Tusk remains silent at the end of Elisar's story, having nothing to add as an embellishment to the tale. He glances about the establishment, but at this point is singularly focused on completing his current job.

[From Jessop's Goods]

Seeing as how he was in town and the place seemed to be a little more lively than the last time he visited, Nutcracker entered the tavern and took a look around at who was filling his internal library of sounds. "Wine! Good food!" came a rambunctious voice that had already clearly had too much of both, but also did not seem to fit the small birdman spouting it. Taking an open seat where available he takes it upon himself to make an introduction to anyone who didn't already know him. "Nutcracker, a skilled hunter," in the familiar (to some) jovial contrabass.

OOC: Buying a pitcher of wine and meal. -7sp

"Ah, I suppose you're right, though it doesn't quite vanish the tears from my eyes. He was a good friend indeed!" Carlton lifted his drink in the air as if he could reach Finnious, tears in his eyes, but a smile on his face. "And one heck of a fellow bard! To you my dear friend, may you find peace on the other side playing for the best courts in all the afterlife. To Finnious!" Carlton downed his drink chug after chug until he slammed the empty goblet on the surface before him. "Thank you my friends. You have done me a great service, but it is not without its reward as promised." Carlton pulled a sizeable pouch from his waist. "Here it is as promised 100 gold for each of you."

Tiria pats the bard on the shoulder and raises her own drink to join in his toast, "To Finnious," drinking deeply though not quite as enthusiastically.

Upon receiving her reward she sticks around long enough to finish her pitcher of wine before wishing the others a good night and wobbling off for the Inn.

Graciously Elisar accepted his reward, wishing that the news had been better but glad that they had at least resolved the mystery. He joined Carlton and anyone else who stayed for a night of revelry, singing and playing until the small hours. As promised he played Finnious' final song for Carlton, as well as many other tunes both bawdy and epic. He swapped songs and stories withe the Halfling, and promised to add the newly acquired verses to his repertoire.

When the night was done he retired to his room at the Frosthide, as drunk as a sailor but with more fine stories to tell.

----> To the Frosthide Inn

Tusk accepts payment and carefully counts it out, before giving Carlton a slight smile and a nod.

"Thanks for your patronage. Even though 'revenge' is a service that I typically charge for, consider these wolves as 'on the house'. If you ever have anyone else that's been giving you trouble, don't hesitate to look me up."

With that, he heads to the Inn for a well-deserved rest.

---> back to the FrostHide

Izayah accepted the reward with a small nod, and said "Thanks. Holler if you need anythin' else, but otherwise I hope your evenin' ends on a high note." He wasn't usually ones for puns or jokes like that but he did it anyway.

Then he smiled and nodded at Carmen. "Always a pleasure t'see you, Carmen."

He drank a bit before retiring to his cabin.

Alban enters the Dragon's Den tavern and looks around for the barkeep or owner of this establishment amongst the usual patrons.  He walks over to the bar to get the barkeep's attention.

Carmen looks over as Alban enters the tavern. Things had been quiet lately, but she had kept herself busy.

"Fine time for a fellow like you to be seeking a drink. What will it be?" she asks.

Smiling at her familiar face Alban waves off the offer in embarrassment and explains.
 "I fear the drinking will have to wait. I am looking for someone who goes by the name of Khaaven. Erret said they like to gamble here. DO you know them?"

He pauses for a moment and continues.  "Rumor has it that you also have a side hustle crafting and selling spell scrolls.  Is this true?"

OOC: Khaaven is the warforged who has been playing cards at one of the gambling tables.

“I would say that my side hustle is maintaining this tavern more than anything. Crafting scrolls is certainly possible, but I’ve not had much call for my talents in that area so far.” replied the sorcerer.

She points out the war forged playing cards.

“Thank you, Carmen. I’ll go introduce myself then.” Alban pauses and continues. “And if you are in the market I would be interested in a few spell scrolls that a wizard can learn. Just let me know.”

Alban then walks over to the warforged playing cards at one of the tables that Carmen pointed out. Once a hand finishes Alban approaches the warforged and asks, “I am looking for Khaaven for a scouting mission into the Rimewood. Are you interested in joining our party?”

