A Haven For Goodly Folk

Lupecyll-Atlon home, morning

The sound slowly works its way into the unconscious Goblin's brain. The patter of rain had long stopped, but the howl of the wind continued unabated. One could almost hear Winter yelling, "I'm baaaaack!" each time it whistled past the window, and rattled the shutters and doors. Simony's eyes slowly blink open, her expression full of confusion. She gasps then, peering at the object she'd been clinging to: a stuffed Pothy plush. Sitting up, the Gobbo stretches at length, grumbling and moaning. Glancing about, and then up, she smiles. "Guess I fell asleep here, and Tel wrapped me up in a blanket cocoon. It is going to be a chilly walk home."

Despite having her priestly robes, she wraps the blanket around herself a few times, and wanders towards the kitchen first. "Telamon?", she wonders, just above a whisper, peeking her head inside.

And there he is! Telamon is humming to himself, as he's scrambling some eggs with chopped ham in the mix. "Good morning! Lana asked me to let you sleep in -- she said you looked adorable cuddled up to the plush Pothy." Tel is dressed casually, in a long robe with improbable, battered-looking fuzzy bear slippers on his feet. "She headed out early to see her cousin, but gave me specific instructions, and I quote, 'make sure Simony gets a hot meal and makes it back to the monastery safe and warm'."

His eyes twinkle. "So of course I wouldn't think of disobeying my lovely wife. What would you like to drink with breakfast?"

Simony has to see what's cooking, standing next to the man and hopping up and down a few times. "What are you making?", she wonders, "It smells delicious!" Her cheeks blush lightly, and she shakes her head. "Cor'lana really said that?" The Goblin snorts and giggles. "I don't know where the stuffie came from, but it was a pleasant surprise. I'm sorry for accidentally sleeping over. And I'll remember to thank Lana for her very specific instructions."

She peers up at Telamon, "Wouldn't want you to kick me out barefoot and starving." She has the good decency to wait a five count before winking obviously, and giggling. Canting her head sideways, she ponders for a moment. "Something hot, like tea, perhaps? Or hot cocoa? Uhm, did you want me to help out? Set the table?"

Carefully, Telamon transfers the scrambled eggs and ham to a plate with toast on it. "If you'll take your plate over, I'll bring you some tableware and the tea." He chuckles. "Lana wasn't concerned. But it was Pothy's idea to give you something to snuggle, since you were in a strange place. As I've said, this house is a haven to all goodly folk."

While Simony is bearing her plate to the table, Telamon collects the kettle and a couple mugs. "I ate breakfast earlier -- you were still sacked out. Still, any adventurer will tell you a good sleep is worth a platinum trade bar."

The plate is conveyed to the table, the Goblin pausing to pull out a chair for Telamon to sit at, and she slips into the one beside it. "Thank you, Telamon. This is very sweet of you, and Lana and Pothy. I will have you up some time for breakfast at the monastery, or I could make it here to save you a walk, since winter is getting close."

She considers the price of sleep, and sagely nods her head. "It is important to get your sleep, and you usually don't find out until you've had a bad night's rest, and all the things happen while you're just trying to get your daily things done. It's hard to cast your spells properly when you're dead tired."

The tea is poured, and a set of fork, knife, and spoon are passed to Simony as small casks of butter and honey are set out as well. "I'd like that very much. Thank you." Telamon takes his seat, picking up his mug for a sip.

"It's the same for sorcerers. You need rest to recover, replenish the mana that you draw upon for spells. No rest, no spells. No spells, well... I can always fall back on my good looks and charm, but I'm not sure I'd want to test those against a rampaging dragon. Might not work."

"Not to mention, you want to avoid a knock on the door eighteen years later.", she deadpans, before adding honey to her tea. Wrapping her hands around the mug, she sighs happily. "Thank you, again, Telamon. For your support, and kindness." Putting her hands together, she offers a quick prayer and blessing before she digs into the eggs and toast. Simony is nothing but efficient when it comes to inhaling food, cutting things into bite-sized pieces, and stacking one of each thing, getting a mix of flavours and textures.

