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You definitely had your reasons for leaving home. But that's your business. Anyone that's asked has received a mere shrug, or maybe a vague "want to see the world" kind of statement.
A kind family in the Kelish cloth trade was returning to Andor, and graciously permitted you to sail down with them. Several vessels passed by. You saw a couple that looked like they'd succumbed to bandits on the river. Shortly after entering the Verduran forests, you spotted a girl in the water by the shore. She seemed unconscious.
You docked in Belhaim a couple days later. Now accompanying you was the beautiful Joriannika, the young woman you and the merchant family pulled out of the water. Her ship had ran afoul with pirates. Her party had defended as best they could, but they were bested. The scoundrels snatched her coins right off of her and tipped her over the side. She doesn't know what happened to anyone else on the boat, or even whether or not it sank. And yet, she smiled.
She was an idealist, a bit chatty, but clearly had a brain with thought-out opinions and ideas. Most of her opinions and ideas were about Galt and the betterment therein... sometimes it all kinda blended together. Essentially "Truth, Justice, and the Andoran way!" But that suited him just fine. If she talked, he wouldn't have to as much. He'd made sure to heal her wounds as best he could whilst on the vessel. It was incredible how she remained so cheery, even after being raided and, now, essentially broke and stranded.
You decided to find some lodging while deciding what to do next. Not far from the docks on the southside of this backwater village, you came across the Wise Piper Inn. The proprietor, Talia Orem, was a kind woman who took pity on Joriannika (and Thomas, by association). She gave you 2 days free lodging and a free meal every morning. You would have to pay for any other expenses.
Guruthos had found himself, of all places, in Cassomir. He had a purpose now, but no money. If was going to be traveling north, he might as well get paid to do it.
Silas Gribb is a pleasant enough man, but he mostly keeps to himself, and answers questions about the goods and the route on a need to know basis, and it so happens to turn out that you don't need to know.
And that suits you just fine. If you don't know where you'll end up, nobody can find you.
Luckily, master Gribb says he'll pay at each stop he makes; a certain percentage of his total earnings at that stop. And, if you'd prefer, he's perfectly willing to leave you behind.
"But yed behtter find yerself a replacement first! Or yool be left behin' wit out gettin so much as a bit of coppa coin!"
You're pretty sure he only hired you because of your smooth, grey wooden mask.
"Wudaya wear that fir? Yu gotta freak face under that freak mask? You'll be perfect! I could use a freak like yu as I travel through Taldor an' beyond! Yur hired!"
The last few rays of sunlight are fading away as you reach the sleepy town of Belhaim. As you're approaching the nearest buildings, Silas speaks up for the first time today,
"I's got a few goods to unload here, and then we'll resupply up for the trip to Whispil. There should be an inn around... oh goblin pits..."
The caravan leader looks distraught as 3 guards approach him. The one on the left seems giddy with excitement, shaking in her chainmail, while the guard on the right stifles a yawn. The large, balding one in the middle appears to have at least a modicum of professionalism, and addresses Silas in an authoritative tone.
"Mr Gribb, I presume? I'm sheriff Benhovy. I'm going to need to take a look at your caravan there."
"Gribb? Gribb who? I's not knowing nobody by no name of Silas Gribb and I would much rather you dittin' go rummagin' thru wut ain't yours."
The sheriff ignores his request as the other two guards begin looking through the caravan. It's not long before several dozens of jars of icky brown liquid are discovered. The sheriff, with an obvious tone of arrogance and accomplishment turns to Gribb,
"Silas?"
"Yes? ... I mean...who?"
It isn't long until Silas is bound in manacles, and hauled off to the town's prison. A few more guards circle the scene, eyeing you suspiciously. When the sheriff returns, he narrows his eyes, and speaks to you,
"And you, what's your business here? You look like hired help... You better not be involved in this or you'll be joining that idiot in a shared cell tonight. Then tied together for the long walk back to Cassomir tomorrow."
***Inside the Inn***
On your second evening in Belhaim, Thomas and Joriannika each find themselves in the commons of the Inn; essentially the first floor that also served as a tavern. There are a couple small round tables near the windows and the fireplace, one long rectangular table in the center of the room. You might find yourself sitting at the bar chatting with Talia, or maybe you acquired something in town (unless your dirt poor like Jori) and are examining it in the firelight.
Last night had several patrons, but tonight was a much quieter night. Only a few townsfolk who chose to eat there dinner here, Talia behind the bar, and the two of you.
