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09:20, 28th March 2024 (GMT+0)

The Emperor of Curd.

Posted by AutarchFor group 0
Matwau
player, 116 posts
+7 (1d10+4); Ins4, Per9
AC 18, F15, R18, W16
Tue 31 Mar 2009
at 14:42
  • msg #33

Re: The Emperor of Curd

"Full service establishment." Matwau repeats slowly, having to think about what those words might mean. "Full service establishment? Full full? You have everything? You have roasted macaque?"
Ravex
player, 212 posts
+9, d8+5; Ins1, Per1
AC21, F17, R13, W12
Tue 31 Mar 2009
at 18:41
  • msg #34

Re: The Emperor of Curd

Ravex grumbles and squints. Instead of pressing his threat, he decides to hang back and watch.
Quinn Marhanen
player, 87 posts
+4, 1d8; Ins+5, Per+5; T2
AC 19, F 15, R 17, W 17
Tue 31 Mar 2009
at 19:23
  • msg #35

Re: The Emperor of Curd

Quinn squints at the bartender and makes a mental note to check any glass carefully before the bartender pours him a drink.  "I think we might want to go elsewhere, assuming we can get past the crows.  They must have a way of bringing supplies in, be it only a cellar entrance for the casks of beer.  If not there's always a window."

That said Quinn starts looking around for the nearest window.
Autarch
GM, 368 posts
Wed 1 Apr 2009
at 02:35
  • msg #36

Re: The Emperor of Curd

"I can't say I've ever ordered that dish myself.  I always have the specialty myself," Chester replies to Matwau, rubbing his belly unselfconsciously.  "You'd have to ask Aloitious about our complete menu."

Quinn glances around.  Through the lobby windows, he can see the press of the crowd.  It doesn't abate before or after the main entrance--a good thing, for all concerned, that Matwau's tomahawk didn't smash one of them.  And, given the rein of the quixotic in the Emperor of Curd, nothing might have been gained by the violence.

Several flies complete a Flamenco about a candelabra.

~~~

Aloitious, the barkeep, stares at Antillios expectantly.
Gethin Ballider
player, 147 posts
+8, d8+4; Ins10, Per3
AC21, F15, R14, W15
Wed 1 Apr 2009
at 18:08
  • msg #37

Re: The Emperor of Curd

Gethin takes the ledger and, other than a brief glance, ignores the card.  He looks for the names of others who have signed in.  "I want to see these people.  Where are they?"
Autarch
GM, 370 posts
Wed 1 Apr 2009
at 18:20
  • msg #38

Re: The Emperor of Curd

One glance at the ledger reveals a blank first page, save for the headings of "Name," "Trans" or "Res," and "Comments," and if Gethin cares to look, blank subsequent pages, each and every one.  This revelation steals the impetus from Gethin's question.
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:21, Wed 01 Apr 2009.
Faedran
player, 37 posts
+7, 1d10+5, Ins 20 Per 13
AC 17 [F14] [R12] [W15]
Wed 1 Apr 2009
at 19:11
  • msg #39

Re: The Emperor of Curd

Leaving Gethin to deal with the mystery of the ledger, Faedran tries the bartender.

"Water, if you have some from a well outside of town, otherwise ..."

He struggles trying to guess what else might there to be had; water was really his thing.

"A beer of some kind?  What kegs do you have tapped?"
Quinn Marhanen
player, 88 posts
+4, 1d8; Ins+5, Per+5; T2
AC 19, F 15, R 17, W 17
Wed 1 Apr 2009
at 20:37
  • msg #40

Re: The Emperor of Curd

After glancing out the window, Quinn is about to order a drink when Faedrun speaks.  After thinking about it he makes do with a long draught from his waterskin, this whole place was creeping him out.

"Let's check out the perimeter of the building.  If there's a window overlooking the back or sides we can get out there, or we might find the trade entrance."  Given their weird behaviour, Quinn ignores the bartender and Chester as he speaks.
Gethin Ballider
player, 148 posts
+8, d8+4; Ins10, Per3
AC21, F15, R14, W15
Wed 1 Apr 2009
at 22:09
  • msg #41

Re: The Emperor of Curd

Frowning deeply, Gethin sets the ledger on the desk with forced patience.  He is surprised at the sudden urge in him to bash Chester's teeth with its thin wooden edge and see if the man continues his silly games through a mouthful of blood.

Take a deep breath.

He does.

"Sir, you are not being forthright with us, and I do not appreciate it.  I wish to know whether there are people other than ourselves currently staying in your establishment.  If so, where are they?  This place looks like it hasn't seen use in months."

Gethin Ballider rolled 21 using 1d20+11. diplomacy.
Autarch
GM, 372 posts
Wed 1 Apr 2009
at 23:59
  • msg #42

Re: The Emperor of Curd

Lounge
Aloitious narrows his eyes at Faedran, "Just where do you think you are, exactly?"

Then, he shrugs, and, speaking to the counter, tells him that he serves but one dish and but one drink at the Emperor of Curd.  Would he have the specialty or not?

Here and There
Quinn pokes about the premises.  Besides the lobby and the lounge, there is an exit that leads to stairs to the second floor.  It's pretty non-descript, not at all befitting an emperor for that matter, not even a red carpet along the hallway.  It just has six interior-facing doors, numbered one through six, and all locked.

Reception

Frowning for the first time, Chester acknowledges the truth of Gethin's charge.  "Well, no, I suppose we don't have any guests at the moment..not..not at the moment."

This appears to be a truth that Chester can't quite slip his hands around.

"I don't even think I know when we last had guests.  Can't say why.  We are, after all, a ..."

He brightens: "Maybe some people will check in after the street celebrations!"

If Gethin's insightful nature were to choose a word for Chester, that word might well be delusional.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:08, Thu 02 Apr 2009.
Matwau
player, 117 posts
+7 (1d10+4); Ins4, Per9
AC 18, F15, R18, W16
Thu 2 Apr 2009
at 09:22
  • msg #43

Re: The Emperor of Curd

"Hmmmmm." Matwau leans around the corner to look at the bartender, but then goes straight back to Aloitious. "But if you don't have roast macaque you're not a full... service... establishment." Matwau didn't know why he had to say it that way, he just did. This was a strange place and he was certainly not feeling himself.

"So you must have roast macaque! This is true, because I have used logic."
Chester
GM, 1 post
Thu 2 Apr 2009
at 13:46
  • msg #44

Re: The Emperor of Curd

"Not on the menu," -- Chester absorbs the full blast of Matwau's logic -- "We've always served ... exotic dishes..."

He seems to be struggling to explain further but his tongue can't cooperate.

