for traveling in this  area.

Lafisual as best as he can tell realizes that they might have just arrived in the merchant district.  Is this where you had in mind? He looks to Lia.  He tries to take in the layout and feel of this area of the mound.

 they have  crossed the  great stone drawbridge of the South-east way.   They can see the    enclosed    'orc section' of the  city. orc Guards  with  the  insignia of Ironmound on their chest.  they turn  down a side street that   leads to a well lit area, there are stalls  set up, most of them are closed at this  hour  though some... tobacco stands..stand  with drinks..stands  with  young  men and women who are dressed to show their wares, but not conside3red to be of the  same type as those on the Street of Pleasures.

  Lia Points  to a Tavern on the corner that has an alley way that leads  to the docks.

  ..let us try this place...they are always looksing  for a good time here...

Very well, lead the way.  He follows her to the tavern.  He's not sure how safe they are, but then Lia seems to know her way around so he's not especially concerned at this point.  He's more anxious from the newness of it all.

 The  In had a Sign that showed  a scale  that had  gold  coins on one side, and some sacks on the other. The  Name " Goods and Gains" was under the sign.

 As they entered  there were   folks dressed as merchanst, some   Sailors, both military and commercial ,a pair of travelers  and a few 'shadey' looking folks.

 and  Old man sat on a stool by the fire  singing a song  about Sailors who sought a great white Serpent.

Well, shall we get settled and see what this gentleman has to say?  His story seems somehow...familiar.  He winks as her and looks for a place to sit within ear shot of the old man.

After they get settled and listening Lafisual inquires of Lia, What's good to drink here?  I am not especially hungry after all that food at the palace but I generally have room for an ale or two.  Now and then one discovers something that, in addition to mead, could be described as the nectar of the gods.  He thinks for a moment.  In fact if they have good mead, that might be the way to go?  He looks toward her for an indication of her preference.

  Lia    waves a waitress over and points to  Lafisual, Bring him a glass of wine from the Ironmond  Apple orchards?.. and i will take one from the Vineyards..and...he's paying...

 With the   lakes and River inside the walls, as well as orcharads  and  Vineyards, the City  could fend for itself, if ever it would fall under siege..but, i do not thing there is anyway the City could be sieged.... too many of the towns   surrounding  us, are allied to the crown.

You must not be confident we can cover our tab from performing?  Lafisual snickers.  No matter, it's fine.  I was planning to cover it anyway.  This time. He winks at her.  Apple is interesting and should be a solid introduction to the local faire.  There is nothing like honey though.

  Lia  shrugs,Sages keep bees, sell the honey, they Bring  Honey  in from Tou..the  Ironwood  elves bring Honey in as well... nothing like the   homegrown fruit though, i think its because they use  the left overs  from  serpents to  fertizlie the soil...  the river is deep,  and there are creatures down there  that the serpents  eat...and some? eat the serpents...The  Healers  like  serpent oil for makign the high priced healing potions.

Well, that's quite the endorsement.  I look forward to trying it.  I imagine I need to find new favorite things as it is.  He listens to the old man singing a little bit longer.  Have you heard this guy sing before?  I am wondering if this song is familiar or not.  We actually battled a large serpent on the river on our way over, but I imagine that's not especially uncommon in these parts from what I gather.

..what normally happens  is  feeding, little ones come to fee on something, and  it draws bigger ones in...sometimes, the Navy uses the gods  to decide  the fate of  pirates... they will  hang them from the side sof the ship as they approach the city... those who aren't  killed by serpents on the way in, can fight in the arnea  for a chacne to go free..thos who refuse to fight, are hung from the drawbridge   by their  arms , and  the  City watch cuts the  ropes, dropping them the  80 or so feet into the river...where..they are eaten anyway.
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:37, Tue 17 May 2016.

Sounds pretty brutal.  Anyway, what do you have planned for us in here?  Does this look like your kind of ... location?  He shrugs not really worrying about what happens next.  He likes not having to be concerned with guiding his entertainment and instead just taking in whatever comes his way.  With that he leans back a little in his chair and almost closes his eyes where he will still notice things but it allows him to concentrate a bit on other senses.

 she smiles  and Holds  a finger to her Lips,we will wait a bit. Sometimes the   crowd  will tell you, if they want to give you their money!

Lafisual opens his eyes enough to smile at her.  Very well.  I will just listen and wait for you to perform your magic.  He settle back in using all his senses to take in the atmosphere.  Not really caring so much about the money his is happy enough to just be along for the ride.

  She   smiles  there are soft conversations  going on as they..semi-listen to the old one's story.

 A Man takes of how his wife has been missing for a fortnight ...  two women talk of a Merchant lad who is lovely to look at but has been gone for some time... and one   fellow takes to a friend  about his lost chance to save a friend in the forest.

 When the Old Man finishes his story, there are a few  claps, and  some  Coins are  tossed  in a wooden Bowl he  had set in front of him for that purpose.

 Lia Stands up,Tal Ragon... might i use Your Inn, for one story? and be  on  my way? I am short of coin this night, as the  Grand Band of the City, refused me , my fair share at the ball this  night...perhaps, Singing my story for people of my own kind, will gain me enough coin for a  meal or two?

 Rogan waves to her, the  proceed, the older  man seems a bit  put off, but Rogan says,...one song.Lass.. Tal Rogan will not break the word he made when i gave my inn to this fellow , this night...but while he wets  his throat and  nobbles a bit, i say one song cannot hurt..

 She  takes off her  Clock, her cleveage  easy to see, and perhaps  enhanced a bit  buy the  tunic she wore, Elves, after all weren't known as busty...
a
  Beginning he tale in a sing-song voice, the  notes of her instrument  carrying her  words  like litter bearers .

 The is the story of   a Young and Handsome LAd who pined for the love of two women he sees, almost daily, in the  markets. But he is too shy to approach them, and they are too worldly to think he would want either of them, as the story goes, the two women each tell the lad the other  woman wants them, it is only when he makes  a time to meet them both...that all three come together... and spend the night of wild love making in a barn behind the market's way..

  The Lad, however..is soon missing, and the reason is unknown.. His dearest friend  tried to stop him from entering the  forest to see a woman who had   wanted him to aid her, in brining goods home from the MArket.... It was Not Until the  women  and the friend met  with the husband of the missing woman... that they decided to try and find  the missing friend and Missing woman...

  daring to enter the forest, the 4 fought  goblins and beasties, fell into traps... finally, the  Young lad was seen  with the Missing  wife. they had found a place to live  and be together, and had thrown away their old lives... The two women, had  found, that the  man missing his wife...and the fellow  who 'lost' his friend..were closer to their hearts then  any other before them... They came back to the City and became pairs, living   a life, most kings and queens  would envy...

  all this  said with deep description and  body movements that used her  legs  and  chest to draw eyes to her, her smile  and eyes  would catch those watching, almost as if  she was talking to them alone...

 when she was  done, coopers  silvers and a gold or tow  we tossed on their table...

  the  crowd  clapped and the two  women, moved from their  table, one , talking to the man who's wife  had been missing, and the other, who's friend had been lost in the forest.....