The One-Eyed Troll is in one of Phlan's largest buildings.  (On the city map of Phlan it is the large building right to the north of The Wagon Wheel and east of Boot Hall and Pepperland.)

It was once a grain warehouse, but has since been re-built and rooms for overnight or weekly stays line a large landing over the inn's common room.

Thankfully the doors and walls for those rooms are thick, for the common room sometimes grows raucous and noisy.  A few fights break out, but serious bloodshed is seldom seen.

The owner of the inn is a fat and jolly priest of Tymora named Father Darias.

Father Darias: 

Games of chance are welcome, and whenever he can not oversee the gaming tables, his gnomish friend Winslow Paradilinjiller IV keeps the dice rolling and the coins flashing.   Some nights the inn makes more money on the gaming tables that it does on food and drink.

Winslow Paradilinjiller IV:

Two barmaids tend tables, the half-orc Red Layla and the human Tess.

Red Layla:

Tess:

Bront Kalifron, a merchant, frequents the inn, and he keeps a well-stocked wagon outside and sells items at fair prices.  He has travelled far and wide and offers a wide selection of gear well-suited for the adventuring soul.  Father Darias allows Bront to buy, sell, and trade items either in the common room of the inn or outside the inn.

Bront's left ear has been cut off, and a jagged brown scared stub of flesh is left in its place.

Bront the Merchant:
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:14, Tue 06 Feb 2007.

Tess greet you and says with a pleasing voice Well met, travellers.

Tonight we have squash stew served with bread and cheese, late season rabbit in a tangy sauce, sliced ham with a side of spiced potatoes, or chicken stuffed with bread pudding and gravy.

Each meal costs 5 silver and comes with a glass of wine, mug of ale, or goats's milk.

Wines are locally grown and vinted, and the ale is imported from Westgate.  I'm not much of an ale girl, myself, but I hear it's quite good.

Rooms run a gold, and can four cozy or two with some decent privacy.

Quinlan flashes a broad smile:
The rabbit sounds delicious, together with a bottle of wine, my dear!
The half-drow is not wearing any disguise while at the inn, feeling safe enough with other half-humans around.

The waitress nods.  "Alright then, I'll have it out to you shortly."  She leaves with the order, then returns with a bottle of wine, which she sets down in front of the half-drow.  "Here you go.  Let me know if you need anything."  So saying, she continues around to the other tables, checking up on those that already have their food and getting orders from anyone new.

Quinlan relaxes a little, taking a few sips of wine and lets his gaze scan the hall. Both out of curiosity and of caution. Living with a bounty on your head makes you do that.
While waiting for his food, Quinlan strikes up a few conversations, trying to pick up gossip and bits of useful or fun information.

17:12, Today: Quinlan Fairfellow rolled 11 using 1d20+7. Gather info. Time spent: 3 hrs, and a a few gold for drinks (if they don't take wine from the bottle I ordered)
This message was last edited by the player at 08:00, Thu 08 Feb 2007.

As the young lady comes around he listens to the specials and smiles.  The chicken sounds great, I will have that and a simple pitcher of water if that wouldnt be to bothersome.  Gauge hands the lady a golden coin and sits back in his chair.  A bit bored with the wait he starts to lean back and do his best to balance on the back two legs.  Grinning with the feat he looks up as if something were in his eye before falling backwards with a loud thump as the back of the chair hits the worn floor.  As his cheeks take on a redish hue he sits the chair upright and just twidles his thumbs as his out of tune whistling takes away from his boredom.

The waitress smiles.  "Alright, I'll get that out to you shortly.  Change?"  Seeing Gauge not responding, she assumes a tip.  "I'll be right out with your water."  She turns and starts heading back to the kitchen.  As Gauge leans back on the chair, she turns around and says "Please don't-" *WHAM* She comes back and crouches down by the chair.  "Are you okay?  Do you need help getting up?"

Quinlan eyes the clumsy young man with an amused look, wondering slightly if he's putting up an act.

His cheeks a deep red he just smiles and opens his pack up.  Looking inside he smiles and pulls our what looks to be a white weasle.  Its whiskers moving in curiosity.  My little friend is just hungry same as I and with him moving around it cause me to topple over much like those strange little toys the children play with now.  Say hello Nuku Nuku.  She wont bite...

