.
It was never fun being thrown out of a city, but Ynja had had it happen her more than once over the years. It tended to happen when you kept getting drunk and walking up in other peoples houses. She had been on a bender the night before, and forgetting where her inn was she just found her way into best looking house around and a very nice couch in the mean room. Well her boots where and she was fast off in now time. That was until cold water was thrown over her. She jumped up to find a very angry merchant and two very big city watchmen looking at her. She just had time to put her boots on before they dragged her off to the lock up. She did not really hear what the Magistrate was saying, something about respect and being a drain on the city coffers and so on. Well after that is was one frog march to the city gate and she was standing in the early morning sunlight with a hang over form the hells. Good buy Magnimar city, where the next. She needed an inn.
A cart passed her, coming out form the city.
"Hay! cartman where you headed?"
"Sandpoint"
She had no idea about the place but sounded like it would have an inn.
"5 copers if you give me a ride there"
In response made room for her on the widegate.
"8 and its a deal"
She claimed up and handed over the coin.
"So this Sandpoint, its got and inn right"
Ynja jumped off the cart, just outside the The Rusty Dragon. Its was getting dark and she was ay to sober for this time of night. She did not pay much attention to the town coming in. Once you have seen one rat hole you have seen them all. Just a mish-mash of trades and drifters with no better place to go. Yep she would fit right in.
The The Rusty Dragon Inn was a large wooden building and the first real structure
she had encountered after crossing the southern bridge entrance into Sandpoint. She looked up and could see a sizable iron dragon that looms over head.
Nice, all welcoming I see"
She turned and nodded a thanks at the card driver who started up the cart again. As she headed into the Dragon. She stopped just inside the door taking in the space.
The Rusty Dragon was on of those old inns that had been patched up and knocked about. Old came to mind, the was a wall with "help wanted" over to one side, a fire, and bar. The cliental looked very much like near do wells and mechanist, salty sea types and the odd type up to no good. She forgot they all existed as she made her way to the cluster of drinkers at the bar. Found a spot and ordered a bottle of wine and some food. Pointing at a table where she would be sitting. It did not take the food long to come and she was pleased it was good.
She did not [i[need[/i] to eat, but she liked too, she liked the feel in her mouth.
She asked about a room, and placing coin over rented one at full price. She was not in the mood to get the discount for telling an exciting adventure story to the room. That's what bards where for. She leaned back in her seat and drink her wine, a mercenary for hire. waiting with the, adventurers, guards, handymen, and others drinkers in the Inn.
As Ynja is drinking her wine, a musical and high pitched voice at her elbow makes it's presence known. "Ameiko, Ni Hao!" A creature that looks like nothing that was ever born on the earth stands there, about 3.5 foot high, if you don't include the foot long horns growing back off it's head. Brilliant blue eyes that can see in a wide direction are set at 3/4 distance rather than for straight binocular. A matching neon blue tongue lols out with a forked tip as the black and white muzzle smiles somehow without actually smiling. "Did the Jièmò roots come in on the cargo ship?" It asks, obviously excited. It wears silken barding on it's taur like torso and catlike lower body, although the gentle sound of metal on metal under it indicates there's fine mesh chain under the silk. "And are we still on for language lessons this evening? Your Celestial is coming along, and I'm beginning to get the verb conjugation of Tien." The creature says, black furry hands on the bar, with obviously deadly looking claws that are retracted into it's paws.
Leaning back drinker her wine, Ynja just keeps leaning back until there is a crash as her tool hits the floor when she dose. Yet her wine is till up right. Now laying on her back she blinks at the odd aspiration that had just talked to her. She looks over at another table where the occupants where looking down at her.
"You can see this right?"
She asked them in common nodding her head Shi'Vatha's. As one they nodded back at her in the affirmative. Now she turned her had back to Shi'Vatha's. She picked her self up off the floor and put the stool back in place before retaking her seat.
