Stranger in a strange land

[namklim]

Rolan had not been in Clearwater for long, but from the look of the townspeople, figured something might be up.
"I wonder what that was about..." Rolan began to wonder aloud to himself. Rolan decided to ask some of the nearby townspeople, perhaps they may know something he didn't.

Heading over to one of the nearby citizens, Rolan asked, "Excuse me, do you know why the guard was heading up to the keep? And of why everyone seems so concerned about it?"

[at]

Jun 22, 2011 0:09:23 GMT -5 namklim said:

"Excuse me, do you know why the guard was heading up to the keep? And of why everyone seems so concerned about it?"

It is a simple enough task to catch someone's attention as they pass, the greying man turns to regard you and answers "damned if I know, some trouble outside the town perhaps. Guards have been jumpy all week."

The man shrugs and walks on. The townsfolk are not fleeing, rather shaken out of their idle gawping by the passing guard.

[namklim]

Rolan returns to the group and informs them that little is known; the guards have been busy the last week, but not many of the townspeople know why. He then adds, "For now, however, we should head to the tavern. We still have not yet eaten, and taverns are known to serve both food as well as information if you ask the right people."

[at]

Jun 23, 2011 1:27:12 GMT -5 namklim said:

"we should head to the tavern"

The elves stare blankly at Rolan, the woman genuinely unsure of the offer while the newcomer and his companion seem indifferent.

Beyond them stormclouds can be seen rolling towards the town. The King's Hall Inn is the closest shelter, and beyond that Silver Sword Tavern which is popular with the guard.
Rolan himself had been staying in the Unkempt Virgin tavern on the far side of Clearwater and knew it would most likely be deserted so early during the day.

[harknail]

Vadania steels herself for further forays into the unknown and says, "Sure, let's go to a tavern." Having never in her life been inside a tavern, she didn't know what to expect. So she kept a hand on Ylva to reassure both herself and her wolf.

OOC: Sorry for the delay, the bookmark failed to let me know there was activity here.

[Rojito]

Salyyn also nods and says, "Yes, let us speak in a tavern." Looking around he saw that they were becoming a bit of a sideshow for the regular townsfolk. "We should go before they become more interested."

[namklim]

"Then we are in agreement."
Rolan then turns to Grale.
"Come, join us as well! The meal will be better with more company."
Rolan considered heading to the Silver Sword Tavern. Although he was known to be from Burr Town, Rolan figured that with a group of people, one local and the rest outsiders, he might be able to get a meal at the tavern, and perhaps some information from the guards.

[at]

Jun 26, 2011 18:40:08 GMT -5 namklim said:

Rolan then turns to Grale.

Rolan turns to look for the large man, but it appears that he has departed with the other townsfolk.

The Silver Sword tavern is only a few minutes away but the sky darkens noticably during this time. Vadania notes that it is unusual for the season and may be the forerunner of a far greater storm.

The tavern itself is a solid looking structure with a single large common room. The windows have already been shuttered against the oncoming storm leaving the interior lit by torchlight and a raging fire.

Several dozen travellers and townsfolk are scattered around the room, and Rolan notes the presence of a mercenary group near the tavern's far exit. A young minstrel strums a lute near the fire and the party finds a free table nearby.

As you take your seats a serving girl approaches to take your orders.

[Rojito]

Salyyn speaks, in common for the first time, "Nothing for me, none of your swill will soothe my tounge." As irratating as his words are, they sound so sweet with the elven accent.

[namklim]

"Come now Salyyn. There is no need for such harsh words, after all, taste varies to different people. I am not sure how long you have been traveling for, but you should try other foods and drinks. Worst case scenario is a bad after-taste."
Rolan then turns to the serving girl.
"Apologies for my friend here. I would like to start with some water and whatever you recommend for food."

[at]

"The cook has prepared a mutton broth, and we have a fine selection of cheeses and cold pies. The baker's crispels are still warm if you have a sweet tooth"
Glancing down at Ylva, "and three silvers for the wolf, I won't have it eating from the tables"

The girl takes your orders and returns to the bar, where she argues briefly out of earshot before vanishing into the kitchen. Shortly thereafter a portly but muscular man, the barkeep, approaches the table with a dusty looking bottle, elven writing visibly etched into the glass.


(OOC - a good meal here will cost you 5 silvers, and the maid will bring a slab of raw meat for another 3 - it seems that working dogs are not unknown here. A glass of common wine or lump of cheese costs one silver, while ale is cheap and even Salyyn could fish a copper coin from his meagre belongs for a slab of dry bread)

[namklim]

I'll take the 5 silver meal. I will also start to take note of the mercenaries in the room, as well as any other guard. Mostly trying to listen for any information that may be relevant to the recent oddities.
[dice=20] +2 = 19 Listen check if needed.


