The inn is properly lit with oil lamps hanging in specific places.
It is fairly straightforward, focused more on practicality, over luxury.
Still, there is a trio doing some music in the back corner.
Another corner, away from the tables, has a few men standing near two others, that are exchanging punches.
The barkeep, a somewhat heavy set man, bald and with a Stalin-esque mustache and thick eyebrows, pours some drinks, yet keeping a watch towards the corner. That is, until the new customers walk in.....
Estelle approaches the bar and gives the bartender a friendly hello. "Good afternoon! I'm Estelle; My friends and I are new around here. We came from Welnin, curious to see this trading post when we heard about it. Is there any chance we could have a bit to eat and drink? We've been on the road for a few hours and almost got attacked by a band of goblins on the way..."
Is there any chance we could have a bit to eat and drink?
"Da."
"Is possible. Meal is potatoes and vegetable stew, with bread and mead. All four?", he points at the other three of you.
No mead for me. Just water, please.
"I'll have some water instead, too. I never was much of a drinker. The rest sounds great!" Estelle says, then seats where the bartender directs them to.
There hangs a pricelist above the bar.
Lodging & breakfast: 3 silvers.
Evening meal: 2 silvers
Daniel, figuring the group stays the night, does take mead with his dinner.
"Stew with bread and mead? Aye, can't fault that." Brunhild said. "I've heard that mead is the drink of the Gods. It would be a shame to not have a taste, aye?" The cleric said.
The cleric said
The man's big mustache can only partially hide his smile.
"Is very true, is good brew."
Pointing towards a round table near the counter, "Meal will arrive soon."
A woman comes to you in a bit with a tankard of water and two mugs.
The man you can see is holding two tankards underneath the tap of barrel, which shortly thereafter are placed in front of Brunhild an Daniel. A tankard with foamy topped mead.
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With mead in hand, Brunhild sat down and looked around the tavern for someone else who was drinking, given that her companions were not. Once she found someone, she went over to the table. "Hope ye don't mind me taking a seat with ye? Name's Brunhild, new here. Isn't right to drink alone, aye?" From there, she planned to do some light conversation, and to turn the conversation towards dangers of the road, especially goblins...
After dinner and paying for the expenses, Estelle moves over to the musician trio, ignoring the men who were doing fisticuffs in the back. She nods and smiles along with the music until there's a pause. "That was nice! Do you do requests as well? I was wondering if you had some upbeat songs from AvLee? We were attacked on the way here by goblins and it would be really nice to have a few pleasant tunes to relax to..."
Along the way, she'd ask for rumors and buy the musicians a drink should they comply.
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With mead in hand, Brunhild sat down and looked around the tavern for someone else who was drinking, given that her companions were not.
Brunhild sits down with a guy dressed for the road. He looks up from his tankard of ale. Surprised company suddenly sits down across him, he keeps a neutral face.
"I suppose it is. Wouldn't be if the other two would stick around instead of turning in early." *takes a swig from his drink*
Small talk result, the man is an armed escort for a merchant, who came back from Stone City to the South, to renew a business contract. Stone City is open to trade with the other kingdoms, so nothing special. They did encounter some shambling corpses in the lands surrounding Stone City, and hid from a few goblin scouting parties, similar to the three with the dog.
That the Barrow Downs hold various wandering dead, is no surprise. And you've fought the simple ones that came too close in the vicinity of Stone City.
"What's peculiar, is that they seem organized and equipped with mundane weapons and armor. A friend fought defending Erathian borderlands against Krewlod attacks, and those goblins were shorter of posture, poorly armored and savage. But these are scouting groups with watch dogs. Did someone gather all goblin mercenaries into a force Radiant One knows what size?"
Their encounters were along the road, and no groups larger than scouting parties were met.
With Estelle,
The three musicians, just finished with something, bow at the compliment.
"Glad you enjoyed it.", says one whose hat is slightly slipping over his forehead from being just an inch too wide for his head. He pushes it back up, and nods. "We have one. More a style for those sunny afternoons, but whatever. But purely instrumental, we haven't thought of lyrics for it yet."
He continues with the lute, the others grab a flute and a two-drum set that can hang from a bandolier.
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Astella really gets into the song and she starts humming at first, and then starts singing, making up words to go along with it, praising the ancient elven forest, and the joy of dancing among the trees, sung in elven. She thinks no one will really understand, but it's how the music feels to her, so she just goes with it.
