With the attention being brought to bear on the party once again, the portly man talking to the bartender beams at the party and throws his hands out in their direction.

"Greetings!"

He bellows with a hearty laugh as he begins to waddle to the party from behind the table. The man had a grin about him, and an overbearing aura of effusive charm. He hurries his way over to you and stands extremely close to the door, placing a hand on each of your shoulders as you pass through the threshold into the inn. He shakes any hands that are offered to him and points you all to the tables.

"Welcome to the Coach and Horses! Do have a seat. Take this one by the fire where you’ll be nice and warm. Would you like drinks and food? Yes? Of course, drinks first. How foolish of me. I'm sure the road has you plenty parched."

On the beam above the bar, the large crow was mimicing the portly man's tones almost perfectly, but mixing his words up:

‘Welcome to the seat? Take a nice by the foolish? Would you drinks by the Horses?’

Cries the crow.

"My name's Gustav, the owner of the Coach and Horses. If you should have need of anything let me know. I'm really quite decorated in the hospitality game you know. I've been running this Inn for well over fifty years since my father passed, Peace take his soul."

He seems perfectly in swing with his conversation... To say this man has 'the gift of gab' is an understatement...

"My name's Horses. Should have need in the hospitality game. Peace take his years."

...A gift the crow shared apparently.
This message was last edited by the GM at 09:42, Fri 25 June 2021.

A talker. Good. Dietrich could work with a talker. Most of the students at the Aquila Academy had been children of some of the finest families in the Empire, and if there was one thing they liked to do, it was talk. That was a world he could navigate well.

"Bonjour! Well met good innkeeper, a pleasure to make your acquaintance! I am Dietrich Baudelaire, son of Brion Baudelaire, Baron of Seyoux. And these are my companions! Please tell me you have food and drink for road-weary souls...to say nothing of many available rooms...Not to be too demanding, but if you have baths in this fine establishment, I will name my firstborn after you, Herr Gustav," Dietrich called with a charming grin on his face, playing the part of the friendly noble to the hilt.

Aver gladly shakes the chatty man's hand, enjoying his exuberant nature far more than those of her quiet and gloomy companions.  She smiles wearily as Dietrich makes the request for food and respite, joining in whenever asked a direct question.  She finds herself looking at the crow more than anything, as talkative birds were quite the rarity.  They only existed in folklore, right?

"Herr Gustav, we have intentions of travelling onwards to Altdorf, and would find much appreciation in hiring a coach and driver.  Perchance is the coach outside for hire?  Is the driver available for negotiation?"

Her toes draw circles on the floor beneath the table, showing a clear appreciation for the warm structure that they find themselves in.  As she waits for her food, fingers slowly drum a quiet tune on the table.

Turning to her hirsute foreign travel companion (Mefodiv), she speaks with a voice that is stern in an almost motherly way.  "Do be a dear and try to restrain yourself this night.  After the spectacle you made last you were in your cups, perhaps some temperance is in order."

---

OOC: Mefodiv, what happened at the last inn we visited (possibly where we all first met and from where we set out)?
This message was last edited by the player at 14:41, Fri 25 June 2021.

Heth trickled in with the rest of them, stamping off the mud on his boots before he made his way to the proffered table.

There was some adjusting of his satchel and his scabbard as he found his seat, and he watched with interest as Dietrich and Aver engaged the proprietor in turn.

Like Aver, he spent a few moments looking over the crow, although his expression suggested more pity than fascination.

"Indeed. A coach would be more welcome...if I may, how are the roads on from here? Has there been any trouble as of late? he asked after Aver, watching the rotund man's reaction closely.

"Ahhhh, bone-jeweler! Well-met Mr. Baudelaire, it's quite the coincidence to have two notable names in the house. I take pride in my stonework, but I never expected to host the Emperor's summons in the Coach and Horses! Not that we aren't in great standing mind you, I've met the emperor before, swell man. Good taste in hats if I recall..."

He thinks thoughtfully to himself as he tries to remember, but waves it off with a shrug.

