Raise of the Runelords

Game Master mathpro18

Its late in the month of Rova when you all arrived for the swallowtail festival. The town of Sandpoint has been even more full of life than usual, which is saying something for this small but bustling port village. Its the night before the festival starts and your all sitting in The Rusty Dragon trying to get service but you're finding that difficult. All the staff seems overwhelmed by the amount of people they have to wait on and its been about 20 minutes and you still haven't gotten service.

The bar's owner, a young Tian woman by the name of Ameiko, can be heard shouting orders from the kitchen. She hasn't left said kitchen since you've arrived which you also find a little strange because she's known to greet all her guests.

A fair skinned elf stands on the stage trying to entertain the large crowd that has packed the restaurant tonight. She appears to be some sort of bard and she sings the most exquisite songs. A sudden hush starts to fall over the room as she begins to sing this song linked for your listing pleasure.

When she is done the room erupts in applause and she takes a gracious bow and then exits the stage. Those that continue to watch her see her disappear into the kitchen real quick and reappear wearing a white apron and carrying a piece of paper. She then begins to wait tables. As she makes her way round the crowded tavern she has to fend off a few drunken customers who try to slip tips into her clothing as she passes by. One of these said patrons gets kneed in his nuts for his trouble after his hand touches a rather delicate part of her body. One of the town guard comes by and escorts the drunken brute out of the bar. She approaches each of you and says:

"How may I help you tonight? I'm sorry for the wait I usually can handle both performing and waiting tables but as you can see we're packed here tonight."

Mal, freshly out of bed from last night's bender, laughs to himself when he sees thew elf take down the fool in the crowd. When he sees her approach, he does his best to hide his hangover, and hopes he hadn't done anything embarrassing in front of her in the past seven days.

"Sorry miss, I've been drunk all week. What is going on and who are all these people slowing down my ale drinking?"

He pauses as second, then adds, "Also, ale." He gestures with his drinking horn.

"Top notch takedown of that jerk, by the way."

She looks a bit shocked at Mal, her mouth hanging open a little bit. "Tomorrow is the Swallowtail Festival and not just any Swallowtail Festival but the one where we rededicate our church of Desna. After the late unplesentness a few years ago its about time we have a church here in town again...some of the locals are forgetting Desna's teachings of late..."

Faunra picks up the drinking horn and puts it on a tray she's carring "I will be right back with that sir."

Everyone else feel free to jump in and place any orders. They have the best venison in town here as well as your standard bar fair and some soups as well.

Mal furrowed his brow as he tried to sort through the mental fuzz obscuring the past week. He arrived in Sandpoint in a drunken haze a week ago, and continued that haze with no immediate plans to stop. Mostly he recalled a bitter argument with his father, finally being cut off from the family, and drunkenly telling anyone misfortunate enough to next to him all about it. An embarrassed grimace slowly grew over Mal's face, and he thought to himself, Maybe I should restrain myself for a bit. Maybe I should check my coin purse too... Slowly and agonizingly, Mal counted out the four gold coins that represented his entire fortune, then closed his eyes and sighed.

Tiyeri felt lucky that night. She found a spot in the crowded tavern where her appearance could not be seen.
Not as much, at least she thought to herself. It was difficult for her, for being just a cat as she was used to be called. When the whole room hushed, a shiver went down her spine.
Oh god, they saw me.
But instead, a sweet music started dancing through the silence. She was curious.
Oddly enough i don't know this song.
Her ears were greedy of that fine symphony trying to memorize every note of it, as she was used to with what was new.

When an Elf approached her asking if she wanted to order something, she recognized her as the player of the tune.

"Rrrrr..That was a splendid song. What is it called?"

The hood still on Tiyeri's head, she tried to hide her appearance at the best of her ability; she wanted to avoid questions.

"I hope to be a more..rrrr... raffinate customer than those drunken guys. Do you perhaps have some wine?"

Mal flushes, mildly embarrassed. "I suppose it would do me no good to argue, so I will gratefully accept. And I know you can handle yourself just fine, but the next man to get out of line is on me. Clearly you have enough to deal with tonight already."

He smiles, then makes sure to eat most of the stew well before touching his ale.

Seeing Mal flush Faruna blushes as well "No embarrassment meant good sir...its just...you passed out here last night and had to be carried back to your room...my boss was very concerned and was relieved when you made it through the night. I got a good talking to about serving you so much...so I need to apologize after you started sharing your life story with that wonderfully patient dwarven woman last night I should have cut you off."

Dark times, I know what you are talking about...

"Art itself is a way to soften everyone's burden...rrr.. "

Her paws, started playing with her hourglass neckless, but then quickly as they went up they fall down, hoping to to flush away her bad thoughts.

"It would be an honor for me to hear you creations again, maybe when you will be less stressed by work...rrr..I saw various venison plates but I was more curious about your fish dishes

Some months were passed since Tiyeri was in a Port city, she finally could eat some fine fish.

"We have a fine fish stew though with Ameiko being a little consumed with her entry for the food competition tomorrow I'm not if we have any fresh made. I'll go check for you."

