"Of course. We did not survive the first dragon attack, the assaults by the sahuagain and undead, and the other trials we faced to see this village harmed by anything else," Ballast said.  He was curious about what Lars had said, that he had something else locked inside him.  It was a comforting thought.

"I am not certain how this mind-flayer's powers will affect me, but if it is a coward who seeks to strike from afar and use the fighters around it to insulate it from attack, then we attack from a distance, or from ambush as much as we can.  If it can move through the air, then I shall have to make certain I obtain a bow before we go seek it, so I can put as many holes in it as I can before it can bring its own abilities to bear upon us."

The dwarf smiles at Ballast. "Trust me....i have a few spells that may help wth that as well."

Cumarinda listens intensely to Lars' words, her smile fading away with each word used to describe the Mind Flayer. By the time Lars speaks directly to the individual members of the party she seems as silent and grim as Fenris. While nodding she near whispers her gratitude, “Thank you, Lars. I will try to use this gift wisely.”  Later, a momentary glimmer of terror shines in her eyes when the mage tells her that her god won't always be with her.  She closes her eyes and shakes her head silently as if refusing to accept such a possibility. When Lars' hand comes to rest on her shoulder, she swallows and then gazes into his face with a smile slowly spreading across her own as she replies, “I will not, can not lie about this, considering facing such a creature frightens me. Yet, I know it needs to be done and with the help of my companions and the Sun Father, I will face this fearsome creature, the dragon, and the others with faith we will prevail. Yes, I will go and fight!”

The man is silent. He crosses his arms, sword and bow over his shoulders. Fenris doesn't seem impressed or anything at all. Just a cold stare at Lars, and then glances at Brankx. His attention then goes to the warforged and puts his hands upon the cleric shoulders almost protectivaly.

Lars leans back "Believe what you want. So is there anything else? The smith has a few things that can aid you."

The man glances over to his family member who in turn places near them some bread and stew as well as some simple apple cider.

"I can think of nothing else. I will see the smith about obtaining a bow and arrows, hopefully one with a powerful draw. Thank you for your knowledge," Ballast says to Lars.

The red-headed cleric fondly lay her head atop the barbarian's hands on her shoulders with a tender smile. Just after Kaja set the food and drink on the table, Cumarinda's stomach rumbled loudly. Embarrassed, the cleric's face blushed nearly as brightly as her hair. “I'm sorry!” she apologized, “Seems I really need to eat something first. Ballast we'll meet you at the blacksmith shop after we enjoy this meal.” With a regretful smile she nodded to Kaja, “Thank you.” she said before taking the first bite.

The dwarf looked at Lars and nodded. "I'm hoping afrer this we can talk of things arcane, but will understand if ye don't. Either way, Our path is set."

The dwarf took a quick bite to eat and looked at Cumarinda and Fenris, his smile fading and a little uncomfortable. "I think i will follow Ballast....'ave a look around an' such"

He followed the warforged, allowing a final look at the Barbarian as he left with a sigh.

BLACKSMITH
SLAM! BANG CRACK! The smithy seems to not see the warforged and dwarf. He wipes the soot from his brow as he works on some sort of axe. Its slightly different, more weapons being made but not many but least he's being productive. Rubbing his chin, he removes his gloves and takes some water and looks over at Ballest and Brankx "Eh? Back again?" The man grabs something else-perhaps some sort of tobacco and shoves it into his mouth "Yer the ones that helped with the crystal eh?" He spits at the ground "Whatcha need?"

HEYTON RESIDENCE
The warforged departs for the blacksmith, with the dwarf in toe. Lars eats some of the food, glancing up at the cleric. He takes some of the cider and drinks it for a moment.

Fenris remains where he is, not bothering to react to the sigh of Brankx. No emotion. His hands rest on the shoulders of the cleric for a moment then he crosses them over his chest.

Kaja watches the barbarian, and then at his meal on the table. Lars rubs his chin, looking at all the food left by the dwarf. For a moment, Fenris seems hesitant and stares at Lars. Kaja pulls the chair aside and finally the barbarian sits down. He watches the food and slowly grabs the cider, sniffing it but doesn't drink it. Glancing at the food, the barbarian doesn't grab it but his stomach does grumble as well. Fenris watches Kaja and Lars.

The mage finishes his food, and Kaja leaves the room. Soon she enters once more with a small box and puts it down in front of Lars. He smiles and puts his hands over the box, waiting for them to finish.
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:59, Tue 27 Oct 2020.

Ballast nods at the blacksmith.  "We are seeking out further sources of woe that plague your village, and several of them are best attacked at a distance.  I am seeking a longbow, with as a powerful a draw as you have, and arrows, please."

The smith gives the warforged a odd look "Yeh got one over your back and got arrows. An' yah need a bowmaker." He rubs his chin and spits on the ground "But I got somethin' yeh might like. Might like quite a bit. Lars came an' helped me out." He goes into the smithy and comes out with something wrapped in a cloth. Taking away the cloth a hammer is revealed made of iron with a handle wrapped in leather. He grips it tightly and spits on the ground "Firt time fer this. Now yer watch." The smith throws the hammer in the square and it slams into the ground. He waits for a moment "Bloody son of a...." It flies back heading for the smith and he watches wide eyed when it lands in his hand "Yah see?" He smiles "Seems yah got a lot of weapons eh? Mind if I get one of them tridents? Interesting tah sah the least. Deal?"

Ballast nods thoughtfully.  "This bow has seen little use, and I have become stronger since I used it last, but the hammer intrigues me.  Very well then, the hammer for the trident, with my thanks."