Sipping at her tea afterwards, she settles back in her chair. "I am no cook like you, Telamon, but I know how to do up potato pancakes. They are delicious and filling."

Telamon snorts. "Well, at this point the only knocks I want to hear are happy announcements." He scratches his chin, before taking another sip of his tea. "I've always liked being a good host. I mean... I think we've discussed magic, but what's the -point- of gathering resources, power, magic, whatever, if you don't use them? I'm not a dragon. To me, gold has no intrinsic value save for what it can be used for -- eggs, blankets, tea, and so on." His expression is quizzical. "I feel like that sets me apart from other magicians... for me, magic is just one more tool to help my friends."

At the mention of potato pancakes, Telamon hmms. "I... you know, I don't think I've had those. I've made potato soup, but not potato pancakes. I'll have to give you free reign in the kitchen at some point to make them -- or visit the monastery so you can make them there."

"Weeeellllll, gold is shiny after all. I understand why people covet it. I kind of feel it, I know I feel a bit better knowing I have some gold saved up. But, it's also fun to spend it. Just a little."

Simony smiles brightly, taking another sip of tea. "I am glad, as a cleric, that I can provide the basics of life without it costing gold. I suppose that is a benefit of divine magic over arcane, less boom and bang, but also less expensive. For example, I have heard about that famous spell, wish. I know that it requires a very expensive piece of material component. I know of nothing in the clerical roster that requires such a thing. The price of power can be steep, and this goes for arcane magic as well. Perhaps this is why wizards hoard gold too, like dragons?

"Hmm, the way I look at potato pancakes is... they are like soup or stew, an idea someone had to use up remaining vegetables and meat to get a tasty meal out o fit. I add bacon, and sweet peppers to mine."

Another chuckle. "Well, it is shiny. But so is the sun reflecting off the water. So long as Cor'lana and I are together, well... I find everything else to be mild inconvenience."

Telamon's expression is contemplative. "Some spells require more than mere materials to focus the mana. Certain ointments, or even diamonds, are used for powerful magics, like the truesight spell, or the ritual that fixes a spell in place permanently." His eyes glint. "Yes, I know both of those spells. I've considered hanging out a shingle for the adventurers: if you seek a permanent augmentation, bring me a scroll and the necessary diamond dust and I'll cast the spell for you." He mulls it over though. "Perhaps. But at a certain point, a wizard who knows certain spells could call creatures to handle that for him. There was an account I read of a powerful mage in the north who bound elementals to find diamonds and rare metals for him. Interesting stuff, but not my style."

He listens with interest to Simony's discussion of potato pancakes, and nods. "Much the same way fyodgar came about, I suspect. What men call 'vodka'. Potatoes are distilled into a liquor, which then keeps longer and can be transported easily."

"Oh. Permanent spells?" Her eyes widen, her expression growing contemplative. "Can you make spells other people cast become permanent. For example, could you make a clerical spell permanent?" Simony's expression grows sad. "I don't like the idea of binding creatures to do things like that. It seems, I don't know.. exploitative? A little sad, too."

Her eyebrows raise up. "Wait, you can make alcohol out of potatoes? I thought it was only sweet things that you could do that with." The Gobbo makes a sour face. "It's not a very tasty alcohol, I'll say, vodka is ... kind of bleh."

Telamon hmms. "Usually, it requires the caster to create the spell, which can be tricky for certain effects. There are techniques to utilize certain spells, typically from scrolls. But things like... my telepathic bond with Lana, that's fixed in place. We also both fixed a spell that lets us see the invisible on ourselves." He nods firmly at Simony's sentiments about binding. "Calling creatures from outside the circles of the world is -not- something that should be done lightly. As I recall in the story, the mage in question had collected the diamonds to resurrect a friend of his, which is why I would forgive his trespass -- but it's not something I would do."

