The Pod-Caverns of the Sinister Shroom (Game Thread IX)

[JadedDM]

The week passes without further incident. The party heals up and rests, and enjoys the hospitality of the small village. By the end of the week, Thuskar has recovered somewhat. He can speak now, although it can still be difficult to understand him. Hilda speculates that eventually, he will revert back to normal entirely.

The party says their good-byes to Hilda, Elvenoff and Leafloam, then head to Crossing, a port town to the north. From there, they manage to hitch a ride on a boat across the New Sea and down to the port city of Shrentak in the nation of Blödehelm. By the time the ship docks, Thuskar is considerably better, only a greenish tint to his skin suggests he was ever sick.

Shrentak, a small city with a population of nearly 4,000 souls, it sits on the delta of the Zakra River that opens out into the New Sea. Compared to the sleepy village of Buho, this place is a crowded metropolis. Although nowhere near as big as Jerrard's hometown of Palanthas, the city is considerably more varied. Humans, dwarves and elves walk down the docks alongside goblins, ogre and draconians.

As soon as they step off the boat, Merithina is insistent they follow her to her home. "My father will want to meet you all immediately, I am sure. I sent a letter ahead, so he should be expecting us."

Leaving the docks, the party heads to a much nicer part of town. They find that calling Merithina's home a 'house' is something of an understatement. Mansion seems much more apt in this case. The building is three stories tall with a meticulously maintained garden.

Shay gives a low whistle. "Nice. You live here with just you and your dad?" he asks incredulously.

"The servants have their own building, around the back," she explains.

She heads up to the door and knocks right away. A servant opens and allows them all to enter, and escorts them to the living room. There, her father is waiting to greet them. He's an older man, pudgy from years of sitting at tables, counting up coins and writing on ledgers. He's beginning to bald a bit, but seems to be trying (and largely failing, truth be told) to grow a little beard to compensate for it. He wears very expensive, loose-fitting robes made of satin and embroidered with gold trim.

Merithina immediately launches herself toward him, and they embrace. This lasts several moments before they remember they have an audience, and pull apart. Her father steps forward. "Welcome, and greetings! You must be the heroes who not only rescued my dear daughter, but escorted her here safely. I am Linton Bronzemoon, and I am greatly indebted to you."

===============

The party fully recovers from all injuries.

[Jenara]

"Hello." Locky darts forwards, shaking the mans hand vigorously before anyone can stop her, her eyes go to whatever he has on his fingers but she resists to urge to 'borrow them'. "I'm Locky, yes I'm a Kender." She answers expecting the reaction to her presence.

"I'm very pleased to meet you. Lovely place you have here, very nice." She glances at the group,
"This is Babuskha, she's really sweet, although she should really run away from large Spiders!" She says hugging the Gnome.

"And this is Jerrard, he's a really powerful Wizard, his jokes are rather silly, but he's nice too." She smiles at the Mage.

"Lastly this is Shay, he's funny too, nice man." Locky gives Shay a grin.

"Yes we rescued Merithina, its a really interesting story, You see it all started when The Head Cleric Gardinus, strange man, funny hair, well he asked me to go to this village called Buho.." She starts to say, rambling on like a typical Kender.

[JadedDM]

"A kender. How...delightful," Linton says. He turns toward a nearby servant and says something in a language none of them recognize. The servant nods and heads to the kitchen.

Turning back to the party, he smiles. "It is a great honor to meet you all. I welcome you all as guests and insist you stay here with us for awhile. Shrentak is a great city and has much to offer. And I would like the opportunity to reward you all for saving my daughter and bringing her back to me."

He looks to the two people Locky did not introduce. "Ah, Captain Duggan. I see you survived as well. And so did you, Private Redbow," he says, nodding to Thuskar and Ulster. "Merithina told me what became of your companions. I am deeply sorry. And greatly relieved that at least you two survived. I will see that you will be paid what is owed you, plus a hefty bonus, as well."

Linton chuckles to himself. "But listen to me prattle on! Where are my manners? Please, sit down. We are just preparing dinner. I wish to hear all about your adventure. Then I will have the help show you to your rooms."

