Andalon smiles as he recalls a happy memory.

"Well, I had a tutor when I was younger. He was supposed to teach me the skills I would require to succeed in my family's trade as a merchant. But he was a young and enthusiastic cleric of Abadar, much like I am now, I suppose, and we found we both enjoyed tales of the adventures of the Balanced Scales of Katapesh, a clerical order of church of Abadar tasked with searching out hidden, misplaced or ill-gotten wealth from all sorts of exciting places ranging from bandit lairs to forgotten ruins and ancient tombs out in the wilderness. So surely this mission of Henry de la Maistre's to explore the Stolen Lands must truly be a Godsend! Even the Banker, the head priest of my church, agreed this expedition is quite clearly in line with the church's noble mission to bring the light of civilization to the wilderness. Who knows, perhaps it may even bring me closer to achieving my dream of joining the Balanced Scales, one day."

Andalon sighs and drinks deeply from his mug of ale.

"So, what about you? I would wager that your tale is far more interesting than mine."

She gave pause to consider his words, then shook her head. "Different, yes." she added, taking another sip of water "But I would hardly call it interesting."

Once more, she set the water down before looking at Andalon more seriously. "To my kind I am, I was, a threat. A threat to their way of life and way of thinking. So I had to leave, but not in a manner which allows one to walk through a door or away without a scratch. " a breath leaves her lips and the story stops a moment as her eyes draw away.

"I am here now and lucky to be so for more reasons than I could ever hope to share with you." she pauses, albeit briefly before adding. "The world is full of mystery, wonder, and intrigue, but I have found people are not always willing to glimpse it if it means anything far from their comfort. "

Andalon looked at Aris'ta for a moment and smiled sympathetically.

"Well, if we are travelling together for long, perhaps you will share more of you story with me one day. I have heard a few tales about your people - I'm sorry, you are a dark elf, aren't you? And stories about your underground world - the underdark, right? But I have never seen either before. Some people might be too scared to even learn more about either but I certainly hope I would never shy away from that chance.

"Anyway, you spoke of your bow and your wit. Does that mean you are a mage as well as an archer?"

Aris'ta smiled, fingering the lip of her glass. " I merely meant my knowledge of nature and locality, but I have considered such opportunities. " she paused, raising the glass to her lips once more as she pondered the answer to his other questions.

"Careful what names you speak, for they might get you into trouble. People are right to fear my kind, for as a whole, we are a treacherous people. But there are those, like myself, who do not think as the collective does. We have dared to venture into a world far beyond our understanding in hopes of something better. What awaited us was as you would expect, fear, anger, contempt. Mostly fear and who can blame them? My people live their lives very close to their ideals and your way of life is a threat to that, even if you choose to leave them as they are. But enough of me, tell me more of your worldly conquests. " It is clear that even without forcing the point, she is done speaking of it for now.

"Oh, no, I couldn't do that. A gentleman doesn't kiss and tell," Andalon replies a little too quickly.

"Or did you mean battles I have fought? I am afraid I have nothing much to report in that respect. I have only recently completed my training at the church of Abadar in my home city of New Stetven. The closest I have come to any sort of battle so far is guard duty on the city walls, as my clerical training required service in the city watch as well. But I expect I will have an opportunity to put that part of my training to use once we reach the Stolen Lands."

He drains the last of his mug of ale in one swallow and steps back from the bar.

"Come on then, let's get your accommodation sorted out. Mr Barkeep, now would be a good time to show Miss Aris'ta where to stow her gear. Is she to sleep in the same bunkroom you showed me earlier or is there a separate room for the ladies?"

"One big bunk room." the Inn Keeper responds cheerfully, as he leads the way through the common room to the slightly more private bunk room.  "Take your pick miss." he says indicating the almost empty bunk room.

There are six sets of double bunks, one of which is take up by Andalon's gear.

Aris'ta leans bak a bit in surprise at Andalon's quick response, but makes no direct move or word about it. She merely stores the information as it may become important later. She let's the matter drop as the discussion of their sleeping arrangements is made. She rises from her seat and follows after the pair, looking about the large bunk room with a look of indifference. At the mention that all are to room together, she merely nods her heads and selects a bunk that is farthest from the door and closest to a wall.