Digging into his pouch he pulled a little piece of a ration and tossed it around the table in a hope the little bugger would play with it.  It was always a good way to pick up the ladies in the other bars he thought.  Maybe it will help here.

unless we ask nice I bet.

"Probably a spellcaster" Quinlan muses, "Certainly not a ranger!"

As the patrons of the One-Eyed Troll nurse their drinks and hold whispered conversations, the door of the busy tavern quietly opens to reveal a large figure standing in the doorway, pausing apparently to allow his or her (it's hard to tell at the moment due to the figures voluminous robes and the fact that the cowl over their head completely encases the face in shadow) eyes to adjust to the light, and perhapses to take measure of the few various patrons that take note of the arrival and turn their curious eyes in that direction.

A sudden gust of wind from out side sucks the smoky air from inside the tavern, coincidently tugging back the figure's cowl to reveal a face only a mother could love, if she were nearsighted, dead drunk, and completely off her rocker. Even for an obvious nonhuman, the fellow has obviously gotten beat by the ugly stick a couple hundred too many times, making the ugliest troll look downright handsome by comparison.

Upon closer scrutiny (if anyone could stomach it), one could quickly determine, that despite his resemblance to the hideously ugly mongrelmen of legend, he is most likely a halfbreed of questionable human and orcish blood, whom someone had decided to improve upon by attempting to burn off all the skin on his face, and quite likely the rest of his body as well. Suffice it to say it didn't turn out well.

Quickly pulling the cowl back over his head to shield his face, the half-orc quickly shuts the door behind himself to shut out the draft, and makes his way directly to the bar without look around him, as if totally focused on reaching his destination without incident.

“Water I will have, if you please,” he inquires in a low raspy voice.

Hearing the raspy voice ask for water and him also being alone hollars over the silent crowd as if to make his voice be heard in the loudest bar in the nation.

OI! UGLY, I GOT WATER HERE!

Petting his small little pet he smiles as he waves the large person over.  He pulls out the chair just to point out he was being friendly.  Gauge grins from ear to ear just to try to be a nicer table guest.

Quinlan recoils as if whipped at the harsh greeting uttered by the mage, having endured much slander himself. He does nothing though, but studies with great interest how the large man will react (as do probably half the patrons of the inn).

The figure starts at the sudden outburst and turns to glare at the insensitive speaker, his mismatched eyes (one a muddy brown and one a cloudy blue) both seem to momentarily glint red in the flickering lamplight.

“If mean you the water between your ears, crack your skull to drink of it I do not believe you wish,” he hisses menacingly, and then after a pause of internal reflection is forced to chuckle at his own reaction and the look of the offending speaker’s face.  “Not most rational of responses one could have,” he musses, seemingly mostly to himself.

As a silently scowling half-orc waitress slams a semi-clean mug of tepid water in front of him, the man turns his attention away from the possible confrontation. “Ilmater’s blessing upon your house I pray,” he says with a bow and gratefully takes up the mug, only to drain it in one gulp.

“May I in the stables meditate in until the coming of dawn?,” he inquires hopefully of the innkeeper.

Bustling through the main room, Father Darius stops, surprised at this odd request.  "Well..I guess you could...would think you'd rather want a room..."

You can share my room, should you want some more comfort and a pair of watchful eyes! Quinlan offers.
He continues, eying the priest: Father, I see you are a servant of the lady luck. I would like to make a donation to thank her for the good fortune she bestowed me on my last adventure. Can I leave such a donation with you or is there a church in town?

"There is a church, though if you leave donations with me I will be sure to take them there on your behalf next time I visit."

Very well! Here is a purse with 300 gp, please make sure they come to good use! Quinlan hands over the the money seemingly with no regret.
He then turns back to the scarred one: So, care to join me? I should have some rabbit stew coming in shortly, if you're hungry.

Feeling like he was the relative of a horse and a donkey Gauge gets up and walks over to the large person.  Placing a hand out in friendship Gauge softly speeks in a somber tone.  Forgive my rashness and blantent rudeness.  My name is Guage.  And as a sign of my sorriness I wish to buy you a hot meal and ask for your forgiveness.  I am still new to this adventuring thing and getting to know how people are.  From where I come from I am the jokester.  And honestly that was all I was trying to do.

The old priest takes the purse.  "I should be heading over there tomorrow morning for devotions, I'll be sure to say a prayer for your well-being as well."  Returning to the bar, he pulls a chest from behind the counter and unlocks it, putting the purse in, then locks it back up and puts it out of sight.

