As their tale continues on, the party now must contend with being hailed as heroes, as well as being the center of attention. For there was to be a big bash thrown in their honor for their recent heroic deeds saving the Tunazee(toonah-zee) family. Of course though, these are The Forgotten Realms. What is a party without a little action on the way?
Standing in Sergeant Ragnahll's office, the party was keen to wonder why the man could not take his eyes off of the pirate Maiya. Then, the aged leader's expression said it all. His internal monologue could not get over the fact of the gall of this woman to stand here, expecting payment for a job she was not even assigned to! And being a pirate of ill refute no less(according to recent Guard reports)! Still, he passed to her the Darromar Guard requirement of registering with his office(and the city) to be assigned tasks on behalf of the city and it's people. Instantly, Maiya heard her own internal monologue telling her 'no this is a bad idea. No, this isn't what you do.' So to distract for a moment on this, the Sergeant received a full report of the Tunazee family rescue from Alystn the Paladin. A fully detailed description of all the events that led to the rescue of the Tunazee family were laid out for the Sgt. Including the part about there being something the party dubbed as "Undermar'. A place under the city that houses some pretty fantastical beings. One of which turned out to be a friend, the other a foe. The Sergeant was impressed. He did not expect to hear such a grand tale on what he thought was a simpler type of task. These new adventurers took on quite a duty after all. And for this they deserve to be rewarded. Yes, all of them as Maiya had decided it was better for all, not just one, that she sign her name on the line. This would probably not be the last she heard of it, but she would handle that when the time came.
For now, she was happy to have two hundred gold dropped into her hands. As was everyone else in the party. Raghnall decided each of them earned one hundred gold for the task, and an extra bonus one hundred gold for them handling the Bullywug's. The monsters and the 'Undermar' situation would be further investigated by the Guard at another time. For now, he had no further tasks for them and was about to send them off, when the two male members of the Tunazee family appeared. Chonor, the patriarch, and his young brother Timo arrived. Sergeant Raghnall was happy to embrace them, in particular the young Timo. Raghnall informed the group that the young Tunazee man was the heavy crowd favorite to be the next Wardmaster for the Public Service District. A role of importance, and one a Darromar Guard Sergeant reports to. Chonor stepped aside to address the party. He wanted to share his thanks to the party for bringing them back safely. He let them know that now that the family was dabbling in Tethyrian politics for the capital city, that brought with it some clout and privilege that escaped the clutches of ordinary citizens. So their first act using this weight, was they have planned a party tomorrow evening at Fellroy's Taphouse and their new heroes were to be the guests of honor! This put the party aside for a moment because this was all still so new to them. Nearly everything they were doing was so new. And now they had to get used to being hailed as heroes. And tomorrow, being the center of attention. You could fill a wine barrel with all the internal thoughts swimming around in the heads of these five now. Yet now the biggest thought of the group was what to wear! All they had was what they had on their backs. Luckily for them, this was Darromar. There would be no shortage of options to find themselves something party-appropriate to wear.
Now that they were released from their duty to the city, and had the evening free, Maiya threw out a suggestion. Meeting for drinks at the Docks District local rowdy pirate bar, The Red Crow. They all agreed it would be nice to sit and relax and perhaps open up a bit more to each other. They had just fought, and survived, together for the first time. And got paid handsomely for it. The two hundred gold in their pockets weighed heavily on their persons.
The logo painted on the front of the Docks District's rowdy pirate bar, 'The Red Crow'.
Inside the bar the place was rocking. All types of beings were here. And all types of pirates. It was rowdy, but not rowdy enough that the party couldn't find a suitable table to settle into. They began talking. Simply telling each other about themselves. Even a quick chat about Alystn's mysterious 'You Were Right' notes was had. A couple theories came out of that short discussion. Overall the big questions tearing away at all their minds about each other were being asked and answered. The food and drink was satisfying. Even more so as it was being brought to them by none other than the same rabbit-man who works over at Fellroy's! The party took the time to learn a few things about this rabbit-man. Things like, how he learned very quickly that to survive in this city, sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do! Like work a second job bussin' tables at a rowdy pirate bar. They also learned his name. Winky. He gained this name (as his true name was incomprehensible to those of this world) as he uses a move where his erect right ear can snap down nearly halfway and right back up into place. He doesn't really wink using his eyelids because, as he allowed the party to get a closer look, his right eye was actually a small black gemstone permanently inserted into his eye socket. Winky described how back in his world many moons ago, he had fought in The Tunnel Wars, and sadly he lost an eye in the process. Luckily he knew a fine fellow that dealt in rare stones and he was afforded sight beyond sight using this little gemstone. So, Winky explained out of his own discovery, one eye winking is just blinking, so he uses his ear instead and the name caught on.
