Helix: The Brazen Strumpet

[Quonundrum]

Retconned.

[Karaunios]

Dougal

Doesn't show any sign of being taken aback by the beggar's reaction, except staring at him for a couple seconds after he's ended his speech. He then makes a short grunt goes to Turgent's for a waterskin and then reenters the inn.

"That'll be eneugh I think." He says to himself as he walks towards the bar.

He nods Moriartus in passing and then notices the towering half orc sitting at a table, but just eyes her for a second before turning to the innkeeper. "I'll spend the naight in the common room if ye don't maind." He puts three silver on the tap and walks to the common room to sleep until next morning (-3 sp).

[Quonundrum]

Moriartus

In the interest of time, going ahead and introducing Moriartus to Barba.

He wasn't quite sure how to approach the half-orc's table. They tend to develop a reputation of something ... generally opposite of congeniality. Regardless, he still could very much use another stout fighter on the team, and one that is easier on the eyes than the Bennerjake twins, so much the better.

Deciding on the subtle approach, Moriartus again slowly makes his way across the room. Only twice catching his staff on obstructions; an errant chair leg and another leg whose owner was a stumbling drunkard of a dwarf. The latter he thought a curious fact given that race's noted tolerance to spirits.

As he nears the table, his staff becomes stuck again momentarily on a knot in the wooden floor, causing him to pause before the half-orc's table to regain his balance ... or, that is how he intended it to be perceived. Righting himself again, he sniffs the air and sights the pipe smoke wafting from her direction. He bows to her in introduction, a slight bend in the waist. "My, now that smells a wonder. Quite different than this." He gestures with his cigar.

Quickly taking a seat at the table, he segues into his real interest, "Excuse my manners, my name is Moriartus, and aside from that interesting weed you are smoking, I could not but note your prowess and profession." He motions with his cigar at the shield and sword she bears. "If you are looking for work, I myself happen to be recruiting for an expedition into the Blackened Forest to investigate a strange disease afflicting a bee hive ... the bees are rather large, you see."

He appraises her interest and demeanour, then casually waves his cigar hand. "You, would be an excellent inclusion," he states confidently. "I can offer a full share of treasure, however you will need to provide your own equipment and provisions. As I can see though, you have the former covered quite nicely. We leave tomorrow morning with a wagon from the Silver Standard shipping yard. One day travel there, two to solve the mystery, and one day back ... that's the plan, at least."

Moriartus takes a drag from his cigar and watches her carefully, attempting to gauge her response. "How does that proposal sound to you?"

[Gomezthebarbarian]

Moriartus

In the interest of time, going ahead and introducing Moriartus to Barba.

He wasn't quite sure how to approach the half-orc's table. They tend to develop a reputation of something ... generally opposite of congeniality. Regardless, he still could very much use another stout fighter on the team, and one that is easier on the eyes than the Bennerjake twins, so much the better.

Deciding on the subtle approach, Moriartus again slowly makes his way across the room. Only twice catching his staff on obstructions; an errant chair leg and another leg whose owner was a stumbling drunkard of a dwarf. The latter he thought a curious fact given that race's noted tolerance to spirits.

As he nears the table, his staff becomes stuck again momentarily on a knot in the wooden floor, causing him to pause before the half-orc's table to regain his balance ... or, that is how he intended it to be perceived. Righting himself again, he sniffs the air and sights the pipe smoke wafting from her direction. He bows to her in introduction, a slight bend in the waist. "My, now that smells a wonder. Quite different than this." He gestures with his cigar.

From her vantage point, the half-orc saw him rise and approach, noted the game leg and just watched quietly as he finally made it to her table. Barba gave the man some credit; not everyone would approach a creature like herself. She merely nodded, acknowledging him and his statement by lifting her pipe just a tad so.