Quinlan once more adresses the priest: Father, do you have entertainment planned for the evening? I'd like to offer my services as an acrobat and juggler."

The old priest looks thoughtful for a moment.  "Yes, we do have some planned on and off, so we should have some room to add someone.  Yes, I think we could work out a time for you to perform.  Maybe when it quiets down a bit?"

OOC: Acrobatics and the like are checked as the Perform skill, which means the DC reflects how memorable the performance is. Quinlan is fairly adept at this and taking 10 should land him in between 15 - 20, which is close to a great performance. Should I roll a check or can I take 10?

OOC: When it's not so busy and rowdy, you can take ten.

Satisfied with the reply, Quinlan nods and heads back to his table. Pulling out a few odd items from his pack he starts juggling.

Raith looks the half-drow carefully in the eye before deciding the offer is sincere, but waits a moment before replying so as to not interrupt the flow of conversation going on with the innkeeper.

“Care little do I for mine own comforts, but accept I will you offer in the spirit in which given it is,” the large man agrees politely with a nod.

As he stands to follow Quinlan to his table, he is once again accosted by the loudmouth fellow, tensing his massive muscles dangerously until he realizes an apology is in the offering.

“Perhaps I too an apology should make, you did not I think mean me any ill will, but unused am I to the be greeted as such by one who did not wish to fight. Just promised I did to share a table with this one, but if willing he be, together we all could sit,” the half-orc suggests, gesturing towards the table where the half-drow is pulling out a few odd items from his pack and starts juggling.

The more the merrier! Quinlan replies, without taking his eyes from the objects tumbling through his hands. He then draws out two chairs using his feet, still juggling.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:42, Tue 13 Mar 2007.

Nodding to the stranger who offers the table to sit at Gauge places Nuku Nuku on the table and heads to get his pitcher of water and his pack.  Coming back he sits down at one of the open seats and gives Nuku the piece of ration she had been chewing on before.

My name friends is Gauge Julius-Lee.  Thats a fancy little skill with the balls you have there.  Did it take long to learn?

When Gauge sees Tess go over to the table he had been sitting he motions her over so that she will bring his food to the table he now shares with the other two men.

I'm not *that* good... yet. It takes a lot of practice, but it's fun and you can make the odd coin now and then. That's your pet?
Quinlan nods towards Nuku.

Grinning at the mention of Nuku Nuku, Gauge clicks his tongue two times and she scuries over to him and up his sleaved arm.  No sir, Nuku Nuku is my friend and companion.  Not a pet.  Hard to describe but we have a deep connection.  She is a ferret.  Cute little creatures, found her in a market near death and spent a few coins on her.  Since then, I don't know how to let you know, but she is much more then a pet.  Gauge then rubs his hand over her long body and picks her up giving her a small kiss on her nose before placing her back onto his shoulder where she soon is nuzzling his ear and neck.

“And here I was just thinking a nice snack it would make,” Raith chuckles, smiling to show that he merely speaks in jest. “Though perhaps merely my hunger it is speaking. A long journey have I made with little rest, and barely a decent meal in the making. A long walk is it from the Earthspur Mountains to your city of Phlan,” he comments wryly as he awaits the promised meal.

The two waitresses come out to the table with Quinlan's and Gauge's food.  Setting them down at the table, the half-orc heads back for Raith's, while the human stays to collect the money.

"Okay then, here's yours and yours, and yours, big sir, will be out shortly.  Anything else you need?"

The other waitress returns with the third meal, then backs off to wait on other tables.

It is a long walk indeed! I come from Scardale myself, but had to trek the Underdark to get here. My companions have left for adventuring elsewhere, and I just arrived, looking for a job or whatever Tymora might lay across my path!

Quinlan acknowledges Tess and signals he needs nothing more from her at the moment.

Before digging gratefully into the food, Raith takes a moment to bow his head in thankful prayer.

“Blessed Ilmater, think I you for the pain of hunger you given me have in remembrance of all those who suffer without nourishment. Also, thank I you for the strength have you shared during the fasting this last week have I endured. And especially most, thank I you for guiding to share their meals with one as undeserving as I.”

Whatever else he was going to pray is interrupted by a large growl from his midsection, and as the waitress returns with his food, he attacks it with a growl after a barely polite nod of thanks to his benefactors.

