Arindale gives the Dwarf a big grin and raises his glass to him thinking, Well done! That's less leg work we need to do now. The people around here will be falling over themselves to come talk to we heroes!.
@ Tybek - one of the men, who looks to be on this third or fourth mug of stout already responds to your question: Hic, well dwarf, we're build'n a castle so evil 'll be too scare'd t'bother Hommlet. We's work'n on the rampart t'day. He then takes another swig of his stout and makes a sour face. Boy this stuff has a bite. If yer from Maheto, y'all got some ter'ble stout.
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Sorry - thought you walked through the room after your pronouncement.
@ all - after making his rather unexpected pronouncement, the crowd is full of murmurs.
You hear one of the local say: What a strange dwarf, did you see his eyes?
You hear another local say: My brother thought he saw some bandits watching the farmers to the east of town the day before yesterday.
Another responds: I heard they were not bandits, but goblins or some dog like humanoid.
You hear another local say: The bandits never attack town, why should we help this strange dwarf? It would probably just direct their attention to us.
Another responds to this one: The strange thing is that they seem to only attack some caravans. There are several caravans that never get attacked.
You sense that the locals are concerned about the bandits, but do not seem overly worried.
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@ Braden & Maegge
After finishing your cooking experiment (I really am not sure what you are cooking), the result is not the most appetizing looking food. It tastes decent and while Braden feels it is of exceptional quality, Maegge's more refined taste quickly realizes that it could have been much better. The Goodwife politely takes a small bite and then looking at the mess that was made, shoes you both out of the kitchen.
Sense Motive
Perception
"Hic, well dwarf, we're build'n a castle so evil 'll be too scare'd t'bother Hommlet. We's work'n on the rampart t'day."
"Who are yae buildin a castle fer? Dae yae hae a Lord o' the toon that wants tae live in it? Oi heard that evil daesnae want tae attack the toon anaway!"
"Boy this stuff has a bite. If yer from Maheto, y'all got some ter'ble stout. "
"Aye, if yer not careful, it'll leave its bite marks on yae!"
Maegge stumbles out of the kitchen fast ahead of the goodwife's broom. He turned to Braden and said, "Your last one was better. You must've left it on too long and burned it."
Catching only a single thread of the conversation, he looks perplexed. What about whose eyes?
@ Tybek - There be no lord here. It's fer them in the corner. He points his thumb at the two late comers sitting in the corner. Not sure they needs a fort in Hommlet, but work's work.
Braden is surprised at the dramatic announcement; he decides to settle in for the evening.
"There be no lord here. It's fer them in the corner." He points his thumb at the two late comers sitting in the corner. Not sure they needs a fort in Hommlet, but work's work."
"Aye, thanks fer the tip. Mebbae Oi should hae a talk with them."
Tybek walks up to the corner table and says, "Gud evenin Burne, Rufus. Oi'm Tybek Odeon and Oi'm new tae toon, but Oi understand yer buildin a wee castle. Oi just wantae offer the services of me and m' mates in case yae hae any work o' the dangerous sort that yae need sae brave folk tae take care of! Fer a fair wage, we're willin tae take care o' any wee beastie's that mae be botherin yer work. What dae yae sae tae that?"
Diplomacy
@ Tybek - the taller man in a robe looks at you for a moment.
Good evening Master Tybek. What type of dangerous work would you like? And what type of beasts are you looking to fight?
"Good evening Master Tybek. What type of dangerous work would you like? And what type of beasts are you looking to fight?"
"Well, we've jist arrived in toon, sae let's start with the wee problems first. Mebbae wee dug men or gobbies first and then we'll work up tae yae're bigger problems. We are hopin tae help the toon and the people while earnin a wage tae keep oor life whit we are accustomed tae. We hae six in the company includin maeself, and we've already fought off a half dozen wee gobbies already. Soo, whit jobs dae yae hae fer us, and whit wid yae be willin tae pay fer our services?"
@ Tybek - the soldier just sits and watches you while the man in the robes responds.
