Jaek tries to scout around. He spies another entrance in the back, but it seems to be just another door to the main hall. In fact, he spots a patron enter the door as he walks by. Another traveller, worn out by a long days travel. He spots a few more people walking around, through the windows, weary travellers. Seems to be an inn, in fact.
There is also a back gate that is currently locked. The road north hugs the Glass River, but he's unsure exactly where it goes.
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"Aye. Good call, Eurkar."
Jaek looks at his companions with a finger on his lips in thought.
"Well, okay... Eurkar had a good plan the other day.
Corbrae, you be First Mate. The 'advisor' since you be good at bein' all talky and knowledgeable and stuff.
Eurkar, you be 'Ship's Mage'. Puttin' out the fires on deck with water magic and safely gettin' the ship through storms and hostile territory. And ship's cook, too, with your skills of nature and all."
Jaek puts his fists on his hips and eyes the others.
"The rest of you lot... Leon, Merida, and Nitre."
He nods at each in turn.
"First Lieutenants of the crew. The ship's muscle. The finest I've ever had under my command."
"And, if no one objects, I be Merchant Captain."
Jaek crosses his arms and gives a smug smile.
"Let's come up with a good name for our ship, should it come up in conversation. Any suggestions?"
As the Pathfinders enter the courtyard, the profusion of flowers planted around this lovely courtyard fills the air with an enchanting fragrance. An oaken door to the norht is the obvious untrance to the inn, while south are the broad doors of a stable. Wooden gates allow egress to the east and west, and a roofed well lies at the east end of the main court.
A human man comes out of the stables to greet them. He doesn't speak, but instead uses signing with hand motions and grimaces. His affliction is soon apparent - he's mute! He urges them to the south door, then opening the door for them.
Looking into the common room, dark oaken tables, chairs and benches fill this comfrotable, L-shaped common room, and the faint odors of tobacco and ale permeate the air. Narrow windows with panes of smoked glass along the north and south walls allow some light into this welcoming space.
An old matronly woman clad in peasant clothing and an apron sits at the centermost table of the room. Her voluminous white hair is piled atop her head and secured in a conservative bun. She wears a red scarf about her neck and a wry smile on her face. She greets you warmly. "I see you met our dear simple nephew Rosh. Thank you Rosh." she waves off the man and he rushes back to the stables. "Are you seeking lodging for the night? What brings you to Razmiran?".
"Where are my manners? My name is Addas Grymble. Welcome to the Gray Revelation Inn!"
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"Hahaha! That's hilarious! Alright, 'The Porpoise' it is."
Jaek follows Leon and company into the tavern.
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"Greetings, Missus Grymble!"
Jaek gives an ostentatious bow with a sweep of his hat.
"I am Captain Jaek and this here be my crew.
We be merchant sailors seeking a way station for a regular trade caravan, trying to open a trade route from Mendev to Kerse."
His eye begins to twitch.
After a pause, Addas seems to accept the story. "You have free reign at my inn. I hope it meets your needs.". She pauses. "Business has been slow as the shepherds and farmers that normally frequent her common room are off to Xer for a major market day."
She then calls out to the kitchen. "Eugenia, Tarsi! Come meet our guests.". Two woman who look strikingly like Addas come out of the kitchen. "Meet my sisters. This is Eugenia and Tarsi."
Eugenia bows. She wears a yellow scarf around her neck, similar to the one Amauhak wears. "We're busy canning fruit and making jam. But we have a nice beef stew cooking on the fires if you are hungry."
The gap-toothed Tarsi nods. "Let me show you to your room. How long are you staying? We would also appreciate payment in advance, if you don't mind.".
She leads you to the north to a cozy room that is dominanted by a large fireplace. A few tables and upholstered chairs provide repose for guests of the inn, and assorted rugs of Qadiran manufacture cover the floor. "Only overnight guests are allowed in this den. Local farmers and shepherds are barred from tracking mud into this area."
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Nitre takes a look in each room as they are shown around.
"You know me, Captain Jaek, any of these is a luxury compared to my hammock belowdecks! I'll take one of these simple rooms, unless--that is--you want someone to keep watch in your room with you. Whatever you say!" Nitre seems to really be relishing playing a role here.
Nitre notices despite the locks on the doors from the inside, most of the rooms have a hidden release mechanism that allows the lock to be sprung from the outside.
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While getting the grand tour, Jaek also keeps an eye out for anything strange about the rooms.
He cocks an eyebrow upon discovering the latch on the outer door knobs.
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"Same here, Nitre. Any of these sure beat sleepin' on a hammock or flea-ridden sack of moldy straw on a ship."
Jaek turns to Addas.
"Well, ma'am, we'll take two of the fine guest rooms to share. Three of us in each."
He pulls out his coin pouch and finds a few gold pieces.
"No, no, no, my fine crew of sailors. I'll take care of the cost."
He holds up his hand in protest when any of his companions make a fuss about the cost.
"I'm the captain, now. I want to take good care of my hard workin' crew."
He says with a wink.
He drops the coins into Addas' hand.
"I'm sure a few of us are quite famished, like meself, and could use a hearty meal before we turn in for the night.
