A rainy day. Quite. The public house crying out in creaks, as it claws at the cliff's edge. A large hole in its side allowed a bay-side view. It would be beautiful, were it not for the ominous clouds. The constantly shifting winds would occasionally brush in rain on the tables.
Despite the wood rot and the distance from any safety from town, the bar did quite well. This was impart to the bald, old barkeep. Human-looking, he had n long beard that touched the ground. He named his tavern "The Shield Dragon," and that seamed to keep the trouble makers at bay.
"What'll it be?" The sultry waitress asked, as she strode over to our hero's table.
The tiefling rocks back and forth on his chair lazily.
"I'll take anything with meat in it. I'm starving!"
The waitress set Alec's tankard in front of him with a nod "Stew'll be out short, hun.". She then moved over to another table. Alec recognized Vaan's rocking and peered closer through the poorly lit tavern. Sure enough it was him. She asked Vaan for his order.
A loud booms outside, and soon after something sounds like a giant groaning. "HA! You like that, you hsssfttt?!?!*"
A moment later, a massive thump is heard, and a young catfolk enters, her eyes glinting from the massive fire outside, and her mindblade just dissipating. "Hey, do you have any raw fish?" Eoko always had a tendency to make dramatic-and messy-entrances.
*catfolk swear word
Vaan looks outside and starts to ask, but thinks better of it and just waves Eoko over instead.
"I still can't believe you eat RAW fish." He shudders as he says it. "Catfolk or no, it's just...bleh."
A tiny, colored lizard lands on a stool at the bar, a fey riding between the wings, her small hands flicking a set of reigns. whoa, settle down there, i'll see if they have some crickets for you.
Karinah grabs a pack that was secured behind her saddle and slides it across her shoulders before hopping off the winged lizard and adroitly jumping up to the bar. Barkeep! Her shout is lost in the clamor of the bar, Every freaking time...
Sighing in exasperation she utters a few words, casting prestidigitation. Above her a glowing arrow points down, hovering a foot over her head. No not her foot, more like a humans foot. The arrow is colored in bands of the rainbow that swirl down, drawing attention to the diminutive lady.
Service! Can i get a salad, crickets on top, or any other meat you have, and hold the cheese, it gives Bessy gas like you wouldn't believe!
With food on the way, she pulls a tiny rod from her pocket and starts shaking it. With each shake it gets longer, soon it reaches half way across the top of the bar and it flexes with each flick of her wrist. Glancing to the side, she spies Alec's mug of ale. With a sly grin she gives the rod a few complicated flicks and soon the end is in the mug of ale. Gripping her end with both hands, she brings the tube to her mouth and sucks in. And sucks, until she gets the ale flowing.
Ahhh
Eoko shrugs at Vaan's comment. "It's considered a delicacy in some cultures, actually. And, yeah, I've been keeping busy. It's Thursday, dufus: giant attack day." Eoko shakes her head. "I still can't believe how many attacks, raids, sieges, strikes, assaults, offensives, onslaughts, etc. this town gets from monsters. And even more strange is the fact that there is ALWAYS a couple of adventurers to save this place. I've heard that no less than six quests to save the world have originated here."
Sitting down at the table, Eoko stretches out. "So, what have you been up to, Alec, Vaan?"
"Glad we ain't near town on giant attack day!" Missy the barmaid exclaimed, as she brought over the orders.
The front door swings wide open in a clatter. Eoko's fire had been put out by the heavily pouring rain. More rain blows in with the strong breeze that slammed the door open.
A commonly dressed halfling, except for an exquisite hat, comes running through the door. "HELP, HELP! He's after me!"
Vaan stands up and draws his bow.
Eoko sighs. "Hmmm, let me guess, a couple orcs went ahead and attacked you on the trail, only surviving member of your caravan, yada yada yada. Not helping you today. I need a cat nap."
Wiping her mouth with the back of her hand she grinned at Alec, Thanks!. A deft flick of her wrist and the straw shrunk back to a small rod that was quickly slipped into a pocket.
The gust of wind nearly knocks her over, though there was thankfully a full mug of ale for her to grab onto. Dammit! Shut the freakin' door!
Oi! Eoko, you know you're just itchin' to find something to rub up against. Karinah watches intently, leaning against the mug of ale, one arm cocked on the rim her chin resting in her palm as she watches the halfling.
Eoko gives a slightly fanged smile. "Ya know me too well, Karinah... Though I know Vaan to be a good judge of character, and judging by the way he's pointing an arrow at the little squirt, I'd say he's not to be trusted." She draws a sword hilt and points it at the halfling. "What's your game?" A gleaming, blue blade of energy emerges from it.
With the door laid open, one sees the approach. A huge, fat leg with tattered cloth over the loins is all that is visible. The one leg is placed into the door and the chest of the large humanoid is pressed up against the door's frame. With a moment of hesitation...BASH! A cyclopes heads his way through the wooden frame. Bending down to fit in the pub, he yells "Where are you!?"
The halfling runs and jumps, with exquisite finesse, behind the bar to hide.
With a stage whisper to Eoko, Giant attack day, in town? right...
Karinah laughs It speaks common! I'm impressed.
Vaan grins wickedly and lowers his bow.
"You must be looking for the halfling then I assume?" He begins approaching the cyclops at a relaxed pace. "I'm afraid you just missed him. He ran out the back just a few moments ago.
