Grundar doesn't get a chance to respond before being frogmarched inside. The goon holding him is quickly replaced by an identical looking...Goon.

Those heading inside are met by a dazzling display of lights, people, smoke, music and half a dozen different languages being shouted, sung and cursed by the varied clientele within.

Centre place in the packed room stands several Morokanths banging away on various objects, one looking very much like one of the coracles used to cross the Zola Fel. As percussionists go they are incredible and already many folk are dancing in any available space between the crystal lit tables that fill the bar. Above, folk peer down from balconies, behind which lie private rooms.

Through all of this move the waiting staff, well dressed men and women, newtlings and ducks, one troll and an agimori carrying a tray of flaming drinks over to what can only be a group of Mostali hogging a corner table, their backs to the room's wall, hands on objects hanging from their belts and all observing the bar from beneath large hats.

Spying the Rangers one of the Newtlings beckons them to follow, before turning and threading it's way between tables to a booth with enough room for the whole party. Before letting them sit the creature gives the indication that it expects to be tipped...

Those interested in Grundar's fate see the brave being carried upstairs and vanishing into one of the rooms.
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:29, Fri 20 Apr 2018.

Me, help, n'ah don't worry, they're not really worried about little me are you fellows. Fellows, oi, awww, ahhh, umphhh....

Grundar flounders as the two goons grab him either side, lift him up and drag him away.

Hey gents, it's all a mistake. It's my twin brother you want!

Don't worry friends, I'll be back in a... this last message cut short by a clip around the ear.

Perhaps he should have laid low a little longer...

"You wanna this booth you gotta pay me hombres" says the Newtling, who'd raise an eyebrow if he had one.

Doing a little mental calculation and reasoning it's better to be on the side of generous if unsure Ohanzee places a Lunar into the newtling's hand "Drummers are good. Tell me, they ever let folk join in?", his foot tapping to the rhythmic beat.

"I suppose you have kumiss, what about eggnog?" Temush aaks.

The Newtling looks Ohanzee up and down and just laughs before taking the coin.

"Sit down and learn Mr River."



"We got everything lover boy, Ostrich or Bolo Lizard?"

After voicing his opinion about Delenda, Melock has kept quite and follows the group into Goldfangs. He watches Grundar being hauled off with slight concern, hoping that the Raven will be able to talk himself out of any trouble. Melock laughs at the newtling's answer to Ohanzee, "Maybe you should offer to play your pipes for everyone, I'm sure they'll love it." Smiling at the newtling, "I'd like a rare bison steak, just like my wife cooks it."

"One Wild Pastures coming right up."
"Anything else?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:31, Fri 20 Apr 2018.

"Bolo please," Temush says eyes widening, "this seems to call for an out of the ordinary drink".

Henal tosses a coin to the waiter, "I'll have kumiss and a rare bison steak".

The Newtling's lip curls at the mention of Kumiss, and those closest could swear it muttered "Bumpkins" under it's breath. Nevertheless the table is soon loaded down with steaks, Bolo-nogs and various other drinks.

Looking around, several off duty Lunar officers are spotted, 3 tall Agimori dancing in a circle around their bags, a very animated and drunk looking Sun County gent talking to a bevy of tough looking lasses, half a dozen affluent and gaudily dressed foreigners and the rest the oddest collection of locals they had ever seen in one place.

Without being asked several tall water pipes are placed by the Rangers' table "Compliments of Tassels" comes the reply to enquiries about where they'd come from.

"She'll see you in a while."

"Well I'll have beer, or ale, I've heard that's nice but not tried it"

Ohanzee picks up a couple of wooden spoons and closes his eyes a moment feeling the beat of the drummers before he starts drumming on the table, a the same beat but trying to fill the gaps, to enhance the rhythm.

Temush leans his head towards Hoskar so as not to have to shout "What do you call a brave who hangs out with musicians?" He asks

Seeing Grundar bundled inside, Kobal pays his clacks and enters after him.



Seeing some guards in the direction Grundar is marched, he figures strangers won't be welcome.  He stays with the Rangers and settles in to experiencing the Grotto.



Not like the usual notes and rhythms at the clan's rituals and celebrations, but Kobal has to admit these morokanth make good, but strange, music with unexpected beat drops.



"No!" Kobal hisses to Melock urgently.  "Amara and I were at the last place that Ohanzee offered to play his 'music' a week ago.  There was carnage."

