The door of the tavern swings inwards, allowing precious rays of light to dance in the otherwise windowless room. The pleasant light is followed by the protruding chest and wide-brimmed hat of a portly man by the name of Mr. Samuel. Aside from his rooster-like strut and confident swagger, the only other distinguishing mark is his collection of tattered clothes that seem too tidy and clean to have been ever worn before. He steps out of the doorway and removes his hat to greet the bartender, revealing a bald spot hidden in his ruffled brown hair.
The door swings closed and the festive atmosphere returns. The drunkards, momentarily distracted by the outside world, return to drowning their sorrows or what-have-you in liters of concentrated alcohols. The sounds of festivity: the clinking of glasses, the rattling of dice on the wooden tables, the hearty chuckles of dwarven miners,
and the distinct noise of glass breaking against wood outside the tavern
Mr. Samuel steps up to the bar, orders a beer, and only then begins to look for the new recruits.
Mr. Samuel turns to look for the volunteers only to find a twelve year old girl staring up at him.
"Gabby says I'm to come meet you here so here I be. I left Pooka outside and I thinks I hear him growlin'. We might wanna keep this short before someone gets eaten cause he's pretty hungry."
Unblinking, she waits a second for him to respond....
...
...
...
"Or I can bring him inside. He be sorta broken and don't pee on anything he might want to eat later."
Looking in the direction of the door momentarily, Eran waits until a break in the man's conversation and sends a missive to the recruiter. <<I received your letter. I am the one looking at you right now, tattooed man with the scarf. Let me know when you are ready to speak to me.>>
Mr. Samuel looks over his chest to see Bree down below. "Perhaps you should keep your dog outside; we wouldn't want to draw attention to ourselves." Everyone can hear barking and howling from the outside.
The cries don't seem normal. Something is wrong.
He takes a seat next to Eran and notices a few of the other people at the bar looking at him. "I take it that you were the ones that received letters." He looks around. "I'm not sure that it's a good idea to speak out here. I'll make sure that everyone is here and we'll come back to my place to speak. What is your name?"
Watching Mr. Samuel approach the table, Karson sits in wait, wondering if this is indeed the man that he was supposed to contact. As the partially bald man arrived at the table and began to speak, he started to build his own impressions. "Hmm... Tattered and tidy clothing, walk of confidence... Seems like a noble, not sure if I recognize him though..." Waiting a brief moment, he showed the letter in his hand and introduces himself. "You can call me Karson. How far is your place from here?"
Jerex nods and waves to Mr. Samuel, then proceeds to the bar taking an available stool. He then asks Mr. Tibbs for a glass of fresh well water. He takes one drink and looks at Mr. Samuel, "Well met again Mr. Samuel, I see you have taken care of your business? How do you want to proceed with recruitment? And you are here for recruitment, correct?"
You don't recognize him, but you're not sure.
Mr. Samuel turns to Karson. "Oh, not too far. Not too far at all, at least, as the crow flies."
"My name is Eran."
Jerex looks puzzled, "What crows? Jerex inquisitively looks around for the crows. Not quite used to slang or similar yet.
Bathus places his book in his pocket and finishes his drink. Picking up the card that marked his reservation, he nonchalantly walks to the front of the tavern to peer out the window and see what may be happening.
"Well met, Eran...Orantul?" He looks down to his list and checks off Karson and Eran. Then he turns to Jerex. Well, if this is what's necessary...
"As the crow flies means the distance that we need to travel, if we could fly."
Fire. The doorstep of the tavern is on fire, and the flames are spreading. You can spot a broken flask that probably held an alchemist fire.
Looking slightly embarrassed, and shifts uncomfortably in his bar stool, Jerex nods, "Yes, now I understand. Thank your Mr. Samuel for clarifying. I must have missed the traveling part, are we departing the Silver Dragon to have our meeting?"
Khundrugar gestures to the other recruits in the company with a chuckle,
Well, sir. If you do not wish to draw attention you picked strange company to do that with! I am Khundrugar - as I suspect you know. But do tell us, is there danger that we need to know of before we slink off to your place to do business?
He hoists his bulging haversack as well as his massive sword, swinging them to his shoulders. Then he drains his cup.
Jerex replies while looking at Khundrugar, "Perhaps there is danger here because of the glass breakage against the walls of the tavern? I hear that does not happen much here at the Silver Dragon?"
Seeing a sudden movement of people Ethan peers around. Draining his cup he leans back to watch the crowd to see what stirred them up.
Upon seeing the newest entry to the tavern he gathers his small backpack of things and wanders over.
You must be Samuel, but I suppose with a hat like that I should make it Mr. Samuel.
Oh dear...
Bathus scrambles to where Mr. Samuel and the others are gathered, skirting tables and patrons to get there, and pushes his way to the center of their group.