"Hmm... some meat for your companion would be nice. Here's three silver."
[rand=82659351773691828590642131293436129724073342286539371624789420063]

[Rojito]

Salyyn pays for the five silver meal. "Kenny, watch the door," Salyyn says with a friendly smile towards the hooded figure. As Kenny shuffles towards the door Salyyn turns back to the group, "So, now here we are, at the... tavern... what now?"

[at]

Jun 28, 2011 22:59:24 GMT -5 namklim said:

"Hmm... some meat for your companion would be nice. Here's three silver."

Salyyn brushes off the offer of elven wine as best he can, muttering something about the year, but has eaten so little of late that he is beginning to look like his companion. It is fortunate the human seemed so free with his money as the elf was unsure that he could pay for even this simple meal.

Rolan leaned back in his chair, throwing a few silver coins on the table which the maid collects, though unlike the burr it is the custom of Clearwater to collect such bills at the end of a meal.
The local conversation is a mixed affair, the word 'elf' can be clearly heard as patrons gossip about the strange group, but no-one moves disturbs you.

The mercenaries speak quietly amongst themselves at first, though as the elf's hooded companion lurks near the door their voices grow louder as they seem to debate his purpose; their thick accents marking them as visitors from Woldegard, though they do not bear the uniform of any caravan guard that Rolan has seen.

It is not long before the meal is brought before you. The broth is hot and thick, though Salyyn opts for a pie that might be better conserved for a future meal. Thick cut rye bread and honeyed crispels are placed in the center of the table, a veritable feast by the standards of Burr town.

Reaching for a slice of bread Rolan pauses and looks around once again, noting that there is not a single uniformed man other than the northern mercenaries... odd given the tavern's reputation.

(Rojito - don't forget that Salyyn is destitute)

[harknail]

Vadania is quite familiar with stews, but the stews she makes are of rabbit, venison, or other rewards of a hunt. She has never preyed on a farmers flock, so she has never tried mutton. So she has the stew, and the slab of raw meat for her dog. She has no idea what a baker's crispels is, so she asks for one of those as well.

OOC: Did Rolan pay for everyone? Vadania has money.

[at]

Vadania finds the stew heavy and filling with a rich taste that she is unaccustomed to, but it is not unpleasant. The crispels are quite different - circles of light pastry brushed heavily with warm honey, and several are brought with the bread.

Salyyn's fair is a little different, the lightly salted meat pie is unappealing but should last for a few days if kept cold. It comes with a plate of fried beans, garlic, and onions, and a small clay pot containing some kind of thick, dark sauce with a strong smell of alcohol.


Setting about your meal you can hear the storm hit outside, though the tavern itself is well sealed against the elements. As the maid returns with wrapped meat for Ylva the door bursts open and a heavily cloaked man in the uniform of the town guard strides in, staying only long enough to hammer a piece of parchment to the wooden beam near the door before turning and hurrying back out into the rain.

The guard's arrival triggers a burst of activity from the mercenaries, one quickly stands and shoulders his way past Kenny before pulling the parchment from the wall and returning to his group. The others quickly gather their belongings and settle their bill, making their way into the storm.

Jul 2, 2011 13:48:41 GMT -5 harknail said:

OOC: Did Rolan pay for everyone? Vadania has money.

Rolan threw three silvers onto the table to pay for Ylva's meal, the rest of the balance to be settled when you are finished. If Vadania wishes she can haggle the innkeeper down to 20 gold for the wine, he seems to want rid of it but not cheaply.

[harknail]

Vadania watched the strange behavior of mercenaries, and then asked the others, “If that was a message for that particular group, why didn't the soldier just hand it to them? And if it was a message for everyone in the room, why did they take it down?”. Vadania shook her head in confusion. There was so much she didn't know about how to interact with people…

[Rojito]

"Worry not, they are humans. Always running here and there. Likely it was a wanted poster for one of their friends and they simply went to smuggle him out of town." Salyyn says, while looking dissatisfied with his meal. He never comments on what he is eating but there is a grieved feeling in his motions that speak of one fallen from high, and finally hit the lowest bottum imaginable.

[namklim]

Jul 4, 2011 7:33:41 GMT -5 at said:

The guard's arrival triggers a burst of activity from the mercenaries, one quickly stands and shoulders his way past Kenny before pulling the parchment from the wall and returning to his group. The others quickly gather their belongings and settle their bill, making their way into the storm.

Is the note still out? If possible, I'd like to move over and see if I can take a look at it.

[at]

Jul 7, 2011 2:37:42 GMT -5 namklim said:

Is the note still out? If possible, I'd like to move over and see if I can take a look at it.

An official notice of some kind. You have no opportunity to read it's contents before it is removed, but the elf's silent companion would have seen it clearly.