The Keep - Part 1

[VennDygrem]

Looking at Gerand, Eilian responds, "I've already told you my concerns. As I said, I've known the girl for several years, and she's never seemed this distracted or forgetful. Perhaps it's nothing but a winter fever, but she wouldn't still be going out to collect her flowers as she always does- she'd be resting in bed. It could be nothing, but be wary nonetheless. Now go. Aanna will lead you when you are ready. I suggest you get some rest first, however. You'll do no good on this mission if you're falling asleep in the deep of the forests."

You do all feel fairly tired. Keep in mind that you've been traveling out on the road all day. And this is a fantastic time to introduce a new houserule. Anyone who doesn't take an extended rest (ie: sleeping/trancing for the night) starts the day with a tier 1 karma penalty (meaning any karma rerolls you make also result in higher penalties) and grants combat advantage until the next post-combat short rest. If you go two days without an extended rest, you are also weakened, and at three days you are also dazed.

I'm doing this because I know the book doesn't technically have any repercussions for not taking an extended rest, and there are a lot of people who like to take advantage of that by not bothering to sleep/rest.

[BowenSilverclaw]

"Well then, I suggest we get ourselves some rooms for the night and head off in the morning, after getting any supplies we might need.

It would be unwise to start on a journey without a good night's rest beforehand."

Wasn't planning on travelling at night anyway

[Agita]

"That's right," Aanna nods, "A tired adventurer doesn't stay an adventurer for very long." With a sharp whistle, she gets the innkeeper's attention. "Miss Salvana, Mister Eilian would like to treat these gentlemen to a night's stay here! Turning back to Eilian with a sly smile, she adds, Isn't that right, sir?"

[Flay Crimsonwind]

"A rest to regain my composure and polish my tools would be grand indeed. The morning should be just as good a time to start as any." He did like to do things in as short a time-soan as possible, but it wasn't realistic with the day's long walk and battle. A rest would do him good. As would a wash basin, Lady granting they had one available. "Is there a way I might wash up? Or rather, we... I don't presume to be the only hygienic one in our group..."

[VennDygrem]

Salvana, the innkeeper, shouts back, "I've warned you against taking advantage of the old man before! You know he's got trouble with his memory, and I won't have him waking up tomorrow wondering why half his copper's gone! I'm sure your guests can pay their own way- they've already paid for their drinks- unless you were planning on paying for their rooms yourself?" She smirks in direct contest with Aanna's sly smile.

Eilian turns to Salvana and says, "Oh, bless you, lass! Always looking after me!" He smiles warmly at her and raises his mug. Curyll notices a dagger raised against Aanna's thigh, not long before Aanna begins to feel it. The old man whispers, "Don't trifle with me, girl. The community may think I'm a doddering old man, but keep in mind that I'm sharper now than you may ever be."
He then breaks out into laughter. He may not be senile, but he certainly lives up to his reputation of being eccentric.

@Flay:

Given the layout of most inns, you know well that there is likely to be a wash basin of some sort available either in your room or in a common washroom.

[Agita]

Waving Eilian's words aside with a smile and a laugh, this time sincere, Aanna gently tries to move the blade's point away with a finger. "Aw, I'm just joking around, no need to take it so seriously. Now put that away before someone sees it, sir."

[VennDygrem]

Forgot to write it, but he actually put the blade away when he let out his laughter. It's assumed he's done this before, as you're likely the only one in town who knows that he's not just some old man.

I assume you're all either heading to your rooms, or otherwise taking it easy until then. Still, if there's anyone else you'd like to talk to here, like Lord Padraig, now's the time.

[Nanshork]

Amnon nods at his companions.  "I shall see you all in the morning, I have business that I must attend to."  He then stands makes his way to the local lord.

[VennDygrem]

Amnon nods at his companions.  "I shall see you all in the morning, I have business that I must attend to."  He then stands up and walks out the door, making his way to the local lord.

You remember overhearing the bartender mention the Lord, Padraig, was drinking at a corner table. You don't actually have to leave to find him. Unless you were looking for the temple of the Sovereign Host. If you're still leaving then that's fine, otherwise feel free to edit your post as needed.

[Nanshork]

I didn't realize he was in the building.  Post edited.

[VennDygrem]

Lord Padraig sits in an opposite corner of the room from where you were all speaking to Eilian the Old. He sips his beer slowly, watching the nightly revelry, his face worn more from stress than his years would otherwise yield.

