The building itself looks as if it has been rebuilt at least several times over the years. Built more like a mostly-enclosed open pit of some measure, the bottom third of the building is covered by fieldstones all the way around. The rest of the building is covered in pitch, wood, and mud, with several chinks in the structure, each letting steam and smoke out into the night sky. Walking in, you get hit with a combination of wood smoke, a little coal, and the smell of stew over an open fire in the middle of the large room.
The inside of the tavern, other than the aforementioned camp pit, is an L-shaped room, selling most manners of alcohol and some field dinners (i.e. venison, rabbit, etc.)
Ally flutters in a few minutes after Ruul and the others arrive. "What did I miss? Elen needed help titrating a molar solution of asphodel into wormwood..."
Macavity in his Tien traveler disguise enters in Numair's shadow. He doesn't perform any obvious cloak-and-dagger, case-the-place maneuvers. However, he does attempt to analyze the pecking order of the locals using his peripheral vision.
Ally will also be detecting evil.
|
Numair looks suitably out of place in the tavern as his clean and well-dressed appearance contrasts strikingly with the dismal tavern. He doesn't mind giving the locals another thing to gawk at - with all eyes likely on Ally, Ruul, and himself, the subtler members of the group will hopefully only draw a passing glance.
He walks right up to the bar and looks around for the 'bard' that Jashanah mentioned. If such a person isn't immediately obvious, he sits down and orders a glass of Varisian red. He sorely missed it at dinner, and thinks the tavern may be better stocked.
The wench looks up at you and says, "I think Lucky is saying welcome to his tavern. He lost his tongue at some point, so talking is a bit difficult for him." You look up as she says this and you see that 'Lucky' has a great big grin on his face, like he's a ray of sunshine or something.Ruul rumbles with laughter at the mangled orc's jovial nature and offers his a nod.
"You are an excellent host", the minotaur follows up.
"If you don't mind my asking, how do you keep the order in here. From what I've seen the camp is a place where the strong take what they want and your women are beautiful but don't look like they'd be much help in a brawl."
"bwach hanc schwump me..." The bar wench laughs and says, "He's trying to say that you're right for the most part, although we women can take care of ourselves as well."
"yeeth" arm stump flap.
Macavity in his Tien traveler disguise enters in Numair's shadow. He doesn't perform any obvious cloak-and-dagger, case-the-place maneuvers. However, he does attempt to analyze the pecking order of the locals using his peripheral vision.
[dice=Perception]1d20+15
You see the 'orc' that Ruul is talking to, although to call him living would be questionable (), there's a elf that looks strong enough to knock down several easily wavering slightly at the bar near Numair as he walks up to the bar, a few humans that look slightly out of place in a dive like this, and the rest, mostly human, that look like they fit right in to a place like this.
Macavity glides behind Numair and accompanies his real shadow in the seat next to him at the bar. When Numair orders his red, Macavity orders a second showing two fingers.
Ally will also be detecting evil.
The wizard enters and orders an ale, attempting to not draw attention to himself. Imbukar, anyone of good alignment in here?
The Raven will look around detecting both good and magic.
Numair looks suitably out of place in the tavern as his clean and well-dressed appearance contrasts strikingly with the dismal tavern. He doesn't mind giving the locals another thing to gawk at - with all eyes likely on Ally, Ruul, and himself, the subtler members of the group will hopefully only draw a passing glance.
He walks right up to the bar and looks around for the 'bard' that Jashanah mentioned. If such a person isn't immediately obvious, he sits down and orders a glass of Varisian red. He sorely missed it at dinner, and thinks the tavern may be better stocked.
Sorry, no bards tonight. The very comely barkeep pours you and your friend each a glass of red. "Four bits total, sweetie."
"Cheers." Macavity offers to Numair unobtrusively surveying the establishment.
Ruul glances at the girl again in disbelief before continuing his questions.
"My friends and I are new to the camp - we just arrived today. We met with the Usurer but things did not go well. Any suggestions on how to get on his good side? I mean to visit him again tomorrow and try to smooth things over."
"ewgoup gimplefic," stump wave finger waggle.
