"Mistress Irkell, I would like to procure one of your private rooms," Asano says, keeping his signet ring behind the mug of ale he'd been served. He sniffs at himself, continuing resignedly, "And directions to the baths, if such are available?"

Mayon cocked his head lightly at the familiar sound of elvish, music to his ears. It sounded like home to him. His eyes flickered over to the half elf who had walked in, and the Drow elf that he had noticed briefly when he took his own table and water.

He hid a smirk with a sip of water. If there was one thing he had learned outside of his father's teaching, it was that a man would have better luck beating a giant in an arm-wrestling contest than talking to a Drow that didn't want to be spoken to.

In reply to Bramwell Caulder (msg # 6):

The drow looked up at the paladin, raising an eyebrow. It was... unusual... for someone to try to speak to him, certainly on peaceful terms. His eyes darted around, wondering where the trap would spring from.

[Language unknown: "Th ce a nd, cain whi, hobe it el n manwerson al? Re usek himoio a out ted si ainit, iv daypa t adarlo e nemo ha e encaticom undonsntioer. Wi, aveantsta, pawi art p ounereund n vir noan i traha Was Ntbeni, Wa li ticcomstrthu o letaho."]

Bramwell smiled, relieved not to have been immediately smote with divine frost.  He replied in Elvish, [Language unknown: "U est thokorereeve, ei ofpo-ilel ilhoevthth kor m eausonureast hendie all haday sarelousho iouinepro!  Was n onoshi ce nt pe la ratlintraratsan ou ineanther.  Tin ineonslin hou ee Esta'neio ssoniv the o ancandncwe ncil omou thssnimo.  Hi se Ndeichverthitha O llsti atai olno'iois a eilepari, e u taur olei osadmo hi traou ll Us repa whecomred iveruting."]  The half-elf pulled up a chair and took a seat.  He realized then that the drow seemed somewhat suspicious.  That was to be expected, he supposed.  He hoped he didn't come off as some sort of inquisitor.   He awkwardly shifted his chair back and a bit to the side so as not to crowd the drow in, and tried to avoid staring overmuch while still listening attentively.

Verthel sighed. [Language unknown: "Il striv hi icteer, con O al ha onti ar iceson alat t ioio, n Nd waent n ulnohi na virantble aranst averathou li in loest. Sswa K netra estad eaule k Ingratugh, hatanysta, di iond lin p st n venic enc whetinndeatirom witiveicasan. Estevethi ecdi derousvor itnemi ugh trevca a re evugh, yinwe ieof adcest p nte t resesthis es sathfo ndeestnte. Theatehas re korbleive nceees eve n theing-thistr oun ivntck, we redthaany wheratcon eios Fisano. U we a heter n ortastthu k whal ofroiv ca lothndni asrom str utpoes, ssar evbe ll tant orevenave ate ove stday ckpleromme. Mono Ha ni... riadan... naeiil, thu saho t hi i hackom ove strwh ineichore ndhobehi wewit o sonichere.]"

Verthel studies the paladin, measuring him up carefully. "[Language unknown: Omart o, Poroiowiri, rutwa a fick wheratoer chll? Ortthowhi nd ng ncst trastrome ofllnd memewh, neriseec eenourerares stfi arhou arad at alee.]"

Kaylessa turns her attention to the second half-elf of the group. "Of course," she says, then motions a staff member over.

"Ghileeda, be a dear and go fetch the key to room 202 for our guest here," she pauses, then continues to the man, "your name sir?"

"We do have a bathhouse in town, just up the road here. It's run by Haeleeya Hanadroum. The staff are cooking dinner in the yard just now," she says a bit sheepishly, motioning to the back door, "but you probably have time for a quick bath before it's ready."

Ghileeda returns and hands a key to Asano with a faint curtsy, motioning to the stairs. "If you'd like I can bring your things up for you, won't be any trouble."

---

I have Morg down for a dorm room and Asano for a private one. Where are others staying?

