"You should get the sheriff. The mayor too. This is weak link in this town's defenses. A lot of people would die, if some attacker used this tunnel.... or someone would loose money because smugglers could no longer use it to get contraband into or out of town. Go get them. We'll wait." Raff stands there.
Forgot this.
Aramil shrugs. "I concur. We've been investigating Citadel Altarein a the town council's request, attempting to determine why the Bumblebrashers were displaced from their home. This seems very important in that investigation, so it would be wise for us to brief them. We'll need to show them what we've found, so we'll just wait here, I think."
Lenna looks back and forth, not understanding everything that's going on, but she tries to help.
"Oh, that's a great idea! We haven't reported in yet today! I can help - do you want me to go get them for you?"
Roxie throws up her hands and quickly shoots a pleading glance at Aramil.
"WOAH! Alright - let's... easy now. Okay, no need to b ring in the sheriff. I don't know about anything illegal but last thing I need is the law chasing away customers."
She sighs and speaks directly to Aramil who is clearly the good cop in this situation. "Look I let someone use that tunnel and was paid to keep my mouth shut, but you lot emerging from the other end complicates things. How about we make a deal? You do something for me, I do something for you and give you the name you want?"
Raff sighs, "It better be a very good deal," Raff indicates Alak, "Hell Knights have a very strong moral code."
"I'm also curious about the origins of the tunnel - if it was already there, or if this person dug it. I'd like that included in the deal, as well. Let's hear what your request is."
Omari shrugs "I'm less concerned with what you do on your own property than I am with the origins of the tunnel. But I suppose it couldn't hurt to know."
Alak smirks as Raff speaks and she quickly babbles on, although it's clear she's trying to be shrewd here.
"Look... okay, I've got a problem on my hands because my business is cratering. I run the roughest bar in town and that's not actually good for business. This isn't a rough town and I'm trying to get some more clientele! I've been paid off and if you respect moral codes, I need it to be worth my while to squeal on who paid me to keep quiet about the tunnel. You drum me up some business for tonight and we'll talk."
She takes a moment. "I can say that tunnel was here when I bought the place. It goes to the old Citadel, but you already know that. Nothing's really gone in or come out until recently."
"Oh! What's come in and out recently?"
Roxie smirks and puts her fingers to her lips. "Help me out, and I'll tell you whatever you need to know. I know that adventurers have lots of uses, and you're the lot that helped at the town hall - I remember that. I've got a situation where my bar is the roughest in town, but that's killing my clientele. Figure out a way to get me some proper patrons tonight - if you can bump my business proper-like it'll have been worth my while to break my word."
Raff ponders the offer a moment. "I think that would work. I only hope your information will be worth not telling the council on you. But, if it is, this smuggler's tunnel could prove valuable to us too."
"Let me see your kitchen."
Omari seems quite confused. "How are we supposed to drum up business? I've never run a tavern before. Anyone else?"
Aramil smiles. "I believe we could do something to drum up business. I'll perform here tonight, which should help. People always enjoy coming to see a bard. Raff, do you think you could come up with a special meal or drink for the evening? Perhaps some invites could be sent to various people of note around town. What do the rest of you think?"
What time of day is it? If it is too late, we may need to work on getting things ready for tomorrow rather than tonight.
"We drum up business by cleaning and decorating. Like Aramil says, we offer entertainment and different food and drink, if possible. We get some bouncers (go full Road House here). Once all that is set, we spread the word, with flyers and criers."
"I'm not much of a performer or a cook. But maybe we could spread the word! Would be helpful to tell people that the ones that helped in the city hall are going to be here tonight? Would that draw people?"
Roxie shrugs and lets you have the run of the place. The Pickled Ear is a decent enough tavern but it has a miserable assortment of decrepit alcoholics, young toughs trying to impress each other, and other unsavory types. Right now it's early afternoon. The drink is decent enough and the food is the place's amazing assortment of pickles with the pigs ears obviously as the specialty and a town favorite. But people often come for an ear and get out so they don't have to hang with the clientele.