At the prospect of a drink, the three make a slightly longer pause between music. They mention the town of Fairbrook is seemingly barely hindered by the goblins. The more to the center they went, passing by Fairhaven, the more mention of groups of goblins that were spotted.
People think Fairbrook would be too close to the Tularean forest, for comfort. Perhaps so, yet perhaps they just didn't get to it yet.
They also mention that the big fort overlooking the roads, had patrols walking outside, and that they had to hide from the goblins, from time to time.
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Brunild (put this together to get a sense for what she looks like) continued to drink, and to chat. The mead helped loosen her tongue, as did Astella's song. She even managed to smile freely, after a few drinks, something quite rare for her. She asked questions such as...
When were the goblins first seen?
How often have they attacked?
What kind of areas have they been most seen in, and what were they doing there?
Have the goblins ever made any demands? Have they been raiding, or keeping people away from something?
All of these questions were made in a friendly way, as part of the conversation. She spoke as one might talk to a close friend, without any hint of an ulterior motive.
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Brunild (put this together to get a sense for what she looks like)
As to her questions, most of it is hearsay to the man himself.
1) The goblins had made their debut start of December last year, initially only sighted on occasion.
2) The times they attacked were with inconsistent intervals.
3) Fairhaven had some people scout their own immediate surrounding lands, and discovered the fort to be inhabited once again. Those scouting tasks were not without injuries, of course. But the few scouts who dared attacking instead of mere recon, did end up dead.
"Fools.", he adds after another swig of ale.
Welnin had report of the old tower fort being occupied again as well.
4) No demands were ever made. It was the few outlying villages that took the brunt. Villages that mostly concerned themselves with food production and some ore mining. Those, and merchant caravans traveling the roads. Oddly, not with lethal outcome all times, as at some attacks people would wake, wounded from the fight, robbed of immediate valuables, but otherwise left alive. It had people puzzled.
If they were keeping people away, it's plausible, but there are few things of note, as far as the man has heard.
While the ones listening don't speak elven, they do appreciate the melodic singing that Astella brings to their ears.
*clapping*
The musicians nod in appreciation.
"No idea what it meant, but it sounded great with the music. Maybe an even bigger success in the other towns, though."
*pushes back up his hat*
"Care for another? But one everyone can understand, if you please."
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Daniel goes about making friends, with truly no ulterior motives. He spends a bit of time with everyone in the inn, and always with a smile on his face.
He performs with those providing music, though only really at a minimal level, and even joins the rough corner for a bout.
If Daniel goes to the corner for fisticuffs...
Somewhat tipsy guy: "Hey there strangah, you here to join? We fight for money. 2 gold to fight, winner takes the other one's fee as winnings."
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"No idea what it meant, but it sounded great with the music. Maybe an even bigger success in the other towns, though."
*pushes back up his hat*
"Care for another? But one everyone can understand, if you please."
Astella smiles
Sure. My name is Astella by the way. Let's compare songs that we know. I'm sure something will overlap.
She gets up and goes onstage with the musicians, trying to come up with something they all know, and then sings in common for the room.
Hmm.. Sure. I'll have a bout. Pray tell, what determines the victor? Surely it isn't the last one conscious?
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Daniel goes about making friends, with truly no ulterior motives.
The people he talks to share general small talk, but he doesn't quite leave the impression for them to remember him for the next half a year.
He performs with those providing music, though only really at a minimal level
Given another small drum, Daniel gives a little extra to the rhythm in Astella's second performance, earning a nickname in the progress, 'Drummer Guy', as 'boy' didn't fit his age.
She gets up and goes onstage with the musicians, trying to come up with something they all know, and then sings in common for the room.
Perform: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21
The second song is another hit with the patrons present.
This one.People are reminded of loved ones waiting at home, or sweethearts they are hoping to meet again. Arms over shoulders, tankards in other hands, patrons sway left to right and back as long as the performance lasts.
A warmhearted applause is the reward Astella, Daniel and the musicians receive. The barkeep sent a tray with complimentary drinks to the performers. Business improved due to it.
"You make great with the performing. Is good for business, so a free drink for you."
Hmm.. Sure. I'll have a bout. Pray tell, what determines the victor? Surely it isn't the last one conscious?
"Tha's easy strangah. The winner is the one who either knocks the other down, or lands three successful hits."
Hey, you could call me drummer dude. he says, as they pondered a nickname.
Despite the fact it was a fight, Daniel was hesitant to start throwing haymakers, and instead focused more on trying to wrestle the other man into submission.