Hours had passed and the party had their fill. It was time to get some much needed sleep after their eventful past day or so. They all headed off to their respective places of rest. A temple. A lake house. Anywhere they each felt their own level of comfort. They agreed tomorrow they would meet in the town square and go shopping for 'party outfits'. Which Inka thought, "ohh, they must mean birthday suits"...
The next day began with the party meeting up in Darromar's town square where the daily report meeting had just wrapped up. The five shared 'good mornings' and began heading off into the Commerce District to find a place where they could buy some new outfits. Their search didn't take long in the bustling district, as out in front of 'Gaerton's Fine Clothiers - Clothing & Accessories' an elderly but spry well-dressed man stepped out in front of them, pausing them with his rousing invitation. He had produced from his pants pocket an eyeball, and pointed it at the party. Not a disgusting, freshly removed eye. But a refined, shiny, and seemingly sentient eye ball that looked the group over. "Ahh yes," the old man began. "I see you five are in search of something new, something magnificent. Something...snazzy?! Please, please, come on inside." he beckoned them. "Well, seems legit" they thought to each other, so they headed in and were escorted to the front counter. Where standing in front of them, was the same exact elderly gentleman that just escorted them into the shop?
Gaerton Alliash, owner and operator of the Commerce District's finest clothing shop
The party looked back, and yep there went the old man, back outside to attract more customers. "Hmm, must be a twin", they thought internally. Gaerton looked the group over with not much of a thought. "I see," he said as he produced the same shiny eyeball from his pocket. " You all must be here for some outfits for the party tonight, hmmm?" Wow, word travels fast in this city it seemed. Gaerton motioned for them to join him as he made his way to a large beautiful curtain at the back of the shop that he disappeared behind. As the party followed, it became apparent that this shop was more than just a clothing shop. This space behind the curtain was massive! Bigger on the inside. More so than the building itself they saw out on the street. There were mannequins lined everywhere with various outfits. Accessories hung from the walls. There were shelves filled with shoes and loads of accessories for every occasion. Mirrors lined the rest of the empty spots, giving off a real magickal aura to the place. With a wave of his hand at each of the party members, Gaerton loudly shouted 'BLAMMO!" They were now adorned in the clothing they would be wearing to their event tonight. And wow, this old man had a flair for style did he!
Sendak was instantly covered in a hunter green & gold filament trim sleeveless jacket, razor sharp hemmed pants, & black boots with a silver cap on the toe. A little extra bite those boots would provide the Monk. Alystn was now seen in a bright emerald green three piece suit with no tie, but a top hat. He felt very charismatic while wearing this outfit! The group then saw Inka draped in a gorgeous blood red w/ white trim flowing robe with a fine silvered filament pattern that rounded around her frame, and eventually looped around itself into a beautiful necklace. Holding onto this necklace tightly for a moment, she could feel herself become just that much more durable. The pirate Maiya felt herself now wrapped up in light puple trim pants and a long jacket made of the softest and lightest leathers, and a billowy white soft-shirt. This outfit came accessorized with a new tricorn hat. Something about this hat had her feeling that she was going to attract some attention one day that could greatly benefit her. Time would tell. Last but not least, Pip the Sorcerer was now fitted sleekly in a deep and sheen midnight blue tuxedo that came accessorized with a cane. This cane seemed ordinary, but as Pip would someday soon discover, it would be anything but in a time of need.
After paying Gaerton a group sum for their outfits,(with Sendak paying extra for no reason other than to rid himself of this 'currency') they made their way out of the shop as time had passed somewhat inexplicably fast, and it was time to make their way to their gala. Not even fifty feet later, the party heard a loud, grumbled voice heckle to them. The crowds parted(and ran in some instances), as Banah Fortier, leader of the Bare Knuckles gang made his presence felt. He boisterously introduced himself, but not the ten rough and tumble looking human brutes behind him. Proudly & simply he explained to the party that this was his District and any newcomers simply had to pay the toll to peruse the area. Now, this gang was well-known for decades in the districts for being rough and tumble. They mandating their fighting to be done with fisticuffs only, and to being a thorn in the side of the Darromar Guard for years.
