The Ghostly Minstrel is as fancy as the Fairy Tale guild in the Fairy Tail anime. Instead of just wizards, you find all the fancy adventurers here. The place reeks of adventurers who are looking to make it big time.
1 gp does get a nice meal for two.
The place has a reputation of being rowdy. People here play cards, gamble, and wear a variety of costumes. Ranging from a simple chain shirt or leather jerkin, to the most outlandish outfit one can think of.
"Well, if you insist, mister Runt." Lizbit sighs. She really is too broke to turn down a free meal. "Come, Handsome. Come!" The warcat had started to slink away as Lizbit and Runt walk away with the terrifying wolf. Handsome flinches and pads after his mistress as commanded. She lets Runt lead the way into the tavern, but once inside she dutifully stands by him so he doesn't get run over by the larger, intoxicated clientele. "How about a table in the corner? I don't want to get jostled while I work, if I find work. Handsome likes sitting where his tail won't get stepped on, anyways." She nudges Runt in the appropriate direction. Once seated, she sets her tools to one side and attempts to get the attention of a waiter to inquire about the dinner special. "Mister Runt doesn't sound quite right to me. Don't you have a last name?"
Handsome lays down along the wall next to the table, sure to curl his tail under himself.
Tony started walking along the square looking for his principle.
Hm. What are the Dallimothan house colors? He should be wearing them if he's a noble of any stature...
He stopped and took his hat off, scratching his head and trying to remember his peerage.
Tiny walks over and flops down as close as he can to Handsome without touching him, tempting contact but not being threatening.
For his part, the halfling moves across the room, his staff tapping back and forth, taking in the sounds and scents of the room.
"See anyone who looks overwarm? Someone on the street the other day was talking about how some wizards and sorcerers had gone mad, had to make themselves colder and colder until they, you know, polar rayed themselves to death."
After reading the finer points of the paper, Argennon frowned. That's quite a walk down to the Ptolus Times. The nobleman thought. Surely, 100 gold is enough to keep them floating a few days. I'll take a carriage to the Times tomorrow.
Feeling a bit parched, Argennon decide to walk across the square to The Ghostly Minstrel for a beverage.
"I once heard a story of a doctor who found a way to defeat death, but he had to remain in frigid air, lest his body decompose. As the summer days grew longer, he had to order more and more ice to his apartment where he had shut himself up. Quite a disturbing occurrence for his neighbors. After a few weeks, they heard him raging at his workers through the walls. There was no more ice left in the city. The workers fled and didn't return. A few days later, the landlord began getting complaints of a foul odor from the now-silent room of the doctor..." Lizbit giggles. "Probably just a story, but you never know." She orders the dinner special and asks for any unwanted bones to be brought to Handsome. "I heard the wife of a delver was recently made widow. It must be hard to be married to an adventurer..." Lizbit sighs and looks out over the crowd of professional delvers. Happy as she was with her life, of late she had been longing for an adventure. Much of her childhood had been spent on a sailing ship visiting exotic ports and conquering dangerous seas. Maybe that is why her dreams have turned to the unexplored depths of the endless caverns beneath the city. Her mother returned to her life as a ship captain when she could no longer stand to be bound to the land. Maybe the same was happening to Lizbit. Maybe the dreams mean more. "What do you think, mister Runt? About the dungeons? Do you ever wonder what lies at the end of the deepest darkest tunnel, if there even is an end?"
Tony started walking along the square looking for his principle.
Hm. What are the Dallimothan house colors? He should be wearing them if he's a noble of any stature...
He stopped and took his hat off, scratching his head and trying to remember his peerage.
Know:Nobility: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23
The colors are white and silver. You see your charge, Argenon, walk into the Ghostly Minstrel. You also see Fergor follow him into the Ghostly Minstrel.
Looking up from the contract papers as he walked through the Square, he noticed a flash of white and silver.
There he is! He thought as he watched his principle walk into a pub called the Ghostly Minstrel; a place he remembered being before with some more adventurous friends.
Hurrying forward to follow Argenon into the pub, he noticed a man following him inside.
Good gods, that man is built like a side of beef... he thought.
