Vilya waits, hands on her sword and mace, waiting for things to take a turn for the worse. And if they don't take a turn for the worse, she'll make things go that way. That's just how things are done in her world. Interesting.
Dron stands behind the two warriors, and decides to add weight to the conversation.
After Toranaga he says, "Inn!"
After Triska he nods, "Hell!"
Dron puts a hand on eachs' shoulders to show he is on their side.
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The guard looks over the bunch carefully but with a nice smile on his face showing great patience having had to answer that same question over and over again says, You'll travel down this road to where it forks, take the left one, this is the road called Way of the Dragon, on the right not far down you will see a sign that has a big red fist on it, this will be The Red Gauntlet. Go there first to get some food, its where all us guards go to get food between shifts, its only a tavern, inquire there about lodging. The guard then looks at Triska and says, You are in the city of Waterdeep of course! Now have a good day and make sure you keep that half orc under control in the city.
Vilya looks from the guard to the half-orc, then back to the guard.
"Huh."
Not wanting to let Vilya's reply change the guard's impression of the party, "Of course, you can count on us to keep him," pointing at Dron, "out of mischief."
Dron nods.
"I don't think so."
Dron nods.
"I don't think so."
"Let's go eat, Dron, and leave these fine people alone. If we upset the gaurds they won't let us get any food. Remember what happened last time? I think you'll agree that food is a much better option than chains." Kaldren takes Dron gently by the arm and leads his friend down the street that the gaurd pointed out.
Dron walks on like a docile lamb.
Markedly ill at ease, Vilya follows.
Kraeg trudges along after his companions, the anticipation of food keeping his feet moving in the absence of physical energy.
He attempts to stay somewhat attentive as he moves through the city, taking in the sights and searching his memory for any mention of "Waterdeep."
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Your group moves out following the directions the guard gave you. As you are walking you see people everywhere going about their business. To your right before you get to the fork in the road you see what must be a caravan staging area, hearing cursing, whip wielding drovers, bawling beasts of burden and the creaking of carts and wagons. Once at the fork storefronts of every size and shape appear before the group. Some businesses that catch the eye are..Aurora's Realm shop, Pelauvir's Counter, Orm's Highbench to name a few. Also seen is many stables here and there for the massive trade caravans.
You reach the sign as the guard indicated with the big red gauntlet on it. The Red Gauntlet is an old but well cared for two story building. Taking a couple of steps up off the street you enter the tavern. The door creaks open, its a well lit tavern with candles on each wall plus a small fire place keeping the place just right comfort wise. On the left you see a long bar with seats the entire length. the rest of the room is filled with tables and chairs. The tavern only has a few customers right now, one serving wench and one huge barkeep.....
Toranaga looks for an empty table at a corner, so the party can discuss their situation privately.
Dron already has his purse out. He goes to the barkeep.
"Food, lots please." The hand orc hands over a gold piece.
Triska walks up to the bar next to Dron. "And ale, for the both of us."
Kraeg follows Toranaga to a table where he can rest his feet and let someone else bring his food to him.
"I suppose we should try and find someone in this city that might be able to help us with our situation. I wonder if there are any wizards of note hereabouts."
He tries to gain the attention of a server so he can order something to eat and a tall mug of ale.
"In a city this big, there's bound to be a wizard dabbling in forbidden lore."
Toranaga looks for an appealing serving wench.
"Tisca, take seat? I don't think so. Want food. Tummy no food for too long. He get gold. He give food."
Dron is starting to get a touch worked up. "Where he want me take seat. Why me?"
"Well, me darling, I'll be having a your mug of your finest brew and some roasted meat and bread, if you have any. But I'm not too particular about the food."
After the woman leaves to fill out the order, Toranaga pulls his sword out of its scabbard and starts to polish it.
Vilya scans the room furtively. She mumbles to herself quietly.
"They don't even know where they are, and they've already started drinking. Typical."
Vilya scans the room furtively. She mumbles to herself quietly.
"They don't even know where they are, and they've already started drinking. Typical."
"Animals at the watering hole, fullfilling thier basic needs despite the possibility of danger. It's up to us to keep watch for the croccidiles." Kaldren says to Vilya as he moves past her into the common room. He crosses over next to Dron and sits so he can watch the door and the rest of the patrons. "Easy friend, sit down and food will come soon enough."
"Barkeep, it is our first time in your fair city. Know of any puissant mages living here?"
Dron calms at the soothing words of Kaldren. He meekly follows, muttering "I don't think so" repeatedly.
Sits and waits.
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"Barkeep, it is our first time in your fair city. Know of any puissant mages living here?"
The huge barkeep turns to Toranaga stopping his tale of an past adventure he had in some old ruins he was telling to a couple of patrons sitting at the bar....
Their are many great mages in the city! If you are looking for knowledge I would first try the Watchful Order located in the castle ward at the Tower of the Order!The barkeep then turns back to his tale never missing a beat in the story....
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The serving wench comes out of the back with a huge tray ladden with all kinds of wonderful smelling foods, followed by a second wench with an equally large tray of food. They place multple platters of food in front of you. The aromas from the food assult your nose making you all drool.
Platters in front of you include: Roast Ox with onions, leeks, garlic and potatoes, Rabbit cooked in red wine with wild mushrooms, Four different cheeses with honey, Hot spicy sausages with mustard, a basket of bread and a fish, shellfish and baby vegetable soup.