She was clad in a sky blue apron with a long-tailed bird stitched in silver thread on her left breast. Black hair peeked out from under her rainbow-colored shawl.
The sun has almost set behind the thick trees of the Verduran forest, when Talia goes to open the door for the last patron who'd finished his meal, paid his tab, and was heading home. Instead of closing the door behind him, though, Talia spoke out to an unseen ear.
"Pelle, why are you and your deputies skulking around outside my inn? Surely you've got something better to do."
It's hard to distinguish any actual words, but there is a response in the form of a gruff, gravelly voice. The only bit you hear is..
"...for your safety. Goodnight, Ms. Orem."
Then the innkeeper stepped back as someone slammed the door shut.
Talia stood for a moment, and, unfazed, went and cracked open one of the windows to the right door. From there, she listened.
It isn't long until Silas is bound in manacles, and hauled off to the town's prison. A few more guards circle the scene, eyeing you suspiciously. When the sheriff returns, he narrows his eyes, and speaks to you,
"And you, what's your business here? You look like hired help... You better not be involved in this or you'll be joining that idiot in a shared cell tonight. Then tied together for the long walk back to Cassomir tomorrow."
Hanzo held both hands up, palms out, wearing what he hoped was a disarming smile. "Naw, I just hired on to earn a bit of coin, and he didn't even offer that much. But work's not always easy to come by, y'know? And he ain't even paid us yet," he said earnestly. *And now it looks like he's not paying at all... that sonuva orcish warlord,* he thought with a sinking feeling as he watched the guards haul Silas away.
Now, the best thing to do was keep his head down and not get hauled off to some stick jail out here in the wrong end of nowhere, too.
***Inside the Inn***
On your second evening in Belhaim, Thomas and Joriannika each find themselves in the commons of the Inn; essentially the first floor that also served as a tavern. There are a couple small round tables near the windows and the fireplace, one long rectangular table in the center of the room. You might find yourself sitting at the bar chatting with Talia, or maybe you acquired something in town (unless your dirt poor like Jori) and are examining it in the firelight.
Last night had several patrons, but tonight was a much quieter night. Only a few townsfolk who chose to eat there dinner here, Talia behind the bar, and the two of you.
She was clad in a sky blue apron with a long-tailed bird stitched in silver thread on her left breast. Black hair peeked out from under her rainbow-colored shawl.
The sun has almost set behind the thick trees of the Verduran forest, when Talia goes to open the door for the last patron who'd finished his meal, paid his tab, and was heading home. Instead of closing the door behind him, though, Talia spoke out to an unseen ear.
"Pelle, why are you and your deputies skulking around outside my inn? Surely you've got something better to do."
It's hard to distinguish any actual words, but there is a response in the form of a gruff, gravelly voice. The only bit you hear is..
"...for your safety. Goodnight, Ms. Orem."
Then the innkeeper stepped back as someone slammed the door shut.
Talia stood for a moment, and, unfazed, went and cracked open one of the windows to the right door. From there, she listened.
Joriannika, who had been having a lively discussion with anyone who cared to speak with her, broke off and frowned when Talia spoke. That woman had been nothing but kindness incarnate to her and Thomas, and Joriannika had been itching to find a way to repay her for it - and the kind trader family who'd fished her out of the river, as well.
Without even thinking about it, she was on her feet and joined Talia at the window. "What's going on, ma'am?" she asked quietly, ready to be indignant at an officer of the law overstepping the bounds of his office.
Hanzo held both hands up, palms out, wearing what he hoped was a disarming smile. "Naw, I just hired on to earn a bit of coin, and he didn't even offer that much. But work's not always easy to come by, y'know? And he ain't even paid us yet," he said earnestly. *And now it looks like he's not paying at all... that sonuva orcish warlord,* he thought with a sinking feeling as he watched the guards haul Silas away.Now, the best thing to do was keep his head down and not get hauled off to some stick jail out here in the wrong end of nowhere, too.
Guruthos pauses for a moment, wondering if he should run. After Hanzo replies, he gestures towards the Taldan and says, "Same."
Talia politely, but quickly, hushes you. Then in a half-whisper exclaims,
"Sorry, dearie. But I'm trying to find out. It could be nothing, but the Sheriff and some of his newer deputies are standing in the shadows at the corner of my establishment and.... wait! I see something in the distance. It's some sort of carriage? No...more like a traveling wagon or caravan of some sort. And two individuals walking on either side of it, I think... okay hush now, my dear. Benhovy is making a beeline straight for them."