Quickly taking a seat at the table, he segues into his real interest, "Excuse my manners, my name is Moriartus, and aside from that interesting weed you are smoking, I could not but note your prowess and profession." He motions with his cigar at the shield and sword she bears. "If you are looking for work, I myself happen to be recruiting for an expedition into the Blackened Forest to investigate a strange disease afflicting a bee hive ... the bees are rather large, you see."

Ah, she thought, the notice pinned to the bulletin board on the way into Helix. “I might be looking for work,” Barba replied. No need to look too eager, she told herself. She left her face an inscrutable mask, her cobalt blue eyes wary.

He appraises her interest and demeanour, then casually waves his cigar hand. "You, would be an excellent inclusion," he states confidently. "I can offer a full share of treasure, however you will need to provide your own equipment and provisions. As I can see though, you have the former covered quite nicely. We leave tomorrow morning with a wagon from the Silver Standard shipping yard. One day travel there, two to solve the mystery, and one day back ... that's the plan, at least."

Moriartus takes a drag from his cigar and watches her carefully, attempting to gauge her response. "How does that proposal sound to you?"

Barba let a long pause hang there between them before speaking. ”You mention a full share of treasure. What treasure would that be? I don’t think bees keep treasure in their hives, at least not the kind I’m thinking of.”

[Quonundrum]

Moriartus

Barba let a long pause hang there between them before speaking. ”You mention a full share of treasure. What treasure would that be? I don’t think bees keep treasure in their hives, at least not the kind I’m thinking of.”

He nodded with a faint smile, the kind that is given to show a subtle approval and appreciation. "An excellent question, he says, "... and an astute observation. Treasure includes anything and everything of value that the team collects, including incidentals from those creatures whom may choose to unwisely attack us."

[Gomezthebarbarian]

Moriartus
He nodded with a faint smile, the kind that is given to show a subtle approval and appreciation. "An excellent question, he says, "... and an astute observation. Treasure includes anything and everything of value that the team collects, including incidentals from those creatures whom may choose to unwisely attack us."

Barba considered his words, smoke slowly streaming from her nostrils on the retrohale. She was running out of coin and she didn’t relish the idea of earning money digging up tree stumps or big rocks in some farmer's field. “Very well, on one condition though. Five gold upfront...For provisions, expenses, and the like,” she said, holding back a smirk. I’ll pay you back from my share of the treasure.”

[Quonundrum]

Moriartus

Considering the guild fees for the Bennerjake Twins, Moriartus had no qualms with this condition. "Agreed," he says, and produces a single platinum coin from a belt pouch and slides it surreptitiously across the table. "I suggest an early evening to get good rest. The journey will take the better part of a day tomorrow ... assuming no obstacles are encountered."

He pushes himself to his feet and nods his head with a slight gesture of his cigar, then slowly makes his way between the tables to the stairs and the common rooms.

-1pp

[Gomezthebarbarian]

Barba remained silent and watched as the man rose and left. Then her eyes fell to her hand which had covered the coin, lifted it to make sure the coin wasn’t an illusion. She picked it and gazed at it. Never had she touched a platinum piece. Oh, she had seen one or a few.

This and maybe more, all for some frakkin’ bees?

Barba laughed and left the coin in front of her, raising a hand and gesturing to a young curvy wench with big breasts threatening to burst out of her corset. It was time flirt and see how greedy the woman was.

[Spearmint]

The Brazen Strumpet Tavern

The three waitresses, Taycee, Urgritte, Merda, serve with enchanting smiles, swaying hips and low cut corsets 'overflowing with charm'.

The first looks aptly named for the tavern, buxom and red haired, tactile and flirtatious. Many an adventurer seems to have gone out to explore 'on a promise' of a fantastic date night should they ever come back laden with the jewelry that might win her favour.

Tall, blonde hair braided in long tails, piercing eyes and high cheekbones, athletic but feminine. Urgritte heralds from the icy north. She has a strong accent and can swear as good as any trooper.

