Zyphen would prefer not to talk to the horse salesman, but after examining the horses, he will indicate to Kanir which horse he believes is the best.

11:42, Today: Zyphen rolled 10 using 1d20+4. Sense Motive vs. Human.
11:41, Today: Zyphen rolled 17 using 1d20+5. Handle Animal.

Certainly. I would like to speak with this Nobby and see what the good sheriff has to say.

Zyphen, Cuaglir and Kanir

Zyphen can tell that Jenovik should stick to selling tack.  One of the horses has a split hoof, clumsily camouflaged with boot black.  You would be lucky to get more than a mile before it went lame.

It's a close-call between Honest Handry and Mennith.  But there's at least the possibility that Handry earned the nickname.  Unfortunately, neither have any warhorses.  Handry tells you that it will be ten days before he gets new stock in.  Mennith believes he can get one in four days.
---------------------------------------
Atalakis and Corven
The innkeeper flushes slightly at Corven's insensitive remark but does not comment.

To Atalakis, she says "Oh no, ther's no need to speak to Nobby.  He's just one of my kitchenhands.  But I'll send him for the sheriff right away."  She walks off (given her bulk it's almost a waddle) in the direction of the kitchen.

Zyphen is not overly interested in what horse Kanir chooses, so he will keep as inconspicuous as possible, and watch passer-by for anything suspicious, such as thieves.  Since he was a pickpocket when he was a child, he knows what to look for.

Once Kanir is done with his horse shopping, can we buy/sell what we like?  Zyphen will probably sell off some magic arrows he does not want to keep.

Then Zyphen and Co. could perhaps return in time for Atalakis' meeting with the Sheriff?

The young man repeats the same thing to both horse dealers, "We don't know how long we are staying in Yarter.  I'll be b...back later after we know.", and walks away a bit disappointedly.

OOC: Kanir wants to go scribe some spells into his spellbook.  That'll take a while so we should deal with your stuff now, and Kanir will go with you and look around to see if there's any place he can buy spells.

-K

I don't feel the need to RP out selling my arrows and buying misc. gear unless Fletch feels we should.  If so, I will dig up my shopping list sooner rather than later.

From the horsemarket Kanir and Zyphen lead Cuaglir in search of any and every shop in town that deals in magical supplies and items.  Zyphen sells off some magical arrows and Kanir is delighted to pick up three scrolls he has been searching for.  With the shopping finished you all return to the the Harvest Sheaf where you find Atalakis and Corven, who are apparently waiting for the sheriff to arrive.

((Cuaglar.  COO-ag-lar.))
The elf swordsman took a seat next to Corven, and said quietly,
"Any news on the wicked innkeeper plot?" with a smile growing on his face.

Zyphen will take a seat quietly in a corner, where he can watch everyone enter and leave, and keep his cowl up to hide his genasi features lest he attract unwanted attention.

"D...does anyone know how long we will be staying here in Yartar?  None of them had any trained horse, but one said he can bring one in 4 days.  I said I'll g...g...get back to him., the young man asks around to see if the group is taking leisurely stay around the town.

OOC: So, if no one objects to waiting for 4 days for the horse, I'll go to the horse dealer and tell him to order one for me.

-K

OOC: Sorry for the hold-up, I expected Corven and/or Atalakis to respond to your arrival at the inn.  Since they've both been on-line since Tuesday...

Atalakis and Corven tell the others of the innkeepers message.  Apparently there is work to be done, maybe even heroic work, if only the sheriff will hurry up and arrive.

As if on cue, the door to the inn swings open and a tall half-elf enters followed by two dwarves.  The half-elf wears a tabard with the town insignia over a studded leather jerkin.  One dwarf is dressed in civilian clothes, the other is armed and armoured.

The inn-keeper greets the new arrivals, "Hi Sheriff, Hubrid, I see Nobby found you," and nods in your direction.

The half-elf replies "Yes, hello Mistress Katrina.  I take it these are the adventurers." he turns in your direction, the civilian dwarf eyes you with curiosity as well.