Quite enjoying the performance and trying her hand at humming along the unknown Elven lyrics of Astella, Estelle claps excitedly as both the elf and Daniel give a great performance!
"Wow, I didn't know you were so good at this!" she says to Daniel afterwards, and hands him his free drink. "Did you have training as an army drummer, or something, to hold to the changing rhythms so well? That wasn't an easy melody!"
Not having much success learning anything from the band or the barkeep, she decided to follow him to the fisticuffs area. "If you're going to do this, I can heal you after. Just... don't go too far, all right? Knowing you, you either won't give up at all or punch out his lights right away."
She gives him a small smile and stands aside, observing the fight. Truth be told, she was quite interested to see how they fought unarmed and if she could gleam any pointers from this if she ever had to do it herself.
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Astella enjoyed the set and bowed to the barkeep when he provided free drinks. She passed hers to Brunhild as she walked by her table, then sat down again with her water.
She really was having fun tonight, and this place was growing on her a little, although she still probably would have rather been back at the castle trying to make it livable... or finding a way to make money so they could fix it up.
The overarching existential dread of her life since her parents' death, or death/disappearance anyway, likely wouldn't leave until she actually was able to have someplace safe and stable to call her own... and so far, the castle surely wasn't that. Things were looking up though, and she hoped that would continue.
Daniel is set up against another guy who wears some light leather outfit. Not shaven in a couple of days.
Standing close to one another, there is no room to move away, and the fight begins.
1
aoo
2
aoo
3
aoo
4
aoo
5 fails.
Daniel maintains grapple.
6 fails.
Daniel doesn't maintain grapple, drunk wriggles free.
7
aoo
The first swing is made by his opponent, hitting Daniel square in the jaw. Daniel shakes it off, but dang that was a well placed opening hit. Daniel spreads his arms to make a grab, and another fist is swung.
Between the two, grabs and swings miss, with the man getting a lucky hit in. Halfway the fight, Daniel manages to grab the other guy, and keeps him held briefly, doing some nonlethal squeezing. Not long enough, as the intoxicated breath from the man manages to upset Daniel briefly enough to have weakened his grip, as he tries averting his nose from the breath.
The drunk swings a fist up, hitting Daniel a third time.
The first guy holds up a hand.
"We have a winner. The strangah did ok for a newcomer, but his opponent wins."
Estelle notices nothing special from the fights, aside that the alcohol seems to lessen the feeling of the punches for the intoxicated. They just swung their fists back and forth.
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Brunhild shook her head at the fistfight. Men. She thought, ruefully. They were just like mountain goats. Always butting their heads together in ridiculous displays of masculinity, almost all of whom would be nursing more than just hangovers come the next morning.
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Estelle winces when Daniel takes repeated hard hits and consequently gets hurt a lot more than she was expecting. She leads him to a nearby table and leanes forward to study the bruises and the more alarming swollen jaw. She feels along the bone and gives a few gentle tugs to ensure it wasn't dislocated or broken. She was probably blushing at least slightly from proximity to the undeniably handsome man, but keeps focusing on the task.
"Okay, now hold still - just like this." she says, and clasps her hands in prayer. "She who soars above in gold, please relieve this man of his wounds with your grace. He is just and pure and worthy of mercy."
Looking up again, she nods, partially satisfied with the result. "Almost, but not quite yet. Hang on."
"Okay. That should do it. Try not to get beaten up so hard next time, hm?" she suggests with a grin.
A little later, the patrons split. A couple head upstairs to their rooms, including the musicians, while others go out, most likely home.
There are but a few patrons left, while the barkeep is cleaning up.
A man in a humble brown robe with a rope for a belt and a small symbol of Saint Elaine hanging around his neck, reading a piece of parchment.
A duo looking over another piece of parchment before them.
And the rowdy bunch, who take their meager winnings and leave the inn.
"Maybe the capital got some sport too."
Astella will go and introduce herself to the man in the brown robe and ask what he is reading... and while going over there will try to see what it is the couple is reading, non-obviously... mostly just the type of thing or the headline, not trying to read the details over their shoulders or anything.
The man in the robe introduces himself as brother Tarin Withern, after some persistent but polite probing on Astell's part, a cleric from Welnin, who had read a letter sent to him about an item, the Lantern of Light, that was supposed to have been delivered to Welnin a week ago. It hadn't, and he was hoping to see if anyone here had heard anything.
"It was leant to the dwarves for a burial ceremony some 5 years ago. After which it should have made its way back. This letter was sent by one of their clergy, saying two of them went into the barrows to retrieve it and come over. But that hasn't happened. I'm concerned about this."
