Dashed off two pms about rumors to you two.
Akeirin nods, as if to himself.
"Folk here do think there is something going on by the Caves. They talk of gnolls, and butchered travellers..." the elf states, his distaste for gnolls evident by the tenor of his speech and the face he makes.
The weather turns for the worst, and it begins to rain. Lucky you are in the tavern. With the wenches that serve drinks and food. Checking out the caves tonight is a bad idea.
"A cozy, dry night sounds marvelous, now that nobody mentioned it. Is this tavern also an inn, or do we have to brave the weather to find beds? Anybody notice?"
"From my limited experience, I must confess I thought they were always one and the same. You drink. Collapse. Bed down. Become infested with bed-lice or are robbed. Wake up. Adventure."
Akeirin smiles a little self-consciously.
"At least that is how the tales have it."
"Very strange, for the people I have spoken to have said that they do not believe the caves have anything to do with the current problems."
The valley elf shrugs.
"Perception is a many-faceted jewel - perhaps they understand a distinctly different facet."
"It seems our threads are being pulled to twist with the caves' threads, at least for a while. We might find a truth if we don't fight the intersection. But they can meet on the morrow well enough."
"I agree. Let us retire for the night and make our decision on the morrow."
Therion summons one of the staff members and inquires about lodgings.
One of the Staff comes over and says, "We do put up people during the night. It will cost 5 sp for a good night's sleep, 2 sp for staying in the common room, and 10 gp for the finest night's sleep in one of our suites."
Akeirin nods along with the staff member.
"Are such prices reasonable? How do they ensure the finest sleep?" he asks his companions.
"That's 5sp for a private room then?"
Turning to Akeirin, "The Inn of the Welcome Wench was 1GP/night for a private room, but this is no Welcome Wench," answers Jebeddo, looking at his surroundings with a slight winch.
"Those prices wouldn't be reasonable if the finest night's sleep included whores. Of course, what competition is there? Pay their prices or sleep outside the fortification, probably. A roll of the dice. Sounds like 2 silvers, to me."
"I'll take a good night's sleep at 5sp, please!"
"Very well," said the clerk. "I'll be back with your key. And you are staying in our common room, huh?"
The clerk turned the last to Naji. The Common Room wasn't nice and it was the place for stragglers to stay.
He shrugs. "Few are the priests who can afford to lavish themselves with luxury."
"2 sp please." says Akeirin simply.
Jebeddo hands over his coins for a room as well.
Once handed the key, Jeneddo bids everyone goodnight and heads upstairs.
We’re far from the guild’s reach, but just in case...
Once inside his room, Jebeddo locks the door and pushes one of the beds against it, ensuring that any force used to enter will wake everyone up.
Akeirin will not have any illusions about the common room, so is neither disappointed or impressed - merely horrified by the notion of civilization as presented. When apportioned a cot the valley elf lies down next to it, placing a small crystal object above him on the bed. Immediately, the crystal vibrates slightly as it sprouts legs.
"What is your need Talakeirinatar?"
Akeirin smiles a thin smile.
"Keep us safe, both. Watch Naji too."
The crystal hums assent, and Akeirin lies down, eyes slightly closed.
My people. I see no stars this night. Bless them for me and we will see the same daystar on the morrow.
The rain continued through the night. Bringing water to everywhere it touches. The rain sounds pat-a-pat on the roof of the inn. It's a cozy feeling, allowing everyone to sleep tonight.
It's not the Welcoming Wench by any sort. But at least you have a good night's rest. At four o'clock in the morning, the scullery maids wake up and begin work in the kitchen, preparing breakfast. While more staff tend to the fire, making sure it's lit and provides warmth. They do this without stirring the occupants in their rooms.
Lured by the scent of bangers and mash lingering in the air, Jebeddo heads down to the common room to get some breakfast.
"Does anyone need to gather any supplies before heading out? We should get an early start towards the caves."
Having slept soundly if not exactly very comfortably, Akeirin returns Naraivai to its pure mode and stows the crystal in his jerkin.
Many thanks soul-of-mine...
Akeirin pulls a decidedly unwelcome louse from his clothing where it was making its way unceremoniously to his armpit.
"I have little in the way of "supplies". Perhaps I could purchase some rations..."
Therion rouses from his meditations early in the morning, and after stretching starts to study his spellbook, committing to memory the various incantations he thinks he might need during their investigation.
Completing these tasks, Therion heads downstairs just as the Inn's staff begin their baking. He is lucky enough to get a warm loaf and some fresh butter and jam to break his fast. He is waiting at the table as the others arrive.
"Good morning to you all. I hope you had a good nights rest."
Rations can't be bought at the tavern. You buy them from the open market. Iron rations cost about 1 sp per ration. Field rations cost about 5 cp.
Akeirin inquires after rations, and finding there is an open market, decides to find it, asking his companions if any would like to accompany him. Before setting out, he places his coin pouch next to Naraivai inside his jerkin.
"After a meal of some sort, certainly. Don't pass up a chance to eat when you are getting ready to walk away from the food. It has a tendency to be harder to find later."
---
As the group heads for the market, "So, are we looking for anything specific?"
Akeirin nods.
I don't know to be honest. I must admit to a certain degree of naivete when it comes to...adventuring. Grappling hooks? Pitons? Bags of fire?"
It is quite evident that Akeirin has heard tales or read stories that emphasise the more adventurous side of exploration...
Do perception checks.
Perception:
[dice=Perception]1d20 + 6
Yeah, thank you, but I'm checking to see who is still playing. I'm not Aubrey the Malformed you know. ;)
Yep. :D
Okay, Therion and Naji, you don't notice a thing. Akeirin, you do notice a strange smell coming from one of the patrons. A smell that reminds you of the grave. Jebbedo notices the same thing, although it's not as strong for him.
Akeirin tries not to let on that it smells like someone let off. Years ago. After possibly dying. He does this while also trying to identify which of the more than likely bath-challenged patrons is the not-so-living.
[to not appear to have noticed while checking who it actually is]
You see a young woman in black, who appears to be a spellcaster. The smell is coming from her component pouch.
"You smell it too, Akeirin? It smells of maggots and damp dirt. This place is just filled with all sorts of friendly lots," Jebeddo says, grimacing.
She's actually one of the npcs for hire.
"Maggots and damp earth? You have a strange palate, did you know that?"
"I'm a necromancer," she responds.
Akeirin smiles good naturedly.
"Oh? What keeps you here in...this place?"