"Hi.  I'm Sheriff Fergrin Ty-Djarling.  I'm responsible for keeping order around these parts.  I've a job that I could use some help with if you're interested.  Do you mind if we join you?  This is Hubrid Darkfather the town smith and a member of the town council and Morad Forgehammer a cleric of Moradin, as I understand it, who's already agreed to help."  Sheriff Fergrin introduces the two dwarves with him as he approaches your table.

Atalakis will stand in order to introduce himself. It is a pleasure to meet you, Sheriff Fergrin Ty-Djarling, as well as you Hubrid Darkfather, Morad Forgehammer. Atalakis will nod to each in turn. I am Atalakis, the Pastel Paladin of Sune and defender of all that is good and true in this world. Please, do join us and let us know how we might be of assistance.

Atalakis, will gesture for them to join and will sit once they have, ready to hear what they have to say.


11:56, Today: Atalakis rolled 16 using 1d20+10. Diplomacy.

"And I am Cuaglar Annondur, late of Silverymoon, swordsman." Cualar said, eager to spread his name around.

The young man does not seem comfortable with the relative strangers.  "This is Kweek.  They call me Kweek.  D...Don't they, shadow, don't they?", he slumps into the chair he is sitting in, and starts speaking to his backpack.

-K

"Hello Atalakis, Cuaglar, Kweek?" the sheriff's voice makes the last name a question, as if to confirm that he has heard correctly.

"Strange as it may sound, the job I have can be traced back to Waterdeep.  See most of the trade passing through here is either coming from or bound for the city.  A lot goes by the trade roads but a bunch also goes by river barge on the Dessarin down from Silverymoon and Mithril Hall.  We're close enough that we get visited by recruiting parties each spring but too far away for them to care much for our protection."

"And that might be a problem.  Just south of here along the river you enter the Dessarin Hills.  Partway up Stonebrow Hill overlooking the river is Brightstone Keep.  It hasn't been garrisoned for a while now.  Every year I have to try and find men to go up there and check it out, because, while the defences have seen better days, it's a perfect base for anyone wanting to raid the river traffic."

"I can offer one hundred gold each if you'd be prepared to go to the Keep, scout it out and return with a report.  If you find you need to evict undesirables, well we can probably work out a bounty.  What do you say?"

"Undesirables?  Do you think bandits use that keep, then?" Cuaglar asked,tapping his fingers on the table.

Zyphen listens, but remains silent and shadowed in his corner.

"Bandits.  Goblins.  Orcs.  They've all been there before at one time or another and will likely return, if not this year then next.  They'll keep doing it too, until Waterdeep or one of the other cities decides it's worth their while to garrison the Keep."

"Perhaps you could seal it up or destroy the keep?  If it's that much of a cause for concern, it might be worth it."

Corven will sit back in his chair, listening to the conversation and taking a look around the inn.

"Oh...I don't know.  I d...don't know.  Converting a keep into a ruin of a keep won't deter ruffians to habitate it, I guess.  Sealing it up sounds better though.  I suppose we have to c...clear it before we can seal it.", he mumbles a bit while biting his fingernails.

-K

Good sir, we will be glad to investigate this keep and oust any ne'er do-wells that may inhabit it. I give you my word, as Sune's colorful champion that we will accomplish this task. All we need is to know the location and we can set off promptly.

While his face remains cold and expressionless, Zyphen sighs--considering that he does not breath, you take this as a sign that Zyphen is exasperated with the paladin.  "I suppose this was inevitable.  How soon can we be ready to leave?  The sooner we go, the sooner we can move on to Llork."  Zyphen looks particularly to Kanir, who Zyphen understands needs to scribe spells.

"And while we wait," he murmurs, "perhaps one of you can teach our enthusiastic paladin something of the fine art of haggling...."
This message was last edited by the player at 12:21, Fri 19 Oct 2007.

"I...I tried to get a horse for the road.  The earliest it'll be here is in four days, the dealer said, if you remember.", the young man reminds Zyphen of the earlier shopping ordeal.

-K

"Do you need longer to scribe your spells?"

OOC:  Would it be workable to simply pass the number of days Kanir determines he needs to scribe his spells and buy his horse, then set out?  Zyphen might care precisely how many days it is, but I personally don't, and I don't think there is any time-sensativeness to the mission.

"Well, if I could, I would s...spend weeks and weeks just scribbling.  4 days is as good as any.", the young man replies

-K