The last of the trio, Merda, is more svelte. Dark hair with slightly pointed ears which betray a dual heritage. She takes time to chat with the adventuring groups, much to the chargrin of other tables as she often lingers to listen to the stories.

Barba decides to see just how Brazen the strumpets in the tavern really are. Her coin is good, as good as any and certainly would pay handsomely for a tryst in the Foul Pheasant though after Dalin's earlier dilly-dallying, the place is subject to a lockdown until the antisocial behaviour order tax had been paid.

Hence the tavern doing a roaring trade as more customers enjoy the bon jovi atmosphere here. You quickly find that flirtation and seduction are two separate things with the trio, experienced with all sorts of traits from adventuring prospectors.

But on the verandah, some ladies of the night and a mollied up youth in need of turning a trick or two discreetly ply their trade, offering tours of the haystack for business.

[Jedion357]

Friar John stands at the door of the Brazen Strumpet, customers come and go. He senses that this tavern is perhaps not to his liking but the lead led him here. He enquires of a customer that is just leaving, "Excuse me, I'm looking for a Moriartus? Do you such a one with that name?"

[Spearmint]

The Brazen Strumpet Tavern

"There is a gentleman over there by the bar. Setting off on the morrow into the forest. Something about investigating the honey bees virus." the patron points Moriartus out to Friar John.

[Quonundrum]

Moriartus

Moriartus stood on the threshold of the stairs and took a parting glance at the patrons before retiring for the night. It was then that he finally espied the clerical quarry he was hunting, and as luck would have it, standing just inside the front door. The man was obviously a friar of Saint Ygg based on the simple frock he wore and the otherwise mundane and unadorned acoutrements about his person.

Leaning heavily on his staff, Moriartus literally pulls himself into motion and slowly winds his way to the front of the tavern, the staff thumping on the wooden floor with every step. He smiles and nods in greeting to the friar, proceeding to procure a wrapped cigar from a belt pouch and lighting it. "Mind if I smoke?" He asks a bit rhetorically as he draws in a deep drag and sighs contently, letting the smoking weed ease his weak muscles. The cigar smoke languidly escape his mouth as he regards the cleric.

"The name is Moriartus", he says with a slight bow of the shoulders. "I am assembling an expedition to investigate the strange disease afflicting the bees at the Crooked Yew hive. In fact, I arranged to accompany a wagon delivery from the Silver Standard here in Helix. Foreman Agrippa mentioned that you had inquired about the hives, as well. Perhaps you would like to join my team? Full share of treasure, but you will need to provide your own equipment and provisions."

"What do you say, good Friar? Safety in numbers and all that, especially travelling in the Blackened Forest." He gently puffs on his cigar and settles himself into a chair at an unoccupied table.

[Jedion357]

"Greeting Moriartus, Brother Gramdar directed me to you. I am interested, my former abbey harvested honey from similar bees for healing salves and mead. How many days worth of provisions should I provide for myself?" He enquires.

A thought runs through his head that makes him blush more than any of the Brazen Strumpet's occupants ever could and he questions further, "A party you say? Any elf maidens in it?"

[Quonundrum]

Moriartus

"Well then, it is indeed fortunate we met. Your experience should prove invaluable, I'm sure. We leave on the morn and it is a full day's travel to the hives. The wagon is slated to return after two days and hopefully the investigation will be successfully concluded. So, at least four days of provisions?"

"An elf maiden? I expect she would object to that ascription, but I have hired a mercenary by the name of Two-Birds. She is a cleric of Sylvanus, if I am not terribly mistaken."

[Gomezthebarbarian]

Barba

Chugging down the last of the ale, Barba slammed the empty mug down onto the table and let go a deep satisfying belch. It was her sixth ale of the evening and her belly was already sated by the generous portion of stew. The wenches had rejected her not too subtle advances but the half-orc was still in good spirits. The night was still young in her estimation. She got up and went outside after paying for her food and drink (-10sp), eventually finding her way down to the Foul Pheasant only to find it closed up. Annoyed at having been denied a night of carousing and gambling, Barba was about to give up for the evening when she ran across a number of soiled doves.