She settles in to watch the show and sidles over about two and a half inches to make room for you to see as well, since you seemed interested.
***Outside the Inn***
The sheriff looks at Guruthos with narrowed eyes...
"You... Take off your mask."
Almost unable to contain her curiosity now that she'd ascertained that Talia wasn't under any great inconvenience, Joriannika watched the events unfold outside with barely-restrained questions on the tip of her tongue.
*Looks like an arrest! I wonder what they did? Didn't they only just get here?* she wondered silently, fidgeting a bit with restless energy.
Thomas was quite happy in that he could actually help someone in need. That young woman was in trouble and here he comes fishing her out of the water and applying two heal spells. The next few days she was great company, much better than the Kelish traders that he barely understood. And she was pretty, too...
They spent the next days resting, watching the towns folk and getting to know the surrounding forest. Their inn keeper was another extremely nice woman and even let them stay for free. He couldn't let that go and ordered the best food she had and gave good tip, too. Maybe that could even impress poor Joriannika!
When the ladies lurked out the inn's window, he wasn't very much interested. He was rather full from all the food. "What are you looking at? What can be so interesting at that time of the day..."
***Outside the Inn***
The sheriff looks at Guruthos with narrowed eyes...
"You... Take off your mask."
A long, labored sigh escapes from underneath the mask, and Guruthos reaches up slowly, lifting the wooden mask from his face. The leather straps slid across the back of his head making a gritty sound like sandpaper on hide. With the grey plank gone, all around could see the horrible visage underneath. His cheeks, once slender and delicate like his kin, now had the appearance of melted wax, covered in red and black splotches. His lips were blood red and swollen. His hair hung in small, loose tufts around various parts of his scalp, like sparse weeds in a swamp. His eyes though, were in perfect condition; untouched by the cruel torture that distorted the rest of his face.
His wounds laid bare to all those around him, he was prepared to run for his life, but he would not run yet. Defiantly, he narrowed his perfect eyes at the sheriff, and coarsely whispered, "satisfied?"
When the ladies lurked out the inn's window, he wasn't very much interested. He was rather full from all the food. "What are you looking at? What can be so interesting at that time of the day..."
Joriannika cast a look over her shoulder at the mysterious man. "Someone's getting arrested, Thomas!" she whispered back, waving for him to come join them. For the first time since he'd met her, she seemed a bit nervous, or maybe she was just upset.
For her part, while Joriannika was grateful for the generosity Thomas and the others had shown her, to her mind that was the Right Way to Behave - the way all good people could be expected to act, and she believed in her heart that the world was mostly made up of good people - and she didn't place as much weight on it as, say, a certain scruffy and suddenly ex-mercenary would.
Now here, though, was an event that challenged that view. What could those strangers have done to deserve... wait. It looked like one of them was being taken away, while the others were being interrogated.
Torn between the belief that surely there was some misunderstanding - those poor people probably didn't know any better - and the belief that evildoers got what was coming to them in the end, if people were vigilant, had her in a bind. She bit her lip and turned back to see... wait, what was that?
She blinked, not believing her eyes. Had one of them been in an accident? *It must have been a pretty bad accident, she thought, aghast with sympathy.
"Maybe... maybe we should go help," she ventured uncertainly, not really sure of exactly who it was that needed the help.
Hanzo started to take a step back from Guruthos, then caught himself. *Either it's not contagious, or you already caught it, stupid,* he scolded himself mentally.
Draping a solicitous arm around the elf, Hanzo gave the sheriff a woeful look, and patted Guruthos' arm. "He has to wear it, you see. He's an elf, it's their way," he lied. "It soothes the pain of... the incident. Taking it off just brings up bad memories, and for an elf, that can be a big burden to bear. Long lives, you know. They carry it all inside," he sighed, choked up for a moment on crocodile tears.
"The money was going to help with the healer... I don't suppose you could see your way clear to letting Silas pay us before you take him away, could you? For his sake," Hanzo clarified.
Hanzo started to take a step back from Guruthos, then caught himself. *Either it's not contagious, or you already caught it, stupid,* he scolded himself mentally.