"Food? Food my dear boy, of course! Finest in the realm. We've got soup-chef's surprise, with a cut of brown bread and a smattering of butter, three pennies. For a bowl of a heartier beef stew, and a mouth watering pie bigger than your fist? Six pennies. If you're really blown out we can get you sorted with a full plate of daily roast with sausages, vegetables, and plenty of that crunchy bread I bet's catching your eye, yeah? One shilling. Our beer is made in-house and beloved by many weary souls, lovingly dubbed 'The Coach and Hops' it's just two pennies a mug... Though we DO have some imported wines for the highborn sort. If you wanted something more refined. Karl Franz himself used to drink the very same brand with my father many years ago. 'A treat for the nobility and grognard alike'. As he used to put it. Wise man that he was."

Gustav turns on his heel to face the other questions, hardly even stopping to take a breath...

"There are in fact! Those two fine men over there with quite the tab! They're taking the night off before setting out tomorrow I believe. If you wanted a coach ride, you should speak to them. With the way they're drinking, they will no doubt be needing the additional coin to get out of the bill they're building. Why, I haven't seen anyone burn through the barrels as quickly as this since the time-"

"Oi! We can hear you, you old codger!"

The drunken pair interject before Gustav could continue his story. Gustav clears his throat.

"Right, well. We have accommodations available to stay. Ten pennies for space in the dorms, fifteen for a deluxe spot, and ten shillings for a private room with the best accommodations, I assure you."

All the while he's talking, the large crow is mimicking his conversations in broken confusing echoes.

"Trouble? Here? Oh nooooo, never!"

You hear a scoff from within the inn.

"Why we even have the privilege of hosting Lady Isolde tonight. Terribly mysterious her..."

He waves his sausage like fingers in the air as though he were talking about some astounding, unknown creature as he looks back at the finely dressed woman in the room. The woman's face contorts in a mixture of disdain and annoyance as she averts her eyes and returns to picking at her food.
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:53, Fri 25 June 2021.

Rapidly mesmerized by the crow and it's talking antics, Halvi didn't pay much attention to the man greeting them. That is, until the conversation was steered towards the warm meals they so craved. She listened to Gustav while weighting her coin purse, doing just the same about her options.

Junttila didn't have to ask the rest regarding the coach, them hiring it was a fact. The cost was the only thing left to settle, letting the men know too, although that would be best settled in the morning. What couldn't wait much longer however was warming up and filling their bellies. "Stew and beer." Halvi stated looking at the others expectant interest. She would had settled for some soup to warm up her stomach but perhaps a more filling meal when they had the chance was a more measured choice.

"Opa! Well, I take dorm spot, two chef surprise, and eig-eh, three, mugs."

Mefodiv sets two shillings on the counter, and takes the meals and drinks to the table with Aver.

"Bah! Not happen again! Eh, probably, anyway. Not drink as much tonight, at least."

Mefodiv pushes one of the specials and mugs toward her.

"Now, eat. Then we talk to coachmen, arrange ride and speak of road."


OOC: There *may* have been a *minor* altercation over a *civil* dispute involving the quality of Kislevite horses and ale compared to the Empire's. Calling for guards was wholly unnecessary, I was gonna let him off with a warning, honest.

Almost before the Kislevite finishes sliding the plate across the table, portions are already being shoveled into Aver's mouth.  Two large bites, then a sheepish look around the table as she remembers her manners.  "Thank you, Mefodiv.  It would seem not everything they say about your people is true."

She returns to eating and drinking, only standing one she had finished to request a second ale and a dorm spot.  Still barefoot, she walks to the table with the heavily sudded and animated coachmen.  "Gentlemen, I would speak business with you for but a moment.  My companions and I are looking for transport to Altdorf, to depart as soon as possible.  Perchance are you available for hire come the morning... or afternoon?"  She adds the second part after a quick lookover of the men.

"My good Herren, the words you speak are a balm to my heart!" Dietrich said dramatically, clutching at his chest as though he were on stage at the theater.

