Cycle 1063 (Winter): Day 1

[Urson]

Josephine

Jo looks down at herself, suddenly realizing how dirty and disheveled she is from the firefighting.
Ah, well- needs must, I suppose.

She follows Jutta.

[atpollard]

Oops, the first part of that seems to be the post from the other group... Who is Fist? Do we know who Mr. Hass is? Doc is not about to let someone he doesn't trust watch over Urs.

Josephine

Jo looks down at herself, suddenly realizing how dirty and disheveled she is from the firefighting.
Ah, well- needs must, I suppose.

She follows Jutta.

So I finally got back to where my original text was stored and fixed the post.
Fist is the Bouncer at the Grogg and Tankard and Mr. Gottard Hass is the owner of the Grogg and Tankard.

Josephine and Doc inside the Grogg and Tankard
Cycle 1063 (Winter): Day 1: Shift 1: Hour 8:30 [Hamlet of Gwynedd: 45N,25W]

The door opened and in stepped Fist, the bouncer at the Grogg and Tankard (D7Bxx5). Half his head was shaved to show off the jagged scar across his scalp. The spiked leather collar around his neck matched the heavily studded fingerless gauntlets that covered his hands and forearms and his metal toed leather boots. A coarse shirt with ragged sleeves torn at the shoulder was covered by a leather vest that appeared to contain small plates riveted in place just below the leather with padding under that. He just stood blocking the exit and filling the doorway.

"Would you get out of the way you great oaf and let me in!" scolded a higher pitched female voice from behind him. "Get yer fat butt … out .. of … way." Jutta, one of the servers, pushed past Fist as he stepped into the room and away from the doorway. She exhaled in exasperation and glared at Fist.

Regaining her composure, she turned towards Josephine and Doctor Linkletter "Mr. Hass would like to have a private conversation with you … with both of you. If you would follow me, he is waiting in his private quarters. Fist here will ensure that no one bothers our friend, Urs. If you would follow me."

It is obvious that she is using her best manners to attempt to impress you both.

(Do you follow her to Gottard’s private room?)

[ffilz]

With that clarification, Doc makes a quick check on Urs and follows Jutta out.

[atpollard]

Josephine and Doc inside the Gottard’s Room
Cycle 1063 (Winter): Day 1: Shift 1: Hour 8:40 [Hamlet of Gwynedd: 45N,25W]

Large locks clicked and heavy wooden doors bound with iron straps swung aside to grant you both entrance to a large private room occupying one end of the tavern on the main floor. The room contained an … odd … assortment of items that proclaimed both wealth and unusual tastes. At one end of the room, a giant bed half again the length and width of even a large bed dominated the wall and was covered with the fur of some creature even larger than the bed. The short wall opposite the bed is shared by an ornate desk covered in papers, a small book case, and two giant chests with very sturdy locks. The center of the long wall, directly opposite the doors where you entered, contains a fireplace that warms the room. A percussion lock shotgun over the mantle has a single barrel nearly three fingers in diameter and three feet in length! Two hides serve as rugs in front of the fireplace and large fanged heads on the end of the rug stare snarling at you facing the doors with teeth bared. Several chairs and a small table set with tea are arranged before the fire and atop the rugs.

"Your guests have arrived." said Jutta.

Gottard turned from the papers at his desk and smiled. "Excellent! Please join me for some tea and conversation. I trust you will excuse the lack of formalities, but all things considered, I have bigger concerns than dressing for tea. Jutta, see that we are not disturbed."

She closed the doors as she left.

***

Gottard Hass explains that Urs is more than an employee. Like many of the people that work at the Grogg and Tankard, he is a good friend and closer to family. "It was one thing when they attacked my reputation and my business financially, but now they are harming and perhaps even trying to kill my friends … my family."

