DreamLyrics™ Play-by-Post Forums Fantasy SKT: The Storm King's Thunder 2 - Rumblings: Triboar

DM

The journey to Triboar is relatively uneventful. The weather was turning as it was the month of Marpenoth, Leaffall, and so fur lined cloaks were not out of the question, especially during the evenings.

Bern, Davroar, Jaliera, Kriv, Zhu

A dozen wagons departed Phandelin at dawn and traveled eastward on the Triboar trail. The road is familiar to Bern, Davroar, Jaliera and Kriv as they had used it often as they were searching for Gundren. Zhu, the eladrian that was friends with Luminmorn, had joined the caravan as it was heading in the direction of her destination, Silverymoon, which is where she was from.

The approach to Triboar has them passing several ranches. They were told that they were close as they found themselves traveling next to a 30 foot high escarpment on their left. When they regard the forest to their right, the wagonmaster says "Gwaeron's Slumber" (T24) which means something to rangers and druids. Gwaeron Windstrom, is the god of tracking "It is that Gwaeron comes to visit this mystical forest. Cutting wood and hunting are prohibited there."

At the end of the forest the wagons pass a trail leading up the escarpment towards farms (F) and on the right a decrepit wooden boarding house. A shingle that swings crooked on a single nail hammered into one corner reads "Six Windows Boarding House" (T14). Beyond that are more farms and soon they pass the "Frost-Touched Frog" (T13), a boarded up inn, the "Cart and Coin" (T8), an enterprise that sells and swaps horses and draft animals and all that is needed to care for them before entering the center of town.


Arus
The journey to Triboar is relatively uneventful. Arus did not know anyone else and the guards all seemed to be on high alert, not eager to have conversations. The caravan was large and included merchandise from more than just the Lionshield Coster. Several other merchants contributed wagons and supplied it's own personnel. That typicially included a driver for each wagon and a business agent. Arus was that business agent and was responsible for five wagons. In addition to the staff employed by merchant companies, the caravan as a while had arranged to for mercenary forces to escort it. Aside from a small group of orcs that were spotted fleeing into the hills there were no encounter. The large force was intimidating because of the sheer numbers of men.

It was a two day trip from Yartar. They followed the Evermoor Trail west through the Dessarin Valley with the Dessarin hills to their left. They entered Triboar watching the final bright clouds. Darkness would soon be complete. They passed was a small, quaint cottage on their right. It stood near a brightly painted barn topped with a pony-shaped weather vane. A white picket fence enclosed a field behind the barn. Set among the autumn flowers on the front lawn is a sign that reads "Merivold Pony Park" (T19). Several ponies can be seen in the enclosed yard.

Not far from there was another building. As they passed it a number of people, couples and groups entered. Since it was dusk, Arus assumed it was a restarant (T21). The folks seemed to be arriving from a large estate (T20) about 200 feet behind it. All Arus could get out of the wagon driver was "Them's places fer rich folks" and a sneer.

They left those buildings behind them and passed a few farms. Arus smiled as he spotted the next building, a store. Above the store's entrance hangs a polished shield emblazoned with the head of a stylized golden lion on a blue background. It was the Lionshield Coster (T6). The lights were out in the lower floors. Candlelight illuminated two of the windows in the upper floors. It was late and Arus quickly concluded that it was closed for business for the day. He saw a two members of the town militia patroling in front of it.

All
The caravans entered the center of Triboar, where the Long Road meets the
Evermoor Way and the Triboar Trail. It is a huge open space used as a market by local farmers and visiting peddlers. The market was almost completely shut down already. The cloudy sky had devoured sunshine all day but it began to rain just as the wagons made it into town. Soon it would be cold, dark and wet.

As the oxen turn into the plaza you see a two-story structure dominating it. The Tower of the Lord Protector (T1) is a simple stone keep that leans decidedly to the east. Hanging above the entrance is the dusty banner of the lord protector, which depicts three black boars running toward the head of the banner on a blood-red field.

The caravan's turn right into the town. The one from Yartar enter the North Caravan Campground (T2) while the caravan from Phandelin enters the West Carvan Campground (T3). The wagon drivers dismount and are greeted by workers who direct them to a specific area. This fenced-in field is evidently used as a place for caravans to park their wagons and contain their draft beasts for free. There’s also plenty of room to pitch tents and build campfires. Fresh water can be drawn from a 30-foot-deep stone well in the southeast corner of the yard.

There was a lot of work needed to get the caravans settled. The wind was picking up and there rain was coming down steady. By the time that was all taken care of there would be no chance to handle business. More important, with all the people entering town, those wanting to spend the night indoors would need to find accomodations quickly.

OOC: I clearly planned to bring everything together for the start of a new decade Clearly, even though Arus is in town, there's no need to metagame and force things. I've got it

[OOC Seems we have two caravans from Phandelin? ]

[[ She is talking about: "The caravan's turn right into the town. The one from Phandelin enter the North Caravan Campground (T2) while the caravan from Phandelin enters the West Carvan Campground (T3). " ]]

Zhu

As she rides along next to the wagons she takes in the town. She passed through here on her way to Phandelin a few days ago, but she was hurrying and didn't stop to look. She notes with interest the comments about the woods, making a mental note to take a stroll there if the opportunity arises. Being protected from hunting and cutting should make it one of the rarer natural woodlands so near to a human settlement.

She lets the caravan drivers and workers get the animals and wagons settled into the wagon park, and while noting the lean of the central tower with a quirk of her lips she strolls across the street to take a look at some of the other places nearby. (T4, T5, & T9 should be easily visible)

<Bern>

He had felt the need to 'stretch his legs' a bit so had opted to walk. He enjoyed the 'hike' and was a little disappointed when they 'arrived' back in 'civilization'.

He spent some time helping the group 'set up camp'. It felt strange setting up a camp in the middle of town, but it was what it was he told himself.

(OOC - I will edit above to make it more clear. T7, and even T12, are literally across the street from T2.)