Quinlan looks glad. 'aren't we a merry band: the outcast, the scarred, and the guy with a ferret as best friend! This is going to be great!

Pushing the empty plate and drained mug away with a satisfied sigh, Raith stands once more and retrieves his quarterstaff from the corner.

“Many thanks for the fine meal I give you,” the half-orc says with a bow of gratitude.

“Visit must I shrine of Ilmater, return will I to accept hospitality I will, though welcome all who shrine’s respect wishes to give,” he adds before heading towards the door.

Quinlan bows in return, and replies: i'm going to seek out the local merchant before my act, i have some potions in my possession that need identifying.

OOC: Quinlan seeks up Bront the merchant to peruse his selection of gear and to see if he can id the three potions from the last adventure.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:39, Wed 28 Mar 2007.

A newcomer saunters into the tavern,standing just within the entryway he eminates a very foreign and alien aura,even for the Moonsea.The only indications that make you almost certain he is an elf are his facial features which are unmistakenly elven and after that the resemblances end.His skin is a swarthy tan,designs of raised flesh bumps via cutting and small tatoos scrawled sparingly across.His dark brown hair is messy and does not even meet his hazel eyes.He is arrayed in the hardend hides of beasts rivited with bone,a few charms and bangles adorn his neck and wrists,composed of obsidian,wood,and various animal parts,a small obsidian hoop pierces his lip and plugs of bone are set in his ears.A simple obsidian tipped spear is slung across his back,as well as a shield made of some deeply dark wood.He gazes about the interior of the building with an unrestrained look of disdain as he awaits a server.

Ahoy stranger, I have a pitcher of water if you would like to sit down and await the busy serving ladies? Seeing the strange new person enter and his other two table companion leaving him to play with Nuku did nothing for his spirits.  Lifting the pitcher and a mug he shows he means to be strickly friendly.  Besides the strange markings on his body would be a place to start a conversation and perhaps find out where and how he did the hoops in his facial features.

Without the hesitation that one should have in this region when engaging with strangers,the elf takes a seat next to his host.
"Fyrenn." He states curtly with a slight nod towards Gauge,still surveying the tavern,noting it's peoples and features before turning back to face Gauge.
"You?"

The names Gauge Juilius-Lee, I noticed your rings and scars how did you come about those if I may be so bold to ask.  Gauge pours Fyrenn a mug of water and points to a empty chair.

Talking to the merchant: I'd be interested in tanglefoot bags and alchemist's fire, if you have any? Oh! And healing potions!
This message was last edited by the player at 21:33, Mon 02 Apr 2007.

"Marks of my people,symbols of worship and heritage." He states proudly."We are people of the land,we are it's hands,it's mouth,it's keepers,and protectors."After taking a swig of water he continues on ,"Do you know much of Moonsea?I seek knowledge of it's peoples and secrets."

Truth be told friend, I just recently started to travel from my home.  I am but a child in a world full of grown men and women.  I seek knowledge and skills to take back and perhaps even take care of my family with.  Though I have not been long from my parents and brother I miss them greatly and hope for the best for them.  Last I heard my father may be the father of another child, but we have yet to see or meet this girl.

Giving Nuku a small push to have her roll over on the table and charge his hand he grins as he playfully bats his small ferret friend around on the table almost deep in thought over his small rant of his family.

A uniformed guard walks through the door of the tavern and straight for Father Darias.
Producing one of several small scrolls he hands it to the man, bows, and exits the tavern without a word.

Father Darius accepts the scroll from the man, then quickly opens it and scans the contents.  Nodding his head, he disappears to a back room for a moment, returning with a hammer and nails.
Unscrolling the poster for all to see, he nails it to the wall behind the bar.
The parts for which the most of the customers would care (mixed with a bit of political jargon) read:
~~REWARD~~
Information on the mysterious deaths of children...
Anyone who puts a stop to the deaths...
The being responsible, alive or dead...
...inquire at the official building for more information.
With the seal of the Council of Ten at the end the poster looks quite official.
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:52, Mon 09 Apr 2007.

"Sure, my wares are right out here, in the wagon.  Would you like to take a look?"

OOC: He has pretty much any of the cheaper stuff that can be normally found in this area.  He has a few minor magic items that he picks up here and there, and most of the listed mundane items.