"I'm pretty sure he meant 'He'll get over it. As long as your gold is gold, the Usurer will talk to you again.'"
"Woo jee bomfit," Bjorc pulls out a rock from his pouch. "It fings goo lug."
"He wants to know if you would like to rub his special rock," the bar wench says, in a tone that implies this line has been said many times. "He says it brings good luck."
Ruul rumbles again with laughter.
"Gods know we will need all the luck we can get."
The bull minotaur leans forward to rub the stone.
Bjorc laughs (or at least you hope it's a laugh) and says to you and Lavinia, "efs muk aaaa goo humpe" thumb raised.
"I think he said, 'you two make a good couple.'" the barmaid smiles, proud that she can understand the poor orc at all.
A man stumbles past and bumps you slightly, mumbling to himself in obvious drunkenness.
"Cheers." Macavity offers to Numair unobtrusively surveying the establishment.
** spoiler omitted **
Azaraunt bids me inform you that "Lucky" is of good alignment. Quite out of place here I know. The human, there by the small door shares that alignment.
Ally decides to strike up a conversation with one of the non-evil humans.
"Greetings, stranger! I suppose you don't see many of my sort around here... though it seems like you get lots of other sorts. You can call me 'Ally' and I'm part of this exploration expedition, along with those other folks who just came in. How's life out here?"
A man stumbles past and bumps you slightly, mumbling to himself in obvious drunkenness.
+2 if Human
Macavity listens and checks his person for anything new or gone.
A man stumbles past and bumps you slightly, mumbling to himself in obvious drunkenness.
[dice=Perception]1d20+15 +2 if Human
Macavity listens and checks his person for anything new or gone.
Nothing is missing.
EDITED
Macavity lightly touches Numair's shoulder and says, "later." He leaves the bar and untouched drink and follows Simon.
The drunk hears the door behind him shut. He turns slightly to his left and says, "Quick, come to my lean to, before the hanging man finds us."
Macavity stealthily follows and watches for the Hanging Man.
Macavity stealthily follows and watches for the Hanging Man.
You do not spot the Hanging Man at this point,
You come to what is obviously a lean-to, maybe 20 yards north of the marketplace, and a little south of the stables. It is made of birch branches, but unlike a lot of these quick setups, you can tell that some time and effort has been put into keeping this one up over time. You can see that there are eating utensils and some clothes, but effort has been made to keep everything tidy and organized.
The Hermit ducks his head going into the lean-to, before sitting down. He pats the dirt next to him, saying
|
|
Numair slowly finishes his drink and appears ready to return to the inn when the others are finished. He will keep an eye on Ally, watching over her in Elen's absense.
Macavity glides into the lean-to and sits at the expected location. He nods for Simon to begin.
Ally decides to strike up a conversation with one of the non-evil humans.
"Greetings, stranger! I suppose you don't see many of my sort around here... though it seems like you get lots of other sorts. You can call me 'Ally' and I'm part of this exploration expedition, along with those other folks who just came in. How's life out here?"
The 'gentleman' () looks up from his nearly empty mug of ale and sees....a naked woman, right in front of his face!!! It might be the beer talking, but this it turning into a very fine evening, indeed, the man thinks to himself. It is the most coherent thought he has had in over an hour. Although the 'lady' is talking to him, all he hears is Wood chew ligkg to go to fed wif' me?
"Don' mindfido, me(hic) lady!" With that, the man attempts and tries to put his arm around the 'lady,' not even clued into how tall the 'lady' really is.
Ally giggles, watching the drunken fellow grope in the air as if she were a normal-sized humanoid. She flutters back a bit, and laughs, "Full in your cups, aren't you? Like what you see I'm sure... I'm afraid we're not physically compatible, but there's no harm in looking!" She wiggles her hips saucily and wonders whether this fellow is too drunk for any sort of coherent conversation.
** spoiler omitted **
How long have you been here? And what can you tell me about the Camp? Macavity starts his questions not completely trusting the individual who knows a couple of names.