They also have a fresh round of ales for everyone.
"Finally. I thought I was never going to see food again. My thanks." Toranaga presses a gold piece into the palm of the serving wench.
Dron treatsthe meal like battle. He eats aggressively, tearing at the flesh and ignoring the rest. Rarely he comes up for air and ale.
Dron doesn't seem to mind the rest having a sensible portion. However he growls and shakes if they come near what he regards as his.
A fine trencherman, the half-orc finishes with a belch and semi-collapses among the wreckage. Within a couple of minutes he starts snoring gently.
Kraeg consumes food and ale with all the decorum one would expect of a dwarf who'd not seen food or drink for days.
Between bites and gulps, he suggests that, after the meal is finished, he and some of the others visit this "Watchful Order" to see what they can learn. He proposes that the rest of the party, and here he glances pointedly at Dron, secure accomodations and try and learn what they can aobut the city.
The dwarf apparently sees no irony in implying, in the precious few moments not spent inhaling food and alcohol, that Dron should be left out of the visit to the wizards' tower.
Kaldren hesitates at the sight of all the food, but hunger soon takes over and he takes his fair share.
"I'll stay here with Dron and get us some rooms while you seek out the wizards."
Triska eats as heartily as the rest, before sitting back and nursing an ale. She mutters something about "everyone's going to be sick tomorrow."
"What do we need a wizard for? We've already got Kraeg. One wizard is more than enough for me." She takes a gulp of ale.
"As for rooms, why not camp outside the city? This...Waterdeep...is uncomfortably big. And I don't have much money, unless some of you found a stash in those caverns you didn't tell me about. Me, Kaldren, and Dron can find a nice campsite while the rest of you-" Triska waves her hand in the air dismissively. "-go talk to your wizard about gods-know-what."
Kraeg takes a long, deep pull of his mug of ale, followed by a belly-shaking belch.
"Right, then. You guys find us somewhere to sleep, comfortably, and we'll go see about getting us back home."
Having established a plan, the dwarf dives back into the food and ale with true gusto.
The Taker sips demurely from her beaker of ale.
"Not my problem..."
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As you finish up with your meal and the wenches takes away your empty platters, a stranger appears entering the door looking around as if seeking someone. He is wearing dark clothing and the hood of his cloak is pulled up covering most of his head. He spots your group at the table and makes his way over, looking each of you over one by one he finally speaks. I am here to guide you to my boss who seeks an audiance with you...
As you finish up with your meal and the wenches takes away your empty platters, a stranger appears entering the door looking around as if seeking someone. He is wearing dark clothing and the hood of his cloak is pulled up covering most of his head. He spots your group at the table and makes his way over, looking each of you over one by one he finally speaks. I am here to guide you to my boss who seeks an audiance with you...
"Oooh. And who would your 'boss' be, exactly?"
Snoring gently, Dron is oblivious to the possible work.
"I am Yoshi Toranaga. Where I come from it is considered bad manners not introduce one's self," Toranaga says calmly.
Where in all the hells did this guy come from? And how does he know who we are? I have never heard of this Waterdeep, and we've been here not one hour before someone comes looking for us? Feels like black magic afoot. I don't trust him, not one bit.
Triska keeps her thoughts to herself, but watches the newcomer from beneath lowered brows, as if she couldn't care less who he is or why he's here. But one hand moves surreptitiously to the hilt of her kukri. Her other hand reaches up to unconsciously stroke her long red braid.
After thinking a moment, Triska decides to give Dron's chair a kick, in case things go down badly and they need the half-orc's skill with steel.
I am here to guide you to my boss who seeks an audiance with you...
Kraeg wipes food and ale from his whiskers with the back of his sleeve. He looks the dark-clothed stranger up and down for a moment, then snorts, obviously unimpressed.
"Sounds to me like your "boss" wants us to seek an audience with him, but we're pretty comfortable right where we are."
The dwarf looks around at his companions, then picks up his mug of ale and looks back to the stranger.
"If your boss wants an audience with us, he obviously knows where to find us. Tell him to hurry, though, we're only hearing petitioners until dusk."
With that, Kraeg drains his mug and returns to his meal, the stranger apparently forgotten.
Dron sits up and stares about. One hand reaches for his greatsword and then he relaxes.
Vilya stares at the man. Her long-fingered hands rest on the handles of her 'heavier' weapons - a short sword and a small, wicked-looking tomahawk.
"I don't like it."
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The dark cloaked stranger looks over the group again, a small grin appears on his face and says My boss told me to expect this response, I guess its what he hoped for.... The stranger then drops an envelope onto the table, turns and leaves the tavern. At his departure the rest of the customers ( the few who were in there) get up and leave also except for the barkeep and the serving wench who is in the back somewhere....
"How rude!"
"Ah, a gift for Vilya."
She snatches the envelope from the table, opening it.
Kraeg looks around at the now-empty tavern, then turns his attention to Vilya.
"So, what does it say?"
While he waits for Vilya to read the letter, the dwarf retrieves his crossbow and loads it, laying it on the table with the bolt's tip facing the door.
While the others are reading the letter left by that rude fellow, Toranaga shouts, "Barkeep, another round!"
Dron grins at the thoughtful man. Drinks, yes!
Noticing the grin on Dron's face, "I take it that you approve."