"Well spoken, Troels," acknowledges Roahfustion. "That is where we shall enquire.."

The trio head for the Foaming Tankard and seek out the innkeeper.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:59, Sun 19 Mar 2023.

He is busy getting everything ready for that evening and doesn't seem to have time for you ... Blythe whistles a little tune for a few seconds which has him look up and around.

When the innkeep turns round the bard plays a few bars on her zither while singing resonantly and approaches the innkeeper. Then she smiles and speaks, "Hail, innkeep! I am Roahfustion, entertainer, tale-teller, and traveller of this and many other realms. Last eve saw a small performance of mine at the Comfy Lizard. Would you wish similar in your establishment? If so, what might be your best offer?"

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OOC: 00:01, Today: Roahfustion rolled 14 using 3d6.  Performance 17
 The Comfy Lizard
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:35, Mon 20 Mar 2023.

Well at least you know how to play your instrument...  You were at the Comfy Lizard last evening? I did hear a bit about that ... what sort a deal do you seek?

"The usual type of thing but better than average as I'm better than average. Much." anwsers Roahfustion blandly. "Off days are always possible, of course, but most of my off days are on a par with most entertainers' good days. No, that's not boasting, just simple facts; having been exclusively retained before by rulers.." She lets the sentence lapse and shrugs. "I love travelling. Always, new stories to find and to tell." Coming back to the point, "I haven't been in this city before, so it is exciting, which is what makes me digress. So to come back to your question, I'm seeking a deal that is much better than the one I have. That involves food, modest ales, rooms for me and three companions, sharing is fine, and the majority of the tips. We provide our own security. My current innkeeper thinks he's got away lightly by paying less than he might. That's why I'm here: giving you the opportunity to make your best offer.
"Of course, you can come listen at Comfy Lizard this evening and make your best offer after that. But my price may be higher." She chuckles slightly, almost to herself, as if she's joking, but then again, might not be.

======
OOC: 23:55, Today: Roahfustion rolled 16 using 3d6.  Diplomacy 14 +1(reputation) =15.
Forgot Fashion Sense +1, so 16 verses skill 16
This message was last edited by the player at 10:22, Thu 23 Mar 2023.

And you must have experience arguing law as well ... the inn keeper smiles.

You ask a lot, but do show some skill as a bard. Rooms right now are rather full, I have no room for four, but can manage a small room for three and a single room for your guard.  Standard food is gratis, upscale will cost extra, depending on what is ordered. Ale for four will be two mugs a night, although I may provide more if the night goes well. Animals?  Oh and tips... the first $40 is mine and all after that is yours.

"If we can use stable room gratis also, we're happy to look after our pair of animals and if you'll provide animal food at cost, then we have an agreement for tomorrow evening and we will be with you tomorrow some time after breakfast," says Roahfustion offering a hand to seal the deal.

I can do that,  and he takes your hand and kisses it. I am so happy to explore this relationship further.

She does a minimal curtsy and responds, "We look forward to seeing you on the morrow." With a neutral smile Roahfustion extricates herself and leaves with her two friends.

On the way back to the Comfy Lizard the bard comments, "Blythe, I think we're going to have to watch that one. You know!" and then swivels her head to Troels. "Hey, Troels, that inkeep could be our portal to making some good coin here, so if he gets a bit handsy, don't go breaking bones. That upsets business very fast. Blythe and I can almost certainly manage him. And if we can't, we'll ask for your help by name. That ok?"

***
Unless anything crops up en route back to the Comfy Lizard, whne they see Carina again Roahfustion greets her with a genuine beaming smile and a hug. "Hey girl! How was the shopping expedition?" and hustles her up to their room away from any prying ears. "So, what did you get up to? And find? Or not find?" She gives an appraising look and then adds, "And, no, we're not judgmental. Just don't like surprises, so do tell all now. Please." She smiles again invitingly.


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OOC: What's this inkeeps's name?

In reply to Roahfustion (msg # 50):

Troels frowns and shrugs.

"Your body, your call."

He is careful as they transit, but says little.

When they are back in their room, Carina states simply, "I picked up some picks that might be needed in the future. Tried to find out about anything going on that might be of interest but found nothing yet."

"Tonight when you're playing, I'll mingle with the crowd and see if I can pick up any interesting rumors. But just mingle, dance, and gamble if I haven't run them off. Nothing more than that," she says to reassure the others that everything would be above board.

"Thanks, Carina. Not that you would, I'm sure, but light fingers wouldn't help our cause," answers Roahfustion. "Keep your ears tuned  for folks with problems or quests needing adventurers, you know the sort of thing. Folks talk more when they're relaxd, feel safe and have had several ales.

"Anyway, to keep you abreast of things we have a gig lined up for tomorrow, but, please no one says anything about that until we've had breakfast in the morning (obviously) and then departed from this inn."

