"Well met, my friends an I hav jus completed a task an made ourselves intah adventurers fer sure. We are takin a break tween adventures an jus a tryin tah relax a bit...."
"I am Sanstree an mosta tha others here are breakinin from advennturin...whadya say yer name is?..I hav tah introduces yah tah mah friends."
Another dwarf stands at the bar nursing an ale, clearly protecting a human warrior that's already passed out and propped up against the front of the bar. He sees Valgrim enter and nods to him in acknowledgement.
Seeing another table near the newcomer's and seeing that the lad has already staggered over to try to impress him, Edrukk stoops down to hoist the unconscious Canvy up over a shoulder. If'n 'e cannae 'old 'is drink, th' gods shoulda been makin' 'im smaller! As he turns to pick the man up, you see a huge scabbard on the back of his scale armor -- it must be for a greatsword, but there's none present now.
He hauls the drunken human to the adjacent table and get him arranged in a chair, watching to make sure he doesn't overbalance and fall out right away.
Satisfied, he retrieves his ale and steps over to the other table, "I see ye've met th' bashful one. M' name's Edrukk." He grins as he leans in conspiratorially, "'t's good t' see a stonefolk now 'n then. Let's ye know 'ere's still 'ope fer th' better." Standing back up, he adds, "If'n 'is one get's t' be botherin' ye, let me know." He winks and returns to the other table to nurse his ale.
"Well met, my friends an I hav jus completed a task an made ourselves intah adventurers fer sure. We are takin a break tween adventures an jus a tryin tah relax a bit...."
"I am Sanstree an mosta tha others here are breakinin from advennturin...whadya say yer name is?..I hav tah introduces yah tah mah friends."
Valgrim looks oddly at the human. With all the slurring, he must be drunk, but I'll follow along, to pass the time.
"Hello mate, me name's Valgrim, Vagrim Twin-Axe, from Thunderhold, hunter extraordinaire. So what task be this that you completed? I am curious to hear of your adventures while I wait for me mates."
Satisfied, he retrieves his ale and steps over to the other table, "I see ye've met th' bashful one. M' name's Edrukk." He grins as he leans in conspiratorially, "'t's good t' see a stonefolk now 'n then. Let's ye know 'ere's still 'ope fer th' better." Standing back up, he adds, "If'n 'is one get's t' be botherin' ye, let me know." He winks and returns to the other table to nurse his ale.
Ah a fellow dwarf! May he be from Thunderhold, as well? Valgrim smiles at the Edrukk's arrival. "Well met, fine folk!" Valgrim gives him a hearty greeting, grasping the dwarf's forearms in his visor grip. He leans in and whispers "The Truth is in the Steel!", a common saying in Thunderhold, usually responded to by "So we must study the Blade to find it!" If Edrukk does not respond, Valgrim shrugs his shoulders and wishes the dwarf well.
Satisfied, he retrieves his ale and steps over to the other table, "I see ye've met th' bashful one. M' name's Edrukk." He grins as he leans in conspiratorially, "'t's good t' see a stonefolk now 'n then. Let's ye know 'ere's still 'ope fer th' better." Standing back up, he adds, "If'n 'is one get's t' be botherin' ye, let me know." He winks and returns to the other table to nurse his ale.Ah a fellow dwarf! May he be from Thunderhold, as well? Valgrim smiles at the Edrukk's arrival. "Well met, fine folk!" Valgrim gives him a hearty greeting, grasping the dwarf's forearms in his visor grip. He leans in and whispers "The Truth is in the Steel!", a common saying in Thunderhold, usually responded to by "So we must study the Blade to find it!" If Edrukk does not respond, Valgrim shrugs his shoulders and wishes the dwarf well.
Erine watches the newcomer warily. The goat approaches, however, and sniffs the dwarf.
"Ay cannot say tha truth is inna steel. Fer tha druid tha truth is inna livin things inna wood an inna bone, inna flesh."
"Were it not fer yer flesh thenna steel would never be it would stay as ore, so tha truth is in yerself an yer kin."
