The morning sun has been in the air for a few hours now. The warmth is finally starting to win the battle against the cool dampness of the morning. The gates to Old Hrolmar swing open inviting all the campers who did not make the closing into the city for a new day of commerce and wonders. Merchants from Ilmoria, as well as a few from the Wastes, begin their orderly march into the city under the watchful eyes of the Dukes men.

You slowly filter your way into the city staring at the underlying utilitarian looks that have been covered up by the gayety of the rich silks and colors that announce the revival that Duke Astran has started. Shop keepers are starting to set up booths while others are heading into the central Bazaar and setting up their wares. Smells of freshly baked breads and sweet rolls drift through the streets setting your stomachs rumbling reminding you of the lightness of your purse.


The formal game will start after spending the day in town and finally finding the Blunted Blade tavern as dusk approaches. Character Generation is still going on for a few so be patient. Think of this thread like those scenes in a movie where they do a "flashback" and show the major characters in their own element "outside" of the main story.
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:27, Mon 03 Nov 2014.

Khazim makes it into Old Hrolmar on foot; tired, wet, and hungry. He is still mourning the loss of his steed to the pack of wolves he barely escaped just days ago and is definitely feeling down on his luck. He hopes the letter and its proposal will get his life back on track but right now his spirits are low. Not wanting to be seen as an easy mark he straightens up his shoulders and walks with confidence he doesn't feel inside at the moment.

Khazim looks about for the tavern but there is too much for him to take in here in this city far larger than anything where he came from. He looks about for a likely youth, clutching a bronze in his hand. Spotting one he calls out in passable Common; "You there boy, a bronze for you if you can guide me through this throng to the Blunted Blade tavern!" Not being a fool he makes sure his pouch strings are tight and tucks it into his armor, securing his bow on his back and using his boar spear as a walking stick.

Hraal enters the city and progresses at a leisurely pace as he absorbs the sounds and sights of commerce. He ignores the eyes that linger upon his red armor, and ornate sword that hangs at his hip.  In addition to his armor, the man wears a pair of high leather boots, a fine pair of gauntlets, and a riotous, hip-long cape that explodes in a cacophony of color and textures.  It is clear from his demeanor and his attire that Hraal is meant to be seen.

His bright, sea-green eyes scan the buildings for the Blunted Blade tavern.  When he finds it, Hraal approaches the tavern at a relaxed pace and loiters outside.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:32, Tue 04 Nov 2014.

Viktor sits on a bench next to the Tavern..sharpening the blades of his many weapons and mighty axe with a stone...Ah yes..nice and sharp... thinks to himself....what a boring day...settled a debt for a poor man by beating the crap out of his cruel landlord...he let me lay with his daughter...I wouldn't deflower her but she won't be able to walk straight for weeks...hahaha....killed a few dozen barbarians and sold off their weapons for some bronze...boring day...guess that's what I get for being a good guy now and not the asshole I used to be.  I do miss the lovely music of the city I grew up in
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:34, Mon 03 Nov 2014.

Rael Gol disappear into the city at first light, it is not that he did not like the accommodation the Berlos of Ilmoria, he had enjoyed the hospitality and wine of the merchant lord for the whole trip to Old Hrolmar. Alas Rael feared that now that the merchant would discover that Rael was not of the noble birth he assumed nor that his heavy chest, left in the man camp was filled with rock and not gold, that the merchant would feel less then hospital for the young noble fleeing his angry uncle.

Thus Rael disappeared into the busy streets of Old Hrolmar, for much of the time he had enjoyed the bustle of people and the smells of the city. Even now a couple of years after he gained his freedom he still enjoyed the sight, sounds and even smells of a live city.

When the sky were painted in the blood of dusk Rael decided it was time to search for a suitable place to stay. One comfortable enough for his taste and yet far enough then to risk a chance encounter with Berlos or one of his men.

Eclair wanders through the bazaar, looking through the wares.   How did it come to this?    Many useless baubles, but nothing can replace what she lost.

While looking through the wares, a young street urchin tiptoes up, apparently thinking she may have something to steal.    When he gets close to her, he sees her left hand and stumbles away in fear.   As he trips over the wagon behind, Eclair notices the boy.     She looks at him and sighs and continues on her way.