"Sorry there little one, thought you where a side effect, sorry what where you saying. language lessons this evening? and your names Amiko something"
She refilled her class and then another for him. Sliding it across she said.
"So take a stool and lets try this again, who are you? and whats this about language lessons?"
She is an odd sight, some kind of officers uniform, thats made up of overcoat and pants. long boots, and shirt. All well made but locking the kind of ornate decorations most Armys seem to love. There is a simple silver banding on her leples. With a symbol of some kind breast pocket. She dose not seem to be carrying any weapons.
The creature's claws slide back into it's various hands and paws, and it looks at Ynja curiously. "I am not Ameiko." He wave a paw toward the bar tender. "This is Ameiko, she is the owner of the Red Dragon." The owner of the Inn has a hand over her mouth, obviously to avoid laughing at a customer, and nods to confirm the creature's words. "I am Shi'Vatha, and I was talking to Ameiko. She is teaching me Tien, an I am teaching her Celestial."
Ameiko chuckles and then confirms that the roots did come in, and that she will be able to continue lessons later. She leaves another employee in charge of the bar, and vanishes, presumably to get Shi's roots.
Having nothing better to do, Shi sniffs of the wine. "Sorry, I can't really drink from a glass..." It taps it's muzzle, which obviously wouldn't work with a glass. "I usually use a bowl. To be honest, wine doesn't really work on me. I've had people try to get me drunk before. The flavor is odd, but not unpleasant, but as far as getting drunk, I might as well be drinking water."
As it talks, it's ears flick here and there, as if listening to the conversations going on around the bar. The insides of the ear show the same odd blue coloring as it's tongue. It's voice also seems as if it has multiple tones all harmonizing over each other, as if he had multiple vocal chords, each with a different tone and pitch, but all working together.
Smiles and takes the wine downing it in one.
"More for me then"
She pours another.
"So I was not the subject of your comments, good to know, really thought the hallucinations had come back."
She shuck her head then looked around the room, coming back to focus once more on her new companion. She frowned.
"Names Ynja by the way, and if you don't mind me asking your, and if I could also ask, just what are you. I was thinking fey but your mind dose not have the feel, so I'm a at the bit of a loss?"
The creature tilts it's head, to the point that it's looking at Ynja upside down, it's neck rotating to a nearly impossible degree. "That is... complicated. I am not what I once was, nor what I became. I am... both less and more than I was in the past. I think that, perhaps, the best answer to that is, I am something that has never existed before, and likely will never exist again. I'm not sure if that helps your understanding, my current existence is somewhat confusing to me as well, but I am attempting to understand it."
Her eyes go wide as she says
"Riigghhtt.."
She rubs the back of her neck as she says.
"Well you have to have a name. You can talk and I can see you can reason. So it's not all that confusing, You ever meet a chaos beast, now they are confusing. Any hooo, O! hold on."
She looks around then sees a guy hanging back in the shadows.
"YOU!"
He looks around himself like she is calling to some other,
So she points,
"NO YOU! Yes You"
He points at himself as she says this.
"If your going to pick pockets, DON'T do it here muuukkky"
His mouth goes wide and he fanes innocence.
"I..No.. I me no thats not the kind off.."
Ynja gives him a hard stare, and he rubs his temple.
"I have...errr. Its late my wife.. errm by"
And with that he hurried to the door and left in a rush.
She huffed to herself and then went back to talking to her new table mate.
"Sorry about that, name yes, whats your name, can't really call you blue now can I"
Shi cocks its head to look at Ynja, and then reaches out to push the bottle of wine she has just beyond her reach, using one finger to do so. "I think you may have imbibed too much wine, Ms. Ynja. As I said a few minutes ago, I am Shi'Vatha." The creature speaks slowly, and clearly, in case the wine is clouding Ynja's perceptions worse than it thinks it is. It's name sounds like 'She Vaah-thuh'.