[Breila]

Babushka just nodded to Linton when Locky introduced her, she then withdraws to the side of the group. Her eyes wander about the room, she looks very much like someone who would prefer to be elsewhere. Is there perhaps something technical in the room, a globe, an unusual set of scales perhaps, something to distract and interest her gnomish mind?

[Jerrard]

"Yes, this is Locky. Without her we would most assuredly be dead, she is a Cleric of Paladine, one of great power." He smiles, taking the Mans hand.

"Master Bronzemoon, I am Jerrard Foss, Apprentice Wizard of the Red Robes, at your service." He glances back to the Merchants daughter, "Merithina has been a delight and a pleasure, she handled herself admirably despite the situation."

"Thank you for your kind offer, we would be happy to tell the tale, it is a long one, full of heroism from an Amazing little Gnome." Jerrard moves maginally closer to Babuskha, squeezing her shoulder lightly, before moving away.

[Breila]

Taken unawares, Babushka starts as Jerrard squeezes her shoulder and looks up at him, her face a question mark.

[Jerrard]

Jerrard turns, giving a little smile he moves back to her. "You are not alone here. He whispers quietly.

[Breila]

Babushka nods quickly, then turns her attention to whoever is speaking.

[Jenara]

Saying nothing Locky beams at Jerrads comments.

[JadedDM]

They all sit down to a dinner--more like a banquet feast, actually. There's so much food, that even all eight of them cannot possibly finish it all. There's roast pheasant, succulent ham, cooked beef, smoked salmon, a lovely salad, mashed potatoes, freshly baked bread, and a delightful apple cabbage stew.

During the meal, the party regales Linton of their exploits in saving his daughter and thwarting the Sinister Shroom. Most of the tale is told by Locky, of course, although Jerrard or Shay occasionally must pipe in to rein the story back a little, lest the exaggeration-prone kender starts adding dragons to the tale. Babushka primarily keeps to herself, wary of her new surroundings, and happy to just let Locky take the spotlight. Ulster and Thuskar add a few details of their own. Merithina mostly remains quiet throughout.

After the meal and the tale, everyone feels stuffed. It's unlikely any of them have eaten that well or that much in weeks. "An amazing tale!" Linton exclaims. "Truly, you four are heroes, indeed."

Servants are summoned afterward to take the four up to their rooms. The mansion is so large, it has more than enough guest rooms to accommodate each of them individually. Thuskar and Ulster bid them farewell, as they must go check in with their families, but promise to be back later to show the party around the city, if they like.

The rooms they are given are quite luxurious, far better than any roadside inn could provide, even at top dollar. Each has a queen-sized bed, a large wardrobe (empty), a desk with a mirror and chair, a lovely painting of some exotic landscape, and a full window (with satin curtains) that gives them all an excellent view of the city.

"If you do not mind, my daughter and I would like some time alone for awhile," Linton explains. "But please enjoy your first night here. If you need anything at all, feel free to ask any servant. You are my guests, and I have instructed them to treat you as such." With that, he and Merithina head to his private study, leaving the four adventurers on their own.

"Wow," Shay says once they are gone. "I could get used to living like this."

[Jerrard]

"How very true Shay." He looks around at the small group. "What now? We brought her home, what do you want to do? Relax and enjoy the life for a little while?" He says once he has placed most of his gear in his room, returning wearing a simple white shirt and breeches, sword buckled to his side.

[Breila]

"Relax, yes. she hesitates for a moment. "Would it - would it very impolite if Locky and I shared a room? I guess I would sleep much better if I was not alone."

[Jenara]

"Why would it be Impolite?" Locky asks curiously, "Of course I want to share a room with you, those big beds are waayyy to big for me alone anyway." She says with an innocent grin.

[Breila]

"I didn't mean impolite to you, Locky, I knew you would like to share. I just don't know if our host could consider it impolite if we don't accept his offer of one room each." Babushka looks concerned.

[Jerrard]

"I doubt that will be a problem." Jerrard adds with a smile, "I am glad you will be here to look after her."