The Blunted Blade must be close.    She goes off in search of the tavern.

Wonders why this pretty boy is dressed in red armor...bet his voice would make a lovely scream...

In reply to Viktor (msg # 7):

Hraal pauses when he spies a colossus of a man eyeballing him.   A grin slices his face as he drapes his forearm across the pommel of his blade.  "Greetings, friend," he removes his gauntlets and tucks them into his belt.  "What brings you to this bastion of law?"

Thump Thump Thump Thump

Thump Thump Thump Thump

What was that? Eyes open.

Thump Thump Thump Thump

"MIRYAM!!"

'Miryam'?

Corvus turned quickly about. He was lying in bed - well, in a strange bed, in a strange room, with a...stranger...girl beside him.

The more things change, he thought to himself.

Thump Thump Thump Thump

"MIRYAM! IF YOU'VE GOT SOMEONE IN THERE I'LL GUT THE BASTARD AND FEED HIS BALLS TO THE GULLS!!"

And that's my cue to leave.

Corvus leapt from the bed in a flash, getting into his pants and boots with the remarkable dexterity that was borne of seasoned experience and practice. The girl on the bed sat up, looking nervously at the door but then turning and smiling at the rogue dressing himself in a hurry - he had a shirt on now, and was grasping for his arms and armor.

"My, uh...thanks for your hospitality, ah...Miryam? Perhaps we will meet again, in more favourable circumstances?"

Thump Thump Thump Thump

"MIRYAM! I CAN HEAR SOMEONE IN THERE! OPEN THIS RUDDY DOOR, OR BY ARIOCH I'LL GUT YOU TOO!!"

"Bit of a temper, your father, eh?"

"Father? Oh no, that's my husband. He's on nights for his guard shift," said the girl, unhelpfully.

Corvus visibly blanched. "Well, I'm sure he does a sterling job. Now, if you'll excuse me, I, Bron of the Purple Towns, must be off."

"I thought you said your name was Ingmar of Ilmar?"

"Well, whatever..." replied Corvus with a shrug, and he turned and leapt out of the open window. As he fell he could hear the bedroom door crash open, but he had little time to contemplate that...as he fell onto a fruit cart, sending it and its wares all over the street, to the great annoyance and fury of it's owner. That wasn't there last night, dammit. With subtle gestures and honeyed words Corvus backed away from the remonstrating owner of the cart before quickly turning on his heel and legging it - the shouting continued behind him, and he had a feeling that Miryam's husband had come downstairs to give chase, and take up arms with the stallholder.

But Corvus was a seasoned...ah...adventurer, and negotiator of tricky positions, and he had soon put many alleys and streets and side-passages between himself and his pursuers. As good fortune would have it he was also in possession of a fine orange, which would do for breakfast. But, as bad fortune - which was more the usual for him - would have it, the orange was overripe and sour, and he threw it away in disgust. And so it went. The rest of his day was spent moving from inn to tavern to market, looking for someone who might have need of a merchant captain without a ship of his own - and few did, unsurprisingly. Tired, bored, hungry, and more to the point at a very loose end, he looked up and spotted yet another tavern across the way - 'The Blunted Blade'.

Down the street a guard patrol had gathered, looking around as if searching for someone. From the shadows in which he stood Corvus could recognise the face of Miryam's husband. Uh-oh. Perhaps a dark corner of a seedy tavern would provide a decent hiding place? He waited a moment and then sprinted across the street, ducking inside the Blunted Blade and slamming the door behind him, his back firmly against it.

It took a few moments for Corvus to gather himself, by which time most of the patrons of the bar were looking at him. He smiled as best he could, smoothed his moustache and made his way over to the bar.

"Wine, my good man," he asked of the bartender, reaching for one of the few coins he still possessed. Time to take a look around, see if anyone caught his eye...
This message was last edited by the player at 14:13, Wed 05 Nov 2014.

In reply to Hraal:

Hello my friend....my name is Viktor...I am here on business for Donblas...what brings you here? holds out his hand to shake...