Laëlynn enters the crowded bar wearing a grin from ear to ear and looks out amongst the sea of people... then spots a young Chelaxian at a table on the far side of the bar.

He's upright... that's a change.

Crouching ever so slightly, Laëlynn began to stalk Mal weaving her way through the crowd like a jaguar in the grassy plains. Slowly she made her way past him... huh, was that a kitty under that cloak?!?... and then circled back coming up from the rear on the unsuspecting prey. She raises an open hand to the back of his head.

WHACK!

Stop oggling the waitresses! Helga will get jealous!

Laëlynn spins a chair around backwards and sits down laughing as she lays her elvish blade across the broad table.

So... how is your head this morning?

Without waiting for an answer, the half-elf turns to Faunra, Some elvish wine, please, Faunra... and does Ameiko have any of the delicious venison tonight?

Sitting at a single person table with his back to the wall. Gavin takes a long drag from his smoking pipe. "Ma'am? Whenever convenient, I would love a mug and snack. Whatever is available will be fine." He continues to observe the crowd, and study the festivities.

judging by the post above... do Laëlynn and Mal Dorren know each other prior to the stat of this game?

" Thank you for your kindness... some fish is better than no fish at all"

She felt the elven woman reluctant to talk, but so was everyone with her. Time would get her used to it, she hoped.
While Following the waitress with her eyes, another woman cut her sight entering the Rusty Dragon. This one and the elf musician had similar traits though less pronounced. Tiyeri studied her while she sat at a table laughing and joking with another guy with a tired-looking face.

Maybe one day i'll find friends too.. Maybe one day i will laugh about stupid things, about everyday things.. I wonder what is "everyday" for a Human.

@Gavin I guess we'll find it out

No, not really. She would have arrived in town yesterday and come by Amieko's bar where she witnessed him passing out apparently after flirting with a dwarf. Laelynn is a little over friendly. I would expect a Who the hell are you? coming from Mal soon.

As the ruckus continues in the tavern, an old man opens the door leading inside and took a look at the current situation.

Wearing normal traveling clothes except the expensive looking silver necklase hanging from his neck depicting glaive being surrounded by a single rose.

Seeing one of the drunken customers taken out he approaches the spot and sits. Waving the waitress to come nearby to signal he would like to order something Excuse me, young lady but would it be possible at all to receive some Wine? I prefer ones from Taldor but if that is not possible, maybe some local ones. I am bit tired from the walking so it feels nice to sit. Ah, maybe some food too with wine. Bread and Soup please. I do apologise if I sound rude but I am quite weary of the road

I already love you Laelynn

"Ahh!! What the?? What did I do?"

Mal looks over the woman that sits sown next to him after schwacking the back of his head.

wow, she's ripped...
"Hey, all I'm ogling is my stew right now."

Gavin sits at the table, patiently waiting for his food and drink to arrive and reflects a bit. "This Swallowtail Festival is drawing quite a large gathering of people. A pity I had never heard of it before, seems like a very entertaining and happy time. Perhaps I might take enjoy the safe excitement for a while, before I endeavor to seek a partnership with a group of thrill seeking adventurers. Although, with all the diverse cultures congregating, the pool of prospective partners to aid me in my search for spell knowledge, might be at the most opportunistic. We'll see if any possibilities present themselves!"

Those who were requested to make rolls please do so in spoilers.

"No thank you, our angel voiced siren. This will be more than adequate. Here..." Ganvin holds out his hand, opens it to reveal coin for the food and equal amount for a tip. The payment floats over to Faunra, "...this is for you and the continued sound of that mesmerizing song."

Tiyeri's ears were tickled by some sort of argument in the kitchen. Poor Faunra, the night was long and with all the guests an argument wasn't the best to help her out. She heard two other voices speaking in an exotic language. She was about to turn her curiosity away when she felt the sound of a crash.

Maybe I should check, casually.

she walked quietly to the kitchen and covering behind the door trying to expose the less of herself, she asked:

"Did you find the..rrr.. fish?"

She tried to assume a sort of baby-ish tone, maybe to soften the party down.

I roleplayed it as if i was one of the few people in the tavern to hear it, if otherwise i can rewrite it

no idea, but I assume there is a perception check to hear the noice. Anyway Areth is happy to know that he will soon get something to eat and drink

Tiyeri you are the only one that heard it so please no one else react on the information she shared. I forgot to tell her to keep it in spoilers lol.

Laëlynn looks toward the kitchen to see who exits it.

Well, I'm sure the stew will be more satisfying... considering that you are conscious today. She says to Mal without taking her eyes off the kitchen door.

Tiyeri exited the kitchen trying to disappear through the marasma of drunken men, once upon her table, she sat, clearly confused about something.

Laelynn you notice Tiyeri enter and leave the kitchen looking clearly confused and slightly upset about something as your watching the kitchen. A few minutes later Faunra comes out with everyones food and beverages.

"Wait... who is Helga? What did I DO?"

Tiyeri started to slowly eat the soup, closing her eyes as if she was in a world of pleasure for each spoon of it.