Draping a solicitous arm around the elf, Hanzo gave the sheriff a woeful look, and patted Guruthos' arm. "He has to wear it, you see. He's an elf, it's their way," he lied. "It soothes the pain of... the incident. Taking it off just brings up bad memories, and for an elf, that can be a big burden to bear. Long lives, you know. They carry it all inside," he sighed, choked up for a moment on crocodile tears.
"The money was going to help with the healer... I don't suppose you could see your way clear to letting Silas pay us before you take him away, could you? For his sake," Hanzo clarified.
The disfigured elf flinches as Hanzo reaches out, but stands his ground, listening to the silver-tongued human weave his web, but watching out of the corner of his eye.
*Ahh, there's his plan,* thinks Guruthos as the final phrase slipped from Hanzo's mouth, *He's a sly one; I'll give him that. I wonder if he knows how close he speaks to truth? I'll have to watch him closely.*
The sheriff both visibly and audibly shuddered. He barked an order but had lost some of his arrogance.
” Yes, now put that thing back on! I - ... Alright, you two are free to go. Just don’t cause any trouble in my town.”
He voiced the last bit a little sheepishly. He turned around and walked away a few steps before shouting,
”Mulle! Hodd! The rest of you clowns! Hurry it up!”
The other guards quickly run after their boss, and you’re left alone outside the Wise Piper Inn, with no money, and unlikely to get paid any time soon.
Just then, the door to the inn opens up and the light from inside floods the street.
The silhouette of a tallish woman fills the doorway, and a matching voice calls out to you.
“C’mon in dears! Spit spot!”
She stands by the door waiting for you to enter.
Guruthos puts his mask back on, turns to Hanzo and shrugs, then walks into the Inn.
EDIT: The sheriff looks at Hanzo and Guruthos as if they left a foul taste in his mouth. He then reaches into his pocket and pulls out two gold pieces, flipping them towards the ground in their general direction.
"There." he said with a smirk. "Payday. Now stay out of trouble and move on quickly. Or I might change my mind about your innocence."
He turned around and walked away a few steps before shouting,
”Mulle! Hodd! The rest of you clowns! Hurry it up!”
Thomas didn't understand what was particularly interesting about a man getting arrested. That happens all the time, everywhere. He has seen it happen a lot, mostly hustlers and swindlers where he grew up.
"Help? That's none of our business. Surely the local authorities know what they are doing. As long as no one gets hurt..." That poor girl. This attitude will get her in trouble.
Suddenly the innkeeper stands at the door and invites people in. That's probably fine. There are plenty of rooms free. Thomas greets the newcomers with a handshake, because it is courtesy.
Guruthos looks at the coins. If anyone could see his eyes clearly through the mask, they would have seen them rolling. He motions to Hanzo, then towards the coins, then steps over them and walks towards the inn, his hunger suddenly piqued. As he enters, he sees Thomas standing before him with an outstretched hand. The scarred elf pauses and looks him over carefully. There's something unsettling about the otherwise ordinary human; something that Guruthos feels deep in his core. A raven caws in the distance and Guruthos makes up his mind. Typically when presented with a handshake, Guruthos would quickly return it and move on, watching for any sign hidden malice from the other party. This time though, he steps looks from Thomas' hand, to his face, then walks around him putting tables and chairs in between them.
*What is wrong with him?* Guruthos thinks to himself. *He's done nothing wrong, but there's something familiar and terrible about him.*
I want the PC's to drive the narrative. So long as the characters are still willing to work together.
What's wrong with that one? Thomas thinks to himself, after the masked Elf didn't answer his handshake. That is very rude. And then he walks around him! Should they know each other? Thomas doesn't have any enemies. At least, definitely not here!
The woman nods at each of you as you enter the inn and closes the door behind her once everyone is in. In this better light, you are able to look upon your savior in greater detail. A slim Taldan woman of maybe 40 winters; clad in a sky blue apron with a long-tailed bird stitched in silver thread on her left breast. Black hair peeked out from under her rainbow-colored shawl.
"It would be unkind of me to just leave you stranded out there. You'll have to forgive my eavesdropping. But when I saw sheriff Benhovy standing right outside my inn, well, I got curious, didn't I? I'm sorry about him, by the way. One thing you should know about Belhaim: simple misunderstandings have a habit of turning into big, complex, sometimes violent beasts. It's mostly the Abadarans, like...Pelle Benhovy... who won't leave well enough alone. But no more talk of that foolish man! The name's Talia Orem and this is my establishment.