Ally giggles, watching the drunken fellow grope in the air as if she were a normal-sized humanoid. She flutters back a bit, and laughs, "Full in your cups, aren't you? Like what you see I'm sure... I'm afraid we're not physically compatible, but there's no harm in looking!" She wiggles her hips saucily and wonders whether this fellow is too drunk for any sort of coherent conversation. [dice=Sense Motive, can he be brought to coherency or is Ally's attempt doomed?]1d20+7
Oh, it doesn't take a Tien rocket engineer to figure out this guy is done for the night.
** spoiler omitted **How long have you been here? And what can you tell me about the Camp? Macavity starts his questions not completely trusting the individual who knows a couple of names.
"I've been here about four months now. And I can tell you that this is a very wicked place, although it is nothing compared to what's out there." The 'drunk' points out with his thumb to the north, indicating all that which is known as the Desolation.
"What can you tell me about the Camp that will help us accomplish our mission? And what motivates you to stay here four months?" Macavity asks still not trusting. Four months is about right.
"I was asked by the Captain to maintain a vigil out here. He indicated that there was talk about Society expedition out here at some point, and they needed a local guide. Being retired and all, let's just say that the venture-captain made me an offer that I could not refuse.
"As to your first question, let's start with some specifics and work out from there? What specifically would you like to know first?"
"Alright. Tell me what you know about the Usurer." Macavity suggests.
"I'm pretty sure he is undead or something. He never sleeps! Beyond that," the man pauses. "Well, I've seen worse tyrants. He only leaves his home when something is going on, like how that hanged man ended up where it hangs. Normally, he lets the locals handle problems themselves. He just works from his shop and makes whatever is needed for the town. It's a ramshackle place, this village, but somehow it works." He stops again and looks at you. The air between you is expectant, as if waiting for something flat, heavyish, and golden to pass through it at any moment.
Ally giggles, watching the drunken fellow grope in the air as if she were a normal-sized humanoid. She flutters back a bit, and laughs, "Full in your cups, aren't you? Like what you see I'm sure... I'm afraid we're not physically compatible, but there's no harm in looking!" She wiggles her hips saucily and wonders whether this fellow is too drunk for any sort of coherent conversation. [dice=Sense Motive, can he be brought to coherency or is Ally's attempt doomed?]1d20+7Oh, it doesn't take a Tien rocket engineer to figure out this guy is done for the night.
Ally giggles musically again and hits the drunkard with Daze which, though a bit of gilding the lily, will allow her to slip away from him easily. She looks at the other patrons of the bar.
Ally giggles musically again and hits the drunkard with Daze which, though a bit of gilding the lily, will allow her to slip away from him easily. She looks at the other patrons of the bar.Ally giggles, watching the drunken fellow grope in the air as if she were a normal-sized humanoid. She flutters back a bit, and laughs, "Full in your cups, aren't you? Like what you see I'm sure... I'm afraid we're not physically compatible, but there's no harm in looking!" She wiggles her hips saucily and wonders whether this fellow is too drunk for any sort of coherent conversation. [dice=Sense Motive, can he be brought to coherency or is Ally's attempt doomed?]1d20+7Oh, it doesn't take a Tien rocket engineer to figure out this guy is done for the night.
"I'm pretty sure he is undead or something. He never sleeps! Beyond that," the man pauses. "Well, I've seen worse tyrants. He only leaves his home when something is going on, like how that hanged man ended up where it hangs. Normally, he lets the locals handle problems themselves. He just works from his shop and makes whatever is needed for the town. It's a ramshackle place, this village, but somehow it works." He stops again and looks at you. The air between you is expectant, as if waiting for something flat, heavyish, and golden to pass through it at any moment.
"What about that Hanged Man? How did it get there, and why was it not destroyed? Macavity continues lacking a clue about "something flat, heavyish, and golden."
Ally flutters over and takes a seat on the bar next to Numair, Ruul, Lavinia, the bar wench and Lucky. "Seems like most of the people in here are pretty soused. Something been going on to make them want to drown their sorrows?" she asks the bartender.
"So Lucky, why do they call you that? Maybe I missed something earlier."