Oh, nothing you couldn't tell your mother. Just as you peaked her interest, you passed out cold and left her wanting.

Laëlynn's eyes scanned the crowd as a murmur of restlessness began to spread across the bar. A Varisian couple in the corner were getting far to comfortable with each other... A table of halflings were beginning to pound their tankards upon the table splashing ale every which way... an older human sitting by himself peered intently around the room at every female...

A Tanldanese follower of LOVE most likely given the rose and glaive emblem hanging from his neck

A group of Varisian fisherman laughing and shouting over one another...

I'm surprised that Catfolk over there didn't nuzzle up to them. Never met her kind. I'll have to introduce myself.

Another older human looking over each table scrutinizing everyone as though he's sizing them up...

A finger-wiggler, possibly. Reminds me of my father... Oops... sizing everyone up... like I'm doing.

Feeling the anxiousness of the crowd, Laëlynn steps up on her chair and shouts above the general ruckus, A SONG, A SONG. LET'S HAVE A SONG!

Areths eyes perks as he sees beautifully curved woman standing up [i]hm, definetely elf heritage there, half-elf I suppose. Well she has definetely earned my attention[/b] as he notes the goods and bads and giving in the end solid note

now, this is how I think Taldors act plus as a follower of Shelyn... well, love is in the air

The ssong was different. Not ssoothing but not grating to the sscaless. Hmm... I would have to ssay not altogether unpleassant. Thankss be to you for the offering of entertainment.
.
Thiss one will take whatever iss being sserved. But pleasse don't burn it. Can't undersstand why you mammalss alwayss want to burn out all the tasste.
.
Jast watches the crowds intently. The loud boisterous activity is fascinating. This is certainly not like the nest. I wonder what will happen next?

Laelynn as you get up on the table one of the drunk people in the back of the room shouts out "Take your top off!" which is met with a few whistles of approval for the idea but eventually Faunra does take the stage again and regails you all with another song again linked for your pleasure. As she sings tears start to fill her eyes and you can tell she's putting all her passion into the song. As it finishes, the same drunk guy that heckled Laelynn shours "Take your top off!" And Faunra storms off the stage.

Jastheriga you can sense that Faunra is put off by..well...you but she will bring you some ale and a bowl of soup, how ever nothing in it is raw so once again she has "burned all the flavor out."

VERY good in character description of a snakes preference for raw food over cooked food

Hey guys I'm posting something in the discussion thread that is very important and needs some feed back so be sure to check it out.

After the second outburst by the drunk, Mal's eye twitches a bit. He takes a long pull off his drinking horn and stalks over to the man.

Intimidate: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

"Show. Respect."

13, huh. Must have gravy on my face.

He looks up at you and says "Take your top off!"

He's being a smart ass not trying to be retarded lol

Mal takes his shirt off.

Gavin's attention is drawn by a man confronting the rude heckler. As he waits to see the outcome... he thinks, "What do we have here? A possible candidate for a party of adventurers. Drinking aside, he is standing up for the entertainer. Virtuous quality. Let's see if he's able to handle himself."

Oh, for the love of Shelyn, please don't have him take off his shirt! Laëlynn said as she walked up just behind Mal looking down at the drunken fool.

With a quick laugh, she continued, The last time he started taking off his clothes three men ended up in the infirmary at Irori's Temple... one with uncontrolable nausea from looking at... well, that... she said motioning towards Mal. ...and another with a severe case of the giggles... Laëlynn's mode seemed a little more grave or was it just a shadow that crossed her face as the light from the laterns about the bar were briefly obscured. The third was missing his head, she finished stoically.

And just as quick her bright smile was back and she tossed a gold coin to the waitress. Another round for our new friends here, Faunra!

Bluff: 1d20 ⇒ 18

And some coffee for them, love, she whispered to Faunra waving her hand in front of her nose as though a stench was rising from the table.

Enjoy the festival, gents! Let's take a seat back at our table, Mal. Laëlynn chirped as she hoisted up the bloodrage from behind.

Strength Check: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20

You gotta love it when the dice god's give favor to the roleplaying.

Mal as you take your shirt off the man bursts out laughing at the very slight beer gut you have been developing over the last week. As Laelynn approaches he whistles and begins to say something but as she talks he falls silent.

You are able to hoist Mal back over to the table and the drunk keeps quiet for the rest of the night.

Everyone try to wrap things up at the bar tonight and when everyone is ready to move on I'll kick things off proper lol.

Finishing his wine and food Areth enjoys the music for a while and amuses as he sees the commotion between drunken people. The woman who previously got the remarks of the getting top off joined them but at this point it didn't really matter to him.

Stretching a bit before standing up Areth decided he was ready for some sleep. Finding the owner and paying for a single night for one room Areth retreated to his small comfortable bed

Tiyeri was amused by that typical tavern scene. She was intrigued by that Half-elf woman, she envied her courage, and maybe her traits too. She loved being a catfolk but is was not so satisfying the most of the times.
She finished her soup and wine, left some coins, and went to her room avoiding everyone else for the rest of the night.

Soooo how shall i do for the money ?