He laughs. "Yes, and I agree. Vodka is definitely not my favorite tipple. I've heard it's better if it's cut with juice, but frankly, I can't imagine drinking it for any reason other than to get drunk."

The Goblin contemplates Telamon's words, and nods slowly. "I suppose that I could forgive that fellow also. Oh. Resurrection requires a big diamond?" Her little notebook is fished out of a pouch on her waist, followed by a pencil. This new information is dutifully recorded. "I'll have to be on the lookout for diamonds in my journey towards becoming a High Temperance."

"I guess some clerical spells can be expensive after all."

Simony chuckles and shrugs her shoulders. "There are upsides to getting drunk, though. And I've found that just about every alcoholic drink requires very few of to have me drifting off into insensibility and deep slumber. Better than being a silly drunk."

Telamon shrugs lightly. "I find such a price, steep as it might be, is a fair trade to return a friend after an untimely demise." He smiles at Simony. "Resurrections, wishes... one does not tamper with such things lightly. It's probably for the best that such powers come at a cost. Lana and I both have laid in funds in the event of something untoward happening, just in case."

He chuckles. "Neither Lana nor I are particularly heavy drinkers, and we both seem to be somewhat picky. Brewing magical liquors works for me, or a mundane wine or cider, but we tried dwarven whiskey once and..." He makes a face. "It clouted both of us on the head, so to speak. At least we didn't have a hangover."

"Yes, they are a fair bargain, even if they are expensive." Simony sighs gently. "Better than people going before their time is up."

She puts her elbows on the table, and rests her chin on her hands. "It's a bit melancholy when you think about it. How many decent people have left early, denied a second chance because they or their family and friends couldn't afford the cost? Seems unfair, if you ask me."

She snorts and giggle then, her mood shifting quickly. "I know how that feels. I tried one of those whiskeys too, and I couldn't finish it. Ous laughed as I fell face first into the drink."

"Too many," Telamon says sadly. "But we cannot be allowed to flout the rules easily. I know, that sounds odd coming from me, a man who delights in misusing the rules at times -- even for a good cause. Hence why it's important to try and live your best life, face your challenges, so that when it -is- the end, you can face the Harpist with a clear conscience."

He shakes his head. "Fortunately, Lana and I were at home. But we definitely decided dwarven whiskey is not our speed. Still, there's plenty of other good things to eat, drink, and make merry with."

"I.. yes, living your best life is good advice. But that won't stop me from trying to find some way to get people back. Legit ways, I mean, nothing silly or stupid." Simony leans away slightly, chin on one hand, as she contemplate the man beside her. "As you said, give it my all." Rubbing her cheek a moment, she takes a lengthy sip of her tea. "Where would you go, if you could take your vacation right now?"

Telamon smiles at Simony. "I would expect no less from you. That's one of the things clerics and healers are here for, after all -- to hopefully put that last day far in the future." He taps his chin, considering the question.

"The Mythwood first. I'd like to go home, see my extended family. Maybe Lana and I could spend time in Marniar'nir again, we found it rather pleasant when we went on our honeymoon. Quelynos is of course open to us, at least Grandfather's place is. Gods know he wouldn't mind seeing us for a spell."

Her cheeks colour again, and she nods, "Even if it means getting set on fire again."

"Grandfather is nicer than I expected. I mean, I expected an elder fae to be cold and distance. As inscrutable as I thought he'd find people like me. But he's really personable. If I were to choose a place to go for vacation, I think I would choose Quelynos, at least once."

Telamon sits back, his own expression cheerful. "Well... Grandfather is something of a rare bird, if you'll pardon the humor. His existence has been heavily influenced by interactions with mortals. So he has a better understanding of us than you'd expect." He refills his tea, and Simony's as well. "That's true of a lot of fey. When I speak about the 'Ea-bound', the fey that exist primarily in our world, they tend to understand mortal needs a lot better than you'd expect."