She blinks
"Arr sorry that's you name, I thought it was your race"
Her eyes glow blue just for a moment and the bottle slides back across to table to her. Taking it up she shakes it and sees its empty. Placing it back down she says.
"So She Vaah-thuh I am saying it right I hope. Well what brings you to this nice sea side retreat? if you don't mind me asking?
She rummages around her pockets and brings out a small paper bag in which are some lemon bomboms.
"Got them in the city last night, some merchant had them on his coffee table. What to try one."
She offers up the bag of candy to Shi'Vatha.
She takes one and pops it into her mouth, to show they are fine to eat.
Shi nods. "I see, no, Shi'Vatha is my name. And yes, you said it correctly." It takes the lemon bomb, and sniffs it curiuosly, before the electric blue tongue snakes out to wrap around it and pull it into it's mouth. It's muzzle wriggles as it moves the candy around in it's mouth, and then a loud 'crunch' indicates that the creature has nice solid teeth. With a swallow, the creature nods. "Very sweet and sour at the same time, I can see why you like them."
Just then, Ameiko returns with a handful of lumpy light green roots, which she lays down for Shi with a grin, taking a handful of silver coins from the creature in exchange. Placing most of them in it's belt pouch, it snaps an inch off the tip of one, and slides it over to Ynga. "Do not eat, use slivers from as spice in other food." It advises Ynga, before taking a large bite from the root it snapped the tip off of and crunching on it merrily before putting the rest of the root in it's belt pouch.
She takes it and pulling a combat blade from a pouch much smaller then the blade, slices off a small bit. She pops it into her mouth and gaps.
"Yikes! that has a bite"
She waves for a beer, and down it to try and get the put out the fire in her mouth.
Once done she smiles at Shi'Vatha.
"I like you, your got style"
Shi performs a complicated bow that involves not only bending over from it's upper waist, where it's torso meets the feline quadruped torso, but also dipping one foreleg. "Thank you. When one is black and white and blue, one needs have style or weapons." There's a small 'shick' sound as large onyx claws extend from it's forelegs and fingers. "Then, those who are wise, choose both." It's blue tongue hangs out to the side as it gives a soft 'chuff chuff' sound that appears to pass for laughter.
She chuckles as well.
"Well they do look impressive, and I bet you can look after yourself in a close in fight. But this town seems a little slow, not much call for that here I bet."
Norwold is a vast wilderness area north of the Known World, the common epithet for a heavily-settled region of north eastern Brun, and the Heldannic Territories.
The latter forested region was formerly known as the Heldann Freeholds. However, an army of elite clerics, who took as their name the Heldannic Knights, imposed their rule over the land. The Heldannic Knights are Hattians from the Empire of Thyatis, devoted to the warlike Immortal, Vanya.
The Empire of Alphatia, a large Imperial Magocracy consisting of numerous Kingdoms loosely united under the rule of an Empress, has claimed Norwold, but little of the region is actually under the control of King Ericall. One of Alphatia's most distant colony nations, Norwold is a land of deep forests and thick glaciers, and has been infrequently fought over by Thyatian intruders.
Norwold has a long history of being an area of minor contention between the two empires of Alphatia and Thyatis. Not long after the first Alphatia/Thyatis war, Thyatis built a trading post in this region which was promptly razed by Alphatian mercenaries.
In the time since then, human and halfling settlers established villages here.
A century ago, Thyatis finally succeeded in building a colony, Oceansend, which Alphatia did not immediately burn down. Oceansend remained a colony until the Alphatian Spike Assault some 40 years ago–at that time, Oceansend declared her independence, which she has precariously maintained ever since. In the intervening years, pirates and thieves have established the thriving haven of Landfall.
More recently, Ericall, second son of Empress Eriadna, reached adulthood and began working towards earning a dominion of his own. Not having any magical talent, Ericall would normally not have been able to carry a noble title, but Eriadna relented and offered him the dominion of Alpha city, as well as the rest of Norwold if he can control it and keep it out of the hands of Thyatis.