He goes on to explain that he cannot investigate this matter without arousing suspicions and drawing unwanted attention. Therefore, he is asking that you, as outsiders, make inquiries about town and attempt to discover who is behind this scheme to drive Gottard and his friends from Gwenydd.
"I have postponed the vote at the Town Hall as long as I can. They will vote on the morning of Day 6 whether to revoke my license in Gwenydd and force my friends and I to move elsewhere. If we cannot identify who is behind this by then, they will have won." Gottard smiled "In exchange for your troubles, I propose a business offer. I will pay you this …" Gottard dumped 500 Gold 50 credit pieces onto the table [Cr 25,000] "… if you can discover who is behind this. And double if you can find actual proof, like will stand up in a court."

"Do we have a deal?" said Gottard.

[ffilz]

Josephine and Doc inside the Gottard’s Room
Cycle 1063 (Winter): Day 1: Shift 1: Hour 8:40 [Hamlet of Gwynedd: 45N,25W]

Large locks clicked and heavy wooden doors bound with iron straps swung aside to grant you both entrance to a large private room occupying one end of the tavern on the main floor. The room contained an … odd … assortment of items that proclaimed both wealth and unusual tastes. At one end of the room, a giant bed half again the length and width of even a large bed dominated the wall and was covered with the fur of some creature even larger than the bed. The short wall opposite the bed is shared by an ornate desk covered in papers, a small book case, and two giant chests with very sturdy locks. The center of the long wall, directly opposite the doors where you entered, contains a fireplace that warms the room. A percussion lock shotgun over the mantle has a single barrel nearly three fingers in diameter and three feet in length! Two hides serve as rugs in front of the fireplace and large fanged heads on the end of the rug stare snarling at you facing the doors with teeth bared. Several chairs and a small table set with tea are arranged before the fire and atop the rugs.

"Your guests have arrived." said Jutta.

Gottard turned from the papers at his desk and smiled. "Excellent! Please join me for some tea and conversation. I trust you will excuse the lack of formalities, but all things considered, I have bigger concerns than dressing for tea. Jutta, see that we are not disturbed."

She closed the doors as she left.

***

Gottard Hass explains that Urs is more than an employee. Like many of the people that work at the Grogg and Tankard, he is a good friend and closer to family. "It was one thing when they attacked my reputation and my business financially, but now they are harming and perhaps even trying to kill my friends … my family."

He goes on to explain that he cannot investigate this matter without arousing suspicions and drawing unwanted attention. Therefore, he is asking that you, as outsiders, make inquiries about town and attempt to discover who is behind this scheme to drive Gottard and his friends from Gwenydd.
"I have postponed the vote at the Town Hall as long as I can. They will vote on the morning of Day 6 whether to revoke my license in Gwenydd and force my friends and I to move elsewhere. If we cannot identify who is behind this by then, they will have won." Gottard smiled "In exchange for your troubles, I propose a business offer. I will pay you this …" Gottard dumped 500 Gold 50 credit pieces onto the table [Cr 25,000] "… if you can discover who is behind this. And double if you can find actual proof, like will stand up in a court."

"Do we have a deal?" said Gottard.

We have a deal. I believe the Lady Hayes is investigating on the scene, I have sent a summons to her so that I can share what I have learned from Urs.

[atpollard]

Diana, Ignatz, Jacques & Remy at the Grogg and Tankard
Cycle 1063 (Winter): Day 1: Shift 1: Hour 8:50 [Hamlet of Gwynedd: 45N,25W]
Heading back down the path, you saw no signs that they had doubled back this way. Remy could not explain where they had gone but the tracking indicated that they entered that rocky maze and did not exit it … of course by now your own passage was obscuring their tracks with your own.

Approaching the Grogg and Tankard, the lights and music and shouting carried far beyond the closed doors. Clearly there was quite a party going on inside.

As you entered, the smell of ale and sweat from the dancers poured over you as the clangs and whistles and shouts made speaking nearly impossible. However, the sight of a very intoxicated Silas Ignatius Kitt dancing on a table with Miss Becky scandalously close immediately drew your eyes to the center of attention in the center of the room. Ignatz appeared to be reciting poetry, but it was hart to tell since almost nothing he said could be heard above the din of the room.

[AsenRG]

"It seems we've been missing quite a party", Remy said. "I wonder what that Ignatz is saying, though...some kind of spell, perchance?"
He approached the man to hear better.

