"Don't worry, we'll stick Serill with the tab for the rest," Dalen says with a grin as he leaves his hand on the silver, now planning to pay for some hot baths with it.
ah! But of course, anyone staying the night receives a free complementary bath, on the house! Though, if you desire someone to wash you that may cost extra, BWAHAHAHA! he brings a round of drinks out quickly.
Traveling merchants, or Mercenaries eh? Or is it both? he asks in a friendly manner.
"Both! Believe it or not," Dalen answers after taking one of the drinks. "Though we are more mercenaries than merchants. We are looking for work and I have some goods for sale if you're interested."
Elaina rolls her eyes at Dalen's chuckle as she follows Damari. It was nice that he seemed to be in high spirits, though that only seemed to make him act more like her older brother than her mentor.
"Would you mind it if I joined you, Brother Damari? I don't enjoy hunting boar all that much, but I don't mind if you don't want to hunt deer or rabbits," Elaina says as she enters the clearing.
Work eh? Well, I say you should check with our scared of a mare mayor. Haha, A great diplomat, with a kind and strong heart... when he isn't hiding from his own shadow. I remember growing up with him, he was same way then. I told him, be strong like mountain goat, scared of nothing, and if something kicks you, kick it back! haha
He ponders a moment at your offer. hmm. My normal supplies are late, so, perhaps I could do deal. Depending on what it is you have.
With everyone saying they will pay for the first few rounds of drinks, she smiles. "Am I just a lucky girl or what?" She takes her first drink and begins to sip it.
"Well then," Dalen says, trying not to curse in his head at the news of who would be the one to talk to about work. The prospect of earning some coin is enough to actually put a smile on his face, so at least the one he shows the innkeeper is never faked. "As it so happens, I happen to have a few casks of ale and fine spirits on my wagon at the moment, along with several spices, including salt and pepper, and several unmilled grains that can be used to make more ales and liquors or put into stews or milled to make flour for baking breads. What would you be interested in my good sir?"
Demari turns to the little Elaina and says, "Certainly, little Elaina. Deer would be best, but boar are so plump and slow. But let us learn more of our land first. Perhaps one of the locals can point us towards fat game."
Grey Hoff snorts at the deer line. "Oh, like you never ate bird, Grey," Demari fires back as he finishes stabling the last horse. Deer eating Bird
"That an we maybe able to learn, of what maybe spooking the mayor so much"
Demari walks into the Tavern, Elaina in tow. He spys Dalen mid transaction and joins the rest in a drink, "Cheers to a successful romp across the land. Has anyone ordered meat yet?"
Having had his first drink paid for goes to see about ordering a meal for everyone. On him of course. And as he mingles among the crowd he chats up a few of the locals about the nearby 'forest' and the goings on of the town. Asking about it's danger and if the game is lively around here.
And while trying not to be too passive aggressive about it, he asks about their feelings on Erastil. And if they accepted him a great influence for a town such as this. "I mean Abadar is a fine god, but it Old Deadeye who brought the idea trade to the realm of mortals. Created community for which people can flourish together."
Demari also takes note to listen to the Bard, who is performing. Wondering what tale they tell.
Serill nods and accepts the conditions also asking the cost of drinks the group consumes to be passed on to him as well. "What of our horses stay in the stables?"
He returns to the group to advise them of the arrangements. "4 gold per night for food and lodging. I have also set up a tab taking care of any drinks you don't pay for personally to be sent to me."
After a hot bath he enjoys a meal and a couple drinks and retires to his room relatively early to study an arcane book he had brought along.
Brom nods towards Serill, you can take them round back.
He and Dalen then walk out towards the cart with the Dalen's merchandise.
Hmm, would you allow me a sample of your ale? before I commit to taking it off your hands eh? And I'll need to check the grains lad. By the way, what did ye say the name of your traveling company was?
Damari attempts to convert some local populace to Erastil, he makes some headway at first, Most of the physical labour workers agree with him, but one of the more business minded people replies. Yes yes, I see your point, and I do thank Thank Erastil for that, however, why should I work to give back to a community that seems to do little for me? or to those that won't work for the aid? Abadar is about the acquisition of wealth, and using structure to do so, none of this barting and bargaining, but straight, solid coin. To Erastil trade is merely a way to help, to Abadar, trade is just as vital as laws. Trade, when properly regulated, is a way that any man with good sense can make a coin.
While some of the people that had gathered around you nodded, many still seemed more inclined to listen further to Damari.
