Knut looks a little confused at the way the crowd reacts to the Elf woman's song. He didn't have an ear for music, but to him it didn't seem like anything special. What intrigued him most was that his prospective employer had sent such a ruse ahead. He all but ignored the coins as they were tossed about. The lady would have a small army of people wanting to take up work with such free coin being tossed about.  "Looks like she'll have no end of idiots trying to get the job now." He grumbled loud enough for those at the table with him to hear.

In reply to Knut StoneHammer (msg # 49):

Malcolm took a moment to compose himself before he sat down. With a nod to Knut, "As we were speaking earlier. I've just arrived with the d'Tor caravans from the north. There's a small city near Lake Altier if you're familiar with the region. I have several skills with magic. I've been a student for many, many years." He turned to one of the others at the table to see who would speak next.

In reply to Una Emberkettle (msg # 43):

A frosted bucket is lifted onto the bar next to Noza and Una. A small pair of hands grasp the bar, and with a quick motion, the diminutive figure of a halfling hoists himself onto an empty stool. His clothes are slightly disheveled, though well made and clean. "Well now," the young halfling intones, "chicken with herbs. Of all the conversation I've overheard this evening, this seems the most sensible of all." He takes a drink directly from his bucket, then straightens himself in his seat. "Ah, that's better. Would you suffer my company for a while? I've been nearly stepped on several times tonight, even before all that gold was thrown around.  I'm Doven," he finishes, extending a hand to Una and Noza in turn. "Am I to understand one of you has taken on the noble pursuit of the culinary arts?"

"I'd be glad to suffer it if my new friend (are we friends? my new professional contact sounds so cold!) here doesn't mind."

Una thumped the bar as Doven asked his question

"Noza here is undertaking the most noble practice of baking. She hails from places where warmth and flavour are the words of the day, and I for one am even more excited to find a fellow of the smallfolk and roads to share in this new friend making!"

The night rolls on into a party that lasted long into the early morning. Powered by egos, fueled by several barrels of frostbitten beer, and made possible by bags of gold presented to Ralston to allow anyone and everyone to eat hardy, drink heavily, and revel until they could revel no more. Bards played. People sang and danced. It was fun. It was riotous. And, it was really, really messy.

The sun would rise and cast far too bright rays through the eastern facing windows at far too early in the morning. Like undead before a cleric, many fled the light for their own beds and shuttered windows.

Ralston, despite the fact that he owned half of the tavern, was nowhere to be seen. The smell of strong coffee, bacon, and fresh bread filled the tavern. Too many it was the cure to what would surely soon ail them. For others, it was just the fuel their nausea needed to threaten a catastrophic explosion of vomit.

Upon the makeshift stage sat an elegantly dressed Drow. She was tall with skin like living onyx. Her eyes were an odd shade of blue. As if they were blue with blue. And she long, curling hair like coils of fine silver wire. Her clothing bespoke of wealth without concern. She sat calmly with a bored expression that bespoke of some time spent waiting the revelers to come around.

"Good morning, my lovelies." She said.

Tarek wound his way towards the main area of the tavern. He stretched having a most wonderous sleep the night before. He was exhausted from the trip to Vandis yesterday but he was excited to finally begin his journey on the year long quest. The smell of the coffee was enticing him as well as the bacon. He glanced around the room and hesitated as he observed the Drow on the stage. A surprised look crossed his face as he was not expecting this but he quickly composed himself. He bowed and his awkwardness was evident.

"Good morning." He hesitated and continued. "I am Tarek Darksturm".

Vogryn came down the stairs.  He had enjoyed the party late into the night, but had retired to his room before midnight.  The floor had been hard, but it was better than the ground, and with his bedroll easily bearable.  The ceilings were low, for him, so he crouched as he moved down the stairs.  Till he was finally able to stand in the common room.  His eyes hardened when he saw the dark elf, but he remained neutral in stance.  "Mornink.". He replied to her.  Then after a moment assessing her, moved to get breakfast.

In reply to Mezah (msg # 48):

Maria was listening to the song when a lovely woman approached her, she turned and smiled invitingly at her, "Yes, what can I do for you my child?"

Malcolm managed to sneak away during the evening revelry. The young man had his share of debauchery but knew enough to steal himself away and find a private room for the night. He eventually found sleep even with the distant sounds from the common room.

The young noble left his room drawn by the scent of bread and bacon. He stopped at the table of food before his eyes fell on the figure at the stage. Malcolm bowed slowly before he made a plate of food for himself. Coffee, he took a healthy mug and found a table. He ate and drank while watching the drow. He had heard of such creatures but he never seen one up close until now!

"Malcolm d'Tor. Pleasure to meet your acquaintance. And you are?" He asked as he sipped his morning coffee.

A halfling cheerfully makes his way across the common room to retrieve a hearty breakfast. His clothes, which had grown more disheveled as the evening had progressed, are orderly once more. If he feels any negative effects of the night before, he doesn't seem to show them. He nods politely to the other patrons before taking a seat close to the makeshift stage where he can listen in to any open conversation.

In reply to Sister Maria (msg # 56):

"I hope that this doesn't appear too forward, but I was wondering what the old woman said to you earlier. About the runaway? You see I am trying to find my daughter..." Mezah began before a croak of sorrow bubbled up from her throat.