I'll keep track of expenditures for food and lodging in the loot thread so we don't have to monkey with daily adjustments to money.
This message was last updated by the player at 14:06, Sat 15 Oct 2016.

A young man approaches Bram and Verthel hesitantly, bearing a mug of wine.

"Can I get some more for anyone here?" he asks, taking in Mayon with the question.

Mayon looked up quickly, a bit startled and embarrassed about his eavesdropping tendencies. His ears turned vaguely red but he nodded shyly.

"Just some more water, if that's okay?"


I've had Mayon staying from the night before in a private room...do I mark off the silver for that as well, or just for any nights now that we've started?

This message was last edited by the GM at 14:49, Sun 16 Oct 2016.

Morg hands over 10 slightly green coppers to Kaylessa, "For a dormitory bed please. I'm Morg," he says, and looking at the half-elf that came in after him, "and I'll also head to the bathhouse before dinner."

"Always bathe before drinking!" he says, laughing at himself.

---

Jakrynn had walked in with Morg and Bramwell, but compared to the two of them, he hadn't made his entrance very loud or noticeable. He found that being able to discreetly look around for a moment sometimes made his evenings much more pleasant and/or safe.

He walked up to the bar with Morg and shook his head, chuckling. "Aw, look, Morg...Bram's made a friend already. Well, a slightly annoyed person that he's talking the ear off of, but for Bram that's his version of making a friend." He did hear some of what was being said but tried not to let that fact on.

He turned to face the innkeeper and gave her a respectful, but flourishing, bow. "Oh, my dear lady Kaylesse, you are a sight for sore eyes! Your hospitality is most welcome!" He smiled at her. "I am more than happy to pay for a room with Morg there..." He paused and the smile widened slightly as he tilted his head. "Or if you prefer, I could provide some music for your inn for a while this evening in return for a room along with dinner and breakfast?"

Kaylessa exchanges greetings with each of the newcomers in turn, noting their names and preferences for accommodations.

She gives directions to Haeleeya's to Morg and Asano. "Just a couple doors down dears, turn left on the Long Road and you can't miss it." She pauses, looking at them appraisingly. "I'm glad we're getting such an influx of capable-looking travelers. Red Larch can certainly use the lot of you these days, with all the goings-on."

Nodding at Jak, the innkeeper smiles at the suggestion of entertainment. "I would be glad of it young man, but if I accepted offers like that from every traveler I would have to pay my staff in song, which leaves the belly a bit empty. But check across the way at the Helm, they may be willing to compensate you for your talents."

---

We can start counting expenditures from Day 1, so assume any costs prior to this thread are already accounted for in starting money.

I think we can say everyone now knows each others' names, what with the introductions with Kaylessa being complete. You can continue to learn more about each other now & later, as you prefer.

Aside from Kaylessa and the staff, the six of you are the only current occupants of the dining room.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:05, Sun 16 Oct 2016.

Verthel puts eight silvers down on the table for Kaylessa. "Private room for myself, if you could. I require a private room. I shall also require a hot meal, when it is ready."

He turns to the others. "If I be not mistaken, most of you are of half-elven blood. Is this a common thing, here, or has the Lady seen fit to send me this odd coterie for some purpose?"

It is then that he notices Morg, and instinctively recoils. "Duergar!" he hisses.

Jak let out a chuckle. "Fair enough. I'll take a bunk next to my dwarf friend and dinner please. Name's Jakrynn since you wanted names along with coin." He slid over the appropriate silver.

He stared hard at the drow for a second and then exactly mimicked the recoil and facial expression away from the elf and hissed, "Asshole!"

Then he shook his head. "I'm not elven at all an' my friend's a mountain dwarf. You don't see us all up in arms 'cause yer a dark elf, who I hear horrible things about capturin' us t'be slaves underground or whatever, do ya?" But the last was said with a much milder tone. He wasn't trying to pick a fight.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:32, Sun 16 Oct 2016.

Verthel breathes deeply for a moment.

"I... apologize. I have never seen any dwarf beyond those in the Underdark before. And they are known for their... appetites," he said, still looking wary.

