As the house dances too close to bandit leader Beohawk asks again. Surely you know something about this city that has some value?
If he does not talk
And I ask again.
Bil watches the horse beat on this bandit and for a moment it seems like he's concerned, but then just shrugs it off.
"Not very smart, is he?" he asks as he looks to the rest of the group.
Argh alright alright I can tell ya a few things. First of all them nobles are recruiting everyone they can, anyone that looks like they know how to crack a few skulls. And also, there were loads of riots to start with, but now...nuffin. The streets are empty, no-one here as ya can see. A few of us gangs run the streets now, but none of the guards have come back to reclaim it. We just kinda sit here and scare people away see, get a few gold from random passers by, no-one tries to stop us at all.
He looks like he has given up at this point, he is looking at the ground and has lost all vestiges of self respect.
We do occasionally see a few people from this "underground" movement goin' around. Seem to be coming from the inn district. That's all I know though, I never did get no education.
The ranger seems satisfied and reigns in his horse. Leave the city the way we came in. You are done here. Do not turn back. If I see you here again I will feather you. He will watch the man leave, holding his bow at the ready.
Once the man is gone he asks Bilnerk I've taken a couple minor wounds. Can you work your magic to close them?
"I have a spell ready to help you close those wounds." Bil says as he approches you and mutters a few magic words, moving his hand and then laying his hands on your felsh, which begins to knit itself back together.
CLW:
The bandit leader looks around, and eagerly moves to leave the city, he seems to have a spring in his step that he quickly tries to hide.
I would suggest we head to the Inn District and gather some information. I could use some rest as well as a stiff drink.
A reasonable plan, unless Bilnerk has a better one? The ranger looks at Bilnerk?
"Sounds good enough as any other plan." he shrugs as he watches the bandit leaving. "I wouldn't mind a drink or somewhere to study and sleep in peace."
You know that there is a district called the "inn district" due west from your current position. It is a large collection of inns and taverns and it was where the various traders used to lodge between trips. A lot of these inn keepers were used to dealing with extremely rowdy guests and as such you can imagine some of the hardiest inn keepers may have managed to keep their taverns open.
Something appears to then come to the young wizards mind like a light flipping on.
"I do recall that the inn district is that way." he points to the west. "All kinds of people go there due to the many, many inns and taverns. Of course many of them are used to dealing with very unplesent people so those with the toughest inn keepers will most likely have managed to keep their inns open." he chuckles to himself as he then remembers something from his past. "I remember hearing about some fool who threatened a bartender, only to find out that man was over six foot tall when he stood up and was known to crack nut shells with his bare hands. Not to mention the tavern was filled with loyal customers."
That sounds like my kind of place.
Nicolae turns his horse in the direction Bilberk pointed and spurs his horse forward.
As you head towards the market district, you begin to hear the noise of people moving around. It doesn't sound like a lot of people, but certainly more than the barren market district.
You walk through a large stone archway and immediately see a winding maze of buildings. Every building has some kind of sign on indicating their status as a well renowned tavern. Not all of these signs remain intact however, in fact most buildings seem to be half burnt down or empty.
A few stand however, as you walk past them you see a few big heavily armed men standing outside, clearly there to discourage any attacks on the premises.
You stop outside one called the Badgering Hole, this looks by far the busiest. A quick peek inside and you can see why, this is where all the biggest and scariest looking people must be the regulars. You can imagine what would happen if you tried to interrupt these peoples drinking time. Not a pretty picture.
Various heads turn as you walk in, but no-one really seems to notice your presence, probably too drunk to care. The barkeep keeps a note of you out of the corner of his eye however.
Bil doesn't say anything, looking to the group as to how to act in such a environment as he idly scratches his neck.
Beohawk loosely ties the reigns to his mount to a post outside. To no one in particular he announces He bites referring to the horse, and then whispers to the horse Defend. Securing his weapons, he follows Blnerk into the the inn.
Nicolae walks into the bar and looks around for anything out of the ordinary. He immediately looks for alternate exits as well as places that provide cover should he need to defend himself or his fellow party members. He finds a table that strategically works the best and positions himself with his back towards a wall.
In contrast to Nicolae's wariness, Talmanes appeared very relaxed, casually wandering over to the bar in order to get a round of the local special for the four of them. The duellist idly wondered what had happened to the fifth of their number; perhaps he had lost his nerve in the skirmish?
A few of the occupants seem to act slightly weary of Nicolae, due to his obviously aggressive stance, but no-one else seems to be bothered, and all continue drinking regardless.
As Talmanes approaches the bar, the barman looks up. He looks Talmanes straight in the eye and says Make and trouble here and my boys will throws your dismembered limbs out the door. Buy drinks and drink peacefully and we'll get on just fine. What'll you be havin'?
Bil decides to head to the bar with everyone ese, strength in numbers. He sits there and thinks for a moment as to what to have.
"Do you serve water here?" he asks, clearly not having much experience of this sort of place.
The barman looks up a Bilnerk and whispers quietly You may want to ask for something else lad, before you look too out of place. The boys in here don't like strangers, 'specially with all these new people comin' into our city and screwin' it up. So have an ale and keep your head down if you know what's good for ya
The barman looks up a Bilnerk and whispers quietly You may want to ask for something else lad, before you look too out of place. The boys in here don't like strangers, 'specially with all these new people comin' into our city and screwin' it up. So have an ale and keep your head down if you know what's good for ya
Bil takes this as wise council and nods.
"Ale is fine." he states and doesn't bother to correct him about being a local here. "How are these new people screwings things p, may I ask?"
The barman looks around, see's no-one is listening and leans in and whispers quietly.
