Main Session

"It is...or rather it was." He says, pulling his feet up and standing, "Now don't think me the type to make a person sit where my boots have been laying. I've better manners than that, that I can promise you." He says in a warm southern drawl of an accent while manoeuvring around Eris to take the side of the booth that he'd been resting his boots on before holding out his palm, offering her the seat he'd been sitting comfortably in.

"And look, you went to the trouble of dragging me over my favourite drink, you're too kind." He gives a gruff huff of amusement, "So, what can I do you for?" The man asks, giving little away about himself just yet.

"Great minds, as they say, do tend to think alike," Eris replied, one half of her frothy cargo set before the man. Its kin was kept in hand, and with a murmured bit of appreciation the wood elf slid and settled into the newly vacated seat. "And as a great mind, I imagine it'd not escaped your notice my and mine's curious natures." She nestled it in her lap, one leg crossed over the other in keeping it snug, which left a hand free to gesture towards the rest of the tavern. Particularly, where her compatriots had drifted.

"A bit of friendly competition," Decidedly not- or not one that her travelling companions knew of, at least. Eris' smile grew conspiratorial as she leaned back against the booth and glanced back to the man, voice a touch lower. "On how much we can learn about the going's on in town, see what we could lend a hand towards."

"They each made their choices-" The flourished hand found momentary rest in a casual point towards the barmaid, "What news that travels through a town doesn't find a barkeep's ear? The trouble, though, is getting it past their lips to yours. Even harder is finding a professional's tell, or getting them to speak up at all." On the gesture went, this time levied at the card player, then towards the nobleman. "You'll be hard pressed to get something from all that finery that isn't self-serving, in my experience."

"Nay, I've put my bet on you-" Eris let the hand fall, but not before calloused, scarred fingers unfurled towards her companion, that same curious, low cadence used. "A man of well travelled boots and level head, with good, unfrivolous tastes." Up her own mug came, lip tapped against his own tankard, before she finally took a sip. "So, what say you? Care to help a friend?"

He sits up a little more in his seat, taking a moment to let Eris' words linger. Lance takes his glass, eyes her, then takes a drink, clearly in no rush. He gives a sound of satisfication, the glass clunking against the wooden table as he sets it down again, his sightline drifting upwards from the foamy drink back up to Eris.

"Well, I do like to consider myself an educated man." He gives an amused huff, "If you're looking to learn about the area, why I suppose It'd only be right of me to do my best to help."

"But taking your bets on me without so much as a greeting? I'd have to say, I'm flattered." He smirks over to her, clearly more entertained by this than he was by lounging around, "I'm the competitive type, so let's make it worth your while, see to it that you win your little competition. I'm not one to sing my own praises but I happen to know my way around this neighbourhood quite well."

He extends his hand across the table, his elbow resting upon it, "Lance. Lance Jacobs. Who do I owe the pleasure?"

"Eris," The offered hand was taken, the touch surprisingly cool in the firm grip. She shook it once, twice in quick succession, before letting her hand retreat back to wrap around her mug.

"The pleasure is mine, I assure you. Especially if you care to share what you know." The paladin's brow raised just a touch, playful enough in showing her insistently inquisitive nature. "Doubly so if you might have an inkling on where these missing fishermen might be ending up, or what's vanishing them to begin with."

"Fishermen, huh? So that's what you're after." He replies, "Far as I hear, fishermen are heading down to the river, then, they ain't coming back."

"I'm sure most people in this here town will tell you much of the same, we've all heard rumours of dead fishermen haunting the shore. I'd say whatever is happening over there isn't a movin' phenomenon. There's an old cave over there, too. That kind you tell the young ones not to go messin' in or around, I'd say that might be a good place to start if you've got your wits about you."

"You should know, there's wild animals hanging around near the woods, a lot of the time these critters..." He rolls his hand for effect, "Yknow, wolves and the like, are picked up by the goblins to the east. Heard they've been kicking up a fuss after losing some magical item to that one institute, now what was its name?" Lance clicks his fingers a few times before having a moment of realization, "The Lumen Archive. That's the one, apparently these goblins were quite fond of some relic, now they're pretty upset its gone, robbing wagons on the off chance of finding it again."

Eris leaned a touch forward, shoulder curved in an almost protective hover over her drink as she listened. Not to keep Lance from snagging it out from under her, exactly, but old habits were hard to kill. "Really now?" She mused, chin caught between finger and thumb in a thoughtful rub.

