|
Post by Aspyria Overlord on Jul 15, 2014 23:16:50 GMT -5
Heroes. That is what the group had been labelled by the inhabitants of Barrickton, ever since their unlikely union had stopped a assault on the town by rowdy bandit's seeking to exploit the northern town's seclusion from the rest of Istrival. And when they had returned with the leader of the bandit's, a former guard captain from the capitol of Patrohearth, they'd become even more lauded and praised.
Already, children would scamper through the streets, taking their roles and re-enacting the stories springing up about the group. Merchants would wave happily, no longer afraid to hawk their wares for fear of having their livelihood taken out from under them. The town's clergy, while small, would call upon Lord Erastil to bless them with a bountiful hunt whenever they passed, and each would receive thankful nods from the guards.
It mattered little if the town was small, and few in it's neighbors knew or cared of their work. The town was grateful to the heroes; they were it's champions, and they would not forget it.
Of course, that wasnt to say they had the run of the place. At the tavern, they were being served with a evening meal, and a piece of parchment with their payment owed for room and board. It had a generous discount, certainly, but in the aftermath of the bandit's terrorism there were bills the innkeeper had to pay.
NPC's Available for Interaction:
Barkeep Higgins (Husband of Hilda) Barwench Hilda (Wife of Higgins) Off duty guard Merchant Loggers
((Posting begins: Feel free to interact with one another as you wish, and if anyone wants to do anything involving rolls with NPC's, just make a note of it in your post))
|
|
|
Post by Thaludaerev on Jul 15, 2014 23:33:10 GMT -5
Thalu was not like most patrons the Huntsman's Hearth would be used to receiving. As soon as it was found out that he was more scaly than covered in fur, and was decently received as such, Thaludaerev outright refused to take his animal form, something the rest of the party would have grown used to by now. Their puppy-like dragon friend greatly preferred his true form, even if he had to squeeze through doorways and fold his wings back to get in and out of buildings.
He sat comfortably at the head of the table, wings folded tightly against his spiny back and tail curled around his body, so to take up as little room as possible. He stooped slightly to avoid touching the ceiling with his head and horns, and so he might be able to snag any scraps his fellow party members would be willing to share with him.
He idly licked his chops as he glanced around, just happy to be there and not be forced to sit outside for the dozenth time. "It smells great," he announced loudly, having finished three bowls of stew to feed his massive, almost never-ending appetite, and referring to the meal as if he hadn't had a single bite yet. Simple as he may be, he knew how to beg without begging.
|
|
|
Post by Tiaera Theralon on Jul 16, 2014 0:08:08 GMT -5
Tiaera laughed lyrically as she danced around with the many children. Silk skirts twirled and swayed with each careful step, bells and coined trims twinkling with every moment as she joined in with their games. She felt proud of what they had accomplished, but remained grounded in ensuring that the children were not ignored by her.
After time had past, she waved and bowed before them in a flourish before trailing off towards the tavern, and where her comrades..no. her friends would likely be gathering for supper.
Strolling up to the table where her favorite dragon sat, well started with his hunger, she sat as close as she could manage with still allowing him some room to be comfortable. Her meal consisted similar to Thalu's, but in another form, as a plate was set in front of her with berries, a few slivers of chicken, and whatever vegetables the cook had procured for that evening. Daintily she plucked a berry from her plate, and placed it in her mouth before picking up her cup of wine and speaking. "How has your day been?"
|
|
|
Post by Sarah Summerset on Jul 16, 2014 0:44:36 GMT -5
A hero. That was certainly what she'd set out to be when she decided to be an adventurer, and here in the small town of Barrickton that had become reality. Needless to say, the attention went straight to the young halfling's head. She had been right in the middle of the children, spreading the tale of how they had defeated the bandits and helping them all act it out as it "really" happened, no doubt why the games had quickly taken a turn for the fantastic.
Of course a hero's work was never done, and she couldn't stay with the children too long. Every good adventurer had to rest up at the tavern after a job well done. That was where more heroing and adventuring could be found afterall! She didn't make her way straight to the table with the others however, instead she dragged a stool over to a collection of local loggers and began regaling them with the story of their heroic conquest over the bandit menace.