The bard goes on spinning tales, all he claims, are Aldur locals. One is about the legend of some cursed cave not far into the woods, and how to lovers from rival families met their gruesome fate there. Another, about how the town came to be after the founder drove out an evil spirit from a small grove. And other such tales.
Dalen laughs at Serill's comment about the tab, "Serill, I was merely jesting. You didn't really set up all of our drinks to be put on a tab you're responsible for, did you?"
"Ah, I'm afraid I'm not sure if we had decided on a name or not," Dalen admits as he kicks himself again for not thinking of that beforehand. "You see, we only recently joined together and I don't think the thought had entered our minds yet. As for seeing the goods, you most certainly may! I also have mead and applejack for you to try if you wish to purchase what I have of them as well. If you'd be so kind as to come this way," Dalen says as he wraps an arm around the man's shoulders and leads him to the wagon.
"While we walk, mind if I ask such a perceptive and friendly fellow such as yourself if you happen to have seen anything strange going on lately. I know you mentioned Mayor Bannock having been spooked by something, but while we make sure it isn't just a rabbit or something that he's jumping at the sight of, we might as well see if there's something else strange going on, right," Dalen asks, lowing his voice in a conspiratorial manner as they head outside.
Once they arrive at the wagon, Dalen quickly sets up three of the casks, one full of ale, another full of applejack, and his one cask of mead, as well as pulling a sack of each grain he has for the Innkeeper to inspect. All the while he's chatting about the happenings and gossip of the town, how trade is faring through Aldur, and if there's been any trouble on the roads that he's heard of. After tapping the three casks, the knight grabs three sampling glasses from the brewer's kit and places them on top of them and hops down from the back of the wagon.
"Well, Mr. Brom, as promised, you may sample the drinks to see if they meet the high standards you expect out of your normal suppliers. First, we have the applejack from one of the best brewers in Aldune and made with the sweetest and crispest of apples. It has a nice smooth flavor, with just a little kick for those that favor whiskey or brandy. I've only two casks of this, but I was fortunate he had even this many left when I stopped by. Once your patrons have some, you'll be needing to place orders just to make sure that you have enough."
Dalen fills the tiny glass with the liquor before handing it over to the barkeep to try.
Once Brom has finished inspecting the applejack, Dalen moves on to the mead.
"Now, for those who favor something even sweeter than applejack, nothing is finer than what I have for your today. This is my only cask, but I was lucky to even get this much. This mead is made from the best clover and peach honey from the groves just south of Sparo and brewed by a family that has practiced the craft since before the Order of the New Dawn existed. I assure you that this is guaranteed to sell well, especially among the bards and minstrels. It soothes the voice and can make even a songstress suffering from the worst of colds sound like a nightingale. A smart man, such as yourself, would easily be able to double or triple the money he spent on this and attract more talent to your wonderful establishment as word spreads through the lands."
Dalen once again fills a sampling glass and hands it to Brom while taking the emptied glass from him.
As the Innkeeper samples the mead, Dalen continues to talk.
"Now, the ale I have here is from the Brewers of Garren and Wilder and it's been allowed to age in these casks giving it a wonderful, full flavor and color. It's bound to be a favorite of mercenaries and merchants alike. It's a special recipe that has been kept secret and refined for decades. I only have four casks, so I hope for your sake that your next shipment arrives soon because all of these will be gone before you know it."
Again, Dalen fills up a sampling glass and hands it to Brom while taking the empty away. His pitch on the drinks done, he turns to the grains.
"Now, I know that these are still whole, but not only does the grain keep longer this way, you have the option of using it to brew your own ales and whiskeys. Imagine having merchants coming to not sell you the drinks you serve, but buying them from you to sell to other inns! It is hard work, admittedly, but can't you see it? Merchants and peddlers selling cask after cask of 'Brom's Brews' or 'Trotting Ales' and bringing the coin back to you to buy more! What's more, you could save on buying drinks for the Trotting Tale by brewing and selling your own. Merchants would pay you for a chance to sample your wares and then pay you again for the chance to sell them to other inns. If that isn't what you wish to do, then you can, of course, grind it into flour and bake breads or keep it whole and use it to thicken your stews."
Seeing that Brom was finished, Dalen smiles and gestures to the casks and the sacks and asks, "so, my good sir, would you like to discuss the ale, or would you like to see the grain first?"
"Well, despite Grey's reservations, I'd still rather hunt something that isn't know for charging and goring hunters, at least not without wearing Dalen's armor and carrying a tower shield," Elaina says with a smile. "Still, if you wish to hunt boar, I trust you to keep us safe."