He rolls it back up. "And i'm unsure of who to turn to, for investigating this matter."
The other two were likewise reading some sort of letter, but she didn't see the details. 'Dear sir' is what she could quickly spot without becoming obvious in her slowed pace past them.
About Estelle's looking around,
All mundane shops are closed at this hour, but behind the window of 'Watch post' was still light. A bell also hung near a house that looked like a medical post. [Ring in case of emergency only].
Daniel waves off the spell when she tries to heal him further.
Thank you, but a good nights sleep will tend to the bruises. I didn't want to throw punches right off, and, it may be better off I didn't manage to win in any case. Besides, I've had much worse haha. Fighting for gold never did light that fire in me though. He pauses a few moments before nodding that she could go.
now-
Daniel overhears the Conversation with the cleric as he nurses a bruise on his shoulder and makes his way over.
Well, I can't promise anything, but perhaps the saint guides your path. This is something we might could look into on our rounds. He adds a small inflection of a question as he glances to Astelle.
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Daniel waves off the spell when she tries to heal him further. Thank you, but a good nights sleep will tend to the bruises. I didn't want to throw punches right off, and, it may be better off I didn't manage to win in any case. Besides, I've had much worse haha. Fighting for gold never did light that fire in me though. He pauses a few moments before nodding that she could go.
Suddenly, the mood shifts as Estelle narrows her eyes, draws herself up to her full height and places her hands her hands in her sides, glaring down (or, well, still up perhaps) at the knight. "Wait - let me get this straight. Not only did you let yourself get beat up on purpose , but you also refuse healing because you've had worse ," she repeats, not really expecting an answer.
"Well listen here, Mister Cedric!" she continues instantly, poking him in the shining breastplate. "I don't buy that logic. That's like saying you'd refuse healing from a swordwound when you've been stabbed by a dagger before. And I don't have to be a former field medic to see you've got a bruise swollen so much that the average person would think you tried to swallow an apple whole! I don't care how you look, you are taking that cure spell right now and that's final!"
Whether or not Daniel accepts, the healer joins Brunhild at the bar afterwards. "I'll have a milk," she orders, then shakes her head and looks at her dwarven companion. "Men." she grumbles.
Sighing to herself, Estelle knocks on the door of the medical post. "Ah, yes, hello? I'm sorry to bother you at this time, but this... friend of mine thought it was fun to have his face smashed in at the tavern. Would you, um, very maybe happen to have a salve for sale that might might help the healing process along, or at least supress the pain?"
"Wait. Ye be saying that a pair of dwarves went into the barrows and never came back? When was this, who were they, and what exactly were they doing there?" Brunhild asked, her interested piqued.
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The barkeep can answer Estelle's general questions.
Her questions are a common thing with travelers, as far as he's concerned.
He tells you the outpost was initially a thorpe, peace & quiet and such, but when more travelers took the nearby road, it was gradually adjusted to provide services to those travelers. It also proved convenient during the conflict.
Services:
Carpenter (repairs oriented)
General shop (travel necessities, simple camping supplies, rations)
Medical shop (medicinal herbs/salves & basic first aid services)
Watch (just 4 people, mundane gear less efficient than the town watch in Welnin. 2 cells to keep troublemakers in.)
Supplied by:
Generally Welnin, as it is closest. An occasional supply of ale from Stone City. They themselves have a small vegetable patch and potato patch.
People that travel through:
Couriers (not too often)
Tradesmen (the outpost is on the route between Stone City and Welnin.
Taking the road to Fairhaven also gets you through here.
When she visits the medical post:
A man with receding hair and a stubbed chin opens the door and hears her description.
"Great, even more drunken fist fighting. Hardly an emergency i'd say, but i have a small batch of salve left. 1 silver, apply and it will speed up the recovery of bruises their face may be developing. There is for two uses."
He comes back with a tiny box the size of a compass, in which a green salve is put.
"Good night young lady. Feel free to slap some sense in them before applying the salve."
Wait. Ye be saying that a pair of dwarves went into the barrows and never came back? When was this, who were they, and what exactly were they doing there?" Brunhild asked, her interested piqued.
Tarin: "We made the agreement they could keep the lantern for 5 years, then it be returned to us. According to the letter, a clergy member and guard went to a barrow, some 2 weeks ago. They were going to retrieve the Lantern from the burial chamber. They did not specify more on the matter."
After meeting Tarin, Astella says that they might be able to look into it for him if they have time, and then gives way to Daniel and Brunhild who were also listening.