"I will have the full plate, two ales, and one glass of Sauternes to finish off the evening if you have it. And I will take the private room. I will treat myself tonight before being responsible tomorrow. And my future self will simply have to deal with it," he continued with a cheeky grin.

"Ah, and as to my question about baths on the premises...?" the young nobleman asked, hope blooming in his cold toes.

"Ah yes, very good. I'll make ready the feast while you get comfortable."

He gives Dietrich a thumbs up with a broad smile.

"Only in the private rooms! A washroom and two beds per room. Spacious, gracious, and clean. I keep the staff here on their toes with personal inspections and inspiring direction every morn. It's well with the silver, I assure you!"

With that Gustav strides into the kitchen to begin wheeling out the ordered foods. The man behind the bar pours the drinks, but does not leave the bar aside from retreating ino the cellar to fetch another pitcher of beer. Gustav delivers both the food, and the drinks you order directly to you, always offering a small tale or topic of interest about himself or his Inn as he does so.

Those who were sitting at the tables eating can't help but notice the foppish looking man at the bar starring at them. Only looking away when you return his gaze.
------------------------------------

The two jovial men were in the middle of reveling on about a joke that loosely contained something about dwarves and a cheese stall in Middenheim. They hardly seem attentive to Aver, but there was also the heavy slur of intoxication in their voices.

"Wod did she shay?"

"She neeeeeeds uhhhh... a ride."

"Why's she ashkin' me?"

"'Cause we own a coach for a livin you eejit."

"Oh yeah... we got shpache in the cart don' we?"

"S'pretty full. We could takem tooo the next inn, right? 'Inn of the Seven Spooks'?"

"Shpokes. It's... It's sheven shpokes you moron. Kehehe."

There's giggling from one that leads the other to start cracking up as well.

"Right! Right Seven spokes. That'd be... fifty miles?"

"Can't be arshed with numbersh."

"It's a fair way to ol' Altdorf, so three shillings per-"

"Four."

"Four shillings per person, and we'll give ya a lift."

A realization dawns on the left one as he whispers to his partner. He makes a light 'Ahhh' sound in agreement as he nods.

"But you...You gotta pay in advance. Now, that is. So we can purchase...uhhh..."

"Provishions."

"Riiiiiight, provisions."

ooc These men do not seem set on a price and rather tipsy. They might be bartered with to lower the price. But you might run the risk of insulting them as well.
------------------------------------------------------------

Amidst the hustle and bustle Halvi finds the crow had been watching over the tavern with interest, enthusiastically watching Gustav's movements to copy his voice at every opportunity. However, it was watching the robed figure in the back of the room when Gustav was busy in the kitchen. It seemed to flutter it's wings softly whenever he turned a page in his book.
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:39, Sat 26 June 2021.

'Four shillings a person?  By the gods, they must be drunk to offer such a low price for ride!  Or perhaps it is adequate compensation for the quality of vehicle...'

Not wanting to ruin a good deal, Aver spits into her hand and extends it, a common practice in Wissenland to strike a binding agreement.  "Agreed, four shillings a person.  There are five of us, so that comes to..."  She turns and retrieves her purse, mumbling as she counts the coins with her back turned to the coachmen.  "...one crown eight shillings.  But, so that you can afford extra provisions, how about we call it two marks?"  She slaps two gold crowns on the table, hoping the weight of the coin would carry its sweet ringing sound into the ears of the drunken men.

---

OOC: The price for a coach in the rulebook is usually 1+ gold crowns, but Aver is hoping that the coachmen are drunk and greedy enough that any sort of gold on the table will be satisfactory.  Gold looks better than silver, after all.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:08, Sat 26 June 2021.

The two drivers look at each other with bewildered faces and shrug in unison.

"It's your coin. Works plenty well enough for me!"

The right one states quickly as he snatches up the coins.

"BUt it'ds jusht to the other...an the cabin's full of the... fanchy one."

"We'll find space for em. Alwasy do. But! For noooow...."

The grin at each other and clink their cups together.

"ANOTHER ROUND!"
"ANOTHER ROUND!"