Resting in a natural cove along the cliff-lined Lost Coast region of Norwold, on the edge of the Great Bay, Sandpoint is a small city that exemplifies the diverse people of the country. While only about thirty miles northeast of the city of Magnimar and technically under its rule, Sandpoint benefits from its isolated position in its ability to remain fairly independent. The most striking feature is the ruined beacon of the city that extends high above the cliffs of the coast, reflecting the ancient empire of Thassilon that existed here centuries before the present town was settled.
While technically a holding of Magnimar, Sandpoint's isolated nature provides it a sizable amount of independence. The town is governed by a mayo, currently Kendra Deverin, but the four founding families of Sandpoint still hold considerable influence, if not politically then economically.
The Rusty Dragon is the oldest inn in Sandpoint, and thanks to its owner and its ever-present "Help Wanted" board is also one of the most popular and adventurer-friendly. Owned and operated by Ameiko Kaijitsu, the inn can be found just past the southern bridge overlooking the Turandarok River at the corner of Market and River Streets. Known for its spicy and exotic foods, it is a favorite at the community's annual Swallowtail Festival free lunch.
This large wooden building is the first structure one encounters after crossing the southern bridge entrance into Sandpoint, marked by a sizeable iron dragon that looms over travelers from the building's roof. Time and weather have taken a toll on the sculpture's iron form, which undoubtedly is the source of the tavern's name. Patrons enter through the inn's common room, its largest area, with over a dozen tables, a large stage, a hearth, and—of course—a bar.
Some of the finest food and drink in all of Sandpoint can be found at the Rusty Dragon. In addition, rooms may be rented at full price, or at a discount for anyone with an exciting adventure story. The "Help Wanted" board by the bar provides a well-known waypoint for many townsfolk and travelers to hire mercenaries, adventurers, guards, handymen, and others possessing such interests.
Shi grins, or at least, it's muzzle ripples and teeth are shown, but no snarl accompanies the look, instead the 'chuff chuff' noise is heard. "Oh, you are ignorant of the local events then? It is merely by luck you come today? The eve of the beginning of the Swallowtail Festival. Free food, games, music, dancing, contests, all to start at the morrow. You are lucky you got a room, the night before. Ameiko was full up, but uhm..." It makes a wave with one hand. "...one of the young women in the Calder family group took a liking to Stephan Olivase, and no longer needed her room, as of this morning. So her room freed up."
"That would explain the large double bed then and flowers. for a moment then I thought the Inn keep had taken a shine to me."
She chuckled.
"So free food, dose that mean free drink as well? I once spent a week in a palace that had a fountain full of wine. Free for guests to drink from, do you think they may do the same thing here?"
She smiled as if lost in a memory, then re-focused.
"Calder family group, we talking a local family of note then? Nobles? could be some work there. This kind of festival there is always need for more security. If you are up for it."
She gets up and walks to the help wanted board. Resting her hand on the wall to keep her steady. She looks over the notes pined to it.
Shi shrugs, it's shoulders rolling both on it's taur torso and it's feline torso. "That I do not know. They are not from Sandpoint, beyond their name, I do not know anything about them." He nods to a group of about 10 people who are at a pair of tables pushed together eating, ranging from young adult to a pair of gray haired obvious house heads. "The kids are eating in the back room. I think it's possible they may be looking for husbands for the girls?" Looking, half the table are females in the late adolescence to early adult range. It would not be unusual for families to have road trips to find husbands for such a bounty of girls if they are from small villages where there might not be enough men to go around. "That is what Ameiko thinks, given that one of them seems to have found a nice boy and is staying with him now, without the elders being upset about it."
Tilting it's head, it nods. "Free water, free beer, and free juice. However, no free wine or liquor. Too expensive. However, there are often discounts on the liquor and wine."
