[[I want to respond but I am waiting to see what the others do. I'm worried though, that perhaps they are waiting for me?]]

Seliat Ostgood Sel watched his fellow halfling go to meet the two strangers who had been, well, staring their group down. Should he join her? Perhaps he should. The sorcerer joined Leeda, studying the half-elf and dwarf. Sel had an inkling that these weren't just some petty strangers they would cross paths with only now...

[[ooc: I don't really know what else to write for Sel atm. ]]

Shamus Hubyr:

Breathing a bit heavier now after having to follow his companion, whom is light on his feet he has noticed, across the way, Shamus let out a slight grunt in surprise when Ardryll stopped abruptly in front of him. After he regained his bearings from the soft bump to the head, he spoke, “Hey! Whad'ya think yer doin’?”. He waited a bit for an answer he knew by now he wouldn’t get, and so he poked his head around Ardryll and noticed two small halflings from the group had confronted them. He looked to his friend to see what he might do and then remembered the awkward silence that had greeted them when another person tried to introduce themselves to Ardryll at the pub, so he interjected himself between him and the strangers. “Why ‘allo there! Sorry for the oddness of my friend here," Shamus gestured toward the dark, slender giant hovering over the group, "he ain’t so good with people ya see. My name’s Shamus, Shamus Hubyr. And this is…-” Shamus nudged his friend a bit to hint it was his turn to introduce himself, as was polite.

Ardryll Folen:

Ardryll never liked meeting new people. There were always too many questions and an extensive amount of staring and sizing each other up. He didn’t like being seen in general, preferring the security of the shadows in order to observe others undetected, but he especially hated the burning stares he would get from new people. It was paralyzing sometimes. And now here he was, in front of two very small creatures who were letting their eyes pierce him. A rather forceful nudge from his companion awoke him from his straight faced stupor with a small gasp in response. He first glared at the dwarf, and then sighed, deciding to follow Shamus’ lead. “My name is Ardryll, Ardryll Folen. And no, you can’t help us-” He felt another jab in his side and a low growl was beginning to grow within Ardryll before he swallowed it and spoke again, “I mean, perhaps you can tell us why we appeared in the forest together, near this town, at random, without having ever met before. As according to the appearance of your group, you may have experienced something similar?” There was a caw in agreement from Ardryll’s shoulder.

Rythus Kytheris

Rythus observed the two new strangers as the approached. The dwarf seemed friendly enough, being the first to actually greet the group but he was quite skeptical about the darker-skinned one, but he didn't seem like much, really, at least not from a social perspective. Rythus began to walk towards the rest of the group, further towering over the others. He wasn't quite sure what the elven lady meant when she said a great danger was coming, but he decided to tell them as much as he could about their experience.

"Well met then, Shamus, Andryll." He scratched his head at the questions presented by the half dark elf, and answered, "We don't know exactly why we were dropped 'eya but that elf lady mentioned somethin' about some sort of comin' evil or somethin' of the like. At least I assume that's why you two were also dropped 'eya as well."

Sseira Cruel

Sseira wasn't per say suspicious of the two new individuals, but she was more intrigued about them. Why weren't they dropped off with the rest of the group? Why didn't that elven woman tell them about their quest? She didn't know even the closest idea as to what the answers to these questions may be, but she did know she probably won't find out any time soon. After Rythus was done talking, Sseira stepped forward as well and introduced themselves to the two newcomers.

"It's always nice to see some new ah... Friendlier faces," Sseira began, "This big guy here is Rythus, and I am Sseira Criel." She patted Rythus on the shoulder at the mention ofmhis name and put her hand to her chest as she introduced herself to the two others. "We were just about to head towards the inn over there to settle ourselves in for the time being. As Rythus said we know not really much of why we are here, but we can only wait and see I suppose."

Leeda Elsmere

Leeda nodded, "Nice to meet the both of you." She acknowledged the pair with a nod. "We arrived a little while ago in the forest, and we don't know much more than what Rythus told you. I'm guessing you had a similar experience at some point?" she inquired. "My name is Leeda by the way."

Shamus Hubyr:

“ ‘Ahk, Indeed we did Leeda! And thank you for sharing what you know, you two,” Shamus nodded to Rythus and Sseira. “We were actually already stayin’ at that inn, so we can help you find some rooms. We’ve been here a few days already, so we can also help you find some other basic needs in the form of shops and pubs, etc., though we still haven’t yet discovered everything ourselves either,” Shamus paused for a second pondering what other information he might need to share with the group. “Oh yeah! My pet, Draculaura is restin’ and waitin’ back there fer’ us. She’ll love to meet you all! Just be warned, she’s a licker!” He gave a hearty laugh and smiled warmly, while waiting to hear their responses.

[[ I hope I am not doing too much godplay or anything. I just assumed they would have discovered the inn and some other shops. Let me know which ones they would know about, if that’s alright.]]

Ardryll Folen:

After hearing the other’s introductions and yet again, one of Shamus’ long speeches, Ardyll was tempted to finally leave the uncomfortable social situation, silently leading the group to the inn. But he then realized it was probably best to fall in line with social etiquette parameters this time, in order to avoid another jab to the ribs from his companion, who was surprisingly strong in comparison to his height. So he stayed, feet planted, and silently waited for the others to respond.

Leon Coreth

The ranger nodded at the newly arrived pair. It was good to see some friendly, at least for the moment, faces here. That they knew their way around the area was a bonus in itself as well. Perhaps they would know of decent places to drink. Realising he had yet to introduce himself, he saluted laconically, raising two fingers to his brow and flicking his wrist around.

"Leon. At your service." The archer looked around the street, eyeing the inn and its promise of ale. "Perhaps we can continue our conversation inside? Standing in the road here seems an uncommonly cold place to be greeting each other and forging friendship nnn?"