Hraal shakes the stranger's hand.  "I left Bakshaan a few years ago to sell my sword to the highest bidder." The smile slices his face once again and he brushes a strand of black hair from his face.  "You look as though you've seen your share of strife too, my friend."

To Khazim

The simply voicing of "boy" and "bronze" gets the attention of about 3 different youths. The larger of the 3 give each of them an elbow and tells them that this one is mine.
The boy's eyes widen like two huge silver coins.
"All for me?"
His eyes squint a second later
"I don't have to do those funny things I hear from some of the others, do I? I don't care what you say, I'm not going in with you."
He holds out his hand expectantly
"You know, you talk funny mister"
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:34, Thu 06 Nov 2014.

Khazim smiles at the sudden jostling for position and waits for everything to settle down. He starts to reply to the youth; "Of course it is all for......wait, what? Funny things? Ohhhh.....umm no, nothing like that just a guide to the tavern." He starts to place the coin in the youth's hand then looks up with a grin before giving the coin; "Yes, I know. I haven't been around these parts for long and have come from far away. Of course you sound funny to me too." He collects his meager belongings and gestures for the youth to lead on towards the tavern.

The boy's face gets a scrunched up look.
"I sound funny?, ok whatever mister, the Blade is this way, long the north way outa town"
He turns to face the 2 other boys. Holding up the coin, he grins an evil boy grin and promptly makes the coin disappear into the folds of his clothes.
"You better stick close, we have to go through some thick areas to get there from here"
and promptly moves off at a brisk pace

Khazim moves briskly to follow the youth. He chuckles inwardly at the warning. Having tracked game through the wastes of the Sighing Desert, through overgrown woods, and through broken lands he feels confident at being able to keep pace with this youth crowd or no crowd.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:14, Thu 06 Nov 2014.

Rael arrives to the entrance of the inn spotting the two warriors clasping hands. He was no warrior but he could appreciate the company and loyalties of such men. He make his way toward the inn on light feet, glancing once or twice backwards.

In reply to Hraal..

yes you could say my childhood makes most nightmares seem pleasant...perhaps we should go inside and get a drink or 30...come on Big Red I will buy ya a pint.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:45, Thu 06 Nov 2014.

Hraal smiles and follows the colossus inside.  He is impressed by the man's dark, melancholic humor.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:06, Fri 07 Nov 2014.

grabs a stool at the bar next to Corvus and says:

How much for 2 of your nastiest ales? as he grabs his stone and slowly runs it across his mighty axe
This message was last edited by the player at 19:28, Fri 07 Nov 2014.

In reply to Viktor (msg # 19):

"Three of yours," says Hraal, smiling.

In reply to Hraal:I think the pretty boy next to us has had a bad day...ha ha ha...BARKEEP 3 PINTS OF DRAGON JIZZ BEER NOW!

After trudging through the town what seem like ages, Eclair comes across the tavern.   She makes it to the corner table which is thankfully empty.   She notices what seems like a party at the bar counter.    Keeping to herself she orders a drink and continues to watch those around her.

Though the morning there is a bustle of activity and commotion about the vendors as wares and goods are hawked. Caravan escorts, jostling with relief and sobriety move about, their pockets full of their rewards as they all break and head for favored drinking holes. The morning wears on and eventually you make your separate ways to the Blunted Blade tavern. Above the door a large, worn, wooden sign shows a faded shield, a cracked sword laying across in a slight chevron pattern is visible to all as you enter the main boulevard.

Those who you spot entering and leaving the establishment seem more of the domestic labor variety rather than that of a mercenary background. While worn and slightly run down, the tavern is in good repair, nothing that a good coat of paint and a bit of sprucing up wouldn't cure.

[Private to Khazim: The urchin leads you winding through the streets as fast as he can go. He is obviously surprised at the ease of which you are able to slip through the throngs of people. Whether or not his intention was to loose you and gain an easy bronze is obviously not going to happen. Rounding a corner you see two men enter the establishment. The larger man, easily a foot taller than the other is dressed in a southern barbarian fashion even with the gleam of the plate beneath his furs. The smaller of the two dressed in red, with a more martial bent, obviously stand out from even the normal passerby of the area].

Tavern thread is open for those who have already entered
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:10, Sat 08 Nov 2014.