05. Journey to O'Hare

[Computer +1]

Strom nods at the man behind the counter before limping over to the large table and trying his best to take a seat without opening up any of his wounds. Bring me wine is all he mutters before closing his eyes and placing his hand over his most painful wound in apparent prayer.

Strom will then heal attempt to lay hands and heal himself for 2 points

[dmw71]

Strom will then heal attempt to lay hands and heal himself for 2 points

+2 hit points

---


Gwillt - hp: 12|17; ac: 2|3|7; mv: 10"; armor: std leather, m. shield; weapon (sf): short bow (7), scimitar (5), spear (6), dagger (2)
Ewell - hp: 12|16; ac: 3|4|5; mv: 12"; armor: chain, m. shield; weapon (sf): lance (6), long sword (5), foot pick (7), orcish long sword (5)
Shan. - hp: 6|6; ac: 5|8|8; mv: 5"; armor: leather; weapon (sf): short bow (7), dagger (2)
Garth - hp: 4|4; ac: 7|7|10; mv: 11"; armor: none; weapon (sf): scimitar (5), sling (6), dagger (2)
Kaltar - hp: 7|11; ac: 4|5|5; mv: 4"; armor: chain, m. shield; weapon (sf): mace (7)
Strom - hp: 4|13; ac: 3|4|4; mv: 9"; armor: splint, m. shield; weapon (sf): bast. sword [1h|2h] (6|8), mace (7), spear (6), dagger (2)
Alord. - hp: 12|18; ac: 4|8|8; mv: 12"; armor: leather; weapon (sf): short bow (7), long sword (5), dagger (2)
---
Order: Shannigans, Gwilt, Strom, Ewell, Kaltar, Alordan, Garth
Hands: Strom (0/1)
Spells: Shannigans (mu-0: 3/4, mu-1: 1/1): , Garth: (d-1: 4/4) (mu-1: 1/1) , Kaltar: (c-1: 3/3)

[Alethan]

Gwilt calls out, "Dark beer for me,"and takes a seat at the larger table. He judiciously picks a chair that puts his back to the nearest wall so he can keep an eye on the entirety of the room with just a slight turn of his head.

[onlyme]

"Welcome to the Bronze Goat Inn. The finest Inn in all the land." he says, leading you to suspect he is the owner of the place. "I'va got beer on tap back here, light or dark, your pick. I'va also got wine, or brandy. So, what'll ya have?" he asks. "Make yerselves comfortable. I'll be right wit'cha."

Ewell sits down beside Strom and calls out, Wine, of course. He looks confused as to why anyone would assume he would drink anything else, however irrational that thought should be.

[Computer +1]

As the healing magic works through his body Strom become less pale. When completed he stretches slowly, still feeling the effects of his injuries but much more stable.

Bring some food as well Inkeeper he calls out as his stomach rumbles.

He offers a silent prayer to thanks to his Gods for seeing him through the combat thus far and he promises to do better next time.

[Nuke66]

Garth follows the group into the inn after Shannigans thanking the stranger. "Thank you my good man."

After surveying, Garth selects a table in the corner with a view of the door. He waits for the barkeep to arrive. "Set us a feast. and a few bottles of your best wine."

[Stonjuz]

"The price for brandy? I am almost certain I cannot match it. Ale most likely...." The halfling takes in a noseful of scents, trying to determine the menu before the choices are presented, ".... but first, pie!"

[ravenn4544]

"Ale and meal would be wonderful right about now - and then a good nights rest. Also, from the last time I was here, there is another exit in the kitchen through that door there," as Alordan nods towards the door the other end of the room.

What are the other folks in the room now doing? Back to their meals? Anyone leave suddenly as the group gathered around the table?

[dmw71]

The sizeable owner ambles around the corner of the bar and makes his way into the common room. He grumbles "One at a time, will ya?" as he begins hearing the new arrivals call out orders, all while issuing a wide, toothy smile. A look of recognition when he notices Alordan. "You come back!" he exclaims. He looks to the rest of the party, "See? What I tell you 'bout this bein' the finest Inn in the land." He reaches the large rectangular table where the party members are seated (except for Garth?) and slaps a fat hand on the rangers' shoulder. "Free food and drink for dis guy... and all his friends!" he declares loudly, drawing moans from the other patrons in the room and loud curses from the kitchen. "So long as you stay here for the night. I even give you good nightly rate.