Welcome to the Wise Piper Inn! If you can promise not to burn down my business, rooms are free for the night, okay dears? In the morning I'll feed the lot of yeah some of my 'Talia's Famous Honey-Drizzled Bread'. After that, I'm afraid you'll need to be on your way, or pay if you need to stay additional nights." She glances towards Joriannika and Thomas, then back to her audience. "Shelyn knows I can't keep renting out my rooms for free. This is a business, after all."
She informs you that you're welcome to sleep on the floor by the fireplace or in one of the cozier rooms upstairs. There are a total of 10 rooms upstairs, 5 on either side of the hallway. The last rooms on either side are sized for shorter folk, and the first rooms are already being used by the two strangers in the room when you enetered.
Guruthos makes his way to the darkest corner he can find, away from the others, but keeping Thomas in his peripheral view. He listens to the woman.
EDIT: The sheriff looks at Hanzo and Guruthos as if they left a foul taste in his mouth. He then reaches into his pocket and pulls out two gold pieces, flipping them towards the ground in their general direction.
"There." he said with a smirk. "Payday. Now stay out of trouble and move on quickly. Or I might change my mind about your innocence."
He turned around and walked away a few steps before shouting,
”Mulle! Hodd! The rest of you clowns! Hurry it up!”
Hanzo frowned inwardly at the sheriff's all-too-familiar attitude, but on the outside, he only sighed. A couple of coins was better than nothing.
Scooping up the coins, he passed one to Guruthos, and winked. "Little payday is better than no payday!"
He hurried inside at the invitation of the woman, with a beaming grin of gratitude when she said they could stay for free. 'Never look a gift horse in the mouth' was a saying he agreed with wholeheartedly, and he thanked Talia for her kindness.
Then he was gone, up the stairs lickety-split, to claim a room before she changed her mind.
Thomas didn't understand what was particularly interesting about a man getting arrested. That happens all the time, everywhere. He has seen it happen a lot, mostly hustlers and swindlers where he grew up.
"Help? That's none of our business. Surely the local authorities know what they are doing. As long as no one gets hurt..." That poor girl. This attitude will get her in trouble.
Joriannika frowned pensively. "Well, business is what you make of it. but... oh, they only took one man away." She peered into the night, then smiled as Talia proved her generous spirit once more.
***
Suddenly the innkeeper stands at the door and invites people in. That's probably fine. There are plenty of rooms free. Thomas greets the newcomers with a handshake, because it is courtesy.
Joriannika had questions! So many questions. But the masked man crept over to a dark corner, obviously not in the mood to talk, and the other fellow - poor-looking sort, by the wear and tear on his clothes - leapt up the stairs before she could so much as peep.
"Oh. All right, then," she chuckled, and gave Talia a solemn nod. "You've already been so kind! I'll find a way to repay you, and you too, Thomas, I promise. And if it takes longer than til tomorrow, then I'll just sleep out in the open! Under the stars!" she grinned, picturing a clear and beautiful sky.
Scooping up the coins, he passed one to Guruthos, and winked. "Little payday is better than no payday!"
Guruthos brushes away the offered coin with a wave of his hand and treads into the inn.
...
After listening to Talia's introduction, the masked elf stands from his chair, walks to the bar and waits for a server. Once attended, he points to a pot of stew cooking on the hearth, then a bottle of wine in a rack behind the bar. Once he's certain the server understands his meaning, he places a single gold coin on the bar and waits.
The visibly nervous server scoops up the coin, ladles out a portion of the hot stew into a wooden bowl, adds a spoon, then retrieves the wine bottle and bottle and a goblet. Guruthos hoists his backpack onto his back, gathers his meal and proceeds upstairs, sparing a quick glance around at the others before he goes.
"What an unfriendly pair." Thomas was baffled by the two guys storming through the common room, picking up their food and leaving to their rooms. When the masked guy spares a quick glance at them Thomas smiles ironically and waves with his right hand.
With a shrug, Hanzo pocketed the extra gold coin, mud and all. No complaint from him! Heck, if Guruthos wanted to drop any more coin, Hanzo would be only too happy to pick it up!
Thus cheered, he entered the inn with a roguish smile at the innkeep.
***
Hanzo cautiously returned to the common room once he thought he'd been in his room long enough to make it awkward for Talia to rescind her offer. He came sniffing around, hoping to score a free meal, but grudgingly willing to pay for one if he had to.
