"Not that I know of. Seems like it might be worth it, if you could brew your own," Darla said. "Go on in, have a seat. Supper will ready soon."

Elisar overheard the conversation between Darla and Izayah. As Darla walked away he sidled over to the hardy looking fellow. “Y’know, I was kind of wondering about that myself.” He lowered his voice and continued. “Rationing the ale ain’t exactly going to draw in the punters, y’know. Maybe investing in a brewery and finding a brewmaster to run the place would be a profitable little enterprise. I’d be up for a slice of that pie, though I’m precious short on coin right now. Any ideas on where a fellow might lay his hands on some... investment capital?”

As he stood at the entrance on the inn, Józek muttered to the black raven sitting on his shoulder: "Be nice. Go play outside". In response, the raven croaked disapprovingly and flew over the thatched roof of the inn.

Józek stomped around, trying to remove the caked mud encrusting his boots, without too much success. He eventually sighed, and waved delicately his left hand. In response, the mud seemed to immediately liquefy and slide off his now polished boots. "Już lepiej..", he murmured appreciatively, as he stepped inside the inn.

The ambience of the place was very welcoming. The permeating warmth seemed to melt the ice on the bones that Józek had felt uninterruptingly for the past days of travel. An unoccupied seat stood in front of a fellow with long reddish hair and blue eyes. "Mind if I join?" he asked, facing Elisar. His accent sounded foreign, with strong consonants.
This message was lightly edited by the player at 08:52, Mon 20 Apr 2020.

Izayah looked over Elisar. He looked him up and down, and then jerked his towards the door. "There's a job board in city hall, actually. This place's new so they're always lookin' for more hands t'do dif'rant things." He smiled. "Should take a look if you're int'rested."

He kicked back while he waited for his meal and ale to arrive. "I don't got enough right now for any kinda setup." He gave a shrug.

Waving at Josek to pull up a seat, Elisar nodded In response to Izayah. “I saw the board. A lot of jobs looked like hard work for precious little pay. I was kinda looking for something that might offer a better reward. That mysterious note sounded intriguing. I doubt too much is going to happen in town, so you up for checking it out? A fellow who knows the way might come in handy.” He gestured at Izayah at the last, hoping that the solid looking fellow might have a better lie of the land that he did.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:12, Tue 21 Apr 2020.

Józek nods politely, while taking a sit down. He gestures to Darla and asks, "Anything warm to eat would be excellent, thank you." He then proceeds to extract from one of the internal pockets of his coat a small leaflet, that he peruses intently.

The conversation between Elisar and Izayah strikes an interest in him. He sizes up the man with the goatee and interjects "I was pointed to a man matching your description outside... Iżayah, isn't it?" He mispronounces slightly the name, with a long fricative s.

He looks at both now "I have actually just arrived, and was looking for a way to afford my stay here. I seem to have happened upon the right fellows." He puts down the leaflet, pocketing it back in his coat. "Are you perchance in need of a couple of additional eyes and hands?" He smiles affably, "I am stronger than I look, don't worry."

The slender elf pauses as he enters the inn, enjoying the warmth. He approaches the desk and asks "Something warm to drink would be appreciated, any chance or mulled wine? Too much to hope for I know. What services do you offer? A meal and a bed and...?"

Izayah stopped and turned to look more fully at Elisar, head tilted to the side, a look of concern and derision on his face. "Y'ain't willin' t'work for yer money? Hard work, sorry fer sayin', but that's what adventurin' IS! It ain't strollin' through the woods 'til y'happen upon some treasure. There's beasts an' orcs an' all sorts o'things out t'kill you, an' if you don't think that's workin' hard, then you think too highly o'yourself. Fought orcs an' beasts myself durin' my first trip out in to the Rimewood, just got back."

He let out a chuckle and shook his head. "An' yeah, I put a note up on the board already that I'm lookin' for those with experience wantin' t'join me in checkin' out the anonymous note an' mystery." His tone made it clear he wasn't sure Elizar was one of those people thus far.

He looked at Jozek and nodded. "Izayah Hamadrell, that's me." He of course had an accent himself, the 'I' being more pronounced. He looked Jozek up and down as he had Elisar. "You new alright." He let out a small sigh, pondering where he wanted to be a babysitter on this next job or not. "Stronger'n you look, huh? Whaddya bring t'the table durin' an adventure?"

