Phietadix
Shadow Lord
As the others are far ahead of me I decide to mount Amaroq and ride to the tavern.
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Dragon's Egg - Act I
- Thread starter Steerpike
- Start date
Sparkie
Dark Lord
Stepping into the Hooded Crow, I immediately feel some hunger pangs. I'll eat soon enough. Right now, I want to investigate the goings-on of Srilkind.
Ankari seems good with questions, so I turn to him and say "You seem to be able to aquire information. If you start with the barman, we'll see about the table with the loud young lady."
I then motion to Cadell and Baldhart to follow me, and I assume the Gnat is following along as well. It then strikes me that Matthew is not with us. I'm sure he'll be along shortly.
I move to sit down at a table next to where the girl is carrying on. I strain to listen to what she's going on about...
Ankari seems good with questions, so I turn to him and say "You seem to be able to aquire information. If you start with the barman, we'll see about the table with the loud young lady."
I then motion to Cadell and Baldhart to follow me, and I assume the Gnat is following along as well. It then strikes me that Matthew is not with us. I'm sure he'll be along shortly.
I move to sit down at a table next to where the girl is carrying on. I strain to listen to what she's going on about...
Ah, yes… I am happy to follow Rydh to see what the young girl is doing.
Though I'm almost twice her age, I think I have more in common with her than any other lady in the place.
Though I'm almost twice her age, I think I have more in common with her than any other lady in the place.
Ireth
Mythic Scribe
I secure my horse outside the tavern and follow Baldhart and Rydh inside. A few of the patrons murmur and watch me uneasily, but I ignore them, not wanting to ignite any violence. I keep an eye on the halfling as we follow Rydh to a table, next to a girl of about twelve years; her cheerful chatter carries across the room. I seat myself across from Rydh, looking around the tavern and half-listening to the babble of conversations around us.
I acknowledge Rydh's request with a nod. "Gnat, with me to the bar."
There is little difference between the quality of air indoors and outdoors. The addition of smoke and poor ventilation masks the order of men unfamiliar with a washcloth and soap. The bartender seems to be of the minority. Clean-shaven as well as clean. I motion for the diminutive man to take a stool as I take mine.
"Barkeep, I have a few coin I would like to part with."
There is little difference between the quality of air indoors and outdoors. The addition of smoke and poor ventilation masks the order of men unfamiliar with a washcloth and soap. The bartender seems to be of the minority. Clean-shaven as well as clean. I motion for the diminutive man to take a stool as I take mine.
"Barkeep, I have a few coin I would like to part with."
Phietadix
Shadow Lord
As I dismount Amaroq and walk into the inn I think back to the events on the ship. I'm glad I was not the one that had to tell Eskel's mother about the death. I've had more then my share of telling family about the deaths of sons and brothers.
I see our party over at a table nearby, to my suprise there's a halfling with them. I've never seen a halfling before, but I have heard of them. I've Been told they eat seven meals a day, have hairy feat and smoke alot. Though based on this halfling my information might not be accurate.
I see our party over at a table nearby, to my suprise there's a halfling with them. I've never seen a halfling before, but I have heard of them. I've Been told they eat seven meals a day, have hairy feat and smoke alot. Though based on this halfling my information might not be accurate.
Just keep it simple, Nod. Keep it simple.
I follow the one named Ankari to the bar, my mind racing. Bubbles, bubbles, bubbles...
I follow the one named Ankari to the bar, my mind racing. Bubbles, bubbles, bubbles...
Phietadix
Shadow Lord
I decide to walk over to the table with the rest of the party and sit down.
Ireth
Mythic Scribe
I look up and half-smile as Matthew walks in and sits down. "Nice of you to join us."
Phietadix
Shadow Lord
"Yes, I was delayed slightly." I look over at the halfling following Ankari. "If you don't mind me asking, who's the halfing?"
Ireth
Mythic Scribe
"A bard," I answer, following Matthew's gaze. "He goes by the name of Nod."
Phietadix
Shadow Lord
A halfling bard, Interesting.
"Well now that we're in Srilkind, do we have any future plans?
"Well now that we're in Srilkind, do we have any future plans?
Sparkie
Dark Lord
I can't make out the conversation through the background noise, so I answer Mattew.
"I know I intend to investigate whatever curse that may or may not exist here, but I open to suggestion as well. I think we should see what Ankari finds out before making a formal decision."
