Ye Olde had a quaint exterior on the near vertical cliff face, with naught but a door, some windows, and two inset sconces ablaze. It also offered one of the more navigatable staircases in the valley, with railings and all. Further up the same staircase stood a large horn which could also be accessed from internal tunnels.

But while the Dwarven inn appeared small and humble from the outside, it was anything but. Once inside, patrons and guests were greeted by a warm and spacious taproom. It was one of those a newcomer would duly assume difficult, if not impossible, to produce a floor plan on, with rooms seemingly interspersed randomly and at only slightly varying elevations. One would be wrong – while Dwarven architecture differed from Humans and other Humanoids', it was meticulously drawn and perfectly understandable should you be a Dwarf. This particular inn also contained the great brewery in the cellars below which distributed its characteristic Iron ale around the Ten Towns, and the waft of its savory cooking was pervasive.

Tonight it was lively in Ye Olde. It wasn't chock-full and brimming, but the dozen or so Dwarves here knew to make the most of themselves, as Dwarves oft did in inns and taverns. They appeared to be miners, dirty and scraggy. They bellowed and hoisted their mugs of ale without concern for spillage as one noteworthy Dwarf with dark beard like a tangled thicket unsteadily swayed atop a table. ". . . and to t-" he roared in Dwarvish, but paused mid sentence with a finger raised to indulge further in his mug, "-hose lead lickers-", he paused again to drink, "-aaahtellin' us the geode's too hard, our picks' too worn! Quaggoths, the lot!"

As he finished the last of his mug he spotted the new arrivals in the corner of his eye. "Goliaths! *BRRROOOI*" he exclaimed as he burped and pounded his chest, turning the attention of his brethren and sistren, who raised their cups in greeting.

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Prices here follow prices for a comfortable inn.

8 sp for a room

Menu:
Cheese omelet - 2 sp
Rabbit and potato plate - 5 sp
Stockpot stew/ soup - 5 sp
Boar ham steak and eggs - 2 gp

Drinks:
Bitter Black (1 pint) - 9 cp
Regular old mead from Goodmead (1 pint) - 1 sp
Under-the-mountain Iron Ale (1 pint) - 2 sp
Fire Wine (1 bottle) - 5 sp
Winter Wine (1 bottle) - 5 sp
Death Wish (1.5 oz. shot) - 5 sp
This message was last updated by the GM at 14:54, Wed 20 Dec 2023.

Stormheart definitely was a fan of the stairway that wasn't as...difficult to navigate as some of the others had looked. Especially for someone of his size and stride length. He didn't fancy having take the steps 3 at a time or the like.

He paused at the entrace and looked at Rhydd and Khulekani with a wince. "Remember how I didn't have money for the goods when we stopped at the store?" He looked embarassed. "That hasn't changed yet, so I will have to see if they will let me sleep on the floor tonight, but don't worry about me. I have rations, I'll be fine."

He smiled as he looked around once entering and the smile widened as someone yelled out Goliaths! He loudly called back, "You didn't know Goliaths traveled in hunting pairs??" Then he let out a loud laugh.

He walked towards the group first to be polite instead of immediately going to secure a room.  "Hail and well met, all! I am Stormheart and it's very nice to meet you all!"
This message was last edited by the player at 19:44, Mon 11 Dec 2023.

"Ho," Farwalker said as she stepped in from behind Stormheart, pulling her shawl away from her face. Her backpack fell to an available space with a heavy pound. "I have brought jhuust, should it be needed." That didn't seem to be the case – the one barmaid was doing a stellar job of keeping most of the Dwarves topped off.

"Sit!" said the speaking Dwarf and waved the Goliaths, along with what appeared to be two Humans, over to their table. He had switched over to common. "And tell us what Goliaths and some're doin' in the Valley! Have ye come to speak to Stokely?"

One mug slammed hard into the table. "Finally!" the Dwarf responsible said, taking the other Dwarves' mere inquiry for good fish, as it went in Dwarvish. "Been tired of minin' the western tunnels for a time now. Ye hear that, boys? They're clearin' out the eastern end!" he addressed the male and female Dwarves alike, earning another toast.

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Khulekani History on the Dwarves in Dwarven Valley (note; I am taking the first roll, as two is redundant) [10]: Battlehammer, as in Clan Battlehammer, of which the former king of reclaimed Mithral Hall, Bruenor Battlehammer, hailed. To what extent these Dwarves related to the original Clan was unknown to Khulekani.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:09, Mon 11 Dec 2023.

"Pffft!" Rhydd said, waving his hand dismissively when Stormheart mentioned his shortage of coins.

"Fret not! Not so long ago I was hard-pressed to find two coppers to rub together. But now, thanks to a little luck and having joined up with companions who're much smarter than me, I have coin to spare, for thee and me alike."

"So . . . Skooooooal!" he thundered, shouting out a hoary drinking cheer whose origins were shrouded in long-ago mists, but which was recognized by nearly everyone among the civilized races . . .

Stormheart glanced back at Farwalker and then back at the dwarves. He gave a shrug. "I am traveling with allies to try and alleviate some of the issues and concerns in the Dale, such as the ferry whale, owlbears, goblin raiders, that sort of thing."

One eyebrow rose. "I can tell you more, if you so desire," He paused, licked his lips and said with a grin, "but it's thirsty work."
This message was last edited by the player at 19:44, Mon 11 Dec 2023.

Khulekani  practically groaned in pleasure once they were within the building and the warmth flowed over her. Her southern upbringing was still warring with her current environment. Maybe she should have gone East for her Errantry Tour?

No matter.

The gods had placed her where they wished.

She ordered food and drink quickly, needing warmth within her body as well as without. That boar ham steak and eggs, and a bottle of fire wine was calling to her. When her meal and drinks arrived, she began to delicately cut up her food, until Rhydd made his toast.

"Salud!" she echoed back, raising her glass and giving the Amnian toast.

The Dwarves would gladly hear of Stormheart's tales and looming quests, and divulged some of their own over the course of a merry evening. The Valley was plagued by what the Dwarves called 'the Black Ice', and the thorny denizens its halls had invited. Those familiar with the region knew that the Shield Dwarves here had endured turmoil and hardship these recent years after a schism had formed among their kin down the Valley. Some of the Dwarves had become infatuated with this Black Ice they had discovered, and plotted to spectacularly usurp Stokely Silverstream, the reigning Dain. The ploy was smothered by 'Stokeley's Boys', some of whom remain trapped deep the tunnels alongside the remnants of the mutiny. The miners, some of whom had been caught up in the ordeal, recanted clashes, sieges, victories, and even some sorrows.

However, this was an inn, not a tavern, and so the rowdy Dwarves were told by the kind barkeep to leave once night crept in. The four visitors were then each given a warm and homely room, albeit a bit small for Goliaths, and a washing tub was prepared and offered to those who saw the need.

Come morning, a modest breakfast consisting of porridge, flatbread, eggs, and sausages was served. Rhydd, Khulekani, Farwalker, and Stormheart were the only guests, unsurprisingly. And so, it was a dark and quiet Valley that was left behind, where only the faint clangs of hammers occasionally flew on the wind to break the silence.

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I don't have anything more to offer, so we can go ahead and hop back to the Dale thread. I'll put up another post over there.