To the waiter, he says, "What drink do you recommend?  Something different."

The Newtling returns with a very foreign looking glass bottle and enough small glasses for each of the Rangers to share.

"Pelorian Gin. For an extra coin I can get someone to cast a charm of chilling on it."

Hoskar has wedged himself into the far back of the booth, as if trying to hide himself in the wall. He looks pale and yet his hands are moist to the extent he has switched to a stemmed glass having spilled half an Esrolian wine through dropping the receptacle.

Once he's taken a couple of draws on the water pipe without even enquiring as to its contents, he looks calmer but still avoids any drink with egg in it. The arrival of the gin even raises a smile. Tossing the requisite coin to the Newtling, he blinks at Temush and enunciates Not heard that one. Is it "little pink flute"?

If it is, it's his poor wife I feel sorry for he adds automatically.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 15:37, Sun 22 Apr 2018.

Shortly a man appears at the table, wide of face and with strange clothes baring odd sigils. A few gestures and then the Gin bottle frosts as the charm takes hold. The Newtling passes over the coin and with a nod he's gone...

Kobal looks at his glass.  It's small.  He can't take a huge swig of the drink, unless he just takes the bottle instead.

He sniffs at the glass, then takes a drink.  Coughing, he puts down the glass, so as not to spill any, and turns to the Rangers.  "That's much stronger than kumiss or beer!"

Henal sniffs at the gin suspiciously before sipping it. He pulls a face and swallows. I never tasted anything like that before and it has a kick

Ohanzee watches Hoskar use the water pipe and then dies the same.

Then when the gin arrives and is chilled he it triggers a memory and as the magician is leaving he asks "What would it take to make these things chilled always?" before turning to Kobal "Like this!" and knocking a glass back in one.

He days in a horse voice "'s good."

Kobal refills his glass, then copies Ohanzee and downs his gin.  He's not going to be outdone by a man half his size.

A different taste to kumiss.  I should bring some back to the clan.  Need a better container than those glass bottles though; some skins will have to do.

He settles in to observing the happenings in the Grotto while waiting for Tassels.

"More money than you have" comes back the cold reply.

"A drummer!" Temush says, smiling.

The water pipes are packed with local tobacco, and for those that enjoy that kind of thing, rather tasty. The drinks go down well too and just as the Rangers think about ordering another bottle the lights dim, leaving one powerful lantern shining on the ceiling, where sitting on a trapeze is a Dryad of extreme beauty.

She begins to sing, and the trapeze slowly lowers her to the ground, where she steps off to stand before her enchanted audience...

This must be the aforementioned Mar-lene.

Kobal looks at his empty glass.  "Pelorian gin," he says, testing out the words.  "What is a Pelorian?" he says to no one in particular.  "Is it a beast?  A place?"

He squints at the dryad.  How many dryads are there in this place?

Ohanzee smiles "It's a place far away. It's a place where the followers of the Red Moon rode out from." he days in a quiet voice and without taking his eyes from the Dryad.
This message was last edited by the player at 10:42, Mon 23 Apr 2018.

Smiling at the reactions, Hoskar just sips on his gin, drinking in the floor show as he does so. He rests his chin on his left arm, stroking his scrubby beard as if appraising something.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:40, Mon 23 Apr 2018.

Melock is surprised and slightly worried by the newtling's answer and so keeps quiet and just watches the unusual mix of people around him. He doesn't touch the water pipe though he does drink the gin, but he sips it. Melock's eyes go wide when he sees the dryad.

Henal smokes from one of the pipes as he keeps drinking his gin, then watches the dryad raptly as she descends into her performance.

Temush is also engrossed in the earth female's descent from above, his hands held chest high, fingers slowly curling floorboards and back

Amara smiled, before glancing at the others and realising they were besotted with the dryad. She kicked Ohanzee under the table, but not hard to remind them they were here to do something more than just watch the dryad.

Kobal frowns.  He can't take alcohol made by Moon Worshippers back to the clan.  He keeps watching the performance.

The dryad sings several songs, accompanied now by the backing band and then taking a break she sashays over to the Rangers' table and sits down on a quickly acquired chair.

"Greetings. It seems we are to meet for business."

