Re: Lots to Talk About - Waiting for a Crowd

[Phineas J. Pennefeather]

The Halfling Tavernkeeper puts up his hand.

"Do you honestly think that your biggest problem is that Marcus will take out revenge on Volk???"

Phineas puts his fingers to his temples and his hand to his forehead, trying his best to stop a headache or, perhaps, an explosion.

"The reasons why we do not have a lot of people from the Empire here is 1) we are very far away from the Empire and 2) they did not give us a first thought, never mind a second thought."

Phineas pauses to let that sink in.

"And now you have killed a 'Grand Dame of the Empire", probably too old to bring back, and Grandmother of, what was he, a General?.  If he wasn't drunk, he probably could take out half the town by himself. What do you think happens when he comes back with a couple of dozen legionnaires?"

Phineas looks around the room.

"And all this over a bad batch of alchemist's candy?"

[Borin Ironhammer]

"This is quite the establishment you have here master phineas, the townsfolk murder nobility, the town is beset upon by a sea witch not to mention that this place is constantly terrorized by all manner of other evil... things. As a bard I would appreciate such an institution it's what stories are made of but I do see why most commonfolk would steer clear of the place. It also certainly explains the... patronage."

Gilmore glances around the tavern for a second.

"...No offence intended of course."

[Degren Brightforge]

"...Words hurt, Master Gilmore. Words hurt."

[Borin Ironhammer]

"My apologies ser degren but this is a dangerous place to live and though there are good people here there are also some unpredictable and unsavory characters here. And when these unsavory characters act out its the good people who get hurt. If you're not trying to stop this sort of nonsense then you are making the problem worse and I would expect you're order of knights to be leading the charge on such issues. I am sorry for getting g involved with your politics but I really like this town and I don't want you to tear yourselves apart. I have spoken to master volk about that evening and I believe that his choice of action was more or less justified albeit incredibly stupid and that it could have been handled much better. I believe that any action against volk should be based on any longer term consequences that the town suffers because of this incident. Now unfortunately this means we'll just have to wait and see what comes from the grand dame's murder but there is one thing we can do is work to save our friend horns."

[Lady Val]

"I agree. Although Volk murdered a Grand Dame of the Empire, said Grande Dame, if you fail to recall, also attempted to overturn our own town council and purposefully targeted its members with the intention to subjugate them to her will, myself included, and create a puppet government that is loyal to both her and the Empire. Additionally her grandson not only raised a sword to, but, attempted to strike down and murder my cousin Lady Keket. Consequently I feel bringing back a person who not only turns us against one another but actively undermines the political system we have created in the town is a terrible idea and although Volk's methods were inelegant and extreme the actions he took were just and for the betterment of the town."

"What happened to Horns," she continues "is the real problem at hand. Horns is one of our own and an asset to the town. He has saved many, if not all, of us time and time again from the brink of death. As such, we must focus our efforts on defeating this sea witch and breaking her hold over Horns. As for your remark on the patronage Master Gilmore, you may very well think that, but I cannot possibly comment. Holdfast is a growing community in a former bandit camp on an Isle forsaken by most of the world. What people have done before arriving here is none of our business. We need all of the allies we can get."

[Ivy]

Hugo, upon hearing how the conversation is going, stands up and leaves with a sour look on his face.

[Degren Brightforge]

"Our Order believes her death was justified . She posed a threat too great for us to ignore. Personally , though, I wish we had a chance to put her on a fair trial. Likely, we'd put her back down again, and I'd be the first to volunteer to wear the hood. Several of us follow personal codes, and wish things had happened differently, even should the outcome be the same... as far as the matter of Horns goes, the furry bastard's saved my arse more times than I care to remember. I'll do anything in my power to return him to us, unharmed and... less twitchy. Also, I think we should prepare for what might be coming . Phineas might be right, we might have a whole squadron of imperials coming for us, a force of at most 40 skilled warriors lead by an iron clad general . Also, we don't know what side Marcus will take when, and if, that battle takes place. A few foot soldiers, we might be able to handle. But Marcus hits like a rolling boulder, and i'do prefer not to face him."

[Borin Ironhammer]

"Leave it to the highborn lady to ardently defend a criminal when the crime they committed benefits her politically."

[Degren Brightforge]

Degren stands, gripping the sword hilt at his side' " don't be rude, lad. Regardless of what political gains you think she's gained, Lady Val has her own reasons to rejoice at the old woman’s demise. I'don't be mad too if I had been in her place, with my self control stripped away, leaving me a blathering heap to be controlled. And, dunnae forget, Lady Keket was struck down in the battle against the General. Lady Keket being of blood relation to Lady Val."

[Zar/Herr]

Throughout the conversation Herr's lips, between sips of his drink, goes from smirk to grin as tension escelates, but remains quiet.

[Timmean]

"Might I say that this isn't the time to discuss Volk's guilt or innocence; such a thing should be established at a proper trial, with a set time so that everyone relevant can be there. This is just a random meeting, we can't assume we have all the relevant information. I was asleep when the kill happened, and while I did witness some of the things that happened that night, I know I missed far more."

"Now, what we do if her grandson returns, particularly with soldiers... I can only propose that we try to speak with them and maintain civility. I spoke with him myself, the next morning, and he seemed to maintain a level head. I can only hope we'd be able to talk with him directly, and present a full account of what happened, from everyone involved."

"But if I may get back to the matter at hand... I agree that fighting the sea witch on our terms would be far better than facing her in her own lair. But despite that, I think there's value in tracking down her lair. If killing her fails to free Horns of his... delusion... then we may find a clue in the lair. I'd propose that we start searching as soon as we can, but restrict the search to reasonably safe means. At the same time, we can begin trying to bait the witch; any monsters we fight, throw them at the edge of the ocean. Perhaps we can lure her out sometime."

[Gryzzleback Chanteloup]

**As voices rise and fall as the arguing occurs, a loud tapping and muttering is heard from outside. Slowly Yawgo, the blind elderly Kaern mystic, shuffles in, his staff tapping before him. As he slowly walks into the center of the room, he continues to mutter his typical nonsense to himself, heedless of the people around him. However once he reaches the center of the room, he stops his consistent self chatter and stands up straight. He looks around the room as if waiting for something. Once there is a small lull in the general conversation, he begins to sing. His song is in a much less gruff tone than his speaking voice, softer and higher in pitch.**

"There's a path running under the city, where the stones and the hills divide.
There's a path you can walk through the loss and the pity.
She's out of the light, she thought it'd be safer. She said I want you to come home.
Eyes turn grey like a face drawn on paper. She said I want you to come home.

There's a girl sleeping under the ocean, where the surf and the spray collide.
There's a girl that you watch and you'll soon be with her.
She's out of the light, she doesn't remember. She said I wanna go home.
Face turns white like a sky in December. She said you wanna come home.
I want you to come home.

There's a black cave burning in the moonlight. You're standing at the door and there's no one in sight.
This will all be over that night.

There's something in the dark and you'll wanna go home. There's someone else here, you're not alone.
This will all be over that night.

There's a place you can all be together, Where the moon and the stars reside.
There's a place you can go where we'll sleep forever.
You're out of the light, you'll never remember.
Do you wanna go home?

There's her black house burning in the moonlight. You're standing at the door and there's no one in sight.
This will all be over that night.

There's something in the dark and you'll wanna go home. There's someone else here, you're not alone.
It will all be over that night."

**Once the singing is done, Yawgo slumps over as if suddenly exhausted. He taps his way over to a corner and rummages around his robes for a bit of silver and buys a tankard to water which he sips on, chattering to himself to the whole while.**

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