FC1 - CH 1: Welcome to Sturnheim

[JadedDM]

"Not really," the gnome says, accepting the money. "I suppose it depends on what kind of work you are looking for, though. I barely make anything at all in this town, outside the occasional horseshoe or nail to forge."

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Tavi spends 70 silver pieces.

[HorizonsDream]

"Well, maybe there are some tasks out there that I can perform for people, like...ridding basements of rats or something," Tavi says jokingly.

[JadedDM]

"Unlikely," the gnome says. "Although...there is Fangflight." He glances over to her and quickly looks her over, up and down, as if seeing her for the first time. He then shakes his head. "I wouldn't recommend it, though. That manticore has been plaguing the area for years now."

[HorizonsDream]

"What is a manticore?" Tavi asks.

[JadedDM]

"Trouble," he says. "I should know, I've fought 'em before. A mated pair, about thirty years ago. Back when I still adventured. Must have missed their egg, though, 'cause Fangflight showed up eventually. Nasty creatures. Imagine a really big lion that can talk. Except it has bat wings and a spiked tail. Oh, and the head of a very ugly man." He shrugs. "Took an iron spike to the knee and retired after that."

[HorizonsDream]

"First a dragon, and now a manticore?" Tavi says. "Is there anything else that seems to plague this town?" she asks in disbelief.

[JadedDM]

The gnome shrugged. "Could be. Don't know anything about a dragon, though. Anyway, come back tomorrow around lunchtime, and your sword should be ready."

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*New rumor is added Quest Log

[HorizonsDream]

"Yeah, thanks," Tavi says as she makes her way out. She makes her way back to the inn, shaking her head at the trouble that Sturnheim seems to be in.

[JadedDM]

Tavi was only gone for about 10 minutes, so things haven't really changed at the inn. It's still lunchtime and the same people she saw before are still there. There is one addition, though. An old man, as old as Mama Chipmunk, is now sitting at the bar, chatting with her.

Her sisters are likely still taking their baths.

[HorizonsDream]

Tavi walks up to the bar and takes a seat. At first, she just listens to what the old man and Mama Chipmunk have to say.

[JadedDM]

Tavi eavesdrops on their conversation.

"Oh, Poot, you old fool. You're talking nonsense. Have you been getting into the booze again?" Mama Chipmunk asks dismissively.

"I'm tellin' ya, Mama. This changes everything. No more shame! It's taken forty years, but we'll finally crack this thing, I'm sure. I can't go any more into detail than that. Just you take my word fer it. Now how's 'bout another drink?" the old man rambles.

[HorizonsDream]

"Um, excuse me?" Tavi says, glancing over to the old man. "I couldn't help but over hear," she starts. "What...exactly are you talking about?"

[JadedDM]

The man blanches and quickly stumbles over his words. "Err, what? Huh? N-Nothing! Nothing at all!" he insists.

Mama Chipmunk clucks her tongue and shakes her head. "You got that right."

The old man, Poot, blinks and then leans in closer to study Tavi. "Lillian? Izzat you?" he asks, bewildered.

[HorizonsDream]

Tavi looks a little taken back as the old man mentions her grandmother's name. At first, she isn't sure what to say to him before she finally shakes her head no. "Um, I think you might have me confused with someone else," she says with a slight if not hesitant giggle. "My name is Octavia, Tavi for short. Who are you?" she asks.

[JadedDM]

The old man blinks, then chuckles slightly. "No, no...of course not. That doesn't make no sense. Lillian'd be pretty old now. Heh, heh, like me. Dang if you aren't a dead ringer for her, though. Never know what did happen to that poor woman, after Roland died." He seems to drift off mentally, lost in old thoughts. He suddenly snaps out of it when he remembers she introduced herself. "Hmm, oh, uh, name's Poot," he says, offering her a wrinkled hand