Another cheer from the two of them as they seem to be in higher spirits than the stuff they were downing.

"Gustav! Bring me somea that bretonian port to wash this beer down!"

"And another pitsher!"

Feeling guilty about taking advantage of the inebriated coachmen, Aver leaves them to their drunken revelry.  She returns to her own table to inform the group that she has paid upfront for the transportation.

Nursing her ale, she looks around some more.  The foppish man that keeps looking at them.  The quiet man whose book is interesting to a bird.  The smug woman and her companions.  Picking her next conversationalist, she wanders over to the man with the book.

"Good evening, sir.  It's not often one runs across a learned man such as your self, and even rarer in backwaters such as this!  If you might indulge me, what brings you on your own travels?"  As she asks this, she tries to get a look at the title of the book, curious as to what could be interesting to both man and crow.

"Eh?"

States the hooded young man with a startled jump as Aver addresses him. The young man was pale and thin, looking through his momentary confusion with eyes that resembled runny eggs. It was apparent he didn't sleep much. He takes a good eight seconds of starring at Aver with his mouth slightly agape as cogs in his mind began to turn again. It dawned on him that she was speaking to him.

"Oh...uhm...reading. Got a lot of studying to do. If you uhh... don't mind. I'd like to get back to it."

He states in a sluggish, tired voice.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:44, Sat 26 June 2021.

Finishing his meal, Mefodiv heads outside to the two men tending the horses, giving them a wave.

"Ho, there. Head to Altdorf recently? Any trouble on roads?"

The two men cleaning off the horses were a dirty sort, as is often the case when one shovels dung all day. One was an older halfling standing on a stoll to reach the top of the horses, the other was a younger man with an eye patch and a busted lip.

"Good evenin' m'lord. I don't much travel t'all. Too dangerous out there. Beastmen been eatin' travelers."

The halfling scoffs.

"Beastmen? No lad, look here. The road to Altdorf's got it's fair share of problems, but the real one be bandits. Only last week, a coach failed to get through! Not even the roadwardens wannae do anythin about it! Gods dammed shame of a system it is. Things is only gettin worse, and it's about time that the Emperor started looking after the common folk!"

The younger man makes a light cough and takes a few steps away from the halfling, not wanting to be associated with him. The hlalfling takes the hint and clams up with a grumble.

Ooc: He seems to have more in his mind. You can try to convince him to say more with an Easy (+30) Gossip test, or an average (+20) Intimidate test.

Dietrich's ears perked up at the mention of bandits. Not only was such a blight a disgrace to the men and women sworn to uphold the law, but so brazen a crime near the capital of one of the greatest nations on the Old World? Shameful. He would have to keep an eye out on their journey. Do his civic duty if it came down to it.

"Herr Gustav you should be sainted..." he finally responded to the man's answer to his earlier question.

"Is it hope beyond measure that you might have staff that does laundry...?" Dietrich asked dreamily, looking down at his mud-spattered uniform.
This message was last edited by the player at 12:04, Sun 27 June 2021.

Heth seemed hesitant to spend the sort of coin that the others had at first, but when the tone was properly set, he too opted for privacy and a glass of wine.

I liue of the greasy stew the Elf opted for a bowl of porridge flavored with cream and honey, normally a breakfast dish, but he was simply glad to have it.

Amid Aver approaching the inebriated Coachmen, and Dietrich the stable hands, Heth focused on the Fop at the bar, one handled cradling his wine, with a curious stare. As if he was trying to figure out just what the man was about.

The foppish man at the bar puts a coin onto the bar before standing up. Adjusting his hat and stroking the end of his nose as he does so. He stands up straight and calmly walks over yo Heth As Ryel's table.

"Good eveneeng monsieur. May I seet weeth you?"

He inquires with a thick Bretonian accent, and a polite smile.

"By all means, it would be my pleasure" Heth replied, and stood as he adjusted his seating in such a way as to give the man ample room. "Hethasryel Bravehelm, at your service, formerly of Marienburg." he offered a slight bow at the waist to the gentleman before he began to gather up his robe to resume his seat.

