focus back to the group. "Friends, I believe we should have a look at the castle the mayor speaks of. The group of us together may keep these beasts at bay, at least at first. In the meantime, may I suggest encouraging the locals to travel in groups until this threat has passed?"

He takes a scoop of the stew, blowing off a wisp of steam before his bite.

Ralgar nods in response to Ashby's suggestions. "I agree. At the very least, we may buy the town a little reprieve from the attacks. However, I understand that the townsfolk may be frightened, but..." he takes another bite of stew and falls back into his chair. "Can we go in a few hours so I can rest my feet for a bit. I'm not sure how effective I would be if we were to venture out again so soon after traveling." He chuckles to himself. "And if these things are targeting women, we have to protect Riki. That's not much weight to lift away!" He lets out a heartier chuckle.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:09, Fri 12 Mar 2021.

Without a word, the halfling slams into Ralgar's chair, flipping it over and slamming him to the ground. Riki stares at him, looking down upon him with her sword pressed against his chin.  She stares at him, barely nicking his chin. Hands clenching her blade, she backs up but keeps the sword at him despite him being her 'friend'. Apparently, she didn't take kindly to being called short.

The mayor watches the halflings movement and looks shocked as the oread is literally thrown down with a blade at his throat "It does seem like she can handle herself." He looks at the others "The villagers refuse to come outside at night but during the day well they go about their daily tasks but never alone. Fear."

Oswyn rolls his eyes at the halfling's outburst. After the mayor finishes speaking, he glances at her. "You all done with that?" he asks flatly.

He raises his cup. "Here's to killing some nasties and getting a nice reward," he says to the group.

He looks at the mayor. "There is a nice reward, isn't there?" He stares right into the mayor's eyes and waits for an answer.

"Roll your eyes one more time." The halfling stares now at the rogue, gripping her sword now turned on the rogue "He started it. I finished it. You have a issue?" As small as she is, she's got more guts then more. And a big sword.

Oswyn ignores the halfling and waits for the mayor to respond.

Ashby drops his spoon in surprise at the halfling's outburst. Pushing his chair back, he raises his hands to show he was not a threat while he stands. "Riki, you know he meant no harm." He reaches an arm out to help Ralgar stand. "You have made your point. Now put the sword away."

His eyes remained trained on the halfling, prepared to take action if needed but hoping to not need it.

The barbarian seems to get angry but not to the raging 'I kill everyone around me'. She steps towards the rogue, holding her sword up right under his chin "I do not like being ignored. And I don't like you rolling your eyes like I am nothing." RIki is being pushed further along-first by the fighter and now by the rogue. Twice.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:39, Fri 12 Mar 2021.

The mayor watches this halfling grab the big sword easily enough, probably enough to shock him as he leans back in his chair. He glances at the downed oread and the rogue pressing the blade against his chin "I simply want this village safe. Anything you find you can keep. I got nothing to offer besides shelter, food and drink." He hopes they will do it but has a feeling the rogue won't. He glances at the keep "More ale. Two for Riki right?" He smiles at her "Yes the flyers. And the ones in the woodlands. We got little proof what else."

"And I don't like distracting outbursts when I'm trying to do business," Oswyn says. "But things don't always go how we like, do they?"

He doesn't seem overly bothered by the blade that miraculously got to his chin before he could even react--he must have been tired or distracted to have just sat there and let her get the drop on him like that. Either that, or the halfling was far far quicker than most anyone he had ever encountered.

"I'll ask again, we all done now? We need to get to work." He seems pretty calm for someone with a blade at his throat. Perhaps it's not the first time he has found himself in such a situation.

"Business? I simply asked for aid. I do not have any business for you. We need help. Also I believe if she is your friend insulting her isn't the best way and you seem to be rather rude in your approach to her. Course having a blade to your throat doesn't help. So again will everyone relax? Arguing amongst yourself will not aid you at all nor help my home." The mayor keeps a quiet tone, looking at each of them "Your friend did insult her small size which she can obviously use very well. I am not saying what Riki did was right but everyones reaction to her probably did not add to it."

The keep brings out more food and ale-two for the barbarian. He puts them on the table, grunting and goes back to the bar.

Riki listens to the mayor, probably only hearing half of what he said and backs away. She grabs her drink with her right hand, sword in her left and she raises it up to be bigger then she. Drink. Sword. Probably good but her eyes stay on the rogue watching him but not before she gives Ralgar a slight nudge with the sword handle as strong as she can pull off but not harming him.

The mage does his best to calm the rogue down as well as the barbarian before deciding it would be best for him to depart as has issues that have rose up as a young woman enters and speaks to him. He tells the group he has personal issues and tells the mayor his wishes him the best before departing.
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:42, Fri 12 Mar 2021.

Oswyn laughs at the mayor's words and looks at the halfling. "Well done, Riki. Just arrived in town and you already got a lawyer arguing your case for free. Funny how knockin' a bloke over and drawing a blade on another are lesser offenses than a funny look, but I suppose every establishment and every town has its own unique customs."