As Amnon approaches, Lord Padraig raises an eyebrow and lowers his mug.
"A Tiefling in Winterhaven? And dressed head to tail in plate armor, at that. Might you be a dignitary from a faraway Tiefling community? Or..." He suddenly notices your holy symbol, "Ah! You must be traveling from a temple devoted to Dol Arrah to bless our fair city! Welcome, priest!"

It doesn't take a DC 30 Insight check to realize he's not the sharpest blade in the armory.

[Nanshork]

Amnon shakes his head and bows slightly.  Remaining standing, he gives his report.  "I am neither a representative nor a priest, sir.  I am a holy warrior, and have come to report that you have a serious kobold infestation.  They have become brave enough to kidnap those under your charge."

[VennDygrem]

Lord Padraig sips once more and sets his mug down.

"Ah, so you’ve encountered the kobolds that have turned the old King’s Road and our outlying farms into their personal hunting grounds? Those beasts vex me sorely. Yet the villagers refuse to recognize the seriousness of the problem. Attacks along the road have grown more frequent over the last few months. Something’s stirring the kobolds up. I don’t suppose you would be interested in taking a commission from me? I promise you, I can pay well for your services."

[Nanshork]

Amon smiles.  "Purging the land of such evil would be it's own reward my lord.  Do you have any additional knowledge of these vermin and their nesting grounds?"  A cold fire seems to burn in his eyes as he thinks about eradicating the infestation.

Look, I'm rp'ing myself appropriately!  You better not let me screw myself over.   

[VennDygrem]

"Hmm, well there are quite a lot of them, and they are quite formidable in numbers. I wouldn't underestimate them were I you. Holy warrior or not, I suggest you take some others with you should you seek them out."

[Nanshork]

"I have capable companions to help me, though they will most likely want compensation for the deed.  Not all can be warmed by the inner fire of the righteous nor nourished by justice, though I hope that someday the example that I set shall lead them towards the light."

Is it bad that I'm really getting into talking like this?  Hey, at least I'm roleplaying my Charisma!

Want to know the best part?  Quote from Eberron Wiki  "The Sovereign of Sun and Sacrifice, Dol Arrah is the light, not only of the sun, but also of the good aspects of a mortals soul."

 

[VennDygrem]

"Well then, gather them and strike swiftly at the scaled menace! The Guard have tracked them to a cave not far south from here. I can arrange for someone to mark up a map for you in the morning. I look forward to hearing good news from you! May the Host watch over you and your companions." Lord Padraig raises his mug once more, toward Amnon in a respectful manner, and returns to sipping from it.

[VennDygrem]

Since no one's made mention of taking any other actions, talking to anyone else and the like, I'll advance things.
The party spends the rest of the evening as they will, whether it involves drinking and carousing with the locals or simply heading to their rooms for the evening and getting ready for an early morning. The night passes without much activity, and soon enough the morning sun rises. The aroma of freshly-baking bread wafts through the inn, and you all awake to the faint sounds of kitchen-work. Gathering in the tavern for breakfast, you're greeted by a hot meal; crackling bacon, fresh bread and churned butter, and oatmeal round out your meal, and certainly seems more inviting than anything out of the Yellow Dart back in Lakeside. You're free to discuss where to go from here, as you now have a couple of options.

[Agita]

Aanna is already downstairs when the others come down, sleeping with her head resting on a table and a half-eaten breakfast next to it. When the party wakes her up, she resumes eating as if nothing had happened and cuts straight to the point, talking casually but in a low voice to avoid suspicion. "So, I doubt Mister Douven talked to the other villagers more than he talked to Mister Eilian, so there's not much point in asking around for him. At most, we might be able to find out where he's been seen last, but other than that we're probably best off searching to the south as Mister Eilian said. Did Lord Padraig say anything about where the kobolds are most active? What upset them might be related to why Mister Douven went missing."

Did Amnon tell the others about the kobold problem before going to sleep or is he going to tell us now?

[Flay Crimsonwind]

Having come down just after washing up, Gerand sits in clothes that seem odd on him; having always seen him in the somewhat sinister leather armor, his sudden transfer to light, loose-fitting gray clothes is a bit unnerving in and of itself. He has stayed silent for most of his appearance, as usual, but speaks up shortly after Aanna. "Though the two may be connected, I'd say we avoid dealing with the kobolds until after we have a lead on Douven. The kobolds are tempting, but let us not be enraptured with their mystery. We need to stay on course, and until a connection between the two is certain..." He trails off into his food.