Master dwarf. I do not know where you are from. Although from your accent, I would guess you are not from the mines of the Five Kings Mountains. But, here in Hommlet, we are not attacked by goblins. The goblins and, what did you call them, dug men, do not bother us. They know that they will lose. Should you wish to attack any of them, that is your choice and we will not stop you from coming and going from Hommlet. But, if you incite them so that they attack us, then you will no longer be welcome here.
If you and your friends should have success against any humanoids, then I will consider whether a reward is appropriate. But, unless you are prepared to clear the entire road from Yanmass to Galt, I would be not be surprised if every hole you clear out was not filled with more vermin the next day.
"Should you wish to attack any of them, that is your choice and we will not stop you from coming and going from Hommlet. But, if you incite them so that they attack us, then you will no longer be welcome here."
"Yae dannae understand! Oi'm tryin tae help yae! Oi wouldnae attack wee dug men jist tae get them tae attack yae! The gobbies are nae different, but a wee bit greener! Oi'm offerin oor services simply tae help yae, but if yae dannae hae nae bother with them, then tell me whit yae dae hae trouble with! We are a flexible group and dannae want tae just be killin vermin fer nae reason at'ool! We jist heard yae were building a wee castle and Oi thought there mae be some special jobs that yae wid need sae help wid. Even if yae hae trouble of a mechanical sort, Oi mae be able tae help. Oi'm frae Maheto and mae Da wis a clockmaker there. When Oi was but a wee thing maeself, Oi took o'er the profession when he was killed! Yae dannae want a clock in yer wee castle dae yae?"
Maegge sits back down with Arindale. Tybek seemed to be engrossed in conversation with some men in the corner, Glorfin looked thoroughly satisifed with himself back against the wall, and Braden had just retired.
"What do you say, Arindale? Another ale?"
Maegge looked around thoughtfully. "Where's Ranim? I thought she'd be back on stage now that we got Tybek off it!" he chuckled.
I swear, I had no idea he was that bad at the drums. Much more of that and the village would have turned against us! he smiles.
There is still a beer or two left in the pitcher, help yourself.
"Thanks," said Maegge pouring himself another before taking a swig. "Ahh, I needed that. So how did you end up at the Spider Queen? I mean, you all know how I did after meeting that tracker guy on the way here...."
@ Tybek - the tall man looks at you again.
You do not understand, if the goblins and . . er, dug men, are attacked, then they will likely decide that we are the cause. It does not take many raids on the outlying farms before the villagers get really annoyed.
If you and your friends want to go exploring somewhere, I would say to go and find the old moathouse. It was destroyed nearly a century ago, but seems to attract nuisances like bandits, and adventurers. I doubt there is anything there, but it will give you all something to do other than scaring the locals with your music.
To find it, just follow the overgrown path just north of the new fort. Oh, and if you want anyone else in your group, ask around, there are more than a few out of work adventurers in this town.
@ Everyone - Just as the tall man finishes talking with Tybek and raises his mug to his lips, the door opens and a big kid with a grin walks in. You hear one of the locals call out: Hey Osler, better hide the brew, Elmo's here.
Braden returns with a meat pie in his hands.
"It is still busy. I guess everyone is waitin' for Tybek's drum solo."
Braden will see if anyone is willimg to pay to not hear the drum solo.
"Thanks," said Maegge pouring himself another before taking a swig. "Ahh, I needed that. So how did you end up at the Spider Queen? I mean, you all know how I did after meeting that tracker guy on the way here...."
The smile disappears from Arindale's face and he speaks matter of factly, I was with another adventuring group. We were ambushed by Goblins on the road to Yanmass, I am the only one that survived by fleeing...not very heroic but it was almost over with by the time I realized we were being attacked. As you have seen I am fast...they couldn't catch me or I wouldn't be here either.
He suddenly looks at his 1/4 full ale and proceed to knock it off the table...the mug bouncing across the floor, he then stands and stomps out of the tavern to get some fresh air...
Maegge sits stunned and confused at the sudden turn in events. He'd figured Arindale, at least, would've been happy to sit around talking for the remainder of the evening.
"Braden? I thought you left. Arindale just did; I don't know why but I think I must've said something." He takes another long pull of the ale. "We've been in here a while, I should check on Gimpy and make sure he's all set for the night. I'll check on your dog, to."