Plopping down near Joriannika and Thomas with his food, he asked around a mouthful of bread and stew, "What's up? I'm Hanzo."
After a moment, casting a sidelong glance at Thomas, Hanzo scooted a little farther away. Why were the hairs on his arms standing up?
"What an unfriendly pair." Thomas was baffled by the two guys storming through the common room, picking up their food and leaving to their rooms. When the masked guy spares a quick glance at them Thomas smiles ironically and waves with his right hand.
"I guess they must be tired, having walked all day," Joriannika mused, settling back in to examine a gameboard left out. Looking up, she shot Thomas a dazzling smile. "But it's not so late. Care for a game of Leaptoad?" She let a few of the red and black stones trickle through her fingers onto the board, and laughed.
***
When Hanzo showed up and began slurping down stew, Joriannika looked up from where she'd been speaking with Thomas about the fundamental flaws in governments that weren't meritocracies.
"Up is a state of mind," she said sagely, keeping a straight face until Hanzo looked a bit uncomfortable. Then she laughed, an infectious and happy sound. "I'm joking! Well, sort of. Hmm... I guess it is, really? I heard a Vudran say it once and didn't think of it much at the time, but it makes sense! Right, Thomas?"
"In any case, my name is Joriannika. Pleased to meet you!" She reached out to shake his hand, since she hadn't joined in when Thomas was shaking his hand at the door. "This is Thomas. He's a philanthropist!"
Hanzo shook her hand, then Thomas' again. "Uh... okay," he said a bit warily, not really clear on what a 'philanthropist' was. It sounded a bit like 'philanderer,' which he did know what was, but she sounded so positive when she said it, so it couldn't be a bad thing...?
"So... how's the philanthroping going, Thomas?" he ventured. He'd noticed that Joriannika hadn't said what her business was.
After nearly an hour, Guruthos lumbers down the stairs with arm of strange-looking tools and what looks like a set of large, wicked, iron jaws. In a pair of spare fingers, he holds an empty bowl and goblet, which he deftly sets at the end of the bar. He turns towards the door and sees the small group chatting away and pauses. A brief moment passes before a loud "CAW" is heard just outside the inn, which breaks the masked elf's train of thought. He hurriedly rushes out the door and down the street.
Hanzo shook her hand, then Thomas' again. "Uh... okay," he said a bit warily, not really clear on what a 'philanthropist' was. It sounded a bit like 'philanderer,' which he did know what was, but she sounded so positive when she said it, so it couldn't be a bad thing...?
"So... how's the philanthroping going, Thomas?" he ventured. He'd noticed that Joriannika hadn't said what her business was.
"very good, I'd say. So far only one satisfied customer." He glanced at Joriannika, "but you gotta start small, don't you?"
He was glad for the interruption, because she was wiping the floor with him in that stupid game.
After nearly an hour, Guruthos lumbers down the stairs with arm of strange-looking tools and what looks like a set of large, wicked, iron jaws. In a pair of spare fingers, he holds an empty bowl and goblet, which he deftly sets at the end of the bar. He turns towards the door and sees the small group chatting away and pauses. A brief moment passes before a loud "CAW" is heard just outside the inn, which breaks the masked elf's train of thought. He hurriedly rushes out the door and down the street.
I failed to mention that Guruthos is going to the furrier and hunting lodge to try to sell some traps. He's going to try to sell a bear trap (UE) for 2gp. It's not often that he is welcomed to a place, particularly after they've seen his face. He wants to repay Talia for her kindness. He can afford to do so now, but would prefer to save his current cash for a "rainy day."
Using the few free fingers you have, you open the door and step into the ever darkening streets of Belhaim. Hooking the door with your foot, you're able to pull with enough momentum that the Wise Piper Inn entrance closes, but doesn't slam shut.
There's currently no one else around in your part of the street. Silence. Beautiful silence.
You turn right and head north a few paces until you come to an intersection. The post says the path to your right is Canteclure Road; You're not sure where the artisan district is...or even if this blip-on-the-map town even has one. You look at some of the signs over the nearest shops and buildings, hoping businesses aren't just put wherever there is room.
The first shops on the left side of Canteclure Road read:
AKIL'S MEATS, and an image depicting a cleaver slicing through some raw meat.
and
BACCUS SMITHY. The second sign contains no image - but then again... it probably doesn't need one.
You guess that, if they have a furrier, this is where you'll find it.