[Urson]

Jo

Jo remains standing as the man says his piece- afraid of getting the mud and soot from her clothes all over this... interesting room.

I'll be glad to help find the culprits. Why are you being forced out? Is there someone who wants to remove possible competition? Or is it just bluenoses who don't like fun?

[Leitz]

Diana grinned. "He's proposing marriage, I bet. If not, he's drunk enough that we could tell him he did, and he'd have to go through with it. Might help him out, and I don't think Becky would mind at all."

She moved closer, to hear what was actually being said. And, of course, to catch Becky if she fell.

[AsenRG]

Diana grinned. "He's proposing marriage, I bet. If not, he's drunk enough that we could tell him he did, and he'd have to go through with it. Might help him out, and I don't think Becky would mind at all."

She moved closer, to hear what was actually being said. And, of course, to catch Becky if she fell.

"Or just make him act of his own volition. For example, one of you who's closer to him might tell him that he should, or monsieur Jacques will", Remy quips.
"I'd suggest myself as the threat, he doesn't seem to like me anyway, but I doubt he'd take me seriously as a competitor, even inebriated...", he adds matter-of-factly.

[atpollard]

[I was dragging my feet to respond in hope that Pulpatoon or Zhym might find the time to jump in, but it now feels like time to advance the story with or without them.]

Diana, Ignatz, Jacques and Remy at the Grogg and Tankard
Cycle 1063 (Winter): Day 1: Shift 1: Hour 1:00 [Hamlet of Gwynedd: 45N,25W]
The town clock rings One Bell and as if by magic, Holiday is over. A few sharp eyes noticed the nod from the bartender to the minstrels just before the timbre of the music slowed. The calmer atmosphere seemed to announce the celebration was over, although it was probably an end to the flow of libations that actually signaled the end of the party.

Many a drunk staggered … or was carried … off to enjoy the hospitality of Gottard's room created for just such a purpose. A few individuals remained engaged in their card game, indifferent to the presence or absence of alcohol when there was money on the table and a contest to be won. As the room quieted, you could make out part of Ignatz’ couplets that he appeared to be composing on the spot. It wasn’t hard to hear; it was just hard to understand his badly slurred speech. At the moment, he was struggling to find a word to rhyme with Rose of Sharron. With a mischievous twinkle, Miss Rebecca Anne agreed to safely escort Silas back to the Hearthfire and get him into bed.

Diana, Jacques and Remy inquired about ‘the patient’ and an exhausted waitress pointed upstairs with her thumb without coming to a full stop in her cleaning up of the tables. Sixteen hours of party had left quite a mess.

Standing before a door was a brute of a man with a scar across the scalp on the shaved half of his head with matching leather spikes and studs on his collar, gauntlets, boots and vest. He simply stood before the door with his meaty fists resting on an old, stained axe handle. "Can’t go in." is all he says.

Of course, you respond with a clear and reasonable explanation of why you are here and who you are looking for, to which he offers a polite but brief response … "That’s nice, you still can’t go in."

Diana

Pistol-3: Notes that his muscle mass makes it unlikely that a single gunshot will incapacitate him.

Jacques

Leader-2: What might appear as stupidity or stubbornness is actually fierce loyalty – this man is likely willing to kill or die for a cause.

Remy

Blade-5: That axe handle is not an improvised weapon, he chose it because he is as skillful with it as most warriors are with a gun or a sword. If you engage him strength vs strength, he has a significant advantage. However, he is not as fast on his feet, so he can be outmaneuvered in combat. You must be careful, if he connects with a blow, his weight and strength will place a substantial force behind it … possibly even a lethal amount of force.

**********
[Brief interlude to give you a chance to interact with “Fist” if you choose to.]

[atpollard]

Diana, Jacques, Remy, Josephine and Doc at the Grogg and Tankard
Cycle 1063 (Winter): Day 1: Shift 1: Hour 1:10 [Hamlet of Gwynedd: 45N,25W]

Doctor Linkletter and Josephine returned to the main hall and inquired if anyone had seen their companions. A barely attentive waitress offered a vague gesture with her thumb that was either something rude that you had never seen before, or she was pointing towards the stairs to the second floor. Assuming she meant the latter, Doc and Jo headed upstairs to discover Lady Hayes, Jacques Bonnet, and Remy Hernandez apparently pleasantly chatting with Fist … or that was how it looked from a distance.