The door to the Rusty Dragon swings open, and a very large and tan human walks into the building. He is a tall man, at least six and a half feet, and very wide in the shoulders. He wears fine, if somewhat mismatched armor, and has an absurdly large hammer strapped to his back, within easy grabbing distance. He walks across the room with a confident gait, and calmly approaches the bar. "Mead, lots of mead, if you please!"
As he awaits his drink, his sky blue eyes sweep the room, evaluating those present. He pauses for just a second on the unusual pair off to one side, blinks, but then continues in his sweep. An animal of some kind? Looks fierce. The girl's unusual too. Wonder who they are?
When the mead is delivered, he drops some money on the bar and says with a grin "Keep it coming!" He takes a long drink, easily quaffing half the mug in a single go. He finishes the first mug fairly quickly over the next several seconds, as he finishes taking in the scene. He places the empty mug down, and gives a sharp laugh as a new full mug appears before he can even lift his hand. "I like this place!" He grabs the new mug, and then walks over to the unusual pair.
"'ello there! M'name is Morgan Vestalis. Who might you be? Not meaning any offense, but the pair of you look more likely to have interestin' stories to tell than the lot of others around here."
Shi's neck bends backwards and twists to look at the man who walked up behind it, a potentially impressive feat as it avoids poking itself in the neck with it's horns as it does so. A long brilliantly blue tongue flicks out, and then one finger rubs it's muzzle top (which is currently on bottom, as it's looking at the man upside down). "I am Shi'Vatha. Well, that is what people call me. My full name is much too long to use. This is Ynja. I cannot confirm or deny her having interesting tales to tell. I have only just met her. As to my own interesting tales, I am afraid I cannot tell them to you, if I did, I would be forced to kill or marry you, and you are not my type."
The creature then makes a 'chuff chuff' sound.
Ynja comes back from the board and sits down just as the large human walks up.
"She Vaah-thuh may not have a tale to tell, but I have more than a few. But most of them are about battles or war unfortunately. So not really up lifting. How about yourself, looking at your armor, I would say you have seen a fight or two Morgan."
Ynja looks over to Vaah-thuh then back at Morgan.
"Looking at you, I would say your a sell sword. And I was just suggesting to Vaah-thuh here, that there may be work going here abouts. Lots of nobles seeking blades to keep them safe. Dangerous times we are living in after all. So Morgan you here for that kind of work as well?"
Ynja has not ordered more wine, it could be she is a little strapped for cash.
|
As the inn fills slowly, the door swings open one more time, revealing a slender figure in an impeccable dress. Seemingly a mix between an entertainers outfit, a tabbard with the insignia of Shelyn and a colorful cloak. The outfit is complemented by a bandoleer and a string instrument resembling something like a mandolin.
The figure spends a moment looking over all the other inn visitors, as if taking in an audience, then strolls to the bar.
Hello Ameiko! What's on the menu tonight? Free food and drink for free music? There seem to be a lot of new and old faces.
She looks at the group with the tall human, the humanoid woman and their companion of a race unknown to her, what seems to spark her interest.
I see you are enjoying drink and talk? Mind if i join? Care to hear some songs
Ynja moves to make room for the new comer.
Ynja is attractive in a dark sort of way, but the new comer scream bard.
"I'll tell you what, if you can sing so we can get free drinks, I'll tell you a tail to add to your stores, how dose that sound."
She smiles, then adds.
"I'm Ynja, this large man is Morgan, and this fine fellow is Vaah-thuh, He has a root he likes to eat, but it's a little spicy, so be warned."
She says this with a smile.
"And we have all only just meet, sounds like the start of an epic tale to me"
There is a glint in her eye when she says this.
their companion of a race unknown to her
The creature's voice is naturally melodic, as if it were in three point harmony with itself. Or as if it had 3 sets of vocal chords all working at the same time in slightly different pitches. "Ah, the bardess. Yes, she would have tales and songs, if that's what you wish."
