10- UnderMountain-Trip 6-The New Crew

[ylinett]

Garl slinks back through the darkness and reports to the group. "Door ahead. Everything was quiet, but off somewhere past there is a lot of activity. I suggest we enter the next room, clear it, and reassess." Provided nobody objects Garl will lead the party to the door and cautiously open it after listening again.

[Darkmane]

The party catches up to Garl as he is coming back from checking the door for traps. You open the door, weapons ready, but find only a small room containing four huge grey oaken wine casks, each as tall as a man and as broad around as six men. The casks take up most of the room, but there are small walkways around them, you can see tracks in the dust, there has been recent movement around the casks.

[ylinett]

Garl examines the tracks. Which way do they head? Is there another way out of this room? Then Garl will examine the casks. Are they full or empty?

[hedgeknight]

"Am I the only one getting thirsty right now?" Isabella murmurs out loud.

[spanningtree]

Tella - Elf Mage

Tella will inspect a cask. Is there a corked bung hole? Hmmm... what might they contain?

[DadsAngry]

Enoka:

"Is this a tavern? I've heard of civilizations thriving in these catacombs."
Enoka goes back to the door they entered and looks for a tavern sign.

[Darkmane]

The casks are all full, and have large wooden plugs. On the top of one of them is a tasting ladle.

As you are inspecting them, Tella and Vek notice that each of them is branded with a very elaborate "H".... the same symbol was found on wares owned by the "Fat Man".

[ylinett]

Garl will point out "this is not a recreational amount. To do this requires suppliers. You might be able to track information by speaking to vineyard owners...or perhaps we see if a vinophile can identify this by bringing back a bottle?"

[spanningtree]

Tella - Elf Mage

Not a bad idea... does anyone have a bottle or empty skin?

[Inferno]

Tantos Vek, failed paladin:

Vek's cracked, broken voice rasps, "The fat man's crest. And recent activity in the dust here. So the child slaver hasn't cleared out. We should steal these, destroy them, or poison them."

If no one has done so yet, Vek will open one to smell its contents, using the ladle if needed.

[ylinett]

Garl quickly pulls Vek aside. "Woah Vek... You cannot indiscriminately poison things. Who knows who will end up drinking these. Could be kids themselves. As a matter of fact we should be careful tasting it lest someone thought the same thing first."

[ravenn4544]

Roseheart likes the idea of dumping out all the fat mans prize wine. "that'll piss 'em off, eh?"

[hedgeknight]

Isabella holds her lantern in one hand, her sword in the other, watching the backs of her companions as they try and decide what to do with the slaver's wine. "I'd like a swig of that before you dump it all...maybe two swigs,"she says, her back to them.

[Darkmane]

Vek sniffs the wine, it is extremely spicy smelling and seems like it would taste quite strong! You don't recognize it, but Isabella sniffs it and recognizes it as a Calishite Wine. These spiced wines are usually served warm or hot with fruit floating in them.

[ylinett]

Garl heads over after Vek. Polishing off a water skin (or dumping the rest) he will fill it with wine being careful not to spill.

[hedgeknight]

Isabella smiles when she smells the wine. "My uncle Tomas used to serve this at special feast days. I remember him sneaking me sips when I was a girl; we pinky-swore not to tell my parents. Here, fill my my skin too."
She guzzles as much water as she can and then pours out the rest, handing her waterskin to Vek.

[Darkmane]

You fill a wineskin with the Calishite wine, and look around the room a bit more. You don't find anything else of interest. Was anybody going to try tasting the wine? Or are you guys going to head onward?

[Inferno]

Tantos Vek, failed paladin:

Vek filled all offered skins.

"Very well," the grim warrior croaked to Garl. "We destroy them or steal them then. The fat wizard might have brewed barrels of potion or poison. Or he could simply be paying his orcs with wine."

[ylinett]

Garl moves to exit the room and before disappearing into the nearest shadow replies "Impractical to transport, I would destroy it to deny it to the enemy." Once the group is ready he will slink down the hallway looking for the next room. As per his standard tactics he will move silently, hide in shadows, and detect traps. Speed is rarely worth the risk to him. Once he has more information henwill return and report.

[DadsAngry]

Enoka:

"It's a shame to destroy such a wonderful spirit but it's nectar will no go unappreciated." Enoka goes over to a casks and forces the plug free allowing the contents to spill upon the floor. She then lowers her arm to dry ground to allow some of her passenger to disembark to indulge. "Drink my little friends and bring others to enjoy." She then cups her hand under the flow of wine to capture a small amount. With the small puddle in place, she flows small streams of it throughout her matted hair, soaking it in the sweet drink. "I haven't forgotten about you little ones. Bask in its sweetness."