[[ Ummmm ... so lets see ... he is a ranger ... used to living 'off the land', 'in the wild' ... and you are saying that a bit of cold weather ... in a town ... is going to be a problem?? Lemme just freeze to death now for being such a poor 'outdoors man' <shrug> ]]

[[ 40 doesn't sound like 'extreme cold' to me. I go waling around in that ... with out 'winter gear' ... to get the mail ... go to the beer store for beer <shrug> But in the end it is your call. As to 'where' he is going ... he is waiting for members of his party to express their ideas before he settles on one <g> ]]

(OOC - OK, I'll edit it to where she is looking at T4, T5 & T9 then, which should be adjacent to T3.)

Davroar

He helps the caravan workers with whatever is needed to speed things along with daylight quickly fading on them. If camp fires are needed he can easily get them going with his Druidcraft cantrip. While sleeping outdoors is nothing new to him, Davroar will take a short break from his work to find Jaliera and say to her, "There's that boarding house we passed if you want to hurry and see if a room is available for yourself?"

(OOC - Nep - I am not trying to be difficult, but T4, T5, & T9 are literally 10-20 feet away from T3. She should not have to do anything other than turn her head to see them.)

DM
Zhu turns her head in the darkness and rain. She sees an open field to her south. It looks like a ranch but it's difficult to make out (T4) and some buildings beyond. Across that street there are other buildings but there are no visible signs (T5). Just across the campground fence there are buildings hidden from by the fence. They seem to be associated with the campground but there are no signs (T9).

OOC: I'm not trying to be difficult either, but I did give you the "boxed text" answers, whether you like them or not rotating heads simply won't get you more information. BTW, the descriptions I provided to you above could have been gleaned directly by looking at the map. Maybe I gave you a bit more for T9 but that really is right next door.

Arus

It felt like a change of seasons.

The journey by wagon from Yartar was slow compared to river travel, but they'd taken the road at the driest time so it was faster than it would've been had they fallen foul of the rain.

Since the rain arrived at about the same time as his arrival at Triboar, Arus could welcome the colder, wet weather with open arms.

He saw the tile-roofed buildings through the growing murk, warm light leaking from the cracks in shutters.

It seemed sparsely populated for a town, but Arus was learning wealth never settled in quite the same way in the Savage Frontier.

In Yartar, it accumulated at the top, creating rich and poor, but in Triboar with its surrounding ranches, wealth appeared to be more evenly distributed, making it a town of affluent landowners, shopkeepers, hostelers and publicans.

Where Arus came from, the Protectorate essentially subsidised rural folk to stay where they were and maintain their traditional way of life. Most tritons would argue theirs was a more advanced civilisation than the primitive land-dwelling cultures of Faerûn, but Arus was widely-travelled below the waves and had seen the lavish lifestyles afforded to those in the capitals---arguably enjoying their traditional way of life also---the system ultimately amounted to bribing the poor to stay poor.

Yet Arus supported his country whole-heartedly. Until he learnt of a system that worked any better for people, there was no moral quandary. Since travelling on the continent, he'd certainly seen worse systems of governance (or lack of).

Rather than hunker beneath a hood, the triton let the rain wash through his thick, dark hair, standing guard whilst the team secured the caravan for the night.

Once done, he escorted his team-mates to where they were lodging but said he himself wanted to have a look around town first.

And yes, they might have stared at him gone-out, like he was a lunatic. Just a triton though: Resilient to the cold of the deep trenches, and darkvision would see Arus right.

Both were needed on such a gloomy evening. Breathing in the moist air, he hitched his woollen cloak over the paldrons of his plate armour and kept his trident upright, non-threatening. He still looked like a man-at-arms, and he was, but he was also off-duty.

Arus asked the guards outside the Lionshield Coster for directions to a decent inn nearby, and the place where local frontiersmen liked to drink. He was minded to find out more about humanoid movements in the area, after seeing the orc band in the hills earlier in the day.

Jaliera

Although she didn't exactly come from the desert region of Calimshan, Jaliera is used to warmer climes and decides to buy some warmer clothing & spares before they set out on their latest adventure, looking for fur lined boots, gloves and cloak as well as other warmer clothing. It feels strange spending money on herself as this is really the first time she feels she has her own funds and the freedom to use them as she sees fit. Typically though she invests in items that will help her function in her chosen way of life.

The journey is largely uneventful, though more comfortable as the weather changes for the worst in the latter part of their journey. She passes the time mostly chattering to Davroar and enjoys his company and that of their companions.

She is glad to arrive back in some sort of civilisation. Though she enjoys the travelling and the different scenery they pass, she is not as at home in the wilderness as Davroar. She also helps the caravan to settle in.

A warm smiles touches her face though when Davroar suggests she might want to avail herself of the boarding house. Her answer is simple.

"I'd rather stay with you."

DM
Bern, Davroar, Jaliera, Kriv, Zhu
The wagon drivers work quickly to secure their draft animals and set up a meager campsite for themselves there. These folk usually do not spend gold if they don't have to. Sleeping in an inn is a luxury, even in the rain. It is certainly an option to pitch tent there.

Just as the work to establish the campsite gets underway, two men walk into the compound with the hoods of their cloaks pulled over their heads to ward off the rain. From the looks of their clothes, they are well-off. "Could you not have come any later? Set up over there, not here!" one of them orders the men that were about to establish camp. Once they are close enough, you can see that the man that called out is wearing an eye patch over one eye. The other male looks to be half-elf.

Bern had taken a walk in the rain. He was used to the outdoors and precipitation was a good thing as it fed the plants and provided puddles of water for the animals to lap up. But he knew that most folks would consider it miserable weather. What few people there were in town seemed to be making their way indoors with some urgency, as if a little rain would melt them. He walked out of the campground into the market square. It was astounding to him how quick and efficient the merchants were when it came to shutting down and getting out of the rain. Being in the center of town, he had many directions he could decide to go.