Elaina, though she had been quiet while Damari preached, speaks up when the Abadarian tries to undercut the priest's message.
"It is true that some will take advantage of any aid offered and do as little as they can get away with, but Erastil has no more love for layabouts than Abadar. As for why you should give back to the community, perhaps you are looking for the wrong thing to get out of it. Giving to the community helps us to heal and grow. If one of us stumbles, we all band together to help him back to his feet. We can do great things when we band together as one. We defend each other, we help each other, and we all grow stronger because of it. Grief is halved when shared and joy grows twice over."
The young archer pauses a moment to let her words sink in before grinning mischievously and winking to Damari.
"As for your beliefs about Abadar, perhaps you'd like to meet my companion, Dalen. He's the son of a well off merchant family and a follower of the Golden Key himself, and I have never met a man who loves to haggle and barter more than he. Wealth can be measured in many ways, not just in coin. A man with large tracts of farmland and granaries filled with wheat and rye, but with little coin in his coffers, is still a wealthy man for he has the means to create more wealth and make more coin, if he chooses. Would you not agree?"
Demari is about to rush into a very heated argument, when Elaina steps into defend him. As he listens he can't help but smile as Elaina she displays such great understanding in the ways of Old Deadeye. He can't help but clap.
"Well spoken Elaina, very well. But let me add to your last point.", he says as he turns to the Abadite. "The coin, my friend. The coin alone does not make a man wealthy or worthy. For on its own, it's nothing but a shiny bit of metal. But it's true worth is only exposed when brought out in regards to the effort of another. For it is the effort of the brewer, that creates a golden ale of value so that the coin may be used. Yet still it, takes a carpenter to make the brewery that the brewer may work in. A farmer to grow the grain to brew with. And higher yet, a mother and father to birth and raise these three brothers into kind and loving men. A loving family. All that so a simple man of Erastil, may trade a bit of 'coin' for this lovely brew and share it with you!"
He finishes his short sermon as he as slides a bit of coin for a pint before handing the ale to the contrarian fellow, a wide grin on his face. He turns to the crowd.
"It is the community that supplies the merchant that he may gain from his own work of rough travel and trade. His effort rewarded in bringing great bounties to other 'communities', and then back to his own township to spread more coin for more wares to trade. A perfect circle of prosperity. A coin, if you will, made by the connecting hands of men and women working in concert!"
Demari turns back to the merchant, "What does the community do for you, friend? They give you a compatriot to 'trade' words, and crush a cup with! He turns to the crowd once again and raises his pint.
, he roars happily.
Elaina takes up a cup and crashes it against Damari's
the merchant nods and concedes the points. That is true, but it is from abadar that we learn rules and laws of trade. From him come the means that allow men to know the value of things and to know the laws. Having, and knowing those laws keeps one from getting a bad deal, and makes sure that one is fairly compensated for his work. It is with coin that this value is placed. Without the coin, and structure, trade slows, becomes hap-hazardous, and eventually would die out. Where one may see a good ale as the highest value, another place could see it as the lowest. It breaks apart the larger community, creating several smaller communities, with their own values, instead of one large one with an understanding on the value of things. When I mentioned bartering, it was in reference to the price of things. Sure, minor disparities are bound to arise, however, with abadar, you would not offer a chicken for a horse, or offer 10 coins for a horse. As the value of the horse far outweighs the value of the chicken or 10 coins. With Abadar, one can invest in things, with the knowledge of the value of those things no matter where he goes. Abadar brings the structure needed for such things. He makes it simple with his application of coin. So, in response to your circle, I claim it is Abadar that makes the larger "coin", it is his laws and structure that binds the value of things across all communities, Which aids in their cooperation, instead of allowing bickering between them on the value of a certain thing.
as for hunting, the townsfolk tell you that the best time to hunt is near twilight, especially for boar. they point you to the local huntsman who says that the game here is lively, but not dangerously so. The boars are usually smaller than their more eastern kin.
ah! But of course, anyone staying the night receives a free complementary bath, on the house! Though, if you desire someone to wash you that may cost extra, BWAHAHAHA! he brings a round of drinks out quickly.
Taking a long drink of her ale, Anduriel grins. "If we find ourselves staying in town long enough I might just take advantage of that service." she quips with a wink.
Listening to the start of the religious war of words, Alistair gets up and walks to the bar.
Excuse me, I am going to mingle a bit.
