The Word on the Way

A short distance from Rook, Tigger Kitteh lazes in the sun, while Grobbix passes the day in a meadow, chasing grasshoppers in the long grass. Kitteh seems largely oblivious to the antics of her Goblin keeper.

Grobbix catches his quarry and asks, "Is Tigger Kitteh sure no wants Hopper Bug? Is tasty foods. Is very good!" And throws the bug in his mouth.

Without missing a beat, he continues. "Is okay. Grobbix eat tasty Hopper Bug."

Growing tired, Grobbix curls up next to Kitteh and pulls out his Travelogue. "Is story time. Grobbix read Kitteh a story."

Upon opening it, Grobbix begins communing with the other Walkers of the Wayward Path. As luck would have it one of the few Walkers who enjoyed the company of Grobbix was also using his travelogue. Grobbix immediately recognized him among the many minds, and spoke to him.

"Friend Lhoris! Is Grobbix. Is can Friend Lhoris tell Grobbix and Kitteh a story now?"

"No? Is Friend Lhoris want to hear story from Grobbix?"

Before waiting for a response, Grobbix began, "Grobbix wake up and find Kitteh gone. Grobbix is finds tracks..." 

Grobbix pauses, with a look of disappointment spreading across his face, "What? Is no time for Grobbix story? Is good story. Is very good! Is okay. Grobbix understand."

After another pause, he continues his excitement renewed. "Is very good idea! Friend Lhoris always have good ideas!"

Grobbix snapped back to reality and immediately leaped to his feet, urging the big cat up. "Come Tigger Kitteh! Is time to go!"

Tigger Kitteh, ignored the goblin's antics, clearly preferring its spot in the sun to any other suggestion. But the Goblin was undeterred and began collecting and packing their things. "Is time to go! Grobbix is go to special place in Rook! Has books like big library! Must helps his friends!"

Grobbix, finally succeeding in getting the large tiger to it's feet, raced to load the sacks and jugs on it's back. "Lhoris tells Grobbix of special place for special Walkers like Grobbix. Lhoris is good friend. Is tells Grobbix about Golden Plow. Golden Plow is where Grobbix find friend to help get back Kitteh!"

Grobbix, finishing the packing, climbs on the back of the tiger and continues to tell Tigger Kitteh the story of how Grobbix saved him, as Grobbix had dozens of times previously. With the Goblin talking ceaselessly about how he saved Kitteh, the pair began the short journey into Rook and made their way to The Word on the Way, following the directions supplied by Lhoris.

Adris Burche works furiously at his forge, each hammer blow carrying his frustration at his recent ill-fated mission. Two comrades killed while lying helpless and failure to achieve the objective... it was not a good day.

A man enters the shop, but Adris is so intently focused on his work that he fails to notice at first. The man announces his presence, finally getting Adris's attention, and offers him a letter. Adris opens the letter and recognizes the stationery of the Wayward Path. Remembering the previous job he performed for them does little to lift his spirits - another fellow adventurer killed on that trip, plus an entire campsite slaughtered. At least he was able to deliver retribution on their murderers.

Adris gruffly dismisses the man and resumes his work. *Hammer* Perhaps his parents were right. *Hammer* Perhaps he should never have left the Guard. *Hammer* Perhaps he was better off not getting mixed up with this riffraff. But... He pauses. What kind of man would he be if he allowed such setbacks to deter him from his goal? He has seen recent failures, yes, but he has also seen many great successes: a family healed, a necromancer destroyed, numerous criminals brought to justice... He chose this path, to guide and protect these adventurers for the good of Rook, and he would see it through to the end, whatever that end might be.

He finishes up his work for the day, and, curious as to why the Wayward Path might be summoning him again so soon, heads off to the bookstore.

Turlagh is shocked at the sight of a goblin and an accompanying Tiger, but doesn't say anything before greeting Adris.

"E'llo Adris! Been some time! I'm guessing you came to ask bout the letter too, eh??"

Turlagh then turns to the boy behind the desk.

"Oi, lad, you the one responsible for all these letters mentionin adventuring???! What's all that bout then?"

Morgak sits in an empty lot, roasting the flesh of a stray dog on a spit. A warcat paces around him, eagerly awaiting its portion of the meal. Upon receiving the letter, he holds it sideways, looking at it in confusion. When he is unable to decipher it himself, he begins asking various nearby vagrants the meaning of the strange message.

Adris returns Turlaugh's greeting. "It has been a while, hasn't it? I hope all is going well with you. I am indeed here about the letter. Although it seems we are not the only ones to have received them" he says, as he sees a few more adventurers entering the room.

He notices Grobbix and Tigger Kitteh and smiles at them as he gently reaches out a hand to pat the tiger. "Hiya kiddo. Your cat hasn't been getting into any more trouble, has he?"

The boy behind the counter puts down his book and stands up. If you look at the cover you will notice that the book is called "Rock Lobsters and Footlouse, and Excellent Discovery."

"You four can follow me," the boy says. He leads you to back room of the bookstore. Inside the room is a single object, a very large archway. The boy pulls a new book from a pocket in his robe and presents it to the archway. A glowing portal will appear within the arch.

"Well, after you," the boy says gesturing for you to go in.

((OOC: Who here is a member of the Wayward Path? I know Grobbix is, but is anyone else?))

After stepping through the portal Turlagh will be standing in a large library. There are people wandering around everywhere. Some are standing along the side of the shelves reading various books and others are sitting around tables chatting. Most of the people either look like scholars or adventurers.

As Donny enters the bookstore a bell rings above him. He will see the same as the others except that there is no one behind the desk. There is no sign of anyone being in the shop.

"Oh, someone else is here," the boy says to the people by the portal. "You are free to go through the portal." 

The boy then runs to the front of the store and greets Donny.

Having just been here a few days ago, Adris steps through the portal without hesitation. On the other side, he elbows Turlagh. "That wasn't so bad, eh?", he says with a grin. He starts looking around for the clown-faced guy he met on his previous visit.

"Well that was certainly...unexpected" Turlagh says to Adris.

Turlagh takes in his surroundings for a bit and tries a little too hard to not make himself appear terribly awkward and surprised.

"errrr, where are we exactly??"

Donny keeps his hands in his pockets "Yeah alright." He says warily. He then follows the boy and (assumedly) goes through the portal