In reply to Caile (msg # 10):

Lothar's sword arm flexes slightly in response as Caile nonchalantly leans on his blade.

My travels have brought me here! What else? Tis true I might be farther north than most my kin but I have never been shy of travel unlike most my brethren. Your companion here...

Lothar's eyes shift from the pair of elves to the distraught looking hermit and then back again.

Is he alright?

Harinder showed up again in at the gate of the wall surrounding the village.

He waited by the gate while Brander passed them by. He was not a small man but his bent back and gait made him look less noticeable as he would had, otherwise.He approached the strangers wearily with one hand on the scabbard in his belt. One eye scuinting, the other rowing over the three men.

"Well met" he said and nodded to each of them in turn. His voice broke slightly. He straightened his back and for a moment broad shoulders and height became appearent by his posture.

"I am Brander. Stablemaster here. My friend tells me there were able hands out here. Most of the villagers are busy with the upcoming spring games preps. I could use some help, you see"

His shoulders slumped again and he grimaced, as if the pained him to keep his back straight.

"There is work to do for anyone who fancy cornbread and ale. And   a safe spot sleep. Not saying there's soft spots, mind you. Or even dry. But at least no need to keep watch. At night these walls are manned."

He gestured towards the village defenses; a broken stone wall patched with planks of wood. The wall was waist high in places but more commonly it reached man height and had rows of pointed wooden stakes along the rim. Also along the wall were rows of arrow slits. From some, curious eyes peaked out at the strangers and the stablemaster.

In reply to Lothar (msg # 11):

(Motions to Caile) My companion is here.  As for him, (nods toward Harinder) I can only imagine.  He seems half here, you're half there, and I've half a mind to leave the Tesseography to the better inclined.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 15:56, Sat 30 May 2020.

In reply to Harinder (msg # 12):

While Brevis and the halfling exchange words Caile notices the stooped human approaching. He quickly jabs an elbow into Brevis' midriff before turning to greet what he surmises to be the unofficial leader of this hovel. Opening his mouth to speak he is interrupted by the man's greeting and proposal.

After listening to the man's words he clears his throat and replies.

"Thank you kindly for your invitation, master Brander, we will gladly stay the night and take what shelter we can within your walls. Kindness is scarce and should never be turned away.

While we are honored by your proposal, good sir, me and my brother must make haste. We have just found each other and there are other of our siblings still lost in the mists. We must find them before they are lost to the darkness."

Caile's eyes grow distant, as if overwhelmed by memories, before he shakes it off and fires off a blinding smile.

"Have you perchance heard the Ballad of the Lonesome Ogre? Elsewise I'd be glad to play it for you all in the tavern later tonight."
This message was last edited by the player at 17:54, Tue 02 June 2020.

The man named Brander turns to look off to the east, and those who follow his gaze spot a short, stout man trudging slowly towards them. A dwarf, with blond hair, dark, hooded eyes, and a well-used sword strapped to his hip.

"Another one? We don't typically catch this many lost souls in a day," Brander says, sizing up the dwarf.

From a distance, the dwarf calls out, his voice rough but powerful.
"You all locals?"

Waiting for the dwarf to get closer, the frailer minstrel responds.
"Nay, sir, most of us are travelers, as I presume you are. We have just arrived this fine morn."

The dwarf pauses in his approach for a moment, then lets out a quick barking laugh. "Sir," he mutters to himself as if the word is some kind of joke. He lifts his feet and shakes clods of mud off his boots. "Been here long enough to know where I could get a bath?"

In reply to Eins Heold (msg # 15):

Caile suddenly bursts into a fit of laughter and has to grab hold of his old friend to not lose his footing. After a while he straightens back up, wiping tears from his eyes.

"A crazy old human, a vagabond halfling, a dwarf in search of a bath and two street urchins... this sounds like the makings of an epic ballad if I ever heard one! Come, let's find the local watering hole and a bath for our new friend afore our ballad becomes stranger still! Last one in pays!"

Still laughing he breaks off from the group and heads for the village center, urging the others to follow.

"Master Brander! If you would be so kind as to show us the way?"
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 17:55, Tue 02 June 2020.

In reply to Caile (msg # 16):

Brevis pulls his cloak nearly shut while cracking a subtle smile at Caile's optimism.  Running with a gang again, and after so much time, sounded surprisingly appealing.