"If you hurry you can still catch him."
Disappointment obviously displayed upon his eyebrow. "Awwwwwwww...Blarg Bloorp Flabbergasss" The crunched up, yet massive cyclops exclaimed in Giant's tongue. Then a look of 'my brain hurts' comes across his face,"mmmrawww, Where did he go!? There is cliff.". The massive hand of this powerful creature comes crashing down onto a table. Not spoiling any of the hero's food or drink.
Vaan takes a couple steps back unsure of what the cyclops said, but is undeterred. "Relax big guy. Why don't you tell me why you need to catch this halfling and I'll see what I can do to help you." He gives his most winning smile.
Eoko leans over to Kari. "Yeah. Hold on a sec..."
The catfolk fishes out a gold piece from her pouch. Dragons I attack, griffons I let Vaan deal with it.
Eoko flips the coin...
...and sits back and enjoys the show.
The cyclops eye brow shifts, displaying the sadness to match the tone, "mmmHe...took my...hat."
"Well, maybe the halfling dropped it as he came through." Vaan subtly signals to Karinah towards the bar.
"Why don't we look? You check over there-" He points away from the bar. "-And I'll check over here." Vaan starts heading towards the bar where the halfling is hiding, preparing to stop the halfling if he makes a run for it.
The bar patrons are quiet, but no one makes for the door.
The cyclops moves over to look under tables. As he lifts the first one he pauses. "Wait...you say he go out back door. Ahhhhhhh, you lie to Smaougg. Where is he?!" Dropping the table on it's top, he turns to face Vaan.
"He did go out the back door," Vaan continues moving to the bar. "But he bumped into several people on his way through. If you're lucky he may have dropped it on his way through. He was in quite a hurry." He pauses just long enough to smile at the cyclops and motions back towards the tables. "Look for a little longer and if we can't find it we'll go from there, okay?"
Smaug? You're in the wrong tavern.
He stairs blankly at the Tiefling. "Oh...O.k...." He turns around and keeps looking. Then, he hears the tiniest voice. "Bleh! You say name wrong!" He then lets out a deep guttural 'gggggggg' sound. "Smaougggggggg! Smaug across Ocean of Belegaer! Truancy hurts us all, peck."
With Smaugggggggg sufficiently placated, Vaan rounds the bar to confront the halfling thief.
The wind blows hard. Pouring rain through the gaping hole in the cliff-side of the wall. Dumping water behind the bar and also onto Eoko. Despite her being on the opposite side of the tavern, more towards the door. She get's drenched and Alec stays perfectly dry.
The halfling, undeterred by the rain, hides in grave fear.
Vaan holds back a smirk as he ducks down next to the halfling where Smaugggggggg can't see. He then gestures silently for the halfling to hand over the hat quietly.
Karinah gives Smaugggggggg a close look, any pouches, packs, bags, pockets?
The hunched over, yet towering cyclopes, only has animal hides on it's body. Poorly stitched together, there are no pockets.
The halfling feigns away from Vaan, not wanting to give up the hat.
"Hey Smaugggggggg, come over here a sec. I think I found something." Vaan calls over the bar. He grins at the the halfling as he begins a countdown on one hand keeping the other outstretched for the hat.
The cyclops turn's to face Vaan. "It's Smaougg!" Then he half marches, half crawls towards the bar.
The halfling trembles. Resists. Then relinquishes the had.
Vaan stands up hat in hand. "Sorry about that Smaougggggggg, but on the bright side I may have found your hat." Vaan offers the hat to the lumbering cyclops.
Smaougg perks right up! His eyebrow bursting with joy. He takes the hat form Vaan ever so tenderly. Holding it like a tiny sandwich, he raises the halfling sized, jewel encrusted, cowboy hat and delicately places it on his big bald head. Closing his one eye, he exhales, "Grooon," he says with relief.
Careening through the floorboards, from underneath the ground, at the foot of the entry door, a horse sized insect sprouts out, dripping noxious green ichor from it's clacking mandibles.
Vaan is really and truly shocked and does not know how to react. He stands dumbfounded.
Smaougggggggg, I dearly hope the ankheg is a friend of yours. And if, please ask it to wait outside, I fear those patrons that are currently subdued by your presence are likely to succumb to outright panic.
While Karinah was talking, she had jumped to the stool and mounted her familiar.
Smaougg opens his eye, much more relaxed. He turns to the ankheg and gestures it to leave as he drags his bulking body through the massive hole in the front area.
Many patrons turn back to their tables. Some sigh with relief and two get up and pull out a bucket with many iron nails and a couple of hammers in it and start working on putting the floor back together.
The completely calm, long grey bearded owner thanks Vaan for all that he did. "Food and drink...on me. For the day. Your friends, too."
The halfling stands up. "If it's all the same to you, I'll have that drink now."
The last few buttery, greasy remains of Eoko's popcorn fall to the floor. She sighs and stretches out. "Mrroow. You should be grateful that I flipped griffons this time. Otherwise, the inn would probably be in smoldering ruins right now."
"Would've been fun either way." Vaan says as he returns to his table. "But this way, I get to finish my meal."
A man in robes approaches your guys' table. He's a gaunt elf, very tall, and on a mission.
"You look like a man on a mission. What can we do for you?"