Nymeria raises her eyebrows at Jez and follows Ragnvald to the bar.
Have you got a salad and some wine? she asks politely.
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"Ale for her too." Ragnvald says to the barman not wishing to start a brawl over something as stupid as an insulting drink and food order.
All eyes are on you as you cross the room and the bartender gulps audibly as he begins drawing beer.
Trying to lighten up the atmosphere he babbles
yeah, uh hey, welcome...uh where are you people from, huh?
from somewhere in the back it echoes hell or worse!
I shout to the commentator in the back: Hell? Hell no, none of us follow rules closely enough to follow the infernal ways. But, if you wish to know more about me, feel free to get in touch with my mother in the Worldwound.
Turning back to the barkeep with my prettiest smile: Evening sir. As my Ulfen friend said, we would like a round of good ale, and make it a pitcher for my big friend. Gesturing to Attalas.
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Attalas just sits quietly and awaits his food and drink. "Reckon they are just worried about a Goblin and an Ogre walking into their bar... hey that sounds like the beginnin of a joke!" He sits there smiling away to himself, clearly working out a bunch of imaginary punchlines to some great untold hilarity.
Mobo whispers to Ragnvald, "What is saahl-lad??"
Ragnvald shrugs off the outburst.
"It is where they chop a bunch of vegetables and mix them with vinegar and oil. Only worth joining a meal whenever a slab of an animal's flank is served alongside it. But here I only wish to drink...and perhaps forget."
Um, yeah, right, an ale I guess! Nymeria says, blushing a little.
The bartender was still thinking about how to make a salad and he looks pretty relieved that it is just an ale in the end.
At once m'lday! soon ale, spare ribs, slices of roasts and a very long bread are brought to your table.
And while you still unnerv the other guests, they return to their talks...which are a bit more hushed now.
A man, one of the wandering natives from the looks of him, steps to the bar, right beside the strange fellowship that just entered. He is slightly taller then the average man in this Inn, long, shining black hair flows around his neck from beneath a red and blue bandana, he wears traditional Varisian clothing with streaks of colour wherever it may fit, largely blue, red and orange.
Hints of tattoos can be seen where his sleeves end and one can easily see that he must wear a pendant or amulett of some sort tugged beneath his shirt. He presents a warm, winning smile that echoes in his sparkling green eyes.
Please, allow me to take care of your fare this evening, for the privilege to share your table.
The little blue haired girl with a huge sword slung over her back looks over at you: And why are buying an ogre, a goblin, an Ulfen and a demon dinner? Oh, and an elf.
The blue haired girl pauses for a minute. Must be the elf.
Sense Motive:
The little girl then picks up a piece of rather extra rare, or perhaps just uncooked, piece of meat and takes a bite while watching the newcomer.
You seem like the most interesting company the road may bring forth and I am always eager to hear the stories the road tells And for reasons I will happily explain over dinner, mylady.
I look over at Mobo and giggle: He called me a lady, boy he has something to learn.
Turning back to the new man. Then let us eat dinner, do you have enough for the whole pig? That is usually what the goblin eats, when horses are not available. And I am sure Attalas, the ogre, is hungry as well. Don't worry about the elf, I am pretty sure she subsists on leaves or twigs or roots or something else generally considered inedible by most intelligent races.
The other customers just make dismissive gestures as the loud Varisian introduces himself, they have had enough of the strange band...the first sailors even leave, most probably because the ogre's presence is too much for them to take...
the bartender quickly brings a new round of beer and scurries back behind his bar - for a moment you think he exhaled in relief oncehe is behind the sheltering furniture...
...I am pretty sure she subsists on leaves or twigs or roots or something else generally considered inedible by most intelligent races.
I can and have done that... Nymeria says quietly ...but not by choice. I do like other food though! she says, spearing a couple slices of meat and chewing thoughtfully.
The Ogre looks at the Goblin while it spouts its rhyme, for a moment he calculates his response, then bellows.
"Could this lovely gift be real?
Will he buy us lumps of veal?
Will the elf he slowly feel?
If thats the deal then I say SEAL!"
Attalas bursts into laughter...
Wiping away the tears, Attalas leans over to high five Mobo.
Following her more eloquent companions:
Ah yes, dinner is real fine;
Fortunately, the elf got no wine;
Now cheer and eat food thats good;
For on the morrow we may have but wood.
The crowd is divided while some begin to hum along others just roll their eyes - however, most probably you don't have to worry, avantgarde is never easy to understand for the common people...
Kostinantio smiles at times during the unusual poetry, then settles down to eat and drink with the strangers. After a while, when everybody seems contend with the food and the beverages, he almost casually asks the company around him:
Magnimar always was a city kind to seeming misfits - and don't take that as an insult, please, I have, at times been called worse myself, but I admit I have never seen a company quite like you. May I ask what brings you to this city? - And by the way, I must apologize for my rude manners. My name is Kostinantio, or Kosti for short.
Jez offers her hand: Jezbazeel, Jez for short. Nice to meet you Kosti. What brings you to Magnimar. We are here having just returned from putting down some opposition to tax collectors in the hinterlands.
Oh, and let me introduce my companions. The little guy - pointing at Attalas - is Attalas, an ogre with the heart of a kitten. My greenish friend here is Mobo, he is responsible for most of the party's poetry. Next, the elf is Nymeria, she attempts to be the party conscience, not that it helps much. And last, but not least, the one still covered in blood from our last outing is Ragnvald, Ulfen warrior. And, as I said, I am Jez - the little girl with a big sword.