Ohanzee friends at Amara, but quickly returns his attention to the Dryad with a quiet This is business

Then as she finishes her stint and joins them Ohanzee smiles and mutters "Beautiful"

Then flushing slightly at realising he just said that out loud he speaks "Yes, than you for joining us. it I is a long story, but the short of it is we have awoken an ancient spirit in the Wastes and carry a message and a gift from her to the Aldryami here."

He fishes inside his clothes to retrieve the seed that he reverently shows her.

Kobal raises briefly from his seat to give a little bow and a smile.  "Greetings.  I am Kobal.  I think my friend here, Hoskar Two-Feather, also has a proposal to profit both you and himself."

He looks at the rhino rider, hoping that Hoskar is sober enough to talk.

"I was under the belief that this was about something else" replies the Dryad as Ohanzee shows the seed "May I hold it?"



"Ah it was a Hoskar I was expecting. You have money to back up your request?"

Ohanzee pauses a moment glancing at Amara then offers it to Tassels with "Hoskar had the business dealing to be done, Amara and i were hoping you could help with our task by way of an invite or telling is how to find then... safely, or anything."

She takes the seed and holds it for several moments before answering "It is a powerful seed. You can give it to me and I will ensure that it gets to the Garden."

At the back of the booth, Hoskar rises and makes a bow. It is a blessing to meet you he opens respectfully to Tassels. However, his bow knocks his thighs against the table in the confined space, and he finds himself sitting back down rather more heavily than he'd intended.

Not used to mixing drink with the local smokes. Heady stuff he observes ruefully. But yes, we have money. Trade has been good this past week. Are we okay to talk here?

Ohanzee holds his hand or for the seed and is about to speak again when Hoskar does so and asks about whether it is safe. He closed his mouth.

Then hand still held out "There is more to tell if it is safe to speak."

Reluctantly the Dryad passes the seed back.

"We can go upstairs to a private booth. There is one ready for us."

Noting the Dryad's reluctance, Hoskar's face takes on something of a sentimental expression.
We can speak freer in private for sure. Of course, the nut belongs to your kin. Reckon we can discuss that more away from prying ears. It's a thing of beauty alright: by comparison, anything else matters less.

Grundar is deposited at the foot of the stairs by the goon who dragged him upstairs earlier. It is crudely and roughly done, and he grunts as he gets up to his feet. Swiftly though, he composes himself, the usual grin reappears as he says to no one in particular Well that didn't go so badly did it. I knew we could do business. With that he waves at the Rangers and saunters over with what he hopes is a bit of a self-assured swagger.

Ohanzee tucks the seed safely away again before rising to go to the suggested private room, waiting to be shown the way.
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:00, Wed 25 Apr 2018.

The Rangers are just getting up to go when one of the Lunar officers approaches, a quizzical look on his face...
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:13, Tue 24 Apr 2018.

In reply to GM (msg # 45):

Melock starts to smile as he recognizes the officer, but then it wavers when he fully remembers, "Adius, I didn't think I'd be seeing you again."

But I for one am glad to see you somewhere healthy Hoskar adds seamlessly. I still owe you that drink from when we first met. Un-kept promises trouble me.

Assuming you're not working right now, that is. he adds with a smile.

Henal looks perturbed by the approach of the lunar officer, only relaxing a little hearing Melock and Hoskar speak. Then looking again and recognising Atius he smiles and greets him. "You speak our language any better now?"
This message was last edited by the player at 20:06, Tue 24 Apr 2018.

"Adius!" Ohanzee exclaims "Did you come up reiver with Tella's family then?"

The  officer greets everyone cordially, signalling to his two companions to come over and join the table. More gin is brought, this time pre chilled and with accompanying plates of food.

He gives Tassels  a warm greeting "You were divine as usual my dear" before answering the Rangers



"Aye a little better"


"And I hope you are staying out of trouble" *Wink*



"I'll put this gin on your tab then...You have been well and have found trade?"

Tassels eyes widen in warning at this, looking straight at Hoskar.


"Well funny you should say that for she and her family are the reason I am here."

"Ah, come sit, sit." This is to his brother officers, two tough looking men, dark of skin and with the walk of warriors "Scyles and Skunxa, good friends and trustworthy swordsmen, I met this group down in Corflu." he adds pointing at the Rangers.

"I served with Skunxa for many years and Scyles here has just arrived in country."

The two men nod warily at the braves.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:43, Wed 25 Apr 2018.

Ohanzee declines any more gin with "Stuff's too strong for a country bumpkin like me, already feeling a little woozy."