With that, he pulls out some coin to place on the table and heads out to the stable area.
Arindale is standing outside of the Inn in the middle of the street muttering to himself...probably wouldn't notice you if you were to just slip by...
Ranim took the interruptions throughout the night with all the grace she could manage. It was part of working in such establishments, she knew. Tybek's unique performance followed by Glorfin's announcement took many eyes off her, a painful blow to her tips for the evening, but hopefully the information would be well worth it. Though she wasn't certain what either of the dwarves ploys were.
Taking a short break after the announcement to allow the crowd to chatter and build anticipation again, she decides the new arrival might be a good time to resume her performance. Before though, she does ask the innkeeper, "So who might the new arrival be, this Elmo?"
@ Ranim - The innkeeper looks over at you as he gets another round together for one of the tables.
Elmo, he is a good kid, not too bright though. But strong as an ox. If you are interested, ask him about his brother, he never stops talking about his big brother.
"I suppose I shall have to do so." Ranim moves to begin her performance, thinking to herself, "But first a little fun. Nothing alleviates tension like a little playful teasing, and good kids can be the best victims." Switching gears abit, she decides to try out one of the songs an 'aunt' of hers had taught her amongst the troupe, a raunchy and comedic song full of double entendres. And one her father had forbade her to learn.
Choosing this Elmo as her victim for the evening she breaks out in song, seeing how much embarassment the poor lad could take.
"If you and your friends want to go exploring somewhere, I would say to go and find the old moathouse. It was destroyed nearly a century ago, but seems to attract nuisances like bandits, and adventurers. I doubt there is anything there, but it will give you all something to do other than scaring the locals with your music."
"Explorin?! There isnae much money in explorin! Oi was hopin yae had somethin fer us tae dae that yae could pay us fer! As fer makin music, could yae nae hear that Oi was make the rhythm?! Oi'm as steady as a clock! Oi couldnae help that the bard didnae want tae keep up wid me and sing loud enough tae be heard!"
@ Tybek - The man just shakes his head. Many have made great wealth exploring old ruins. You can beg all you want, but I do not know who you or your friends are and even if I did have work, I doubt that I would offer it to you until I knew why you are here. For all I know, you could be bandits newly come to the area and attempting to infiltrate and steal from within.
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@ Ranim - About half way through the show, Elmo is bright red. You are pretty sure that it is not caused by the alcohol, but it is hard to tell.
Give me a Sense Motive roll.
You get the feeling that Elmo is hiding something.
The man just shakes his head. Many have made great wealth exploring old ruins. "You can beg all you want, but I do not know who you or your friends are and even if I did have work, I doubt that I would offer it to you until I knew why you are here. For all I know, you could be bandits newly come to the area and attempting to infiltrate and steal from within"
"Are yae callin me a beggar?! Dae Oi look loik a beggar?!! Oi'm not askin fer yer charity! Oi was jist lookin fer work! Oi'm tryin tae be an honest dwarf and all Oi get is bein accused o' infiltratin, stealin, scarin the people,and inciting the gobbies loik some ruffian. Next yer likly tae accuse me o' feedin the dug men and forgettin tae pick up their shite after them!!! Well, Oi wouldnae want tae werk for yae anyway!"
Tybek turns away and tries to find the others.
Ach where did Arin and the wee folk get auf tae anyway?
Sptting Glorfin, Tybek walks over and slumps himself down on the seat next to him.
"Ach! Greedy rich bastards! " Tybek sighs a deep breath of frustration and then turns to his companion and says. "Noice speech, Kinsman! Oi loik the way yae come oot and say whit's on yer mind. It avoids all the confusion. Hey, whit yae drinkin? Oi just had a wee blether with those twa rich unfinished castle owners. They didnae hae any work fer us, but they did mention an auld moathouse nae far frae here that they said wid be gud fer explorin. Ha! Can yae picture me as an explorer?"
Following the performance, Ranim retires from performing for the evening and comes to Elmo's table. "Mind a little company for the evening?"
Ranim takes a seat at Elmo's table, ordering another drink. "Hope you didn't mind me selecting you from the crowd. With the grin you had coming in, thought you might've enjoyed a little teasing. Though you seemed to have something else on your mind. Makes someone wonder what that might be?"
