LC E1: Visiting Arpin and Meeting New People

On the road again with Ms. Heidi, she is a busy lady and I hope to be of use to her as much as I can. I mean, it's the least I can do since she saved my life! Anyway, we met up with a half-elven gentleman named 'Sir Parendor of Moleva' (sounds fancy, quiet, but looks like he can handle himself in a scrap) and a tortle fellow named 'Chair Joe' (Now, I'm not one to judge, but that is one strange name, Mister Joe.) We traveled past the dark road on the way that looked a little too red-brown to be sand, but hey, what do I know? Anyhoo, Ms. Heidi asked me to make notes for us to go down there later. Oh boy, here comes the next treasure hunt. We finally arrived in Arpin, Mister Chair Joe seemed to know exactly where to go. Arpin is wonderful! The markets are bustling and there are so many different people that come to this town. 
The foods from the stalls smelled amazing, I could only imagine how the wine from here tastes! But I gotta keep myself ready for whenever Ms. Heidi needs me to do anything. But maybe a hearty lunch later? I sure hope so! We ended up at this huge tower, must belong to someone real powerful or important anyway. A beautiful tiefling lady answered the door, she has the most striking gaze the pierces right through you like a hawk, behind her were these huge wings too! I think I heard of these ones before but I don't recall seeing one in person. It seems that she wasn't the person Mister Joe was looking for, she seemed a bit uncomfortable with the conversation as we heard a voice from inside (is she shy maybe? who knows.). 
We were guided inside and greeted by another tiefling woman who looked very different from the first one who opened the door. Apparently tieflings differ in appearance, even between parent and child. (nifty, but not important, did I mention that I am starving?) The winged lady, her name is Mispira apparently, was asked to show us around Arpin by her mother who wanted to have a chat with Mister Chair Joe, she even said that all expenses would be taken care of! How nice of her to do that for us and what a lovely girl to go grocery shopping for her mother, she seems nice so far. A bit scary, but nice.
  She accompanied us through town as a bunch of wounded people walked into town from the desert, as this very imposing fellow started going on about how the "war effort was going well", now I may not be from around here, but I think Lady Mispira's reaction confirmed that I do indeed know horseshit when I see it. She doesn't seem to like this "Warlord Viken" very much and I don't think I would like to meet him either.
We were taken to a bathhouse, where I saw a strange sight of a frog man carrying a bucket (I swear that I wasn't drunk!) and a really pale fellow with red eyes (soft-spoken, maybe he needs more iron in his diet?). Lady Mispira partook in a private bath and Ms. Heidi allowed me to do the same. The oils were amazing and there were even these tasty little snacks on a little floating tray with as much wine as a man could drink! I am ashamed to admit that I think I went a little overboard as Lady Mispira's eyes looked like they were about to pop right out of her head at the bill! Ms. Heidi, bless her, seemed to take it in stride.
I think I may have drunk a bit too much cuz I remember getting to the tavern and not much else after that, aside from meeting an energetic goblin girl who seemed pretty chatty. Apparently some spooky stuff went down because everyone is looking at me odd and I don't even recall what happened! Something about a "Vow Tangible" or something such. Nothing I would know about, anyhow. I seemed to have drifted off for a bit and gotten myself in a bit of mischief because I find myself banned from the tavern for ungentlemanly conduct. I feel very sorry for all the trouble I am causing Ms. Heidi and Lady Mispira with my foolishness. Lady Mispira was kind enough to offer her home as a place to stay for the night, whether or not that was a choice from kindness or necessity is beyond my knowing, but I am grateful nonetheless.
Her home was cozy, but a bit strange that there were no stairs leading to the higher level, but the Gruung fellow made it clear that stairs wouldn't be needed to get up there, especially after Lady Mispira chased after him. The skies did go about their usual business as they do on the Last Day of Thorns Shadow, but it was accompanied by some manner of strangeness that went on in the direction we came from. Ms. Heidi taught me directions when we met, so I know what I'm talkin' about. Lady Mispira was fraught with worry, the poor thing, over her dear mother. Thankfully, Ms. Heidi was with us to get us to the tower, I'm a bit too short to see past the tall buildings and all that. But once we got there, the tower was gone and a crater was all that was left aside from millions upon millions of shards of blue glass. It would be beautiful if it weren't a sight of tragedy for poor Lady Mispira. She flew into the sky to view it all from above as the Gruung fellow (Nak, I think his name was.) dug into the sand below and ended up with lots of glass shards in him. (Poor fellow, that had to hurt something fierce.) Lady Mispira found some broken orb and the goblin lass found some of that pretty glass too.
The investigation didn't last long because some blokes showed up to tell Lady Mispira that we were all summoned by Alfred Viken (oh no, he's the Warlord guy, ain't he?) to the Temple of Tritherion (ew, that gives me the goosebibblies.). She spoke for all of us and we all went along, (apparently, she doesn't like being touched? I've met stranger things. Like that one fellow who didn't like being given an odd number of coins.)
The more I hear this bloke talk, the happier I am that I wasn't sober yet. Ms. Heidi was unhappy to say the least, as were some of the other people present. Lady Mispira shouldn't have had to deal with this nonsense, she seems to have been through enough today without Viken strutting all over it. They seem to have history, but I'm not one to pry. Apparently her friend is missing or something and Viken gave her a mission to find that place. (Can't you give her a break? She just lost her mother and now you send her to find her friend? No wonder she doesn't like you much.) He gave her the title of 'Protector of Arpin' also, which seems like a burden too soon and too heavy for her shoulders right now. She seems like she needs a nice, warm meal and to sleep in for a day. (That would cheer me up, anyway.)
He sent us all away to talk to Ms. Heidi alone, I don't trust him, he seems like a cheat. He wants her to go kill some kobolds and get some artifact and he'll pay 1,000 gp for the job. Now, the employer may be tripe, but the gold is good, and knowing Ms. Heidi and her history with kobolds (Nezren, rest in peace), we are taking the job and the artifact, because we don't trust this bloke with it. Don't like him anyhow.
Lady Mispira took us back to her home for the night and it seems that there were lots of Viken's guards who wanted to keep us under house arrest. Been through this type of thing before, just keep your head low and stay quiet. Ms. Tinika (the goblin lass, so many names to remember!) had her things mishandled and I think something broke. Lady Mispira made us a delectable dinner! I would have offered to cook, but she seems particular about her kitchen and cooking seemed to have settled her nerves, she almost seemed relaxed? Or at least calmer than before. At least, she was before that goliath gentleman showed up, another person she had a poor history with, although, this time she resorted to yelling at the man. 
She must have been a halfling in another life to have the courage to yell at such a hulking man without flinching! I know I'd hate to get on her bad side, any more than I am already, at least. He gave her something before she slammed the door on him and excused herself. Mr. Leront (the quiet fellow) said that she received a letter concerning her mother (how he knew that is anyone's guess). We bedded down after a while. I need to do something nice for everyone for them having put up with my foolishness, especially Lady Mispira, for all that she went through today. I think I'll make breakfast, that always cheers me up.