Always Ascending

[Ryuforce]

Duran sits up only to gasp and grab onto her head. It pounded like she's smacking her own head with her mace. Hurting like never ending hell. "Wh.. what the abyss even happen last night?" Duran whined out as she barely heard the others stir. When Naethra makes the point that dealing with the Gnoll isn't required Duran responded with a long rousing speech on how they are clearly an evil force that brings misery upon this town and other would be victims of the Lady of Excess.  However it only came out as an annoyed "Nggggaaaaahhh!" Before she finally tried to stand. Feeling surprisingly winded despite an amazing rest. Likely do from all that alcohol she endured the morning before.

She took her time getting her armor on, not that hasty arming is even possible with the clunky thing but it felt more weighted then usual. It actually wasn't, just a feeling. But after a good solid ten minutes she'll finally get it on and likely be the last one to head down.

Finally trying to get downstairs she would find herself pushed up against the inn wall, using it as a way to keep her body steady as she made her way downstairs. To the first good chair she can find (which was the nearest one) she plopped down on it and laid her upper body on the table. Head resting on it. "Why does my head feel like a thousand bricks has fallen upon it?" She asked to no one in particular.

[Roselli]

Gwyn woke up cuddling with Retiaria. But something felt off as she started to stir. Her breasts were already starting to swell.  She could fill them filling up. This wasn't just a one shot. She had to keep this up. Damn it. But she thought she'd try to keep things to herself, maybe.

She listened as Neathra burst the plan Gwyn was charging towards. "If our princess is in a different castle, then where is she?"

"We should still fight the goblins and help the city." Gwyn pushed for that option. A little motivated to keep the wolf and rodent in balance.

[Ordos]

"Can we, though?"  Naethra replied to Gwen.  She noticed the elf girl's breasts were still notably larger than they used to be.

"We had a rough time fighting just two of them, and even then one ran away to get help.  And you saw how many the gnoll was able to rouse up searching for us.  A straight-up fight only ends one way."

She thought about the essence drained from the other warriors, and the gem Oric had found on the goblin wolf-rider...

"Although... we could try to bleed them, diminsh their forces bit by bit.  Set up traps and ambushes to take out individuals or small groups."

Naethra frowned as she hauled herself out the bed.  She felt rustled... Was bed-leaves a thing?

"Either way, we should leave here soon.  Gavin seems reliable, but I'd bet the gnoll has a spy or informant somewhere in this town."

[Nihtgenga]

"And even if she don't, we're putting these people in danger as long as we stay here. They've already done us a solid, it'd be shit if we got them punished or whatever." Retiaria said, carefully disentangling herself from Gwen and sitting up. "We said we'd fight that Queen bitch, and I'm still up for it. No one gets famous for sitting around doing nothing, right? Besides, you saw what happened to those other idiots. If her troops find us, they'll make us their slaves at best. That is not happening. They're looking for us, so our best bet is to bring the fight to them. That said..."
She stretched and let out a yawn, her tail flicking lazily. "Breakfast and a bath first. Massage too, if Gav's got got anyone who knows how."

[darlingng01]

I certainly don't agree with the idea of fighting the gnoll and her goblins, but I don't think I can abandon these people either if they choose to fight. I make a silent prayer, calling on my divine patron with all my heart "If you can hear me, please, give me guidance. I want to protect these people, to keep them safe and out of trouble. But they seem intent on charging right into harms way, so at least I desire the power to care for them. If there is something I can do to help them with the goblins and hte gnoll, please, show me the way."

[Dichotomy]

I blink, bewildered for a moment "Missy? Oh... right, me, erm, well I was looking for someone- I had a dream which reminded me that I oughtn't begin studying about a subject buntil I have done sufficient research to determine what is already known, and was on my way ou- oh, thank you." I take the offered food and eat a bite- "Often I forget to eat when left to my own devices- in any case, I was on my way out to find someone who should know more than a little about my current area of study, in order to conduct something of an interview."

[Alice]

Gavin smiles  as she sets a table, "Well.. you need to think of things other than your studies. And remember to eat.." She smiles as she sets down a glass of juice in front of you, 'Healthy body healthy mind." As Duran slumps her way into the common room Gavin helps her into a chair putting a bowl of hot oat porridge and some juice in front of her, "that pain you feel.. is from over-consuming ale for the first time in your whole damn life.. Seriously where did you live where you didn't even have a glass of wine?"

