"This mark is from the Wizardholme of Urnst," Tesh said with no small amount of pride.  "I've just finished my wizard apprenticeship and until recently had been working as a junior fellow in the history department."

"Though I never met the man, my master knew yours quite well."  He said, gesturing to the group of rangers discussing funeral arrangement.  "And while he regrets that he cannot attend in person ... I am sent in his stead as a show of support from the university."

"I suspect that I was chosen as envoy because within my discipline, the Gnarley Forest has become something of a specialty of mine.  Though I admit ... thus far, my knowledge has all been from ancient scrolls and wizened ledgers and the faded journals of men, long-dead."

"I am eager to walk her storied paths,"  He continued, getting excited as the topic steered toward a pet passion of his.  "To see her sights firsthand!  To feel the caress of sun-dappled light as it spills through the canopy, to be where so much of historical import has occurred.  Indeed, I intend to summon my first familiar from those very woods, and in so doing, bind a piece of my soul to it."

"But I ramble."  He said modestly. "The very things I am eager to experience ... you have cut your teeth on."

"They as in Half-Orcs, or they has in the Half-Orc and his friend?" asks the Innkeeper.

Hollen smiled, "Congratulations on your recent promotion! It sounds like it was quite the ordeal. I look forward to accompanying you in the Gnarley wood. While it is a wonderful place there are a few things you'll have to watch for or perhaps have someone along that knows the wood. I hope you like the quiet, that's what I love about the place. When we get there, it will be my turn to ramble."

In reply to Dungeon Master (msg # 163):

Korkas nodded "Yeah, his friends called him Kobort. Him and his friends around here often?"

Ostler shakes his head. "No, I've not seen them here before, I just assumed any new faces were here for the funeral, I don't tend to ask people, if they have coin for a room, and don't cause any issues, I don't really care. Sure, the two of them have been pretty strange, but that might be because they are both sorta outcasts to these lands. The Baklunish are not really liked around these parts. And Half-Orcs always have a hard time fitting in." he says.

Korkas gathered up the glasses "Yeah, I didn't like the look of him either. " Korkas nods to Ostler, turns and leaves the gold coin on the counter as he approaches Kobort "Owe you a drink. Good fight."

Kobert turns towards the dwarf and looks at the offered drink, then glances at Turuko. The Half-Orc takes the drink and then hands it to Turuko, who takes a small sip of it. Turuko waits a moment and then hands it to Kobert who takes a large drink of it, swallowing its contents entirely, with a refreshing breath he pulls the cup away from his lips and sets it on the table. "You fight good Dwarf, You knock around better than most I've fought." he says.

Vesta having never returned, Althiöf went outside again with flagon in hand, this time to look over the posted notices.

Outside the Inn is a large wooden notice board. It has a rough map of the village and a few notices, some of them are really old and weathered from the looks of them, two of them seem to be new having just been placed there. link to a message in this game

Korkas watched the human take a drink first for the Half-Orc and then smiled"You don't have a bad hook either. One of the best fights I've had since the pits."

Kobert's eyes turn to the dwarf with interest. "You fought in the pits, like gladiatorial pits?" he asks.

In reply to Dungeon Master (msg # 172):

"Street pits, when needed." Korkas responded with a shrug.

Kobert nods. "I respect that, I grew up in the Pit of Geburah, at the base of the Stoor Mountain near Suderham." he says. "My name is Kobert, my companion here is Turuko. He's quiet." he says. Turuko gives the dwarf a nod.

In reply to Dungeon Master (msg # 174):

"Korkas Stonedelver, never seen a mine though. Not even a quarry. The streets sure, the pits in the basement of some tavern yep. Korkas replies boisterously as he raises his mug "To Pits that prepared us."

Kobert raises the cup he had on the table. "To the Pits!" he says as he clashes the cup to the Dwarves. "So Dwarf, what brings you to Hommlet, you here to pay your respects to this Ranger I keep hearing about?" he asks.

In reply to Dungeon Master (msg # 176):

"Aye, saved my life." from some of your Kin he thought but didn't voice. "So I'm here to show some respect. And apparently hunt some goblins." he adds with a smile. "Know Elkiar too? Or just passing through?"
This message was last edited by the player at 03:53, Sun 19 May 2019.

Kobert takes another drink. "Just passing through, we were on the road yesterday when the rain started coming down, thought it would be good to get some rest before the next leg of our trip. Turuko and I are heading towards The Sultanate of Arir. It's across the mountains to the west." he says.

"A long journey. I hope for good work." Korkas half stated half questioned as he finished his mug.

"Turuko has family there, I saved his life along the road about a month ago, and he vowed to stay with me until he could return the favor, So, I'm taking him home, because I have no clue how long its gonna take for him to fulfill his obligation. I've tried telling him I'm fine, but its a cultural thing with this lot." he says.

In reply to Dungeon Master (msg # 180):

"I understand that sentiment. A man saves your life, you owe him for it. Served with the Rangers for the very same reason and am here because of it." Korkas remarks as he things solemnly upon the deceased man "Travel Safe."

Kobert gives the Dwarf a nod and smiles. "Keep safe Dwarf, you are one of the good ones." he says.

"I look forward to it."  Virius replied, raising his tea.  "Until then."

Tesh excused himself and took his leave of the ranger.  He walked over to the sole remaining Suel in the room, Zert.

I thought the dwarf would win as well."  He began, by way of introduction, sidling up to the raven-haired warrior.

"But you know what they say,"  He said, before continuing with an old Suel adage in the mother-tongue. < The greatest deception men suffer is from their own opinions. >

Zert turns to Virius and laughs, speaking in Suloise he says. [Language unknown: "Di, Ol her waing ckmaas ss actoal ie somic ivestieauers, ri ear thll aveoveiou, ho ivast comlo ecssll atemanres ons Andoutany?"] He asks.

"My people settled in the Duchy of Urnst generations ago."  Virius confided, slipping back into the common tongue.  "House Tesh carved out a small Barony oathsworn to Duke Karll, created a home for themselves in Seltaren ... but we still keep some of the old ways."

"And you?" Virius inquired, curious.  "What lands do you call home?"

Zert responds. "Tilvanot Peninsula, Hesuel Ilshar. I am a long way from home." he says.