The kid ripping the piece of paper caught her attention. She tilted her head to the side as the kid looked at the keep and bolted from the place. A small miracle he didn't hit anyone in his haste.
Deciding it was worth looking at Zhera got up to look at the board, wondering what it was all about.

In reply to Dungeon Master (msg # 7):

The red haired, green-eyed woman carefully looked over the inside of the Gulls Nest. After having cast the Detect Magic spell just before stepping in, she made careful note of who did or didn't have magic on or around them. As she entered, she attempted to keep clear of the frequently used paths in and around the tables within. Passing near the bar, Cumarinda smiled a greeting to Zhera, before finding herself an empty table away from much of the other patrons but within sight both the stage and the fireplace.

As she sat down, she put her backpack and gear between her legs under her side of the table. Putting her shield and mace in her lap. While also noting Zhera's movements and those around her, the cleric also kept an eye out for a waitress, waving a head above her head in hope of getting some attention. "Could one of you hardworking waitresses come help me, please?" she called out clearly.


OOC
Does she detect any other beings with magic besides herself and Zhera? What can she discover about them?

The board has several items of interest, people looking for adventurers to do several things. Quests of course. One is removal of spiders in the docks.

There is a note asking for aid in the lighthouse area which is nearbye.

Also there is a note asking adventurers to check out a basement but need to talk to a warrior outside.

There is the quest-someone lost their pack and needs adventurers to track it down within the sewers.

Lord Goodblade is looking for adventurers to find the healing elixir.

The keep notices Zhera checking out the board. He grunts "There's others that need help, got to find them. Harbormaster Zin is in charge of what goes in an' out of the docks or least tries. If yah lookin' fer work." The half-orc puts down his mug and looks over at the druid, the wolf and the cleric who walked in. He motions for a waitress to go over.

Nodding her head, the waitress smiles as she approaches the cleric. A typical human, garbed in waitress clothes of course "Hello. How can I be of ser..." Faolan's wolf growls and he pets the wolfs head. It relaxes. She repeats "How can I be of service?"

Zhera gave the cleric a small smile in return. The place didn't look half bad and maybe this could help.
It looked like a help board some places have next to the church's. But this one looked more like the kind of jobs one needed to make di on life. After the keep noticed her and informed her about the extra work she gave him a nod and thanked him before going to the table with the cleric.
"It looks like there are a few ways to get money here." He gave a short description of what she found on the board and the keep's word to her. "There is also a work about a healing option."

Cumarinda nods to acknowledge both Zhera, Faolan and The Wolf. In a friendly happy voice she says to the waitress, "Please forgive and do not fear my canine ally and his friend. As for me, I would very much like either a mug of good cider, or good mead, or if you have neither of those, I'll settle for a glass of sweet wine. Oh, and could you please tell me what you have to eat today?"

After listening to the waitress' reply and placing her order, the cleric turns to Zhera and nods, "I see. Well then, perhaps after we refresh ourselves, and get oriented here, we can see about lending a hand or two." She pauses for a moment, seeming to remember something, and quickly adds, "But soon I must visit the Temple to Pelor. I need more guidance and further training in the ways of the Sun Father."

The wolf sits at the cleric's feet. Whenever someone gets close other then the druid, it growls and doesn't let anyone get near. Faolan knows this by its antics and looks at the waitress "Pardon but she will have cider. No alcohol." He turns, looking ant Cumandria "You are...." The wolf nudges her belly and barks loudly. Several others watch this massive wolf. He raises a hand and looks at the cleric "We can see if they have rooms for rent."

When the tiefling walks over, Faolan watches her for a moment "We should help out if possible."

The waitress nods her head "We have several things to serven. Beef stew with potatoes and bread?"

The druid nods his head "Sounds good."

She heads to the kitchen.

Cumarinda slowly and cautiously reaches out her hand towards the very large wolf, her eyes watching his, sometimes briefly darting towards the druid, before returning her full attention back towards the huge canine. With a warm smile and an affectionate look in her eyes she says, "Why do I think I know you? I'm glad that you like me, I just hope we can learn to truly get alone as friends. I am thankful for all that you've done for me. Not only that, but I hope you won't mind if I touch you."

