>>6142608“They were sellswords. Regulars, actually, but they’d had a bit ta’ drink an a few bad experiences with Skogs in the past. So when they saw me rushing at ‘em with blood in my eye, well…”
Did they hurt Volka?
“No, thank Gods…” Ma sniffs. “But there comes a time in a Skog’s life where ya’ don’t regenerate any more… I’d already lost my eye, sure, but that night I’d lost my tail–and a few chunks of my guts, too.”
So, you continue in a reverent tone, what uh… what happened?
“The mercs never came back–probably didn’t realize what they’d done til’ they got ta’ safety. Not that I blame ‘em, course.” The matron replies in a ‘what-can-ya-do’ and yet somewhat rueful tone. “Volka, though–I’d barely hit the floor before she rushed to my side. Rallied the whole damn tavern, she did. Probably woulda died that night if she hadn’t.”
She’s pretty persuasive, you nod with a warm smile.
“Damn right she is,” Ma agrees with a smidge of pride in her voice. “Wouldn’t let me outta’ bed for weeks after that–ran the whole tavern herself. And me, well… I had a lotta’ time ta’ think.”
About?
“About how Volka was wasted serving drinks an’ sweeping a bar…” Explains the Skog, “And how I didn’t want her ta’ grow up in some Totta warren with a buncha’ drunks an’ murderers. So I called in a favor from a regular of mine,” The matron’s face brightens at the word ‘regular’, “And that was that.”
Musta’ been hard, you remark, sending her off like that.
“Damn right it was–that girl’s <span class="mu-i">strong</span>! Had ta’ dislodge her claws with a prybar from the doorframe when I broke the news! An’ trying ta’ keep her out, Hells…”
Before you and Ma can reminisce further, a heavily-breathing Volka and a swaying Tzah-Tzie slump back into their seats! “Ah-HAH! Gossiping, are we?”
“<span class="mu-i">Sheckritsh segits arno fuuuun…</span>”
“I think she’s had enough, ma!” Volka chirps, earning a curt ‘mhm’ from the older Skog. “She wasn’t mean ta’ you, was she, Rook?”
Quite the opposite, you smirk, she’s been on her best behavior!
“You heard ‘im.” Snickers Ma as she pours something into a glass and places it in front of the drunken Durher. “Mulla Juice. Make sure she drinks it all.”
Enjoying your beverage, you decide to:
>Ask Ma about herself!>Chat with Volka!>Check in on TT!>Look at the Job Board!>Explore the tavern!>Write-In! 