Eins turns to the old man now beside him and gestures to Caile moves towards the town center.

"Is he..." Eins taps his head and raises his eyebrows skeptically. "Nobody's that cheerful and all there."

Brander leads the newcomers to the centre of the village, walking closer to Harinder than the others.

“We may not have much to offer, but what we do have we give freely to those in need my friend.” He says, his eyes briefly take in the others. “All are welcome, especially if they are able to offer some hard work in exchange for a place to sleep.”

“If it is a bath and a beer you seek master dwarf, then the Traveller’s Rest can provide that… It is the closest thing we have to a tavern here.” Brander points to a run down, but large building in the middle of the village.

Turning to Caile, the stable-master says “I have not heard that ballad, I’m sure it would go down well at the tavern… There is always a place by the fire for someone who can tell a great tale or play a tune. The folk here could do with cheering up.”

“There is ale and food, tonight you are all my guest here at Runething and you can wash away the dirt, drink your fill and share your tales of woe…” Brander says. “Tomorrow is another day.”

Harinder nods to Eins comment.

"That one has not seen more than a summer, he himself confessed. An elven offspring, no doubt. I've seen those before, from the communities of the Dankwoods. In the Blood Mist years, I travelled through. Travelled far and wide I did. Met some elfspawns like him. Close enough to frailers by look but so unaware, ignorant ... naive like children are. Not older than a summer! Yet they appear adult. Unnatural, I tell you."
The older human glanced down at the dwarf.
"Forgive me my manners. I have been ... away for a long time. I am Harinder, son of Rendin, of the Thunderclove clan. As far as I know, the last of my clansmen. In this forsaken land, we used to call the plains of Moldena home."

Letting his eyes wander, Caile takes in the village as they head towards the Traveller's Rest. It's little more than a shanty town, built on the ruins of an older settlement and its inhabitants seem worn down and burdened by life's hardships. He calmly brings out his ornamented wooden flute and raises it to his lips. A mournful tune issues forth and the minstrel slowly walks around the village square, grabbing the attention of the villagers as he passes. The tune bounces and echoes between the buildings and the sorrow it evokes is almost too much to bear. Then, with the switch of a key, the tune transforms into something innocent and playful. Caile starts dancing along to the rhythm and the captive audience soon begins to clap along as the song builds into a crescendo before ending in a flurry of notes and an artful flourish of the flute. The Frailer takes a bow and smiles from ear to ear.

"That was but a taste of my repertoire, dear dwellers of Runething. If you would like to hear more and share an evening of mirth and joy with me and my comrades, please join us tonight at the Traveller's Rest. Master Brander has promised that there will be ale and food and I promise merriment and pleasant company! Come one, come all and escape the gloom of the Ravenlands for a while!"

As Caile once again takes a bow he makes a discreet sign to Brevis, nods towards the tavern and heads inside.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:55, Tue 02 June 2020.

(In response to Harinder, MSG #20)

Eins puts out a hand and shakes Harinder's hand firmly.

"Eins Heold. I'm from..." The dwarf looks around. He points vaguely in the northwest. "That way, originally. Haven't been there a long time though." He shrugs and looks back at Hariner. "I'm at home with whoever I happen to be fighting with a the time."
This message was last edited by the player at 15:12, Sun 31 May 2020.

In reply to Eins Heold (msg # 22):

Lothar walks with the group thru the town and pauses rather impressed with the impromptu street performance, though calling what they are travelling on a street is an exaggeration of some magnitude. Tonight he will try and earn a few coin with some of his magic tricks, making things disappear just comes naturally to Lothar and that thought puts a smile on his face.

I'm in no need of a bath as of yet, but am rather parched! Why not get things going with few ales! Lead the way kind sir!

The Traveller's Rest is one of the larger buildings still standing in Runething, but that is not such a difficult task.

There is only one floor, most of which is given over to a taproom, with wooden beams supporting the low ceiling. A small bar and kitchen is at one end of the room, with a fireplace at the other. There are several battered tables surrounded by stools and chairs of varying styles and the dusty trinkets and relics that adorn the wooden beams and bare plaster walls give the impressions that the whole place has been filled with things scavenged from other ruins.

