His belly filled John wiped crumbs of his face, a face tanned and dried by the weather. He smiled at the baker and swaggered off to the western edge of town in search of Aunt Pol "ye have nay worries, by my honour I will make no lady fear me". The baker's warning did niggle at John's thoughts. How many nieces must Aunt Pol have and how beautiful must each be to make her so protective.

In merry spirits he sang. John was of robust build and when he sang it was a bellow.

"The franklin he hath gone to roam,
The franklin’s maid she bides at home;
But she is cold, and coy, and staid,
And who may win the franklin’s maid?

There came a knight of high renown
In bassinet and ciclatoun;
On bended knee full long he prayed –
He might not win the franklin’s maid.

There came a squire so debonair,
His dress was rich, his words were fair.
He sweetly sang, he deftly played –
He could not win the franklin’s maid.

There came a mercer wonder-fine,
With velvet cap and gaberdine;
For all his ships, for all his trade,
He could not buy the franklin’s maid.

There came an archer bold and true,
With bracer guard and stave of yew;
His purse was light, his jerkin frayed –
Haro, alas! the franklin’s maid!

Oh, some have laughed and some have cried,
And some have scoured the countryside;
But off they ride through wood and glade,
The bowman and the franklin’s maid."

Credit for poem: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
This message was last edited by the player at 08:34, Sat 21 Nov 2020.

Though he gets some strange looks at his song, John finds himself before The Blue Tunip, the inn open with people coming and going already at this hour.


The smith looks at Wist with a raised eyebrow.  He looks the elf over, to gauge his worth, then down at the bundle.  He picks up the axe, checking its balance, and tapping the steel with his finger to test its ring.  He draws a file from his apron, and give the edge a swipe with it.  He grimaces as the file bites into the metal.  He does the same with the sword.  "Passable." he says, not being much of a compliment.  "I'll give ya eight crown (gold) for the lot." he says, laying the sword back on the counter.

When he arrived at The Blue Turnip his singing had given John a thirst. The soldier gave a final refrain then strode into the tavern and greeted all with a cheery "Ho" then went in search of a stool and an ale.

Wist purses his lips, and furrows his brow as if engaging in some mental calculations.

"I think that's a bit low, but I'll take it."

He reaches out to shake on the deal, and he adds, "Wist Greenoak, at your service. I hope I'll be able to add to your inventory over the coming weeks, Master...?

Good doing business with you. Could you point me to an reputable inn, where I might be able to find a room and slake my thirst?"

"Talx,  Conrad Talx." He offers.  "And you're looking for the Blue Turnip, back to the main square, then west to the edge of town.  Most that go looking for trouble start there."  He packs up the weapons, and returns to his work.

"Believe me Master Talx, I am not looking for any trouble, at least not in Helsmbreach."

He adds the crowns to his purse, "A pleasure dealing with you, sir."

He turns and heads back toward the market, stopping only to buy a meat pie, he makes his way to the Blue Turnip.

Wist takes a seat at the bar, shrugs his pack off, and places it on the floor; and his props his bow so it is braced by the pack on the floor, and leans against him.

"A mug of cold beer, please," he asks the barkeep as he munches on the delicious meat pie.

"Ha" the archer exclaimed as the elf entered the inn "good day to ye worthy sir. I am need of a companion, come sit with me" the man offered a stool.

"John by name, once of Hordle. I tell thee it warms me heart to sit and drink and share a tale. A traveller I sense ye are, what tale have ye to tell? Or quest do ye know of a quest where glory or honour could be garnered?"

Kerwich sees the pair of adventurers enter the inn, and decides to introduce himself. Making his way to them, he waits for a pause in their conversation to say hello.

"Hello, gentlemen. I am Kerwich, a Cleric of Larry. May I join you?"

"Ha a fine man of the cloth. Say a prayer for an archer sir" he welcomed the cleric "sit" John gestured and then called for more ale to share.

