Episode 2 - Steeb Sings the Truths

-OK, so they're at The King's Field Inn in Greenest.

-Stebe goes off on his own and heads over to Escobert the Red and his group to try and join their conversation.  

   -(The dude with armor standing next to Escobert the Red with short black hair and a friendly face is Sergeant Markguth, whom the characters first spotted last episode)

   -"...and Sergeant Markguth here nearly froze his tits off!" exclaims Escobert.  

      -Everyone in his group laughs.

   -Sergeant Markguth notices Stebe and so they start talking to him.

   -Stebe introduces himself with a flail of his arm and a curtsy; his curly hair and frilly shoulder pads bounce with his flamboyant greetings.

      -"I am Stebe Stimball, here from the North, through the Sharp Tooth Forest (The Wood of Sharp Teeth) and on my way to where I have arrived now, Greenest!" (I love the way Stebe says "Green-EST" haha; also lol at "on my way to where I have arrived now" haha Stebe must have smoked a joint in the bathroom).

      -This is met with a positive response from the group.

   -Edward is finishing up his meal as he joins Stebe and his new friends ("gross" haha good one Braden).

      -Some people do a double-take when they see Edward due to his scarred visage and kind of get out of his way a bit as he makes his way into the group (Edward takes this in stride and just winks at them (haha genius)).  No one wants to stand too close him since he looks so gnarly.  Edward takes this in stride and just winks at them (haha genius).

   -Stebe assesses the crowd, sensing that a bardic performance would probably go over really well among the crowd (since people have been drinking; it's dark; etc.).

   -Stebe tells the group that he's actually heard of Sergeant Markguth; "His tales of glory spread from the nearest field to the other closest field!"

      -(haha apparently at the time I didn't get it since I was probably distracted or something... or maybe I'm just dumb haha anyway I asked Braden to roll for deception hahaha jeez this went completely over my head)

      -No one seems to get this joke (since I didn't get it haha) except for Escobert the Red, unable to contain his laughter any longer (plus I finally got the joke ugh haha).

   -People seem to be really enjoying Stebe's energy and are very agreeable with whatever he says.

   -Stebe then roasts Escobert the Red.

      -"And who could forget about Escobert the Red?!  Whose spoils have reached all across Faerûn...except, of course, for the top of the cabinet."  (I still don't know if I get this one... because he's a dwarf so he's short and can't reach the top of a cabinet or something?)

   -All of Stebe's jokes are going over really well.

   -Edward starts to laugh a little TOO hard and is getting a little rowdy.

      -(I think it's probably here where the whole "Anson is just roleplaying himself in this game" meme came from)

      -He shouts for Stebe to start playing some music.

         -(We clearly don't know the rules that well haha so we start discussing how exactly skills are supposed to work along with advantage/disadvantage)

-Stebe starts to play music.

   -(I was shocked that Braden actually brought a flute or recorder or whatever!  Holy shit!!)

   -"The roar from above / gave a terrible sound / And the piss from a knight / wet his pants on the ground! (haha Edward's really into it, apparently) / the stalwart companions three / uh...sent a dragon to echo the clouds (lol) / Tiamat!  Tiamat! / Tiamat!  Tiamat!  /  The Cult of the Tiamat! / Tiamat!"

      -(hahahaha this was genius)

      -Some people are confused, but a lot of people are REALLY into it!  They begin to surround Stebe and cheer him on as he continues to play.  Some people even begin shouting "Tiamat!"

         -Stebe tries to avoid getting too close to them while he's playing but also motions to his bag (for donations).

            -He gets a ton of money from the crowd.

         -Although overall the crowd response was very positive, Stebe notices that his performance is being received a bit more negatively Sergeant Markguth and Escobert the Red.

-The cleric who was talking to Erasmus hears what's going down with Stebe and the crowd and seems shocked.

   -It's as if he's in the chicken coop but all the chickens are actually wolves (I meant to say, "It's as if he's (a chicken) in the chicken coop but all the (other) chickens are actually wolves in disguise" but I think they got what I meant haha I just wish I hadn't said it so sloppily IRL because it's kind of a cool line, even if it is a bit clichéd).

   -"Tiamat?!" whispers the cleric, clearly upset.  "Mother of Dragons?!  Chaos!?  Are you mad?!"

   -Erasmus tries to explain that Stebe doesn't actually have an allegiance to Tiamat or any cult; he's just singing about it for entertainment value.