She turned away, her shoulders heaving twice before she turned back to Maria, her eyes wet with tears.

Yprish had left when the evening turned to revelry. He'd seen his whole clan murdered earlier that day and didn't feel like partying. Waste of blamed time. He'd told Brother Samuel he'd be back the next day, and he left.

When he showed up in the morning he'd hoped for more than a taven full of hangovers. He grabbed a cup of coffee and slapped some rashers of bacon between bread and waited to find out.

Knut had enjoyed the drink and food for much of the night. But knowing he needed to make a good showing, he didn’t partake as heavy as he might have. Of course his clan mates didn’t need to hold back, nor did they. He passed a few of the dwarves passed out along side the road as he made his way to the Tavern for some coffee and breakfast. The presence of the arrow woman surprised him, though he tried not to let it show. He gives her a slight job before joining Malcolm at a table.”Festive night that was.” He says before taking a drink of his coffee.

In reply to Mezah (msg # 59):

Maria's face took a look of concern, "Oh! Of course my dear. We will find your child, we can work together." if Mezah would let her Maria reached up to grasp her face, "That handsome bartender over there, I was told that he would know where to look, unfortunately he was a bit of a dead end BUT I hope to talk to that lovely singer and see if she knows something tomorrow. You are welcomed to join me"

Jaylan sauntered into the room with a small grin on the portion of his face that could be seen. He had enjoyed a night of revelry, had not consumed enough to regret it the next morning, and best of all, he hadn't had to pay for any of it. And to top it off, there was a potential high paying job lined up from this mistress of the something-or-other.

Life was looking up.

But then his keen ears heard the words "trying to find my daughter" and his helm whipped around. Finding people was what he did. Perhaps...

Without further thought, the big man walked over to the dark-skinned woman with tears streaming down her face.

"Pardon me. Don't mean to interrupt your conversation with the Dwarf lass. But if'n my ears didn't deceive me, I hear you child is missing? If so, I can offer you my services in looking. I'm Jaylan Cairn. I'm known to some. I find people, especially if'n they don't want to be found. I'd need to get paid for my work of course. But if'n I take the commission, I won't stop 'til I find them. Whatever their condition is," the bounty hunter rumbled, trying his best to appear understanding and sympathetic, despite this simply being just another job for him.

"By the looks of this tavern it would appear that my coin went to good use." Morgana says to no one in particular. "I see that many of you made it through the night. How many of you are interested in joining my employ?"

Una bounded down with a spring in her step, buoyed by the delight of fresh bread. Filling a cup of coffee and taking some bacon and bread, she approached Doven

"Good morning!"

Sitting down she tore the bread into chunks and fished in her haversack for a pot of some jam and another of some powder which she sprinkled in her coffee. Drawing her dagger she carved into the jam and spread it on her bread before sandwiching the bacon between the pieces

"Pepper jelly flavoured with these orange berries. Makes things spicy, got a taste for spice."

"What, exactly, are you hiring for milady?"

"My friend and I have pressing business but it is not impossible that our goals may coincide."

"I am in need of stouthearted adventurers, of course." She seemed intrigued now, less bored than before. "I have need of adventurers will to recover several artifacts for me. They were stolen from a property that I own. I will be seeking several pieces myself, but I fear that constraints on my time will not allow me to gather all of the artifacts. So, I am willing to pay handsomely, one platinum coin per day."

”I’ve an interest, though I have to wonder to the nature of the artifacts. “ Knut speaks up. ”Strictly speaking, the coin you offer is far beyond what would normally be offered for such a job. That begs the question as to why, and the intended purpose of the articles you wished recovered. “ Knut knew he may have over stepped a bit, but something bugged him about the job. He wasn’t sure what it was at the moment, but he knew enough not to rush a deal when your just started negotiating.

In reply to Una Emberkettle (msg # 65):

"Delightful! May I try some? I haven't found the locals here like much spice..." Doven engages Una in light conversation, but appears to be listening to snippets of conversation from the others as well.

Tarek watched with interest. He listened to the others and the other conversation when he he stepped forward. "Milady, I have been tasked by the Order of the Watch to seek out those in need and to assist whenever I am able. I too would like to understand the nature of what is needed. If this furthers the cause of good, then I would be interested."

Tarek waited for the reply from Morgana but he overheard Jaylan and he hesitated torn between Morgan's quest and the missing child. In his heart, he new the child was far more important and he respectively approached next to Jaylan and nodded towards Mezah.

"I too do not intend to interrupt but I could not but help to overhear the plight of your child. I am a Paladin for the Order of the Watch and you may have heard I have been tasked to assist those in need. In any case I assist my services, such as they are."

In reply to Doven Tallbarrow (msg # 69):

"Please do!"

The spread is quite spicy but also very sweet

"Where do you hail from Doven? I knew a few Barrows round where I grew up, ne'er a tall one though!"

Doven wastes no time in taking Una up on her offer. His eyebrows raise at the unique combination of flavors, but he seems to enjoy it. "Everywhere and nowhere," he replies in between bites. "Northern Viakandia is my home, more or less. Grew up with a traveling circus, so we've been pretty much everywhere there's a road to be traveled. And where do you hail from? I can't say I've come across this type of cuisine anywhere I've been."