The beer in her belly did Aver no favors.  She was too excited to try speaking to anyone she hadn't just travelled with for two weeks.  "Are you sure you could not use assistance studying?  I have recently completed my collegiate apprenticeship, and could use something more stimulating than..."  She nods her head towards the two coachmen, neither of whom would likely be in any state to drive come the morning.

"Whatever you're studying must be of some interest, if even the resident academic has taken an interest in the words!"  With this, she nods towards the crow, and a wide grin crosses her face.

The foppish man tips his hat to Heth As Rel.

"Phillipe Descartes, trahvelair ahnd servahnt of ze realm. a pleasure to meet you mr. Brahvehelm. Eet is quite a sight to see ahn elf een zese pahrts... But where ahre my mahnners?"

The man raises a hand to Gustav as he finishes serving up the party.

"A round of dreenks fahr ahll of ze new guests. ze house special, my treat."

"In a charitable mood tonight Philip?"

Calls Gustav with a joyus chuckle. The foppish man sighs quietly at the butchering of his name. Likely for the umpteenth time. Still, he disregards the slight and focuses on the conversation instead.

"Would you cahre fahr a gahme of cahrds? I find a leettle gahmbleeng helps pahss ze time, ahnd eet's been a long time seence I've been ahble to play a hand of scahrlet empress."

He offers before looking over Heth's shoulder. He raises his glass and quickly stipulates;

"Everyone ees welcahme to play!"

He smiles at the other members of the group still inside the Inn before returning his attention to Heth.

"So, ahre you pahsseeng through fahr wahrk? or maybe a summahns? you look like ze type, eef I may be so bahld."

Ooc: Scarlet Empress is a widely popular card game in the empire. It does revolve around stakes and wagers however. Think of it more akin to poker than 'go fish'.

-------------------------------------------------------------

"No."

The academic man states as he rubs his eyes.

"I'm  studying for the... the university entrance examination. For a physician's license. You don't look like... my master. Like... a physician I mean. I'd be much more concerned if you looked like uhhh Mr. Cobb."

He stares absent-mindedly at Aver for a moment before he snaps out of it.

"Anyway, I'd prefer if you left me alone."
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:45, Sun 27 June 2021.

"I'll take it as a compliment that I do not look like a physicker, nor this Mr. Cobb!  You do seem quite busy, and this is admittedly not my field of expertise.  Verena be with you in your studies."  With a bored sigh, Aver rises and walks back to the bar.  At least Gustav was willing to converse.

"Gustav, you seem like a man with a keen understanding of the people around him.  I saw several other buildings within the compound, would there perhaps be a woodworker amongst them?  For you see, I have paid the coachmen for travel come the morn, but the coach in question is clearly in need of repair."  She continues to nurse her ale, hoping to both enjoy herself this night and avoid the resulting hangover the next day.

---

OOC: You can use the code < hr > to create a line break!

"Oh, you can leave the coach repairs to the coachmen out in the yard. I'm sure they would be best suited for it. Though, we do have our very own smithy where our very own Agnes and her apprentice acts as our prestigious blacksmith, cartwright, and farrier. She's quite talented you'll find! And dedicated to her work. You might be able to find her in the smithy still, arguing with the world on anything in particular. Bit of advice, stay calm around her... Or wear a helmet. She's an excitable one. She's outside and to the left. Look for the sign with the pumpkin with hammers on it."

Gustav explains, happy to expand upon the extent of his business grounds. As he is dispensing the free round of drinks to the party, he smiles a good-natured smile to Dietrich.

"Well not usually, we do have a well and the means to do so. It wouldn't do to have you wallow around in filth, so you leave it to me. I'll fetch a basin and get someone to sort you for the night. On my honor sir!"

After giving thanks for the information, Aver sets her mug of ale down upon the table.  She wanders outside, still barefoot, looking for the coachmen tending to the horses.  Finding Mefodiv already speaking with the men, she stands silently waiting for them to finish their discussion.