Sejana nodded once more, "And of course if we meet here, that would make it convenient enough."   

Darius nodded, "Ah yes, that would be perfect. Is there perhaps a private room that we could rent to ensure our conversations remain private during these meetings?" he asks as he glances around the tavern.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:37, Fri 08 Jan 2021.

"I suppose we could, yes.  I mean, yes, I'd like that."

Maybe it was the mead talking, but she'd actually found herself having a little bit of fun.  It was, well... nice, having people to talk to.  She'd take another sip of her mead, and actually crack a hint of a smile, looking at the other two.

"As far as a private room, well... we have a few, upstairs.  The boss lives out of the biggest one, one's occupied right now... but there's a few more we could use, and I can always just keep a key back and have some drinks and food sent up.  Call it a perk of knowing the manager.

And as far as singing, well... the boss has an idea.  I think it's pretty funny, but it's for a cause she's growing kind of fond of... but it just depends how many others she can talk into getting involved with it.  But you're always welcome to come by and sing, when you like.  I'll even cover something on the house for you."

Sejana smiled at Rila's more emphatic yes. I believe she'd be quite the social butterfly, if she'd allow herself.  As to the rooms upstairs she agreed:

"Well, it sounds about perfect to me, as long as it is acceptable to your boss. Does it work for you, master Darius? I'll bring some top quality seeds for Aleira. She'd likely prefer a mouse, but I'm not going to pack one of those."

She'd had no idea that Kiera primarily lived here.   It was the opposite of Sisters, where Alisa only rarely put in an appearance; though maternity and marriage were surely a large part of that.

She grinned "Oh, come on, now I'm fairly dying to hear about this idea!  Is it a mandatory secret?  Any case, tavern singing is mostly all fun. I've got a small repertoire of songs at the ready." 
This message was last edited by the player at 02:17, Sun 10 Jan 2021.

Darius nods to Sejana and then turns to Rila, "I think that sounds like a wonderful idea. And," he says as he turns to Sejana, "I'm sure Aleira would be happy to be doted on however you choose to do so."

He took another measured sip of his applejack and smiled slyly at Rila, "Yes, I feel like this is the first bit of information that should be shared with the cabal. What exactly is this idea your boss has?"


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End of Conversation
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This message was last edited by the GM at 06:57, Fri 14 Oct 2022.

It had been some time since the last time Barbatius had been at the Nectar, his training and adventuring had taken longer than expected but now it was time to let his hair down a little.  He walked up to the bar and ordered an ale before settling down at a table and waiting to see who would be in tonight.

A few of the old regulars he recognised and he had made sure to let Kiera know he was in.  "It's good to b back." he muttered to himself.

Kiera nods at Barbatius's greeting, and smiles at her old friend. However, she is quite busy behind the bar, and contents herself with a few words and pouring him a free beer.

OOC:  Just a heads-up, Kiera's player left us, and she is now a DM controlled NPC

Orienting herself in Tusk, the Nereid had been highly recommended by her new employer. (probably new employer; for there were still some particulars to be worked out)

On first take, Socha liked the overall character of the place.  And, in a room full of total strangers, she spotted at least one she thought she recognized.

"Hey there, big man," she greeted amiably, in the informal manner she tended to when formality wasn't required.

"The lady of Medvyed-Solanus pointed you out, once.  You're the lord's squire, isn't that right?" 

Barbatius wore a clean but plain blue tunic over hose and riding boots, a baldric ran from his right shoulder to left hip from which swung his dueling sword.  He smiled and said "Aye, that's me Socha isn't it, join me for a drink or three." Barbatius said with a wave towards the spare chairs at the table.  "The boss said you are thinking about a position in the house working forbher Ladyship, is that right?"

Jensen had never been inside this particular bar before. So it may have come as something of a surprise to patrons and staff members alike to see the lanky paladin walk in, his banded mail gleaming almost as if brand new. He took in the room and those who were present, and did his best to not look uncomfortable.

It had been suggested, on more than one occasion, and by more than one person, that Jensen should socialize a bit more. He was given to understand that many such ‘cohorts’ as himself preferred to drink and carouse in this establishment, and so here he was, deciding what to order.

“I would like a mead, please.”   He finally decided.

"Socha it is," she nodded cheerfully, taking one of the chairs.    "And you heard right.  It's likely I'll be in her ladyship's employ.  Probably going on outings, like yourself, if we come to a final agreement."   

Socha placed an order for her beverage, once the barmaid was handy.   She glanced at the latest patron, as she did.   Recognizing the holy sigil of Sarenrae on the man.  Then looked back to Barbatius.

"Well, so. How do you like being a squire?  Does the lord keep you busy?"