Worried about the coincidence, Tony laid a hand on his sword hilt and followed them inside.
Tony, Fergor, and Argenon:
You find the Ghostly Minstrel to be full of life. People are drinking, eating, and wearing all sorts of costumes: from the modest to the outlandish. And the smell, some of these people have been down in the sewers. Probably fighting ratfolk, to be sure.
Some people are wearing armor, some are not. Some are dressed in body suits, some are not. Some are naked, except for the briefest of clothing to hide their breasts and pubic areas, some are not. It's a motley crew in the Ghostly Minstrel, all with silver or gold to pay.
Argenon, you see a table to sit down at. Tony, you see the same table; and Fergor, you may stand if you wish. The maids all serve food and drink. You wonder how they can stand the smell.
Argennon smiles as he finds a seat, so he can better watch the festivities within The Ghostly Minstrel. After a few minutes, the young noble is able to order a glass of fey wine.
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Fergor watches as Argenon sits down and finds a table closest to the door. He sits with his back to the wall opposite side of the table to the door, but still able to keep an eye on his charge. He orders a small meal and ale, and always keeping an eye on things
Most notably the scantly clad women whom have drawn his attention away from his primary duty.
"What do you think, mister Runt? About the dungeons? Do you ever wonder what lies at the end of the deepest darkest tunnel, if there even is an end?"
"Oh, no mister here. Just Runt. Runt the miniscule, Runt the Meager. Pretty much everything is a dark tunnel to me! Have you been there? I've spent more than my share of time in the sewers, which are not so deep, but that's as far as I've gone. What is it you'd be lookin' for down there? Treasure? Adventure? Fortune and Fame?"
Argennon smiles as he finds a seat, so he can better watch the festivities within The Ghostly Minstrel. After a few minutes, the young noble is able to order a glass of fey wine.
[dice=Perception]1d20 + 6
There was nothing to watch out for, but this is the Ghostly Minstrel. Perhaps there is something to watch for. However, you didn't spot any thieves, that's for sure.
There was nothing to watch out for, but this is the Ghostly Minstrel. Perhaps there is something to watch for. However, you didn't spot any thieves, that's for sure.
Lizbit exhales, blowing a tuft of her bangs out of her face. "Oh, I don't know." She admits, still looking out over the colorfully dressed patrons of the tavern. "I've been having dreams about the dungeons lately. One dream, the same dream, every night. I find an open grave with a stair leading down into a massive cavern. There are thousands of paintings in the cavern, stretching off into the infinite darkness of the underground. All the paintings are on easels, facing away from me. I go to the nearest painting and start to turn it towards me and... I wake up!" She slumps back in her seat, pouting. "Do you think it means anything? That Shelyn is trying to tell me something?"
Tony entered the tavern and looked around quickly. He marked out where his principle, Argenon, sat drinking. He also spotted where the big guy sat down and was enjoying a meal.
Tony sauntered over to a table against a wall where he could keep a suspicious eye on both of them.
He started to order a meal, realized how little he had, then ordered a pot of tea.
Someone comes in to the tavern, saying their beautiful daughter was kidnapped by the Ennin.
"Somebody please help me get my daughter back!" she says.
Runt tilts his head, attempting to take in the sounds of the room in response to this sudden intrusion. "Well, this fellow certainly seems to be trying to tell you something, whether Shelyn is involved or not. Maybe you should see if you can help him.
Someone comes in to the tavern, saying their beautiful daughter was kidnapped by the Ennin.
"Somebody please help me get my daughter back!" she says.
Argennon springs into action, putting his fey wine down to walk over to the frazzled parent. "There there. Calm down. Where did this happen? How long ago was it?"
When Argenon gets up to render his service, Fergor will also stand and claim, Aye, you have my steel to watch your back, let’s find this young lamb and bring her home safely!
The Dallimothan noble is mildly startled to find a swordsman at his shoulder, immediately willing to help. "Em..yes. We has help you."
Tony jumped over the table to Argenon's side.
"Be careful milord, this one followed you in here; thievery in mind no doubt!" Declaimed Tony as he pointed at Fergor. He was very proud of his protective deduction.
