Bright Feather quirks her lip...and leans in whispering.."Interesting, I want to see if we can't shake these elders up a bit and I agree Sister Joyous probably knows more then she realizes".

Karni looks a bit pensive at the mention of shaking up the elders. "Hmmm ... Sister Joyous might know more than she knows, that is true."

Main Street, Uptown

OOC: Resolving the 8+ minutes as you walk back to Geraldine's and Elder's Place uptown. Mostly to seed future potential instead of interaction. I intend to get you to the Elder's Place & dive bars ASAP.

Everyone in the party walks back towards the better part of town, uptown, sharing their tidbits from the excitement and any information gleaned privately they feel relevant. Hanalee's tummy grumbles from being only teased. Hunger sharpens the mind and she scours her memory for a place where she can rest her head.

"You done good, girly! Smithy'd be proud by that right hook of yours." Hanalee catches sight of a miner and his mule pulling up to her side. "Wouldn't have recognized you goin' on by 'til you ran smack dab into Eunice here." He jerks his head to indicate his mule, "But she's a tough ol' girl."

"Thought they said you were off to find yourself. Perhaps enough adventure 'round here to change your mind?" He smiles and continues, "Well smithy needs to leave space for a new apprentice, but you can crash with my sister's side 'til you're ready. Her kids got themselves a clutch of kids of their own and could use the extra set of eyes. And who better than someone they know with a strong hand." [Mule Miner gives reference to his sister's people]
-----------

Bounding towards Bright Feather is an slender plainsman. [Paiute Elven] "Hō-la! A sister of the plants here? You! You with the otter skin purse! Listen to a brother of the Eastern grasses!"

As the elf reaches the party he politely nods, but in his eye contact you sense distrust. Continuing in an elven language related yet different from this region's Shoshone, "Are you safe among The Strangers, sister? If you need, find excuse to the city-man's town edge. I rest among the 'sage brush sheltered by the leaning juniper' just a half-mile down the mountain to the rising sun. I trust you will visit one day before 7 suns if you are OK. Maybe you have reason being with The Strangers."

[in Shoshone, a.k.a. Common] "Eagle's Wings Forfend You." He looks at the party as he says this, with one last knowing look to Bright Feather, then runs off.
-----------

Ambling together the party closes in on a scene just uptown of the well midpoint. "Respectable Street" seems to be in force, ready to tut away this tragic decay of civilization. A pie lost and a lady jostled, the world is coming to a shameful close.

"Well, shit." *gasp* "Oh don't play like you caught the vapors. That was my first gooseberry pie of the season. Such a damnable loss."

"But that's no reason to delve to their level, you know. People are watching."

"Oh there's those culprits! That halfling and roughneck human, how could we forget. And now a motley crew. Couple of ruffians, if I ever saw."

"You hooligans, off to get yourself killed in a hurry! Not even a care of the decent people around you. Well maybe one day you'll get what you want!" The gathering of respectable men gather around these respectable women and leave in an offended cluster into a decent tavern.
----------------

"I saw that, and after what you tried to do back there. Those ones call themselves civilized, but what do they know?" A halfling near Alric strikes up conversation as the party watches this society cluster hustle away. "I've heard of your heroics to [the town lost to flames]."

"Stay with us, your kind. We got a swell little block of our own near here, and I'm sure our people would jump at the chance to host a hero." He hands you a leather cord of different colors and knots. "They'll know me by this, but why, as you should need no introduction. You'll see me around there, got a little work of my own to do. Just head to [directions to the halfling town block]. May Raven's wit be your guide."
-------------------

As the party takes in the scene, broken up a bit by Alric's little conversation and general discomfort at being called out publicly, a voice speaks into Caden's ear. "I know like kind, and you be kin. In your pocket, a token, if you ever want revenge on those'n"

When you turn, you just see a crowd milling watching you all, the latest scene. If and when you ever search your pockets you find [the reddened handle of a beer mug cleanly broken off].
-------------

After an awkward silence Karnath tries to keep the party focused and relays what she has learned of the old graveyard by "Preacher Sometimes". As she gets to adding what she knows of the Elder's Place, the party together passes a place where a curl of smoke leaves the entrance and tired, young braves enter, not too far off from Geraldine's across the street. Mal is laying down by the hitching post, tongue lolling out from the heat, taking advantage of the shade created by the horses. He seems pleased with his cleverness; the horses seem cautiously indifferent.

Now may be the best time to separate and share when and where you plan to meet next.

Next will be Elder's Place, gloss of Hanalee finishing lunch at Geraldine's, and off to the dive bars.

OOC: Caden and Hanalee, roll your Second Wind (1d10+lvl). Alric already did. I assume you killed an hour together nursing your wounds, sharing stories, and watching Hanalee eat. You'll return to the dive bars 1.5+ hours after 'the afternoon show', roughly around 4 PM. Bright Feather and Karnath are likely done visiting the elders, but you agreed to meet again at some point. (Decide that among yourselves, either IC or OOC).