Fire! he hisses, trying to avoid creating widespread panic. The front of the building is on fire, we've got to get everyone out and call the brigade, and fast.
Brie takes Bathus's words in stride, looking around the tavern to see who heard and what they are doing about it. In the meantime, she marks the exits in her mind, as well as doors leading up to rooms, down to a cellar or into a kitchen.
She is also making a note of obvious valuables in the process.
Not so good at spotting the exits, much better at spotting the valuables.
Outside, Pooka crosses the street, moving away from the fire.
What in blazes are you squeaking about? Ethan asks Bathus, looking around the room. What fire? He makes no effort to keep his voice down.
Jerex's face becomes serious, "It sounds like we are under attack by rioters. We should think about moving to the rear exits and just in case, be ready for an attack."
Jerex gets off his bar stool and makes sure no one is adjacent to him. Then he looks at Brie, "Hey little one, didn't you say your dog or whatever is in front?"
Blazes are exactly what I would be 'squeaking about' if I were ever to make such a sound! Bathus exclaims to Ethan. Perhaps so, Jerex, best be on our toes. Still, we have to get everyone out before the inferno claims us. Bathus climbs onto the bar, and does his best to address everyone over the din. Everyone! There is a fire out front, we need to evacuate the building. Please don't panic, we have time to exit safely.
I can't be heard at all over this racket. Ethan, wasn't it? Could you manage to get their attention?
I can give it a try Ethan lets out a loud whistle, one often used to alert a shore team that a ferry is inbound, before cupping his hands around his mouth.
Oi! Listen up ya drunks!
My small friend here is buying drinks for everyone out back. New ale, fresh off the wagon. Let's move it people!
Khundrugar gestures to the other recruits in the company with a chuckle,
Well, sir. If you do not wish to draw attention you picked strange company to do that with! I am Khundrugar - as I suspect you know. But do tell us, is there danger that we need to know of before we slink off to your place to do business?
He hoists his bulging haversack as well as his massive sword, swinging them to his shoulders. Then he drains his cup.
"Well, it seems that agents of Caedmon have the nasty habit of being the target of attempted assassination, but nothing major. So perhaps it might be more ideal to leave this place once we have everyone."
At Balthus' remark, Mr. Samuel's smile turns into a frown. "I can't be certain, but this, Khundrugar, may be an example."
Ethan's remark finally gets everyone's attention, and with a smattering of applause and cheer, the drunks begin to rush to the back of the tavern, into a series of supply closets.
Brie takes Bathus's words in stride, looking around the tavern to see who heard and what they are doing about it. In the meantime, she marks the exits in her mind, as well as doors leading up to rooms, down to a cellar or into a kitchen.
She is also making a note of obvious valuables in the process.
[dice=Perception]1d20
[dice=Appraise]1d20 + 1Not so good at spotting the exits, much better at spotting the valuables.
Outside, Pooka crosses the street, moving away from the fire.
You notice assorted coppers and silvers scattered around on the tables and the bar, probably left as payment, but the locale doesn't seem like a very classy place.
Jerex takes enough steps forward to make sure no one will get hurt, then he activates his armor of crystallized and plasma-like materials, and a few seconds later his Greatsword made out of Crystallized Material. Then looks to Samuel, "Better to be prepared than dead. Unless you have a better suggestion, let's head for the rear door."
Jerex looks at the agents while taking one step towards the back for the alley door or whatever.
Jerex moves to the back door, hidden among the barrels in the supply room. Mr. Samuel steps up and tackles the door, but it doesn't budge.
The bar-owner shrugs with a combination of embarrassment, apathy, and terrifying fear of fiery death. "Land is really precious around here, so I sold the space right behind my inn to the store behind. I guess they built right up to my property, eh?"
Mr. Samuel tries to tackle the door a few more times, and receives the reply of a shrill woman through the wall. "Haven't I told you that the babies are sleeping? KEEP QUIET BACK THERE."
Right... Bathus squints and rubs his chin. You don't have a tap, or water source, or water barrels, do you? Unless there is actually some other way out?
Jerex looks are the bar tender, "Really?! Bar tender, do you have a hatch on your roof or a basement or like Bathus stated, another way out?" Then he looks at Bathus, "Two problems my friend, Bathus, the amount of water it will take and the fire is on the other side of the wall so that means we can not hit the fire directly unless we open the door or go out front."
"Well, if we must go out the door, then we might as well fight our way out," Eran says, grabbing a starknife off of a loop on his belt. "While we fight out the front, why not have those drunks bash down the wall out back?"
Karson quickly looks around the building as the fire trying to seek out another entrance. "Damn, I should've looked this place over better before I got here. Why do I keep on taking these anonymous job offers? All it was supposed to be was a consultation, not a damned riot..." After seeing the back door essentially unable to open, he quickly scans for another route that could work. "Everyone, calm down for just a moment. Think clearly and we will find a way out. More often than not, there is another way out, we just need to find it."
