CHAPTER TWO: In Tassin's Wood

[Gelatinous Q]

VILLAGE OF TASSIN'S WOOD

A: The Scarlet Moon Inn
B: Smithy
C: Village stables
D: Temple of the Velaeri
E: Village Green
F: orchards
G: cider press and meadery
H: smokehouse
I-N: single-family cottages
O: wheelwright & carpenter
P: wool house
Q: village well
Y: Tassin's Wood Sundries
Z: bowyer/fletcher

[Gelatinous Q]

2 Patchwall, 576 CY
Village of Tassin's Wood, late morning

You have just entered town via the road from the east and are at the first intersection beside The Scarlet Moon Inn (A), into which your escort, Sgt. Shadwraith, has just disappeared.

Activity in the village is as you would expect it to be in a farming community at harvest time. Hands were busy in the grain fields you passed on your way into town, and the the orchards to your left are bustling with pickers. You detect a constant drone of baaa-ing sheep here, too (as well as the lingering odor of fresh sheep manure), and sure enough within moments of halting at the intersection, you're suddenly surrounded by a flock of speckled-face ewes being driven by a pimply wisp of a boy of no more than 14 years, heading toward the bridge you just crossed. He tips his cap to you politely, but says nothing.

[Alethan]

"Lad," Bran calls out to the young man, "We're looking for the Temple of the Velaeri. Be a good man and point us in the right direction, then?" He turns to the rest of the party and says, "didn't we still need something from the smithy, too? Right, then," he turns back to the young man, without waiting for a reply, "we'll need to know where the smithy is, too - Ramblinggate, isn't it?"

[Gelatinous Q]

"Temple's over thar, squire," the boy mumbles, indicating a squat square building of blue limestone sitting at a slight incline above the rest of the village, off to your right. "You'll reach Master Ramblinggate's by turnin' left here, then a right at the end of the lane. He'll be on your right where the road curves — you'll hear the clangin'."

On the map, the Temple is D, the smithy is B.

[Argennian]

Savik continues to carefully scan the bustling village as Bran converses with the young lad. He's looking for any of village populace that look out of place, perhaps being foreigners or visitors, or any that could be paying more than casual attention to their newly arrived contingent.

Once finished, the elf addresses his two clerical companions. "Perhaps masters Iomhar and Ulfronde, in addition to myself, could go to see this Ramblinggate fellow whilst the both of you speak with the priest? If it would be agreeable, Glogs could accompany you both in that matter? I have concerns about any of us being alone and new to this place, at least until we have the lay of the land, so to speak?"

If this is agreeable to the others, Savik will follow Iomhar and Ulfronde over to the smithy while Bran, Gordon and Glogs go to the temple.

[Nuke66]

Looking over the area, Gordon spots the temple, clearly the main construct in the village. "Wish us luck, Bran, you have our note do you not?"

He heads off to the right following the path to the temple.

[onlyme]

If this is agreeable to the others, Savik will follow Iomhar and Ulfronde over to the smithy while Bran, Gordon and Glogs go to the temple.

I personally ( I mean Iomhar) would think it better to go to the inn, and only get provisions as we leave. No sense buying something we have to pay to store, etc. Also we may get information/supplies from a helpful weary traveller in the inn who is willing to assist us for free

[Alethan]

"Agreed," replies Bran, "But let's do something about these mounts, first." Bran hops down from the donkey and begins leading it over to the stables (once Ulf is down, as well, of course).

[Gelatinous Q]

"Agreed," replies Bran, "But let's do something about these mounts, first." Bran hops down from the donkey and begins leading it over to the stables (once Ulf is down, as well, of course).

Bran notes a sign nailed outside the entrance to The Scarlet Moon's courtyard: NOTICE ~ OUR STABLES ARE RESERVED FOR PAID GUESTS OF THE INN ~ Kreagold Natripper, owner & proprietor. The boy who helped Shadwraith with his mount points to it smugly after dusting off his discarded apple.

After scanning his surroundings, Savik realizes that his own group is the most conspicuously out-of-place thing on the streets of Tassin's Wood at the moment!