Main Street, downtown dive bars

Alric, Caden, Hanalee

Hanalee sauntered back down here with the peace of a full belly. Big Horn Sheep, and on a bed of nuts and grains, is quite the treat, and a good plate of it almost all to herself. Well, Mal and Bright Feather shared too, but... Mmm, ribs.

Alric and Caden seem better than before, that break was good for them. At least alive enough to handle what's coming on up. The bars around here reek of "adventure!" The Honey Well looks the worst of the lot at the bleeding edge of town, closest to one of the new graveyards. There is also a smattering of 'better' bars on up deeper into town. [these are abstracted into A, B, & C until they become more fleshed out over time.]

A) Some drunk miner is tossed out on his can to a round of laughter. He does not struggle and falls asleep. He's past his limit it seems.

B) You hear the sounds of gambling, cat calls, and sexy banter. A whistle calls to you all, a woman dressed in a riot of color. She smiles and beckons.

C) A lively stringed ditty plucks out these doors. Drunken attempts to hold a tune stammer along. A strong singing voice keeps the song going.

The Elder's Place, "House of Nerds"

Bright Feather & Karnath

The room is suffused with the warming embrace of tobacco smoke. You see a circle of blankets around a small brazier of coals. Atop those are older men of the local people, eyes mere slits, surrounding themselves in blankets.

Around the room's edge is more blankets with an array of younger people of various constitutions atop. A healthy one is catching his breathe and has food and drink on his blanket. A sickly looking one is busy transcribing logographs on a rabbit hide. There are piles of strange things at the corners.

The farthest wall has several large doors, sealed and locked, except for one that you see the youth are currently locking. A person was leaving as you entered and you notice he had a string of beads he was putting away. Piecing them together you sense this place serves money functions, too.

A melodious voice of one of the scrawny youths addresses you both, "By eagles' wings, you arrive. May we help you?"

(Rolled 5 for Second Wind)

QuoteBounding towards Bright Feather is an slender plainsman. [Paiute Elven] "Hō-la! A sister of the plants here? You! You with the otter skin purse! Listen to a brother of the Eastern grasses!"

As the elf reaches the party he politely nods, but in his eye contact you sense distrust. Continuing in an elven language related yet different from this region's Shoshone, "Are you safe among The Strangers, sister? If you need, find excuse to the city-man's town edge. I rest among the 'sage brush sheltered by the leaning juniper' just a half-mile down the mountain to the rising sun. I trust you will visit one day before 7 suns if you are OK. Maybe you have reason being with The Strangers."

[in Shoshone, a.k.a. Common] "Eagle's Wings Forfend You." He looks at the party as he says this, with one last knowing look to Bright Feather, then runs off.

Bright Feather glances over and speaks in Elven..."Greetings brother I do have reason to travel with The Strangers for the nonce and I will be sure to visit within that 7 suns if everything turns out fine, a visit with The People is never to be passed up we seem to be very rare here, I am Brightest of Rainbow's  Feathers"... ending with a small but warm smile.

Second wind roll; 10! Rolled in room

Caden searches his pocket and partiall removes the object, just enough to get a glance at it.

"Well I reckon we should meet up again in the morning, any ideas on where?" Caden addresses the group as a whole.

After they settle where to meet up Caden will go his own way for the night. He will make a tour of the seedier locations in town and make a few inquiries about the token left with him. If he does not turn up anything he will find a room at the cheapest spot in town and turn in for the night.

Looking to my fellow Halfling. "Its good to see some of me own out here in the dry frontier." He blushes at the mention of Tree Sap Hill. " I did little but my moral duty when it comes to warning the town but none the less I happily accept your hospitality. Had enough civilization for one day" He jokes ruefully.

Alric accepts the Token giving it a brush of the lips in honor. " My thanks, let me settle up with my companions and take care of a few matters and I will be there not too late."

Turns to his companions. "Should we meet up after breakfast? " He looks to them not trying to be too pushy. "Perhaps at the town well and then we can head out."

Alric turns to Hana and Caden. "I guess it is time for us to beat the bushes for rumors and outright lies about the Ole Graveyard."

Smiles at the Halfling..."Yes, the well would be a good place"... and strides off with Karni.

Karni nods at hearing the multiple conversations and of meeting at the well, "We shall meet at the well in the morn, fated be it fore the journey to the old graveyard." With Bright Feather, Karni approaches the place where the Elders sit. "Oh great and wise Elders, I am Karnath, unjustly called the Unclean, Priestess of the Great Goddess and the Domain of Life. This is my companion, Bright Feather. Many threads spun from the Great Goddess intertwine to lead us to your presences. Our mission is to investigate the strange occurrences at the old graveyard, to which we travel tomorrow. Your wisdom may help us in this journey, for which I would be eternally grateful." She bows slightly, as well as moving to introduce Bright Feather.

