Marune looks at the group behind Galen a smile that doesn't reach her eyes crosses her face. "And who are your companions?"
"I am Creed, good lady." Says Creed with a smile and a little bow, "And, I am hungry!"
Following Creed's example, the mangled Half-Orc presents himself from a distance, "Zey call me Zcardd."
Roderick, sulking in the back of the party, feels obligated to introduce himself. With a sigh, he puts himself in better view of the hostess and says, "My name is Roderick. We would appreciate a quiet table."
Following the introductions, Galen replies to the woman.
"I'm sure I'll miss the Swordstars as well, but it was time to start for home. Of course, I find myself back in Keepers Dale sooner than I had ever expected. My companions are indeed hungry, and have pledged to maintain civility. They were on thier way to Giant's Skull for breakfast and to find work, but I thought they shouldn't be risking thier lives on their first meal."
"Nicely done, I was just about to do that my self." Behind you is a black haired elf looking down at you."If you want to continue with this line of work come to this place tomorrow night." He passes you a piece of paper and quickly disappears into the crowd.
Bri watches as the Elf disappears into the crowd and looks down at the paper. Bri thinks to herself 'well that went better than I had hope but what kind of a scam is this elf trying to pull on me. Oh well guess I should try to find everyone else and grab a bite to eat.' Bri puts the note into her pocket and goes towards the last place she was with everyone.
Marune turns and leads them to a table off to the side. "I will have one of the girls send out some spiced potatoes, sausages, bread and cheese. I will be back with some water."
She waits until you are seated and heads to the kitchen.
Fair Tuon watches all around as the food is served. He doesn't relax. But does eat.
Marune turns and leads them to a table off to the side. "I will have one of the girls send out some spiced potatoes, sausages, bread and cheese. I will be back with some water."
..."And perhaps some ale?" asks Creed as he sits.
The waitress girl looks down at the large tattooed cleric "Ale for breakfast, I will see what I can do." She walks back to the bar with a smile tugging at her lips.
With the sight and smell of food in front of him, Scardd forgets his manners and inhales everything on his plate. He then lifts the plate and with his coarse tongue licks every last drop of grease from the plate. When he is finished, he starts to realize what he has just done and looks slightly embarrassed. Just as he is putting his plate back down and is attempting to regain his composure, a belch from the nine hells escapes his gullet. "Excuzzzzze me."
Roderick looks at the Half-Orc with disgust, but does not say a word. He methodically and efficiently eats his meal, taking the time to properly cut and chew his food, with sips of water between each bite.
The waitress girl looks down at the large tattooed cleric "Ale for breakfast, I will see what I can do." She walks back to the bar with a smile tugging at her lips.
"Of course! Ale for breakfast! Wine for dinner! Water is for horses to drink and for washing your feet!" Creed says with a smile at the girl.
"Excuzzzzze me."
"Excuse you?" Says Creed, "HAW! You're in no need of excusing!" He slaps the Half-Orc on the back.
Recognising a man in need, Tuon pushes the rest of his food over to Scardd. He waves away any argument and just smiles at the hungry half-orc.
Bri wanders around Keepers Dale for a bit and ends back at the Lions Head. She walks in and sees the rest of her group sitting at a table talking. She notices that Tuon seems to be a little off and she wonders what is going on with him. She walks over to the table besides Tuon. "Hey Tuon, so how is it going in these parts?" She says as she climbs up into the chair. "They really should make these chairs more accessible for us smaller folk." Bri then takes a look at the food that is around and decides that she is hungrier than she thought. "Where is all the left overs at?" She says to anyone that is listening. She notices that the Halforc seems to be eating as if he has never seen food before. "So what is good here and how do I get some service." Bri waits for the waitress to return and orders the special, not even knowing what it is. Bri waits for her food and listens to the talk at the table.
When Scardd sees Tuon's plate of food pushed in front of him, his eyes goes wide in astonishment of his luck. He looks up at the scarred warrior, but his look is waved away regarding the extra helping of food. Scardd then tries with all of his will to be aware of the speed of his eating. He succeeds for the first few bites, but then gradually he picks up speed until he turns the meal into another feeding frenzy. He is so consumed by his food that he never notices Bri rejoining the group until he is completely finished.
With an empty plate and grease flowing down his chin and neck, he says with bits of food popping from his mouth, "Zo, vhen do we go to ze Giant'zzz Zkull?"
She walks over to the table besides Tuon. "Hey Tuon, so how is it going in these parts?" She says as she climbs up into the chair. "They really should make these chairs more accessible for us smaller folk....."
Tuon smiles and points at the half-orc at work. He murmurs something about Scardd eating like a starved halfling.
With an empty plate and grease flowing down his chin and neck, he says with bits of food popping from his mouth, "Zo, vhen do we go to ze Giant'zzz Zkull?"