Arus
While the wagon drivers all pitch tents in the campground, the mercenaries that accompanied the caravan made haste out of the rain to a building behind the other campground (T9). While interesting, Arus walks over to the Lion's Share, which is the name of the local franchise of the Lionshield Coster, and approaches the guard outside. The stocky dark haired man doesn't appear to be happy and places a hand on the hilt of the shortsword on his hip. "Halt!" he calls out before Arus even has a chance to say anything. "This here establishment be under the protection of the Lord Protector!"

He eases slightly once he realizes that Arus is not up to trouble but he's more officious than gracious in his answers. It's evident that the man's in a sour mood or that something about Arus bothered him. "There be the Northshield House (T10), up that way and the Boars Rest (T20) is that way." He first pointed to his right, which was a street that ran between the north campground and the Lion's Share. Then he pointed the other way, to the Evermoor Way, the road that Arus had taken into town. While he had not been near the Northshield House yet, he easily deduces that the second place, the Boar's Rest (T20), was the very expensive looking place behind the restaurant that they had passed coming in.

"The Frost Touched Frog is closed," he adds. "And there be the Six Windows yonder on the Triboar trail, if yer looking for a cheap place fer the night," he says as he points to the street that leads out of town opposite the way that the caravan entered.

"An iff'n yer just lookin for a drink or some food, yer can find the Pleasing Platter (T21) in front of the Boar's Rest and the Talking Troll (T12), which'n nobody's gonna mistake fer the Pleasin' Platter, around the campground on the Long Road headin' north. I be guessin' the best place for a Yartarians to go be the Talking Troll." The last was said with a look that hinted of contempt.

<Bern>

He had considered just setting up a tent with the caravan. But it =had= been a while since he had enjoyed a soft bed. It would also give him a chance to 'get the skinny' on the town ... who the players were ... especially if there was an bar near at hand.

He settled on the Talking Troll. Is seemed a more likely place to get some 'good gossip' ... as well as a recommendation for lodging.

Arus

"Thou art too kind." He replied drolly to the guard, and stepped back into the gloom.

For a moment he took in the street---dark, deserted, blurred with a steady, cold rain---and wondered if Triboar might've been a mistake. It seemed insular, small in all ways, but Arus told himself that it was just the late hour and the inclement weather giving that appearance.

People would be gathered. They would be talking and sharing news. He just had to find out where.

And he had just discovered that his shop in Triboar was under the direct protection of the local government. That was news to him.

So the triton walked with a purpose up the road to the Northshield House.

The goings on along Evermoor Way sounds expensive and exclusive, and he'd make no progress by walking through the door in scorched old armour he'd found in the Ooze Tomb.

Northshield House first. Meet the innkeeper, arrange lodgings, dump his pack and trident, then back out and to the Talking Troll. That was his plan.

Kriv

Speaking a word of his native tongue, the Dragonborn scholar lit up the glasstaff one more as the natural light faded, planting it where it would be of most use to those setting up the encampment. They had laboured hard to get them all here, and the worker was worth their wage, and it was no hardship to aid in their contribution to the common cause. The Noble would as like favour the inn, once the work here was done.

Zhu

She stands in the midst of the activity, observing with interest as the workers begin to setup their camp. She appears to pay the wet weather little concern, though she does pull up the hood of her cloak to cover her head. The shadows caused by the hood make her blue-white skin and silver eyes appear even more ethereal. She glances to each side, but without wandering around she determines it will be hard to see any more of the town from here.

She turns as the two men approach, her lips quirking into a small frown as the man with the eyepatch tells the workers to move their campsite. Looking over the ground she doesn't see the difference between one spot over the other and she wonders at the reason for the order. Clearly this man is in charge, to some degree, of the caravanserai, but is there any logic in the instruction for the men to move or is this man simply one of those who feels a need to order people about?

As the men pick up and move, she nods approvingly of Kriv's activating a light on his staff to help them see better and once they have a tent setup and have gathered some of the soaking wet wood into a pile she speaks a word and points, causing the wood to ignite into a comfortable campfire.

In the brighter light she examines the man with the eyepatch and his half-elf companion more closely for a few moments. Then, as Bern has wandered off and Davorar and Jaliera are huddled together she moves over to the Dragonborn. "I am willing to brave the elements in this campsite, or even better in the woods to the West. Otherwise, without wandering around town the only place to stay I noted was that 'Six Windows Boarding House' we passed on the way in."

Davroar

He returns a smile to Jaliera for wanting to stay with him. He noticed that she bought new warmer clothing earlier for the trip and feels there is no need to push his suggestion to sleep under a roof. Instead he will gently wrap his arm around hers and says, "Let's see what Kriv and Zhu want to do." Walking with her over to where Zhu and Kriv are standing at the newly created campfire he holds out his hands to warm them up and comments, "Nice. Thanks Zhu for starting the fire. I saw that boarding house too when we came in. Should we check it out? Or should we find where Bern has wandering off to?"

Jaliera

She returns his smile and happily accepts him embrace and the suggestion to go chat with Kriv and Zhu. She does notice the two men, the one with the eye patch stands out but she continues to Kriv & Zhu with Davroar. She listens for a reply whilst taking advantage of the fire.

DM

Arus
Arus was a bit surprised that Triboar was so small. From all the talk he had heard about the town, it was never compared in size with Yartar. As he strolled to the Northshield House, he tried to make sense of it and soon it was obvious. Triboar sat at an important caravan crossroad. It made sense that a town would exist here. There was demand for a place for travelers to rest for a night before getting on their way. The town center itself was small, but the ranches and farms in the surrounding area meant that it was a sprawling community which was spread out quite a bit. As he made his way towards his intended destination, he passed more farmhouses than places of business.

The Northshield House turned out to be a nice, quiet inn. He could tell that it was well kept and tended to as he approached. He opened the door and stepped inside and his arrival was a signal for three large mastiffs to rise off the floor. They neither barked nor approached but they did seem to be very much on alert. "SIT" came the order to the dogs who were obedient and lowered themselves back to the ground. Arus could not help but notice that their focus was on him even as they were ordered to relax.


"Welcome to the Northshield House," was the greeting from a dark-skinned woman that rose from a seat behind a desk situated near the entrance way. "I am Urgala, your hostess. Will you be spending the night?"