In the morning, my crew and I would like to take a look at the storage cellar. Seeing that we will be using this as a waystation for our caravan, we will need to rent a corner for storage for some of our goods. We may have some perishable goods, so a cool cellar would be most ideal."
"And," He adds with a charming smile,
"We will pay any reasonable rental charges."
Jaek pays Tarsi 10 gp for the two luxurious rooms. There is only one bed, but she doesn't seem to judge. "We unfortunately do not have much storage here. No cellar you can use." She leads you to your rooms so you can drop off your bags. "Did you know this lodge has been in operation for three centuries! Founded by our great-great-great grandfather, Tibbolts Grymble." She changes the topic as she brings you to the kitchen next.
"And you're so skinny! Here's some food, take as much as you want!". The two Grymble sisters in the kitchen hand the Pathfinders samples of jam, delicious stew, and a few pastries. The stew bubbles in a large black cauldron in the fireplace, and the counters are covered with bushels of cherries and apples in varying stages of being made into jam and canned. Barrels and casks of various spirits are found here with mugs and other tableware.
"We are going to bed shortly. It's getting quite late and I doubt we'll have any more guests show up.".
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"Whichever room you want, Leon. Three to a room, though."
After Jaek fills his belly with all the tasty food offered to him by the sisters, he thanks them profusely then retires for a nightcap at the fireplace, hopefully with other members of his crew..
When he is sure the group has a moment alone, Jaek whispers quietly.
"Those captives gotta be around here somewhere. I'll take final watch to sneak about to see if I can find any suspicious activity. If I'm caught, I'll just say I'm an early riser and lookin' for breakfast."
Jaek takes the last sip of his brandy and bids all a goodnight.
"I'll be retirin' now. See ya'll in the morn."
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Locked doors that can still be opened from outside? I have to tell the others!
Merida eats and drinks with her comrades, sitting next to Leon. When he speaks up, she answers: "Let's unpack our stuff first, Leon, shall we? Come with me."
Merida chooses the room further away from the common room. When Leon and she are inside, she closes the door and tells him quietly:
"Be aware, these locked doors can still be opened from outside. I saw more than one hidden latch. But do not examine further! Nobody should know that we know..."
After leaving her backpack in the room, Merida joins Jaek for a nightcap. She also quietly tells the others of her discovery (and that Leon is informed about it, too), when the opportunity to do so arises.
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"Leon, you take the room with Jaek and Corbrae. Merida, Eurkar, and I can take the other room. I'll take watch after Leon; Merida, you can follow me. That'll leave the spellcasters to get their sleep before Jaek takes the final watch."
Not sure I'll sleep much anyway, knowing they can open our doors no matter what.
The three sisters say good night and head to bed - their bedroom is in the northwest (the one that is currently blocked). The Pathfinders soon join in their slumbers. Nothing seemingly happens throughout the night.
In the morning, the smell of fresh baked bread fills the air. The Pathfinders head to the common room to find a fresh breakfast awaiting them.
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Towards the end of his watch, just before dawn, Jaek sneaks out of his room. He crosses the dining area and spies in on the kitchen.
After peeking in on the kitchen, he makes his way towards the sitting area with the large fireplace and takes a look around.
He then makes his way back to his room.
There is other patron here, taking up the single rooms. He's drunkenly passed out in front of the fireplace.
Jaek sneaks around, but the three sisters had given them free rein of the place. But either way, no one really is around. And besides the stew in the kitchen and a dying fire in the fireplace, Jaek sees nothing out of the ordinary.
The Pathfinders wake up feeling rested. The three sisters are in the kitchen making some breakfast. Addas spies you, "We're making some bacon and eggs. Want some? Here, take some pastries as well.". She hands over some homemade scones.
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"Good mornin', mateys!"
Jaek enjoys his meal and a bit of small talk with his crew. At a point when the sisters are all in the kitchen, he leans in close and speaks quietly.
"We should give that mute stable boy a visit. If we're friendly enough, maybe he'll share some information we need."
Jaek looks over and notices Eurkar stuffing his face.
"Woah, woah, woah! Slow down there, lad. Save some for the rest of us."
There is plenty of pastries for everyone! Maybe not if everyone takes three or four... One of the sisters, Tarsi, starts sweeping the common area while the other two continue working the kitchen.
Jaek leads the Pathfinders to the stables. An expansive smithy is set up in the west end of the stable, one corner of it occupied by a small cot and a neat pile of clothing. To the east stretch a number of stalls for horses and other animals.
There are several horses in the stables but no sign of Rosh, the stablehand. In fact, it seems like one of the horses is missing, along with riding accoutrements.
The southeastern most stall comes snorts, whinnies, and stamps from what seems like an unbroken mare. The other horses are calm and eating some hay.
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Leon enjoys his meal. Taking as many pastries as he thinks he can get away with (3-4). Then he finishes any that others in his group don't.
He pats his belly and grumbles as his allies insist upon investigating a mute fellow to see what he has to say.
"Looks lahk sumwun left las nigh, musta been when I were sleepin. Wut wuz our missun again?"
The horse stamps her feet and whinnies. Seems like she's just unbroken/not completely tame yet. It's likely that someone - Rosh perhaps - is trying to break her in.