Bri wanders around Keepers Dale for a bit and ends back at the Lions Head. She walks in and sees the rest of her group sitting at a table talking...
"Fearless Bri, our wayward warrior, has returned!" Says Creed with a wink. "How went the ranging, yeah? Did you find any bread for Roderick, here?"
Roderick scowls at the big man.
With an empty plate and grease flowing down his chin and neck, he says with bits of food popping from his mouth, "Zo, vhen do we go to ze Giant'zzz Zkull?"
"Fearless Bri, our wayward warrior, has returned!" Says Creed with a wink. "How went the ranging, yeah? Did you find any bread for Roderick, here?"
Bri gets a Shi**y A*s grin on her face "I didn't find bread for Roderick but I was successful upon my forging. I am however sorry to say that I didn't find you anything, Creed. Where is my food anyhow. Don't they know that I will become a little shrimp without food." Bri says with a smile. "So how is the big guy doing?" Bri says as she nods towards the Halforc.
"Scardd seems to be enjoying his meal with gusto. It seems losing one's memory doesn't interfere with appetite."
Galen pays for his and Scardd's meal.
"Whenever we're all ready, we can head for Giant's Skull."
Tuon nods to Galen.
The Half-Orc, finally finished his meal, sits back in his chair. He gives Bri a nod and smile as he rubs and scratches his belly. Then he looks over at Galen, "Yezzzz, Giantzzz Zkull."
At an opportune time, Scardd approaches Galen, "Thank you again for your kindnezzzz. I do not forget zuch thingzzz. Thiiis vill be repaid."
At tall blond girl brings a plate of eggs, bread, and cup of grape juice and puts it in front of Bri. "Here is your special, did I hear that you are headed to the Giants Skull? You might have to wait awhile it doesn't open until after the sun is past its peak." She looks over at Scardd, "I would go get some clean cloths if you want someone to take you seriously."
The smile retreats from his face when the waitress mentions the need for clothes. "How can vy get clothezzz?," he asks himself. "Vy need to get job to get gold to get clothezzz. Now I need clothezzz to get job." Scardd then shakes his head in confusion and turns to the waitress. "Vhere can I get clothezzz?"
She turns back to the half-orc, "The easiest place to buy cloths is the Fat Friar, you probably walked by it as you came in, its on Main street right in the middle of Balons Bizarre. The Traveling Adventurer would have more the gear you are looking for and it is closer just north of here."
"How can vy get clothezzz?," he asks himself. "Vy need to get job to get gold to get clothezzz. Now I need clothezzz to get job."
"Oy! Don't fret! Remember, 'Strength of will shows the way,' yeah?" Creed says to Scardd. "Haw! And besides, I'm sure Bri, here, as company treasurer, has the purse to buy ye some clothes. Fine threads, I'm sure, eh Leagallow? Haw!"
Without waiting for her reply he asks the waitress, "Where might I find a bit o' water to wash the road off me, eh?" He says, draining his tankard as if to make his earlier point.
"Oy! Don't fret! Remember, 'Strength of will shows the way,' yeah?" Creed says to Scardd. "Haw! And besides, I'm sure Bri, here, as company treasurer, has the purse to buy ye some clothes. Fine threads, I'm sure, eh Leagallow? Haw!"
Without waiting for her reply he asks the waitress, "Where might I find a bit o' water to wash the road off me, eh?" He says, draining his tankard as if to make his earlier point.
"Whoa there, since when have I been the treasurer. Yes I do have fine treasurers and seem to stumble across them quite easily but I don't remember saying anything about sharing." Bri realizes as she is saying this that Scardd seems to be on the verge of crying. Not wanting to have that guilt on her shoulders she makes up her mind. "Fine, Fine, Fine I will take you shopping to get you some clothes and supplies but don't for a moment think that I am a pushover or soft-hearted, I just don't want to see a grown creature cry thats all." "Lets get to spending my money then. What do you say Scardd?"
"Fine, Fine, Fine I will take you shopping to get you some clothes and supplies but don't for a moment think that I am a pushover or soft-hearted, I just don't want to see a grown creature cry thats all." "Lets get to spending my money then. What do you say Scardd?"
Creed says nothing, but his smile get broader.
Galen leans to Scardd and says, "Luck is with you, my friend. You seem to have met more than one person of chivalry during your trials. And I know you will return the favor when the day for that arrives."
"Vy promizze to pay you back little one. Vy wazzz not crying, but I thank you for your kindnezzz. And Yezz, Vy will pay you back."
Tuon gets up too. He will accompany Creed and Bri shopping for Scardd.
"Where might I find a bit o' water to wash the road off me, eh?" He says, draining his tankard as if to make his earlier point.