" This will do nicely. You have my thanks. " is her slight reply, placing her meager belongings to the bed before turning back around. "Is there a time to ready ones self for a bite to eat or are we to fend for ourselves?" she asks with little worry for her accommodations.

"Stew for dinner later this evening.  I did hear that we had got a bit of chicken to go in it tonight." He confirms with a nod, before he returns to the bar.

Aris'ta gives a slight sigh as the barkeep leaves the room, sitting upon the bunk as she rummages through her pack to check all her belongings are there and ready. It will be nice to have a good meal for a change instead of whatever one can hope to hunt and obtain. She has a few rations she picked up on the trip here, but other than that she has kept her money close, never knowing what she may need it for. Absently, she wonders over what is to come next, but then the thought is gone and she is ready to move on.

Andalon gives Aris'ta enough time to settle in then makes a suggestion.

"Shall we take our bows and see if we can find any sort of wildlife that is fair game around here, to add to tomorrow's stew, or perhaps just somewhere we can practice?"

He lifts the shield that rests on the bunk he had chosen for himself and pulls out the light crossbow that was underneath it.

Aris'ta rises from her place and reaches round to retrieve her quiver and bow.

"A most excellent idea, Andalon, let us as the barkeep if there are areas suitable for such sport. We would not wish to poach on lands that are not allowed for such activities." she smiles, shouldering both bow and quiver, making sure her purse is close to her person and makes move for the bunk  room door.

"Come, it will do us some good to enjoy the open air. "

The barkeep has that expression on his face that says he is going to give them bad news, well before the pair finish asking about hunting grounds.  "There isn't anywhere close that you can hunt without a licence." He tells them quietly, "This close to the city every spare inch of land is spoken for.  However, if you want to use one of the larger animal pens for practice, I can probably arrange that, so long as you are careful, and sensible about it." he offers by way of a compromise.

Aris'ta doesn't seem much surprised by the answer, but the smile remains at the Barkeeps sound compromise. It was more than she expected. "While I am sorry we won't be able to catch any game for your supper tomorrow, I would happily like the chance to warm the shoulder. And you Andalon?" she turns to the other, waiting response.

The barkeep steps out back for a moment or two and you hear him talking quietly to someone, then a young voice acknowledges the request and the barkeep returns to the bar.   "I have sent the lad to ask."

"A bit of target practice would be ideal," Andalon agrees. "I'll lose a lot less of my crossbow bolts that way."

Aris'ta's lower lip trembled just a bit, then she threw back her head and laughed. Oh, it felt so good to laugh like that, it had been so very long. "You and I shall get along fine I feel. Especially with wit as that. "

"Just wait until you see my marksmanship, young lady," he retorts sternly, then breaks into a broad grin. "You'll laugh your head off then!"

In moments he is laughing just as loudly as she is.

After a few minutes the barkeep is called into the back room to speak with the lad again.  "Yep.  For a couple of silvers, he says the bailiff will even set up a couple of practice targets for you on the big pen the militia use for practices.  They will be  crossbow targets, Miss," he half apologises, "because that is what the they issue out to the militia around here.

"Excellent," Andalon replies immediately. "Can you spare the lad for a few minutes to show us the way there?"

"I'll send him to let the Bailiff know, and he'll meet you outside win a couple of minutes." the barkeep replies looking across towards thew door, where the lad is waiting, who nods and disappears out of sight.  "He's a good lad ..." the barkeep adds quietly when the boy is out of earshot.

A few minutes later he is back and waiting outside ready to show you across to the large pen, although you soon realise that it really is the largest on the animal pens, and there is a man there setting up a couple of vaguely man shaped targets.  The targets are set by a barn wall, but a barn wall that has been protected with bales of hay.  It is  almost as if they are expecting more people to miss the target than to hit it.