"I know I intend to investigate whatever curse that may or may not exist here, but I open to suggestion as well. I think we should see what Ankari finds out before making a formal decision."
- Thread starter
- #194
Ankari and Nod only spend a few seconds by the bar before the barkeep makes his way over. Despite what you might expect from a tavern in a town the size of Srilkind, the man keeps the tankards behind the counter immaculate, and the bar itself is clean and smooth from years of use. He grins at Ankari at the mention of coin.
"And what can I do for you then, good sir? I have rooms to let, hot meals, and as much ale as ye could want. We've stables around back, if you've got animals. They're free, with a room, or a silver without."
The man's good nature fades slightly as he gets a closer look at Nod. He shrugs it off. "What's your pleasure?"
* *
There is a lull in the noise in the room and suddenly it is not hard to hear what the young girl is saying - her voice carries to you. She's telling an improbable story of having wrestled a bear to get at a bush flush with berries. The whole thing is rather theatrical, and even though the girl is talking at an incredible pace some of the men manage to throw in comments along the lines of "what did you do then?" and "what did the bear think about that?" The girls weaves these questions into her tale, embellishing the story further, to the laughter of the men. The only member of the table not enjoying the tale is a dour-faced young man of about twenty with dark hair and a reddish face, who has a scowl when you first arrive and whose scowl deepens the longer the girl's story runs and the greater the laughter of the men at the table.
When the story comes to an end and the girl stops talking long enough to catch a couple of breaths, the man nearest her says "A good tale, lass." He smacks a silver piece onto the table.
The angry young man at the end of the table slaps his hand down on the wood and looks at his companions as though they're a bunch of fools. "She never wrestled no bear!"
The girl's cheeks burn and she put both palms on the table, leaning as far over it as she can. "I did too wrestle a bear, and not only that I beat him and I got his berries, and if you don't think I did I'd like to see you come over here and say it to my face!"
The young man actually starts to rise, but the man next to him, an older gentlemen with short-cropped brown hair and a beard streaked with gray clamps down on the boys forearm and hisses "Jofurr!" The lad darkens further but sits back in his seat. The older man releases his grip, then speaks more gently. "She's just tryin' to earn herself a supper, lad. Ain't no harm in it."
Seemingly satisfied, the young girl sweeps the silver coin from the table and heads toward the bar, her eyes locked on the hot meals positioned in front of some of the other bar patrons.
"And what can I do for you then, good sir? I have rooms to let, hot meals, and as much ale as ye could want. We've stables around back, if you've got animals. They're free, with a room, or a silver without."
The man's good nature fades slightly as he gets a closer look at Nod. He shrugs it off. "What's your pleasure?"
* *
There is a lull in the noise in the room and suddenly it is not hard to hear what the young girl is saying - her voice carries to you. She's telling an improbable story of having wrestled a bear to get at a bush flush with berries. The whole thing is rather theatrical, and even though the girl is talking at an incredible pace some of the men manage to throw in comments along the lines of "what did you do then?" and "what did the bear think about that?" The girls weaves these questions into her tale, embellishing the story further, to the laughter of the men. The only member of the table not enjoying the tale is a dour-faced young man of about twenty with dark hair and a reddish face, who has a scowl when you first arrive and whose scowl deepens the longer the girl's story runs and the greater the laughter of the men at the table.
When the story comes to an end and the girl stops talking long enough to catch a couple of breaths, the man nearest her says "A good tale, lass." He smacks a silver piece onto the table.
The angry young man at the end of the table slaps his hand down on the wood and looks at his companions as though they're a bunch of fools. "She never wrestled no bear!"
The girl's cheeks burn and she put both palms on the table, leaning as far over it as she can. "I did too wrestle a bear, and not only that I beat him and I got his berries, and if you don't think I did I'd like to see you come over here and say it to my face!"
The young man actually starts to rise, but the man next to him, an older gentlemen with short-cropped brown hair and a beard streaked with gray clamps down on the boys forearm and hisses "Jofurr!" The lad darkens further but sits back in his seat. The older man releases his grip, then speaks more gently. "She's just tryin' to earn herself a supper, lad. Ain't no harm in it."
Seemingly satisfied, the young girl sweeps the silver coin from the table and heads toward the bar, her eyes locked on the hot meals positioned in front of some of the other bar patrons.
The barkeep's reaction towards the swollen mosquito isn't lost on me.