Elmo looks up at you, his eyes a little bleary from the drink.
I miss my brudder Otis. He is a great warrior.
@ Anyone outside - the evening breeze is blowing from the mountains to the north and west as it has for the past few days. It is a pleasant evening and some of the town folk are out and about walking and just enjoying the peaceful evening.
@ Maegge - you find that Gimpy is in a very nice stall and has actually been brushed down and given a good amount of oats and corn as well as alfalfa hay.
@ Glorfin/Tybek - Seeing that Glorfin had finished his ale, the serving girl walks over and says: Looks like you enjoyed that ale Master . . . Glorpin. If you or your companion would like another, the big fellow in the corner offered to buy you each one. She points over at the table where Tybek was annoying the two big guys and the little guy in the robe earlier. You do not know whether she is referring to Zert or Kobort.
Feeling abit embarassed by the treatment she gave Elmo, she does her best to provide a listening ear. "I'm sorry to hear that. May I ask what happened?"
Elmo just shakes his head. I dunno know where he's now. Went 'venturing 'n I ain't seen 'm in months. Said he's goin' ta fight evil er sump'n like that.
Then Elmo smiles.
He's a great warrior, I'm sure he's ok. Maybe someday I kin be a warrior too.
"I trust my heart that some evil grows nearby... but it's shadow has not yet fallen here."
"Oi wid trust tae yer heart as well, Kinsman! But Oi would even wonder if its shadow has already reached that table o'er there!"
" "There would be little to lose in following their suggestion and judging with our own eyes."
"Sae, dae yae think we should gae and check oot that moathouse after all? Oi just hope it isnae a trap tae get rid o' us!"
"Looks like you enjoyed that ale Master . . . Glorpin. If you or your companion would like another, the big fellow in the corner offered to buy you each one. "
Tybek gives a look of pleasant surprise and replies, "He offered tae buy it fer us?!" The dwarf takes a quick glance at his pocketwatch and exclaims, "Aye! Oi'll hae another ane! Get me a Five Kings if yae please, Lass!" Tybek raises his tankard in toast to the fellows in the corner. "Now that's whit Oi call class! Let's see if we can dae mair business wid them!"
Elmo just shakes his head. I dunno know where he's now. Went 'venturing 'n I ain't seen 'm in months. Said he's goin' ta fight evil er sump'n like that.
Then Elmo smiles.
He's a great warrior, I'm sure he's ok. Maybe someday I kin be a warrior too.
"I'm sure he's fine as well. And it looks you're well on your way to becoming a fine warrior too. Did you brother train you before he left? And what of this evil he fought?"
Arindale returns after a while and sits back down...he eyes the pitcher of beer warily.
Braden munches on his pie and walks around the common room with a full pipe. Many times he seems to consider lighting it, but always eventually refrains.
Is the entertainment over?
@ Ranim - Yeh, I hope he's okay. Hmm, yeh, I kin swing an axe real good. My brudder Otis taught me.
"What did yae say?! Yae wantae wait fer them tae approach first?! Yae dannae think they poisoned the drink dae yae? Even if they did, it cannae be worse than that Maheto stout! Aye, they seem noice enough tae me, but the big fella seems a bit dim witted if yae ask me. He couldnae even understand whit Oi was sayin! Oi dunnae ken much aboot the other fella. He looks smart enough, but he daesnae blether atool!"
"Well it yae dannae mind, Oi'm gonnae hae the drink jist the same! At the very least, they seem tae hae taken a notice of us! Mebbae that's there way o' introducing themselves! Oi cannae help but think the words will be followin soon. I really dannae care whae comes tae blether, but Oi'm just tired o' feeling as poor as a wee church moose!"
Tybek looks at his pocket watch again and wonders how long it will take for them to make a move and approach their table.
"Ach?!! Why dae they jist sit their loik lumps on a log?!! Oi thought they heard yae! They bought me a fine drink as well! Oi jist dannae understand whit is taking them so long! Oi'm certain they wantae use us fer the gud o' the land, but they sure are taking their own sweet time don't yae think? Dae yae think Oi should wave them o'er?"