"Oi, Malkus, my friend." Chloe swiftly exchanges the money for the wine. "What have you been up to lately?"

She looks rested, well-kept and overall in a good mood. No sign of Julius.

"I haven't been deaf to all those new adventures popping up lately. Like something about a place without snow? But I'mma lay low for a little while."

Malkus smiles gently at the girl. "I've been well; resting mostly. Things aren't too crazy here, which is good. I don't need more to look after, anyways. Keeping the road safe for travelers and protecting the town are enough for one lifetime."

He takes a few sips of wine, savoring the taste.

"Funny you should mention that - that's the job I'm enlisted in now. Hopefully it'll be a change of pace. Besides, depending one what is causing the lack of snow, it could be very important to the safety of those who live here.

He casually sips some more of the wine, lamenting that he doesn't have more time to enjoy it.

"Since I'll be working, I don't think I should take all of this with me. It wouldn't do to disgrace my order with drunken shenanigans... especially not while on a job. Would you be so kind as to enjoy some of it on my behalf? I don't mind topping off my waterskin with it, but it certainly won't hold more than half of what's left."

He expertly pours some of the wine into his waterskin, dilluting it with the clear water already inside. He places the pitcher back onto the bar, within easy reach of Chloe.

"It doesn't have to be something sinister. It could be extremely beneficial for us. A lack of snow isn't per se a bad thing. It just means there is probably a source - magical or otherwise - that is causing a warmer climate." There is a good dose of optimism in her eyes. "Try to bring it back here if you can. It might enable farming."


"You're a responsible man, Malkus." Chloe takes the pitcher and exes the rest. "It all depends on how fast you drink it." Gears visibly begin to turn as she connects her words with her actions.

Malkus tries to keep the shock from his eyes as she drains the pitcher, and ends up averting his gaze.

"I will see what I can bring back, then. Fare you well, friend."

He gets up, and heads out of the Cavern Tavern.

->>>>> to Hexia's

The chime rang out as Eithan came in the door, and took in a view of the tavern. Noticing the area for hanging coats to the left, he stepped back outside for a moment to shake clean his hat and coat, then stepped back in again - with another chime - to hang both garments together on one of the hooks.

In his wizard's robes and travelling boots - book strapped on one side, dagger on the other, and a long thin map case strapped to his back - Eithan approached the counter.

"Hello there! Could I get a pitcher of wine, please? And a few questions about Smith's Gambit, if you have the time? I'm new in town, still finding my bearings."

The young woman behind the counter smiles and says, as she fills a pitcher from a barrel behind the bar. "Sure thing! That's 2 silver. I'll answer any questions I can, but I've only been here a few weeks myself. Oh, right, I'm Chloe, by the way!"

Eithan accepted the pitcher and the cup gladly. "Another new face in town then?" Eithan looked around the tavern appreciately. "Not bad progress for a few weeks. Well done. And I'm Eithan Chandler, pleased to meet you."

He poured a cup as he continued talking. "And don't worry if you can't answer my questions. If you could even just point me in the direction of someone else who may know, I'd take it as a kindness.

"My first question is probably a bit of a long shot," he begain, pausing to take a good quaff from the cup. He made a small noise of appreciation, and topped it back up as he continued speaking. "I'm looking for a colleague of mine, name of Gabriela Hamadrell. I think she's gone out ahead of me to investigate some ruins in the area."

He paused to take another drink. "I was hoping to get a small band of adventurers together for protection, and mount an expedition to catch her up and join in the exploration of the ruins. Problem is, I don't know what Gabriela may have promised to anyone she took with her. I was hoping she may have left a message for me when she left letting me know what she was up to, but so far I haven't been able to track one down.

"I don't expect you to know all the details and such, of course. But would you happen to know if Gabriela has been in town recently, or who I could be talking to that may be familiar with any of this?"

OOC: -2 silver recorded
This message was last edited by the player at 22:22, Sat 28 Nov 2020.

Chloe thinks for a moment, then says, "Might wanna ask Mr. Smith at the town hall. He knows everybody in town, pretty much. He's a nice guy, and his door's always open."