Bright Feather gives a small curtsy and a shy smile.

The Elder's Place, "House of Nerds"

Bright Feather & Karnath

Silence. A short turn of one elder's head, and a raised eyebrow of another, is all that responds Karnath's forthright introduction. Then a thrust of comments breaks through.

"Unclean?" A hale brave stands and holds a readied stance, to protect the elders perhaps.

"Great Goddess?" A sickly one says hurrying upon one knee and sticking out a hand in gesture to prevent violence.

"Injustice!" "Old Graveyard!" Another pair of strong youth stands passionately, ready for action, but not knowing what.

"First from the Water Basket." A sickly youth kneels up and extends his hands toward Bright Feather, and gestures you both to sit on an empty blanket before the elders.

Another scrawny youth passes a tobacco pouch to the elders, who start preparing the pipe. The elder who moved the least, and seemed possibly dead, animates to receive the pipe and start passing it. The ceremony takes awhile before the pipe circles all the elders and finally reaches you both. It is obvious that refusing would be a grotesque insult.

"An honor that anyone from the People of the Sun visit here," the youngest? of the elders starts. "But we are now in trouble. We must send word of your arrival, and your good treatment, as per our obligation between Our Peoples."

"Exiled?" a weak youth mentions.

Another elder starts after a drag, smoke from his speech, "Even with exiles, we must. Even with atoners, we must. The Law of the People and Between People is inexorable. To speak false is unthinkable, poison brought by The Empty People."

"Give me the good death!" a strong youth gets to his knees, head bowed, ready to run the message.

"Perhaps the Sun's People have been hollowed out by contact with the Empty People?" A wisp curls from a further elder, now with three pipes in rotation. [Karnath & Bright Feather, CON checks please.]  "She is trying to placate the Old Graveyard. Word of an atoned brings Watchers not Warriors."

"Is she Empty?" another hot-headed youth ejaculates.

"That is for All-grandmother — her Great Goddess — to decide," Replies the arched eyebrow elder. "She travels with a First from the Water Basket, of 'the Bear'. And they both can smoke the pipe." Tokes again, "If she makes peace with the Arguing Graveyards, maybe her people will let her live."

"Hunting party?"

"If the Sun is Hollow and the Basket Water is Solid Moonlight..." says the eldest who started the pipe ceremony.

A shuddering silence goes through the room.

The head-tilt elder hurries this message, "The sage brush felt maiden's house." Two youth stand, one runs out, another remains by both of you. "A moon to atone. Beware a 'forgotten claim' down-mountain of those graves."

You both are ushered out the house with the youth beside you and another brave; one is weak, one is strong. They seem to be leading you deeper in town and explaining any questions you have. You hear a furor of action as the Elder's Place goes out of earshot.

Dive Bar C, the 'Singing Place'

OOC: Bookkeeping, be sure to add your level to your Second Wind 1d10+level roll. Alric @ -3, and Hanalee @ -6 should both be completely healed. Caden @ -12 should be back to a mere -1 damage.

Alric, Caden, Hanalee

You enter as a group around mid afternoon (4 PM-ish) attracted by the singing. You see a halfling with a guitar almost as big as him (but a narrower fret) strumming away, eyes closed in the groove. A gathering of dwarves and humans, arms over each shoulders as they sit, sing and sway ever off to the song's tempo. A surprisingly handsome and clean man keeps the song going with his impressive tenor.

The bartender, a bit lost in the moment, sees you three and jerks his head in acknowledgement. He sidles up to your side of the bar and leans in as if to listen for an order.

You see a few dice games have been put on hiatus as the room enjoys this bit of merry. A few sex workers? are sitting on potential clients' laps and rocking back and forth, in a better time than the drunk singers. There is a board at the far wall behind the bar with room numbers and keys, a few keys absent. A dour, unmoved man at the back sits, whittles a point, and stares around.

Quote from: Opaopajr;775093The Elder's Place, "House of Nerds"

Bright Feather & Karnath

"First from the Water Basket." A sickly youth kneels up and extends his hands toward Bright Feather, and gestures you both to sit on an empty blanket before the elders.

Another scrawny youth passes a tobacco pouch to the elders, who start preparing the pipe. The elder who moved the least, and seemed possibly dead, animates to receive the pipe and start passing it. The ceremony takes awhile before the pipe circles all the elders and finally reaches you both. It is obvious that refusing would be a grotesque insult.

 [Karnath & Bright Feather, CON checks please.]  "She is trying to placate the Old Graveyard. Word of an atoned brings Watchers not Warriors."

Karni:  1D20+3 =>   4

Karni, takes a couple of puffs, and falls over in a coughing fit.