The innkeep considers this for a while. Then he replies, "aye, sir elf, aye. You can have my private quarters for the night. But you'll have to wait for me to prepare it, which won't be until after I've closed the taproom."
"Ah .. hmm .. No private rooms .. oh dear .. Is there another place I might find some peace and quiet ?
"In your fine establishment ofcourse, I'm willing to pay a little extra for your trouble."
"Splendid ... splendid."
"I promise I will keep your private quarters in good order ofcourse.""I will find a table, just let me know when the room is ready."
Conrad looks around for a free table, or place to sit.
Iflen had been walking slowly behind Kelara watching the shape of her legs and the grace and beauty with which she took each step. She's so beautiful...and she uses magic just like me, we must be destined for each other! thinks Iflen absentmindedly as they walk along.
As the Inn comes into view Iflen stops outside staring at it as his companions enter. Wow! It must be 3 or 4 times the size of the sitting duck! Its so big. It must have some decent ale and lots of women, he thinks with a grin on his face. As Conrad ties up his horse Iflen takes a look around the stables, They're huge! and so many horses, wonder if I should get one. I would look striking on a horse. Iflen ponders this for a moment before he remembers about the ale and briskly walks into the Inn.
He smiles as he sees the old man, what was his name? am? amu?, with a mug of ale already, old man beat me to it! he cant be that bad if he likes his ale that much.
Iflen also sees Conrad looking stuck up again, he doesnt even relax in an inn? but doesnt care as he scans the room for Kelara. He's shocked to find her talking to a goblin! a goblin! Filthy creature!
Iflen strides over to Kelara and puts his arm around her, "Everything all right Kelara?" he says in a soothing voice but then changes tone dramatically when talking to the goblin [i][b]"What do you want?" he says sharply to the goblin.
Iflen had been walking slowly behind Kelara watching the shape of her legs and the grace and beauty with which she took each step. She's so beautiful...and she uses magic just like me, we must be destined for each other! thinks Iflen absentmindedly as they walk along.
As the Inn comes into view Iflen stops outside staring at it as his companions enter. Wow! It must be 3 or 4 times the size of the sitting duck! Its so big. It must have some decent ale and lots of women, he thinks with a grin on his face. As Conrad ties up his horse Iflen takes a look around the stables, They're huge! and so many horses, wonder if I should get one. I would look striking on a horse. Iflen ponders this for a moment before he remembers about the ale and briskly walks into the Inn.
He smiles as he sees the old man, what was his name? am? amu?, with a mug of ale already, old man beat me to it! he cant be that bad if he likes his ale that much.
Iflen also sees Conrad looking stuck up again, he doesnt even relax in an inn? but doesnt care as he scans the room for Kelara. He's shocked to find her talking to a goblin! a goblin! Filthy creature!
Iflen strides over to Kelara and puts his arm around her, "Everything all right Kelara?" he says in a soothing voice but then changes tone dramatically when talking to the goblin "What do you want?" he says sharply to the goblin.
The little monster is startled by Iflen's presence.
"Warr! Russinfrussinstabyoureyes!"
He scowls venomously at Iflen and Kelara, then scampers back to his table.
At the center of the taproom floor the bespectacled man continues his impromptu lecture. His sonorous voice carries easily over the hubbub of the taproom.
“The subject of my exhibits here at the Travelers Stop is a form of artistry called shrouding. By using certain reagents and magical properties, this art allows the image of a corpse or mummy to be captured orthographically — that is to say, with height, width, and depth— on the linen shroud in question. It was once a common technique among the burial practices of certain ancient cultures but has largely been lost today. This particular shroud has been imprinted with the image of the Chelish King Haliad III. It is over four hundred years old and the centerpiece of my exhibition."
While Conrad is looking around for a table he spots the man with his linnen. He walks up to the man and starts listening intently.
He has never heard of anything like this before. He had also never heard of this Haliad III. But that could be due the fact his lore on that subject not being large enough. He makes a mental note of the name, so he can look it up someday when opportunity arises.
On the table is a yellowed cloth with the shadowy, life-sized image of a man. His eyes are closed, his arms are crossed, and his right hand is folded over a scepter. Never in Conrad's centuries of experience has he encountered a picture so realistic and yet so haunting.
One of the onlookers addresses the scholar.
"So what you're saying here is that they took something from the dead king to make this picture? That's not proper. I mean, I have respect for magic, but there's some things in nature aren't meant to be meddled with. The line between life and death being one of them."
"Oh no," replies the scholar swiftly, "I assure you the process involves only divination magic, no necromancy whatsoever. Shrouding can be accomplished with just the identifying possessions of an individual. In fact, I hope to create a shroud of your druid-king Narven, whose body was lost on the battlefield over two hundred years ago."
OOC: The man seems to believe in what he is saying.
"Divination magic you say ... interesting ... interesting."
"When will you be displaying the shrouds ?"
"I'm somewhat of an diviner myself, nothing fancy, but I'd like to have a word with you."
"Perhaps you could explain me the workings of this shrouding over a glass of wine ?"