Ah a fellow dwarf! May he be from Thunderhold, as well? Valgrim smiles at the Edrukk's arrival. "Well met, fine folk!" Valgrim gives him a hearty greeting, grasping the dwarf's forearms in his visor grip. He leans in and whispers "The Truth is in the Steel!", a common saying in Thunderhold, usually responded to by "So we must study the Blade to find it!" If Edrukk does not respond, Valgrim shrugs his shoulders and wishes the dwarf well.
Taken aback, Edrukk chuckles. "Brother, ye must be o' th' Thunder'old, 'en. Me father told me 'e studied wit' some o' th' masters 'ere when 'e was a lad 'n 'at was 'eir greetin'. I never 'ad th' patience fer th' forge, I fear, but ye feel like family, all th' same. Well met!"
"Ay cannot say tha truth is inna steel. Fer tha druid tha truth is inna livin things inna wood an inna bone, inna flesh."
"Were it not fer yer flesh thenna steel would never be it would stay as ore, so tha truth is in yerself an yer kin."
A female elf comes blundering into the tavern. She's wearing a heavy leather apron reinforced with metal plates and stained with all kinds of strange alchemical substances. A black smudge is on her pale cheek and she smells of sulfur, mold, cat musk, and other less identifiable aromas. Around her waist is a belt hanging with various and sundry flasks, along with a longsword.
"Valgrim! It seems you've made a f-few new f-f-friends," she says, her face twitching slightly. "I put the mold back in my lab and brewed up a new batch of Cat's Breath tonic. Too bad we couldn't keep the owlbear; I think it would have made a nifty pet!"
She plops down in a chair and grabs the waiter's arm. "Lad, can you bring me the f-following drink?"
Once the bemused waiter takes off, she smiles and says. "I'm Vug Vang, and I work as an assayer. Pleased to meet you all, I'm sure!"
A bemused look on his face, Edrukk nods in greeting to the newly-arrived elf. "Edrukk Thorvirgun, formerly o' th' F'castle Watch. Now I'm... workin' fer meself, I guess."
Goat grunts and moves to sniff the newcomer. Erine sighs and walks over, standing by her familiar as he inspects Ms. Vang.
"Is them smells tah attract things or tah repellem?"
"By me own rekonin ima in need o a bath as sure as any!"
"Or Ima in need o more drink sos ima not fer carin bout no smells!"
"Is them smells tah attract things or tah repellem?"
Vug stares blankly at the human. "Smells? What smells?"
She sniffs at her sleeve a few times, experimentally. "Just the smell of a hard day's work, I guess. Of course, we did f-find a big pile of orange goo. I took a whiff of that, and the waves of cold coming f-from a big pile of mold just about knocked me out!"
"I am sanstree tha druid an au wizard in trainin under Alluster"
"I am also tryin tah learn about scents o things fer inna future when I am more able tah use it..."
"Goat itsa rude tah be smellin people witout havin a reason!
I am tryin tah learn from smells yerself isa jus lookin fer somethin tah eat..."
"I am sanstree tha druid an au wizard in trainin under Alluster"
"I am also tryin tah learn about scents o things fer inna future when I am more able tah use it..."
"Goat itsa rude tah be smellin people witout havin a reason!
I am tryin tah learn from smells yerself isa jus lookin fer somethin tah eat..."
Goat sniffs once more, then licks Vang's hand hungrily. Flustered, Erine grabs him by the horns. "Goat, stop!"
The goat reluctantly pulls away. "I'm sorry," Erine says, avoiding eye contact with the elf, "have you been working with cats recently? He loves the smell."
The goat reluctantly pulls away. "I'm sorry," Erine says, avoiding eye contact with the elf, "have you been working with cats recently? He loves the smell."
Vug answers coyly, "Well, I don't want to give away all of the secrets of my proprietary f-formula, but there is some cat involved, yes. And drinking it makes me sort of f-furry and cat-like.
But maybe what you're smelling is owlbear? I had a close encounter with one of those recently, and it smeared its stinky f-f-fur all over me! Thank goodness f-for Valgrim and my other f-f-f-friends! Otherwise you'd be talking to a pile of owlbear-pellets right now."
"Owlbear pellets would have made you intah excellent fertilzer an Likely a nymph's tree would have grown inta tha very place"
"I myself was considerin a bath tah be smellin bettrn I do now, iffen yerself was tah join me fer my bath an tell me moro tha owlbear, I am not fer suren tha owlbear be an animal oren a magical beast."