Her annoyance forgotten, the tall half-orc's attention fell on a doe eyed lass big in bust and wide in hip with long curly hair the color of honey. Ygritte she said her name was, a big boned farm girl by all appearances. A price was discussed and moments later the two were stumbling back into the Strumpet. "Bollo! A private room, for me and my good friend 'ere," Barba growled with a wide tusk baring smile and a wink. "And a jug of that dwarven hooch," she added, slapping down the platinum coin. (-2gp)

With jug in hand, Barba and a giggling Ygritte made their way up the stairs. -1gp, for services rendered)

[OGRE MAGE]

With a smirk from ear to ear, Sven happily returns to the tavern. With actual coin to spend in his pocket, the boy mage no longer needs to look for any free handouts this time. He makes his way to the bar, but keeps his eye out for the town bard as well.

"Bollo my good man, how are things since we departed? I would be willing to bet that you never thought you would see the likes of me or the squires again, eh?"

Sven places a single gold coin onto the bar top and smiles. "Have there been any inquiries to my announcement on the town board while I was away, sir? Any other news I should be aware of in town in the last 2 days or so?"

[Rex]

Orgoth

Orgoth accompanies Sven into the bar. "Your finest meal and a tankard of ale for me."

He looks around to see who else is in the tavern.

[Jedion357]

Friar John shakes his head, "No the elf maiden I speak of has not that name."
He coughs and says, "Well I'll make sure I have enough in the way of provision and some torches. Perhaps even an extra flask if perchance it can be filled with honey. I'll see you in the morning.

He seeks out Bollo to secure rations so that he has enough for the trip and a few torches as well as pay for sleeping in the common room.

[Spearmint]

The Brazen Strumpet Tavern

April 28th

Friar John collects his supplies without a problem and joins the Crooked Yew' expedition.

April 30th

Sven and Orgoth lean on the bar like old timers. Arriving back in Helix last night, the evening dragged with an audience at the manse do it was Kate when you returned to the common room. Now the next day and with a pocket full of coin, you can lavish yourself a bit of 'lifestyle', going for the braised barbecue ribs and T-bone steak washed down with more ale than you can remember.

The town crier has been rocking the market, tolling his bell on the hour and declaring the expedition success. you can elaborate on what you want him to say if you like.

Bollo takes your coin buying it in his teeth to prove its worth. "Well, let me say I wagered on a few patrons not being seen again. Though the way those squires have been drinking, I will no doubt recuperate my losses."

He shares he had had no inquiries into your skills as yet but forwarded your name to Osen the mercenary guild master in case they need certain arts providing.

As to news, at least three other groups have endeavoured explorations following the bulletin board adverts. As yet no word had come back of any of their successes. The ghoul body of Greygoose was buried yesterday and his comrades have vacated town. The dwarves seen in the tavern cleaning shields and writing wills have gone off back to the Moon Peaks.

Alastar the beggar was pilloried earlier for stealing a blueberry pie and 'mooning' the milk maid. The Norsemen rowdies have gone back to the Barrowmoor.

Merda the waitress lingers around listening to any story. "Oh, you must put a trinket up on the wall, some momento or gift to inspire others to follow your brave footsteps."Bublé the bard, croons a ballad. It is well received and the patrons give a standing ovation. He takes the fee and spends the next day putting music to the lyrics ready for a Mayday performance.

you can both rp here and in other settlement threads until you decide on another expedition.

there are a couple of more players rolling characters so hopefully they will be able to interact in the tavern shortly

[Spearmint]

just a house keeping reminder for players to mark off the cost of their order when spoken and if you plan on staying at the inn, indicate how many days and what grade of accommodation you take up.