The hinterlands are a rough place, but I never thought of Magnimar as making such a bloody business out of collecting a few coins. That sounds like you have left the lively part out of that story - as you don't seem like a band of tax collectores, either.
And me? I was born in this city and even the people of the road crave to see their place of birth once in a while, especially if they have been travelling alone for a while.
"I just needed a job" Attalas offers reassuringly. "Even an Ogre has to eat, right?"
I studied magic here in Magnimar, but now I am...well, I suppose Jez has it right, I try to keep them from killing everyone! Nymeria says, half joking and half exasperated.
Reassured that the putting down of tax opposition was just a job, Kosti smiles again, leaning over the table a bit and continues to speak in a low voice.
Perhaps I could interest you in, let's say another job worthy of your attention
Kosti uses the following minutes to explain in detail why he has come to Magnimar:
He's a member of the Band of the Red Raven, one of the most infamous thieves and brigands in all of Galt.
Recently the Red Raven's beloved fiance was kidnapped and brought to a secret place, a place the Raven himself dares not to enter.
So he has come up with the idea to send members of his band out in the world to find the best adventurers there are and bring them to Azurestone in galt where the Raven's base is.
"So you are telling me 'lets go on a secret mission' then?" Attalas asks, but there is a strange expression growing on his face...
Kosti tries very hard to make sense of that expression, since leaning forward brought him well into the reach of the Ogre...
I don't know details myself, I think the Raven feared if one of the men he sent out was captured, the kidnapper might learn he was already on to him. As for secrecy, yes, it should be kept secret for whom you might work and in what matter, apart from that, he told us to look for capable and willing adventurers - and you look quite capable, measured from what I see.
"Hmmm 'Secret mission they said, wait here they said'... Hmmm" Attalas looks at his companions a bit uncomfortably, and then a bit accusingly at Mobo.
Obviously, the mission would not be secret to you. It is just that the Raven must tell you the details himself
And how are you planning on getting us to Galt? All things considered that is practically on the opposite side of the world from us. Also, what is the pay? It is not free to feed an ogre. And the goblin eats even more.
As she says this, Jez looks suspiciously at the meat she is eating, apparently rare is a little more cooked than she likes.
The red Raven, always a man of great means and ideas...has given you something he called portal stone, a one shot device that will transport you in the vicinity of Azurestone
More adventures! Oh, what would my mother think! It does sound fun though... Tell us more about the circumstances of the kidnapping, and where the poor woman is being held if you please, Mr. Kosti.
Oh yes, he'd pay every daring adventurer 200gp
As I told you, the Raven has not told us the details, fearing the kidnappers could learn to soon they might not be as safe as they hope, I guess.
But he did provide each of his messengers with a magical gadget, a portal stone that could take us close to Azurstone in the blink of an eye, so if you are interested, you would not have to wait long to ask him for details yourself.
As for the pay, he offers each adventurer two hundred sails and I doubt he would mind you looting the kidnappers coffers in the course of action.
"Ah, so you think a group of monsters and maniacs will accomplish this goal without the accidental death of your employer beloved fiance? I think you should consider finding a paladin they seem all too happy to throw themselves on to swords for the sake of a woman." Downing his ale. He slams the mug on the counter. "But if you insist I've no qualms of seeking out more foes to taste my blade. Excuse me."
With that Ragnvald, feeling the urge sings a song about glory in battle though not one of any ancient battlefield or special holiday. Rather he sang a song that felt more like a metaphor for life itself fighting the stresses of day to day life and struggling for the right to choose ones own destiny.
Perform sing.
The wee blue haired girl looks down at Mobo.
That would be funny trying to cage us. The funny looking bard -Jez nods toward Ragnvald and his rather morbid song - is stronger than most men. I can beat him arm wrestling most days. And your wee ogre buddy is twice as strong as me.
"I've never eaten a feeancee, are they a red or white meat?" Attalas enquires. "I will go, as long as not bu****it secret mission like last one, never came back they didn't, left me alone"
Jez suddenly bursts out laughing spitting her food and some alcohol across the table and onto Nymeria and Kosti who were unfortunately sitting there.
Attalas, you are funny. Yes, most fiancees would probably taste quite good, since they are usually young ladies. However, since I am guessing that their future husbands, and families might not like the girls getting eaten, I really don't think you should be eating any if you don't want to be chased out of town with burning torches and pitchforks though.
Kosti is obviously not concerned about a few sputters of food and ale smudging his appearance. He just wipes of what hit his face and starts laughing himself.
I really think the Raven would prefer you not to try to eat his fiancee. But don't worry, big warrior. If you manage to get her back to Azurstone I am sure there will be a feast. And once you have finished that feast I will buy you a piglet for dessert!
Yeh - magic voyage it is. We do not have enough money to feed Mobo and Attalas on a journey that long.
Yeh - magic voyage it is. We do not have enough money to feed Mobo and Attalas on a journey that long.
Kosti leads you out of the tavern and once you have found a lonely backyard he takes a blue pulsing stone out of his bag.
A light breeze washes over your face the next moment and you feel a bit awkward, but then the magic has worked and you find yourself on the edge of an autumnal birch wood - a stark contrast to the noisy city of Magnimar, some bird calls and low voices from a small settlement about 500m away are the only things you hear.
Azurestone, the hamlet that lies before you, looks picturesque. Obviously the villagers are preparing for some kind of festival and are industriously ornating their houses and walls with colourful ribbons.
From behind you, you hear the sound of pigs and through the undergrowth some speckled, but pretty large of these animals poke their heads curiously.
Azurestone is preparing for the Harvest Festival, which marks the end of summer.