      -Unfortunately, they can both hear Stebe up on one of the tables shouting, "Tiamat!!  Yeah!!  Woooo!!" (haha Yosie's laugh here is great!)

   -"You better make sure," replies the cleric.  "And all these people cheering...what would Eldath think?  You associating with these people?  This is madness!  Madness!"

      -The cleric then closes his eyes and seems to be in deep thought.  He raises one hand, palm facing Erasmus.  Erasmus reciprocates, touching his palm to the cleric's.

      -The cleric looks deep into Erasmus' eyes and slowly nods.  He then reaches down to his amulet of Lathander, murmurs a soft prayer to himself, and then takes off the amulet and gives it to Erasmus.

         -"You will need this," he says.  "I want you to know that Lathander smiles favorably upon you.  I want you to continue your path following the way of Eldath.  Just remember that Lathander is with you, too.  Well-met."

            -The cleric then abruptly leaves the tavern.

            -(This was a cool scene, and will actually be important later when the PCs go to Ravenloft!)

-At some point during the evening the PCs find out that the innkeeper's name is Gordon (another pointless detail haha).

-Stebe continues to perform.

   -The crowd is really into whatever he does, even if he knows that it's not even really that good!  People are just really having a blast.

      -As people try to buy him drinks, some tell him that they "hadn't seen him around before" (not in reference to seeing him around at the King's Field Inn, but I don't think anyone got this...it makes sense though what they mean if you know what happens later on!) or ask him if he's "excited for the night" (the latter of which strikes Stebe as odd because one would think that THIS is the event and place to be, so what's going on later that would be the actual event to be excited about?

   -Stebe doesn't really drink that much, although he remains jovial.

   -(At some point I make a joke that Braden wouldn't really know about what it's like to actually perform live since he's not a musician (Braden, Yosie, and Anson are all very talented musicians, of course but either no one got my joke, it wasn't really that funny to begin with, or Anson edited out everyone's reaction haha)

   -Stebe also notices that there are certainly a lot more men than women in this tavern for some reason, but this doesn't really strike him as that odd.

      -(I then go on to explain for awhile about how this maybe isn't weird for Stebe because he's been in rural places before that are more "traditional" in terms of gender roles in a Medieval European-style setting (e.g. men work and then go to the tavern to drink; women stay home with the rest of the family and manage the home).

-Meanwhile, Erasmus notices a dude with a shaved head across the room (Anson (who shaves his head, if you didn't know) wolf-whistles here haha) who's not drinking but is just hanging out.  He's wearing robes.

   -He locks eyes with Erasmus.

-Stebe starts to play slower, sorrowful tunes and ballads as it gets later into the night.

   -However, the crowd is still pretty rowdy and really seems to want Stebe to continue playing faster, bawdy songs; they keep on throwing money at him and are even giving him their jewelry!

      -(Anson makes another "I'm not even going to write that down" joke (see Episode 0.5 - Reinkaos - The Adventure Continues), shit never gets old to us.  Also, Anson jokingly says, "Don't worry, we're all going to kill ourselves tomorrow," referring to the point-of-view of the drunken Tiamat followers... but he's actually right!  Maybe this is obvious based on Vela & Co.'s group suicide ritual the previous night (or maybe just really early that morning), but I thought it was quite astute at the time!).

-Edward goes up to the bar to talk to Gordon, who looks fucking knackered and is drenched in sweat.

   -"Your friend over there is much more professional than the last group, let me tell you!" Gordon shouts as tries to manage the bar.

      -("Oh shit..." Braden murmurs haha... am I too predictable with my writing?).

   -"Yes, we heard about those Purple...Peppermint...Python...Club," says Edward (haha it's The Purple Pox Performer Brigade (see Episode 1 - To the TAVERN)).

   -"Is that what they were called?" asks Gordon, confused. 

   -"I don't know!" shrugs Edward.  "Does it matter?!"

   -"Well, they were good!  They just made things...a little bit too crazy.  They started fights and had those strange cards and tried to read people's fortunes-"

   -"Aye, they're no Steben Stimball,"

   -"Hey, the way that he did his business tonight, I want his name on the wall!"

   -"Talking about names, I find it interesting that this place used to be called "The Flaming Sword", as a follower of Tempus.

   -"The Flaming Blade."