As they continue that conversation, she goes over to introduce herself to the couple, saying
Sorry to disturb you. Just wanted to introduce myself. Astella. You probably heard me singing earlier. We just moved into the castle over Welnin way, and I'm trying to get to know the neighbors. Where are you two from? Near here?
The two, both human, look up from the letter.
"Ah, the singer, yes, that was good.
We're from Fairhaven, and on to Steadwick tomorrow morning. Family matter.", and folds the letter back up into his jacket's inner pocket.
"So, does that make you Markham's representative, that you're taking up residence there?"
I hope your family matters go well. As to Markham, not representative, more like inheritor. He's passed everything on to us, and removed himself from the situation, which is why we're trying to get up to speed. Seems like he hasn't been around for quite a while.
The other guy: "That's an understatement, but thankfully so he hasn't.
Nobody's in the mood to get their home town catapulted down, and some guy from way west, to come in and say he is there to rule over them."
First guy: "Appreciate the well wishing, miss Astella. Don't mind him, he's one to vent if the topic comes passing by. But let's face it, we might or might not live to see it, but the land will surely change hands again at some point in the future."
"But i'd best head upstairs, we're off early in the morning. Steadwick is still over a week on foot, but maybe we can get a coach ride over in Welnin."
Meanwhile,
Brother Withern to Brunhild:
"I'll pray for the lady's blessing for your brethren's safe return. My visit to the Stone City clergy was most respectful and welcoming, with their reception."
Sleep well, and it was nice to meet you both.
She doesn't refute anything they say because she really doesn't know whether they'll be able to hold the land or not, but she is definitely going to try.
As they go upstairs, she sits down at the table with Brother Withern, listening in on the continuing conversation, but not interrupting.
He comes back with a tiny box the size of a compass, in which a green salve is put.
"Good night young lady. Feel free to slap some sense in them before applying the salve."
"I'll take your advice to heart. Thank you, good sir," Estelle says to the doctor, amused, and pays him the silver cost.
She makes her way back to the Inn and finds what looks like all of three of her companions either engrossed or listening in on a robed figure. She pockets the salve for now and heads to Astella and Daniel, as it seemed Brunhild was the main speaker. "Sorry, I had a small errant to run. Did I miss something while I was gone?" she asks, glancing at the Brother with interest.
Terin Withern looks up at the new arrival.
"Your friend offered to keep an eye out for an item that was lost in, or on the way from, the dwarven barrows."
He has no more information than this, other than that the cleric who wrote it, is named father O'Connel, who works in the temple hall of Stone City as a senior cleric.
So, just to be clear, we have a potential adventure going to save people lost in the barrow that were looking for a lantern, but no pay offered, no official agreement made, correct?
The other immediate opportunity I see is to get up early and travel with the two people headed to Welnin... might be mutual protection as we go back... and Estelle has to be back to babysit anyway, right?
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Brunhild inquired as politely and discreetly as she could about the lost lantern, if there was any reward offered, and if so whether it could be made official.
Brother Withern looks slightly disappointed at the fishing for rewards, politely worded though they are.
"The church runs on donations and the occasional services we can provide the people, as you seem to be probing for a monetary reward.
But, should you succeed in returning the Lantern, i will speak to see what kind of compensation we can offer you in return."
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"Aye." Brunhild said. Then, after a moment's thought, she said "Though, to be blunt. While gold is in desperate need...ah, just to start from the beginning. In our stead is a castle, overlooking a town that we are sworn to defend. We are trying to repair it, and make the lands safe once more. It isn't an easy task, as ye can guess from our appearances, gold isn't exactly in high supply. But in me heart, what I hope the most for is within the castle to have a shrine to our Lord, and perhaps in the future a fully functioning temple. If we can find this Lantern and bring it back, could ye put in a good word for us on this? Aid from the church in revitalizing the castle and bringing both the word of our Lord to the people, as well as the hope that would come with it, would be worth far more than any physical reward. If ye could help in this regard, then risking me life to return the Lantern would pale in comparison to such a boon."
Brother Withern seems a bit surprised at the counter offer.
"An interesting offer. Help in the layout or decoration of a place of worship, that we can do. But please elaborate."
"To start with,
You are a diverse group, so with 'our Lord', is your whole group following the same deity? In which case, which deity are we talking about? If you all follow a different spiritual path, it could be designed as a place for broad use in worship."
"A second, what town would this be, where is it located? From your words, it sounds as if its people have no spiritual support to aid them these days?"