[Closed] Briarbeard Tavern (Vaul) - II

[hedgeknight]

Someone, a young woman, clears her throat near the table where the dwarf, an elderly woman, and a big fellow sit. "I...heard you talking and since I'm new to town, I thought I might...if you don't mind I'd like to join you. My name is Krista."

[Mister-Kent]

"Ooh welcome!" Constance coos, and offers Krista a chair. She looks at Krista's shiny armor with admiration. "A soldier from the south, looking for fortune? I think you'll find good company here!"

[hedgeknight]

"By Pelor's grace, I hope so!" Krista says with a sigh and a smile.
"It's been a long journey. Where are the rest of you from?" she asks, looking around for a serving girl or boy.

[Keehnelf]

A friendly-looking middle-aged dwarf comes over. "Ale or wine, miss?"

[Zhym]

Harold Willoughby, March 19, 7:00 pm

Harold saunters into the tavern, looking about for his adventuring companions as he walks up to the bar. Catching the dwarf bartender's attention, he sets down 2c and says, "Y'know, I think I'll try one of those beers everyone seems so fond of."

[Mister-Kent]

March 27

"My name is Constance--Constance Wyrdweather. I hail from the Sutherly Coast, actually," Constance croaks while Krista is served. "I am--or was--employed at the Tower of Grandulo the Great. And now I'm here!"

"It seems as if you've arrived at an opportune time--there's goblins and black magic afoot!" she notes with concern.

***

March 19

"Hail Harold!"

Radiant Olympia appears in the doorway, her massive form filling the portal almost completely. She waves and joins her traveling companion at the bar.

[AleBelly]

March 19

"That's the spirit, Harry!" bellows Varas. He's clearly already had a couple ales of his own. "Some fine work we did out there. Well, that you all did out there." He looks morosely at his tankard, still clearly bothered by his poor marksmanship.

"I wish we had a better idea of where Mr. M could be found...and whether or not he is someone we want to ally with. I'm going to run a few errands and chat with the group. I sure would be honored to venture out with you again, Harry. Just have to figure out what we want to do!"

Varas walks over, thanks Ghrym, and puts a silver down to cover his ales. He departs to conduct town business.

[hedgeknight]

A friendly-looking middle-aged dwarf comes over. "Ale or wine, miss?"

"Wine please, and some cheese or fruit if you have it, thank you!"

March 27

"My name is Constance--Constance Wyrdweather. I hail from the Sutherly Coast, actually," Constance croaks while Krista is served. "I am--or was--employed at the Tower of Grandulo the Great. And now I'm here!"

"It seems as if you've arrived at an opportune time--there's goblins and black magic afoot!" she notes with concern.

"It's a joy to meet you! I've never heard of Grandulo the Great, beg pardon. However, I'm sorry to say I have indeed heard about goblins and black magic! If it is in truth afoot, Pelor's light will drive it away!" she finishes passionately.

She also notes the newcomers to the bar and tries not to stare at the rather large woman who just sauntered in...

[AleBelly]

March 27

Crivit extends his hand to the attractive new woman. "Crivit the Zealot. Pleased to meet you. I serve Veles, god of the beautiful underworld, trickery and magic" he proclaims proudly. "Hi strength and protection have seen me spend the night in a goblin warren, and live to tell about it. Such is his glory!"

"Unfortunately, his glory does not lend itself to monetary rewards. I must satisfy that worldly need on my own. I'd be grateful for company!"

[hedgeknight]

"Pleased to meet you as well, Crivit. As servants of the gods, we do what we must with what we are gifted, yes?"

[keal]

Waiting for a break in the conversation, Adrik chips in to say, "Well, since we're all looking for some sort of employment or adventure, how might we go about it?" Glancing about at the faces of the gathered members, he asks, "Has anyone heard of anything interesting that we might pursue?"

[AleBelly]

March 19

And what about that treaty? Weren't we gonna read that before we presented it to Mr M?

Once they're all back at the tavern, Varas is reminded by The Wendall's admonition that they hadn't read the agreement. Surreptitiously, he takes out the case scroll and opens it, with the other expedition members around the table.

He also brings up another point. "Fellows, I have no heirs. I hate the thought of my future house, horse and belongings going to some random adventurer. Since I owe this wealth, meagre as it is, to you, I'd like you to have it in case of my demise. I don't have the funds right now to develop a formal will, but if you wanted to pool the money, I'd be happy to sign off on it. The offer will stand as long as I live."

Embarrassed at his show of emotion, he orders another ale.

[hedgeknight]

Waiting for a break in the conversation, Adrik chips in to say, "Well, since we're all looking for some sort of employment or adventure, how might we go about it?" Glancing about at the faces of the gathered members, he asks, "Has anyone heard of anything interesting that we might pursue?"

