Appreciative of Kurt's offer, Jasper nonetheless shook his head. "If I could make it 'til we met Orono, that was the worst of it. A few days here will do me right."
Not being that far away, the bard pressed his memories for vendors and innkeepers that were known to have fair prices and square deals.
After thinking of a place to meet with his companions, Jasper suggested they divide and conquer. "Why don't we see what's what around here and meet in two hours at that place?"
"Unless you were planning another revolt, I'm sure that I've got no wounds a good night's rest can't heal." Ulfred pauses, realizing it's been quite a while since he'd had a sleep that would be considered "good" by anyone in their right minds. "I suppose I might as well look around and see if I can find any useful information about a place to stay while we're here. And while we're picking up Cyrene a robe, I might need to borrow a few gold coins for new clothes. In a place like Cheliax, slaves' rags might raise some unwanted questions."
Jasper is able to find a well-traveled tavern that had a high regard among commmon traders. It is called the White Horse Tavern. The tavern keeper, Earl Butterbeard, supplies a host of private rooms for the simple cost of 1gp per room per night. There is also a common sleeping area where less well off travellers can rest. The cost for the common room is 1sp a night. Earl is also known for his sweet, dwarven ales, and naturally, that makes him a favorite among locals.
Ulfred is also able to track down a local tailor. There are a variety of ready made outfits on display. Custom outfits will take about a day to make. The shop is called Oddball's Clothier and the owner is a gnome named Dora Oddball.
She greets him you as you walk in. "You are in desperate need of some new garments, sir."
Happy to find an establishment that will let him take a load off - mentally and physically - the entertainer pulled Brennel into the inn.
"Sweet ales for us both, barkeep. My thanks!"
In his element, Jasper hobnobbed a bit before using the common room for the evening, keeping an ear open for any juicy gossip.
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As Ulfred is being measured for clothes by the gnome, the bell to the shop rings. In walks an armored halfling, he carries small sized longsword at his belt. He is greeted by the gnome tailor and you learn his name is Arna. He responds in kind. "How are you doing Dora? I just got back from a patrol to the East. I need the usual patch up job on my tabbard." He turns to Ulfred with the same friendly demeanor. "And you look like you're new here. What's you name?"
"Indeed I am. My name is Ulfred." Arna seemed friendly enough, but he knew that first impressions did not always align with someone's true character.
Arna seems as friendly as he appears. He also seems genuinely concerned about something. You can tell he is trying to look you over without your knowledge. "Hey Ulfred. Since you're new around here, why don't you let me buy you a drink tonight? I know of a good dwarven establishment here in town."
"That sounds wonderful." Noticing Arna's concern, Ulfred waits a minute before inquiring, "Pardon my asking, but I couldn't help but notice you seem a tad concerned about something. Anything I can help with?"
"No, I'm fine. But I should be asking if there is anything I can do to help you." The halfling continues to be friendly and not trying to pry too much, but he seems to be reaching out at the same time.
In the meantime, Barl Butterbeard hands Jasper the drinks he has ordered. "On the house, you look like you could use a drink more than just about anyone I've ever met."
In the meantime, Barl Butterbeard hands Jasper the drinks he has ordered. "On the house, you look like you could use a drink more than just about anyone I've ever met."
"You can say that again." Jasper takes a swig of the drink, wiping his lips with his sleeve. "Just finished a few days' long trip. Me and a few of my friends are looking for work. Anything need doing in the town?"
The bard didn't feel the need to bring up the fact his prior town wasn't doing so hot. He also didn't feel inhibited from ordering another drink when his ran empty.
After giving Cyrene and Ulfred much of his little gold, Kurt rests comfortably at the Inns common room, silently sipping an ale and listening to all around him.
Content with his own thoughts for the moment.
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Cyrene does her best to move unobtrusively through town. The first vendor she sees that has cloaks receives her coin without haggling as alights upon a large garment with a deep, wide hood.
Once garbed appropriately and her antennae concealed Cyrene moves more slowly through the crowds, taking in the sights, sounds and thoughts of the town.
"No, I'm fine. But I should be asking if there is anything I can do to help you." The halfling continues to be friendly and not trying to pry too much, but he seems to be reaching out at the same time.
