Brother Yew was on his way toward the door when the blue-hatted gnome entered. He bowed gently to the gnome just as Corvus approached him. Yew bowed gently to Corvus as well then continued on his way. However he paused at the door and looked back into the room to watch for a moment longer before he would step outside.

Turns to look at Corvus with a sly grin.

"Sure, I wasn't intending on drinking this whole bottle myself anyways" as he pops the cork off of it to top off his on glass.

He motions for the bar tender to pass over another glass and then pours a bit into it for his new acquaintance.

"Name is Rondo Fiddlestick...folks just call me Rondo" as he turns and holds the brandy for the elf to take.  "Would take your time with that, it'll sneak up on ya when you least expect it"

With a smile Corvus nods and takes a seat next to the gnome.

"Well met, Rondo. And I do not mind brandy - it has a bitter taste and burns with a fire, makes one feel alive. Unless, as you say, one overindulges, an error I do not plan on making.

What brings you to this place?"

He gives a nod before taking another sip and responds..."Boredom mostly, been looking for some gainful employment but seems like slim pickings lately.  And yourself?"

"Elves are never bored. There are all manner of pursuits one can undertake, if one but chooses to do so. I am here because I heard there was a great evil to fight, and that there was a company gathered here who were about to do just that."

Sounding snooty and pompous is obviously standard procedure for Corvus.

His eyes light up at thought of the challenge.  "So have you met up with this group yet to get some more details on this so called great evil?"  he says causally while taking another sip.  He pulls a smoke pipe from its home tied to his belt along with a small pouch.  Opening it the smell of tobacco fills his nostril as he inhales the sweet aroma before taking a pinch and stuffing it into the pipe carefully.

Having watched this initial interaction quietly from the doorway Brother Yew steps back into the room and approaches Corvus and the gnome at the bar. He nods respectfully to Corvus and speaks directly to the gnome.

"Greetings, Master Gnome. I am Yew. Forgive me for overhearing your conversation but I did hear at least part of your discussion. Would you care to speak directly with the members of our party who are here today? We will be able to answer more of your questions than Master Corvus can, as he too only met us today. I am sure he would also welcome more details."

Turns his attention to the newcomer, another elf, seems this place is crawling withem as he looks over the gentlemen.  He smiles as he finishes packing the tobacco into his pipe.

"Well met...A pleasure to meet you Yew, I am Rondo" he hops off his chair popping his pipe in his mouth and collecting his glass and brandy.

"By all means lead the way good sir"

"Another gnome!" exclaims Gendonyd, "Everyone track your coins and watch your small animals carefully, and believe nothing you see or hear!"

Brother Yew extends his arm in a gesture towards the table where Arek, Ronalt and Luthien are seated. It is a clear invitation for Rondo and Corvus to head that way.

Then he turns his attention to the hirsute gentleman and his small crowd of animal friends.

"Greetings to you too, Master of Beasts," Yew responds with a gentle bow. "But tell me, sir, if you believe nothing you see and you believe nothing you hear, then what would you believe?"

Gendonyd looks at Yew's face then Rondo's face. "Did anyone see the gnomes lips moving when the elfy ons spoke?" he asks the crowd. "Tricky, tricky gnomes!"

Brother Yew bows more formally to the strange woodsman before responding.

"Goodbye, Master of Beasts. May your God keep you and all your friends safe from all the evil that lurks in wait for the unwary in this world."

He turns and walks over to the table where his own friends are waiting.

"Amazing!" Gendonyd says to the Rondo, "I could just barely see your lips moving."

shakes his head at Gendonyd's antics and walks over to the table that brother yew had pointed out.

"Good day to you all, my name is Rondo Fiddlestick, a pleasure to meet you." with his pipe in one hand and a glass a brandy in other and his bottle tucked under his arm he was ready for anything in his own gnomish way as he smiled to the lot of them.

"Alrigh', alrigh', settl' down now."
A little lively banter was a good thing, he just hoped they'd all still be in such a positive frame of mind when they were back fighting the temple.
"Oo' we missin'?"

"I'm in. Wouldn'a miss the chance fer sum more coin."

"You think I'd let a druid scare me off!?"
"Not sure about Sven though. I think he needs some time to himself to get in touch with his, umm, less "dead" side."

Sir Luthien seemed much more confident now.

"I am ready to depart, my friends."

Brother Yew spends a few minutes to brief Rondo on the danger of the evil temple they are confronting (see msg #41 and msg #43 in this thread).

Then he asks Rondo straight out, "Are you interested in joining us? Do you have skills that would help in this mission?"

Enjoying his ale, Ronalt listens and nods to the idea of leaving in the morning. "I am broke so getting back seems a wise option."
"Had to even sell my spare chainmail to cover expenses."

In reply to Brother Yew (msg # 71):

Listening intently carefully considering the prospects before him before speaking "Well i'm not much for fighting but what do dabble in could help against anything you may encounter in this temple.  Whether it's spells to trick some halfwit with bunny that he is holding a turtle or dispelling such illusions I believe I could be of some assistance if your group would have me along?"

He polishes off his glass of brandy waiting for a response from his potential employers.

Brother Yew looks to his friends.

"Master Rondo would add more depth to our limited spellcasting resources. I would welcome him to join us if you have no objection."

"Another of the true folk is fine by me!"

smiles broadly before refilling his glass..."I'll drink to that, thanks for having me"

Kalador raised his glass as well. It would be god to have new members in the group.