Szacha looks at Cham, bending forward to get a closer look at her: "Now, a Hopeknife and no ceremony. That's a story I'd like to hear!" He takes a sip of beer, but doesn't take his eyes off her.
"And not one I am willing to tell," she gives Szacha a wink and goes about serving the others.
What's a hope knife? And what's this ceremony I hear about?
As Anga speaks she cuts an apple up, and starts eating.
A dwarf with thick auburn hair comes in from the back. As tall as he is wide, he dusts off his hands, and looks at Cham, "There's th'last o' those barrels ya wanted, yer payment ta me clan already settled." He looks around at the large number of small folk in the room and offers a grunt of approval, "Looks like thin's be lookin' up around here already. No many of em taller'n me." He spots Anga and grins, "An some of em even easy on th'eyes. Though none as easy as you Cham lass."
He gets a large stein of a dark stout, and takes a long drought, leaving foam on his thick mustache and beard as he moves towards the table and sets hisself down and looks at Szacha, "Torag's balls lad, does that gob o yers ever stop waggin'?"
Citra looks at the diminutive halfling with a frown as she pulls forth a small silver chalice and sets it carefully on the counter. She takes a few moments to square it just right before nodding to barkeep, "I suppose the Hopespring water will do in a pinch, Mh... Cham." While she waits patiently on her stool, the blue woman glances over to Anga, "The hopeknife seems to be a local tradition. A tool of last resort to take one's own life in the event of capture at the hand of all manner of creature. A fascinating practice really. I suppose you dwarves would call it spiting in the face of the enemy one last time."
Here we go, the moment for which you trekked all those miles. Don't screw it up... A voice from the front door says, "Could I trouble you for a mug of that Stout I heard you mention?"
Standing in the entryway is a half-orc, tall but more the rangy sort than the stereotypical mound of muscle. Doing his best to present a non-threatening manner, he walks in.
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Reaching into his boot Ulfgard produces a dagger, more a Sgian-dubh,and waves it. "That is a hopeknife. Sometimes your best hope is a clean way out!"
The door to the inn opens. A man of average height walks in, he looks, hollow. He is not old, his body doesn't appear weak, his long blonde hair while wispy, is not thin, his eyes look sunken as if a great toll has been taken on his spirit.
He is clad in dark robes, with a blue cloak. His hands are dirty, his fingernails black, as if he had been digging in the dirt. Stifling a yawn he sits down at the bar with an audible sigh. "Seems as though I've stumbled upon a clan of Dwarves." he says with a weak and half hearted smile.
"Cham, a wonder you're still open. Could I get something strong before you close up and head to the commons?
"Though none as easy as you Cham lass."
"Thanks for bringing in those barrels," Cham reaches under the bar and hands Ragnir a large salt encrusted pretzel. She then leans over and whispers,
Cham brings Citra some of the Hopespring water in a wooden mug. The water is amazingly clear and fresh.
"Sure tall fella," the Halfling brings the Half-Orc a Stout.
When Cham sees Aaron she quickly readies a mug of Stout, "Drink it quickly. We don't want to be late to Ruby's Hopeknife Ceremony. Halgra would not be pleased."
"And what can I get for you?" the Halfling looks curiously at the Dwarf Woman Anga.
Janek after wandering the town to get the lay of the land, sees the crowds entering the establishment and decides to join them.
Waving for Cham's attention. A good solid dwarven ale if you have it fresh tapped. I need to wash away some of the travel dust.
Looking around he finds a free seat and takes in the friendly air with many agreeable faces. Sighing he takes a load off his feet with the familiar sound of his tinkers tools jangling.
Citra looks at the diminutive halfling with a frown as she pulls forth a small silver chalice and sets it carefully on the counter. She takes a few moments to square it just right before nodding to barkeep, "I suppose the Hopespring water will do in a pinch, Mh... Cham." While she waits patiently on her stool, the blue woman glances over to Anga, "The hopeknife seems to be a local tradition. A tool of last resort to take one's own life in the event of capture at the hand of all manner of creature. A fascinating practice really. I suppose you dwarves would call it spiting in the face of the enemy one last time."
Anga nods in thanks for the answer and replys Well, dwarves usually spit in the face of an enemy one last time with an axe or pick, but I get your meaning.