The Lumen Archive... the name rolled around in the paladin's mind, seeing if anything knocked loose in relation as she continued, a glance. "Caves and goblin-wrangled wolves, up in arms over a pilfered artifact? Wonder what's so special about this one- any idea if it's religious, some offering to their god?"

He gives a Hmn showing his amusement, clearly enjoying the chat, "I wouldn't say I could go in to too much detail on it for you." He nods his head a few times as if thinking about it, "Yeah, I'd say it could be somethin' like that but one thing is for sure, if that bunch is after it, chances are its probably worth somethin'. I could see it holding some kind of power or ability. If you didn't notice...my lack of..."

Lance holds out his palm, gesturing to Eris' attire, "Well fitted combat gear...I happen to be a merchant, myself. I've wanted the same stock as the Lumen archive before, ain't pretty. It's like the difference between throwing' a coin at someone or beating them over the head with a sack of gold. Not to mention, they're usually wizards."

He holds up his hands in a mock surrender, "Well, ain't no shame in bowing out when you know you're beat. I can't fault them for paying what it takes to get what they want. I'm not sure if the cave is tied up in the goblin business, they might be different things entirely, but I figured when you were wanting rumours, it wasn't asking for a restaurant recommendation." He jokes

"I'd noticed, though figured one prying line of questioning was more than a single drink would pay for." Eris' own was angled towards him in appreciation for the freely gifted information, before another sip was taken. "A merchant, then, and one with an occasionally intriguing," Expensive, "Tastes."

A brief lull followed as Eris nursed her drink further, lips mostly hid behind the mug's rim or a swipe of thumb. A subtle tension had come to the slop of shoulder, though the looks stolen of her newfound compatriot, at least, were furtive, quick things, almost too subtle to catch by even the most perceptive of eyes. A final, thick swallow had, the drink was set to the table as the paladin forced herself to lean back, away, creating what distance she could between without causing much notice.

"So," She began again, letting that curious mind lead her attentions elsewhere, "What was the last piece, the one that you shared a common interest with the Archive?" Both brows rose in a slight, encouraging wiggle, "Just to give an idea what I should be looking for, if I come by something that might snag your interest."

"Well..." He sighs through his nose, "If you must know, I was actually after a piece of jewellery. A gold ring with a ruby gemstone. Shiny little thing. Reminded me of something my late Mother used to own." He gives a huff, "You can tell why I'm a little sour about it. Still, it's just business." Lance gives a sideways nod.

"They figure it did something special, an artefact or treasure of sorts. I was after it for personal reasons, nothin' more, can't even remember what they said it does." Lance looks over Eris, noticing glances but passed it off as her just being kind enough to try to pay attention, "You much into jewellery?" He lets out a chuckle, catching himself, "Probably not a good segue as a man just talking about a ring, it could be any kind of jewellery, promise."

Welcome distractions, indeed. Eris' smile grew, a genuine dimple finding home in her cheek as she nodded. "I am, as it happens." A gilded strand was dug free from beneath her armor, its make far better than the ring that was looped through.

It was an amateur's attempt, clearly, the engraved whirls that circled the gold band uneven in width and depth alike, but beneath the paladin's chagrin was a sense of actual pride. "Far from anything worth your time or coin, I know. But when I've the time, and tools-... Brings a sense of calm, working with my hands towards something beautiful."

She let it hang free atop the leather to reach once more for her drink. Half gone, judging by its heft, and a small bit more vanished behind Eris' lips. "I can't blame you for being sore over the loss, but here's hoping that the knowledge that if something comes across my path of similar make, you'll have first choice sooths some of that sting."

"You're much too kind." He says nodding, before catching the group of adventurers gathering in the centre of the tavern, "Now, looks like I've been talkin' your ears off for too long." He says, nodding sideways towards the group.

"You best head on out, don't wanna be left out now do you?" He laughs, "Thank you kindly for the drink though, maybe I aught to return the favour some time soon."

Eris' eye followed to where he directed with an idle, "Hm?" At seeing the rest gathered, though, she hastily stood, a casual salute sent his way as she slid free from the booth.

"I just may take you up on that," The paladin grinned, that dimple coming through once more. "Safe travels, Lance, 'til I see you again." With that, she hurried over to rejoin the party, half-finished drink left at the table.

Key NPCs

Key Locations

Important Info

Recap

Eris speaks with Lance Jacobs, a merchant who shares valuable rumours about Emberwynd’s troubles. Fishermen continue to disappear near the river, with whispers of undead and a dangerous cave nearby. Lance also reveals growing goblin unrest in the eastern woods, tied to a stolen relic now held by the Lumen Archive.