He sits down again with an apologetic glance to Tassels.

"You know for foreigners some of you guys aren't all bad." he says in a friendly voice and with a smile.

"At least you've escaped the flies with this move. What you doing now then, surely you can get back to whatever soldiering you normally do now that you've seen then safely here?"

Adius, Scyles and Skunxa, I'm Grundar, relative to some and I hope a friend to all here. Good to meet you.

Having introduced himself, he turns to the dryad and grins foolishly, and wonderful to meet you once again! My exploits here before have just earned me a few bumps and bruises, but it was worth everyone to have met you.

Once the introductions are done, he turns to Melock and quietly asks, So what's been going on while I was sorting out Goldfang?

Melock nods at Adius, "Always, though trouble does it's best to find me." Turning to Grundar, "Sorting out Goldfang were you?" He grins and gestures to the table, "We've been sorting out the important things, drinks, smokes and food." Melock glances at Adius and Tassels, "and good company of course."

Hoskar's smile gets still bigger.

Gentlemen he greets Scyles and Skunxa. I hope you find the city to your taste. At least there's no rivermouth flies.

He nods contentedly as Adius questions his trade success. Corflu was certainly a friend to me. Tidy profit on some tea from the market, helped out some good citizens at the sun temple, and the journey here was good for picking up the odd artifact. I'm still not rich, but it's wonderful what you can make by moving things around to where they're wanted and selling information. For old sake's sake, you can have a bit of that for free when we have a moment.

His smile drops away to be replaced with a look of concern. Thinking of moving around, one other thing has been worrying me. Do you know if those two scribes, Miles and...what was it...Sicarium I think...got here okay? Decent guys, had to send them on upriver while we detoured.

In reply to Melock (msg # 53):

Didn't I tell you this was a great place! Goldfang and I are working together now, see, he flashes the golden baboon tooth he has tucked away safely, now that we've come to an understanding. It's opening up all sorts of opportunities for fun and profit, but more about that later, for now, what's the story with these guys?
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 10:33, Wed 25 Apr 2018.

"Nah, once the wedding has taken place we'll escort the father back to Corflu."



"Sicarius...Aye I remember them...But no, no idea where they've gone."

"So where are you all staying in town?"
This message was last updated by the player at 10:27, Wed 25 Apr 2018.

Though he tries to hide it he is surprised, shocked even by this. The young Raven brave falls silent for a moment as he tries to maintain his composure and disguise the his feelings letting the following words wash past without even noticing them.

Thus when he speaks again he ignores the question that never registered with him "The family seemed to be quite wealthy, I'll bet the wedding party will be quite something."

He looks at Hoskar "Perhaps an opportunity for you to trad" and then turning back to the Lunars "Hoskar here has connections, he can get whatever is needed. Who does he need to see about supplying things? I'll bet they'll have your temple all done up grand for the occasion, the Earth goddess wasn't it? That'd be a sight worth seeing!"

"So how long you got before heading back to the fly pit then?"
This message was last edited by the player at 13:22, Wed 25 Apr 2018.

"These guys?" He gestures to Adius, "He's a Lunar Officer we met in Corflu, and these are his friends. Adius, do you and your mates have time for a few games of chance, Grundar tells me this is the best place for them?"

At the suggestion of gaming, Grundar winces. Now that he's working 'with' Goldfang, he's not sure how appropriate this would be...

"I er...Have no idea..."



"In a week or two...Why?"

Adius begins to look confused.



"Certainly, I hear they have some tables set up downstairs. No fish tonight, but that's okay."

He gets up to go, as do the other two officers

"No time like the present...Anyone else?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:30, Wed 25 Apr 2018.

As the Lunar officers excuse themselves Tassels also gets up and as soon as they have departed with Melock says

"I am going upstairs, those of you not gambling are welcome to join me..."

The music has started up again and the main bar is starting to fill up even more.

As Melock stands, he stumbles against Hoskar, "Sorry, that gin stuff is a lot stronger than I realized." He focuses on Adius and follows him downstairs.

Grundar shrugs at Tassels, referring to the swaying Melock, What's a young brave to do? I'll just go and clean up downstairs, keeping an eye on our tipsy friend here, and then maybe I'll have time to come up stairs as well. It shouldn't take long! Calling on Raven for help and offering his stumbling friend a supporting nudge when needed, he follows him down.