Raff's look into the kitchen reveals a rather unsightly mess with a gigantic vat of pickle brine and endless things being stuffed into jars while other bar snacks and some stew of the day goes on.
Ryu stands at the doorway into the kitchen. "Yeah. We're going to need the rest of the day just to clean. But that will allow us to really make this place something special."
"Perhaps I can help by keeping the people civil while they enjoy the entertainment and drinks? Or maybe we can hold pitfights? I know about those!"
The halfling seems somewhat at a loss as to what actually goes on in a normal tavern.
"I don't think pit fights are going to attract the kind of clientele Roxie is looking for, Varook. However, keeping people civil is going to be important. If you can, talk people down before resorting to violence. Omari, you could assist Varook with that."
Varook nods as he still tries to figure out what other kinds of things people might like to see.
"I mean, yeah. I'm real good at breaking up fights, and helping deescalate."
"Maybe I can help with that, too!"
Lenna will eagerly pursue the course laid out before her by those making plans - they seem to have a much better handle on how to proceed than she does. Or I do.
Same. Omari will act as a bouncer, and use his champion's reaction to stop people from getting hurt and to end fights.
As you get ready to start getting the Pickled Ear in shape, Alak calls you over to a table.
"Friends, I cannot thank you enough for what you have done. You are in my debt, and my order's once I tell them of your heroism. But I'm afraid that I must break all of your hearts - particularly Raff. I know how you've been looking at me." Alak continues in his dry, deadpan voice.
"It is time that I return home. My mission is complete and I have recovered my family's legacy. I know you do not all believe in the tenants of my order, but you accept that this is my calling and I respect that. The fight against savagery cannot rest, and I must return to my order. Thank you again. This round is on me."
After listening to the Hellknight announce his leaving, Varook pauses in his tasks and stares at the floor for a few minutes. After a while, he looks up and walks over to the knight.
"I admit that I did not want to join with you in finding your lost relics. Your kind had treated me poorly...cruelly even. I wanted to hate you...but as I came to know you I could not. As I am not just a 'halfling slave' you are not just a 'Hellknight', but rather an honourable warrior that I believe I could call a friend."
The halfling offers his hand to the human, a solemn look on his face, but a twinkle in his eye.
The bar:
"Lena, maybe you could get the word out. Maybe even have other businesses offer samples or prizes for games."
Alak:
"You don't have to leave right now do you? We can use tonight as a going away party for you, Lord Killjoy. You leaving is great reason to celebrate and it wouldn't be the same if you weren't actually there. Besides, don't you want to know who or what it was that broke into the catacombs of hellknight keep?"
Lenna nods eagerly at Raff’s suggestion, ”Oh, that sounds like fun!”
As she prepares to head out the door, Alak stops her and makes his announcement. She looks thoughtful, her normal grin faded, before a radiant smile returns. Walking up to the armored man, she offers a tiny hand, ”Varook speaks the truth for both of us. This,” she gestures to the scar on her face, ”was a gift from an armiger more intent on the law than the facts. I hesitated to give you a chance - the scars you can’t see are much deeper. But I did and I’m glad it’s so. Safe travels, sir.”
Aramil nods to Alak. ”I understand. It has been a pleasure working with you. Take care of that portrait - it is a beautiful work of art.”
Aramil turns to Lenna. ”Let’s you and I work on spreading the word right now - make sure to mention that I’m performing here tonight. Then, tonight, I’ll perform for the crowd. That should help keep them here.”
Omari offers Alak a firm handshake. "It was an honor to travel with you. I hope you find success in your future endeavors."
Alak shakes hands with everyone and as Lenna tells her story, he nods solemnly. "It is a story I've heard before from others. I'm glad I could give you a different perspective - the rest of you have shown me great kindness and will not be forgotten. As Varook says - you are my friends, no matter our past and no matter our associations. Fare well."
With that, Alak departs onto his own adventures while you get to work prepping for the bar.
RAFF - heads into the kitchen and sees an absolute disaster before him and starts ordering people around to get the damn place in order so that the food won't get anyone sick.
LENNA - hits the street and starts trying to hustle up some customers promising a new, improved Pig's Ear!