"I appreciate the offer. That drink you mentioned earlier sounds like it'd hit the spot." Ulfred didn't want to seem too standoffish, but at the same time knew he couldn't just go telling someone he just met about the events of the past few days.
Barl Butterbeard continues to pass Jasper drinks.
"All right. How about we meet at the White Horse Tavern tonight at sundown and I'll treat you to that drink Ulfred." Arna's smile widens when you accept the offer.
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Arna swings by the inn a little after 6. He takes a seat at one of the tables and shouts a greeting to Ulfred. In response, a bar patron makes a comment asking if the halfling is old enough to be in the bar. Arna is ignores him.
"Hey! Child Knight! I'm talking to you!"
"You may want to switch to tea for a while before you get yourself into trouble." Arna replies.
"What are you going to do? Get your parents?" The man's friends howl with laughter while Arna jumps off his stool.
Ulfred spotted Arna coming in, and was about to greet him when the other man started harassing him. "Ye got somethin' ta say?" He went to confront the man. He didn't want to lose his cool immediately, but he couldn't just back down.
Cyrene stays pressed close to the wall, unknowingly perfectly fulfilling the stereotype of the 'dark hooded stranger in the corner'. Thankfully for her it does at least keep the rest of the patrons from looking at her too closely as Arna etners.
Kurt shifts in his seat as he sees Ulfred take exception to the loudmouth; prepared to render aid if the Dwarf requires it.
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As Cyrene watches the scene unfold, she begins to pick up sensations of anger from the halfling. While he seems to be trained in martial techniques, she also senses that a feeling of helplessness that he cannot extinguish smolders in the back of his mind, fueling his frustration. She had picked up sensations much the same throughout the town, but they always escaped her range before she could pinpoint their owners in the crowds. The drunken offenders are hard to read as the booze has made their thoughts fuzzy.
"Sticking up for your friend huh? I can respect that. Shorty have to stick together after all." The drunk man's friends howl in laughter at his sharp jest.
[ooc]Sorry for my absence this week, guys. Time has been getting away from me. I should be able to keep a better pace after the weekend.[/b]
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A crowd begins to gather around you and the obnoxious drunks. The bartender steps between you and says, "You guys are either done with this conversion, or you're done spending time here. Take your pick."
Kurt slowly stands as the bartender steps in, ready to assist Ulfred should things get ... interesting.
Color spray will calm things down quickly I think
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Ulfred maintains eye contact with the drunkard. "I'll be just outside, If ye care ta follow. O' course, there's no shame in backin' down." Then, quieter, but still audible, "Well, maybe some." He then turns and walks out the door, waiting outside.
If any of the drunks take up Ulfred's offer, Kurt will glide after them, ready to back up the dwarf should he need help, and to watch the butt whooping if he doesn't
Since when do I endanger myself for dwarfs I hardly know, especially in bar fights. Such interesting times I have found myself in.
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"I ain't getting punked by someone half my size."
The drunks follow Ulfred outside, along with a decent crowd from the bar. Even the bartender is watching from a window in the common room.
[ooc]Initiative[/dice]
Ulfred starts!
Cyrene, sitting in the corner, rolls her eyes within the shadows of her hood. Really? Why does everyone try to solve problems like this?
Since Ulfred is providing a nice distraction she starts listening more intently, hoping that the fight will leave peoples guards down.
Ulfred rushes forward with a punch to the man's gut, with enough force that it'll hurt in the morning, but pulling the blow enough that he won't inflict any serious wounds.
"I ain't getting punked by someone half my size."
"Ye sure about that?"
The man goes to swing at Ulfred, who gets an attack of opportunity against him.
After using the drop in the other man's guard to land another hit, Ulfred strikes out with another two quicker, if less accurate jabs. His wounds were reminding him that he was not in peak fighting shape. Right. Let's just get this over with.
Ulfred easily knocks out his drunken attacker. One of he buddies calls out to the dwarf. "You think you're so tough, I'll show you how tough you are."
He pulls out a knife and moves toward the dwarf. The other friend rushes and grabs him to hold him still.
But Ulfred pushes him away.