Bern
Bern, having found his way to the street, also finds his way to some folks that are in the last stages of clearing out of the market to get directions to some places to grab a drink and he decides on a place called the Talking Troll. It is a short way down the north-south road on his left. As he opens the door to walk in, he is blasted by the odor of alcohol that has permeated wood. It was a dim, smelly, low-beamed place crammed with mismatched, battered old furniture and drunks. Part of the roof is open to the sky and at the moment, a steady but light rain was falling past two charred beams, washing away bird droppings that had covered the floor and tops of tables and chairs underneath it. Fortunately it was possible to skirt the vicinity of that area to reach the bar.

Davroar, Jaliera, Kriv, Zhu
Kriv illuminated the campground for those setting up camp and received thanks for shedding light for the workers as they toiled. And Zhu was thanked too as she provided a fire for them. These were minor tasks but their small gestures were appreciated by those who did not have their abilities.

It was becoming clear to Kriv now that Jaliera and Davroar had formed a bond that went beyond being traveling companions. The young rogue, barely having hit the age where she might be able to breed, had latched on to the druid. They came over and the quartet started a discussion about where to go next and where they might spend the night.

As the conversation commenced, the one-eyed man and his elven companion made their way over to the small grouping. As they got closer, the collective group could see them more clearly. The red eye patch over his eye was emblazoned with the black serpent symbol of the Zhentarim. He was dressed immaculately in a business man's suit. His companion, the suave half-elf, stayed by his side in a manner that hinted that he was there as a body guard. "Are you in charge of this caravan?" the man with the eyepatch asked the group.

<Bern>

His first thought upon opening the door was that the Talking Troll had to be the =worst= give he had ever visited. But these places were usually a great source for local information. He made his way to the bar, keeping as near the walls as he could to avoid 'ambiance' provided by the fire that had apparently burned a hole in the roof.

He waited for the bartender and ordered a whiskey when he arrived.

He leaned his back against to bar and, drink in hand, and as he sipped, he scoped out the patrons.

Arus
(at Northshield House)

He made sure to wipe his feet on the mat, then unpin and hang his sodden cloak on the stand by the door.

It would be rude to do otherwise.

Approaching the desk, Arus gave Urgala a charming smile considering his rough countenance.

The dogs reminded him of the houndsharks his caretaker kept when he was a boy. Loyal creatures, fierce when called upon but content to mind their own business.

So he gave them no obvious attention and kept a respectful distance from their owner.

"Aye, ma'am, I hope to."

Arus looked around at the well-worn furnishings of a clean and tidy house, and recalled his time lodged at the fleapit in Yartar. Whitewings. Northshield House was luxury by comparison.

"Though surely every traveller in town must want to stay here?" He said to the lady of the house.

Kriv

The Dragonborn noble glanced over the pair of Zhent-aligned mammals and weighed his words with care. Speaking authoritatively,

"It would be more accurate to say we are responsible for its protection. Whom would wish to know those in charge, and why?"

DM
Out on the carvan camping grounds, the man covering his head from the rain with the sleeve of his cape answers Kriv directly.

"Yes. Formalities. My apologies, the rain came suddenly. We need to check you in. My name is Urlam Stockspool and I run the caravan company. My associate here is Valken Naspeer. Hmmm. Responsible for it's protection? It would seem that you are a spokesperson, at the very least. Would you mind if we stepped out of the rain. We should speak inside." Urlam indicates going inside a building adjacent to the grounds (T9). It was the same building that the mercenary guards had hurried into.

Over at the Talking Troll, Bern walks in and moves over to the bar, watching his footing with every step. Many of those wood panels that were the floor under his feet were rotten from many rains and slippery with moss and algae. Over at the bar, where it was dry. The bartender sees you approach and lays down a notebook he was reading under some torchlight and approaches the ranger at the bar. "Whiskey it is my good man. I shall be back in a moment."

And he was back with the drink in a moment. Bern might have expected rotgut but his first sip is surprising. It was rich but subtle and well balanced and it warmed his insides as slid down as the back of his throat, as smooth as any he had tasted before. It was good, really good. "What do you think?" the bartender asked.

The hostess over at the Northshield House smiled at Arus's suggestion that her place was the favorite of travelers to the town. "Thank you for the compliment. I like to think this is a good place to stay. You honor me by saying so. There are other places I guess. It's a gold piece per night and I have only a few rooms left. Harvesttide is just recently over and a number of caravans have pulled into town.

<Bern>

He that first sip brought an unexpected smile to his face. He turned to the bartender when he spoke. "Don't take this the wrong way, but it is unexpectedly good ... considering", he made an exaggerated 'glance' at the hole in the ceiling, "the ...decor", he said with a shrug.

Zhu

Waiting with Kriv, Jaliera, and Davroar she lets the Dragonborn lead the conversation. In the meantime she simply observes the man and his bodyguard closely.

Arus
(At Northshield House)

The triton laid his hand on the desk, then withdrew it leaving a gold coin.

"Never was a gold piece better spent." He said with an alluring smile.

It was a steep price but it might only be for the night. He wasn't going to crawl the town looking for lodging at this hour, and sleeping in the street would make entirely the wrong impression.

1 gp seemed to him at least a fair price. It was a homely house indeed.

"My name is Arus. Arus Ahlorsath.

"I should like to leave my pack in my room, if I may. Then I said I would meet with the rest of my caravan. How late do you serve food?"

Jaliera

She smiles at Kriv before turning to the two strangers.

"I suppose it would be even more accurate to say that we were the caravan's protection as we have other business here. Perhaps you could tell us more of the town as you seem to be the authority here?"

Urlam

"Let's go inside and talk."

He turned and started walking to the building. His assistant did to. The fact that he turned away gave you the clear sense that this was a non-negotiable demand. Considering that the caravan parked in his plot of land, he would have authority.

Zhu

She glances around the group and shrugs, as if to say, **Well, at least we'll be out of the rain.** She then moves to follow, unless one of the others objects.