OMARI - Uses their mercurial presence to change the mood of the place a bit and also keep the peace.
VAROOK - Not having much experience with taverns, bounces with Omari after it's pointe dout that pit fights may not help make the place seem less rough.
ARAMIL - Promises a great performance for everyone in the evening to ensure people stay and spend money.
Raff gets to work getting the kitchen in some order. He sends people out to get him the ingredients he'll need for inexpensive, easy to make foods like stew or potatoes to go with the pig ears that the place is already known for. He also makes cookies in the shape of pig ears for desert.
When fights break out Omari picks up two feuding individuals and holds them out at arms length until they calm down.
Still unsure of his roll in this place, Varook takes his cues from Omari and helps where he can to keep the peace.
Athletics:
Lenna skips through town, doing her very best to charm everyone she meets and chats them up about the changes at the Pig's Ear.
You all set to work throughout the day. Varook takes the more outgoing Omari's cues and two of the roughest customers in town are ejected from the bar early into the afternoon which immediately seems to brighten the mood of the place.
Meanwhile, Lenna's bubbly outgoing personality pays off for her. The growing notoriety of the group in Breachill means most people are willing to talk with her, and once she convinces them the Pig's Ear will have a special evening tonight, it turns out well.
Poor Raff finds himself dealing with completely incompetent kitchen staff who have almost no skill in doing anything but shoving pig bits into jars of brine. However, he does manage to get the place cleaned up and by the time dinner is doled out, the food is distinctly improved.
Finally, Aramil sets up and begins strumming his lute and singing some of the older songs from the area. Roxie is positively beaming by the evening as the place looks properly full and drunk but thankfully with minimal violence.
You are exhausted at the end of a long day, and she gathers you up, the big woman gushing enthusiastically. "You ever wanna give up the adventuring life and help me run a tavern sure I can pay you... well... probably not as much as adventurer stuff but boy that was sure helpful! Look, the woman who was using the tunnel is the weird elf who runs the bookstore. Voz Liryane. She paid me to keep my mouth shut but whatever she's up to it probably no good. Haven't seen her in a few days though. You may want to start with her shop."
Kenna’s brow furrows as she tries to recall a name, ”The one where the halfling worked? The one that tried to burn the council chambers down with us in it? When exactly did you say you saw her last?”
"Couple to a few days ago I think? Right after that fire at the town hall. She was telling someone she fired Calmont for incompetent days ago and knew nothing of the incident. Come to think of it, obvious that she made herself scarce I suppose."
”The Shop seems a good place to start. Why would she want a tunnel to the keep, though?”
Roxie shrugs. "I took the money and didn't ask no questions. Anyways, thanks to all of you. Drinks are on the house for you but for now I've got a bar to run."
Raff could use the rest (still has Drain), but if the others wish to go now, he'll come along.
Omari is excited to go to the bookstore, but is willing to rest if people need it.
"The bookstore sounds like the place to check. Let's go, then."
Lenna steps in front of Raff and holds her hand out to stop him. "Not so fast. I can still see those dark patches under your eyes. You're still not back to normal from those ghost-things, are you?" She looks at the rest, "It's been a long day and she's had days to hide if that's her intent. Tomorrow will be soon enough."
Stretching and trying to stifle a yawn, Varook nobs his agreement with Lenna.
"Let's get started on the right foot with a nice sleep and a hearty breakfast."
She adds brightly, "Or two!"
You are the toast of the town with Roxie's inn nicely full and everyone having a great time listening to ARamil's music and not getting into too many fights. You drunk as much or as little as you please and enjoy a comfortable night's stay after clearing out the better part of the Citadel.
The follow morning you wake up and head right to your destination - the Reliant Book Company.
The bookstore is extremely difficult to find - even with directions but finally you come to a badly signed building in an alleyway that branches off from another alleyway.
There's a shop window, but it looks abandoned and locked up tight. There is nobody around right now although the hum of the town is ongoing in the background as everyone goes about their day.
"Probably left town, afraid of what that treacherous halfing would tell us. We should just go in."
Raff goes to the door and tries to open it. If it's locked he'll try to open it.
Also, just in case.