Janek after wandering the town to get the lay of the land, sees the crowds entering the establishment and decides to join them.
Waving for Cham's attention. A good solid dwarven ale if you have it fresh tapped. I need to wash away some of the travel dust.
Looking around he finds a free seat and takes in the friendly air with many agreeable faces. Sighing he takes a load off his feet with the familiar sound of his tinkers tools jangling.
A Female Halfling brings you a Dwarven Ale, "I have not seen you around before. Name's Cham. That'll be two silvers. Beds are 4 silvers for the night." The Dwarven Ale brought in by Ragnir Redblade is the finest of its kind, hearty with a slight fruity flavor.
One more for the road Chammy it's a celebration, after all A very tall and wobbly human calls out in a loud jovial voice. Then smiles his best winning smile and give her a wink.
The Halfling rolls her eyes, "You back again?" Cham brings Kaos a Dwarven Ale. "If you make us late for the Ceremony, I am sitting on your shoulders."
A Female Halfling brings you a Dwarven Ale, "I have not seen you around before. Name's Cham. That'll be two silvers. Beds are 4 silvers for the night." The Dwarven Ale brought in by Ragnir Redblade is the finest of its kind, hearty with a slight fruity flavor.
Janek stretches his legs under the table as his statue, short for a dwarf, made most human sized furniture uncomfortable. But the large mug of fine ale holds his attention as he takes a long draft from it.
My thanks Tap-Mistress Cham. He says while pushing a half dozen silvers procured from his money pouch across the table. I am but newly arrived, seeking to ply my wares for repair or restoration. If nothing else to explore here and increase my learnings. With another long drink he sighs with some contentment.
Seeing the room with with hubbub of many friendly folk agreeable to his eyes. Janek pushes of his bulk against the table as he stands and proposes a toast to the room at large.
To the fine establishment. To the fine proprietress. To the fine selection of ales. To the town of Trunau. May all stand long and proud.
With a final long drink of the ale he brushes a hand over his beard and reseats himself, rather than acquire more attention, but feeling he has given proper thanks for the hospitality.
Drinking the fine ale down, Haskyll looks over at Cham, One more good Lady, and then I think I will be ready to go.
He then raises the glass to the toast that was given.
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Sitting at a table over to the side of the tavern with a group of merchants, a ratfolk wizard lifts his wine glass to join the toast. "Here. Here. Finest tavern in all of Trunau!" He looks somewhat out of place at the table though, dressed in a weathered grey cloak. A leather backpack leans against his chair. He places his glass back on the table and picks up a set of bones to throw. "Not even Desna can help you gentlemen now!" The dice end on double skulls. He looks up at the ceiling and raises his arms, "Thank you gracious Abadar..." He looks back at the other gamblers, "and thank you kind sirs!" He rakes in the coins and stands up. "Enjoy the Festival."
Welby is relatively well known to the locals of Trunau as a merchant of unique artifacts. He travels to Trunau four of five times a year with a caravan. Rumors abound that the ratfolk mage is originally from the area, but no one knows for sure. He turns to the charming Halfling proprietor, Cham. "What is the chance we could have one of those kegs of Ragnir Redblade's finest delivered to the Festival? I'm sure these charming Dwarves would spew the putrid ale they pour in the square." Welby looks at the Dwarves gauging their response with a smile.
When Cham sees Aaron she quickly readies a mug of Stout, "Drink it quickly. We don't want to be late to Ruby's Hopeknife Ceremony. Halgra would not be pleased."
Grasping the cup, he nods his thanks to Cham. "No Halgra would not be pleased at all." He chuckles sarcastically to himself. And then mutters under his breath "Here's to good hope." he drinks his stout quite quickly, for a non dwarf.
Anga takes another drink.
well it seems this hope knife if an interesting custom. I look forward to the ceremony. Er...assuming outsiders can watch it of course.
She leans forward. ye wouldn't be knowing much about giants, would any of you? I'm studying them, ye see. Habits, society, best ways to kill them and so on.
To the fine establishment. To the fine proprietress. To the fine selection of ales. To the town of Trunau. May all stand long and proud.