"It's been, well exciting at times boring in others, I'm fortunate I guess, the boss and I have known each other for years and he's pretty casual with friends." He smiles and continues "I'm not really sure I'll be a squire much longer truth be told, Dom is saying I'm just about ready to take the title of Swordlord myself.  I'll still be his man but less of the squire and more companion I think."

Barbatius follows Socha's eyes and sots the paladin at the bar "I think that's Lord Mordane's man Jensen isn't it?  The more the merrier they say." then taking a chance he's right he calls out "Jensen, come join us!"

New to the region, 'Lord Mordane' wasn't truly a familiar name...although not unheard. She was pretty sure someone had mentioned him before.

"Well, congratulation on the promotion.  And on having a boss you can call a friend."

Accepting his mead, Jensen heard his name called and turned to find the source. Upon looking, he immediately recognized Barbatius sitting with a female that he did not recall meeting. Remembering his quest to be more social, Jensen slowly approached the others. “If you are certain it is alright,” the paladin offered. “I wouldn’t want to intrude.”

"No worries, it's not a private party," she assured the man Barbatius had named as Jensen. "Well, so.  You guys come here often?" 

Jensen gently took his seat. “I think this my first time here, actually.” He seemed a bit sheepish with his words. “Most paladins aren’t known to be great carousers. Which is kind of funny because my boss drinks like a fish.”

"I'm curious how that came about, you working for Lord Mordane he doesn't seem like the pious type if you know what I mean." Barbatius shrugged "More unexpected than anything I guess."

Jensen drank of his mead, but slowly. He laughed. “So a lanky farm boy comes riding in on this little mule that everyone swore was three times too small for him. Headed for Tusk to mightily do the work of Saranrae.”

“Who does he meet along the way but the mayor of Tusk himself? They shared a meal together and Cass suggested that if I was looking for adventure that I should follow along with him. He got me my beautiful warhorse, Lily. And he is always trying to feed me, especially when Elkin is around.”

The drink was loosening the paladin’s lips rather quickly. “Not pious in most people’s eyes probably, but Cass isn’t exactly irreverent to the gods. I know he makes his offerings to Cayden, just not devotedly. I think his focus is more on people. Says he was once little more than a gutter rat and he wants to see people elevated to their best. We have talked of building a hospital in the spring.”
This message was last edited by the player at 05:07, Sun 06 Nov 2022.

"Aw, he sounds like a sweetie," remarked Socha, taking a sip of her beverage after it was delivered.

"I'm not exactly pious, in most people’s eyes either.   But, the divine snuck up and found me anyway!  What about you, big-man?  Do you revere the same gods as your liege?"  She asked Barbatius.

"Some of them, Dom is a man of many devotions Iomedae, Shelyn and Desna when he was younger but since meeting Lady Alisa he has started following Acavna as well.  Iomedae it is primarily for me but I pray to Gorum as well and it never hurts to offer a prayer or two to Lady Luck." Barbatius said nodding.

"A hospital is a grand plan Jensen, here in Tusk or further afield?"

“Silverton is my home base, so I will start there. But I would like to see one placed in every area.” The mead was good, but Jensen thought it might be best to add a little food to the mix. “Are you two hungry? I could order us a meal.”

"Oh allow me, after all Kiera and I are old adventuring companions, shall I get today's special it's usually pretty good.  oh and looks like another round of drinks is in order."  Barbatius said with a smile.

"Thanks!  I'm sure the special is great.  I'll offer to pay for the next round, or the next after that, if we get that far!"   

----- New Day -----

It was late and most of the customers had gone home, Barbatius sat with a group of other Aldori.  They had a
L been talking about home.

He wasn't sure who it was who had started humming the tune but it was one they all knew.  Each one had learnt the song on hos mother's knee.  They all began to sing.

When Rostland blooms in the darkness
Her blossoms swing light from each tree
When Restov awakes and spreads fire
It’s then that our land will be free.

I wander her hills and her valleys
And still through my sorrow I see
A land that has never known freedom
And only her rivers run free.

I drink to her sons and her daughters
Those ones who would rather have died
Than to live in the cold chains of bondage
To bring back the rites we’re denied.

Where are you know that we need you,
What thunders where storm used to be?
All gone, like the rains of last season
And only our rivers run free.

How sweet is life but we’re crying
How mellow the mead but we’re dry
How fragrant the grape but its dying
How gentle the wind but its ice.

What good is a youth when its aging
What joy is an eye that can’t see
When there’s sorrow in Rostland
And still only our rivers

As they finished they all smiled to one another finished their drinks and left for the night.

OOC Adapted from Cold wind over Sartar