Seliat Ostgood

"I agree with our ranger here- Leon," Seliat nodded, smiling some. What an interesting turn of events! Well, the more the merrier. Except, he supposed, for those so uncomfortable as the new half-elf. Maybe he just took some time to warm up? "Oh, and I'm Seliat Ostgood. Sel, if you'd like to keep it casual." Seliat took a moment to look over his party again, and smile a little at all the faces that would soon become familiar. What a novel experience, quite exciting indeed.

Shamus Hubyr:

Shamus gave a nod of greeting to Leon as well as nodding in agreement, “Indeed. We should go to the inn so that we might sit around a fire whilst tellin’ our stories of bravery and adventure. And of course just gettin’ to know each other with a good flagon of ale.” He glanced around the group, resting his eyes on his companion a moment longer than the others. He couldn’t help but worry for his (Could he even call him a friend?) friend, knowing Ardryll doesn’t do well with large, crowded environments. Shamus’ mind couldn’t help but flashback to that incident in the pub, which was amongst many other instances. His eyes flicked away, and he was hoping Ardryll hadn’t noticed their lingering. 

“So, is everyone ready to go?” Shamus inquired.

Ardryll Folen:

Ardryll continued to listen to the introductions silently, only hearing half of what was said, while he gazed hard, off into the distance to his left. He had picked up on someone mentioning the inn and he turned his attention back to the group. He waited a bit, wondering what everyone was waiting for themselves and once he had heard Shamus’ inquiry he turned on his heels, back towards the inn. It was but a few paces in the direction he and Shamus had come from and so he quickly disappeared into its depth, once again not looking to see if any followed.

Rythus Kytheris

Rythus nodded in agreement with the former royal archer. "I could go for a good drink as well! Why don't we..." He trailed off as he watched the socially awkward fellow simply walk away from their conversation, "Well then, that was rather rude now wasn't it?" He gestured to the door of the inn that the dark-skinned man just walked through with a toothy grin, "Onwards to the ale." With that, he walked towards the ever-welcoming inn door.

Sseira Criel

Sseira simply smiled as the others talked. She didn't speak as she didn't have much to say. She instead pondered what they might do after settling down in the inn. They seemed well-equipped already, but there may be useful curatives in the shop areas, and maybe they could inquire on any strange dealings with the local guard. Once Rythus was done speaking she added, "I couldn't have said it better myself." And followed beside him.

As you enter the wooden tavern/inn, you find that the place is simply yet aptly named "Crosshaven Inn & Tavern." It's very crowded, and most of the patrons are human, but you also see many elves, dwarves, and halflings. There is a hooded lizardfolk patron observing the others in the back, as well as a guard in the other corner. As you look around, you realize many magical effects are taking place - people are turning invisible, glowing, etc. There is a small bar counter attended by two male bartenders: one is a dark elf, the other a human.

[[Sorry for the delay! As it's the last week of school until summer vacation, I've been super busy at work. (I'm an English teacher in Japan for those who didn't know)]]

Leon Coreth

The tavern was dark in comparison to the day outside. After following the general drift into the inn, Leon slid to the side of the door and closed his eyes for a few long moments to adjust to the dim interior. Gradually, as the details began to resolve themselves, the archer took stock of his surroundings.

The place was well kept with neatly painted honey-amber wooden walls, sturdy furnishings almost hidden by the crowd and a as-yet unlit hearth to one side. While not exactly airy, the windows high on the walls let in enough light to illuminate the area. A set of stairs led upwards, presumably to the rooms above. The floor near the door was covered in a thick layer of fresh sawdust and there was a heady scent of ale in the air.

A flash of some bright magic drew the archer's eye to the crowd. Some shady looking types sequestered into the darker corners, a few drunkards slumped over their respective tables or relatively flat surfaces and a decent number of sober patrons yet drinking. Mages, mercenaries, traders and troubadours, all almost shouting to be heard over the atmospheric hum of conversation. The ranger kept a steady hand on his belt and the clasps holding the pouches to the leather strip. While almost empty, those few gold coins remaining to him were still too precious to give up before the short journey to the barkeep.

Perhaps it was just his prior dealings with the law, but it seemed prudent to keep at least some precaution while traversing a crowd that required a guard present. Pickpockets and cutpurses aside, there were always those that didn't know how to keep out of a fight. Or those simply looking to start one. In this place, with its vibrant mass of patrons, there could be plenty of any type.

Leon edged back towards his companions, deftly stepping around a elf in full plate armour scrambling after a die fallen from a nearby table. Even close to them, he was forced to raise his voice for even a chance of being heard.

"Does anyone see any free space?"

• space available in tavern check : 14 + 3 = 17

[[I'm very sorry if I wasn't supposed to set the scene, or set it poorly ... give me the word and I'll refrain in the future.]]

[[We could call that a luck check, in which case, none of your bonuses apply, so it's simply 14.]] You see just enough empty chairs for your party in the back, right next to the hooded lizardfolk.

[[Honestly it is supposed to be me who sets the scene, and you guys react with actions, thoughts, and words. It was completely my fault for leaving out the detail. I'll try to do better in the future >.< Thanks for helping me out though! Your description was quite fine!]]

Leeda Elsmere

Leeda followed the others, food sounded like a good idea at this time. When she walked inside her eyes darted around the tavern, taking inventory of the patrons. She made a mental note to stay away from the drunks. Being small she tucked herself against the wall, avoiding the crowd as best as she could. She snorted and grinned at Leon, "Yeah, I can totally see some seats in the corner." she teased. Leeda thought about asking to be lifted to somebody's shoulder but decided her dignity was more important.