Andalon smiled at the barmaid's question.

"Thankyou, I am sure Mister Redmop would be more comfortable on a more suitable chair. I would quite enjoy a pie or pastry if you have something along those lines on the menu," he replied.

When Cass mentioned the map Andalon cleared a space on the table and unrolled the parchment he had brought with him. It was a rough, hand-drawn map (see the Game Map for Group M) encompassing the area of Midmarch east of the Narlmarches, the Kamelands east of the Tuskwater and the Shrike River from north of Ringbridge all the way south to Mivon.

"Yes, after we took Fort Tusk we found this in a backpack that looked like it had belonged to a halfling priestess. It seems to show a route north from Mivon to 'Freedom', crossing that southern river at the Chain Ferry and crossing the Shrike River up near Ringbridge."

"Only a personal supply." The gnome responds to Adoven, "But  there will be plenty of oppornity for you to trade in some of our more 'exotic' brews once you have established a regular trade route between our settlements.

Oh and a slightly taller chair would be most appreciated." The gnome adds with a smile, towards Winnie.

"A portion of game pie ...  Anything else?"  Winnie half asks as she signs across the bar to Berta, for a taller chair.

The Dragon's Den, Tic had heard of it, his cousin Snick had said it was the sort of place he hoped his tavern would become when the opened up near the lake. He scratched at the goatee on his chin and peered at it for a moment before heading inside.  Tic was dressed in his town gear a white linen shirt, red waistcoat under a blue jacket.  Blue three quarter length trousers and bare feet.  Tonight he wore his lucky eyepatch over his left eye.

Making his way to the bar he climbed up onto a chair in order to be seen. "Ah bartender, a mug of cider if you please.  Not a bad place you have here. he said with a smile looking around as best his halfling height would allow.

Cass had returned Berta’s greeting with a similar one of his own upon arriving. It was good to see the Dragons Den doing so well.

“Nothing more for me at the moment,” Cass answered Winnie.

“Being in the hospitality business,” Cass explained to Rudolphus, “I have use for good workers for my hotels and taverns. And I have plans for tea and coffee houses and a number of breweries myself. Any Halfling or Gnome with such expertise would be a welcome employee or perhaps even partner in such ventures.”
This message was last edited by the player at 10:23, Sat 27 June 2020.

"Home of Poacher's Pale - best ale there is," Berta smiles at the compliment Tic proffers, raising a brow to see if she can tempt him to change his mind.

Once he's made his decision and she's filled his cup, she ducks into the back room for a moment, returning with one of the taller chairs Winnie requested, casually carrying it over to Rudolphus's table (one-handed as you'd expect from the Dragon's part-time bouncer who has no objection to advertising that fact) to swap it over.

"Plenty of thirsty citizens for all of us," Berta grins at Cass.  "Maybe we should form a guild of our own ..."

Back at the bar, she turns her attention to Tic once more.

"Enjoying your drink ?  What brings you to Tusk - business or pleasure ?"

Rudolphus swaps seats, and thanks both Berta and Winnie as he climbs aboard the higher chair.

"I am sure that many of the halflings travelling this way would be please to know that." The red-haired gnome responds to Cass.  "I can have a message posted for you in Jovvox, although you could also put one in The Symphony Swans.  Recently, most of the halflings have been heading that way.  They say it has been blessed by Milani."

"Milani, yes, I believe there was some evidence that was the deity that our unknown halfling priestess served. Her holy symbol - a rose on a bloody street - was embroidered on a piece of white cloth in that backpack, if I recall correctly," Andalon advised thoughtfully. "Her clergy do seem rather more prone to becoming martyrs than would be considered desirable."

Adoven points out the southwest Red X. "There is where we encountered the Tedriculous. I think we can assume the other Red X's respresent Dangers. Perhaps the black X's are safe campsites?" He adds "perhaps we should set up traveller's lodges at those points?"
This message was last edited by the player at 18:33, Sat 27 June 2020.

“A brewer’s guild?” Cass lifted his glass to Berta in salute. “That is an excellent idea.”

“The Swans?” Cass asked Rudolphus. “Blessed by Milani? That is a surprise. Maybe Elkin has been keeping more secrets than I suspected. But yes, please. If you would place such a posting in Jovvox, I can certainly place such a posting at the Symphony of Swans.”

Cass listened as the others speculated about the mysterious map. “My guess is that you are right about the danger and the red X’s. And I quite like the idea of creating safe accommodations along the trail as well.”
This message was last edited by the player at 01:43, Sun 28 June 2020.