Aris'ta feels no hard luck at the style of target, she's merely thankful for the chance to practice her skill in a location that may or may not be dangerous. To do so in the company of another is an added bonus. Mentally she makes a note to find some way to reward the lad for his troubles at the barkeeps mention, but she stays relatively silent, save for a "Thank you" until they are on their way to practice.

Once there, she eyes the field with amusement. Not quite as how she would have imagined it, but it will do. "Though tradition often dictates ladies first, I graciously give you the opportunity. "

Then she turns to the lad and adds. "If you've nothing more pressing, I will gladly pay you a few coin to fetch our arrows for us when we are complete. " After all, she would not like to see the child hurt.

Andalon fishes out a couple of silver coins and asks the lad to give them to the bailiff as payment for use of the targets.

Then he paces out a distance of 60 feet from the target and marks a line in the dirt with his boot.

He loads his light crossbow, aims and fires at the target three times in succession. All three shots hit the torso of the target with the second bolt plunging straight through its 'heart'.

Andalon cannot disguise his joy as he steps back from the firing line and walks back to join Aris'ta.

"That's fantastic!" he exclaims. "I've never shot that well in my life!"

OOC: I figure a basic man-size target is AC10, with appropriate adjustment for range increments?
Andalon de Lebeda rolled 16,21,17 using d20+1,d20+1,d20+1.  Target practice (60ft).
Andalon de Lebeda rolled 20 using 1d20+1.  Confirm crit for second shot?

A tall thin half-elf with short wavy dark hair approaches the Drover.  A grey horse with a white patch walks beside her carrying a pack.  She seems to be using it more as a pack animal than anything.  A large bird of prey circles the air above them.  The woman carries only a white birch walking staff.

When they reach the building she clicks her tongue at the horse to get its attention.  She holds up three fingers when the horse looks.  It immediately walks to beside the animal pens and waits.  The half-elf whistles sharply and holds the same three fingers in the air.  The bird lands on the roof of the animal pens and waits as well.

The woman enters the tavern with a smile on her face.  "What a glorious afternoon!  Hello all."  She takes no notice of the fact that the room is mostly empty and turns to wait for someone at the door.  Moments later a small red fox seems to come out of nowhere and enters the tavern.  It holds a bright green apple in its mouth and drops the fruit at the woman's feet.  She bends down to grab the apple and strokes the fox before taking a large bite.

(OOC - Sorry for the nonspecific intro, I'm posting from my phone and out of the house.  I don't want to make the group wait any longer than they have to to start.)

A few moments after the half elf entered the tavern, another man walks into the tavern decked from shoulder to calf in chain mail with a heavy shield and an ornate longsword attached to his back. He made his way deftly to the bar, despite his gear and almost as though he'd heard her comment on the weather, he began, "What a fine day indeed! A great day to begin a journey with my family friend Henry, Henry de la Maistre that is. He sent me here to meet a group set for an expedition. Have you seen him this fine day? Tell me barkeep, are there any others here to meet Henry?

Seeing the fox drop off apples, he commented "That's quite the useful trick my dear, where did you learn it, if you don't mind me asking?"

Aris'ta smiles widely, she enjoys the company of this Andalon character. His mood is most fetching. "Your aim is well. It will be a pleasure to accompany you. Now, I may not take so well a shot, nor as many, but let us see if my arm is still well balanced as to provide you with some competition. " with that, she moves away from him and moves to his shooting point.

Looking at the target, she estimates distance then turns and counts another 20 paces back. Slowly, she takes her stance, lifts her bow and locks her arrow. Her eye finds the target, watching as a small stray hair floats within a short, sudden breeze. For a moment, her eyes narrow and she lets the wing fly. It easily makes it's mark. Lowering the bow, she makes a very short, snappy nod of her head and moves back to Andalon.

"Fate smiles upon us friend. I was unsure of this range, and yet it appears by magic we have both made our marks. Shall we go another? "

"_{22:05, Today: Aris'ta rolled 22 using 1d20+4 ((18))}"
This message was last edited by the player at 05:12, Wed 30 Mar 2016.