After something of a long pause Roahfustion says, "Well, something over half a day until we need to prepare for tonight's performance. And, yes, you're up there for the usual hour accompanying me, Troels. So, before then, time for enought for me to continue teaching you how to teach. It's a useful skill. Specifically, when each of you becomes a passable teacher, you can teach me things that you do better than me. You're welcome too, Carina, as before." She smiles warmly.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:35, Fri 24 Mar 2023.

In reply to Roahfustion (msg # 53):

Troels is happy to oblige...

Carina is a little confused when Roahfustion talks about teaching to teach. All her life she had learned by doing, with a little instruction here and there. All she had heard about teaching was from scholars and learned men who had studied somewhere in which, from what she heard, people would just drone on and on about a topic. Even Master Dariand, who had talked to her a lot about magic before she ever used it still had her do a lot of hands on practice, with his guidance. But how can you teach someone to teach when you don't have hands on practice. But her curiosity got the better of her as she answered, "Sure. I'll listen to what you have to say."

"Fair enough. You'll soon get the hang of it," answers Roahfustion. For the next inumerable hours, pausing for lunch and evening meal,  she expounds on methods of learning, the structuring and the presentation of ideas and reinforcement thereof.

***
Finally she announces, "That's all we have time for now. Have to get ready to entertain. Yes, you too, please, Troels." Roahfustion cleans up, changes, not that she has so much of a wardrobe, but she does know how to present herself to best advantage. The off to the stage in the inn below for four hours of entertaining with a break in the middle. Troels is on stage for a little les than an hour singing rousing-sounding songs in norse with the bard accompanyimng on zither and singing harmonies..

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OOC: 23:47, Today: Secret Roll: Roahfustion rolled 5 using 3d6.  Performance 17+1 =18

Carina listens to the lesson, grasping very little at this point as she has had no training like this before. She had always been an on the go person, so sitting down to just listen was not easy for her. Still, she put everything she heard and was told into memory knowing she'd need to remember it later.

Once Roahfustion starts to play, Carina mingles with the crowd, at times dancing and other times chatting with other patrons. While it might seem odd to her companions that she does so so freely, her time working the floor at her parent's inn has made her comfortable dealing with strangers.

After the performance and gathering of tips, Roahfustion tells Carina that she hopes she enjoyed the performance and that they can talk more in their room.

And indeed when back in their room the bard asks whether Carina picked up any interesting information from the crowd. When the girl informs her that  the merchants are traveling to trade with the Dwarves, who are just now becoming able to come down from their mountains, Roahfustion replies, "That's a really big deal annually. Don't know if you know that." She smiles, "Well done! Thank you. I tried to mingle with the some dwarves the other season to improve my dwarvish but they weren't having any. Talking of which, what languages do you speak?"

***
CoOme the morning, after breakfast Roahfustion spends a few minutes talking with the innkeep about possible future gigs and then bids him farewell and leads their little band out of The Comfy Lizard. Upon reaching the next venu, the Foaming Tankard, which is both up market and up town, she says, "Carina, we've managed to get you a room to yourself so you can have some privacy. Don't worry, cost is already covered, so if anyone asks you for money, it's a scam; point them at me."

Unless folks have other business planned, it's another day of training* in Teaching, natural breaks and sustenance included, and then time to clean up for the evening's performance.

======
OOC: *Which gives Blythe & Troels over 200 hours of learning and 1CP in the skill teaching.
Edit: 11:20, Today: Roahfustion rolled 14 using 3d6.  Performance 18
This message was last edited by the player at 10:23, Fri 31 Mar 2023.

"Unfortunately, I have not been exposed to other languages at the inn. I hear a smattering of lots of them but not enough to know little more than "refill" or "food"."

Carina listens to the teaching on teaching even though she still finds it amusing. Amusement or not she pays attention to what Roahfustion says as she never knows when it may come in handy.

While Roahfustion entertains the crowd, Carina mingles amongst them trying to get information about anything the group might find of interest. Any rumors, mentions of old ruins, things to be explored or discovered, and the like. She varies her approaches based upon the person or group she is mingling with, moving easily between casual conversation, drinking and flirting, and throwing dice or playing cards.

While performing the bard can see the crowd and smiles, meeting gazes, nodding, strutting and so forth but also keeps a protective eye on 'her new girl'. Anyone becoming too familiar will be unpleasantly surprised. (That's in a caring manner, not controlling.)

Bonus for Carina is that tonight she has a room to herself.

In reply to Roahfustion (msg # 60):

Troels is, as usual, the visible security. For all of them...

Blythe does her normal watching while looking nondescript.

I wouldn't mind sharing the room with Carina this night, and it will look better.

"Sure. that's fine."

"I would think Troels should have his own room if any of us," Carina says matter-of-factly. She had no issues sharing it with the other two women, and had no plans of bringing anyone up there with her.

In reply to Carina Hjorth (msg # 64):

Troels is happy to share the night with any who want to, with Roahfusion his preference. But He will let the women decide that...

In would make more sense for Roahfustion and Troels to share the single bed room than for Carina and Blythe.