I'll take two each of tanglefoot bags and achemist's fire. What kind of healing potions do you have?
Quinlan asks. The half-drow then lowers his voice a little and continues:
Any magical items of interest?

OOC(DM Kool): Well, whadda ya know?  Post 22222!
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:37, Mon 09 Apr 2007.

"Of course I have those!"  He steps behind the wagon and pulls a few things out, one after another.  "Let's see, along with my stock of potions I have a few elixirs of love, doubt you're interested in that...Over here I have a few rings, your basic ring of protection, those of running, swimming, and climbing, and also one of feather falling and one of sustenance.  I don't have any wands or scrolls, you'll have to talk to a wizard for those.  Over here with my special stuff I have a bottle of universal solvent, I have an elixir of sneaking, and here I have a vest of escape.  Next we have some quickfinger gloves(ooc: gloves of dexterity +2), and also this stone salve.  Last, but certainly not least, I have this very special pair of rods.  When you press the button on the end, it becomes immovable, even f it's in midair!  The current offer on them is 5000 gold each.  So, what'll it be?"

Quickfinger gloves!? Now that did catch my attention... how much do you need to part with those?

"Hmm, those would be 4000 gold starting offer for the pair.  I might be willing to haggle over the price a little."
This message was last edited by the player at 19:32, Wed 11 Apr 2007.

4000!? That's quite a bit more than I can afford. Hold on to them a bit longer, I'll come back for them when I've earned the money.

"Of course, that is one of my more expensive items.  I do have several items available for much less."

Of course. How about that elixir of sneaking? And while we're at it: how much are the healing potions? Or should I talk to Father Darias about that?

"Let's see, 250 gold for the Elixir of Sneaking, and I do have a small range of healing potions.  I find that they sell well," he adds with a grin.

I'll take the elixir, and potions to cure moderate wounds... four perhaps? How much is the ring of protection?

"That's 300 gold each for the potions, and 2000 gold for the ring."

I'll take two tanglefoot bags, two achemists fire, the elixir, a healing potion, and the universal sovent then!

OOC: Total?

Bront starts getting the items out and placing them on the wagon.  "Okay, that would be... _{300, 250, 50...} 740 gold for all of it."

A fair price! Here you go!

Quinlan produces the coinage with no small amount of flair, scoops up the goods and heads back to the table.

Another dinner guest! He exclaims when seeing the wild elf. Quinlan greets the newcomer respectfully in elven before regaining his seat.

Having made his pilgrimage to the shrine, Raith returns around the same that Quinlan makes his way back from the merchant's shop.

"Growing I see our companionship is," the half-orc comments as he takes his seat.

"Raith I am called, and servant of the Broken One I am," he introduces himself with a slight bow.

I saw a city guard enter before, did you see what he was doing? Quinlan asks Gauge.

Yes sir I sure did.  He came in and gave the barkeep a note to put up with the other postings behind the bar.  I have not had a chance to read it yet as I have been talking with Fyrenn here.  Fyrenn these are two others that I met just today as well, Raith the large fellow, and Quinlan the dark skined one.  Friends this is Fyrenn.

Fyrenn, well met! Maybe they are offering a 'job'? I'm going to take a look!

Fyrenn nodded curtly and courteously at the two who had recently arrived and watched stoicly as Quinlan rose to inspect the notice.

Quinlan returns shortly. As he nears you can see a slight change in his features, and it appears as if there was a deep blue smoldering glow in his eyes. Between clenched jaws he quietly gives a brief account of the notice:

Someone is killing *children* in this city, and the rulers haven't been able to stop it. They're looking for help, and I will offer it. Anyone else willing to join?

It would have to be a cold day in all nine hells before I refuse to help children or the parents that help raise them, to arms comrade, I am you spell slinger for this job.

"Foul acts indeed,I will give aid to end them."

Picking up Nuku Nuku Gauge moves towards the door and grins as his friend climbs into his pack and hides from the light of the day.  Well friends the sooner we sign up the sooner we can be on the way to rescueing those children from the nightmares that will surely haunt them.

Agreed, i'll just let the good father know we're taking the job. And pay for dinner.

“Suffer the little children, we will most assuredly not,” Raith vows vehemently, grasping his staff tightly in righteous indignation that anyone could possible hurt an innocent little child.

Quinlan clears the bill with father Darias, and asks for direction to the official building from where to take on the job.