There are a pair of doors to one side of the bar, leading to some private rooms. Other than that, the inn is rather small and run down. Behind the bar stands a bald man with a deeply lined face, a dirty cloth in one hand and an equally dirty cup in the other. He regards you warily as you all enter.

A half-dozen men sit about a couple of the tables, drinking and talking among themselves. Their chatter stops as you enter, with their eyes scrutinising the newcomers.

Brander warms the atmosphere somewhat as he introduces you all as his guests and the suggestion that at least one of you might sing later seems to help still further.

"Starm." Says Brander, turning to the innkeeper. "Ales for our new guests please." He gestures to some of the free seats, intending you all to sit.

Eins lifts himself up onto one of the empty seats and nods at the innkeeper.

"Not a bad place you've got here."

He accepts a mug of ale, and looks down at the rich brown drink, but doesn't bring it to his lips. He seems to be deep in thought.

After a brief chat with the innkeep, Caile saunters over to the group, unslings his backpack and rests it against the wall before taking a seat next to the dwarf. He watches him in silence for a moment before speaking.

"Find anything of value, master dwarf? I know many a man who has sought to solve the riddle of life at the bottom of a tankard. None seemed too pleased with what they found though..."

He grabs a mug for himself and takes a hearty swig.

"Ah, Thirstquencher, how I've missed thee. I don't care if you appear as fine wine or bogwater swill, I love thee still. To Flow! May she forever wet our whistles and lift our spirits!"
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 17:56, Tue 02 June 2020.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 24):

Brevis approaches Starm, his full drink in hand.

Cheers! (Raises drink but does not yet imbibe)

My hollow leg is over full, (motioning to the pair of doors near the bar) mind if I use the washroom?  I promise to tip the attendant.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:10, Mon 01 June 2020.

Harinder sits down on the floor, leaning against the wall, not far from the appointed table. His eyes are darting back and forth between the guests, the barkeep and down on his hands. He picks up something from within his cape and starts to eat.

(Rolling for food with D8: 3)
This message was last edited by the player at 06:27, Tue 02 June 2020.

Brander notices Harinder with his back to the wall and walks over to him, kneeling down a short distance from him.

"You need not be wary here my friend." The former slave says. "Come warm yourself by the fire, rest those weary bones of yours in comfort."

In reply to Brevis (msg # 27):

"There's nee washroom here, just the dorm and my own rooms... Yer can water the plants round back if yer need a pee." The old man says.

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
EDITED: Damn Autocorrect on my phone..

---

This message was last edited by the GM at 10:35, Tue 02 June 2020.

In reply to Caile (msg #26)

Eins takes a short sip from his mug and smiles.

"Nothing that deep, master frailer. It's simply been a long time since I had a good swig of bad ale."

He takes another, heartier swig from his mug and turns to Caile.

"May she something something lift our spirits indeed."

He raises his mug, offering to toast with Caile.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 22:32, Mon 01 June 2020.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 30):

Brevis walks out back and sets his drink down.  Drawing his axe, he quickly and effortlessly carves a mark near the upper corner of the door jam.  It reads "2/10"

Pouring a healthy dose of beer onto the ground near the threshold, Brevis gives thanks with the hope that all Childer find warm beds with full stomachs tonight.

He returns to find Eins offering a toast to Caile and raises his mug as well.

Caile raises his mug to Eins, sensing a bond or connection of some kind in the gruff and battlescarred dwarf.

"To freedom and to the comrades we have lost, master dwarf!"

He then turns to each of his companions and offers them each a toast.

To Lothar - "To forging your own path and breaking the shackles of convention!"

To Brevis, with a tear in his eye - "To old acquaintances and newfound hope!"

To Harinder - "To old men and their various ailments!"


And finally to Brander - "To our gracious host, may the gods grant him wealth and prosperity!"

He finishes the round by draining his mug, slamming it down upside down on the table, waving to the innkeep for a refill.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:12, Tue 02 June 2020.

Eins raises an eyebrow at the ever-energetic frailer beside him.

"You got a long way of saying short things, mate, but I like you."

Caile chuckles.

"Why, whatever do you mean? I say dwarf the same as everyone else."

He winks at Eins, pleased with his little joke.

"Though I'd rather call you by name."

He proffers a hand.

"Caile. Or Birdsong. Whichever you please."
This message was last edited by the player at 17:59, Tue 02 June 2020.