"Please come with me an tell me more o it!"
"But...my drink hasn't arrived yet! And I think we have a tattoo artist to talk to as well, right Valgrim?"
"Mah appologies lady I was thinkin o gettin more than one thing done at one time. Perhaps I shall bathe meself during tha time yer seein tah tha tattoo artist"
Sanstree is obviously blushing
"I still need tah hear o tha owlbear"
Edrukk shakes his head as he watches the young druid leave. "Y'know, I'm not fer sure 'at one's been around t' many people...
"Do ye mind if'n I sit wit' ye? I'd be 'appy t' swap stories o' th' last day 'r so. We've been fer 'avin' a time wit' some orcs. What 'ave ye been about?"
Edrukk shakes his head as he watches the young druid leave. "Y'know, I'm not fer sure 'at one's been around t' many people...
"What?" Erine asks. "Why do you say that?" Then her eyes widen in comprehension, and she starts muttering to Goat. "Don't you hate the way people communicate? I think it should be simpler."
"I agree wit'ya in princi'pl wee-lass, but'n my case whene'vr I just say what'm thinkin', m'foot goe right'n m'mouth."
(he takes a deep swig of his ale, then suddenly announces to the room in general)
"Goodbye, Sanstree. I'll probably take a bath later. Right now, we still have a ghost to put to rest and some graverobbers to find! I'm not sure how much I can tell you about owlbears, though; they stink, and they can crush your ribcage pretty good, that's about it."
Vug's drink arrives. She takes a healthy sip and her face screws up slightly. Nevertheless, she soldiers on with it.
Edrukk shakes his head as he watches the young druid leave. "Y'know, I'm not fer sure 'at one's been around t' many people..."What?" Erine asks. "Why do you say that?"
"Ah, well... 'tis jus' not common practice t' ask t' take a bath wit' some'un ye 'ave on jus' met. 'course 'e might be a wee bit drunk, 'n 'en all bets 'r off 's t' 'at a person might say."
"Now ive had me bath an cleaned mah gear an even polished my shillelagh"
"Tis canvy still out? Mighten we get him abathed afore hes conscious an not fer wantin one!"
"Now ive had me bath an cleaned mah gear an even polished my shillelagh"
(to Sanstree)
"I'll grab n' arm if you do, boy-o. Shou' we haul'm ov'r t'the 'mporium, or shou' we jus' drop'm in a horse trough ou'side?"
"Geat now I cannot touch my shillelagh till Ive washed meself again!"
"Ima fer thinkin tha trough an tha were fer needin some soap!"
(With Sanstree's assistance, Broccan lugs Canvy out to the horse trough. He divests Canvy of any armor or weapons, as well as his boots. He leaves his clothes on him. Together they lower Canvy into the water, making sure his head is propped at one end above the surface.)
"Ima fer figuring tha soapel do mor good iffin it at least makes contact with him"
"Maybe iffen yous puts the 20 coppers inna tub withum, tha children searchin fer them will keep the water a stirrin round him, inna hour I ken come back out an add some more coppers tah the trough"
"I ken stay out here an offer a silver peice tah tha kids tha wanna rub tha other part o tha soap over him."
(Broccan pulls 20 coppers from his purse and proceeds to drop them under Canvy's shirt, down the front of his trousers, in his pockets, and in the bottom of the trough.)
"There. That'll motivate 'm to clean 'm up a bit!"
(Broccan will take charge of Canvy's valuables until he wakes up.)
"Go to it lads an donot spare tha soap."
"Withes braggin I expected tah find mor inhes trousers"
Erine looks very disturbed and hurries out of the tavern with Goat. She can be heard muttering, "I saw nothing, I saw nothing, I saw nothing..."
"Withes braggin I expected tah find mor inhes trousers"
(Broccan laughs as the portly wenches waddles away, coins in hand.)
"The Cap'n shou' be smellin' like new daisies 'bout now. Let's get'm out an' int'is bed. He can wonder in the mornin' why he's all damp. Haw, haw, Hah!"
"An now tha hes a clean one we can be less careful in placein him inna bed."
"I ave half a mind tah tell him tha servin nwench was in his pants an left disappointed!, an she scrubbed em down tah boot!"