Eithan nodded. "I expected as much. Was hoping to meet the man with a little more knowledge in hand first, but can't be helped.

"I was also curious about hiring people. I did notice the job board - it had the feel of attracting adventurers, men and women who were open to danger. That's useful, but not quite what I had in mind.

"In my line of work it's often useful to be able to hire porters - capable men and women who can carry a load, mind the pack beasts, and tend a camp while the adventurers go off to do the dangerous parts. They'd need to be capable enough to defend a camp from wild animals, sensible enough to flee with their lives intact from any serious danger with their lives intact, and honest enough to not abscond with their employer's pack animals and property in the night.

"I'm low on funds right now, so wouldn't be able to hire such individuals even if I could find them. But it would be useful to know if there are folk in town who could fill such a role, and where to find them. But I'm guessing Mr. Smith may be the port of call there too?"

"I imagine so. Probably wiser than asking my customers, anyways. At least, not while they're drinking," says Chloe.
This message was last updated by the player at 14:51, Sun 29 Nov 2020.

"Ha! Speaking as one of your drinking customers, I'll try not take it too personally," he said, a cheeky smile taking the sting out of it, pouring himself another cup.

"All right. Looks like all roads lead to Erret Smith. Makes sense given how young Smith's Gambit is.

"Last question then, and I'll let you get back about your business: Is there a library in town yet? Or a temple to Deneir, or Oghma? A repository of knowledge, available to all that seek it?"

Chloe shakes her head and says, "Sadly, no. No libraries. Only temple built so far is to Kelemvor. There's a scribe going around saying he wants to build a wizard's tower. If you suggest it to Smith, he might be willing to build one, at least, once there's someone willing to run it. I know, 'Smith, Smith, Smith...' but this is his town, and it's a small town. Not much happens here without him knowing about it."

Eithan raised his eyebrows. "Interesting. I was thinking something a bit more modest than that, at least at first. But if you think Smith might go for it, it would certainly have some potential. It would depend on the scribe's motives though. Do you know their name?"

Thinking aloud, she said, "Alex? Albert... no... Adam! It was Adam something. Skinny fellow, pale skin, dark hair."

"Adam it is. I'll be sure to mention it to Smith when I see him next... But I think it'll have to wait. The day is getting late, and I don't want the man's first impression of me to be when I'm still in my cups," Eithan said.

He produced a silver piece from a pocket, and placed it down on the counter. "For your time and attention, Chloe. Very much appreciated."

OOC: -1 sp for tip recorded

After bidding farewell to Chloe, Eithan took a seat, taking his time to slowly finish off the second half of his pitcher of wine, leafing through his spellbook and contemplating a few spells he'd been working on - still incomplete, but making good progress.

Once finished he stood up, gathered his coat and hat, and gave a friendly wave to Chloe on his way out, striking the chime as the door swung open and shut.

--> To Frosthide Inn
This message was last edited by the player at 09:14, Thu 03 Dec 2020.

This message was last edited by the player at 06:50, Thu 11 Mar 2021.

Rules updated! Payouts are more regular for dice games. Are you brave enough to chance your luck?

Chelsie enters the place, sizing it up, and heads over to the counter. "I'll take a pitcher of wine, thank you."

OOC: -2 sp, and Chelsie will pay for a drink for anyone from the Under the Moonless Sky job who orders one. If you join in, please fill me in on anything else important from your patrol.

[From Town Hall]

Having followed Chelsie from the big building, Nutcracker discovered the drinking den, though this one seemed to be much quieter than he was used to. "WINE!" There was no lower tone available to him than the rambunctious satyrs that were always bringing the best stuff. Fortunately they used the common tongue when they are in mixed company so they are certain that as many people as possible know it is time to drink.

That odd outburst aside, he stood by the counter with Chelsie. There wasn't really much else going on, so he was uncertain what else to do while waiting on his drink, so it would be best to just copy her for now.