He pauses and grins. "Which isn't to say there aren't misunderstandings. But they tend to get along with us a lot easier than the fey of Quelynos do."

"Ah, does he come here frequently, then? Uh, how old is he, do you know? I mean, a thousand years? He said he has seen many generations of his family come and go. Is he immortal, or just hard to kill?" She smiles brightly, "Thank you!", moving to put a generous dollop of honey into her fresh mug of tea.

"I have put some thought into having a weapon made, a warhammer meant to deal with demons. It has a side effect of also being able to deal with fey. Does Grandfather have any particular grudge against cold iron? I wouldn't want to insult him by carrying such a thing around him, but I am curious as to how he would react to such a thing in his presence."

"He tries to. For a long time he thought he had lost Cor'lana -- she is, after all, his many-times-descended granddaughter. And since he has rediscovered her," Telamon's expression grows wry. "He has been happily nudging us to bring forth a new generation of Lupecyll-Atlons. Between him and my mother, it's incredibly embarrassing at times."

"But that being said, he is ageless. He is not indestructable -- he was recently poisoned and laid low, if temporarily. But he does not fear cold iron -- he is wary of it, but he has not lived this long by being foolish."

He hmms. "In honesty, I would caution against bringing a weapon such as that into his presence, unless he was aware or circumstances required you to arm yourself thusly. It is -extremely- impolite to bear cold iron into an audience with the fey. It's the same reason you leave axes at home if you find yourself planning to meet with a treant."

The Goblin's pencil blurs as she jots down more information. "You are a veritable font of information, Telamon. Thank you for sharing it."

"As for another generation of Lupecyll-Atlon, can you blame them? Eeee, your children will be adorable!" Simony laughs, "With my luck, they'll be born taller than I am."

She tilts her head to one side. "Poisoned? Accidentally or was someone trying to kill him? Sounds like a scary person, if they are willing to go up against such an ancient fey being. I'd imagine Grandfather is as powerful as he seems, if not more so, yes?"

The Goblin nods then, "It is why I ask. I do intend to meet him again, but I am also going to be equipping myself to resist and fight against demons. They seem to be growing in number of late."

Telamon rakes a hand through his hair. "Allow me to be a go-between, Simony. Grandfather is not unreasonable, and if I assure him your hammer is meant for the skulls of fiends instead of fey, he will be much less put off by it. You might need to stow it in a bag of holding, though." His expression tightens a bit. "Yes. I believe it was perpetrated by his nemesis, and mine, the Corpse-Eater. A final reckoning for that creature is going to be very expensive -- for him."

He exhales, banishing the dark mood, and the mention of children makes his eyes brighten again. "Yes, well... Lana and I have discussed it at length. No matter what, they will be loved, cherished. She dreams of three daughters, although I admit of dreaming of a boy as well. But regardless, children are a blessing, and they will be very welcome. They'll have no shortage of aunts and uncles to learn from, too."

Simony's mood goes from cheerful to somber and back again as Telamon talks. "It could be stowed away, certainly. And I suppose that's yet one more reason why what's-his-name should pass on."

A giggle escapes her as she smiles, "Three daughters and one son. A healthy number of children, and I think that will make your family happy. Thinking of it myself makes me happy, it is happy making to see them running around. For future reference, Telamon, I will be most pleased to help out in any way, when the joyous day comes and your children come into the world."

He laughs softly. "I know Pothy is slightly daunted at the prospect of four children, and gods know, I'm nervous. But... such is the natural way of things. And I find I look forward to it, for all its trials and tribulations. Lana had been very lonely for a long time; I want her to have a family of her very own."

Telamon claps his hands together. "But, sadly, that is in the future -- but it's one I can at least see a few miles further. For now, why don't you get cleaned up, and I'll tidy up here. Then a couple spells to ward off the cold and help get you back to the monastery. Can't have your fellow Navosians thinking you've given up the priestly life to enjoy my hospitality full time." His eyes twinkle merrily.