"...Of course Thalu didn't pause for a second at the twenty of their ugly mugs. Dragons aren't afraid of any bandit and Thalu is the bravest of them all! He charged right into the middle of them, fire roaring forth to engulf a full half of them before he smacked right into them! They were in for a surprise then as I leapt out from behind Thalu's wings and dove at them with my spear!" Energetic pantomiming accompanied the tale, perhaps too energetic as she almost fell from her stool more than once as she performed not just her own heroic deeds, but those of the others in the party. For such a small thing, she certainly told a tall tale.
|
|
|
Post by Saria Ghostweaver on Jul 16, 2014 2:34:30 GMT -5
A choice cut of lamb hung from the point of Saria's knife as she held it out toward the hungering dragon. "I bet if you ask nicely, they might fix up another lamb or four for you if you're that hungry." She offered Thalu a grin that stretched the scar running under her left eye. Her own bowl of stew sat on the table, only half-eaten along with a crusty heel of bread dipped into the fixings. Ignoring the bowl for the moment, she brushed the green bangs away from her eyes while her silvery gaze glanced over the common room.
Tiaera's comment gets a passing glance from the short inquisitor before Saria watched the halfling regale the crowd. "Uneventful, thankfully. I think we've earned a good deal of relaxation now that things are taken care of." Her hand twisted the knife in the air slightly, waiting for Thalu to seize the lamb. "You consider you and Sarah going into acting together? You'd keep the audience begging for your dancing, she'd talk their ears off. Not a bad way of living long as the crowd's kept happy."
Saria's free hand grabbed for her mug, quickly looking down into the cider's depths. "I'll say this. For a little thing, she's got quite the mountain of imagination."
|
|
|
Post by Ivo Lak on Jul 16, 2014 11:45:00 GMT -5
Fear is a powerful thing. Ivo had to learn very early on to make people fear him. It's how things got done and how he got paid. Fear got him work and fear kept him alive.
But glory and adoration? Those were heavy drugs and a lot more fun than fear.
Ivo strode through the town like he owned the place. A broad smile across his thin and handsome face. His long silvery hair blew in the breeze and his piercing blue eyes caught the looks from so many of the women in the town, married or not. His mithral shirt was well polished and glittered in the sunlight. He shamelessly soaked up the attention like a sponge. There were already quite a few scandalous whispers about town about who he may or may not have bedded but if they were true nobody came forward to say and Ivo certainly wasn't one to kiss and tell.
Today started like many other recent days after he and his party had halted the bandit attack. After a small breakfast he wandered about town and greeted those who passed by. He ran into one of the off duty guards and they talked a bit about combat technique and gave each other a few pointers. Whenever Ivo would let him talk that is.
After an enjoyable day of smiles and handshakes and several kisses on the cheek he found his way to the tavern. He opened the door quickly and shouted boisterously "A round of drinks on me!"
|
|
|
Post by Thaludaerev on Jul 16, 2014 13:38:40 GMT -5
Thalu thumped his heavy, scaled tail twice at Saria's offered food, leaning in to bite it off and swallow it whole in the same gesture. As he swallowed, his attention was brought back to his best friend in the whole wide world, his tail thumping again and again as he listened to her boisterous storytelling. "Sarah tells the best stories," he agreed, his attention returning to Tiaera and his wide, dopey dragon smile not fading an inch, full of as much mirth as he had teeth.
"I'm good! How're you? You look happy and . . . and . . . shiny," he decided, nodding to himself as if that was the best word to refer to her radiant glow from all her laughing and dancing. After all, he liked being called shiny.