Kriv

He inclined his head slightly at Zhu's glance, affirming the call to follow the locals within. As they went, protocol demanded that, with their names given, He followed suit.

"Kriv Norixius of Norixius Keep. 'Spokesperson' fits well enough."

Davroar

He follows along with the rest as well as giving his own name to complete the introductions.

Zhu

"Zhuirentel Elendaril of Silverymoon." She offers her name as well, watching the man for any reaction. After all he wears his Faction Association to the Zhentarim brazenly on his eye-patch, and Silverymoon and Zhentil Keep are traditionally on opposites sides of most issues.

Jaliera

She offers her name too and moves with the others so that she can hear what is said.

DM

At Northshield House

"We expect travelers to arrive hungry in the evening" Urgala says, smiling at Arus. "Here is your key. The room number is on it. Put away your gear, go tend to your business. Come to the dining room when you can. Sovarish will serve you and if his shift ends, Manisol will be able to fetch you somethings we save for late arriving guests. Your gold here buys you one meal too. It's a good deal, I think!"

Urgala has a very welcoming manner about her, a trait that has surely worked well for her in the hospitality business. Arus was used to the stares and turned heads because of his exotic looks but he got none of that from this woman. She accepts the gold piece from Arus, hands him the key and points to steps behind her. "Your room, as are all rooms, is upstairs. The dining hall is past the stairs there on this main floor."

At the Talking Troll

Bern is surprised by the manner in which he is responded to. The proprietor, a tall, thin man raised his arm dramatically towards the charred beams above, averted his eyes from it and then threw his head back in a dramatic way with the back of his other hand pressed against his forehead, letting his long, straight locks drape down his back. He then said with an impassioned wail "Alas, the thatched roof of my place as set ablaze, chilling the spirits of my fine clientele!"

Then his visage changed in another overly dramatic manner to that of a man exuding pride and honor. "My great customers deserve nothing but the best that their coin can buy." He extends a hand in greeting and adds, "I am Kaelen Sarssir at your service!"

The Triboar Travelers

Urlam turns around once on his way over the building to see if the group all followed. Satisfied, he stops again only as he reaches the door to open it. There is a sign on the door. It is small and would have been virtually impossible to see from the road. It read "The Triboar Travelers". Once the door is open, he walks in but his associate, the half elf lingers by the threshold to usher the visitors in.

Once inside the building, you see a number of other people, men and women. They are appear to be mercenary guards. Before talking to your group, Urlam says to them, "Alright. Everything seems to be in order with you. Did everything go well?"

One of the others, a burly man, says, "Easy job boss. No real troubles. We saw some orcs up in the hills but when they saw us they fled into their holes and we didn't chase."

"Great. Good job. Here's your payment." Urlam hands the man a money purse. The man looks inside it, smiles and then turns to the other men. "What do you say? Let's go spend some of this gold?"

With that, the other group departs as a whole leaving Davroar, Jaliera, Kriv and Zhu alone with Urlam and his associate.

"Those guards work for me and they do a great job. Very reliable. We don't tolerate slackers and troublemakers. We have been trying to build a good reputation and I think we're doing very well. The reputation of the Zhentarim has improved much in recent years and I'm doing my part. That leads me to you. You must not be aware, so I forgive you for that, but all caravan guards are to operate through my company. We cannot have rogue groups doing that job."

He pauses there to allow responses.

<Bern>

He was just about to ... comment ... on the overly dramatic 'tale' when he realized it was a put on of some sort for some reason.

"Pleased to meet you Kaelen", he said extending his hand. I am Bern. And I just arrived with the caravan. But I have to ask ...", he continued after a short pause. "It is apparent that the 'damage' was done some time ago. Why have you not repaired it", he asked. "Do you welcome 'nature' into your fine establishment ... or are you so focused on providing your customers such wonderful ... beverages that there is not enough coil left to fix the roof?"

He did include a grin ... hoping to show his 'interest' with out any 'condemnation'.

Zhu

She waits for Kriv to reply, as he has taken the lead in conversing with Urlam, although now that they've all arrived in Triboar the group's role in protecting the caravan is done anyway so she doesn't see any issues.

Kriv

The Dragonborn made full use of his considerable height, noble mien and inscrutable, inhuman features as he met Urlam’s gaze. A manipulative feeder line about the Zhentarim’s reputation might gull the unwary, but ‘improved’ did not mean ‘positive’, certainly not at this time.

“No forgiveness is necessary, since we are by no means ‘caravan guards’ as you appear to think of them, and have at no point claimed that designation. We are responsible for its protection, certainly, and thus should anything untoward happen we would exact restitution from those responsible down to the last copper piece with interest, but as you say, your people are responsible for making sure nothing like that happens here. It will be an intriguing measure of where the Zhentarim stand these days, certainly, but I am sure that we can both report there are no rogue groups operating here. Do we have an understanding?”

Arus

He took the key, giving his thanks.

Arus wasn't consciously charming, he didn't turn it on for the ladies. It was just his triton character, raised to always be courteous even when despatching an enemy at swordpoint.

Perhaps it was a form of discipline. A paladin had to somehow distinguish themselves from the foes they fought, since there was often little to distinguish their deeds.

It would be disingenuous to say that Arus was ambivalent to women though. He loved them and loving was his favourite past-time.

Though Urgala wasn't interested, the triton was unfazed, not looking for a distraction. He wanted to get to the tavern and pursue his mission.

So he didn't linger long in his room, depositing his pack and rather conspicuous trident. It hadn't seemed so out of place in the river town, Yartar. There were no fish to spear in Triboar unless they were already served on a plate.

Arus ripped off a couple of pieces of dried sausage from his rations, then headed out.

In the hallway, he threw the morsels to the mastiffs as he retrieved his cloak.

"Don't wait up." He said to them wryly.

Then he ventured forth into the night, into the town. To the sign of the Talking Troll.

DM

The rain started to abate a bit as the triton made his way towards the Talking Troll. Nothing seemed far away in the town center and this was a only a short stroll from the Northshield House. He walked in and knew immediately that this was not a high class place.