Shi bows, a complicated thing involving both torsos, and steps over to the bar. When it returns, it places a small bottle between it and Ynja. The small white bottle is hot to the touch. It also places two small saucer like cups next to it. "This is Saki, traditional from Ameiko's homeland. It is to be sipped, the heat makes it go to your head rapidly." It explains. It pours some into the saucer cups, and then laps at the warm liquid with a bright blue tongue.
When Ynja introduces it as Vatha, the creature shakes it's head. "Shi'Vatha. The Shi is very important. You may call me Shi, or Shi'Vatha, but not Vatha."
Ynja bows to Shi'Vatha
"Lypámai. Trávixa to pódi sou Shi'Vatha to kakó. Tha to po sostá tóra. Kai skéftetai gia to potó.
I am sorry. I was pulling your leg seeker of evil. I will say your name right form now on. And thinks for the drink.
She then takes the drink and sips it. Then smiles
"This is good"
Once more, the door of the Rusty Dragon swings wide, with little regard to those who might be standing around it. Stepping through is a giant of a man, with almost abnormally red hair, and slightly green-tinged, dark skin. He naturally gravitates towards the conglomeration of adventurers, sticking out like a handful of sore thumbs, though he orders a nice, stiff drink on his way over.
Taller, but perhaps not quite as broad, as Morgan, he's still a relatively intimidating sight, wearing little by way of armor but loose coverings, and a massive adamantine plate attached to a leather gauntlet of sorts wrapped 'round his zimilarly massive hand. "Heard this place was the place to be, 'fore the ceremony," he says, before starting, and promptly finishing, his first pint. "Looks like I'm not the only one, neither. Name's Mishal," he says, with a wide, toothy, damn near orcish in fact, grin.
Smiles at the new comer and moves again to make room.
"Well meet, Mishal, and your just in time for a song from our bard here."
Then point at each one of the group with he small rice wine cup.
"I'm Ynja, this is Shi'Vatha, the man your standing next to is Morgan. And we where just talking about jobs that may be open to us here in SandPort. I take it your a gun for hire as well"
She takes another sip of the excellent warm rice wine.
A small, slight seeming man enters through the swinging door that Mishal's abrupt entrance had left open. He moves gracefully, with tasteful but unremarkable fashion. A small satchel is slung across his neck and shoulder to rest on his other side. He looks around, and then walks to the bar. A small glass of the best the house recommends, please His voice is courteous, and respectful. He moves towards the table of activity.
If there's to be tales told, I will gladly order a round for the table. I go by Henric; I will sit with you if there are no objections. Before anyone can really object, he has already sat down at an open seat.
If anyone had looked closely, they would have seen that he moves widely, taking routes more open than would be strictly necessary for a man of his apparent size.
Ynja smiles at Henric,
"Now your talking, Henric"
She waves for the barmaid to bring more drinks
"Let me introduce everyone..."
Which she dose,
"The only name we don't have is our bards here, what do they call you Bard"
She asks, happy now drink is once more in front of her.
This was shaping up to be a great night, one she hoped to be to drink to remember.
Then it hit her, rooms where is short demand. Humm interesting.
Then she slaps the table.
"Here is one for you, Why did the necromancer kill his depressed allies? ..."
She waited a moment then finished
"because he wanted to raise their spirits"
And leans back in peals of laughter.
"Heres another one, Why do thieves wear leather armour?"
Again a moment then
"Because it's made out of hide."
And more peals of laughter,
"Come on you must have some, ok did you hear this one. An adventuring party walks into a bar and the bartender says "Welcome folks, can I get you anything?" The party leader says "Sure, so long as you don't have any mimics in here".The bartender laughs, the party laughs and the table laughs as well."
This time she just about falls off her seat, laughing.