"I'll be interested in a two rooms room, a round of drinks for my friends - even this thing that has followed us indoors - and a table full of food, if you'd be so generous as to answer my questions."
I make to reach for my coin purse, but remember my company. I lean in and speak with a conversational volume. "We have come from the south with word of the troubles that have plagued your lands. I hate to be ignorant in a foreign land. I hear of what befell Aslaug and her temple. What are the rumors surrounding her? What are the rumors of the 'bad territories', as they are called, north of the Temple of Gefjon? Who stands to profit from her absence? Who led the investigation into her disappearance? What has been the reaction of her family, specifically, her uncle, the priest of Tyr? Who has replaced Aslaug? Where can I find either temples?"
"I'll be interested in a two rooms room, a round of drinks for my friends - even this thing that has followed us indoors - and a table full of food, if you'd be so generous as to answer my questions."
I make to reach for my coin purse, but remember my company. I lean in and speak with a conversational volume. "We have come from the south with word of the troubles that have plagued your lands. I hate to be ignorant in a foreign land. I hear of what befell Aslaug and her temple. What are the rumors surrounding her? What are the rumors of the 'bad territories', as they are called, north of the Temple of Gefjon? Who stands to profit from her absence? Who led the investigation into her disappearance? What has been the reaction of her family, specifically, her uncle, the priest of Tyr? Who has replaced Aslaug? Where can I find either temples?"
Sparkie
Dark Lord
Strange. The Gnat told some stories I knew to be lies, and they weren't half as outrageous as this girl's. So why do I find myself believing her?
"Did you hear that?" I ask my companions. "This girls claims to wrestle bears, and she seems convinced that's actually the case! Should one of us talk to her?"
"Did you hear that?" I ask my companions. "This girls claims to wrestle bears, and she seems convinced that's actually the case! Should one of us talk to her?"
(You'll have to excuse me guys, I'm in a way different time zone than most of you, so it may take me time to respond sometimes.)
Good, the elf forgot about me. Just smile and blend in. Have a beer, have a beer, Nod.
"Yeah, tell us about Aslaug. Beautiful woman she is. Was? Worthy of song."
I take out my flute, but then reconsider, listening to the girl talk of wrestling bears. I'll have to steal that one. Maybe bears killed my last party instead of trolls. No, no, trolls are more believable. Let's go with that.
I try to sneak off the barstool to find someone a bit more friendly to sit next to. Someone that doesn't want to hang me by my toenails.
Good, the elf forgot about me. Just smile and blend in. Have a beer, have a beer, Nod.
"Yeah, tell us about Aslaug. Beautiful woman she is. Was? Worthy of song."
I take out my flute, but then reconsider, listening to the girl talk of wrestling bears. I'll have to steal that one. Maybe bears killed my last party instead of trolls. No, no, trolls are more believable. Let's go with that.
I try to sneak off the barstool to find someone a bit more friendly to sit next to. Someone that doesn't want to hang me by my toenails.
Phietadix
Shadow Lord
I turn to answer Rydh.
"I'd pay her little heed, I have heard many such stories by those wanting to join my cause. I'm sure, as the man said, she's just doing it for a hot meal."
"I'd pay her little heed, I have heard many such stories by those wanting to join my cause. I'm sure, as the man said, she's just doing it for a hot meal."
I rise without a word.
I head toward the bar, past curious stares—flattering, creepy, intimidated—the crowd parts for me.
I walk right up to the little girl.
"When I was your age, the boys were jealous of things I could do, too. I was already taller than many grown men, and stronger than any boy my age. Father taught me not to boast about it, of course, but…" I gesture toward the boy who was scowling—and still is. "…I was on the receiving end of that look many times. I know it all too well.
"I am Baldhart Eisenberg. What is your name, young bear wrestler?"
I head toward the bar, past curious stares—flattering, creepy, intimidated—the crowd parts for me.
I walk right up to the little girl.
"When I was your age, the boys were jealous of things I could do, too. I was already taller than many grown men, and stronger than any boy my age. Father taught me not to boast about it, of course, but…" I gesture toward the boy who was scowling—and still is. "…I was on the receiving end of that look many times. I know it all too well.
"I am Baldhart Eisenberg. What is your name, young bear wrestler?"
Ireth
Mythic Scribe
I watch and listen in interest, but do not interfere, as Baldhart approaches the boastful young woman. Perhaps some useful information may be gleaned from this.