"I heard about Arch-Duke Vaul's message to all surrounding lands > an open call for adventurers, so I traveled here to help. How to go about setting up an official venture...I haven't a clue."
Krista sips her wine and looks around the table, hoping someone else has an answer.

[Keehnelf]

there's no such thing as an official venture, unless you get a job from the duke, in which case the job is likely to be hard and dangerous and not pay what it's likely worth. Your best step forward is to come up with a plan, find some teammates willing to participate in it, then announce to me here in red text where you're going, when you're leaving, and who's involved.

At this stage the goblins are still the duke's enemy and he will pay 1,000 gold pieces to whoever can drive them off.

There have also been plenty of other rumors circulating, including:

A giant black shapeshifting wolf that may be evil or may be an ally.
Lizard men to the west.
Goblins in the forest to the north.
An odd musician who enchants with his song to the west.
A series of watchtowers strung across the land east-to-west which may or may not be inhabited.

[OGRE MAGE]

I suggest going to visit that odd musician Hedge.

Welcome to the game by the way!

[Mister-Kent]

Constance supports this, because she doesn't suspect it's all a set-up for a night-music-amnesia-orgy or wtf happened to the last folks who met him!

"Wherever you all decide to go, I shall be with you!" Constance says sweetly.

[Zhym]

Melvin Bradenhurst, March 27

A tallish human with close-cropped brown hair enters the bar. He is dressed a fine but not extravagant tunic and breeches, and walks with a staff.

He calls the bartender over and orders a beer. "I am new in town," he tells the bartender. "I plan to set up shop as a scribe. Transcriptions, translations of many languages, magic read and copied. If you hear of anyone in need of such services, would you be so good as to send them my way?" He places a silver piece on the bar. "Excellent beer. Please keep the change."

[OGRE MAGE]

March 19

And what about that treaty? Weren't we gonna read that before we presented it to Mr M?

Once they're all back at the tavern, Varas is reminded by The Wendall's admonition that they hadn't read the agreement. Surreptitiously, he takes out the case scroll and opens it, with the other expedition members around the table.

He also brings up another point. "Fellows, I have no heirs. I hate the thought of my future house, horse and belongings going to some random adventurer. Since I owe this wealth, meagre as it is, to you, I'd like you to have it in case of my demise. I don't have the funds right now to develop a formal will, but if you wanted to pool the money, I'd be happy to sign off on it. The offer will stand as long as I live."

Embarrassed at his show of emotion, he orders another ale.

Wendall is not used to seeing this side of his tall buddy. He is also extremely uncouth.

Ive always wanted a horse.

[hedgeknight]

there's no such thing as an official venture, unless you get a job from the duke, in which case the job is likely to be hard and dangerous and not pay what it's likely worth. Your best step forward is to come up with a plan, find some teammates willing to participate in it, then announce to me here in red text where you're going, when you're leaving, and who's involved.

At this stage the goblins are still the duke's enemy and he will pay 1,000 gold pieces to whoever can drive them off.

There have also been plenty of other rumors circulating, including:

A giant black shapeshifting wolf that may be evil or may be an ally.
Lizard men to the west.
Goblins in the forest to the north.
An odd musician who enchants with his song to the west.
A series of watchtowers strung across the land east-to-west which may or may not be inhabited.

Appreciate the advice > wasn't sure how to go about things. So assuming my table companions have heard these rumors...

"I've heard tales of goblins in the forest north of town. Any other leads on where we could go?"

[Keehnelf]

March 19

And what about that treaty? Weren't we gonna read that before we presented it to Mr M?

Once they're all back at the tavern, Varas is reminded by The Wendall's admonition that they hadn't read the agreement. Surreptitiously, he takes out the case scroll and opens it, with the other expedition members around the table.

He also brings up another point. "Fellows, I have no heirs. I hate the thought of my future house, horse and belongings going to some random adventurer. Since I owe this wealth, meagre as it is, to you, I'd like you to have it in case of my demise. I don't have the funds right now to develop a formal will, but if you wanted to pool the money, I'd be happy to sign off on it. The offer will stand as long as I live."

Embarrassed at his show of emotion, he orders another ale.

The scroll within states in no uncertain terms that the arch-duke is prepared to concede the entire area of the moors to Mr. M and his wolf allies in exchange for a promise of non-aggression against all humans and humanoids who are vassals of the arch-duke. This agreement is to be confirmed in person at the Wooden Keep no later than the full moon following Harrowing, which would be April 15 (the full moon always falls on the 15th of each month).