So you venture down Canteclure road. Most of these shops seem to be closed, from what you can tell. If the furrier is closed, if there's one at all, you'll check to see if there's a Hunting Lodge of some sort. It would probably have several braggadocios hunters buying rounds to anyone who'd listen to them spin tall tales of their latest kills.
There aren't many people out, but the ones that are stop and silently watch you as you pass, then resume their conversations. It's very obvious. Though how many elves wearing wooden masks have they seen in their lifetime.
You pass a barber, then a little house where an old-looking gnome with pink hair is relaxing on her front porch, then a shop named Delbin's Devices, and then come to another intersection. Maybe there's not a Furrier in this town after all. Not too surprising.
You hear a voice call out from behind you,
"If you're lookin' for a furrier, stranger, Odayelle's Furs is right across that bridge. But be careful! Pasara is one brazen woman!"
You turn to see the pink-haired gnome smiling at you. It's genuine and there's no mockery in her tone. You smile back and then remember she can't see it anyway.
You decide to trust the gnome and head across the small bridge to the north.
You stand in a small valley between two hills. To the south is a large manor as well as what must be the town's cemetery. Many of the windows are lit.
To the north is an equally large manor, but more compact, and with only 1 window lit allowing you to see the silhouette of a figure looking out before the curtains close and the light extinguishes. To the North East is a tall, ancient-looking tower. Many many stories high. You've no idea what it could be for. But now's not the time to go snooping.
When you approach the Furrier's shop, you realize it is closed - something you think the Gnome probably should have mentioned.
With a sigh you go south, the west at the intersection. (The gnome lady calls to you, "I forgot to tell you...She's probably closed... I'm sorry! Things slip my mind from time to time, old as I am!"
You eventually find the hunting lodge. And it's still open.
"Yeah, I've seen the strangest things on my hunting trips a long Dragonfen's borders, including huge hairy men who howl like wolves and stand nearly ten feet tall!"
You meet Eudomas Biton, proprietor of Biton Lodge. A crass man, his version of small talk consists of guessing what awful events might have happened to your face that you have to wear a freaky mask.
Because you're new in town, he agrees to buy your well-made traps for 15sp.
[b]"I don't know you. I don't even know if you made these or not. Ya coulda stole 'em. I don' really care, but my point remains. But keep showin' your face - figuratively of course! I don' need to see a face your mother probably can't even love! - but keep comin' round, bring in a kill, maybe you can buy and sell at negotiated prices."[b]
He chuckles a bit and waits to see what you'll do.
The first time the elder gnome calls out to him to offer advice, he substitutes a deep bow to her for the unseen smile (which makes his lips uncomfortable anyway).
In response to the belated advice from the gnome, he lets out low, two-syllable growl of a chuckle "Huh-huh", then gives a slow nod of the head.
He enters the lodge cautiously, knowing there are likely a number of armed men inside. As he enters, he makes a mental note of the comment regarding "huge hairy wolf-men," then looks around to find someone to purchase his wares. He doesn't have to look for long before Biton approaches the stranger and advises him (quite pointedly) that he runs the lodge. He then tells Guruthos to state his business. In response, Guruthos lays out a bear trap of his own making, then holds up a gold piece, points to Biton, and holds up 2 fingers.
Guruthos waits patiently as Biton carries on with suppositions about the elf's face, then once the human makes his offer, he ponders it for a moment, then nods in acceptance and holds out his hand for payment.
Once payment is made, Guruthos gestures to the trap, looks at Biton and growls out "M-m-more?" He flashes two, then three, then four fingers to indicate that he's looking for a quantity.
The next time he sees Talia, he will approach her, give her the silver followed by a bow of his head, then do his best to be on his way before she can initiate any conversation.
Several of the men and women in here turn towards you, waiting to see what you'll do. Some of their faces almost look as if their dying for you to start something. Maybe they have to kill something every day or go crazy...and maybe they haven't yet, today.
You take your payment, leave the trap, and then exit the Lodge.
He returns to the inn. If he encounters Talia, he will hand her the coins (as detailed in the prior post), then heads to bed.
By the time Guruthos returns to the inn, Talia is nowhere to be found. Presumably she's gone to sleep already. Guruthos thinks to slide the lock on the door before heading upstairs.
