"A varim?" Marabir says in a 'well why didn't you say so?' tone. He exchanges a nod of agreement with the guard captain.

"Indeed, I believe I do."
This message was last edited by the player at 09:49, Sat 12 Jan 2019.

"I'll accompany you," says the captain to Marabir, then, to the guard, "Weld, return to the gate, and tell Tarn to get in here and watch the body."

"Am I the only one who feels it is a little unfair to instantly suspect the varim in town?" Nod murmurs to Aerendir as they follow after the pair of warriors.
This message was last edited by the player at 09:46, Sat 12 Jan 2019.

"Yes," Aerendir replies.

Nod sends Aerendir a reproving frown as he exits after the ranger.

Marabir falls back a few paces as they make their way down the street until he is beside Aerendir.

"The varim will be on his guard the moment we begin to question him," he says in a hushed tone, "And the captain may not have enough to hold him for if he is able to thwart our questions. The guard mentioned a horse. Perhaps you could do a bit of... investigating while we proceed with our questioning?"

"Good point," Aerendir says, nodding. "If he tries to kill anyone, send Nod to fetch me before you die, won't you?"

With this not very encouraging order, Aerendir disappears off to the side, making his way towards the stables.

Marabir grins, before hurrying to catch up the captain as he arrives at the tavern.

The taproom in which they find themselves is large and homely. A fire roars in a hearth on the far wall, and men sit at tables all around, laughing and chatting merrily. An elderly human bard stands on a small stage in the corner, playing a slightly out of tune flute. A few patrons cast him dark glances, but the rest seem content to ignore him.

The bartender, a well rounded and good natured looking man hurries through the tables with a tray of mugs, laughing and chatting to patrons as he goes. Marabir and the guard captain find themselves on the receiving end of numerous glances and stares, ranging from apprehension to awe. For a moment the tavern goes quiet, then the conversations resume. The whispers and glances at the pair do not diminish as they make their way into the room.

Glancing about, Marabir notes the room to be mostly full of farmers, with the odd merchant or tradesman. A pair of human men, well armed, sit at a table by the hearth, and appear to be conversing with an attractive young noblewoman. Marabir's gaze lingers on the woman, before he recovers himself and heads after the captain toward a table in the corner at which the varim in question is seated.

"All right," he murmurs to the captain, "How do you want to handle this? Should we attempt to-"

"All right, varim," says the guard captain, plonking himself into a seat opposite the varim with a suspicious glare, "We have a few questions to ask you."

"Or we can just try the blunt aggressive approach..." Marabir mutters under his breath as he seats himself beside the captain, assuming his most artificial reassuring smile.

"Indeed. Not that this is an interrogation or anything," he adds with a stern glance at the guard captain.

Behind them Nod pauses, frowning at the would-be bard in the corner. He spares a glance at Marabir and the captain as they seat themselves, and, deciding that they have the situation well in hand, unclasps his mandolin and approaches the bartender to address the other atrocity being committed in the vicinity of Lastorn this evening.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:47, Wed 15 July 2020.

The varim, who is wearing a cloak that conveniently shields most of him from view, seems have picked the corner not just to be sinister, but because there is a convenient shelf between him and the bright fire crackling merrily in the hearth which shields his light-sensitive eyes from the brightness.

He does not seem particularly distressed by the captain's words, or Marabir's.

"I am so pleased to hear that this is 'not an interrogation or anything,'" he says, dryly. "Go on, human. How can I help you?"

The captain seems a little puzzled at Marabir's suggestion that this is not in fact an interrogation. He shrugs and turns back to the varim.

"When did you arrive in Lastorn this evening? And from where were you travelling?"

"I arrived in Lastorn just before sunset, and I travelled here from the south. I highly must applaud you for your management of your forests, by the way. The snows of the north make for poor entertainment for one who enjoys hunting, but the local wildlife of Thane is truly excellent."

"Oh?" the captain prompts, eyes narrowing.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:00, Mon 14 Jan 2019.

"There is a certain thrill in hunting cave bears, wolves and giant centipedes, but since I like living, I prefer it when my quarry is running away from me rather than at me," the varim explains.

The captain seems to have lost half of the varim's attention, which seems to be with Nod and what looks to be, based on his gestures and the apoplectic-looking elderly bard, his unflattering assessment of this individual's talents. Both the guard captain and Marabir get the impression the varim agrees with whatever Nod is saying.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:04, Mon 14 Jan 2019.

"What is your name, if I may ask?" Marabir asks, as the captain scowls at the varim, "Is this your first time hunting in these parts?"

"You may. I am Falnis Orthran of House Orthran, and yes, it is indeed my first time hunting in these parts," the varim assures them with what they suspect is questionable truth. "And since this is not an interrogation, may I also ask whom I have the pleasure of addressing?"

OOC: Dalmar Argant rolled 25 using 1d20+21.  Bluff.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:15, Mon 14 Jan 2019.

Marabir nods thoughtfully. At least the varim appears to be telling the truth about his identity and the fact that he has not been in these parts before. Still, when a varim feels comfortable enough to be honest it is a sign to be particularly on one's guard.

"I am Varonil," he says politely, if a little stiffly, "A knight and visitor to these parts like yourself. And this is-"

OOC: Prince Marabir Carendil rolled 13 using 1d20+12. Sense Motive.
Prince Marabir Carendil rolled 16 using 1d20+5. Bluff.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:14, Mon 14 Jan 2019.

"The captain of the guard in this town," Deran cuts him off with a dismissive wave of his hand, determined to remain suspicious of the varim, regardless of his explanations, "Now, you say you are a hunter, but I don't see your crossbow around here. Do you have one hidden under that cloak of yours?"

OOC: Caln Deran rolled 16 using 1d20+1. Sense Motive.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:39, Thu 30 Dec 2021.

Nod meanwhile, has successfully taken the elderly bard's place on the stage. He appears to be tuning his mandolin whilst playing a dulcet Thanian lullaby called 'Forandis'. A few nearby patrons murmur quietly, and a couple give him nods of approval.

OOC: Nod the Minstrel rolled 20 using 1d20+4. Perform (mandolin).
This message was last edited by the player at 03:40, Thu 30 Dec 2021.

The varim doesn't look like he'd know a Sir Varonil from a Sir Tranvir, but he nods politely at the introduction. At the captain's interruption, however, he tilts his head slightly to one side.

"I do, as it happens, happen to have a crossbow. But I do not have it with me in here, and I do not recall mentioning I preferred hunting with crossbows, Captain."

OOC: Dalmar Argant rolled 1 using 1d20. Sense Motive.
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:34, Mon 14 Jan 2019.

The captain narrows his eyes, opens his mouth, then closes it.