[Alethan]

Bran frowns, "Err... so I guess we should get a room here for the night. Hopefully they have a group room we could use that would save us some coin. You lot want to take care of that, then, while we head over to the temple?"

[onlyme]

Bran notes a sign nailed outside the entrance to The Scarlet Moon's courtyard: NOTICE ~ OUR STABLES ARE RESERVED FOR PAID GUESTS OF THE INN ~ Kreagold Natripper, owner & proprietor. The boy who helped Shadwraith with his mount points to it smugly after dusting off his discarded apple.

Iomhar reads the sign. and hears Bran "I suppose it best if I quickly check on availability of rooms and stable stalls. Give me a couple moments, if you kindly will. Please watch my horse, and I wont be long.

He dismounts, and hands the reins off to one of the remaining members. He walks into the Scarlet Moon, scans the place, and heads to whom appears to be the keep.

[Nuke66]

"Agreed, I guess I am not so experienced traveling with horses, though I do have plenty of experience riding them. Normally I am not concerned with leaving them. Let us just take a few moments at the stable."

"I agree with setting out in the morning, may need time to make a plan and prepare. Bran, you and I should discuss so things before we sleep."

Gordon makes his way to the stables, and casually strikes up a conversation with the young stable master. "Good day to you master. My name is Gordon, and our group is planning on stabling our mounts here this night"

He smoothly dismounts and begins to scratch his mounts ears.

OCC: more RP GQ

[Gelatinous Q]

Iomhar and Gordon: I'm condensing your actions here to avoid some redundancy — you enter the inn together to secure lodgings and stable berths for the night. PM headed your way.

Ulf, Savik, Glogs and Bran wait outside for their companions to return.

[Opabinia]

Glogs watches the boy eating the filthy apple with alarm. I am not entirely optimistic about the quality of these lodgings.

[Gelatinous Q]

After several minutes, Iomhar and Gordon emerge from The Scarlet Moon. The stableboy hastens to your side to assist with your mounts.

[Nuke66]

Gordon walks from the inn and proceeds to the rest of the group. "I paid for the rooms for this night in the interest of saving time"

As Matthelemew hustles over for the horses, Gordon says "Take extra special care of them will you?" throwing a wink his way.

[Alethan]

"Right," reply's Bran, "Then we'll head on over to the temple and see what we can find out. We'll catch up with you later."

Bran then follows the directions given by the shepherd boy to the temple.

[Argennian]

Savik will wait to be the last of his companions to hand over their mounts and retrieve their belongings. He will be sure to secure his saddle bags and all of his gear from his mount and will confirm the others have done so. When he hands over his mount and gets a moment to quickly speak to the stable boy, he'll lean over and offer his best friendly smile. He extends his hand to the young boy and will gracefully place a silver piece in his hand. "As my colleague stated, please take good care of our mounts now, young master." He then looks the boy in the eye and whispers something to him and places what looks to be another coin in his hand.

As Bran, Gordon and Glogs make to split away on their errand, the elf wishes them good fortune with their hopefully productive interview with the priest by offering a simple nod. He will then turn to Iomhar and Ulfronde. "After I bring my gear to my room and secure it, I will join you both in the common area, gentlemen."

When he enters the tavern inn, Savik will pay for his own room. He will keep all of his gear and weapons on, stashing only his riding gear and saddlebags (containing his rations and mundanes only) in the room and lock the door if given a key. If not, he'll place a small bit of lint between the door and the doorjamb, in order to know if someone's been in there without his knowledge.

[Gelatinous Q]

Just a point of clarity here: Gordon has already paid for two suites that will lodge all of you. (Let's assume that he has left the keys with the delegation remaining at the tavern.) Unless I'm misunderstanding and you want to secure your own private room?

[Argennian]

Just a point of clarity here: Gordon has already paid for two suites that will lodge all of you. (Let's assume that he has left the keys with the delegation remaining at the tavern.) Unless I'm misunderstanding and you want to secure your own private room?

OOC: This is perfectly fine. Sorry for the miscue, GQ. I didn't know the details and wrongly assumed it was individual rooms. Is there a bill of fare for services provided here?