The scholar peers over his spectacles at the elf.
"Today was the last day of the exhibit, unfortunately ... You are are a diviner? ... I would love to discuss shrouding with you. Let me finish up here first."
Later the man joins Conrad, Kelara, Iflen and Ama at a table near the bar. He introduces himself as Professor Phineus Krane. After a lengthy talk about the technical details of shrouding (which may or may not be a high point of your adventuring career) he mentions the following:
"As Conrad already knows, I have come to the Arthfell Forest to create a shroud of King Narven. His remains have long been lost, so I must use things that belonged to him instead. An local druid named Willowroot owns a collection of Narven's artifacts. I planned on visiting this druid but I've been warned that the forest is far too dangerous for me to enter."
The musician told you that he learned the song from a traveling minstrel.
Phineus Krane continues: "I need to stay here at the inn to watch over my shrouds. I've asked my assistants to go see Willowroot but they don't have the courage to make the journey. You four look like the adventuring type. Would you be interested? I can make it worth your while."
As Iflen sits down with the others, he sinks into his chair as krane starts talking about shrouding how boring can you get? who'd want to spend all that time and money getting a picture of a dead king anyway? he tries not to look too bored though and occassionally gives the odd "uh huh" "hmmm" and nod.
After Krane's last comment Iflen starts to think to himself Well I didnt really want to stay with the elf and old man much longer but they're not that bad I suppose, well the old man isnt anyway, that elfs a pain in the ass but this krane seems to like him, probably cos they're both so boring! I do get to stick with kelara though, thats the most important thing. Wonder how much he'll pay us? ooh I wonder if arthfell's the same as the darkmoon woods, belle was always telling me theres loads of werewolves in arthfell, that'll be fun!
"Hah!" says Iflen "That forests nothing! I've lived on the edge of Darkmoon woods all my life and thats double as dangerous as Arthfell! How much will you be making it worth our while?"
"Oh, is that so? Perhaps Ostler the innkeeper has exaggerated the danger somewhat . Should I go myself? Business has been poor, but I am determined to make a shroud of Naren. The world must know more of this great king! I can pay you ... fifty gold pieces."
"No, I prefer refined people such as yourselves, who can appreciate the complexity and importance of my work," says Krane great seriousness.
Into the forest, alone it would be to dangerous, but I do like Ama. And the girl, what's her name again .. Kelera .. Kalara .. erm .. well she's nice to be around.
I just need to put up with that brawny stuckup bolsterous fool .. but he does command some magic .. and he might just be helpful in some situations."
"Well good sir, I'd like to help you out. I do not know if my companions are still willing to have me around, but if they do ... We should be able to get to see Willowroot."
"And perhaps we can arrange for another deal then the 50 gold pieces."
"Is your magic arcane or do you draw your power from the gods?"
"If it is arcane, perhaps we could share some spells ... instead of the reward ... in my case anyway."
"Oh, I see," says Kraine flatly. He seems surprised by Conrad's counteroffer. "Well, there are some spells I am willing to share."
"Well I want hard gold not spells for my payment! You cant spend spells!" despite this comment Iflen finds himself wondering Can I actually learn those spells? ive never actually tried...I wonder if I should get the elf to teach me some of that elf magic i heard about...hmm have to start sweet talking him too...bah! aint worth the effort.
"But anyway, I'm definetly in" says Iflen The more gold the better. "Any idea where abouts in the forest this druid lives?"
The scholar reaches into his coat for a parchment map which he spreads onto the table.
"I have here a map to the druid’s grove. The five artifacts I need from him are the Breastplate of Sacred Fire, the Wand of Earth’s Ire, the Codex of the Firmament, the Vial of Pure Water, and the Spirit-Staff of Narven. Bring them back to me and I will create a copy of Narven's shroud for you as well. It can fetch you a good deal of coin in the markets of Almas."
"Ah .. it seems my fellow adventures value gold over knowledge .. well .. I sure don't want our adventure together to start off on the wrong foot. So I'll settle for the 50gp."
"Perhaps if I acquire some more gold we can trade some spells ..."
To Kelara, the professor says, "though the grove is only six miles from here, the innkeep told me to beware, for the forest turns wild only a stone's throw from these walls."
To Conrad he says, "I'll pay you the sum of fifty then. Yet I still would like you to learn magic missile from me. It is important that you have something to protect yourself with in the wilderness."
Ilfen:
You feel something warm and wet on the small of your back. You turn around and see the goblin behind you grinning maniacally. He is relieving himself on you.
"That is .. very friendly .. but I will repay you when I can."
"Well, how about we start tomorrow morning, I would not want to venture out into an unknown forest in the dark."
"And I'm sure I know at least 5 different predators that roam the forest night, hunting for their food."
I look at out unusual party, to see if anyone has anything else to say or ask.
Conrad
"What the--?!? Filthy animal!" yells Iflen jumping to his feet and flinging his chair back towards the goblin behind him before drawing his knife.