He pulls out a well-worn parchment from a pouch in his apron and hands it to each party member in turn (feel free to order whatever you'd like):

Code: Select all

FOOD                     DRINK
Breakfast - 1sp          Pint of Ale - 3sp
Fancy Breakfast - 3sp    Pint of Light Beer - 1sp
Supper - 4sp             Pint of Dark Beer - 2sp
Fancy Supper - 1ep       Pint of White Wine - 2sp
Bowl of Soup - 2sp       Pint of Red Wind - 2sp
House special - 5sp      Pint of O'Hare Special Brandy - 1gp

So, what say you? You stay here da night?" Assuming no one could resist his offer, he begins circling the table, taking order one-by-one.

The armored man that held the door open for you has taken a seat at one of the empty circular tables very close to where the group is now seated. When the owner rounds the players table and finds himself next to this door holding stranger, he asks: "Dis guy wit you? I see you all come in together." Gwilt, seated nearest to this stranger, catches a playful elbow from the owner, "What, dis guy smell funny so you make him sit by himself? Maybe he one of those scaly swamp lizards terrorizin' the town?" He guffaws, before quickly turning to the stranger to make sure he knows it was only a joke.

After collecting all the orders, he says: "I bring dis to the kitchen and be right back." Angling his wide load in the direction of the kitchen in the far left back corner of the establishment, he cranes his neck to look back at the group: "Gustov -- that's me -- want to know what bring you to O'Hare." With that, he walks the parties order back to the chef in the kitchen who snatches it out of the owners hand and casts a venomous stare at the group.

---

While Gustov is busy taking and placing your orders, you're afforded the opportunity to get a closer look at the room. It's a comfortable place, fairly well taken care of but showing signs of relatively recent wear. There is a bar, lined with a half dozen bar stools, along the right wall. Every other bar stool is populated with locals, all still nursing their pints of beer and keeping to themselves. At the far end of this right wall is a closed door. On the far wall is a large, empty bench. The far left corner of this Inn houses the kitchen. A stairway leading to the upper levels is located next to the kitchen. The front left quarter of the Inn is where a majority of the seating is found, including the three round tables and the rectangular table where the party sits. The round table closest to the party is occupied by the stranger, appearing to mind his own business. The table furthest away from the party is filled with the other pair of locals who continue to eat their meal and drink their drinks with only an occasional sideways glance in your direction. The last round table remains open.

---

Gustov returns and apologizes for his chef. "You must forgive Guillaume. He know not how da customer is always right... am I right?" He studies the group carefully. He waddles over to stand behind Strom and Ewell, placing a heavy hand on each of their shoulders, he follows up on the question he left lingering: "So, what bring you to O'Hare?"

[Stonjuz]

The hobbit begins to spin the tale, from the beginning, exactly how Garth and him first met.
"I was sitting on a log one day playing with a butterfly when Garth, that's him right there, starts laughing, see? Well we..."
Someone from the group stifles the halfling, sparing the group the pain of hearing every last detail of Shannigan's life for the last three days. He quickly changes the pace into...., "We're adventurers!"

ooc: sorry, couldnt resist...

[ravenn4544]

Alordan murmurs to himself, then with a nod and a smile to the inn keeper "Thank you, Sir, for your hospitality.. Of course we'll be looking for a bank of rooms to accommodate us this evening. We have had a hard few days dealing with what can only be the wretched folk troubling this town of late - and your fine ale would serve us well. Allow me to pay your kindness forward with drinks all around to your fine patrons here," Alordan brings sufficient silver to his hand to cover ales for the few inhabitants of the inn's common room - and slides it towards the inn keeper. "Oh, and an extra pair of silvers in respect to your cook for the late hour of our repast!"

[Nuke66]

Clearly embarrassed, the druid takes a seat at the table.