As he opens the door to walk in, he is blasted by the odor of alcohol that has permeated wood. It was a dim, smelly, low-beamed place crammed with mismatched, battered old furniture and drunks. Part of the roof is open to the sky and at the moment, a steady but light rain was falling past two charred beams, washing away bird droppings that had covered the floor and tops of tables and chairs underneath it. Fortunately it was possible to skirt the vicinity of that area to reach the bar. Over there he sees a man, with a bow slung over his shoulder, talking to the bartender.

OOC: OK sue me. I cut-n-pasted from a previous post. But I figured that we might as well handle the "chance" meeting of Arus and Bern. And I purposely didn't have the barkeeper answer Bern's question just yet.

<Bern>

He wasn't in any 'rush' to accost the patrons. He wanted a to enjoy a drink first, and use the time to 'scope' the place. He leaned against the bar waiting for the bar tender to take his order.

At The Triboar Travelers - Davroar, Jaliera, Kriv & Zhu

Urlam smiles as Kriv articulates their purpose here and insures him that they were not acting as typical caravan guards. "We deal with the caravans themselves but many enterprises add 'extra' experienced protection these days. I understand that, but it cuts into business and takes gold out of the hands of our guards. It's not acceptable but it is forgivable, under the correct circumstances."

It seemed the matter was not quite settled in Urlam's mind but that there could be a solution of sorts. He then turns to look at Jaliera. She had made a statement that he did not comment on when out in the rain. But now, inside, he says to her, "You said that you are out here on other business?"

Jaliera

She smiles.

"Yes, our principal reason for coming here is to trace a dagger we found recently, which we believe came from here."

Arus
(at The Talking Troll)

The door opens and he steps in, hooded and cloaked against the rain. In the smoky, ruddy light, his face is hidden in shadow, fortunate as his expression is stern.

"Those bloody guards." He mutters under his breath, "Thanks for the tip."

They must have thought it a fine jape when they pointed Arus in the direction of The Talking Troll.

But as far as the stranger knows this might be the only open tavern in Yartar and besides, he's rather taken with the hole in the roof. The freshening effect on the common room's close atmosphere is laudable.

So Arus unpins his wet cloak and slings it heavily onto a nearby hook.

He wears a suit of armour, its steel discoloured by acid or fire, and a sword hung from his belt. It's a mismatched ensemble, like detritus from several different shores washed up on one.

Another caravan guard, no doubt.

His face has a rugged charm but his features are strange even in the Savage Frontier. Skin a shade of teal blue, though still pinkish around the eyes and pointed ears.

Long black hair hangs thickly from his head, though it too has a hint of green.

If he's an elf then he is an unusually stocky one, and upon entering the light around the bar, a keen observer might notice rigid looking slots in his neck like gills.

Arus moves easily in his plate and leans in with his forearm on the bar, looking around the room with casual interest.

Lots of cheap beer sloshing in tankards. Blue kaorph seemed ubiquitous throughout the Sword Coast to Arus but he doubts the drink has yet reached The Talking Troll in Yartar.

Instead, he glances over to the patron beside him at the bar, obviously an archer by the well-made bow and wearing travelling garb. Another stranger in town?

"What dost thou drink?" Arus asks.

<Bern>

At the sound of the door, he turns to watch the 'newcomer' enter.

He certainly wasn't 'bashful', hanging his cloak, exposing his 'lineage'. Part elf ... part something ... 'aquatic'? It was not a 'look' he had ever seen before.

He smiled and nodded as the stranger 'approached'.

"I =think= it is =supposed= to be a beer of some sort", he offered. "Not sure whether the wine or the liquor would be a safer choice", he added with a shrug.

Arus
(at The Talking Troll)

"Fair enough" He says, turning to the barkeep.

"One beer, two wines, two liquors." Arus orders, not forgetting, "My thanks."

Having done so, he turns back to the other traveller with a wry grin.

What would an observer make of this bowman standing at the bar? What does Arus see?

[[ Not sure why the pic isn't showing <sigh> But you should be able to click on it <g> ]]

At The Triboar Travelers - Davroar, Jaliera, Kriv & Zhu with Urlam and Valken

"A dagger you say? Surely a dagger isn't worth a crowd like this?"

With the way he turned and glared with his one eye at Jaliera first and then by his reply, which was in the form of a question, it would seem that Urlam was on to the fact, coupled with what Kriv had said, that there was a deeper meaning behind Jaliera's statement. After he asked his question, directly of that young woman, he waited for her answer with a wry smirk. His associate, the suave half elf, folded his arms and also smiled.

Urlam Insight - Neptune rolled 1d20+4 and got 22. With that good an insight roll, I'm going to give any attempts to get over on him disadvantage.

Kaelen the owner of the Talking Troll Tavern

"Indeed! Indeed!" the man tending bar said. "I'll tell you my tale later. First I shall fetch the drinks for this fine gentleman," he said to Bern as he backed away somewhat dramatically and then turned to pour the drinks. He returned in a very short while with the six beverages.

"Let me know what you think?"

<Bern>

He dug a couple of gold pieces out of his pouch and laid them on the bar by the time the drinks arrived.

He took a small 'sampling' sip from each of the glasses ... lightest to strongest ... judging each in turn.

Zhu

"It was used to harm a friend of ours." She says simply. "We're looking for the person who bought it."

All true, even if a bit misleading.


Zhu Persuasion
Zeim rolled d20+7 and got 18
Zhu Persuasion - disadvantage roll
Zeim rolled d20+7 and got 19
Result = 18

Arus

His eye roams the room for signs of interest, other travellers, any unhappy drinkers, games being played and instinctively if unintentionally, the women.

Arus takes off his gauntlets, ready to pay for the drinks he'd ordered and raises an eyebrow when the bowman steps in first with his own coin. So the man approved of Arus's gesture but shows that he can buy his own drinks. A man of proud independence perhaps? Or perhaps just an outlander, unused to socialising.

Arus tastes each of the beverages, considers, then adds the wine and the liquor to the tankard of beer; a fine old military tradition. The flavour is such that it won't make a huge difference to the enjoyment.