"Sorry, sorry, your go"
Morgan is generally loud and friendly with each new arrival, though the arrival of Mishal does give him pause. You're a big one... He introduces himself to each, and continues to drink the night away. He gives hearty laughs at each one of Ynja's jokes, then clears his throat as she finishes. "Alright, I got one." he says, clearly warming to the task. "Two rangers are out hunting for food when they come across a big ol' well in the ground. Deep sucker, they couldn' even see the bottom of it. So, curious now, one of them grabs a little stone and tosses it in, then listens..." He pauses for a moment, then shakes his head. "Nothing. So the other one grabs an even bigger stone and chucks that one in, then listens..." he pauses again, then shrugs. "Nothing! Very puzzled now, they agree to go find something really big, something they'd be sure to hear. So they go off, and they find this big ol' cross-tie not too far away. Surely this will make a sound, one of 'im says. To big for either to lift alone, they each grab a side, and they lug this big ol' beast to the well and manage to chuck it in, and then they listen..."
After another pause, he looks up suddenly and says "but now they do hear something! Not a splash, not an impact, but of all things they hear the sound of a goat! Wailing at the top of it's little lungs, this goat comes charging up at the men from behind! They twirl around, ready to evade the mighty goat's horns, when the damned thing leaps right between them and hops into the well! The rangers were flummoxed, as you can imagine, they had never seen anything like that before! Well, a few minutes pass, and a farmer comes up to the two rangers. `I heard ya yellin'`, he says as he approaches the pair. `Ye seen my goat? Lookin' for him.` Still excited from everything that happened, one of 'em tells the farmer `Yeah we seen it, bloody thing ran right down that hill at us, then charged right between us and jumped in the damned well!` The farmer shakes his head and says `I don't understand it, couldn't have been my goat - I had tied that little bugger up to a big old cross-tie!`" He finishes his story with a flourish, and laughs and laughs, his massive shoulders bobbing up and down.
Ynja busts out laughing, and almost falls over.
"More!"
is all she can get out between chuckles, then drinks some more.
|
|
Hahahaha, you lot tell good jokes for sure! Maybe i can even learn something here.
She shouts out something in a language some of you heard Ameiko speak in before with her own family. Shortly after a big steaming pot with soup is brought onto the table along with some platters of meat and vegetables.
Please enjoy this hotpot.
She looks at Ynja with a smile.
You ask why they call me the bard? I'm not sure why anyone choose that name for me, it's a bit weird, but i like singing and music and art, just as Sheylin likes it. I can tell spme jokes as well though!
A woman walks into a library and asked if they had any books about paranoia. The librarian says "They're right behind you!
Why did the old man fall in the well? Because he couldn't see that well.
A man walking down the street sees another man with a very big dog. The man says: “Does your dog bite?” The other man replies: “No, my dog doesn’t bite”. The first man then pats the dog, has his hand bitten off, and shouts; “I thought you said your dog didn’t bite”. The other man replies: “That’s not my dog”.
Ynja again busts out laughing and ends with chuckles as the food comes.
"I can't take no more, my sides hurt, I think thats it for jokes. Bard its good to know they like your sining here. lets eat and hear you sing, if its good there may be coin in it for you"
She takes another drink, but dose not join in the food just yet.
"So. anyone what to talk about themselves, who are you and why here, never known a man who did not want to talk about himself given half a chance."
She chuckles, but there is a slight sadness when she says this, as if a feeling of lost love.
|
|
Well that's no secret. I came here to attend the Swallowtail festival and the consecration of the Sandpoint cathedral. I mean... there's not that much else up here. Except if i were to be on stage of course.
She smiles confidently.
What brings you here? Certainly a lot of good stories. Guess i saw some faces before.
"To be honest, I have nowhere better to be."
She holds her glass and seems pained by what she says, then she changes the subject off her.
"What about you others, you here for the free food and drink or for work?"
She looks at them.
|
|
With a short pause the bard gives Ynja a sharp look, but then just continues to talk.