"A fancy supper and red wine for me if you please."

[Computer +1]

Strom moves his shoulder so that Gustov's hand slides off but does not turn around to look at the man.
A chance encounter brought my companion Kaltar and myself together with the others you see before you. A few more chance encounters brought us here in this state, God be praised.

[onlyme]

Ewell listens to those who have spoken, realizing that he really hasnt had time to register that information, due to the constant battling. He speaks up toward the bar keep, " Aye, it does appear fate brought us here, Gustav. I was travelling by my lonesome, and heard the cry from these for assistance. I couldnt just watch them suffer and die, so naturally I led them to victory against many, nasty creatures.

He proceeds to stroke his mustache, grown in a style that only a lad of 16 can wear with pride. " And many thanks for the hospitality.

[Stonjuz]

Shanny tries to do the old magicians' trick pulling coins from nowhere. Anyone that knows the trick can plainly see that he hasnt quite mastered it however. He puts three silvers on the table's end. "Trouble around here? Swamp nasties?", the halfling asks as the keeper gets closer, taking the offered pieces.

[Computer +1]

Strom tilts his head at Ewell's words.
Perhaps you mistook a battle cry for a cry for help. Your prowess and skill were a factor in our victory but I believe you were just a part of a group effort.

[onlyme]

Ewell takes in the paladin's rebuke as calmly as he can. Afterall, he knows if he doesnt show constraint, it will inevitibly escalate to a duel. And, he doesnt want to kill a good hearted man in such an obviously weakened state.
So he offers a toast as a subtle truce, " Huzzah to the group. Fine effort it was." as he raises his drink of wine.

[Alethan]

When he gets a chance, Gwilt orders a basic supper. But mostly he just sits back, enjoys his beer, and relaxes for a bit.

He's not so relaxed that he doesn't keep an eye on the other patrons... or on Shanny, to make sure he stays out of trouble.

Noting his feeble attempt at coin tricks and discussion with the keeper, Gwilt waits for Gustav to make his way back to the kitchen area before quietly saying, "calm down, little one... No need to look for work just yet." He yawns before adding, "work tends to find you, if you're patient enough. My advice to you? Just relax and enjoy sitting in a chair for a bit!" He winks at the halfling as he carefully steals a glance at the stranger they met at the door to see if he's paying attention to the party or doing his own thing.

He tries to ignore the blustering going back and forth between the kid and the knight.

[Computer +1]

Strom raises his cup at Ewell's toast and drinks deeply. When the food comes he eats quickly to replenish his body.

[dmw71]

Gustov listens to Shannigans tale, at least feigning great interest.

"We're adventurers!"

"Indeed you are, my friend. Indeed you are." he says. "And quite capable, by the looks of you."

As Gustov arrives with Alordan's order, the ranger informs the owner: "Of course we'll be looking for a bank of rooms to accommodate us this evening. We have had a hard few days dealing with what can only be the wretched folk troubling this town of late - and your fine ale would serve us well." Gustov is excited to learn the larger party will be staying the night. "Clearly, your old room will not serve a group of this size well... but, it just so happens I have three rooms right next to each other, with --" his eyes roll up and you can see he's counting with his fingers, "-- nine beds in total. This will serve your needs, no? And all for only seven gold pieces per night." A slight pause. "Ah, I forget." he slaps his forehead. "You get the friendly discount, right? Only six... no, make it five gold pieces per night." Alordan proceeds to purchase drinks for the remaining patrons in the room, and offer a tip for the chef, while the group contemplates the room offer extended to them.

Gwilt carefully steals a glance at the stranger sitting at the table next to them, and notices the stranger taking interest in the groups tales. The stranger senses Gwilt's attention and quickly turn his head up to looking at the ceiling while nervously trwirling his thumbs.

Gustov finishes the distribution of the last food orders when he hears the halfling ask: "Trouble around here? Swamp nasties?"

"Did I say trouble? Oh, no. No trouble here." Gustov replies nervously. "I really must go now. Many patrons to tend to, you know." he says before hurrying off. "You just holler if you need Gustov for anything."