Banah Fortier, leader of the Bare Knuckles, a Darromar street gang
Now, the party knew they were not going to let this little wrinkle put a...wrinkle, in their new outfits, as they easily saw through this guise of the Loxodon, and refused to pay 'the toll'. Even knowing they were about to throw down with a notorious street gang. So, as they are known to do, Banah's men moved forward under their leader's command, and initiated a good ole fist fight! Things didn't go as smoothly for the party in the first few tries at this fighting style. Quite a few swings but misses were had. Eventually though by example from both Alystn and Sendak, they began to get the upper hand even though it was a two on one fight for each of them. Just when it seemed like this fight would again be turned against them, a sound was heard. A sound that garnered everyone's attention, pausing the fisticuffs. A dust cloud appeared not too far away, and grew in size as it got closer to their location. Led by an imposing soldier on horseback, five members of The Riders Of The Shield marched into view! The militaristic branch of the Tethyrian nation. Members from the local Darromar garrison no doubt. The mounted leader, adorned head to toe in fine metal armors, brandished a gleaming and deadly broadsword, and pointed it at the gang leader. "Banah," the soldier grumbled in a deep intimidating voice which was 'probably' human. And that is all his men needed as they charged at the ten gang members who were already turning foot and fleeing the scene, Banah Fortier not far behind. Once they were out of view, the Rider's leader requested the party surround him and allow him to accompany them to the Taphouse where they were expected.
Winky the Harengon on duty at the Hero's Party in Fellroy's Taphouse. A hard working rabbit he be.
The fire lights were bright. The crowd was loud. The food and drink were exquisite. When the party reached the Taphouse, they were nearly overwhelmed at the transformation of the Taphouse. Now an all-out celebratory party establishment, all in their honor. Winky showed them to their table. A grand longtable set at the back of the place, lined end to end with food and drink delicacies from both local and foreign vendors. Even Axel Fellroy himself made an appearance and introduced himself to the group. He then told them because of their heroic acts, Fellroy's Taphouse would be their second home whenever they wanted it to be. His doors always open to them no matter what. He then led what seemed like an unending procession of locals stopping by to offer their thanks and praise to the party for such a job well done rescuing the Tunazee's. Offers of drink and dance came every two seconds it seemed. Even Borfo himself offered his hand of dance to Inka, who obliged. And what a time she was having. And the crowd knew it too. Their gazes from all over at her flowing-robed beauty. This man knew his moves, tossing and twirling her, keeping her close and in tune with the music. For just a moment, suffering wasn't at the forefront of Inka's mind. Even a smile briefly formed across her lips a time or two, while doing her best to hang onto the pirate brute and his respectful but masterful dance moves.
The Tunazee's even sprung for a performance from the world renown Balcony Brothers Bard Band!
Maiya had caught the eye of her ship captain, Svedra, over at the bar. Captain Svedra was draped in a gorgeous slinky dress, and she also was clearly uncomfortable in it. "Keeping up appearances," she told her navigator when asked. They had a short but very interesting conversation of how Sgt Raghnall himself requested specifically that she be at the party. So here she was awaiting what more bad news could befall the pirate crew. They already lost their ship in the attack and there was no word on any new ones any time soon. Still, even after learning that Maiya had registered with the city, Svedra knew her closest companion was on her side. You dont let them guide you using the stars, then just drop your trust due to some silly city politicking. More would be had about that soon enough. Otherwise the party was in full swing.
An uninvited party guest makes her appearance at Fellroy's
Suddenly the doors of the tavern burst open! As the party was situated at the far back of the taphouse, away from the entrance, they did not see the imposing figure who stood in the main entrance doorway. Those at the front of the house would report that this fearsome beast of a creature, seemingly female in appearance and of imposing, even scary stature, uttered three words with malicious intent. 'Where's the boy?"
At this same time at the back of the house at the Hero's table, the party were wondering what the sudden pause in activities was from. They got their answer in the form of the young Timo Tunazee. The heavily favored next in line Public Service District Wardmaster. He stood before them, sweaty from a mix of drink and dance. His hands clasped together tightly, shaking. He looked back towards the front of the house and that was his mistake. Its in that moment when his eyes locked with those of...The Bounty Hunter. His head whipped back at the party, and with a trembling voice, almost that of a child seeking the safety of his Mother's embrace, he begged of them, "Please! Please, you have to get me to the castle!"
FIN
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