Cham will give Janek a sweet smile and whisper to him, " We actually only have one ale." She then moves on to serve other customers.
Cham will begin to give Haskyll another Ale, then hold it back, "This is the last one, then we have to go." Cham drops the tankard in front of one of the residents to the boardinghouse, then continues to take care of other customers.
Cham will look the ratfolk mage and respond, "If you have the coin, then you can buy a barrel. Then you can take the barrel where ever you like." She gives Welby a big grin.
Cham will look at Anga, "All in town are welcome to the Commons. As far as Giants go, most of you are Giants to me, especially that one." The Halfling will point to the really tall Human. . "He was too big for our beds, so we added a chest to the end of the bed for his feet." Cham will say this so loud that Kaos can hear it.
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The Halfling rolls her eyes, "You back again?" Cham brings Kaos a Dwarven Ale. "If you make us late for the Ceremony, I am sitting on your shoulders."One more for the road Chammy it's a celebration, after all A very tall and wobbly human calls out in a loud jovial voice. Then smiles his best winning smile and give her a wink.
Kaos gives her a lopsided grin then says Chammy you can sit on my shoulders anytime. Especially if you keep the ale flowing.
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Welby grins at the Halfling, "Now you know I am one artifact away from being rich Cham...I don't guess you could put it on my bill?..." He throws his leather backpack over his shoulder and walks over to the female dwarf. He reaches for her hand. If she offers it, he kisses it lightly. "The name is Welby and of course you are welcome to attend, this is the highlight of the year in Trunau! A chance to show off how domesticated this small metropolis has become." He reaches into his cloak and mutters some words in Draconic. He removes a tattered rose and hands it to the female dwarf.
"Does anyone know which games they will be playing this year? If it is a drinking game, I put my silver on the big guy who needs the chest at the end of his bed to sleep . I bet there isn't a Dwarf in here who can out drink him!" To those with keen eyes, a spell component pouch is visible hanging from Welby's belt. It is inscribed with runes.
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Cham will look at Anga, "All in town are welcome to the Commons. As far as Giants go, most of you are Giants to me, especially that one." The Halfling will point to the really tall Human. . "He was too big for our beds, so we added a chest to the end of the bed for his feet." Cham will say this so loud that Kaos can hear it.
Kaos will look down at his feet then at Cham and shrug I'm a growing boy
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Ragnir looks at Szacha with a crooked smile on his lips, "Does it look like I'm a bard, whelp? Me tales are no fer spewin' jus' anywhere. And certainly ain't worth tellin' ta try'n gain coin from it. Didn't mean fer ye ta get yer knickers in a bunch. Grab a pint, and drink wi' th' rest of us." With that he turns his attention to Anga, "Giants? I ken a bit about em. Habits? Mostly disgustin', best way ta kill em is ta hamstring em, or cut out the back o' their ankle. Then they flop around like fish, and ya bash em. Easier n' droppin' a Calistrian's knickers. What else ya want ta be knowin?"
Welby grins at the Halfling, "Now you know I am one artifact away from being rich Cham...I don't guess you could put it on my bill?..."
Cham will come up and rub the fur under his chin, "Welby you know I don't keep a tab. Too many tall folk don't live long enough around here to settle their tab."
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Welby is eye to eye with the Halfling. He closes his eyes and grins as his chin is rubbed, "That is true Cham. I'm probably not good for it anyway. It has been quite some time since I had a good find. My coin purse is wanting." He laughs loudly at Ragnir's words, "Some knickers drop sooner than others. None as fast as Calistria's Priest's though. In that, you spoke correctly!". His eyes darken. "Why all this talk about Giants? They are a nasty lot. Got boogies larger than a man. They ain't afraid to eat them either..."
Haskyll laughs at Kaos's statement of he is a growing boy.
By Torag laddie, if ya grow anymore, they will have to build a new roof just for ya.
With a bit of a serious look, So Lady Agna, tell us your story but be quick about it, we have not long until we apparently have to be at the commons.
Thanks everyone for your submissions. There were some very cool characters submitted. We wish everyone good gaming.
The Discussion thread is already open. The Gameplay thread will be open later, likely this evening EST (about to be EDT).
I want to thank all aplicants because I did learn a bit from every subscription!!