It's not long after Nutcracker make's his presence known that Wendel also enters the establishment as well. Long enough that he obviously stopped off somewhere. He no longer carries as much and is looking a little better for it. Still his skin looks like it could break at any moment but that doesn't stop him from cracking a grin at his new companions to be. He finds a spot close to Chelsie and Nutcracker at the counter and leans on it again declining the offer of wine.

"So, we go to face the fishmen and possibly a devil soon. I said I'd share what we knew so here it goes. It's not much unfortunately." The information he gives is straight forward and very clearly plays up the part of his companions while playing down anything he may have done. "There were four of us. Myself, Helga a large woman with a massive weapon, Carmen and Victor who you met at Smith's. Those two will be joining us wishes willing. It was supposed to just be a standard night patrol but as morning rose and daylight began to make itself known we spotted several individuals moving rapidly across the horizon. They seemed to be carrying something, a bundle the size of a person. They'd obviously noticed us first as two of them split off to intercept our course. Victor hailed them and Helga and Carmen moved to defensive positions. I'd been carrying torches through the night so there wasn't anything specific I thought to do right away. They responded in a language none of us knew and we assumed it to be their native tongue but since they were looking aggressive and the two carrying the bundle looked to be trying to get away our group decided action was in order... These things were quick and precise. They wielded spears and when they were without a spear resorted to fighting with fang and claw which was just as effective a weapon it seemed. With everyone's quick actions though it Victor, Carmen, and Helga were able to down the first two and a chase began. In the chase two of ours went down but we were able to recover the woman and we found her to be one of the this town's residents."

Its a lot of information and he pauses scouring his mind for anything else that could be useful. "If we have to go up against more of these fishmen, splitting them into smaller groups will probably be most effective but it may not be avoidable facing a larger group if we must interrupt a sacrifice. My one hope is that they will still be split up since we may have removed their first sacrificial choice. Oh, also they have access to some poison that can keep one down and out even while remaining alive..."

Carmen walks in, quite pleased with the changes that had been made to the decor. It was pleasing to see that the card tables had been set up, along with the dice tables. Hopefully it would start to provide a much needed distraction for the community! She looked at the bar, hoping to see many customers, but instead only saw Wendel, Nutcracker and Chelsie.

"Business will improve, I hope." she said. "What can I get you all?" she asks, heading behind the bar to take on a shift.

"Have you all played Dragon Dice before?" she asked, running through the rules.

Chelsie pays for Nutcracker's drink, trying to figure out this puzzle of a bird. "So you seem to have a gift for repeating others' words and voices. Were you out on the patrol with the others? Or did you come here from another way?"

When Wendel comes in, she takes in his story, listening intently. "That's all pretty troubling, not least that poison. If we need to split them up, then some kind of diversion would seem useful. I'm not sure what that could be; I'm still figuring out my... powers, but... well I don't see how they'll be useful for distraction."

Finally, Chelsie indicates to Carmen that she's unfamiliar with Dragon Dice, but after a little encouragement, she indicates a willingness to play for a small wager.

OOC: -4 cp for Nutcracker, and Chelsie's thinking silver pieces as far as gambling.

Much like a bird, Nutcracker cocked his head to both sides and blink as he contemplated Chelsie's words. Only his master had really called his mimicry a gift instead of a curse. "Kenku," it was the contrabass again. "Camping out in the snow," came Carmen's voice accented with a vigorous nod. That should answer all of her questions. Quite nicely, yes. Recent words were far easier to recall than older ones, but things that had been repeated enough were simple even years later.

"Played Dragon Dice," came Carmen's voice again with a shake of his head. Unless that was a phrase in this area used for drinking. Or drinking games.

OOC: Nutcracker is interested but quite on the near broke side of the gold supply.

"Ok folks, well lets just have a few games for fun. Maybe if people are playing, it will stop everybody being self conscious about being the first to try."

She takes a hold of two dice, and she places them at the top of a large tube. From the tube, out come rattling both dice down a small alley, before settling on their respective faces.

"Nice!" She says, the dice showing up a 2 and 5 respectively. "As the total comes to a seven, that means that I would have doubled my money if I had played with real money. You also win on a six and eight."