Seeing pair attack Ulfred, he steps a bit forward and says in his emotionless voice, "Now now, one at a time fellas."
He casts daze at the guy behind Ulfred, his other hand casually finding his longsword grip.
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Not having a problem watching a fistfight, Jasper was alarmed at the introduction of a knife.
"Knife!" He aligned himself with Kurt, seeking to divide their foes. Jasper conjured the power of water to his aide in selecting the thug not targeted yet by magic.
"I guess I shouldn't expect the likes o' ye to fight fair." Ulfred punctuates his taunt with two more attacks- first, a kick at the man behind him, then the one in front of him (unless he was knocked out of a 5-foot step's range, in which case he targets the one behind him again).
The thug targeted by Kurt's spell is totally unaffected while the thug targeted by Jasper is blown back by the water. Ulfred lands a blow on the thug that grabbed him from behind.
Knife Thug gets up from the ground, soaking wet. He charges the bard and slashes with the blade.
He stabs Jasper in the stomach and the bard collapses in a pool of blood.
The other one tries to strike out at Ulfred again.
Ulfred dodges the punch.
Everyone Go!
Kurt growls in exasperation as poor Jasper gets stabbed, drawing and enchanting his longsword, he stomps over to the knife wielder and lashes a 2 handed non lethal blow.
"Knives in a fist fight?! Give up now, do not make me kill you."
I should anyway, but Jasper seems mostly OK
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Hoping to dispatch this one quickly, Ulfred manages to land two consecutive punches. If the man goes down, he will use his remaining action to move into a flank with Kurt.
Kurt strikes the Knife Thug across the head with the flat of his blade causing his to stagger a step back.
Ulfred blocks the punch from the other one and knocks him out with a hard palm to the jaw. Moving quickly, he engages the stunned man and puts him to the ground with a quick strike to the stomach. The crowd cheers as the party stands victorious among the bullies.
Alfa quickly interrupts. I hate to break up such a wonderful moment for you, but the guards will be here soon. I recommend that we aren't around to meet them. Follow me. I know a spot."
Kurt moves to help support the bleeding Jasper and gives Ulfred a I hope you trust this guy look before saying "Lead on".
As they go if he doesn't see Cyrene he will think a message and direction to her, hoping she will follow.
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Cyrene hears the message but decides to stay a little longer - wanting to see how the guards react to the scene before she leaves.
Once she has seen the aftermath she follows Kurt's directions as best she can.
With little recourse in his injured state, the bard had little choice but to follow the direction of this Arna . "We've overstayed our welcome, short as it was."
Jasper winced when moving. "But I'm not running anywhere in this state. Let's find a shady spot and settle in for the night."
The guards come quickly to awaken and arrest the drunks. The soldiers ask the people around what happened, but the only responses are that a few drunks got into a fight. The answer seems to satisfy them and they take the staggering thugs to the town jail.
Arna takes you to an old house near the outskirts of town. The windows are boarded up, but you can see faint light from the between the planks of wood. "I've got some friends that I think would be willing to let you hide out for a bit," the halfling says.
Kurt follows silently, ever watchful for an ambush or similar danger.
When they reach the old house, he does query. "Why help us? And what type of friends would shield us from lawful prosecution? Not that I mind, I must say" he finishes with his bland, tight lipped smile that is the best his fiendish heritage allows.
Having seen the results of the fight Cyrene slips out of the pub and listens for the familiar sounds of her companions thoughts.
None of the townsfolk said anything - you're safe. She reports mentally as she approaches the house. Can someone please let me in?
Cyrene is let into the rundown hovel. The building serves as a home for a half orc and three other halflings. Old cots lie on the floor. The few bits of furniture that decorate the place seem to the constructed from lumber scraps. The denizens of the hut are dressed in patched together cloth. They have built a small fire and are cooking a few squirrels for there supper.
Arna begins to explain, "To answer your question, Kurt. We would help because we come from the same hell. Every one who lives here has left the masters. With nowhere else to turn to, but the people who most understand, we have established connections for helping escaped slaves disappear. I know that's what you are. Maybe not all of you felt the chains, but a few of you have the look. I have known the look before, and it is not easily forgotten."