His mirth faded only slightly as Ivo burst into the tavern, the surprise jolting the dragon, then filling him with smiles again. "Ivo! Ivo, we're over here, sit with us, Ivo!" he shouted, like this wasn't a small tavern or he wasn't an eight foot tall, sixteen foot long dragon covered in spines and reflective golden scales.
|
|
|
Post by Aspyria Overlord on Jul 16, 2014 15:33:23 GMT -5
The loggers whom Sarah sat with listened to her tales with tired smiles. They had heard this story before, as had many other occupants of the tavern, but they still humored the energetic little one. All of them, that is, save for one of their number at the far end of the table, a human woman whose attention was focused firmly on the table, puffy red eyes somewhat hidden between lank, messy hair.
Hearing the call for drinks, many of the patrons cheered loudly, doing their best to feed Ivo's ego as much as he fed them drinks. Hilda set to work, the wench quickly moving about to pass out ale and rich juices to those who preferred it, while Higgin's brought over the round for the Heroe's himself. Setting the tray down on the table, he set out the mugs, including a small pot that was used for gravy normally for Thalu, before lifting a piece of parchment and offering it to Tiaera. A list of goods and services provided marked it, with a hefty total at the bottom, even after the aggregate numbers had been cut in half.
"As much as we enjoy havin' you all here, afraid we can't afford to keep offering you the discount." he explained, nodding towards the total beneath. "You've been great for business, certainly, but your friend here eats quite a bit of my stock each day. This isn't exactly the best land for raising sheep either."
|
|
|
Post by Sarah Summerset on Jul 16, 2014 15:56:45 GMT -5
"So then of course, with all the bandits burned and beaten it's time for their leader to come out, right? So of course he comes lumbering out with his big sword bared and he booms out. 'None of you will leave here alive!'" Despite trying her best to make a booming voice, it wasn't so easy when you weren't even three feet tall and your voice erred more on the side of squeaking.
"Well we weren't having that of course! Tiaera tries to get him to come along peacefully, pointing out how all his lackies are on the defeated and he's all alone and he just laughs at her! Well no one laughs at a friend of Sarah Summerset let me tell you. So I throw my spear right at him! He wasn't expectin' that no sir, and he was expecting Ivo's charge even less! Bam!" She jumps off the stool, the furniture clattering onto its side as she does, "And just like that we got him rounded up and the bandit menace is gone!"
Grinning ear to ear as she adjusts the hat that had fallen over her eyes, she caught sight of the one lady that didn't seem to be enjoying the tale. Quietly picking up the stool she'd been using as a stand, she waddled over to the woman and scampered up to sit beside her. "What's wrong?"
|
|
|
Post by Tiaera Theralon on Jul 16, 2014 19:46:45 GMT -5
Tiaera unrolled the parchment, which ended up being significantly longed than anticipated. She did well to hide her initial reaction as she took each line into quiet consideration. She could, of course, talk it down but they had been so kind in offering them a discount as is, she figured there was better things to consider. "Thank you for your kindness, sir. Would you indulge us with a moment to chat over dispersing your payment among ourselves?" She smiled warmly to the gentleman as she rolled the parchment up politely.
She would wait for the man to leave before taking another sip of wine and sliding her own supplied mug of ale towards Thalu, knowing the dragon would appreciate it. "I think we should ask for a few days of grace, as this was considerably short notice. Regardless, I will take the time to go over this and spread it out for everyone. I know that my own food and drink has a higher cost, and Thalu's exceeds in quantity. I see it as only fair. Unless we all wish to spread it out evenly." She tucked the scroll away, knowing better than to go over finances in the open, it was rude.
As she waited for the others to contribute, she continued to eat with leisure. Her eyes did eventually trail towards Sarah and the woman she was interacting with. Tiaera's brows furrowed in concern towards the woman, but she averted her eyes quickly as it was rude to stare.
|
|
|
Post by Saria Ghostweaver on Jul 16, 2014 21:06:15 GMT -5
"The best stories, yeah," Saria agreed, sliding her knife back once the lamb was gone and truly devoured. "She keeps those up, the village will be stooping down to eat out of her hand every night going on." She lifted her mug with a nod to the captivating halfling before drinking deep, her attention turned to Ivo's grand entrance. The antics got a rueful shake of her head as the innkeeper approached, the inquisitor leaning over to peer at the rather extensive parchment.