"My name is Arus. Arus Ahlorsath." He says, turning again to his new drinking companion and holding out his hand.

<Bern>

He raised an eyebrow when ... 'Arus' ... 'consolidated' all his drinks into one. Strange custom.

He accepted the offered hand. "Bern", he replied, adding a firm handshake.

At The Triboar Travelers - Davroar, Jaliera, Kriv & Zhu with Urlam and Valken

Quote

All true, even if a bit misleading.

Not true, but inconsequential. All that you know (suspect actually) is that the dagger was used in an attempt to pry out the Forge of Spells.

Urlam thinks for a moment and then nods, understanding.

The other man, from the back, says "Revenge? Nasty business that." He's sitting down, rolling a coin between his fingers. "How's the dagger going to help you find him?"

At the Talking Troll Tavern - Bern, Arus and Kaelen

All of the drinks that Kaelen pours for his two new patrons are, at the very least, good.

After Arus tastes from each of the glasses he wonders whether he really wants to mix them.

The beer he brings out is a hefty stout as black as ink and nearly as thick as the snows of the Spine of the World. It has a sweet flavor and a frothy head. The wine is a surprisingly sweet white with a slightly nutty aftertaste. Its wonderful taste and full body are further enhanced for romantic evenings by its prominent silver and green luminescence. He had poured it from a ceramic bottle, which is unusual. The liquor was a dark red fruity sherry that had just a slight hint of fiery spiciness to it.

"Lurien's Best, Alurlyath and Cherryfire. Tell me what you think?" Kaelen says.

At just about that moment, the rain starts pouring back in again in sheets. The owner sighs. A patron that was asleep, with his head on a table suddenly wakes as he is splashed. He rises quickly and either slips in one of the many puddles or trips over his own feet,and falls to the ground where he stays.

<Bern>

He smiles as he takes another sip of the stout. "They are =all= first rate and certainly worthy of any man in need of a dram." He might have had more 'exuberance' to offer, but he was distracted by the man who seemingly managed to trip over his own feet. Was he really that drunk, he wondered as he turned his attention in that direction. He was beginning to wonder if the man might need some ... 'assistance'.

(OOC - She didn't say the harm was physical in nature. Breaking into the mine and trying to pry out the forge was harmful to the Dwarves and the party as it put the miners on edge and caused the headache of additional guards and so forth."Harm" is the relative phrase. No big deal.)

Jaliera

"Well before we can find him.. or her.. we need to know whose dagger it was."

She glances at Davroar as he is quiet. She wonders if anything is amiss.

Arus
(at The Talking Troll)

He tips his head to the barkeep in respect, but Arus has strange tastes and perhaps stranger customs.

With his beverages amalgamated, he also turns to spectate, talking with Bern as he does.

"So Bern, art thou new in town?"

<Bern>

"Just arrived today with a caravan. This =does= seem to be a town that relies and 'travelers'", he said with a grin as he took a sip of the ale that had been 'presented'.

Arus
(at The Talking Troll)

"Aye," He agrees with Bern, "though they're none too fond of folk from Yartar-on-the-river."

"Whence did thy caravan come? Down from Longsaddle?"

<Bern>

"Any idea why they don't like folks from Yatar", he asked out of curiosity.
[[ ummm ... where =did= we come from <g> ]]

Arus
(at The Talking Troll)

"Historic rivalry, so I hear." Says Arus, "Triboar is built around the caravan business, Yartar river barges. They compete for trade."

He takes a swig of his drink.

"I should know, I just came from Yartar mine own self.

"Thou didst not say from where thee came?"

<Bern>

"I don't get it", he said with a frown. "The river folk would have almost no business since they cannot sail on land. And I would think that the caravans would welcome the speed and ease of travel on the water when that was useful", he said shaking his head.

"No where really. I have not had what you would call a 'home' since I was a boy. I just happened upon the caravan and decided to travel here with them. It has been a while and there are things I need to get."

Kaelen - at the Talking Troll

He sighs as he hears the discussion and looks askance of Arus when he says that he's from Yartar.

"You are not Yartarian, are you?" he asks.

Urlam - at the Triboar Travelers

"I assume then, since you did not get a description and do not even know if it was a male or female, that your friend is dead. How awful. It is strange for a murderer to leave a weapon behind. That is a foolish thing. Was your friend robbed or do you suspect something worse? I ask because of concern. If there's a murderer about, we should be alert."

Arus
(at The Talking Troll)

"No, I am not." He answers the barkeep, Kaelen. "Though, how long does one have to stay in a place for it to become a moniker?

"Perhaps I am like Bern the Traveller here?"

Arus ponders this for a moment, before raising his tankard to Bern and Kaelen.

"A toast." He says, "'No place is home.'"

He doesn't elaborate but he does have a house. Far away and deep deep down, a terraced house back in the Protectorate. Came cheap as it overlooks a race course; noisy on race days. The state is presumably still paying for its upkeep.

[I'll take this opportunity to link you to Welshly Arms' excellent album, No Place Is Home. Bought it Gypsy for Xmas.]

<Bern>

He raised his mug in response to the toast. But his mind was 'burred' in his past.

It =did= ring true. While he knew that he hadn't really had a home for a very long time, he did ... occasionally ... wonder what had happened to the place his father had built for his family ... before ... =that= day.

[[ nice! ]]

Davroar

He is fine with what the others have said so far and really has nothing to add to the conversation at this time. Kriv is the better speaker, and Davroar figures he just might say something stupid like he has done in the past. For now he just gives Jaliera a reassuring smile.

Jaliera

She smiles back at Davroar, slipping an arm through his, happy to let Zhu fend the question as it had been her statement that had provoked it. She is not comfortable lying.

Zhu

She looks at the others. Kriv had been taking the lead on conversing here, but since she made a statement attention had shifted her way so she mentally shrugs and continues.

"I don't believe I ever specified what harm had befallen, but the one we are looking for is indeed at least partially responsible for murder. We cannot provide a description. He is able to take on different faces."