Speaking to Faolan and Zhera she says, "If there are rooms here I'd like to hear about them too. But I am likely to stay at the Temple if they have room. Of course, I am willing to help anyone in need, my heart, soul and the Sun Father all demand it."

Great. Sun Father having her heart and soul. It seems to bother Faolan but why? It shouldn't but it has. Perhaps hes heard it before. He just shifts in his chair not looking at the cleric for a moment. His eyes dart back after a moment "I strongly suggest you try not to touch him. The wolf knows something." And the wolf sits down next to Faolan but the wolf keeps watching her.

In reply to Faolan (msg # 15):

Cumarinda slowly pulls her hand back, momentarily frustrated as she does so. Turning her full attention to the druid she replies, "Alright, I won't try to touch him yet. However, I find myself at a loss in ways for he and I to relate to each other. Honestly, I've had similar difficulties with you too, but those are obviously my fault, and I apologize for my ignorance." She paused, sincerely apologetic, before continuing.

"I promise to try to be more sympathetic and respectful towards you starting now. If you're willing, and he's willing, I'd like for us to be able to understand each other better, Faolan. My studies have led me to think that your calling grants you the ability to speak clearly with animals. If that is true, could you please use that ability to let my intentions speak to him and his to me?" she asked quietly while looking into the druid's eyes.

"I would be grateful and willing to grant a favor in return." she offered.

Zhera felt a little out of her deep. While growing up most animals stayed back, some, the ones without owner or didn't knew her where easier to approach. So she had to learn that tamed doesn't just non wild, it also means they share what the owner feels. She wished to know what this two are thinking.

"Don't worry, I am sure we can get a place to lay down." She told the cleric once she saw that the druid wasn't about to speak. "This place look nice."

Se was already thinking about the request of the board as she ate. "Just be sure to send a word if something happens." However she wasn't THAT distracted.

The druid seems to have ignore what happened earlier for some reason. His eyes narrow and he looks at the wolf. It remains next to him but its eyes stay on the cleric, not moving and almost statue-like. Odd thing for a wolf. Perhaps its well trained? Faolan gently rubs the wolf's neck and head and the wolf goes over to the cleric, gets really close to her belly and sniffs a few times before laying down at her feet. Even Faolan is taken somewhat back but he doesn't try to get the wolf to come back-everyone is just sitting at a table. He looks at the cleric "The wolf listens but won't speak. Keeping its thoughts. I have the ability but cannot use it upon yourself." The druids words speak out peacefully "And the wolf knows your not alone. Not with us but not alone." Interesting to say the least. He seems a bit out of it, probably being inside.

Coming back to them, the waitress has two ales and a apple cider for the cleric as well as vegetable stew, brew and a small chunk of meat. She takes the meat and kneels down. The wolf growls and sniffs as she puts the food down. It tilts his head and she stands back up. The druid nods his head "Thank you." Faolan's eyes dart back to the cleric "I need no favors. It is fine." Something about Faolan bothers Cumandria...

The innkeep keeps looking at the odd group as he leans against the bar. And the waitress goes to a few tables, cleaning them off and to some taking orders.

In reply to Dungeon Master (msg # 18):

Cumarinda looked curiously at Faolan, seeming somewhat confused, then to the apple cider and back to the ales. She started to say something, her mouth opening to form words before suddenly closing, her wide brown eyes broadening even more with comprehension. Looking back and forth between the druid, the wolf, and then finally back to the fruit drink sitting in front of her, she gasped without speaking, her whole body tensing. After closing her eyes and taking a deep breath, she quickly regained her tranquility and cheerful demeanor.

With a warm smile for both Faolan and the wolf she spoke humbly, “Thank you both for tolerating my lack of self awareness. I guess my travels and works have ill prepared me for one consequence that I thought I had avoided. I appreciate your looking out for the both of us.”

Between sips of her drink, she spoke resolutely, “We need to find Grog and a guide to show us the way around this city.” Standing up, she smiled a cheerful invitation to the innkeeper to come over to their table.

Speaking to Zhera she added, “It seems I'll need to either find my temple or a midwife. Before we start taking on any challenges, I have a lot of thinking and praying to do.”
This message was last edited by the player at 04:57, Wed 23 Mar 2022.