Sitting down at the bar he orders another drink and turns to scan the crowd. Smiling and watching the bard tell his tale and wondering if his group has drawn attention of any sort.
Taking a long drink of her ale, Anduriel grins. "If we find ourselves staying in town long enough I might just take advantage of that service." she quips with a wink.
Lily nods in agreement with Anduriel. "Just the bath sounds like enough for me. I've forgotten how tiring travelling can be." She looks down into her mug as she reminisces. "Time sure does fly doesn't it?" She takes a drink.
"That it does. It's why I live each day as fully as possible." Anduriel replies, taking another swig. "You never know what's coming next."
"Then a toast to our time lasting, and every day being better than the last." She holds her mug towards Anduriel before taking a long drink from it.
Anduriel raises her glass, embracing the toast wholeheartedly, and takes a long drink as well. "Couldn't have said it better myself."
Lily swirls the ale in her mug for a moment. "I just have to ask, what kind of a magic user are you? I have never seen anything like it before. It was quite mesmerizing if I'm being honest."
Serill smiled as Dalen questioned his actions. "Think nothing of it my new friend. We're a team."
Lily, Anduriel, and Alistair, make me a will saving throw please.
Alistair you notice a few looks as you walked in. But no one seems to pay you much heed. Most are either talking among themselves or listening raptly to the bard.
Andi blushes slightly, though it could just as easily be from the ale. "It's called spelldancing. You know how wizards make all sorts of insanely intricate hand gestures when they cast? Well spelldancing uses your whole body, involving magic through movement. I move my body in ways that draw on the arcane power inherent in the movement of the body. In some ways it's the same kind of magic some bards use when they dance, only their magic is usually to affect other people's minds. My magic usually affects me, making me faster or stronger or empowering my weapons." she says enthusiastically, happy to talk about something she considered so beautiful.
Alistair and Lily both begin to find it difficult to focus as they seem to relax more. The drinks taste better, and the bards tales seem ever more interesting. You really just wanna lounge in the Inn, drink even more, and socialize and laugh with others. The road was hard, so why not have some good fun.
Anduriel also feels more at comfort, however her focus is dulled only to the extint of the drink she intakes.
Dalen, Damari, and Elaina make perception,checks. (Dalen at a -2)
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Lily's mood seems to improve the more she drinks. "Normally magic is so boring. It can just be old guys in towers a lot of the time." She takes another drink, looking down into the mug seeing its empty. She holds it up towards the bartender motioning for a refill. "You on the other hand, how do you magic is interesting and beautiful."
As Serill sits in one of the groups three rooms studying his spellbook, He hears a loud thump on the door, then it opens and an extremely drunk halfling girl stumbles in. She closes the door behind her and turns around before finally noticing Serill. She pauses a moment.
The hell are yoush in my roomsh fer? She half steps half stumbles forward about a foot.
Serill looks up startled at being disturbed from his studying. He closes the book he was engrossed in. "Umm, I'm afraid you must be mistaken here. This is my room you see."
Damari, you hear a soft, sweet, but almost sad melody riding along on the wind. Most around you seem to distracted by the debate and drink to hear it. You believe it is coming form the nearby woods.
@Serill, the halfling girl shakes her head.
No, thish is obvishly my room. She stumbles up to you
Cuz, see, I ushed my shpell so I would know totally know where I was going. At this point she is about a foot from your face looking you in the eye. She has bright, rich colored red hair, green eyes, and is wearing clothes of a finer fashion than what most "commoners" or "laborers" would wear.
Demari listens intently to the Abadite, nodding with a considering false frown. Putting on more of a performance for the crowd, then really arguing at this point
"Hmm, Hmmm", he grunts in semi approval.
"True, Abadar has shown that with the exchange of coin, we may connect better with one another..." he holds for a dramatic pause just like his Uncle Franoc use to when he was going in for the verbal kill.
"But do you really think your fellow man is so stupid to trade a chicken for a horse! Do you think a farmer does not know the value of Investing his time in working his field! Do you think a coin so mighty it would seduce a man to trade his prize race horse, that could sire a line of thoroughbreds! The value is intrinsic to the needs of the individuals, friend. And coin, alone, can only tell you so much of a man."
Demari swirls with a bit of a flourish, as he finishes announcing to the crowd. "A faith of a man will tell you a lot", he say as he beams at the Abadite. "That he has it and will trust, tells me his community is strong. Now you may not consider Erastil's teachings of community to be all that necessary. But let me ask you your question again. What has the community done for you? Has it not given you faith in your god.