~~~
*DC 15 Arcana checks for those overhearing this conversation.
*Chester=Concierge; Aloitious=Bartender.

Matwau
player, 119 posts
+7 (1d10+4); Ins4, Per9
AC 18, F15, R18, W16
Thu 2 Apr 2009
at 13:51
  • msg #45

Re: The Emperor of Curd

Matwau thinks back to some conversations with the shaman... maybe his dim understandings of magic might shed some light on the situation.
-
Arcana: 20!
Autarch
GM, 374 posts
Thu 2 Apr 2009
at 14:01
  • msg #46

Re: The Emperor of Curd

PM to Matwau
Matwau
player, 120 posts
+7 (1d10+4); Ins4, Per9
AC 18, F15, R18, W16
Thu 2 Apr 2009
at 15:55
  • msg #47

Re: The Emperor of Curd

Matwau mouths a word in a moment of realisation. He looks among his friends... who is most shaman like? Who would most understand the words of the wild ones? Faedran of the forest? Quinn of the diabolical books? Little Antillios the warluck?

He would disseminate it amongst them and hope someone understood...

"Geas." he whispers urgently, first to Gethin, tugging on the man's sleeve to pull him away from Chester so they can speak in private. "Geas. I think he has a geas. It is a geas because if you have a geas you can't say the thing that will set you free from the geas. Something must be done but he can't... he can't say what!"

Excited now, Matwau rushes into the bar to proudly tell the others the thing his logic had made, but he tried to keep his excited whisper under his breath so his hosts would not hear... not just yet anyway.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:05, Thu 02 Apr 2009.
Faedran
player, 39 posts
+7, 1d10+5, Ins 20 Per 13
AC 17 [F14] [R12] [W15]
Thu 2 Apr 2009
at 18:36
  • msg #48

Re: The Emperor of Curd

"A spell?"

It is a question but Faedran's whisper is not one of surprise.  He keeps the tone low so neither employee of this decidedly abnormal place can hear.

"A curse, or a shared spirit walk?"

There were many possibilities, but only one solution.  "We must break this spell."

"Somehow ..."

The Half-Elf is clearly at a loss.  Rent rooms? Enjoy the food and drink?  Indulge in full service?  Talk it out?  Decide who was trans and who was res?

None of it made sense, and clouds seemed to drift across his mind.  At least Faedran was guided by one sign.  Nature could not be denied: he was hungry and thirsty.

Accosting the bartender, his tone decidedly snappy, he says:

"Alright then.  I'll take that one dish and one drink."

Please.  He knows he should have added that, but he didn't feel like being polite; he can feel his mood shifting, the storm, it was coming.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:37, Thu 02 Apr 2009.
Quinn Marhanen
player, 89 posts
+4, 1d8; Ins+5, Per+5; T2
AC 19, F 15, R 17, W 17
Thu 2 Apr 2009
at 22:48
  • msg #49

Re: The Emperor of Curd

Quinn catches the end of Matwau's excited whisper as he stumps down the stairs.  Perking up the mage looks at Chester with interest.  "Hmmm...."

"Without knowing how the geas was cast I don't know how we'd break it.  I wouldn't eat or drink anything here until we find out the purpose of this place."