Jerex looks perfectly calm looking or waiting for a more "simple" exit. However if one does not present itself, there will be a new one created. Looking towards the front can Jerex tell how bad the fire is?
Jerex can not tell how dangerous the front entrance is so it remains his last choice as an egress point.
I can't be heard at all over this racket. Ethan, wasn't it? Could you manage to get their attention?
Stepping into the middle of the room, big Kundrigar's chest heaves....and - with his sheathed falchion raised up - in a powerful voice he sings....
ATTENTION YOU LOUTS! ALL EYES AND EARS ON ME!
Now listen carefully and remain CALM!
There is a fire and we are all going to calmly make our EXIT. The front door is ...is in flames...and the back door is blocked. BUT NOT TO WORRY!Raise your hand up if you know another EXIT! Point it out PLEASE! And WHEN I SAY SO we will file our way out NICE and CALM...or by Gorum's Iron you'll wish you had lived long enough to DIE in the conflagration!
Jerex calmly points to the blocked exit and the roof. If no exit is made apparent this round, he is making an exit. Jerex walks over to the blocked exit and bangs loudly on the wall, "Ma'am, are your children beds or cribs along this wall? In addition, I am going to let you know this tavern is on fire and what is connected to this tavern will also light on fire if no one is going to put it out."
ATTENTION YOU LOUTS! ALL EYES AND EARS ON ME!
Now listen carefully and remain CALM!There is a fire and we are all going to calmly make our EXIT. The front door is ...is in flames...and the back door is blocked. BUT NOT TO WORRY!Raise your hand up if you know another EXIT! Point it out PLEASE! And WHEN I SAY SO we will file our way out NICE and CALM...or by Gorum's Iron you'll wish you had lived long enough to DIE in the conflagration!
Well. . . that seems much more effective than my try eh? Ethan comments to no one specific.
Ethan walks to door and lays his hands on it. After a minute of contact with the door a blue light appears on his hands.
Activate domain power Door Sight. What is on the other side? How big are the flames? Is the on fire area small enough to jump/run through?
Well lads, maybe we should make our own door eh? Surely with enough muscle gathered here we can knock some boards loose.
The structure seems rather sturdy relative to other buildings in the area. It could probably take quite a beating before the supports gave way.
The bartender starts breathing into his shirt to avoid hyperventilating. "We have...we have beer. I think that's not flammable. We have a cellar; that's where I store all my spirits for aging. The roof is straw, so I guess we could jump out if we need to." With that final statement, he starts to clam up in fear.
You notice that the flames have yet to reach the windows, though the windows are only a few feet away from the door.
Despite Khundragur's rabblerousing, the drunkards are more confused than you are and really have no idea.
The woman shouts back at Jerex. "You think I would put my children near that hell-hole that you call a tavern? The fire is on your side of the property. FIX IT OR I'M CALLING THE LANDLORD!
Brie is waiting to see what the big folk do but is not overly concerned. She is not wearing her armor and so only has the knife at her belt.
Brie is waiting to see what the big folk do but is not overly concerned. She is not wearing her armor and so only has the knife at her belt.
Eran, anticipating the crowd below to get ugly any moment now, will head up the stairs and try to access the roof on the side adjacent to the back of the building. He will try to use any furniture nearby to get within reach of the roof and provide a relatively safe egress.
Jerex follows Eran since it appears he has both the same idea and saw the stair well before Jerex, "Eran, let's punch a hole through the roof if there is no hatch or easier way to get on the roof. Both doors seem out of the question at this time." ... Jerex says with a smile.
"True. Also I would rather not be crushed when the stampede below goes sour."
Jerex looks below seeing the others become anxious, looks at Eran, and nods in agreement, "Pretty soon they will look and act like rats on board a sinking ship."
Eran heads up the stairs into the second story and climbs on a table. He pushes up on the floorboards, revealing a cluttered and decaying attic filled with dried straw from the roof.
Ethan sees a rather large fire consuming the front steps of the door and beginning to lash the door itself, but so far the door hasn't caught fire. A growing crowd of onlookers watch the scene, but they seem more curious or anxious than angry.
Jerex looks up to Eran, "How does it look Eran? Can we safely get out if we cut through the straw?
"Maybe, not quite sure. There is an attic. Do you have a source of light?"
Perhaps it is exactly the time to drown our troubles, then. If someone could give me a hand with this outrageously large barrel? Bathus tries to tip one of the kegs of beer over, and otherwise attempts to roll it towards the door without squashing himself.
Jerex nods, reaches into his pack to grab his everburning torch, and hands it to Eran, "Here you go and all you have to do is remove the cover. The light will spring forth so don't look directly at it when you do."