Well now, we inn keepers know all the regulars in this town, our families have been working here for generations. But all these people, who came around starting the riots, not one of the inn keepers had met them before. That's strange enough as it is, we've heard of almost everyone, and for such a large group to register with none of us, now that's just darn suspicious. And you see shadows wandering around outside in this district after everything's shut, no reason why they should be here, sometimes you get quite a lot of them.
He leans back, he looks as if he feels that he's dealt with the issue and it's now out of his hands, he appears to relax.
Well now that's all I know, you look like you're the adventuring sort, sort it out for us will ya? You'll be welcome by all of us, free of charge if you do.
He turns and goes back to "cleaning" tankards.
The barman looks around, see's no-one is listening and leans in and whispers quietly.
Well now, we inn keepers know all the regulars in this town, our families have been working here for generations. But all these people, who came around starting the riots, not one of the inn keepers had met them before. That's strange enough as it is, we've heard of almost everyone, and for such a large group to register with none of us, now that's just darn suspicious. And you see shadows wandering around outside in this district after everything's shut, no reason why they should be here, sometimes you get quite a lot of them.
He leans back, he looks as if he feels that he's dealt with the issue and it's now out of his hands, he appears to relax.
Well now that's all I know, you look like you're the adventuring sort, sort it out for us will ya? You'll be welcome by all of us, free of charge if you do.
He turns and goes back to "cleaning" tankards.
"I can't speak for the group, but we will take what you have said to heart and make sure to help you." he says and turns to the others, wondering what they think of this.
Talmanes entirely ignored the threat and spoke as if it had not been delivered. With a pleasant smile he replied-
A round of ale for me and mine, thank-you sir. I'll throw in a bit of gold for several minutes of your time, informing me of local happenings and any potential work for a mercenary. Our current contract is, alas, not as lucrative as we had hoped. Things seem somewhat dire here anyway...
Bil thinks for a moment and looks back to the barkeep.
"Have you heard anything about what might've happened at mage's guild? I'm always interested in aquiring new scrolls to learn from or cast if the oppitunity calls for it." he smiles as he says this "I also heard of a druid in the area. He must be having a fit with the way these people must be disrupting the town."
The barman looks up and quickly palms the gold that Talmanes had put down.
Well now, the big underground movement is always looking for new blood, usually you need someone to get you inside though. They don't just let anyone in, you gotta know someone. A friendly bar keep maybe, but there ain't many of those around, not for less than 20 gold anyway.
He looks at Talmanes pointledly and then turns to Bilnerk.
The mages guild you say? Well they locked themselves up behind their big enchanted doors long ago, havn't heard a peep from em since. Nobles don't give a damn about what happens to us poor folk. And a druid? We don't see many of them around here, they hate all the people and they hate us selling animals, I think if anything your druid friend would prefer it to how it was.
He looks around at your group and states
If you've got summit more for me, I'll see what I can do, if not, piss off so I can get back to work
The ranger, silent until now, steps to the bar. Your price for an introduction is high, my good sir. I have a bad habit of trusting people until they prove untrustworthy. Pleased do not make me regret this. Pulling two platinum crowns out of his belt he slides them across the bar.
The barman palms the coin, does a series of quick mental calculations in his head and then makes up his mind. He picks up a large mace from under the bar and slams it down on the bar and shouts
Right everyone out, we're closed, piss off .
As everyone files out, you see some of the bigger and nastier looking men rushing out with obvious mace inflicted scars on them.
After everyone has left, the barman walks up to the door, locks it, and turns to your group.
Right, so, why do you want to meet these undergrounders. I'll take you there regardless, I just want to know what I'm getting myself into, and I don't 'preciate lies.
"I won't lie. Unlike what most mages claim, you learn far more about magic if you use it in the real world than merely look in books." he shrugs as he looks to the man. "Also...this or maybe was my home. I havn't decided if I'll ever return to stay for good, but I certainly don't want to leave it with what's happening now. There needs to be a balance and no one should walk the streets and fear for their lives from thugs who wear uniforms just so they can get away with anything they like."
Nicolae stands up and walks over to the bar. I am here for work. I hear the pay is good.
The ranger adds Our team hear has a special skill set. we will be worth a lot of money to the right employer. being careful not to lie.
Perhaps bump into him as he's looking for work or maybe already part of the underground movement that we have all volunteered ourselves to join? Only ideas I have atm, hope they help.
The barman looks around and nods
So for the most part it's looking for money. Been there myself, I know the lure. Can't say I blame ye.
As he is saying this, he is idly fondling the mace he has put on the bar, the grip looks well worn.
Right, so I'm going to set up a meetin, you ain't the first people to arrive looking to infiltrate the ranks, got a woman who turned up a few days ago who is apparently waiting for the people she's supposed to sneak in. Think we should get to introducing ya, she's upstairs, I'll take ya once I've gone upstairs to make sure she's willing to see ya, wouldn't want to get on the wrong side of her, no sir.
He puts his mace back into its holding below the bar and hobbles upstairs.
You hear a few footsteps approaching and then a knock on your door.
Those people you've been waiting for, they're downstairs. I've emptied the bar like you requested. Just make sure to let captain raichus know I did good so I get me payment
You then hear the footsteps fade as he keeps walking down the corridor to his room, obviously making sure you know he isn't trying to overhear your meeting with your soon to be companions [/b]
It's a fairly small room, it has a normal sized wooden bed with an extremely hard mattress and pillow. There is a desk with a stool on the opposite wall with many scratches on, clearly quite a few writers have come in here as the ink well also looks very well used. There is a lantern hung above your door and a window on the far wall but the rest of the room is fairly featureless.