[The party is reunited outside the patient’s room with Fist … what would you like to do first?]

[ffilz]

Doc will say Good to see you Lady Hayes. The patient is resting. Please come to my room so I may share what I have learned here.

Doc will then lead the way to his room.

[AsenRG]

[I was dragging my feet to respond in hope that Pulpatoon or Zhym might find the time to jump in, but it now feels like time to advance the story with or without them.]

Diana, Ignatz, Jacques and Remy at the Grogg and Tankard
Cycle 1063 (Winter): Day 1: Shift 1: Hour 1:00 [Hamlet of Gwynedd: 45N,25W]
The town clock rings One Bell and as if by magic, Holiday is over. A few sharp eyes noticed the nod from the bartender to the minstrels just before the timbre of the music slowed. The calmer atmosphere seemed to announce the celebration was over, although it was probably an end to the flow of libations that actually signaled the end of the party.

Many a drunk staggered … or was carried … off to enjoy the hospitality of Gottard's room created for just such a purpose. A few individuals remained engaged in their card game, indifferent to the presence or absence of alcohol when there was money on the table and a contest to be won. As the room quieted, you could make out part of Ignatz’ couplets that he appeared to be composing on the spot. It wasn’t hard to hear; it was just hard to understand his badly slurred speech. At the moment, he was struggling to find a word to rhyme with Rose of Sharron. With a mischievous twinkle, Miss Rebecca Anne agreed to safely escort Silas back to the Hearthfire and get him into bed.

Diana, Jacques and Remy inquired about ‘the patient’ and an exhausted waitress pointed upstairs with her thumb without coming to a full stop in her cleaning up of the tables. Sixteen hours of party had left quite a mess.

Standing before a door was a brute of a man with a scar across the scalp on the shaved half of his head with matching leather spikes and studs on his collar, gauntlets, boots and vest. He simply stood before the door with his meaty fists resting on an old, stained axe handle. "Can’t go in." is all he says.

Of course, you respond with a clear and reasonable explanation of why you are here and who you are looking for, to which he offers a polite but brief response … "That’s nice, you still can’t go in."

Diana

Pistol-3: Notes that his muscle mass makes it unlikely that a single gunshot will incapacitate him.

Jacques

Leader-2: What might appear as stupidity or stubbornness is actually fierce loyalty – this man is likely willing to kill or die for a cause.

Remy

Blade-5: That axe handle is not an improvised weapon, he chose it because he is as skillful with it as most warriors are with a gun or a sword. If you engage him strength vs strength, he has a significant advantage. However, he is not as fast on his feet, so he can be outmaneuvered in combat. You must be careful, if he connects with a blow, his weight and strength will place a substantial force behind it … possibly even a lethal amount of force.

**********
[Brief interlude to give you a chance to interact with “Fist” if you choose to.]

Remy offered Ignatz "the hat of a Baron" as a rhyme, but left it to Rebecca otherwise. She was...more competent than him to lead him off. In more ways than one.
Aftrwards he looked at the man. He's doing his job, no doubt...as Remy himself would be, had he taken a different way after arriving.
He himself looks the warrior briefly in the eyes, and nods.
"Got it, man. It's your job to keep the door. We're not trying to get in...but pray tell, who do we have to ask for permission, then? I guess it's not your idea to guard that door. People who post guards seldom post themselves."
He shrugged.
"Hey, I personally don't even want to get in. But please check on him inside, from time to time...whoever knocked him out, escaped us. And I guess the room has a window, too...right?"

When Doc appeared, Remy nodded.
"Sure, Doc. But before we go, could you please check on him? Whoever knocked him out, escaped, showing much agility. And he's a witness to arson. An unconscious one, alone in a room."