'Tipsy, my arse...' Temush mutters shaking his head as he watches the gamblers depart 'I will count my stake if I am you, friend Hoskar, and mind my poke from here on'. He looks about to see if anyone is going upstairs with Hoskar and Tassels.

"I don't feel lucky tonight, hope your luck is better than I feel." Ohanzee says rising to go with Tassels

Hoskar stays smiling as he wishes Adius well. Mother would have my tripes stuck on a pole if I gambled, but good fortune to you.

He heads wherever Tassels is heading, hoping for some quiet.

Henal slurring his words says "not my night for gambling I think, so I will go upstairs too. Good luck Adius and be careful to lose there Grundar so people won't be after you so much."

As the gamblers depart he speaks more clearly "that gin is strong stuff so think I'm going to drink slowly now".

Kobal, Henal and Amara are left at the table, whilst Temush takes a wander about the main bar, Melock and Grundar head below to gamble with the Lunar officers and Ohanzee and Hoskar head upstairs for the deal...

The Morokanths begin to play the well know Praxian song "Don't take your spears to town son..."

Out on the floor Temush listens to snippets of conversations as he sips from a horn of Kumiss.

A Troll bellowing at his human companions talking of raids in the Rubble, how trouble is brewing and treasures to be won. The Mostali, a strange race, hide beneath wide brimmed hats, their molten drinks steaming on the table before them as their metallic eyes bore into anyone who comes to close.


Meanwhile downstairs those intent on gambling quickly find a space, with folks eager to join whatever game they plan. The two officers with Adius fall into a deep discussion in their native tongue.

"Work" shrugs Adius throwing the first of the dice...

Back at the table the music washes over those sat drinking, as the recently vacated chairs fill up with locals eager to take in the show.

As for those upstairs, a secluded room is found, a guard placed on the curtained doorway and business got down to...
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:15, Thu 26 Apr 2018.

Grundar laughs, That's not going to help. You've got to love the dice, encourage the dice, show that you're committed. Then they'll roll your way. Like this.  He takes the dice showing them as much tenderness and affection as he can without it looking totally creepy, shakes them between cupped hands, kisses them and whispers into the clasp. Then with a confident flourish casts them across the table...

"No, I meant those two are talking about work...Well looks like you won this round" he adds as he spies Grundar's winning roll. The Lunar officer pushes over this rounds winnings with a smile.

Then leans over and whispers in Grundar's ear


Finishing he taps his nose and winks. By now he's pretty drunk.

Melock watches Grundar and Adius rolling the dice, "Glad I didn't play that round," he gets out a handful of silvers, places them on the table and then picks up the dice, "So, do you just roll the dice and the highest wins?" he rolls the dice whilst looking at the other two.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:37, Thu 26 Apr 2018.

Rolling Those Bones

More or less, responds Grundar to Melock, Although if you roll a double, you can chose to re-roll the other dice in the hope of a better result, but if you roll worse you're stuck with it. It's a combination of luck, tactics, and of course the flick of the wrist. Have a go - do you want another drink?

With that Grundar orders more drinks, passing one to Adius, leaning over to continue see if he can tease out more news.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:43, Thu 26 Apr 2018.

Henal keeps drinking, but more carefully now as he looks over the newcomers taking up the spaces at the table.

"Wonder how those guys will get on at the gaming tables and if we're going to have to buy them a new set of clothes after they lose..." he says with a smile.

The other two officers join the game and Adius clams up. For a while Grundar and Melock seem to have the luck of it until suddenly  Skunxa clears up and takes the entire pot.

They're locals, both women and men. Those closest nod at the three braves.

Grundar groans, Ah, like a fickle woman! It seems I have offended the dice in some way. Perhaps I have been taking them for granted, or perhaps they have a thing for men in uniform. Well done Skunxa, it would seem you have usurped me. Maybe another day...

Amara watched the unfolding events with a smirk, not foolish enough to play idle games of chance or get drunk when something as important as returning the dryads seed was close at hand. Not trusting anyone around she kept it clenched tightly in her hand.

Hoskar and Ohanzee rejoin those at the table at the same time as Melock and Grundar come upstairs. It's time to go home if they wish to beat the curfew.

Outside they are joined by the three Lunar officers who walk with them as far as the city's main square, where they head off towards the Lunar barracks, leaving the Rangers to walk back to Old Town by themselves.

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