One by one, each of you heads upstairs and drifts off to sleep. Today has been trouble enough that you don't even worry about tomorrow. Let tomorrow worry about itself. Feeling an assurance that with the dawn will come a better day, you drift off to sleep
***New Day!***
The moment any of the enters the upstairs corridor, you're immediately greeted by a wonderful aroma. As you head downstairs you'll find Talia doing multiple things: going to and from one of two doors behind the bar, bringing plates of fresh bread with drizzled honey on them and placing them on the long rectangular table in the center of the room; bringing out a pitcher of water and some smooth wooden cups; once that's done she'll be getting things ready for the day, cleaning some cups and rearranging her wall of ales and wines, 3 shelves worth on the wall between the two doors behind the bar.
When she sees each of you she greets you in different variations of:
"Good morning, deary! I trust you slept well. Wise Piper mattresses are guaranteed to give you a good's night sleep after even the most stressful day! Grab a chair and enjoy a personal sized loaf of honey-drizzled bread, it's a specialty of mine! Oh! I almost forgot the cheese!"
She runs off and brings out a wooden breadboard with a chunk of cheese block.
"Best cheese in Taldor, this is. Made right here in Belhaim! Sadly, the only people that know that... live here in Belhaim. Make sure to tell people when you leave. This town is in serious need of income."
She leaves it at that and resumes cleaning glasses and dusting some bottles.
Apparently Thomas was the first to wake up. Maybe the smell from downstairs was the reason. He actually slept very well. Must be the mattresses.
"Good morning to you, too. That smells great as always." He replied, when coming down and taking a seat. Joriannika will be down soon, too. And maybe the new guests will be friendlier after a good breakfast. "You look wonderful as always, Talia.
Guruthos wakes to the sweet smell of Talia's bread. The smell reminded him of his early childhood; one of the few days his parents took him to an Elven city, though he couldn't remember the name. All he remembered was the smell of sweet baked goods which seemed to permeate the center of town. As a child, he wanted to live there forever. Now...
He pushes the thoughts from his mind. *Such childish dreams are of no consequence now.* After cleaning himself in a nearby wash basin, pulls on his mask. As he approaches the door, he considers setting a trap, but decides against it. He won't be gone for long, anyway. The morning sun has certainly banished any shadows which would be sufficient for him to take a meal. He would have to return to his room.
Ambling down the stairs, he hears Talia's voice. As he enters, she greets him with a warmth of which he is unaccustomed, but he returns only a slow nod. As he turns towards the food, he sees Thomas sitting at the table, enjoying his breakfast. Pausing, he silently approaches the table cautiously, maneuvering himself to keep from approaching Thomas too closely, or turning his back to him. He takes a plate and adds a few slices of bread and cheese, then fills a cup with water, clearly intent on taking his meal elsewhere.
The masked man was the next to arrive. Thomas wasn't particularly irritated by the mask. Stranger folk had passed through his town and he was the last person to judge someone's secrets. But that one was impolite. That's just unfair towards him and especially towards Talia's hospitality. Thomas almost felt hostility in the man's behavior. But he wasn't giving up so fast.
"Good morning Mr... I'm sorry I didn't catch your name last night?" Thomas addresses him with his most formal tone and a diplomatic smile. "I am Thomas Riverdancer from Yanmass." Here he stood up made a formal bow and paused for a few seconds to take another bite. In between bites he continued less formally. "Did you sleep well? You appeared to have had a rough day yesterday."
The elf pauses, staring at his plate and cursing himself for putting himself in this position. He lifts his masked face towards the oracle, and releases a low growl, reminiscent of a sarcophagus lid being sealed shut, [b]"Guruthos."[b/] With that, he turns way from the man and heads towards the stairs.
Before he reaches them, he encounters Talia who once again greats him warmly. He stops near her, places his food and drink an empty table nearby, and reaches into a fold of his shirt. A brief expression of concern flashes on Talia's face, but when he produces a small purse jingling with the sound of coins, she relaxes. He quickly hands the money to her, bows deeply at the waist, and picks his food up intending to exit quickly.
Before Guruthos can even make for the stairs, the walls of the inn start rattling as though shaken by thunder! Talia immediately goes to her shelves of liquors and ales, trying to prevent bottles from crashing to the floor. Joriannika finally wanders down the stairs looking a little sleepy-eyed and with a bit of bed head, holding on to the rail for dear life.
"Wh-wh-what's go-o-o-ing o-on!?"
What do you do?
"Joriannika, you're alright? Talia? And you, Sir?" Thomas quickly checked everybody's status before heading to the door.