Why thank you very much, I have been skimping on my meals lately. Andrea nods to Shadow. A new friend who I hope we have a good long relationship with.
Andrea invites Shadow to sit with them as they are served.
Andrea the hot spiced cider has a wonderful syrupy molasses taste of fine rum, with hints of cinnamon, nutmeg and clove. The warm drink has just the right amount of bite at the end, enough to leave you wanting more.
Another patron says, "Best damn cider in the city, Jannette Lee and Han been mixing the recipe for years." The two shopkeepers wave off the compliment, "They're too modest." The man continues.
This is followed by a chorus of additional compliments.
Andrea waves to the shopkeepers. An excellent cider! One more mug with my stew, I hope more inns and taverns serve your brew.
Over the next thirty minutes or so, the tavern people laugh and giggle at all sorts of fun stories and impressions that they share. Some recounting interesting parts of their day, while others retell stories that have obviously been told forty times before in the tavern.
A pleasant enough man, comes in to much fanfare, it's Harvey Penwick the man that Duncan, Orsin and Faelyn rescued from the alley. He does a double take at Duncan, "Ohhh my, thank you...thank you...thank you," he repeats out loud, "Everyone ...ssssssssssssshhhhhhhhhh, this is the dwarf I was telling you about...the one that saved my life from the thugs!" To that stomping and clanking begins in a ruckus.
"Welcome, welcome my friends." he eagerly fist pumps Andrea's, then shadows hands.
While Shadow does not refuse the food or ale offered, she does seem to want to 'fade' into the surrounding crowd more than stand out with Andrea and Duncan. Though, since that is obviously not going to happen she settles in close to Andrea instead.
Her eyes ever watchful and ears ever attentive.
There is a door at the end of the galley styled tavern, there is a two other small doors in the establishment, you gather one is kitchen the other a privy.
The patrons are all sort of gathered around telling stories and listening to the banter. Nobody appears to be against a wall.
Duncan waves off the man's thanks.
Bah, Be anybody's duty t'help those in a spot if e's the arms t'swing a weapon and a head fer what's right. Most o them High folk ain't got a care fer the common man. Cept one or two o the houses remember what honor is. Glad ta help ye
Harvey smiles broadly, "Least I can do is buy everyone in the house a hot cider." That proclamation brings about another roar of good cheer and thanks.
The overall, sense in this quaint bar is optimism and friendship. this continues as the entire time, there will be a few new people to join the merriment as they get off work. Seems like nobody wants to leave. Two thing that jumps out are there are no games of chance being played and there is no prostitution.
Orsin, Lucrezia, Faelyn and Ailyn are still at the black market engaged in conversation with a merchant and Rance Lucca. Rance asks, "Can I tempt everyone with a ale or wine, there is a nice vendor that caters to some exotic tastes but slightly, non-taxed alcohol over there." He points towards a small seating area.
Lucrezia shrugs. "I suppose a drink sounds like a decent idea. The market is rather hot and dusty."
Nods in agreement with Lucrezia. Wonder what he is up to, he is interested in us...why and what can he offer? Ailyn remains expressionless.
Andrea eventually is filled up with good stew, cider and good cheer. Lingering on to enjoy the fellowship of the bar.
I think we found our new place to hang-out. Andrea muses as she says a few farewells to the others. Thank you. I will be sure to bring my friends over here soon. Hopefully Duncan has mellowed out a little as well as they head back into Westcrown to towards the Safehouse.
John will stay at his mentors to rest, unless someone comes to get him. The next day John will go to the safe house.
Duncan had indeed relaxed a little. A Dwarf can resist good cheer and ale for only so long. The happiness of these good/honest folk was a balm to him.
Least there are SOME decent folk about. Been hanging in the wrong circles lately.
A little before dusk the customers begin to get up, pay tabs and leave to head home. Everyone making sure to say good bye.
Hans would mention, "We've a couple small clean rooms, fer when people can't make it'ome"
We will certainly remember that and I will be sure to try them out in the future. We have some friends who would no doubt love to try your cider.
I think this place would be perfect to give Fiosa her ring.
Andrea decides to take a another chance/be all chaotic and mentain to Hans. There is nothing concrete, just an idea right now, but I have been discussing with Duncan about organizing a citizen's group that would help people home after dark. We would need to clear this with the Dottari but we know honest people there, and the people who visit your inn are honest people as well and are just the sorts we are looking for.
Hans has a fearful look on his face, "B..b...bu..but h...ho...how, with da shadowbeast lurkin'" Obviously he is concerned about people dying and the mechanism of getting home without being attacked.
Andrea places a calming hand on his arm.
As I said there is nothing certain yet. I can cast a spell that creates a torch that sheds bright light potentially forever, if two people each carry a torch there should be enough light to make the area bright like the torches used on the main streets. I would never ask people to do anything like fighting the shadowbeasts of course and would try this out myself first before I would ask anyone to risk themselves. It is just something that might be done to help people feel proud about Westcrown again
John your mentor drops by your room he is wearing a chain shirt, bastard sword, a spiked whip hangs from one side and short sword on his other hip, "Walk with me to my horse, I've some important business out of the city for week, or so, but feel free to stay and rest."He pauses as he gets to stable, "Should anything happen to me, which I do not count on, I've left instructions with Gerald the Money Monger." You see he has three horses, Two heavy warhorses and one light riding horse laden with his armor and assorted gear.
The man noticeably relaxes a bit nodding, "Well ok."
The man noticeably relaxes a bit nodding, "Well ok."
I will get back to you once I get the torches made and see if it works. Thank you for listening. Andrea then leaves with Duncan and Shadow to the safehouse.
Rance sits down with the others and the server brings a round of refreshing golden mead.