Without waiting for her reply he asks the waitress, "Where might I find a bit o' water to wash the road off me, eh?" He says, draining his tankard as if to make his earlier point.
The blond waitress starts gathering your empty plates, "The best bath house is in Xander north of Balons Bizarre but it is expensive and unofficially reserved for the cities wealthy citizens. The Firehole is a couple blocks south in the middle of the inns and taverns in Demons Gate. It is built over a natural hot spring and is pretty nice."
The waitress grabs the coins off the table and picks up her tray. "Good luck with your stay in Keepers Dale." She walks off expertly dodging the occasional grope as she balances the heavy tray on route to the kitchen.
Tuon has put 2 gold onto the table as he walks outside.
Creed leaves one gold piece on the table and says to the group:
"Look, it'd probably do us all good--in terms of getting anywhere at the Giant Skull--to wash the stink of travel off us, yeah? Plus, Scardd here is in need of a good wash--no offense, my good half-orc--as well as clothes. Let's stick together. We all go and pitch in for Scardd garb, and them take a dunk at the Firehole, yeah? Mayhaps they give us a group rate! Haw!!"
Scardd nods at Creed, taking his statement as simple fact. "Again, I zay. I promizzze to pay back all help. A wazzzh, clothezzz, and if pozzzible, a zmall weapond, I would like. Anyzing to make me look better at ze Giantzzz Zkull." The Half-Orc looks around hopefully at his companions, especially Bri who seems to have money and Galen who has helped it out so much prior.
The streets are filled with shouts of greeting and laughter, children run this way and that. Occasionally after one child brushes past an angered shout follows from a man with a lighter belt pouch.
An elf is entertaining a crowd by juggling a half dozen knives, a small halfling is selling a variety of jewelry and the smell of fresh bread and meat cooking fills the air.
The crowd ahead of you suddenly parts and two large ogres walk down the street glaring at anyone that gets to close. Walking between them is a small female goblin dressed in a red silk shirt, dark blue pants and a fur lined long coat. Before they get to your group the three of them turn and head south deeper into Demons Gate.
Soon you arrive at a shop with just weathers walking stick nailed to the door as a handle and the sign above has a nice painting of a long winding road through some hills.
The inside of the store is filled with shelves of adventure gear from cloths to old maps. In the back a dark haired halfling is rocked back in a chair with his well traveled boots resting on lower shelf snoring loudly.
In the back a dark haired halfling is rocked back in a chair with his well traveled boots resting on lower shelf snoring loudly.
"Oy! Sleepy! We've a half-orc to dress, and little time to spare on your snoring!" Says Creed boisterously at the supposedly sleeping halfling, "Wake up! As if you'd sleep in your own shop unaware of your wares! Open the other eye, and give us a hand, yeah?!"
"Wake up sleepy head!" Bri says as she pushes the halflings feet off of the lower shelf. "Scardd, look around and see what you like"
Scardd takes a look around. He is very careful not to brush his dirty, uncleansed body against anything. He is looking for a simple pair of pants, shirt, boots, & cloak for utility use. "Nozzzing fancy. Juzzzt zomething to take ze bite out of ze vind, pleazzze," he says to the shopkeeper after Creed and Bri wake him up.
The halfling jumps as Bri kicks his feet and he tumbles over backwards and crashes to the floor. "What the.... Oh hey good morning how are you people doing?" he hastily rights the chair and brushes off his cloths. "So you are looking for some cloths, that corner over there should have something in your size. look around and get what you need."
Scardd carefully pulls out a few simple necessities. "Bri, vill zeez be ok?"
"Clothes aside, he'll need a pack and some basics, yeah? Rations, waterskin, bedroll, rope. He can't go trouncin' around the bush without some gear. Oy! And a weapon, for Kord's sake! A knife or pointed stick? Do you carry weapons, Sleepy?" Creed asks the shop keeper in a friendly way
"We have your basic knives but the Bless Anvil is the good play to go and if your friend is more inclined to orc weapons there is the Roaming Orc. The owner often returns to his tribe in the mountains and I don't know if he is here. They are both on the main drag of Balons Bizarre."
"We have your basic knives but the Bless Anvil is the good play to go and if your friend is more inclined to orc weapons there is the Roaming Orc. The owner often returns to his tribe in the mountains and I don't know if he is here. They are both on the main drag of Balons Bizarre."
Scardd's ears perk up at the mention of this. "Tribe in ze mountainzzz?" The Half-Orc then looks around at his companions. "Maybe he would recognizzze zome of theeeze markingzzz on me. We zhould go zhere, or at leazzt I need to." After saying this, Scardd is very anxious to make his clothes purchase and be on his way to the Roaming Orc. He decides to hold off on putting on his new clothes until after a good wash, though.