The gods are their typical silent selves dureing morning prayers..Although Others around Oric will note the Lace wristband she picked up is now being worn around her neck..

As the rest of the crew makes it to the common room the table is set with breakfast for all of them.. The Hot grain mixture is easy enough even for Naethra to eat. Gavin sets juice before you all, "Ok.. I understand that each of you had a rough day yesterday.. and probably want to get some revenge." SHe smiles, "I encourage this.. The force she left back is proving a damned nuisance. Losing a day to their goofery is one thing.. but we had to do a lot to keep them from damaging the orchard, and there are still at least three of our tenders at their tender merceries right now.."

[Ryuforce]

Duran looks at the porridge and juice offered to her. Reaching over to take a drink to help try to fight the pounding headache. "I.. I have had a bit of wine during temple ceremonies but.. it's only a sip..." She sighs softly but gives her a  more clear answer as she tries to focus. "I um.. lived at a temple to Aircame" She explained before taking a bite of the porridge. Afterwards she slumps back onto the chair, head on the table when she spies a common rag. Her head rises and a hand slides over it then rubs it lightly on the table. Cleaning some of the juice she accidentally spilled onto the table. Once she is done she places the rag back down and gives it an assuring pat. Then back down her head goes as she tries to recover.

Listening to Gavin's words, slowly trying to sit up as she rubs a forefinger and thumb against her forehead. "This isn't about revenge. The gnoll must be stopped For your sake and the sake of all other adventurers who she's captured or done worse to."

[Dichotomy]

I blink, bewildered "...revenge? Oh, erm... at their mercy... might Alma be among those constrained?" I ask, frowning "I erm, I needed to ask her something." I eat quickly, eager to be about my business. There is so much to learn!

[Ordos]

Naethra was a tad worried by Gavin's generosity, but if she had any untoward intentions there was no reason the party wouldn't be enslaved or under her thrall already.  "Thank you," she said to his offer of porrige and juice.  She tried not to dwell on how odd it felt eating without teeth.

"So you think we can take them out?  When we were ambushed, we were able to defeat a wolf rider, but the... dancer, I suppose, just ran off.  There were two of them with the gnoll when she arrived.  One escaped and then all of this happened,"  Naethra waved a green hand at the party and room in general. 

"I mean, starting with the stragglers here in town sounds like a good start, but aren't you worried they might call reinforcements?  This only works if none get away."

Somehow, Naethra doubted Gavin would produce any peasant levies from her charming little town.

"And what are these tenders?" she asked to Gavin and Lou.  "I was a trifle indisposed last evening, so I haven't seen much of the town."  Aside from the bar, tables, wash sink, and shelves.  She'd seem them Very well.

[Alice]

Gavin nods, "Alma was among those taken. She'll be... entertaining the goblins till they tire of her."

She looks to Naethra, "sorry, Tenders of the grove.. Our farmers who tend to fruit groves. Your friend here would fit in amoung them pretty well.. if She could act the part."

Gavin shrugs, "It's been a long time since I made tactical choices, I know that  the other three ran into the teeth of a fully prepped army.. I can't imagine you lot being that silly."

[Nihtgenga]

Her stomach rumbling, Retiaria pulled her armour on and headed downstairs, where she could smell something delicious beingcooked.

Instead she got porridge. Woohoo.

"Morning all."
She took a seat and got started on the porridge and juice.

"It's been a long time since I made tactical choices, I know that  the other three ran into the teeth of a fully prepped army.. I can't imagine you lot being that silly."

"But you did once before? Were you an adventurer before settling down here?"

[Ordos]

"It's been a long time since I made tactical choices, I know that  the other three ran into the teeth of a fully prepped army.. I can't imagine you lot being that silly."

"No, we would never do that."  Naethra said as she turned to look directly at Gwyn for entirely unrelated reasons. 

[Dichotomy]

Another choice goblin expletive later, I'm back to common "That's unfortunate... is there any way to get the goblins to grow bored more quickly?" I sigh, and brush hair out of my face with evident frustration "...this will takr some acclamation... anyway how many goblins?"

[Nihtgenga]

"Well, stabbing 'em a whole bunch'd probably do it." Retiaria suggested. "Assuming there's not too many for us to take, and fighting them won't bring down more heat on Gav's people of course."