My name is Pai Song by the way. I have Tien ancestors just like Ameiko here, but also elven ancestors if you haven't noticed yet. Years ago i heard Sheylins call and followed it to become one of her nights. Of course as something like a knight and priest of Shelyn, i also further the fine arts and culture. Right now i'm mostly into singing, but i can also play different instruments, dance, act, tell jokes as you heard. It's part of Sheylins core beliefs, it purifies your soul and being and uplifts the spirit. If anyone wants to know moer about Shelyn, i'm more than willing to introduce you to her teachings!
If Ynja notes Pai Song dislike of her words she dose not seem to respond in a negative way.
"That sounds lovely Pai Song, Ill drink to good art any day"
And she offers up her glass before taking another sip of the race wine.
"What about you others, Big man, you here to party or pray"
Having listened for a bit, Shi responds finally to the question about what everyone is doing here. "I have adopted family here, many of the children I played with decades ago are now adults with children of their own. I've been back for a few weeks now, and also do some work at the local church of Ixion." It doesn't mention that it's afforded full priest status in the church.
A former adventurer and the shunned daughter of Lonjiku and Atsuii Kaijitsu, Ameiko has run and maintained the Rusty Dragon since she returned to Sandpoint in 4701 AR.
Well known for her fantastic cooking, exotic beauty, eccentric hairstyles, and skill at music, Ameiko is undoubtedly the primary reason for the Dragon's success.
The proprietor of the Rusty Dragon emerges from behind the elaborate bar counter, quickly making her way through the packed common room.
Coming upon Ynja, Shi'Vatha, Morgan, Mishal, Henric, and Pai Song's table, she pauses briefly to address the large company of new friends which her erstwhile linguistic study partner seems to have quickly gathered to itself,
"Well there Shi'Vatha, you seem to have collected quite the pretty little company there during the brief interruption in our ersatz language academy. How is everyone doing today, if I might ask? I hope you're finding the accommodations of my humble little establishment," Ameiko gestures comically with a sweeping motion of feigned extravagance as she makes this half-serious inquiry, "entirely to your liking. Do let me know if there's anything I can do to make you more completely at home."
Having concluded this obviously at least partially rehearsed icebreaker, the unflappably gregarious mistress of the Rusty Dragon now continues with what, to judge from the sudden alteration in her tone, from friendly to slightly conspiratorial, must have been the real impetus for her initial approach to the crowded table,
"Say, did any of you see or hear anything odd coming into town past Deverin Keep," Ameiko employs the official title of the old castle, known colloquially as simply Sandpoint Castle or Riverwatch, which stands resolutely on a bluff overlooking the approach to the town, "because I've just happened to hear that there's something strange going on up there, and that no one's come in or out in three days. It's usually a pretty quiet little border fort, and I find it hard to imagine why the small coterie of guards and the resident Deverins haven't sallied out for the run-up to the festivities, and there have been numerous reports of lights in the keep, so there's definitely someone there..." Ameiko bites her lip slightly in an attitude of intelligent consideration as she concludes, "it just seems... you know... so very odd, and as if someone should take the initiative to go and check on the garrison, just to make sure nothing's... amiss."
Ynja knows a hint come tip when she ears one.
"Sooooo... Misstress Ameiko, It would be a say, a good thing if some good intention citizens where to make their way up there. You know, have a look see, check all is well"
Ynja looks at the others, waiting to see what they feel about the suggestion.
"But.. may be good to get to know each other and the keep a little better before then"
Mishal smiles, raising another pint in greeting as Ameiko comes to greet the massive group. "Doin' just fine, thanks!" Mishal almost booms, the volume of his voice generally about as large as he is. "I'd rather ya didn't make it any more like home, it's so much nicer here already!" he says before laughing loudly.
"Can't say I've noticed anything odd, but I haven't really been 'round here to know what normal is. When you say you've heard there's something strange going on..." he trails off, halfway hoping she'll explain herself.