Narrowing is eyes in through, Quinn suddenly turns on one foot and strides up to the area Chester appeared from, looking for the trap door.
Aloitious
GM, 1 post
Thu 2 Apr 2009
at 23:11
  • msg #50

Re: The Emperor of Curd

With a practiced hand, the barkeep snatches a pitcher and fills a mug with frothy yet possibly lumpy white liquid.  Smells like milk.  But milk that lives in that treacherous land between potable and turned.  With his other hand, he retrieves a colossal bowl and places it under the half-elf's nose.  Little whitish curds and nubs heaped high with a slick white grease coating it all.  This can only be a super-sized bowl of cottage cheese--more than any man could eat.  At least, it looks and smells reasonably fresh.

Although they are almost completely lidded, Faedran detects a new inhabitant within the barkeep's eyes.

~~~

Quinn leans over the counter; he sees that Chester's feet stand squarely on the trapdoor.
Gethin Ballider
player, 150 posts
+8, d8+4; Ins10, Per3
AC21, F15, R14, W15
Fri 3 Apr 2009
at 02:10
  • msg #51

Re: The Emperor of Curd

The pregnant looks and terse whispers and meaningful nods aren't lost on Gethin.  A new understanding dawns: these pitiable men may themselves be the captives in need of rescue.

He catches Quinn's glance and decides to help how he can.  So he does something that just a week ago he never thought he'd see himself do.

Gethin lies.

"Alright.  Maybe I'll take a room.  But I want to see it, first.  Show me."

22:09, Today: Gethin Ballider rolled 16 using 1d20+4. Bluff (if needed).
Chester
GM, 2 posts
Fri 3 Apr 2009
at 17:48
  • msg #52

Re: The Emperor of Curd

Effulgent with pride, Chester enthuses, "Yes, yes, I would love for you to see one of our suites.  We are, after all, a full-service inn, and those services, naturally, extend to our rooms.  Room, chamber pot, magic finger, ice bucket, and alarm ..."

"Oh, and other specialty services," he demurely adds, with a wink at Gethin. "But I'm sure a strapping lad such as yourself won't need those.  Just wander into the lounge and you'll make some new friends."

"The rooms are 5 gold a night or 20 gold for a week!  Stay for a day or a lifetime!  The Emperor of Curd will cater to all of your needs."

Bouncing ever so perceptibly on the balls of his feet, he waits for Gethin.

A few swirls of dust billow and then dissipate in the mid-evening heat of Loudwater, disturbed by a slowly oscillating evening fan.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:54, Fri 03 Apr 2009.
Aloitious
GM, 2 posts
Fri 3 Apr 2009
at 17:53
  • msg #53

Re: The Emperor of Curd

You are in the lounge of the Emperor of Curd, at the bar, with the tables and the bar ridge squeezing your mid-section.

Antillios is here, next to you, in an identical state of displacement.

Aloitious, the barkeep, watches you expectantly with about one-quarter of his eyeball.

A steaming (not literally) super-sized bowl of cottage cheese oozes on the counter.

A frothy and potentially lumpy mug of milk is here.
Gethin Ballider
player, 151 posts
+8, d8+4; Ins10, Per3
AC21, F15, R14, W15
Fri 3 Apr 2009
at 17:56
  • msg #54

Re: The Emperor of Curd

"Lead the way, then."

Gethin warily follows Chester out of the foyer.  As he goes, he casts a meaningful glance from Quinn to the trap door on which Chester stood just a moment ago.

Once they're gone, he hems for a moment, then asks, "What's a magic finger?  And why would I need an alarm?"
Chester
GM, 3 posts
Fri 3 Apr 2009
at 18:00
  • msg #55

Re: The Emperor of Curd

Chester doesn't budge from the trapdoor.  "I can give you a key after you've signed the ledger and paid for your stay."

You think you can detect beads of sweat creasing the rim of his bellboy's cap.
Quinn Marhanen
player, 90 posts
+4, 1d8; Ins+5, Per+5; T2
AC 19, F 15, R 17, W 17
Fri 3 Apr 2009
at 18:09
  • msg #56

Re: The Emperor of Curd

Quinn studies the unmoving Chester for a few seconds, then turns away and gestures for Gethin to follow him to the others.  "I could try and put Chester to sleep, then we could examine him and get into that cellar."
Gethin Ballider
player, 152 posts
+8, d8+4; Ins10, Per3
AC21, F15, R14, W15
Fri 3 Apr 2009
at 19:06
  • msg #57

Re: The Emperor of Curd

Gethin studies Chester's face a long moment, trying to discern the source of his worry.  Clearly something great is at stake here.  Self-interest?  Does Chester want him to sign the ledger because it would set him free?  A shadow of guilt?  Would signing the ledger imprison Gethin in his place?

After that long moment, he turns back to Quinn.  "A good fall back plan, but I worry that using force against the geas might... damage him somehow.  That sometimes happens in the stories, doesn't it?  I would prefer to avoid that if we can.

Can you tell if his ledger is magical?  He seems keen to have me sign it.  I am keen not to.  Does it contain secret writing that would bind me in some way?"


15:05, Today: Gethin Ballider rolled 17 using 1d20+10. insight: why is chester sweating?.
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