Wist takes a long draw on his mug of beer, luxuriating in the cold and tasty elixir. He puts the mug down and shakes John's hand and welcomes Kerwich to sit.

"Wist Greenoak; novice adventurer and conqueror of 3 orcs!"

"I've just arrived in Helmsbreach today, looking to earn some coin in the wild lands hereabouts." Glancing at John, he adds "And perhaps some glory and honour at the same time!"

"Orc!" John exclaimed "glory can be gained in their defeat" the ruddy skinned warrior beamed "can more be found so that we can test our skills?" he asked.

Overhearing the boisterous conversation in the blue turnip even while she secures her laden horse next to the similarly equipped ones the young woman who looks like she couldn't decide between traveling clothes and something a good bit fancier enters the tavern with a mission.

Approaching the table with the archer, elf, and cleric she jumps right in.  "I am looking for a robust and inspired group of adventures to join, can you make any suggestions as to where I might find them?"

The approach of the lady had John up on his feet to offer a bow “by the gods” he exclaimed as he looked around “my lady it is my pleasure to say that your search is over” the robust man beamed and pointed to his companions “here is Wist Greencloak slayer of orcs, Friar Kerwich the pious of Larry and I am John of Hordle. We be in search of a quest whereby some glory might be gained. Do you have a quest for us?”

"A pleasure to make your acquaintance, I am Kadira.  There was some sort of notification about suspicious activity spotted near an abandoned watchtower on the bulletin board over there I was going to check out later if I couldn't find anything else, but I haven't looked into it just yet."  She gestures vaguely in the direction of a wall that does seem to have at least one piece of paper attached to it even as she pulls out a chair to join their table.

Kerwich realizes an instant too late that he should have risen when John did, but now he would just look like a copycat. He settles for saluting Kadira with his mug.

"Hello there. Please, everyone, call me Kerwich. If we're going to adventure together, There's no reason to get all caught up in whether I'm a friar, an acolyte, or whatnot."

"Well met, Kadira. Wist Greenoak at your service.

John and Kerwich and I all seem to have the same goal to join an adventuring band...it seems that destiny has put the four of us in the Blue Turnip at the same time!"

Wist stands, but not because of Kadira, he walks to the notice on the wall, and brings it back to the table, and reads it aloud.

What was to come might be difficult and dangerous but for now John was pleased with the proceedings "aye, a good company we are. Adventure shall be had at the abandoned watchtower" he raised his mug and after a mouthful he continued "a company of adventurers of any renown must have a name. What suggestions do you have?"

"I might wait until we have seen some danger before we give ourselves a name."

Looking around the table at the others for a few moments Kadira seems to be pondering something, it doesn't take her long to decide on whatever it was.
"So you haven't seen any danger yet?"

"Not in Helmsbreach" John accepted Kadira's observation "more reason we should go in search of glory."

The archers looked disappointed by Kerwich's announcement but smiled nonetheless "a momentary set back.  I'm sure we will have a great adventure and peril soon enough."
This message was last edited by the player at 08:41, Sat 28 Nov 2020.

The food and drink at the Blue Turnip is second to none, certainly among Helmsbreach.    The notice says interested parties should speak with the Mayor.

A plate of food and a mug of ale quenched John's material hunger and thirst. His want for glory remained. He listened to Wist as he read the notice. He smiled and roared in delight "ha a quest found. Then we shall find glory. Let us eat then tarry not before we seek the mayor."

Having already eaten before she prepared for her journey this morning Kadira just drinks from the complementary glass of water a few times, then seems quite ready to get moving when the others finish.
"We should bring the notice so they know why we are there."

Kerwich refrains from more food, but has some coffee if they have any as he waits for the others to finish eating.

"Good idea, Kadira."

His fast now broken John was ready. The robust archer pushed himself up and away from the table. He stretched his strong arms and gathered up his belongings.

"aye how resourceful ye all are. Plans are foot. Let make haste" he was almost hopping in his anticipation.