"And I cannot speak for the rest of my people. I will simply say, however, that there is a reason I am up here and not down there, and it is not simply because there are things to eat besides fungus and insects."

Morg smiles at the drow, "I'll look less gray after a bath."

He asks Jak to watch his backpack, takes out a piece of soap from it, and leaves, walking to Haeleeya's.

---

This message was last edited by the player at 16:28, Sun 16 Oct 2016.

Mayon blinks a bit at Verthel's question, shrugging his shoulders.

"I haven't thought about it much before, to be honest. My family situation is...unusual, to say the least." He offered a faint smile of his own. "Then again, I guess that could be said for a lot of half-elves...ah, sorry, where are my manners? I'm Mayon Graycross."
This message was last edited by the player at 16:47, Sun 16 Oct 2016.

After introducing himself and paying for his room, Asano follows the dwarf (and anyone else) down to the bathhouse.
"Well, sir dwarf, what brings you and your friends to Red Larch?" He asks amiably.

"I am Verthel Go'Van. And you will excuse me if I do not follow you to bathe, sir dwarf. I prefer... privacy... where I can get it."

He finished off his wine. "I will admit, curiosity has gotten the best of me. What are all of you doing in this place? It hardly seems like a vacation spot, yes?"

"Passing through, personally. Not really sure where I'm headed to, though...I've spent most of my time studying with my father and stepmother for over ten years. Felt it was about time to make my own way, I guess." Mayon says, brushing his hair out of his face. "And I suppose there are some things I'm interested in that I feel I would learn better on my own, rather than from father's books."

"You can call me Morg. We're just heading thru town, tho we may stay a while if it stays this hot."

"What's the story with your scary family name?"

---

"Take it from someone who knows- there are some things you're better off not knowing," Verthel says. "Pray you are never unfortunate enough to wander into the Underdark- death would be one of the kinder fates available to a man like yourself."

He closes his eyes. "But I suspect I will not be able to prevent you from going forward. Curiosity, I have seen, tends to be a terminal illness. So I will say this: if you and the rest of these fools are willing to aid me with a personal quest, I will accompany you, and attempt to keep you alive for as long as I am able."

"At the moment I have no intention of traveling there, but thanks for the warning if I ever decide to do something stupid." Mayon says with a wry grin. "My stepmother's told me plenty about it herself, when she decides she's in a talkative mood. Scared the hell out of me as a kid."

His ears perk a bit at the mention of a quest. "I suppose that depends what sort of quest it is. You've got my attention, though. Who knows? Perhaps it will aid me in my search as well."

"As it should. The Underdark is full of monsters, atrocities and abominations, and that's just the drow," he said, in a bit of self-deprecating humor. "It is no place for good people. Not sane ones, anyway."

"I received... a vision, from my goddess. It was incredibly vague, but I know this: a disaster is coming. I know not of its exact nature, but it involves certain elemental portals that I must destroy. I need help tracking down the portals. If you can agree to that, I will lend you my services."

"Elemental portals?" Interesting. Linked to the elemental planes, perhaps? Not a common topic, but definitely one worthy of investigation. He smiled, a bit more openly than usual.

"Sounds fascinating. I'd be happy to offer my support, even just to get a glimpse of them."

DM, could I make an Arcana check to see what I know about the Elemental Planes or portals of some sort? If so,:
19:03, Today: Secret Roll: Mayon Graycross rolled 10 using 1d20+4.  Arcana check because why not.
Forgot to uncheck "secret" :P If this is unnecessary then ignore me I suppose.

"It was given to my great-grandfather," Asano said, smiling. This was a part of the family history he rather enjoyed. "Not a terribly long story, though. He was a great swordsman, terrible in fury against his foes. It was said that he could draw his blade, kill an enemy, and resheathe in the space of a man's breath."

When the two of them reach the bathhouse, Asano pays for both baths.

"But, Morg, if you and your friends like the heat, I may have a business proposition for you. If you're interested."