"Do you think the trail is still in use?" Rudolphus asks.  "After all, there are regular  river boat services here from the south?  I think most enterprising halflings, will find a way to work passage or hitch a ride.  I think your company employed one in Jovvox?" he adds looking across at Adoven.

Turning to Winnie, he follows Andalon's lead and orders a piece of the game pie, but with a mug of the local ale.
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:32, Sun 28 June 2020.

"You are probably right, Rudolphus. That map dates back to when the Stag Lord and his bandits controlled this area. Now it probably only serves to indicate a few more interesting sites for us to explore in future."

"Right, make it a Poachers Pale then,  never doubt the barkeep in their own place as cousin Snicklesocks says." he grins and gives Berta a wink.  Taking the mug of ale he takes a long drink followed by a loud "Aaah, that hit the spot."  as Berta moves off he takes the time to look around from the chair he is standing on trying to get a better feel for the room.

As Berta returns he smiles again looks her up and down and says "Well now it could be a little of both.  This is a fine drop you have here, brewed on the premises?"

"Our brewery is down on Lakeside," Berta returns Tic's smile, pleased that her recommendation was both accepted and meets with the Halfling's approval. "We're using imported hops at the moment, but we're hoping to start growing our own in the future.

"You like it now, but just wait till those hops don't have to travel so far to get here !"

"A little of both is definitely the way to go," she agrees. "I always wanted to own a tavern and now me and my brothers have this place and I have to work at it !  Keeps me honest."

"You have done well, it's a nice place and I see the town bigwigs are regulars." he nodded over towards the Bishop and Mayor.  "Still it's your job to hang around in a bar, what do you do for fun in Tusk?  It's my first time here in the city."

"Well ... a lot of people come here," Berta manages to keep a straight face as she sings the praises of the Dragon's Den.  "There's good ale, good food, good entertainment.  Later on there'll be musicians up on the stage - we've even had the Mayor take a turn ... and not just because he's the mayor - he's can carry a fine tune."

"I'd come here even if I didn't have to !"

Tic nods "What about dancing, I'll bet by Chaldira you can dance up a storm when the music starts to play.  Or is it more of a sitting back listening kind of thing?"  he finishes the first mug of ale "Now that is good, I'll have another and one for you too, I'm Tic by the way?"

"I'll dance with a blade, but not else," Berta smiles.  "My brothers reckon between my dancing and my singing I'd scare all the paying customers away.  But I'll keep the beat on a drum when called for.  I'm good at hitting things."

"But when there's a lively tune you'll find someone to dance with," she agrees.

She pours Tic another drink, but refuses his kind offer with a smile.  "Not when they've got me working.  I'm Berta."

Tic gave a slight sigh but smiled "Well Berta I'm pleased to meet you, now when do you finish so I can buy you that drink."  he said with a friendly wink.  "Even family has to let you have some play time."

Berta grins broadly.  "I never plan that far ahead !  And I've my reputation to think of - if I accept a drink from you, my regulars will think I'm going soft and next time they won't leave so politely when I ask them and I'll have to break something !"

Tic nodded "Well if that's the case, I understand.  We could always go to Keira's place, Domitius said I should drop in and see what the place is like.  You could come along and give me your professional opinion." he smiles "and there are no brother's around to cramp your style." he gives Berta an innocent look followed by a cheeky smike.

"Well aren't you the charmer ?!" Berta laughs at the sheer cheek and persistence displayed by the Halfling.

"Sorry, Tic, you picked a loser.  Nobody asks me out.  It's rumoured that I might occasionally do the asking, but I'm pretty confident there's no one left alive who can collaborate that."

The innocent look just doesn't work on Berta's face, though she gives it a go.

Tic chuckles, "Well you can't blame a fella for trying, still I accept your invitation.  Where are you taking me." he says with another cheeky grin.  "A ride in the hinterlands could be fun." the innocent look returned.

"I lay blame where I choose, and curse any who say otherwise !" Berta snorts with laughter.  "But you be sure to enjoy your ride around the wild lands - you can tell me all about it when you get back."

"If you get back," the smile is gone now. "I've heard it is rough out there.  If you do ride out then take care."

"I have been hunting in these parts for years, I'm always careful.  My family has been in the area since we escaped Cheliax when I was a little fella."  he took a long drink "Thank the gods we all got out, I shudder to think what life would be like if we hadn't.  he takes another drink finishing his second "Take that Old Scratch freedom for all my kin."