   -"Yes, The Flaming Blade."

   -"Well," he sighs.  "I'm not one for religion or the gods...I do pray to Chauntea-"

   -"Trust me, they are not one for me!" Edward gestures to his pale, burnt skin.

   -While expressing a face of equal parts empathy and repulsion (what I was trying to convey here, at least), he asks, "What on earth happened to you?"

   -"Let's just say it was a good day," replies Edward, mysteriously.

   -"Well, I hope I never have one of those good days, then."  

   -Edward laughs heartily at this and orders another drink.  Gordon gives it to him on the house- "Looking like that, you should get free drinks for the rest of your life.  (waka waka).  As to your question...The Flaming Blade Inn...the previous owner was, as far as I know, not a religious man.  His family were farmers and there was no inn here, no travelers-"

   -"Was he a former soldier or sellsword?"

   -Gordon thinks that that's maybe correct, but he's not sure.  He's not sure why the previous owner changed the name to "The King's Field".

  -"I will say that us soldiers follow Tempus because we take fate as it comes," says Edward.

  -"He did always say things like that... people would talk to him about certain things, he'd say, 'Everything happens for a reason,'" replies Gordon.  "I don't agree, but... the gods work in mysterious ways."

  -Edward thanks the innkeep for the ale and Gordon goes back to work.

-Erasmus approaches the dude with the shaved head and the robes (who seems remarkably calm considering how raucous the crowd is in the main room).

   -"Hello friend," he nods.

   -"Good evening," says Erasmus.

   -"Good evening."

   -"I am Erasmus Fortuna."

   -"Well-met, Mr. Fortuna.  My name is Nesim Waladra.  I am obviously not from around here, but something tells me you are not, also.”

   -“You’ve guessed correctly.  I’m from Waterdeep, and before that, other lands that need not be mentioned.”

   -“Waterdeep?  What are you doing so far south?”

   -“Yesterday, I met two companions- one of them is that bard who is rabble-rousing (although I think Yosie said “revel-rizing”?  Like as in encouraging revelry or maybe a combination of “revelry” and “terrorizing”?  I’m not sure haha) this whole place-

    -Nesim laughs.  “Mr. ‘Tiamat’ over there.  Is he serious about all that stuff?”

   -“Well, he’s trying to earn a living for himself and follow the passions that perhaps whatever god he prays to instils within him.”

   -Braden jokes about how meanwhile Stebe is like “TIAMAT IS THE ONE TRUE ONE!!! YEAH!!!!”  (haha Yosie’s laugh on this one is so good).

   -Nesim laughs again, “I think it’s less about Tiamat and more about the almighty gold piece, but…maybe that’s just my opinion.”

   -“You say you’re not from here.  Where are you from?”

   -“The South.  Don’t worry about that.  Honestly, I’m just looking for a friend (“My friend Tiamat”, someone whispers (haha)).  You don’t know a man by the name of Leosin Erlanthar, do you?”

   -“Leosin Erlanthar?  Nah, never heard of the fellow, Nasser-whatever you said your name was” (haha).

   -(I correct Yosie and tell him the name is “Nesim Erlanthar”, but this was obviously a pretty derpy mistake.  His name is, of course, Nesim Waladra) “I could describe him as my teacher, but he said he would be here tonight, and…he’s not.  I’m just very worried.  I think something really horrible might have happened to him.  He had been travelling back and forth between here and Candlekeep and had been doing lots of research.  I fear that some ill fate may have befallen him.”

   -“Where does Candlekeep lie in relation to here?”

   -“If you follow the Uldoon Trail, when you get to the border with Amn (at the city of Nashkel) you turn north and that will lead you directly to Candlekeep.  If you hear anything about him, you could let me know.  I’m staying at this inn.”  Nesim then eyes Erasmus suspiciously.   “Be ye a holy man?”

   -“Aye, I’m an acolyte of-“ (Brad interrupts and points out that Erasmus is now wearing two holy symbols- “I’m uhhh…Lathander?  Eldrith (he meant “Eldat”h)?  I swear I’m uh…”; Yosie confirms that Erasmus had actually pocketed the holy symbol of Lathander).  “I’m an acolyte of the way of Eldath.  She took me in when no one else would have me.”

   -“You know, I was like that once as well.  (I then point out how absurd it is that these two are having this serious heart-to-heart conversation while all around them there’s the chaos from the increasingly unstable crowd watching Stebe’s performance).  Luckily I met my teacher.  He taught me that everything you need is already inside of you.”

