The locksmith was still trying to get a grasp on the situation and how he had been roped into it.  Glancing to the other dwarf, "The ale?  No, the ale is quite good."

He did not introduce himself, because no one else but Spug had given his name yet, until Tesh barely just did so.  His eyes followed Vesta, because he thought he might owe her an apology.

Around the Inn, the others continue to do their down thing. Ostler continues to welcome newcomers when they enter, and prepares the drinks behind the bar. Glora his wife sits over near the end of the bar within sight of her husband keeping her time busy by knitting what looks to be baby clothes. Vesta the eldest of the Gundigoot children is the Inn's main server. She continues to walk around and take drink orders. Father Calmert sits at the bar chatting with Ostler whenever he is free, the two talk about the happenings of the town and the new arrivals for the funeral. Zert seems to be anxious, he keeps looking out the window near the front of the Inn towards the road outside, as if he is waiting on someone. Furnok is still playing cards with Kobort the Half-Orc, and loosing, but doesn't seem to be getting upset about it, Kobort's companion Turuko looks more annoyed that Kobort is loosing coin, but doesn't put a stop to it. Elmo stirs a little and wakes when the announcement by Virius is made and it looks like he has words for the man, but before he can say them, he passes back out, the wine bottle spilling all over the ground near him. Vesta's not all too happy about this and goes over to Elmo and kicks him in the ribs, hard enough to get his attention but not hard enough to cause any damage. Elmo stirs again and his eyes open "Vesta why'd ya have to go and do that, you spilled my drink." he says through a few hiccups. Vesta just rolls her eyes and walks back over to the bar and exchanges a few words with her Father, anyone paying attention will see that she is trying to get her Father to kick him out of the Inn, but Ostler refuses her, the two seem to be at odds over it and Vesta returns to her work. Jaroo can still be seen outside across the street under the Apple tree, along with his bear.

A few of the Gnarleymen have shown up, three of them including Hollen Jeth. Each of them wear the oak leaf insignia clasp, Hollen and the other two wear the insignia of a Junior Ranger. This with knowledge of the Gnarleymen will know this to be e entry point of the Gnarley rangers and act as the defenders of the Great Forest. The two other Rangers move towards Ostler and start having a conversation about the funeral and schedules.
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:48, Mon 13 May 2019.

In reply to Althiof Morad (msg # 37):

Korkas grabs one of the drinks Vesta had set down for Althiof and pulls up a chair at the table Virus was sitting at as if he was invited to share space and drink. He pushed a chair out for Althiof "Good some of the rangers have come in. Might convince one or two of them to join us." As his gaze wanders over his now filled mug of ale to the men just joining the group and he takes a big gulp of the mug "Names Korkas Stonedelver. Family apparently was a bunch of miners. Aint' seen a mine in my life."

Althiöf followed Korkas' lead, and with flagon in hand made his way to the proffered chair.  If he had been roped into this, he felt he might as well get comfortable and be smart about it.

"Well met, Korkas and Tesh.  I'm Althiöf."

"If we're going to try and pick up a ranger, I'd say go for the leader instead the junior rangers.  He'd likely be more muscle for our endeavor."

Virius watched the two dwarves introduce themselves to one another and chuckled, remarking on his own ignorance.

"Apologies,"  He said.  "I had assumed that you were brothers.  In my homeland, the dwarves of the Cairn hills are ... not as welcoming.   I admit to not having met many of your folk.  Much less two at a time."
This message was last edited by the player at 17:53, Mon 13 May 2019.

Korkas shrugs his shoulders "You all look alike to me too." he adds a bit of a smirk. "We set out at first light tomorrow? Finish up this nasty business here in town. I'll miss the chap, saved my skin." Korkas seems to look sad a brief moment as he takes a drink.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:29, Mon 13 May 2019.

"First light tomorrow?  That's how these always start out, so it sounds good.  But I don't know if just the three of us will be enough.  Some armored folk up front would be a good idea, and we still don't quite have a tracker nailed down yet."

Korkas nods to Althiof and stands up and walks over to the trio of Gnarly Men "Hey we are going hunting for goblins on the morrow. Amy of you track well and looking for some work?"

"Tesh, count me in on this, and don't leave in the morning without me."

The dwarf then rose from his seat and went to the serving girl for some private words.