Darla says to Sihveri, "Mulled wine would be nice! We offer a hot venison stew, hot bread, a tankard of room temperature stout, warm beds, and if you give us a bit of time, hot baths. All that, and breakfast tomorrow, for three gold pieces."

In reply to Izayah Hamadrell (msg # 53):

Elisar looked back at Izayah, a look of mock indignation on his face. “Sir, you misheard me. I said many tasks appeared to be hard work for precious little pay,” he said, emphasising the last. “ If the reward is right I’m up for anything, and I’m more than capable of looking after myself.”

His hand reached down and tapped the rapier at his side. “I’ve fought my fair share, don’t you worry. Be they brigands, goblins or husbands. And look at my face, not a scratch on this perfect visage. I may not wield a mighty axe or throw fireballs into the fray, but I can hold my own, Sir.”

He listens approvingly to Elisar, studying carefully his rapier, with an interested look. Then turns his head toward Izayah.

"Did not know I was going in for an interview... Would have put on something better," he groans. He looks intently at the table, inviting the others to do the same. Józek mutters something indistinct, with plenty of sz and cz syllables, then twists his fingers.

Few wisps of vapour and smoke starts drifting from plates and candles and coalesce behind an old wooden mug, on the table. Three tiny figures made of twirling smoke, no taller than a couple of inches, appear next to the mug. Their contours are indistinct but they twitch and hop around much like goblins do. A slender man made of vapour appears from behind a plate and advances towards the goblins. He wears a long foggy coat, similar to the one Józek is wearing. The tiny smoke man put forward a minuscule hand made of fog, and fiery smoke that looks like bursting flames erupts from his palm, enveloping the goblins. The tiny goblins light up like little candles and after a few agonizing seconds drop to the floor and dissolve. Józek adds, "let's say you can do more to orc and goblins than bash them on the head, when they prove too much a nuisance."

A tiny bird made of smoke, a raven or maybe a crow, circles over the small vapour figure of the wizard. The bird eventually flies down and sits on his shoulder. "That's Edgár. He makes a great scout but it is high maintenance. It has also a lousy sense of humour and an even worse temper." A loud, disapproving croak can be distinctively heard somewhere over the thatched roof of the inn. Józek pretends really badly not to have heard it. "And I am Józek, by the way. I carry a couple of other cards in my sleeves, but an inn is hardly the proper stage for a display. Let's save them for a rainy day."

The smoke figurines dissolve. Józek looks now intently at Izayah. "And what about you, Iżayah? I trust you are sufficiently skilled in spinning and whirling whatever variant of cast metal you like to carry around. Are there any other surprises we should know of?" He asks sardonically.
This message was last edited by the player at 08:38, Wed 22 Apr 2020.

In reply to Darla (msg # 54):

"3 GP?! I'd best find work soon then. Food, bath, bed, then, in that order."

"Supper is about ready. Go on in to the cafeteria, once you've paid, of course," Darla says.

"Well at least you two got spunk." Izayah shook his head and smiled. "This is a pretty new town, so yeah there's lots t'do an' most of it don't pay well. If all yer here for is money, y'might be in the wrong place - though, t'be clear, there IS money t'be had."

He looked at Jozek. "I'm a Ranger. Before that I was a soldier an' scout. Yeah, I know how t'use the longbow an' shortswords I carry, but I have plenty o'skills beyond that especially for travelin' in wilderness."

Wightvane interrupted the conversation for a quick comment, "Aye, he's good at that stuff."

Józek nods approvingly to Wightvane, then turning to Izayah. "You seem to know your business, and you have apparently made a name for yourself already, judging by the enthusiasm of the patrons here. Being alive for long enough to be known is as good a guarantee as any." He glances at Elisar "I bet we'll be in good hands with him." He cracks his knuckles. "When do you gentlemen intend to leave?"

Izayah nodded in greeting and smiled at the dragonborn. "Wightvane. Good t'see you again."

He chuckled slightly. "Well, t'be fair, Wightvane an' I were part o'the same group that took Galenna Keenbellow on a many-day mapping journey. So it's not that everyone knows me, but a few do at least."

