Slumbering Tsar: The Sip O' Blood Tavern (Inactive)

Game Master Lord Manticore

The big minotaur shifted uncomfortably and willed his thoughts to less stimulating subjects.

With a rumble he cleared his throat.

"The direction that shows me to someone in the camp that can help my companions and I secure the Benderhouse. Perhaps someone specializing in magical defenses..."

This may be more difficult than I thought.

I do this for Lavinia...

"I thought I heard tell that you chased those poor gnomes out of there." She is looking at you now with a bit of disdain. "I don't know what you had against those two ladies after all. They's always treated me nice." Giving you a much less appreciated look, she becomes all business. "I'm not sure that I can find the means to help you..." The sentence hung there, with it's hand out, palm up, making sure that it has your attention.

I'm keeping the Diplomacy check in mind...

”The Sisters tried to murder and rob friends of mine and they have been doing so for a while. They were fortunate to get away with it as long as they did.”

Do I get the sense that she didn’t know what they were up to or that she did know and was possibly an accomplice?

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27

She blinks rapidly, backing away from the counter. "Now why would they go and do that? I know they weren't exactly pillars of the community, but who hasn't nicked something now and again?"

Ruul rumbled with displeasure at the girl's ignorance.

"They were cold-blooded killers that were just out for themselves. Any kindness they showed you was just to expose a weakness. Count yourself fortunate they had no reason to end your life."

"Perhaps you would like to help me. It would be a good step towards making amends for whatever part you might have played in their past murders."

The girl's mouth drops open at this. She obviously can't believe you just accused her of something! Once she gets her voice back, the wench projectile vomits a stream of 'coarce' words that would steam a sailor's bum. Another woman, older, comes from the kitchen to find out what the commotion was. "What did you say to Elsbeth here, beast?" You notice that the tavern has gotten quiet at this.

Ruul was unintimidated by this older woman even if the rest of the bar was.

"I told her that the Bender sisters that she believed were harmless were murderers and that she may have, even indirectly, been a part of their crimes."

"Who are you? I don't believe we have met."

She's not behaving very diplomacized...

I wasn't intended to actually accuse her of being involved in the murders. I was trying to prey on any doubts she might have about their relationship to get her eager to help. (See high diplomacy roll.)

You know, 'I'm sure you didn't mean to indirectly bankroll those drug dealers but if you help donate to this police charity you'll look a lot less guilty...'

Gimme a sec...

The older woman turns to 'Elsbeth' and says "Stop acting like you didn't know. There's handly anyone in this Gods forsaken place that didn't at least suspect those two prats. Now get off of your high horse and see to the gentleman." With that, the woman actually curtsies you and says "By your leave." She then moves to go back to her station.

The woman, Elsbeth, looks at you in a most chastised manner. "My apologies, sir. I seemed to have lost my manners, momentarily. It won't happen again. Now, may I ask again how I can help you?" Even without a Sense Motive check, you can tell that she knows that she stepped out of bounds. Elsbeth should be a lot more...docile to you going forward...

I know the rules say that a 29 Diplomacy check should take Elsbeth up to Friendly from Indifferent, but it doesn't say that it should be immediate. What's wrong with a little fiestiness beforehand? :)

Heh, that's fine. It just felt like things were progressing towards running Ruul out of the bar.

"Think nothing of it", the minotaur rumbled.

"My companions and I are looking to lay down roots and establish ourselves here in the camp. We need certain connections to secure ourselves for this purpose - men moving to and from Gundrun to keep supplies moving, building materials for work we plan to have done at the Benderhouse, and someone that specializes in magical defenses would be a good start. Who in the camp would know how to get these things?"

"That's a lot to take in all at once, sir. You could hire some of the men from the mercenary companies to do the labor. however, for building materials, real stuff, not just what you might find out there," Elsbeth waves her hand indicating the Desolation, "you'll have to go to Gundrun, or even someplace like Magnimar or Nerosyan. It'll depend on what you want done."

The minotaur rumbled with thought as he considered the information.

”Which mercenary companies have the best reputations? I know Gurg’s team was thought highly of but I imagine it will be a while before they are strong enough to work again. Are there any others that are skilled and trustworthy enough?”

The bull absentmindedly scratched his chest fur and as he did he, he found his eyes lingering on the wench’s form.

No. I will wait for Lavinia’s return. Certain hungers will have to go unfulfilled for now.

”One more thing: Is there any place in the camp that men meet for sport? I need to keep my strength up and my skills sharp. Do you know any skilled wrestlers?”

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16

Elsbeth thinks she caught you looking.

Elsbeth leans over the bar, her ample cleavage and pale skin almost shiny in the dull light of the tavern. "None of the mercenary companies have a 'dependable' reputation, although Gurg was considered the best of the bunch for what you might pay. If you're looking for general labor, you can try Clantock's group. Clantock is a half-orc, but he is generally considered the best after Gurg.'

She looks both ways towards the bar, when she eyes a customer, "Be right back dearie." She's all smiles as she sashays towards the wino.

Elsbeth spends a couple of minutes taking care of the customer (a drunken orc that looks well into his cups), before coming back to you. Is her bodice pulled just a little bit lower? you think to yourself. Elsbeth leans back into her position, breasts hanging down, despite the pushing of her corset.

"Now, as to a place to meet for sport, my hairy friend, it depends on which muscles you want to keep sharp and hard."A mischevious grin hits her face like a brick. "I know of a couple of places where you can attend to that...I'm quite the 'wrestler' myself..." The sentence hung there, just sort of bobbing up and down in a laviscious manner.

The bull shifted in his seat and adjusted his kilt.

"You are not the type of opponent I need right now", the bull rumbled. "And I'm looking to test the muscles needed for killing and survival. I will let you know when I'm looking to mate."

"What about that elf that was here the other night? He might be a worthy opponent if he wasn't in a drunken stupor all the time."

"Finnelaus?" Elsbeth grins, and then starts to laugh. "Finnelaus? Oh sure, he's strong...for an elf. And he does occaisionally take care of the horses, but I assure you that he is no match for you, even on the rare occaison that he is sober. If you want to keep your arms sharp," she says this with a bit of a frown, "then Clantock can find you someone. Or maybe Gurg, if he ever comes around...that is, if playing with other men is your kind of thing..."

There's that Diplomacy check again...

"Gurg was hurt badly the other night. It will be a while before he's fit for battle - even mock battle. I will check with Clantock as you said."

"Good day Elsbeth. I will return if I have other needs taken care of. The sort that only a woman can handle..." the bull minotaur said with a deep rumble.

Ruul will return to the Benderhouse.

Noted.