The druid watches the cleric then glances at the rogue "Is she always like this? Ill consequence?" Oddly the wolf stares at Grog and growls. Faolan again puts his hand down and the wolf stops. It glances at Grog, then to Zhera and stops on Cumandria.

"Your looking for Grog?" The innkeeper walks over to her, his broad form looking above the seated rogue, druid and cleric "You found him. What can I help you with eh?"

In reply to Dungeon Master (msg # 20):

She looks form Faolan to the cleric and then looks at him on the eye. "A true fountain of positive energy-" She then frowns a little. "- as far as I know." She then looks at Cumarinda. "And I am guessing you might need to look for the temple first."

When Grog presents himself she cant help but blink a few time before looking at the druid again. "And a lucky one above that." She then looks at Grog a little unsure as she waits for Cumarinda to continue.

In reply to Dungeon Master (msg # 20):

Still standing and smiling, Curmarinda  greets the half-orc warmly. “Nice to meet you, Grog! Thank you for coming to join us!” While resting her mace and shield back into her lap and resuming her seat she continued, “We just came here from Korthos and our ship's captain told us that you could help us find our way around. I am Curmarinda Imbrex, a travelling priestess in service to Pelor, she is Zhera, an explorer, and this young man is Faolan, a guardian of the wilderness.” "Oh!" she exclaimed, while pulling a small coin out of her purse, "He said to show this to you."

After a pause to let the introductions sink in, she continues speaking, “Besides food and drink, we need a place to rest, and maybe a place we could take a bath. There are other places we need to go too, but I can see that running this place so well keeps you too busy to show us the way.” Here she paused, before asking, “Could you find or tell us someone to guide us, Grog?”
This message was last edited by the player at 18:54, Fri 25 Mar 2022.

"Eh? So yah want a ship? I can get one fer you. That's what the coin is for yah know. Beds an' bath? Fer you? Alright. I'll give yah one fer free. One bath fer three rooms. Since yah got that there coin, one week. Food an' drink, don't be going overboard yah? An' fer that there guide, alright. Give me tah tommorow an' see what I can do fer you. One week. Yah still here yah'll have tah pay fer the entire week an' fer the food. Don't like givin' up them there fer free but I owe that there captain. Call that a deal eh?" Grog holds out a hand, missing two fingers. His other hand seems to be missing three. Strange "Welcome to the Gull's Nest. Iffn you stay, enjoy yerself. An' priestess eh? Yer be lookin' for a temple right? Gonna take awhile tah get there even with a guide. Might cost yah some. Not much but it'll will. I can give yah that there free room and board but guides gonna cost yah."

"Nice to know." She commented a little absent as she looked around and took a sip from her drink. "The people here seem to agree this is a good place."Very welcome. She nodded to herself before continuing. "Is there a place around where we can buy or sell gems?"

In reply to Grog (msg # 23):

Curmarinada listened to Grog, her smile brightening as he explained their situation and displayed his generosity. Jubilantly reaching forward, the effulgent cleric joyfully shook the barkeeps hand. “Thank you so very much, Grog for your offer.! We don't need a ship right now, so I'm going to put this token away, but everything else you're willing to provide is accepted. Yes, yes, we'll call it a deal. We'll be happy to stay as long as we can, pay in coin or barter after the week, and to pay for a good guide!”

While vigorously shaking Grog's hand, the cleric added, “May the Sun bless your steps! Thank you for all you're doing, but we have two more needs, Zhera needs a trader in gems and jewels. I need to speak with your waitress again.”

"No, after this week iffn your still here, yah got to pay for this week an' anything else yah got to pay fer your own pocket. Yah got all that there basic food fer yourself-break'a'fast, lunch an' dinner. Yah want something else gotta pay fer it." The half-orc nods his head and turns to Zhera "Yer got jewels eh? Not good iffn they get all stolen. Losin' them can be a bad thing yah know? Mayhaps I can help yah." He turns back to the cleric, leaning on a chair but stays standing up "Why yah need a waitress when yah got the innkeeper standing here?"

The wolf looks at the odd half-orc as several more people enter, probably from the docks as most of their clothes are somewhat wet. The four of them sit down and a waitress walks over. Probably about 10 to 11 people so far.

Faolan watches Grog, Zhera and Cumandria talk, but he seems distant "Grog if I could ask, do you have a area that goes outside?" It seems odd.

