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The Last Plank (13)



One of the more popular drinking establishments along the docks, The Last Plank is a larger wooden building sitting at the very end of merchants row. Though the exterior appears to be in a bit of disrepair, with old fishing gear hanging from the weathered outer walls, music and revelry can oft be heard breaching its doors virtually anytime, day or night.


A pair of grizzled old men in kilts with thick greying beards and long thinning grey/orange wispy hair sit on wooden kegs with a makeshift flat topped barrel table set up in between them. On the table sits a wooden game board that none of you has never seen before. The men roll bones and move numbered metal chits around on the board, swearing at each other vulgarly with every new turn of the game.

One of the old men sees your group looking around at the taverns and ale houses, clearing his throat loudly before he calls out to you in the common tongue. “Oey! Ya lot look a might tirsty! Go on inside if ye like, dis place ain’t no worse den any uthers!” He smiles widely after the invitation, showing off all three of his remaining teeth while pointing towards the swinging saloon style doors.

Inside, the place looks cozy and warm, with enough light to see by but plenty of dark corners to hide in. The entertainment must be on break, and there are only a few people inside the establishment at the moment, but you are greeted by a slovenly fire haired woman in a low cut blouse from behind the bar. "Allo there! Sit anywhere ye like an I'll be right with ye fine folks!"

Actions?

Xenos looks around for a table in a dark corner with a good view of the door.

"Let's find somewhere private to sit, and get a well-needed meal."

Valkrina

"I want to try and find the city libraries and temples. Learn some legend and lore. Perhaps pen a saga about this witch-queen.

What do you want to do?"

She asks the group what aims they have.

When the serving wench comes around, she will enquire about food and lodgings to start with.

Drest

Drest sits next to Xenos, back to the wall. "I want some food, preferably edible."

Xenos

"Gold. Once I have enough coin for a passage on a ship away from here I will be gone. Last time I was here I heard rumours of an abandoned stronghold to the north-east that used to belong to some warlord, it might be worth checking out."

Drest

"Sounds good to me."

Akhilleus sits with the others.

"I only have 9 silver."He shows the coins in his hand. "I hope that's enough to eat something decent and drink something more than decent."

To Valkrina's question. "I haven't given much thought to it yet. I don't have a home. My whole life has been working as a mercenary, but this place looks like they like using fighting techniques and equipment I'm not used to at all. Let's see if I can find work. Whatever gives me the money doing some fighting is fine by me.

The fortress, Xenos, what do you know about it?" The warrior takes his hand to his chin, clearly showing some interest in what Xenos has to say.

Drest

"I have a little more coin than you Akhilleus but not enough for a bow, quiver and some arrows which I really need before we go anywhere. Maybe we could find something to do here that would raise us enough coin to equip ourselves?"

Xenos

"That is all I know about the stronghold, I heard of it in passing. My coins are sparse too, maybe enough for a few days. We need to find a cheap place to stay and start asking around for work. I could really do with a new bow or crossbow too."

Drest

"At this point that seems to be the best option. We need to get better equipped for sure before we tackle anything major."

Xenos turns to the pale amazonian

"Tuurma, what of you? Do you have plans already, or would you join us in our search for work, and coins?"

The tall, pale Tuurma follows the conversation with great interest. When directly addressed, she shifts weight on her makeshift chair and clears her throat before speaking up.

"Well. As you all noticed, I arrived by boat under...less luxurious circumstances. Which is to say some coin certainly would not hurt. In fact, I'd be willing to join you in more or less any endavour that pays. I will not kill a man that did not have it coming to him. But apart from that, let's do it.

"I am honored that you ask me and will not let you down." she adds, again with the more reserved, formal tone she has used before.

She pauses.

"I also have other reasons for being here, but let us join blades one time first, then I will share with you. I hope you will respect that."

Xenos

"I have my own secrets, so I can hardly complain if you have yours." he glances around the tavern before continuing, quietly "I have some familiarity with Xambaala, and I've made it clear I'm not really happy to be here. All I am willing to say is that there maybe people on the lookout for me here and I do not wish to be found. In fact, I would rather die than be found."

Valkrina

"Oh. Is there a bounty upon your head? How much are you wanted for?"

You can hear her brain trying to split 'X' amount so many ways.

Tuurma looks at Valkrina, slightly puzzled. Then back at Xenos.

"Maybe now is a good time as ever to find some work. Xenos, maybe you could talk to the proprietor? I would myself, but you have seen how people react."

"By the Mother, I'm thirsty."

She pulls up her hood and tries to get the attention of someone serving.

"I'd have an ale, or what have you. And, actually, do you have any freshly caught fish?"

Drest

Drest glares at Valkrina. "If I go up and talk to the bar keep we will most likely end up getting thrown out, usually happens at some point."

Xenos looks coldly at Valkrina

"I also don't have a problem with other people dying so I'm not found. It wouldn't be the first time." he looks at the others "I only told you my situation because it affects you if you are around me and I thought you should know." he looks back to Valkrina "Perhaps my trust was misplaced. Too late now. Know this, I did what I had to do because I had no other option if I was to survive. I'm not some street thug being hunted by the Satraps men. Let's give the barkeep a little longer to come over, and if she doesn't I will go and speak to her."

Valkrina

Sticks her tongue out at those who stare.

"Boys, they are so easy to tease." she says to Tuurma.

She will go to the bar and take an empty tray if one is nearby. "Please Ma'am, let me help carry the tray, I am used to service. The men and her ladyships thirst so.

So five beers please and a jug of iced water if you have. And fish and bread. Enough for each of us." She counts some silvers out, at least ten, nay twelve, smiling at the rusty haired and buxom landlady.

Valkrina charisma check vs 16 [2d6+1]=7+1=8

she figures that Tuurma, being a tall, blonde haired and mailed warrior with a huge shield is going to get a lot of attention (in comparison to her diminutive, seal fur garbed self), and so uses a title to give her more respect.

Xenos

Bluetongue wrote: ↑Sat Aug 13, 2022 2:14 pm Valkrina

Sticks her tongue out at those who stare.

"Boys, they are so easy to tease." she says to Tuurma.

The Ixian looks momentarily confused. He looks down at the table. "I'm not sure I'll ever understand women." he mumbles to himself.

Tuurma looks somewhere between confused and sceptical. As Valkrina walks over to the counter she turns to the others and looks at them one at a time.

"Why would you like to tease men?"

She comes to as Valkrina returns with food and drink.

"Thank you sister. Please, share bread with me."

She smells the fish.

"Is this newly caught?"