Elisar rose from the table. “I have a show to do tonight, perhaps you’d all stay and enjoy the revelry? I have songs and stories to suit all tastes, and I’ll happily take requests. As to our mysterious quest, I suggest we head off tomorrow morn after we break our fast, that should give us ample time to reach our destination I assume.” At the last he looked at Izayah, guessing that the former soldier knew the lay of the land well enough.

“For now my supper awaits, I shall eat with the staff and then prepare for an evening of riotous wonder!” With a flourish he swept up his gear and left the common room, heading for the kitchens to find what he expected to be a meagre dining room for the inn workers.

Entering the cafeteria Sihveri overhears tail end of Elisar's conversation with Izayah and his companions. Sparking his interest he approaches the table after the bard leaves.

"Would this mysterious quest be the same as that anonymous note on the job board?"

"Could you by chance use a healer on this quest? I am familiar with sword and bow but make no claim of being a warrior, healing is my calling."

"Bah, we've all got to start somewhere. If you're heading out again, let me know. Staying here has no appeal with nothing to decorate my new cabin with. I need trophies. Lots of trophies."

Józek looks at Sihveri and Wightvane. "The more the merrier. And I have never heard of a company that could not use a healer on their quest." He gets up, directing himself toward the cafeteria to grab a plate, adding towards Elisar "I'll gladly stay and listen to your songs, minstrel."
This message was last edited by the player at 06:12, Fri 24 Apr 2020.

Izayah nodded to Wightvane. "I was gonna try an' get a group t'gether for that anonymous note mystery - an' these pups wanna have a go at it for their first time out. So, yeah, if yer up for it, I sure wouldn't mind another experienced hand for the ride."

He smiled at Sihveri, "Sure. Healin's always nice. But I think that's about our limit with what we got here. What're your names? Apologies if y'already said, but I clearly wasn't ready t'pay attention." He let out a chuckle.

"An' yeah t'morrow mornin' sounds good, so don't drink too much or stay up too late, ya'll."

"I am Sihveri, of course I will be ready in the morning.  I shall eat and retire for a bath and rest.""

Elisar woke early, as was his custom. He rarely slept in late, maybe it was the constant threat of a returning husband. He lay awake for a few moments, pondering the events of the night before. The evening had gone well by all accounts. The common room in the inn had hardly been fully, but Darla had reported that it was busier than usual, and purses had been opened so she was happy with the takings.

The night had begun with a gentle ballad to warm the soul, before going through his repertoire of the popular and well-known tunes. Then he had launched into an epic poem, The Tale of Sir Gallant and the Elf Queen, a beautiful but ultimately tragic love story. After seeing many moistened cheeks around the room he lightened the tone with a barrage of merry tunes that gradually got bawdier as the night went on, ending with the ribald Molly, Marie and Their Mammy Made Three. He’d even added a few extra self-penned verses, based on his own experiences!

As the evening had come to a close he had softened the mood with more gentle notes, and watched with a smile as lovers drifted away holding hands. The hat had gone round, and even after sharing the contents with Darla he had a good few coins left over; mostly silvers but with a couple of golds too. A good evenings work...

A figure stirred in the bed next to him. His hand drifted down to caress the shoulder of the sleeping maid. Yvette? Or was this Suzette? He could never remember their names. He shook her gently to rouse her. “My sweet, it is time you left. It would not be seemly for you to be caught out of bed at this hour.”

The girl awoke, slightly flustered and began to search for her clothes. She dressed quickly, but before she could leave Elisar stood, naked, and embraced her, kissing her deeply. “Alas my sweet, I must away on a noble quest. But I shall return soon.” He flashed her a smile, which was returned by the pretty yet nervous face. She opened the door to his room and looked out into the corridor, making sure it was clear before departing.

Elisar closed the door, a broad grin on his face. A good night indeed! He used the pot under the bed and washed himself all over using the jug and bowl on the nightstand. After drying himself he dressed and packed up his gear, checking his instruments were secure. Finally he retrieved his coin purse and secreted it on his person before heading out to break his fast.

——> To The Anonymous Note

<——Patrol 4

Exhausted, Azu simply paid for her room, ate, and went to sleep.