[Urson]

Jo

Jo, still much bedraggled from the activities of the shift, looks alarmed when Remy points out that the boy is in danger.Yes, please look in on him. P'raps we should add one of our own to the guards.
Turning to 'Fist' with a winning smile, No offense to you, of course- but even the bravest guards can't be in two places at the same time.

[ffilz]

Doc will come to the door and tell Fist he would like to check on the patient and make sure he is still resting well and take another set of vitals. Once in the room, assuming nothing has happened yet, he will check out the danger of someone coming in the window. If it's a real danger, he will ask Fist to move into the room (if Urs is sleeping solidly, he won't notice someone quietly sitting in the room).

[Monsieur Rose]

Jacques

Jacques sizes the large man up. "You work for Gottard, correct?" He cocks his head to the side and continues. "You seem like you don't work only for money, so I won't insult you by offering you a fee. Could you tell me where he is? I'd like a word. Nothing bad, I assure you, I simply wish to discuss the events of the evening."

[Leitz]

Diana nodded to Doc. "Check on him, and then let's talk. Things seem to be wrong, here, and I dislike good people being treated poorly."


OOC: I've been out of pocket all week. Back now.

[atpollard]

Diana, Ignatz, Jacques, Remy, Josephine and Doc at the Grogg and Tankard
Cycle 1063 (Winter): Day 1: Shift 1: Hour 1:30 [Hamlet of Gwynedd: 45N,25W]

Fist was disinterested in conversation and responded with short clipped sentences. “Not your concern” and “Gottard’s downstairs”.

When Doc returns, Fist nods, steps aside and allows him to enter. The patient is still weak but is getting the rest that he needs. Like most of the rooms, large French doors open onto a balcony that could be used to gain forced access to the room, but the doors are bolted shut from the inside and would be difficult to open without breaking the glass. Fist moved his post inside the room and threw the heavy bolt securing the door as the characters left.

******

Doc lead the group back to his room at the Grogg and Tankard to discuss what each has learned and make plans.

[ffilz]

Doc is visibly relieved that his not thinking about the lengths Gottard's enemies would go did not result in harm coming to Urs. In his room, he will share all that he found:

• Doc quickly performed a brief examination of Urs’ throat and discovered a congenital birth defect that left him without functioning vocal cords. As a scholar, Doc was aware of the existence of sign language used by deaf communities, even Plato had written about it. Unfortunately, you were also aware that each “school” had its own unique language.
• Urs was reluctant to communicate at first and simply wanted to leave, but assurances from Gottard eventually convinced him to tolerate you. Upon discovering that you could sign, Urs became significantly more friendly towards Doc and visibly relaxed. Clearly this was not someone that got along well with most people.
• Late Shift 2 (8-12 hours ago), Urs was helping ‘L-o-g-a-n’ install new rigging on his small catboat. The boy got a new sail from his father and wanted to replace the old, worn out sail. The boy left about 2 bells (6 hours ago) to join his family for Holiday Celebration.
• [Gottard explained that Logan was Logan Howard Junior, the 16 year old son of Logan Howard who operates the Foundry (#28) in Company Town. Logan (Jr) and Rolland are two local boys that work with Urs repairing boats to earn a little extra money. Urs is very good at woodcraft and “practically lives in the water.”]
• After the boy left, Urs went back to work on the abandoned boat that he was rebuilding. He was carving the details on a replacement section of railing when someone hit him from behind … real hard. His head still hurts.
  [From conversation and observation, Doc estimates Urs to be (C7Bxx3) … INT and EDU are hard to judge speaking different languages … so someone had to hit him VERY hard to render Urs unconscious. Likely a fatal blow for a lesser man.]
• Urs never saw them clear. When he started to come to, everything was real blurry. He saw two people moving. One poured something on him and the other said something. He couldn’t understand the words. Urs thinks it might have been in French.
• Urs says that his head hurts and asks if you have something to help him sleep and feel better. Someone responded that Urs had to stay awake, and Doc educated them about the latest information from an article in the Medical Journal before giving Urs something to ease the pain and help him sleep.