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Canvy, with his mouth foaming from the soap the children inadvertently made him eat, his wet hair hanging over his eyes, starts to cough and splutter. In moments his purple eyes open wide, he looks around, trying to get his bearings. He spits the yellow foam from his mouth, repeatedly trying to remove the vile taste of soap.
His feet begin to regain their feeling, grazed and sore from being dragged along the floor to the water trough and afterwards towards the room. His legs kick in a circular fashion, trying to regain their footing so Canvy can stand on his own once more, with out the aid of....
Then it struck Canvy, "Who the hell is carrying him around, what the hell had been happening to him." His eyes focus on Brochan and Sanstree. "WHAT!!!!????". His arms tense around their shoulders as the carry him. His legs once more on the ground. lift him to his full height, albeit a little unsteadily.
His arms feeling light, his breast free of any armor, he stops. His hands move to his body, and start tapping all across his body up and down. The realization dawns, "What have you two idiots done with my armor, my sword, my ....my...my everything?" He looks accusingly at you, but at the sametime there is a feeling of total embarrassment on his face. His brain, shocked as it is, finds difficulty making any sense of this. "I knew when I first saw you, you were brigands and thieves. Come what have you done with my things."
He takes a step away, sways and unsteadily takes up a fighters stance, fists one in front of the other. As he does this, his ill fitting pants drop to the floor. Now caught in a dilemma, Canvy doesn't know whether to fight, or save himself from ridicule and pick up his pants. His mind slowly works on figuring out, between the two options.
(Broccan put his hands up in a placating manner, and tries to stifle a laugh)
"Whooaaah there, Cap'n. Y'were a bit ripe, anna folk inna Dog were complainin'. Consid'rin the clientele, thas' sayin' som'un too. I've yer gear right 'ere an' yer welcome to it.
If ye insist on boxin' me, tho, I'd be happy t'oblige, jus' do me th'fav'r o' stowin' yer tackle fore we start! Haw, Haw, HAH!"
(To Broccan)
"Whoa now he thinks weva stolen his dirt his grime and his odors. I have yet tah hear o brigands that steal tha sweat offa man. Mayhap we be mor thourough thana run o tha mill brigands then."
(To canvy)
"Fear naught We shall elp yerself regain dirt an odors ye ave lost on tha road once agin"
"Iama fraid twas tha drink tha stole yer choice o bath from ye"
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Canvy purses his lips as he thinks on what's happened, Well Sanstree young scallywag, yer don't have to worry about me an water, we gets on very well when needs must. Hah Hah! He lets his fists down as he looks from one brigand to another, pulling up his pants and tying up them up again.
His eyes steely blue, seem to have regained their focus. Looking at Broccan, he laughs and runs at him smiling, "Ha, if you wanna smell me nice an clean , nows yer chance...Ha, Ha, Ha..." He jumps on Broccan and tries to wrestle him to the ground, it's obvious from the joyful laughter coming from his mouth, that there is no malice in what he's doing, neither is there any real strength in his actions. He just tries to sit on Broccan and an arm darts out, trying to grab Sanstree's leg and pull him in to. Canvy laughs some more, whether he or Broccan is in the advantageous position.
"Elp Ima done fer no one can stop Canvy tha Clean we'are doomed tah smellin like flowers!"
"Broccan elp me geetim back tah tha trough hes gettin dirty agin"
"Wheras tha goat tah elp boostem intah tha trough"
"True 'nuf Cap'n. Jus' thought y'mighta had too much o' smellin' like a hog-wallo'! All th'same, I'll buya a plate o' stew fer y'r trouble."
"I was musing tha canvy isa more fun sober than drunk so why es he adrinkin atall?"
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Well met Broccan, nothin like a bely full of hot tasty stew to make the day a good 'un. It'll fill the gaps that drink left behind and get rid of this horrible taste of soap in me mouth. Clapping his arms round both men he draws them all towards the exit."Come Sanstree, time for some more fun eh? Find a wench or two to make the night go quicker, make a real man of yer...hahahaha"
"Naught tah fear good Canvy append whilst yerself was unconscious."
"No need tah be concernd fer tha!"
(to Broccan)
"Ima thinkin tah return tah tha citadel some time soon"
"Have yah seen tha wee las or any o tha others?"