From what Luminmorn told her, the Doppelganger had been part of the Black Spider's crew, and that crew had murdered Tharden Rockseeker. If Urlam is part of the local authorities here then she is obliged to work with him, at least to some extent.

Kriv

The Dragonborn was leery with parting with too much information to what some might uncharitably call Zhentish racketeers, whom for all they knew might well be in league with their foes, or better predisposed to them.

"It would seem unlikely that we would find them right here in this town, though not impossible. If they were retracing steps, perhaps, but they would be up to a week ahead of us if so, and I suspect most folks would pass through. So, if they were coming back this way, if they stayed, if this place was significant to them. But nothing solid in a sea of ifs to offer as a reason for greater than usual vigilance."

Jaliera

She thinks over what Zhu had said. She hadn't thought of it that way but yes, that is the nux of it. Nothing to add herself, she does however nod, backing up what her companions had said.

Davroar

He is impressed with Zhu's and Kriv's eloquence in telling Urlam just enough to hopefully satisfy him. Davroar knows enough now to keep his barbarian tongue silent when it comes to things like this. Thinking it might be a good time to get off topic he says to Jaliera, "I'm hungry. Let's find a good spot to eat." The inside of Triboar Travelers is not smelling nice at all to him, and wonders where those mercenaries went off to spend their money.

Jaliera

"That's a good idea."

She smiles at him before turning back to the two men.

"Any recommendations?"

Arus

As Bern drinks in the company of his own thoughts, Arus watches the tavern's drunkard slip and slide in the muck on the floor. Arus grew up under the sea but tritons built many dry settlements on the seabed in enchanted bubbles of air.

Yet dirt isn't something they really found in their world. Sand and rock, yes, but not mud. Arus is reminded of the very first lesson he'd learnt about the surface world. It's dirty, and there's not always an ocean of water you can step into to clean off.

Arus is not afraid of getting dirty but cleanliness is important to him, a natural reaction to his earlier life beneath the waves.

The Talking Troll certainly inspires further exploration of the subject but a different question has occurred to the paladin.

A question of a far more lavish establishment. He turns to the barkeep.

"Barkeep, what knowest thou of the fancy inn south of town? Its clientele aren't local, whence do they come?"

Kaelen - at the Talking Troll

He leans over and whispers to Arus, serious and somewhat alarmed.

"'Tis good that you are not one to claim to be from Yartar. 'Twill be better if you say not that you even stayed in that place.
There is no love lost between Yartar and Triboar. That I can tell you both."

He sees Bern glance over to the man on the floor, but continues about the conflict.

"Those who are polite about it call it a rivalry, but when real blood is shed, as often as it has been when flareups occur, even a skilled thespian such as myself finds it difficult to feign calm. I cannot tell you how many brawls have broken out there, on this floor, because someone suspected that one from the river town is here."

Then he addresses Bern's glance at the man on the ground. "He is drunker than usual, but it is hard to tell. Sad what has befallen that priest."

When questioned about the inn which is south he replies, "The Everwyvern House. Yes, it's indeed expensive, quite expensive. It caters to Waterdeep's nobility and other well-to-do folk, those who would never cross the threshold of this place. Yes, it is run by that Illuskan peacock, Draven Millovyr."

OOC: Mike, To answer your question, 'ummm ... where =did= we come from <g>', check out the Geography thread in the SKT Geography sub-forum. I'll comment futher in the OOC thread after I finish posting for both groups.

[[ been looking at the maps. Very helpful, thanks. But looking forward to any 'help' ya wanna give me in any event. I need all the help I can get <weg> ]]

<Bern>

He nodded at the 'info' from Kaelen on the fellow on the floor. He wondered ... as he has in the past when presented with the like ... what had driven the man to such an extreme situation.

Urlam - at the Triboar Travelers
The one-eyed man is taken aback and the rest of the party can see his associate squirm and then straighten up a bit when Zhu mentioned that the person they were chasing had shape-changing capabilities. Urlam didn't comment on that but focused on the murder. "I asked if it was a robbery but rarely does one send out a posse for a horse thief," he states bluntly to the eladrin before returning his attention to Kriv.

"And a murderer is a danger to us all. Perhaps you should bring such information to the authorities here? That is what law abiding folk would do, would you not say? You've deemed Triboar significant enough to come here as part of your investigations. I suspect that you are being as forthcoming as you deign reasonable. You have your reasons."

It was clear to Kriv by the man's tone that Urlam suspected that more was afoot with the quartet. "If you do not know what the suspect looks like, how do you intend find your prey?" It was said separately, to underscore that indeed, he had caught the part about shape-shifting.

Then Jaliera asked about lodging and that broke the tension and Urlam let out a laugh. "Not what I would expect to hear out of a lass when murder's afoot! Sure. There are places to stay in town. Most guards set up tents in the campground. You've been on the road and no matter how much gold you have, they won't let you into the Everwyvern House looking like that. Not that you aren't pretty, they just cater to nobles and the upper class. The Northshield House is a good place to stay but with two caravans arriving this evening, it may book up. Then there's Six Windows. I don't recommend it. I would camp before staying there."

Jaliera

She smiles back at Urlam.

"Thanks. I expect we might just be camping then."

Then she grins.

"Of course we have only just arrived and it would be helpful to know who is the authority here?"

(OOC - Not a big deal, but here is Urlam's post:

"I assume then, since you did not get a description and do not even know if it was a male or female, that your friend is dead. How awful. It is strange for a murderer to leave a weapon behind. That is a foolish thing. Was your friend robbed or do you suspect something worse? I ask because of concern. If there's a murderer about, we should be alert." - so he did specifically ask about Murder as well as robbery. I knew I heard the word Murder someplace. )

Urlam - at the Triboar Travelers

He answered Jaliera's question directly. "The current Lord Protector is Darathra Shendrel. You're likely to find her in the 2-story tower in the center of town."

The building is right in the center of town and obvious to find.

ooc: Yes, Urlam suggested "murder", as part of a probing investigative question and Zhu confirmed it to an extent, providing the information he we trying to extract with that particular line of questioning.