"Ah! You're the apothecary, right? I haven't been out of town in awhile. I've been caught up in these games of chance. But I am in need of more gambling money! So if there's a cash reward, sign me up!"

Hearing the warforge’s enthusiasm Alban chuckles under his breathe Alban replies, “Erret is willing to pay us a tidy sum to each person on the mission. It’s a 2 day journey and 4 days back to the settlement.  Hexia will help by teleporting us halfway there. When would you be ready to go?”

The warforged stands gathers his belongings, and says, "I'm ready when you are!"

Alban nods in approval at the enthusiastic warforge before home.“Then let’s be off then to Hexia’s Shop.  She has the means to cut our travel time in half.”  With that declaration made Alban waves towards all of his companions to follow him out of the tavern; briskly walking towards the portal to Hexia’s shop.

Khaven follows the gnome through the portal.

A hulking shape filled the doorway of the tavern, blotting out the light of the door before materializing into the now familiar form of Verbannt. The enormous Bugbear had been gone from the village for many days, but had at last returned shortly before the raid against the Burning Stag. Folk had seen him at the outskirts of town, where his home had been built, running with a pack of wolves that he had evidently tamed. He had largely kept to his own company, perhaps still uncomfortable with these folk, or perhaps lost in his own confidences, but it appeared that he had at last deigned to return to civilization. He didn't exactly look the part, dressed in his studded leathers, with the ram skull on one shoulder and the dire wolf's on the other. The bow in the quiver at his side seemed almost comically small, though those who had fought with him could give testament to the deadliness with which he wielded it.

"Who is the Matriarch of this house of ale?"

He asked as he stepped through the door, his voice a rumble more akin to an avalanche than human words. He was evidently more confident that he would not be stuck full of arrows on sight now that he had met more of the villagers, for he moved towards the bar without waiting to see the reaction he drew. This place had attracted more curious creatures than he had ever thought to see in his lifetime, and he no longer felt quite so out of place in his skin. At least, so long as he was wearing his skin.

Carmen is just a touch behind Lukas, having a small bit of business to accomplish before she returns to her establishment. "Well, I'm the owner, but we do have a small number of staff who may be better equipped to assist you. Are you tired from the fighting? Perhaps an ale or two to get you started?" she suggests.

Verbannt did not startle, for his ears were keen.

"My apologies, it has been a long day, I do not recall your name, or if we have even met."

He rose to his full height, his head almost brushing up against the cieling.

"I am Verbannt, and I would have ale, if you would have me here."

He was pretty sure he was welcome now, but it never hurt to ask.

Izayah was tired after the assault, and all the sneaking around his part had entailed before the main fight. He almost wanted nothing more than going to his cabin and crashing in to sleep. Almost. He was still a bit wound up and needed to relax a bit more. He figured an ale or two before bed would hit the spot.

And he wouldn't mind seeing Carmen again if she were there. She had been pleasant enough company to talk to, and was easy on the eyes if he was being honest.

He walked in and up to the bar with a grin. "Howdy, Carmen. Long time no see, I know." He shrugged, still smiling. Then nodded at Lukas. "I'll buy his first ale if he'll let me, along with one fer me - hell, one fer you too if you'll drink with us! Need t'unwind a bit." He then added, "But no worries if not. Don't wanna intrude."

Somewhat tired from the battle, Tusk's decades of conditioning kept him from approaching exhaustion. He entered the pub without fanfare, his frame dwarfed by those ahead of him.

The frost on his maille began melting as the warmth overtook him, and the droplets left dark marks on the floor as the wood tried to absorb them.

He quietly stood near the entry, waiting for those in front to find a seat and having every intention of joining them.

"I would, though I would know why you honor me so."

Verbannt answered, immediately moving to join the man. This was the first time they had fought together, as far as he could recall, though there had been so much fighting in the last few months that it was all starting to blend together.

"Sure, that's easy enough. A few mugs of ale? And absolutely delighted to have you here Verbannt. All are welcome, but just like anybody else the same rules apply. Start tearing up the place and we will have to have words." she says.

She smiles politely. "Not that I expect you to act so poorly of course."

OOC: Probably a good time to repost the price list.




This message was last edited by the player at 02:27, Mon 13 June 2022.