"Perhaps we can both help each other out. I am a proprietor of many things, information and sport primarily. Perhaps, I can help you with some of the former and you help me out with the later. I've been around for many years, and my ears are tuned in to many avenues of truthful gossip. For instance, your not just the survivors of the six-fold trials, but you also destroyed the Bastards of Erebus, and the GoblinKing, and couple other mucky deeds over the last year."He has a small smile on his face, "Well some of you did all those things at least." He strokes his beard. "You've created a genuine buzz about town." He is quick not to reveal too much or push to far. "Don't worry, your deeds are safe with me."
He takes a long drink of his mead, "I am happy to trade you information for one small deed that involves my other interest, sport." He holds his palms up in a non-threatening fashion,"Is this something that may have your interest?"
"You do indeed have my attention, but we will need to hear some details your 'small deed'."
Lucrezia continues to sip slowly at her mead while she sits down and waits for Rance to elaborate.
"Of course I can tell you about my small deed. I own and run a fine gambling establishment in the northern district here, known as the Devildrome. It's on the northern edge near the wall, we operate several days per week during from noon to 5:00 because of the curfews." He drinks from his tankard, "The games that I specialize in are conjurations between two spellcasters, they compete using summoning spells to defeat their opponents summoned creatures." He gets enthusiastic as he speaks, "but unfortnuately, I've hit a bit of bad betting." He has a pained look on his face. "See Devildrome's current champion gladiator, master conjurer Mantrihor Thrax, keeps winning and that is bad for business. His victories are hurting the betting odds and I need a spellcaster who can defeat his creatures."
Lucrezia looks over to Faelyn and Orsin since magic isn't her thing...
"It's not like real gladiators doing battle, it's more of summoned creature spell duel. The summoner and their entourage stands in one of the protective starting cages at opposite ends of the arena."
Faelyn leans back in his chair, pulls out his weed and papers, and then begins rolling a cigarette. As he licks the paper and finishes rolling, he looks up at the newcomer. I am in. I need details. How many creatures? How does it work?
Sarah, another round please." he waves his arm towards the serving girl, "First of all, rule one is no attacking the other spellcaster, this is a civilized sport. The summoned creature fight to with all the gore they can muster but the conjurers are off limits." He pulls out a cigar and lights it.
Faelyn puts his rolled cigarette in his mouth and leans over to allow his new friend to light it.
"As I said, the casters stand in opposing protective cages, with their associates if they choose. Then when the match begins you summon one type of creature within the arena and they attack the opposing summoned creature type until death. One type of creature is summoned. If one caster’s summoning spell runs out before a kill occurs, that round is considered a draw." he draws on his cigar then continues, 'The remaining monster or monsters must be dismissed, and then both casters re-cast their summoning spells to summon the same type of monsters they’d summoned in the previous round and the fight starts anew. If one caster is unable to continue a bout of draws with additional summonings, the opponent wins." Stopping to wet his palate as the second round arrives, "Casters may employ delay tactics to try to exhaust their opponent’s spells, but if their efforts fail to entertain the crowd, the audience is sure to let you know."
He stops, "Any questions?"
His hands eagerly light the cigarette.
He blows out a smoke round, "Now." ther is pause, "there are no rules about casting additional spells to further enhance or protect a summoned monster, nor are wands, scrolls and magic items prohibited." A sly smile crosses his face, "Thrax is good but he is due for defeat."
"Are there any rules regarding pre-contest contact with the rival summoners and their entourages?"
He shakes his head, "There are no rules about pre-contest contact but injuring, or weakening, an opponent is prohibited. Again, this is civilized."
And what kind of information do you have that would help us?
He grins, "The question should be what information are you looking for? I'm a wealth of knowledge." He puffs on his cigar.
Can I cast more than one creature or is it one creature only?
Lucrezia looks over to the others. "Should we wait and consult with the others before we decide what information to ask for?"
Faelyn responds to Lucrezia Yes. He won't provide the information until after the contest anyway. He turns to Rance Isn't that right?
"It is one summoning spell per round but those spells can bring forth more than one creature.
"If we have an agreement give me two days to publicize it, you should be heavy underdogs. I make the book, and having seen some of you fight, admitted you were not one of the actors," he glares at Faelyn, "I will want to bet with you to win. I assume you are the spell caster." He says pointedly at Faelyn. "Besides it the Hellcaller's cup, and I will work it, so you have the final show-down against Thrax. He is the defending champion, so he doesn't have to fight to get in but don't worry, he'll be your only match too."
"Are we allowed to bet on ourselves in the fight as well?"
"You can wait and ask your information after, figure out what you really want to know. I've been around a long time, my family longer, and I've got eyes and ears in many locations. People sometimes pay their debt with information." He looks at each person, "I provide complete information, as I know it, and some follow-up is always permitted. Perhaps there a topic of interest, or history, a person or family he throws out suggestions." He puffs some more then finishes his second mead. "Do we have an agreement?
"Are we allowed to bet on ourselves in the fight as well?"
"Of course, I would be concerned if you bet the other way." He sounds a bit aristocratic but he does have a pirate scoundrel look and demeanor about him.
Aye. We have a deal. Do you want to provide information on his tactics and summoned creatures to give us the edge?
He shakes his head there, "he changes his tactics and the creatures he summons, but they are strengthened. That about all that I can provide for your edge."
Shadow sits demurely, quietly. Partaking a little of the food and drink offered. Her eyes constantly scan the room.
Andrea will talk with Duncan and Shadow as they head back to the safehouse. How soon would you want to go to the Dottari to speak with those prisoners? They no doubt can get us pointed in the right direction of those who hired them or if their sergants/captains are still in the city. we can then get a little payback for Sunny.
"How secure is the place? I have a mind to ask some...pointed questions..." Shadow replies quietly as she walks along with Duncan and Andrea.