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Fergor raises a fist at Tony and declares, How dare you accuse me of thievery! I made no point to hide who I was, just stayed out of his way! For someone to know they had been followed, they must have done some following themselves. Lord Dallimothan figured he might be targeted and sent me to protect him. with that he quickly turns to Argenon and explains, Here, a message from your father should you ever question who I am. He pulls a slip of parchment from a belt pouch that has been folded as small as possible. Now let’s help the Lad get his daughter back, Sir. And deal with this vagabond. He sneers while reaching for the hilt of his sword.
Argennon's neck rocked back and worth as both strangers quarreled. The young noble took the offered folded note and read it.
Still a little perplexed at the situation and upset at his father, Argennon stammered, "Enough! If both of your intentions are to assist in rescuing this girl, then save your aggression for the Ennin!"
Someone comes in to the tavern, saying their beautiful daughter was kidnapped by the Ennin.
"Somebody please help me get my daughter back!" she says.
Argennon springs into action, putting his fey wine down to walk over to the frazzled parent. "There there. Calm down. Where did this happen? How long ago was it?"
[dice=Diplomacy]1d20 + 7
When Argenon gets up to render his service, Fergor will also stand and claim, Aye, you have my steel to watch your back, let’s find this young lamb and bring her home safely!The Dallimothan noble is mildly startled to find a swordsman at his shoulder, immediately willing to help. "Em..yes. We has help you."
"It was a day ago! The monsters slipped in and grabbed my little girl!"
Runt follows Lizbit's steps toward the trouble. "I, for one, cannot abide those slavers."
Back at the Tavern...
"Lord Dallimothan figured he might be targeted and sent me to protect him. Here, a message from your father should you ever question who I am." He pulls a slip of parchment from a belt pouch that has been folded as small as possible. "Now let’s help the Lad get his daughter back, Sir. And deal with this vagabond." He sneers while reaching for the hilt of his sword.
"What?" Shouted Tony at this. "Impossible! I have a legal contract through the Adventurer's Guild through your father! That makes ME your bodyguard! See?" He said, drawing the papers out and showing them to everyone who'll sit still for them.
He rested his hand on the hilt of his sword, watching Fergor for any sign of treachery.
"Enough! If both of your intentions are to assist in rescuing this girl, then save your aggression for the Ennin!"
Tony backed up a little.
"Well, ah, yes of course. If you are going, so am I. If only to watch this skulking fraud." He replied, glaring at Fergor.
Argennon is aghast by this turn of events. The Dallimothan noble takes the swashbuckler's papers and compares them to the other swordsman's. The sorcerer shakes himself out of his disbelief.
"Perhaps we need a quieter place to discuss this and strategize. One of the smaller rooms perhaps?"
Argennon takes out a scented handkerchief from his sleeve and flags down a waitress to settle his bill and inquire of a nearby room of conference.
[dice=Knowledge:Local]1d20+3
[dice=Knowledge:Nobility]1d20+4
You don't know who the Ennin are, but you certainly can spot Argennon.
Lizbit metaphorically jumps to action. Ignoring the strange men arguing about whatever it is they are arguing about, she takes the mothers hands and ushers her to a seat. "Now now, dear. Panicking isn't going to help anyone. Tell me everything that happened, from the beginning. Start with where you live." She encourages the woman in a calm, even tone.
You don't know who the Ennin are, but you certainly can spot Argennon.[dice=Knowledge:Local]1d20+3
[dice=Knowledge:Nobility]1d20+4
You don't know who the Ennin are, but you certainly can spot Argennon.[dice=Knowledge:Local]1d20+3
[dice=Knowledge:Nobility]1d20+4
Yes, you know about them. You know that they have two bases: one in the docks and one in the Dark Market in the Undercity. You've been scouted by them for a potential slave, in the past, but they didn't take you because you are too wretched by their standards. They are slave traders, and they sell the slaves they kidnap in the Undercity.
Lizbit metaphorically jumps to action. Ignoring the strange men arguing about whatever it is they are arguing about, she takes the mothers hands and ushers her to a seat. "Now now, dear. Panicking isn't going to help anyone. Tell me everything that happened, from the beginning. Start with where you live." She encourages the woman in a calm, even tone.