Between bites, she pauses to look at the interplay between Kaja, Lars, and Fenris. When his stomach grumbles she sighs gently. "Fenris, please eat. I know you're hungry and other than the natural herbs that give it flavor, this is just good food. There is no magic in it. Besides, it might be an insult not to eat it." she gently cajoles him.



"Thank you for the food, Kaja. It was quite tasty. Maybe when this is all over and everyone is saved, we can compare recipes. I actually love to cook when I have the chance." Cumarinda says with a warm smile to Kaja. She glaces to Lars and the box under his hands and waits for him to speak.

ARMORY

Despite being a dwarf, Brankx felt out of place here. Ironically, he spent most of his young life in a forge, his father a weapons Mithra for his clan. Even so, tbe dwarf looked around, sniffed and looked at Ballast. "When we're done here I'd like to make a small stop at th' potion shop....maybe they have something I can trade that will help me in things ter come."

BLACKSMITH to the POTION SHOP
"Yer got anything yah need stored I can help yah out. Come back again." The dwarf takes the trident, moving it slightly "Good weight..."

Once done, the warforge and dwarf head to the potion shop. They head inside, and see several herbs and odd knick-nacks line the wall. Standing at a small desk in the center is a old elf. He looks up and smiles "Welcome welcome. How can I help you? Oh! I got something you would like. Yes I do." He pulls out what appears to be a wand.

HEYTON RESIDENCE
The barbarian stares now at the cleric. He sniff the apple cider and jugs it but doesn't touch the food. He waits for a moment, not feeling anything and wraps the food up, putting it in his pack. Definatly a odd move. He nods to Kaja as Lars shakes his head but he moves the box to the cleric "Go on, take a look."

The dwarf smiles as he enters the shop. 'Good to see ye again. A wand....nice. what type is it? And would ye have scrolls?"

POTION SHOP
"It casts out magical missiles but this is unique." The shopkeep smiles. He holds out what it can do and crosses his arms "Free of charge. Best thank that there Lars." The man rubs his chin "Scrolls eh? I got a small amount but they will cost yah but will to trade."

The dwarf nods as he takes the wand, and looks at the elf. "I'm willing ter trade fer scrolls....and I thank ye as well as Lars."

Cumarinda sighs softly then affectionately rubs the side of the barbarian's face. As Lars moves the box to her, the cleric briefly looks into Lars' eyes before turning her full attention back to the box. With his encouragement she opens the box to look inside.

POTION SHOP
"I didn't do much, just offered what was needed an' helped out to a degree. It was that Lars fellow but thank you." The elf pulls out some scrolls "So whatcha interested in?" He keeps them a good distance away, away from prying eyes. But they do seem rather new.

HEYTON RESIDENCE
Inside the box it has two flat pieces of metal, small about the size of 3x3. One is green and the other is white "The green of course is for the barbarian and the white is yours." Lars leans back after giving her a note what it entails.

The dwarf smiled at the shopkeeper. "Compared ter Lars, i'm a Novice at magic, but i need spells that can give us th' advantage against a powerful foe. I have heard of a spell that can slow or hasten a person in battle, but something that can protect me friends, or make th' enemy slower or more susceptible to our damage."

"This is what I have. A list. I don't put them out in the open, thieves and all. Anything interest you?" The elf asks and holds out a note with all the prices and what he wants for each:


Note: Its all random (Use the diceroller)

Level 3:
Protection from Energy 400
Rage 400
Fly  400

Level 2:
Owl's Wisdom 175
See Invisibility 175
Flaming Sphere 175

Level 1:
True Strike 50
Detect Undead 50
Ray of Enfeeblement 50

"Again thank you for your help, Lars. We all do appreciate it even if we have trouble saying so." she says to Lars Hayton while glancing at Fenris. She presents the green flat metal to Fenris while explaining carefully what it is and how it works.

POTION SHOP

Brankx looked at the list with a smile and looked at the man. "I am lookin' fer trade fer scrolls if ye allow."

he looks at the shop owner. "I have a ring that allows enhancements ter jumping, as well as th' previously seen staff that deals in necromantic arts. How much will ye give fer them in regards ter spending it on scrolls."

POTION SHOP
"All of them be too much to trade. That ring along is worth quite a bit. Bout 2000 gold or more. And not interested in the staff. Something is eery about it. Might want to ask Lars about it but he's been a bit busy. That staff gives me the creeps but sold to the right person will get you some decent money, I'd say at least 2000 gold." The man ponders for a moment "I don't make the scrolls. Got to get Lars to make them. So I give him some gold fer them, marginal fee. He makes them and I got to sell them. Ring of jumping won't get me much round these parts.If yah want specifc scrolls, I'd ask Lars. I'm amazing with potions though."

Realized he'd get the scrolls from Lars so I had to edited them!
Also could talk to Lars about training you or see if he has scrolls.

Level 3:
Dispel Magic 400
Nondetection 400
Mage Armor (Greater) 400

Level 2:
Touch of Idiocy 250
Resist Energy   200
Fireburst 200

Level 1:
True Strike 50
Grease 50
Feather Fall 50

HEYTON RESIDENCE
"Best go as soon as possible. I will leave soon to get the remaining orbs and bring them here to fully function correctly and keep this place safe." The barbarian doesn't react. He stands up and leans against the wall but at least nods to Kaja. He seems intent on Lars though not taking the fact of the meal not being poisoned or whatnot but he did put some in a pouch. Odd. Once everything is settled, and thanks are proclaimed the two of them step out. Kaja opens the door and waves at them and closes the door leaving the two of them outside.

The dwarf was not surprised that Lars was the one who supplied them with scrolls, and nodded. "I will talk to Lars. Should i need a potion or two, i will come to you. My thanks."

With that, he leaves to find Lars to consult him on things to come and how best to prepare.