He sighs and looks at the mayor again. "And speaking of working for free...fine. Let's just say we get to keep whatever we find on this little venture."

He watches the mage leave, thinking Personal issues. Yeah, who doesn't have some of those?

"Ralgar insulted me and it is my fault? You give me a strange look and ignore me and its my fault? You are no leader. And now you act like it?" The halfling grabs her gear and heads towards the door.

The mayor stands up and slams his hands down "Will you please just -stop-? I saw what happened and blaming her for others actions makes no sense. Yes some of her actions were uncalled for but your comment just made it worse. Everyone is entitled to how they react. You have your words that bleed into her. Are you not friends? And you...." The mayor turns towards Riki who is leaving "You draw a blade again, we will have words even if they are your supposed friends. Blades shall not be drawn unless use in battle against evil am I correct? This is my home and I will not stand here and allow people who just arrive tear what we have little torn apart. You said you will help us-then do it." He watches her for a moment and then looks at the druid and fighter and finally on the rogue "Please watch your tone. Or leave. I hope it doesn't come down to it, pray it doesn't but you must get along." He gets his breath back, tears starting to form but he wipes them away "Take what I say seriously. If I hear one comment of ill, one rude comment from any of you...." He doesn't expect what he just said to really have any power but probably have worse but hes trying to keep the peace

"Help us or leave." He finally watches the entire group.

Riki stands in the doorway, watching them before walking out.

Oswyn looks to the rest of the group. "I'm ready to go take a look at this old castle and see what these flying monsters have been up to--and what sort of treasure they might be hoarding," he says. "Think it might be time for some fresh air. What do you all say?"

His tone is calm. His facial expression blank.

"So it appears you are down to three." The mayor sighs, crossing his hands and stares at them. He seems a bit crestfallen "And I feel like all I said was completely ignored by all of you-not just the halfling." He looks at the others "Go to the north. It is some days travel along the path. Keep clear of the forest. You will need to go through the main square. I doubt any guards or villagers will go with you. Most have homes and families. I will remain here and try to soothe and get others to stay inside further. Day seems to be a lesser threat then night." He stands up "Thank you. Like I said, you will get free drinks and meals as well as a free place to rest." He glances at the keep who doesn't seem to like it but gets a grunt wiping down some mugs.

Ralgar rolls off the chair and onto his stomach, pushing himself back up to his feet and righting the chair. "To be fair, Oswyn," he says as he sits back in the chair, "I should have been on my guard." He places a hand on the back of his neck and rolls his head, turning to Oswyn. "Let's get set up in our rooms then go around town. Perhaps the townsfolk will have some more information for us."

He gives a look to the door to see Riki leave. Their relationship was always rough around the edge, but he silently wished her luck wherever life took her.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:54, Sun 14 Mar 2021.

Tukhirk eats in silence for the length of the conversion.
He finally speaks, briefly.
"So the town is suffering from two different misfortunes? Could you say they both started more or less at the same time? Maybe they are related, and solving one will help with the other."
The druid agrees with Ralgar.
"Let's speak to the townsfolk before deciding where to go."

Oswyn nods in agreement with the plan. "I'm ready to go and see what we can find out from the towns folk."

The mayor nods his head "I feel like they are linked in some form but how I do not know. As for the villagers, some will be outside doing their daily tasks. I am unsure how they can aid you but feel free to talk to them. Most I know are scared and some are not warriors." He stands up, placing his hands upon the table "I feel you will need more allies then what you have come with but I could be wrong as I do not know what you are capable of. I truly hope things go for the best and if you need anything my home is in the main square. Brick building. But I can be elsewhere helping out the townspeople or here." He puts his hands slowly over his chest "I bid you good tidings." The man turns to leave "Make sure they are treated well and if anything else happens let me know. Thank you for providing meals and rooms."

The keep grunts, watching the group before looking back at the mayor "Yeah yeah. Hellsteeth..." He puts down the mug and wipes down the bar and proceeds to the tables to wipe them down "I just want me daughter back."

Tukhirk nods as the mayor leaves, and keeps eating from his plate.
After a while the half orc finishes his meal and looks at the rest of the people in the table. "Let's speak to the townsfolk, and see what we can gather from that. Then we decide if we go to the castle or the woods."
The druid mentions the woods with a different tone, with an inflection in his voice that shows more concern.

As the mayor leaves, Idris steps into the inn. He pauses and looks at the assembled group. "I assume you are the group answering the call?" he begins with an upbeat inquisitive tone. "Its not often to run across those of orcish descent." He points to Ralgar, "And your type... a first. I've seen some like you back home, not quite so tall....." he recognized he was rambling. "Anyway, I am here to help answer the call for aid."

Ralgar is caught mid stew-sip and gives a humph when the Gnome addresses him and the group before setting the bowl back on the table. Heh heh. My pops always said I was too big for my pants." He extends a rough hand to the Gnome. "Name's Ralgar. And yer a smart one. We 'erd this down was havin' trouble and needed to make some coin. I 'pose we could use the 'elp if Tukhirk and Oswyn here don't object." He gives nods to the other two at the table. "I don't think I caught yer name."