Vesta smiles as the dwarf approaches. When he apologizes she gives a little laugh. "Master Dwarf, you are fine, my attentions are elsewhere, and I've been crass, it is I that should apologize, my father insists on allowing Elmo to come into the Inn and pass out wherever he wants too, I know this should be a time for mourning, but there should be a level of respect too. And Elmo is showing none of that." she shakes her head. "Sorry again to be ranting, Brewmeister Sevensong's Brewery is the double building just out back, across the creek, the path leads to a small bridge, its convenient when barrels are delivered to our storerooms." she says. "You owe nothing Master Dwarf, tonight everyone has been paid for in advance by Anwith and her Husband Marcan." she says.

The group of Gnarley Rangers, or at least two of them, listen to Korkas' request. One of them speaks up. "Sorry, Although normally I would be interested, I've been tasked to get things ready for the funeral around here. Suppose to be a large reception and they brought a bunch of us in early to help. Its possible that maybe one of us could go, but we'd have to talk to our superiors about it." he says. "Good luck though, the goblins in this area have been on the rise the last few months, we found a group of them over near the old abandoned moathouse." he says.
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:08, Tue 14 May 2019.

Again, the dwarf was quiet, not needing anyone eavesdropping.

In reply to Dungeon Master (msg # 46):

Korkas nodded at the Gnarly Ranger "Talk to your superiors. We could use one of you. We leave in the morning to check this out."  Korkas turns and walks back to the table as Althiof walks out of the Inn. He shrugs his shoulders as he gathers up one of the samples left on the table of ale and tries another glass full "Either of you play cards?" he looks hopeful.

OOC: Given my background as written I may know where the Moathouse is already located at. Though I may not.

One of the Rangers gives the Dwarf a nod and then calls over Vesta to get a few drinks. The other looks to the Dwarf when he asks about cards. "I'm lacking in coin at the moment, The Ranger's don't pay like they used too." he says. The other Ranger jabs him in the side. "Don't say stuff like that, we get a good wage, nothing to be ashamed of." he says. The other shakes his head. "Yeah but exploring dungeons brings in a lot more wealth." he says with a laugh. "Let me get a few drinks in me, and maybe my purse strings will loosen." he adds.

Hollen looked at the other two Rangers with a bit of disdain. He knew that Rangers frequently behaved this way in town, they needed to blow off steam. His own father had a legendary reputation for carousing back in the Rakers. He'd not had his fill of the greenwood yet. He came to a decision, "I'll go. Fair hand at tracking and hunting, while I may be a Junior Gnarleyman, my da is a Ranger Lord and I started learning my craft before I could talk." Turning to his companions, "Since it seems you have settled in for some cards and drink, I'll help these folk on the morrow, maybe bring down some goblin."

In reply to Hollen Jeth (msg # 50):

Korkas looks to Hollen "Good. Knew I could count on the Gnarly Rangers. Korkas" as he extends his grimy hand " Leave in the morning." He turns and walks back to his table with Tesh.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:38, Wed 15 May 2019.

The Ranger look to Hollen. "Might want to take it up with Marcan, Ranger Lord or not, Marcan is your Senior Ranger, and he is gonna wanna know if you run off with these folks." he says. The other Ranger scoffs. "Marcan isn't gonna care, I'm pretty sure he'd be pissed because we didn't offer to help. Clearing the road of these Goblins might be good, Gods Forbid someone notable comes down the north road and is attacked." he says. "Hollen, do what you need to do, Marcan will be here later tonight. He and his wife are finishing up the arrangements with the funeral, talk to them then, but if you don't get a chance, I will back your decision to go with these folks, and let Marcan know." he says. The other Ranger shakes his head. "Yeah, you are likely right, I'm sure this group can handle a few goblins, especially with Jeth leading them." he says. The two Rangers go back to talking among themselves.

Vesta brings back another tray filled with small cups filled with an assortment of different types of ale, wine, and spirits. She sets them on the table for the group, and the Rangers.

A young bard sings of a lost love in the tavern strumming his lute. His tale told of a young knight and how his elven love had passed on before he was able to rescue her. He takes a seat near where he performed, taking a sip of ale and catching his breath for a moment before he stood began up, beginning a new, more uplifting tale of heroic adventures.

Mostly the background noise of the Inn had been the merriment of its patrons, the crashing of cups to tables, and the shuffling of cards and rolling of dice. But over the last hour the soothing strums of the lute could be heard and the soft melody of Harald the Bard. A few of the patrons of the Inn stopped and listened to the melody as others continued to go about their night. Overall the performance was worthy of a few coins, as noted by the coppers spread out on the table where the Bard sat.