The woman lifted her left hand into the air, the silver and blue tattoo gleaming in the inn's light as she beckoned Ivo over, though the dragon's more boisterous attempt would probably be better. "You could try convincing them that a day or two would probably be better, though more than that might be stretching things. Some of us have considerable appetites, as he said." She reached down for her knife, spearing another cut of the lamb to offer Thalu. "I'm fine with however we split. I can cover myself and another if someone's suddenly lacking for some reason... though I draw the line about drinks for the house."
|
|
|
Post by Ivo Lak on Jul 17, 2014 0:17:47 GMT -5
Ivo took a few moments to take in the cheers of the tavern before he accepted the gestures of his friends to join them. His grin was still broad as he laid his hand on the back of Thalu's neck. "How's it, buddy?" He gestured briefly and spoke an arcane word. A tingle washed down Thalu as the spell cleaned all the dirt and a few bugs from between his scales. He then gave Saria a wink before looking over to the rest of the group. He plopped down onto a chair next to Thalu, put his feet up on the table and took a long drink of his ale.
A few less than enthused looks from the party wasn't enough to bring him down. After one more long drink he leaned back forward and hopped to his feet. He took a deep breath and started singing a few words to a rather bawdy but popular drinking song in the hopes that the rest of the patrons would soon join in.
|
|
|
Post by Thaludaerev on Jul 17, 2014 0:34:36 GMT -5
Thalu regarded the bill curiously, his wings instinctively folding further against the two saddlebags he wore at all times, protecting his hoard like any good dragon should. He was immediately distracted then by Saria's second offered lamb, and it was gone quicker than anyone could blink. To top it all off, there was now a large bowl in front of him filled with delicious smelling food. By the Gods, this was one happy dragon.
Slurping up the bowl of tasty goodness, he shuddered slightly as his scales were cleaned, giving him an even shiner sort of glow, making him out to be the proud gold dragon his father always wanted, but never received. "Wait, why is Tia using her sweet talking voice?" he asked Saria, louder than he meant to and with his mouth full of sharp teeth dripping with juices, gravy, and little bits of food. "Did we do something wrong? Are we in trouble?" He started to slump down, eyes darting around worriedly, rather than suspiciously. He liked these people, but from how things had gone in the past, it was likely they were trying to talk themselves out of an unfortunate situation. Again.
He never quite caught onto the fact that half the reason the bills were always so high was because he never stopped eating. To be fair, it wasn't like the party didn't stop encouraging him, often spoiling their favourite gold dragon.
Skill Check Stealth to speak quietly. 8 (nat.) + -4 (skill) = 4.
|
|
|
Post by Aspyria Overlord on Jul 17, 2014 2:44:31 GMT -5
Higgin's moved away as Tiaera accepted the bill, focusing on spreading the drinks out with his wife now. Thalu's less than subtle comment got them both glancing back to the table, but there was still trust as they smirked at the party and shook their head. Meanwhile, Ivo's singing had been joined in by several enthusiastic patrons, all a bit off key but hitting the words of the song well.
Opposite the group, the woman glanced briefly at Sarah before looking back down. The man sitting beside her reached over to pat the halfling on the shoulder, shaking his head. "Don' bother her, lass. She just lost her husband a couple days back."
|
|
|
Post by Tiaera Theralon on Jul 17, 2014 9:06:20 GMT -5
Tiaera decided to leave the bill for now, standing up to join Ivo in song. After all, what sort of bard would she be if she didn't?
Her words carried perfectly, though she did her best not to discourage others, but her voice always had a hard time remaining hidden, as it naturally maintained a pristine pitch and pleasant tone.
In this moment, it was as if they weren't being kicked out with no where to stay. She was still not used to sleeping on a hard ground, though her tent and bedroom did help, she heavily considered investing in a cot, though it would be a miracle if it fit in her haversack. None the less, the tavern's joyful singing did help serve as a buffer before negotiating with Higgins.
--------------------------------------------
Skill Check: Perform Song
19 (nat.) + 12 (skill) = 31.
|
|