Diplo (Gather Info): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29
Sense Motive (Is she being honest?): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26
She is telling the truth. The Ennin did kidnap her beautiful daughter. "I'd rather go someplace more quiet. The city watch won't help, so I need some brave adventurers to collect her from the city market."
Runt moves to Lizbit's side and does his best to whisper to her ear, though even if Lizbit is sitting he still only comes up to her waist. "The Ennim are slave traders. It sounds like she thinks they have taken the child to their place in the Dark Market. That is no place to go alone, but these others would provide us some extra strength."
Lizbit whistles, summoning Handsome to her side, and takes the unfortunate mother's arm and looks for an empty looking room, none too concerned with whether they were allowed to use the room or not. "Let's try down this hallway, mister Runt. There must be an empty room somewhere around here." She flashes a warning glare at the trio of men that had started arguing over whatever nonsense it was they were arguing about as she guides the mother past them.
Argennon coughs as he follows both women down the hall to a quieter room.
Tony follows Lord Argennon to the side room, keeping an eye on the impostor pretending to be his bodyguard as well.
The room you choose is a small room, but it does have an end table where you can sit down and discuss things.
The madam explains. "I live in Midtown, running a capable brewing business for my husband, who runs an inn. We had six children. Two of which decided to seek their fortunes elsewhere in the empire, and the other four decided to stay in Ptolus. My baby girl is but eighteen, and she was to be married next week to a barrister. However, the Ennin, and I know it was the Ennin because they left their calling card. They came and kidnapped her from her room yesterday.
"I contacted the City Watch, but they won't do anything. So I need some capable adventurers who can get her back from the Ennin, and before she's sold."
Did you happen to bring this calling card with you? Asks Fergor from the doorway.
She tosses a card on the end table. It appears to have a king in chains with the word "SLAVE" written clearly on the bottom.
"So less a child and more a woman, though certainly this huswife would see her as her as nothing so much as her little girl. If we involve ourselves in this, it will be dangerous. These people will not return the young woman voluntarily."
Runt brings finger and thumb to his chin, pondering possibilities.
"Don't worry." Lizbit says, patting the woman's hand. "We'll see to it that she is safely recovered." Lizbit had heard much of kidnappings and slavers both working around the docks and growing up on a ship. Slavers are among to most despicable of criminals. It would be very difficult to offer the slavers a peaceful option before letting Handsome eat them... Lizbit leans against the table, fingernails making clicking noises as she drums them on the surface. "And you three?" She raises a quizzical eyebrow to the three men that had been arguing moments before, but for some reason followed them into the room. "Can you put aside your differences long enough to help?"
"Well yes of course!" Started Tony, excited by the prospect of a rescue; but then, remembering his duty, he backed down. "But I am first a bodyguard to Lord Argenon. If he will, I will be there as well."
Trying to ignore the bickering himself, Argennon thinks his thoughts aloud. "Legally the Ennin have no solid ground to stand on, so I doubt the city guard will interfere with our rescue efforts, unless we cause a major disruption of the peace. Hmm."
The Dallimothan noble turns back to the grieving mother. "Please give us as much detail about your daughter as possible: birthmarks, appearance, any noticeable mannerisms, that sort of thing."
"She has a birthmark on her leg in the shape of a cloud," said the alewife. "She also has blonde hair, and blue eyes. She looks very beautiful, she's twenty years of age, and she likes the color red."
Runt lingers at Lizbit's knee. I'm not sure what powers are drawing us into this situation, Tiny, but it seems there is something calling to us here.
For his part, the dog does not respond...
Argennon looks down at his apparel. "I may have to change into something less.. conspicuous. Anyone know of a clothing store nearby?"
"And I just ordered new armor for Handsome! It should be done today." [i]Is it a coincidence that I would have dreams about the undercity that would lead me to purchase ridiculous giant cat armor, only to be ushered by circumstance into danger the day it is ready? Or is Shelyn guiding my dreams? "I'm sure your outfit is find. A more important question is if anyone knows where exactly the slave auctions are held?"