[ Add 10 Copper to your Character Sheet ]

Korkas listened to Harald sing them a song as he enjoyed his beer, as he studied the bard his eyes were drawn the tabard worn as he tries to think about the place. He nods as he recalls a bit.

Althiöf tied up his mule and walked back into the Inn of the Welcome Wench.  Seeing Korkas, the locksmith made his way over and took a seat beside him.

"How goes the effort?  Did you have any luck finding a tracker?"

"Yep, got one" Korkas responds pointing out the young ranger "Junior Ranger, but he'll do." Korkas takes another drink "So that's four of us, good split number. Heard about more goblins over by the old moathouse too. Some coin might be easily made here."

Korkas reaches out with his grimy hand and grabs Vesta's elbow as she walks by "Hey that Half-Orc and his buddy. They new around here? I don't like the way they are looking at everyone." his voice carries even though he may have tried to keep it soft.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:27, Wed 15 May 2019.

Robbar, one of the junior Ranger's that was supportive of the groups trek to the Goblins, speaks up. "I'd be careful around the moat house if you head out that way, lots of adventurers go out that way and don't come back. So make sure you are prepared, lots of stories around those parts, especially with the Temple nearby, and all the stuff that happened there years ago." he says.

Since I edited my post after initial response in case it was missed:



Korkas looked up to Robbar from his seat and tipped his glass towards him "What happened at the Temple?"



OOC: Bolding to make the text stand out more with the color I have chosen. It's not any change in inflection.




This message was last edited by the player at 23:48, Wed 15 May 2019.

Robbar looks to the Half-Orc across the room, and then to his friend Tomas, the other Junior Ranger. "You know anything about him.?" he asks. Tomas turns and looks just as the Half-Orc wins a hand against the Halfling. Turuko, the Half-Orcs Baklunish companion spots the two Rangers looking over towards them and narrows his eyes in there direction. Tomas shakes his head. "Nope, never seen him or his friend before, but the insignia on the Half-Orc's tabard looks like the symbols of the Pomarj." he says.

Robbar turns to Korkas. "You never heard about the Temple of Elemental Evil?" he asks. "So back in 566, forces of evil from Dyvers and the Wild Coast came together and constructed a small chapel outside the village of Nulb, The Chapel was quickly built into a stone temple, and bandits and other evil humanoids began to operate out of it with increasing frequency. After three years of raids on nearby villages, a combined force was sent to destroy the Temple and put an end to the maruading. The allied army clashed with a horde of evil men and humanoids, including orcs, ogres, goblins, and gnolls, this was called the Battle of Emridy Meadows. Men-at-arms from Furyondy and Veluna united with dwarves from the Lortmils, gnomes from the Kron Hills, and an army of elven archers to face the threat of the Horde of Elemental Evil. The arrival of the elves and Rangers, from the shadows of the Gnarley Forest turned the tide of battle, trapping the savage humanoids against a bend in the Velverdyva where they were routed and slaughtered." he takes a breath. "After dispersing the Horde of Elemental Evil, the allied forces laid siege to the Temple of Elemental Evil itself, defeating it within a fortnight. Spellcasters loyal to the goodly army cooperated on a spell of sealing that bound the demoness Zuggtmoy to some of the deepest chambers in the castle's dungeons." he says. Tomas adds to the history lesson. "The Temple itself remained, and over the following decade rumors of evil presence there persisted. The Viscount of Verbobonc and the Archcleric of Veluna have become increasingly concerned, and paid to build a small castle outside the Village of Hommlet to guard against the possibility of the Temple rising again, That is where Rufus and Burne are, and why their is construction happening near the Tower on the edge of town." he adds. "But with delays, and funding, the Castle hasn't seen much in construction, luckily for Hommlet though, its been blessed by seekers of adventure that come to the area to explore the remnants of the Temple, and find evil to slay." he says.

Althiöf had heard the story of the Battle of Emridy Meadows more times than he would like to admit.  Of course, his grandfather could be a lot more long-winded than this junior ranger, he even had a bard put it to verse in Dwarvish.  Luckily, his grandfather had other tales as well, so this was not the only story he had to tell.

He politely waited for the story to end before asking Korkas, "Is one of these the ranger coming with us tomorrow?"