   -“Aye… (but) some of us need a little…help from our friends” (haha womp womp).

   -“Yourself is the only friend that you ever need.  But maybe this ‘Eldath’, this god or goddess…perhaps she is just a part of you that you have never gotten in touch with before.  If so, I think that is a beautiful thing.”

   -“Cheers.”

   -(I then joke, “So, you uh… looking to get laid tonight or…?” (chuckles))

-OK, so at this point it’s like 3AM, but the party’s still raging!  People are getting drunk, there’s small scuffles here and there, etc.  Stebe is exhausted and starts seriously thinking about heading to bed.

   -(Anson jokes, “Edward thinks to himself, ‘I just need to dance!’”, but obviously doesn’t say this in Edward’s voice and certainly comes off as something Anson would be thinking in that situation and not Edward, although who knows how serious Anson was actually being here haha.  Yosie then brings up how our friend Franklin (shoutout to Dollar Country (awesome old-timey country music podcast) and Torbort (lo-fi dungeon synth)!!) used to have a character named “Nedward the Burned Knight”; Anson doesn’t seem to remember and we tease him about it for a bit).

-Suddenly, the front door bursts open.  (“Fuck yeah” -Braden haha)

   -A man stumbles into the room.  He’s got long, straggly hair, clean shaven, and is wearing a hat that’s “obviously been trampled on a few too many times” (whatever the fuck that means haha).

   -“Everybody!  I got something to say!”

      -People start to quiet down.

   -“Oh no, here we go…” says Gordon.

   -“I seen it!  Outside of town!  10 miles!  12 miles!  There’s a camp…soldiers…big dragon people!”

      -He stumbles and falls to the ground.

   -“Get him out of here!” barks Gordon.

   -Edward walks over and throws the dude out the front door into a mud puddle!  Everyone inside cheers.  Edward agrees to letting a couple women by him a drink but then they start trying to kiss and lick his face (especially the burnt side), which ends up repulsing him so this pisses them off and they leave him.  This surprises Gordon, who can’t believe that Edward would pass up the company of the two women.

   -Overwhelmed, Erasmus decides to head up to the room after saying a short prayer to Eldath.  As he’s falling asleep, he feels that, despite his unquestioning faith, he still feels a deep bond with the god Lathander… as if there’s a natural synergy between his devotion to Eldath and the vibe he gets from the faith of Lathander.

      -(I missed this, but Anson jokes “It’s chill, bro…” haha)

-Stebe knows that he’s going to be exhausted the next day, but he’s making too much money to go to bed now so he decides to stay up and start performing outside with like juggling fire and stuff.

   -He leads his everyone outside.

      -When he steps outside he notices the dude that Edward threw into the mud puddle.  It looks like he’d crawled out of the puddle but was now passed out on the side of the road.

      -He also notices that there’s lots of people running around and laughing outside; some people are even having sex out in the open!  It’s complete “open debauchery” (well-put, Anson).  Among the general mayhem, he also sees one dude yelling at a wall and punching it repeatedly (I think this was my improv stock “crazy guy” character haha).     

      -Someone with a ball hanging from a chain lights it on fire and throws it into a door.  Stebe then notices that he can see smoke billowing from different parts of the town.

-A town bell can now be heard ringing violently.

   -Stebe is pushed to the side as everyone rushes out of the tavern, screaming and yelling.

      -One guy runs out and screams at Stebe and then slices his tongue- “LET’S GO!! LET’S GO!!”

-Obviously, the town is in a state of absolute chaos.

-Erasmus wakes up because of all the noise.

-Sergeant Markguth and Escobert the Red run outside, confused.

-All of a sudden, there’s an extremely loud roar off in the distance.

   -They hear it again, but closer.  They can also hear the flapping of wings (ha obviously a dragon).

-The moon has a yellow, almost reddish glow.  In its light they can see the silhouette of a large dragon!

   -Seeing this, Escobert the Red whispers (before getting louder)- (“Holy shit that’s cool!” -Braden (haha)) “To the keep… to the keep!!  TO THE KEEP!!”

      -Stebe starts shouting this as well while also frantically playing a chaotic melody on his flute.

-(We close with “I hope a dragon doesn’t annihilate you before the next time” ha so cheesy)