He leaves the statement hanging for a bit, when he notices a soft sad tune hanging in the air. The spoony bard does not seem the source, as it spouts another local legend. It drifts in from the woods, a distance away.
Well, what could that be?
Curiosity peaked, Demari heads off. "Sorry, friend. Something has come up, I'll debate more philosophy when I'm back... and drunken.
Demari looks back to the crew inside, seeing the girls are deep into their drinks, Alister relaxing and Serill off for a 'nap'. He turns to Elaina.
There is something in the woods. Stay here and watch the others. Let them know, if I'm gone to long.
Demari slides by Elaina to whisper something to her, before heading off to the stables. "Hoof, stay alert and follow me at a distance"
Demari stows his bow, and they both takes off into the woods. Looking for the source of the sound.
Anduriel practically beams. "Aww thank you! I can see why you'd find that "normal" wizard stuff boring. Your magic has a...presence that's pretty spectacular. Like those silver shards of pure energy you were throwing around, it looked almost like you were just hurling pure emotion at them. It's really visceral." she says her eyes dancing with intrigue.
As Lily and Andi keep talking, Lily cannot stop herself from smiling. Whether it is from the drinks or the conversation or both, no one really knows. "When the source of your power is quite literally yourself, it can be hard to not put your feelings and emotions into it." She thinks for a moment. "I really just let go and let the energy flow. It really is quite exhilirating now that I think about it."
Alistair seems to be the same old self. He drinks and enjoys himself.
the innkeep laughs and seems to enjoy most of the drinks. Aye, the mead is sweet and heavy. I've never had luck with the applejack, and sweeter drinks but... I think I will take this cask for my own personal enjoyment! How much do you want for it? and how much do you wish for the Ale?
@Damari, You follow the sound to a small grove about 200 yards out from the edge of town. In the grove you see a man playing the flute in a large amount of loose clothing. After a closer inspection you realize he appears to be a cat-folk. In the clearing also sits a young lass, sitting on the grass and seemingly entranced in listening to the flute being played.
In the inn, the bard stops his tales for a bit, and you here him loudly asking a few patrons around him So, what brings you folk out to this quiet little town?
Alistair and Lily, make another Will save please.
You have a rather strong urge to speak with the bard and tell him truthfully what brings you to the town. After all, secrets among friends are not polite. He seems like a nice bloke.
oops, forgot to add-
you feel strands of magic enter you mind, however you manage to force it back through force of will. You can make a spellcraft check to attempt to trace the path of magic back to its user.
EDIT:
Serill smiled and nods his head at her explanation. Certainly something went wrong with her spell. Perhaps she spoke it while drunk and said it wrong. Or perhaps she's just drunk and has no idea what she is saying.
"What is your name miss? Perhaps I can help you find out where you're meant to be." He stands up and offers his seat to her. "Here. Sit down and try to think a moment."
"That is a pity," Dalen says truthfully, "I rather like the sweeter drinks myself. Ah well, onto business. For the 4 casks of ale and the cask of mead I'd say, 20 gold."
As Lily drinks from her mug, a cold sensation runs up her spine. She immediately start to cough back up some of the ale back into the mug. She puts down the mug and keeps coughing for a moment, clearing her throat. The coughing subsides and she looks around the room, her gaze falling on the area around the bard. Her attention shifts back towards Andi. She moves in to whisper to her, covering her mouth as she speaks.
" Someone over by where that bard is tried to cast something on me. I don't know who cast it or what it was but I have a bad feeling about this."
Lily looks back towards the bard, looking around him seeing if there is anything out of the ordinary.
@Serill she just stands there looking up to you. My name? itsh, uh, Anna. She starts to kinda lean around in different directions. Hey, ish that a spell book? I have one too! Sho what... brings you...out. She had slowly walked around you a bit as she spoke, however when she turned to regard you again she simply passed out and starts to fall.
@Dalen.
Hmmm. I liked the drinks, and I won't say they aren't as good as you make them sound. However I gotta make a profit, what say you to 15 gold, and free lodging for your stay this time around?
@Lily
You don't notice much, other than several merchants talking to the bard about their business travels and the opportunities they have come to follow. Some seem honest, some however likely wouldn't normally speak about how they are coming to "exploit" folks and make a big profit quickly... except that are.
"O-okay," Elaina says as Damari heads out. She has no idea what to watch for, so she just listens to see if anything strange is going on.
"Completely understandably, but I gotta make a profit too, my friend. Would 17 gold be more agreeable?" Dalen leans against the wagon and gets ready for a round of haggling.