Grog turns and pulls away, crossing his big arms over his dirty apron "There be the door? But like a balcony? No. There be a ladder upstairs going to the roof. Can see the entire harbor if thats what yah want?" Its definatly a odd question "Yer wolf can stay iffn it doesn't harm anyone. Can't say what others will do iffn it gets aggrivated."

Faolan narrows his eyes and nods "The wolf will behave long as no one harms anyone I know. You have my word."

The half-orc rubs his chin "Alright lad."

Stretching a bit, the wolf stands up but remains by Faolan. Some of the other people see this massive beast and watch it for a moment. It doesn't react to them focused on Faolan.

In reply to Dungeon Master (msg # 26):

Cumarinda replies to Grog's question while slowly standing, "Because, there are things that even an innkeeper cannot know, things only known to women. These are what I and the waitress need to talk about." She paused to smile at the half-orc knowingly before gently taking the arm of the waitress and stepping aside to speak privately.

The waitress comes over and allows the cleric to pull her aside. She looks like a human, young and small-about 5' and wears garb like all the other waitresses and seems polite. Grog gives them a odd look but then shugs "Let me know iffn yah need anythin' and can come tak me with that there gem info alright? Yah enjoy yer meal." He nods his head and goes back to the bar with another waitress gathering up some empty plates and she goes into the backroom.

Faolan watches the waitress and cleric go off to a side table. He starts to eat and gives the wolf a plate of mainly beef and some potaotes. It laps it up relatively quickly and puts its massive head on the druids lap. In between bites, he glances at the tiefling "We should help out, perhaps in the morning. That works for you?" He does seem hesitant going out into the city but if people need their help....

He asked Zhera what she wants to do. The lighthouse could be interesting, same as finding the warrior and the man looking for his pack. The healing elixir seems to be the man topic between the druid and rogue. And finding the Temple area.
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:56, Wed 30 Mar 2022.

Zhera nodded at Grog. "I understand, but I work with jewels, wanted to buy a few cheap ones and work on them on my free time." She answered like it was a common thing for her to say.

At the odd look he gave after the cleric response she just looked to the side, no use antagonize him if he saw her make a face.

She would start working on the elixir. Well, more like inform herself and see from there. So she asked for directions from the half-orc.

"Jewels eh? Yer best bet to be tah sell them. Keep'm them around could be trouble. Whatcha mean 'work on them'? Iffn yah got them and want tah say break them apart doesn't that ruin it? Don't want tah argue with yah. Iffn yah get some could make like a neckalace but sellin' them in that there docks won't get much an' probably get them there stolen. Keep it to yerself eh? Yah don't want tah make it out yer got them. Bad fer yer blood." Grog nods, coming back over "Lord Goodblade eh? I see the lad around. He is usually seem up some ramps outside in a upper level. Docks are a odd place, everythings all in differet spots and all tah make room fer sailors an' whatnot. Not sure where he be. Normally he's up there come mornin'. I don't like the lad, the whole 'lord' thing but don't think he's got much from it." He scratches his chin "Comes in once in awhile. Not a bad guy but well yeah."

Faolan finishes up his meal and watches the talk between the rogue and tavern owner. He looks over at all the customers but doesn't say a word to Zhera or Grog. He's listening but he seems to not have anything to say.

The waitress and cleric are talking and the waitress glances over at Faolan then turns back to Cumandria.
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:44, Sat 02 Apr 2022.

She listens intently at the half-orc explanation, some of it not new to her, but knowledge wasn't cheap. "You don't have to worry. I don't have anything for that. I will keep your advice by heart." She turns to Faolan half guilty and apologices before turning to Grog. "Sorry... Also we-" She gestured to herself and Faolan. "- might be interested in the mission of Lord Goodblade. Can you tell us the details?"

After the waitress and cleric both take a longer look at Faolan, Cumarinda's habitual smile  briefly turning into a mischievous grin, they turn back to speak with each other for a while longer before Cumarinda happily hugs the waitress then walks back towards the table.

After returning, Cumarinda addressed Grog and the others, "Thank you all for your patience. It looks that I will be needing that guide for certain." she said nodding to the keep. Looking to Faolan and Zhera she added, "As Grog has been kind to give us room and board here, while we stay I feel we should do what we can to help the people here."