Kraine is about to answer Ama's question when they are interrupted by Iflen's outburst. The goblin dodges the thrown chair and draws his own blade even as he howls with laughter. His mercenary friends have been watching from the back of the tavern and spring out of their seats when they see Iflen's angry reaction.
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OOC: Please roll initiative and state your first round actions.
"P" is Phineus Kraine
"G" is the goblin.
"M1" through "M3" are the mercenaries.
M1 is an unarmored elf woman.
M2 is a pudgy man in robes.
M3 is a tall fighter-type man.
Your own characters are represented by the first letter of their names.
There are many other NPCs in the room, but we can assume they will get out of your way. You can also assume most area effect spells will catch several bystanders.
I move back to the far wall, waiting to see how Ilfen will handle this situation.
Sh*t! Probably shouldnt have done that thinks Iflen as he sees the goblins friends get up from the other side of the room. Damn! what should I do?
Iflen lowers his knife but still keeps an eye on the goblin whilst slowly backing away. He then shouts over to the merc's "Your little friend just pissed on me! I got nothin against you, just him!"
OOC:
Initiatives
Goblin
M1
M2
M3
Anticipating trouble, Conrad's fleet elfin feet takes him to the other side of the taproom.
Kelara steps between the goblin and Iflen. In a low voice she says, "I thought you wished to talk with me, not him. You've got my attention already..."
In the back of the tavern the pale elven woman does not leave her table. Her arms are crossed, unamused by the goblin's antics.
The big mercenary leaps over his table and strides forward. But he is weighed down by his heavy scale armor and does not cross the room yet.
Kelara's entreaty only makes the goblin laugh harder. He waves his dagger menacingly at her.
Ilfen backs away, turns to the mercenaries and shouts, "your little friend just pissed on me! I got nothin against you, just him!"
The stout mercenary dashes to the goblin's side. To Ilfen he shouts "you back the hell off. I don't care what he did to you!"
Ama watches bemusedly, his wise eyes taking everything in.
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OOC:
Initiative order
Conrad Neficam
Kelara Monderskan
Elf merc
Big merc
Goblin
Iflen Wolfheart
Fat merc
Ama Freewater
OOC: Nobody has drawn any weapons yet (besides Iflen and the goblin.)
Rage burns in Iflen's eyes and they flash fiery red for a second before returning to their normal brown colour as Iflen calms down. "Anything for you my dear...but dont you DARE ever push me again..." he says and storms past the goblin and his friend out the tavern door to calm down.
"Aww pwoor widdle bwaaby BWAHAHAHA!" taunts the goblin as Iflen practices the better part of valor.
Offering no apologies, the mercenaries retreat to their side of the tavern.
Grumbling with disgust, the innkeep begins cleaning up the goblin's puddle.
"That was an unexpected bit of excitement," says Professor Kraine. During the confrontation he had almost jumped behind the bar.
"Erm .. yes .. that was uncalled for. My guess is that those gruff looking fellows use the little goblin for bait ..."
"Ilfen seems quite .. interested in you. Perhaps you could go talk to him outside .. before he makes a rash decision."
Outside, Iflen slumps against the wall outside, alone with his thoughts and the cold night air. Bastard! If he didnt have friends I would have cut his throat out and fed it to the dogs! Who the hell travels with a goblin anyway?! I swear if i get the bastard alone I'll kill him.
Iflen sits down on the floor with his back against the wall of the inn and proceeds to create the sounds of goblins dying with ghost sound.
Confrontation narrowly avoided, the patrons of the Traveler's Inn return to chatting and drinking. Kraine addresses the question Ama posed before the goblin's crude provocation.
"Ah yes, I need the artifacts, but only temporarily. Tell Willowroot that I will make a copy of King Narven's shroud for him as well. They say Willowroot is Narven's last living descendant, and I'm sure he would be very interested in learning what the king looked like."
Outside young Iflen tries to recover from having been insulted so outrageously. A barmaid comes with a clean robe for Ilfen to change into. She tells him that Ostler will have his stained clothes laundered and a hot bath drawn, all for free.
=========================================================================
OOC:
Ama : Kraine seems to be sincere.
Let's have one more round of questions for Kraine before we move onto the next scene.
Also, this is a purely wilderness adventure, so Conrad might want to prepare his spell list accordingly. Magic missile is now available to you.
"Alright, I think we know what you need .. All we need are directions so we can move tomorrow at dawn."
I have no idea if that's a good time to leave, so I look at my party members.
"Is that a good time to leave?"
I then mumble to myself,
"Perhaps I could use some kind of weapon, a staff perhaps."
"I'll have a talk with the Innkeeper, he might be able to help ..."
I look up again,
"I'm sorry ... I was lost in thought ... Dawn ?"
"This map should show you how to get to the druid's grove," replies Kraine. "It was drawn for me by a local trapper."
"Alright, I'll hold on to the map."
"I need to go talk to the innkeeper about my room ... and other topics."
"Please let me know when we will leave, I'll be in my room."
I walk to the bartender and a ask if he perhaps has a simple weapon for me, something like a staff ...
And if he knows at what time my room will be ready.