[Game Thread] Dark Wings Over Cold Valley

[LeDragon]

Dark Wings Over Cold Valley

It’s an evening of the early spring in Fewarn. Darkness already covers the town and from the mountains, gusts of cold, dank wind blows through the dirty streets.
The streets are empty. No persons, no lights, even no rats.

Only the warm light of the “Wild boar” shines in the cold darkness and the sound of music and laughter get out.
Inside, the air is filled with the warm smell of food, beer, tabacco, the fire in the chimney and many unwashed persons.

Haali, the innkeeper, runs around, servind food and beer to the customers from all over the world – humans, gnomes, elves, half-elves, dwarves and even two orcs sitting close an ill-tempered gnome who pokes around in his meal mumbling to himself. There are solid wooden table, polished and darkened by the decades of usage. The chairs are also made from solid wood, however, you can notice the wear and scratches of armor and weapons everywhere.

Halli's wife stands behind the bars and fills one tankard after the next with something which is described at best with beer-like. When the kitchen door opens, a young, blonde waitress comes out, carrying filled plates with stew, cooked vegetables and roasted meat, distributing them at the customers and soon entering the kitchen with empty the plates.

On a small wooden stage, a young bard play on his cheap lute, producing something poorly melodic. He drowns it out by singing loud and stamping his feet vigorously on the boards.

OoC You can already post here even if your char is not finished yet.

[Draconis]

As the sun begins to set, Zook and his family (which consists of his father, mother, and uncle) bag up their jewelry on the merchant table beside the Wild Boar. Zook is glad that their job is done for the day and eagerly enters the inn to order an ale. He climbs onto a tall stool sitting at the bar and beckoned the lady serving the drinks. "'Ey, mi lady, he squeals with a toothy grin. "'Ow bought an ale. As the mistress fills him an unnecessarily large mug for Zook's size, he glances around the room, now noticing the two orcs sitting by his uncle. Zook raises a brow in apparent curiosity and turns to grab the mug with both hands, merrily chugging down half the container. A few moments later he lets out a petite burp and turns to the patrons sitting at the bar, looking for a good conversation.

[Nasrith]

Synnia took the pittance she had earned during the escort job from the merchant and slipped it into a pouch attached at her rail-thin waist. She hadn't even bothered to put her pack down and pull out a chair, she detested the company of the orcs so. Swinging her lightly filled pack over her shoulder, the wizard flicked her coal black hair to rest on the opposite side of her face and shot a snarky "See you two never," at the pair of orcs. They growled and bared their pointed tusks at her, and her lip curled in disgust as she walked to the other side of the Wild Boar.

There was an empty stool next to a gnome who had just entered the inn, and Synnia quickly spotted it and took up residence there. She called to the innkeep's wife for a bowl of stew, and paid for it with one of the silvers she had earned. After taking a few spoon-fulls of the slop, she turned to her neighbor, her mind already on her next job. "You wouldn't happen to be a merchant in need of protection, or maybe with a task or two needing to be done, would you?" She had perfected her most businesslike smile for situation like this, and it was on full display.

If only her mother could see her now.

[Draconis]

Zook, the gnome, smiled back at the young woman seated beside him. "Not much needa be done right now. Yes, I'ma merchant in a sense. He sniffs and looks down at the bowl of stew in front of the girl. "Well... sort of anyways. I help mi family out with their jewelry. I dunna know how to make the stuff miself. I help me mom, daia, and uncle." Zook nods towards the gnome eating by the two orcs. "Matta of fact, that's my uncle right ova there." Zook shrugs his small shoulders and continues, "You might ask him. He's our director. Mi mom makes the jewelry and mi da usually runs the errands." The gnome glances all around the room with a puzzled look on his face. "A matter o' fact, I dunna even know where those parents o' mine are. Perhaps they are still puttin' the table down outside." With that the gnome beckons the bar matron and orders some stew. He turns in his seat towards the human awaiting her response while he ever so slowly enjoys his meal.

[Xom]

After a rather difficult day of travel Amola Bezro wandered into Fewarn.
Upon his arrival he was promptly directed to the Wild Boar Inn, and in a blinded daze of exhaustion found himself ordering a rather large meal from the barkeep.
Amola was directed to a table by a young girl with flowing golden hair. Amola thanked the lass and set his pack on the floor next to his chair and took a seat.

Waiting for his meal to arrive he overheard a rather young woman clad in a simple brown robe asking a gnome for some work.
Amola was impressed and confused by her confidence and called out to her, "I could use some help, but you look like you've never worked a day in your life."

[Crystopher]

Ezraelar stepped through the entrance to the Wild Boar, pausing momentarily to take a cursory survey of his surroundings. His eyes passed over the many patrons - a few elves tucked away in a corner, a gnome conversing with a robe-clad woman while scarred man watched them, and most notably a pair of orcs - before he took a seat at an empty table not far from the scarred man. Ezra waited until the serving lady drew close to his table before getting her attention and placing his order, "I'd like a meal of the meat and vegetables I smelled coming in here, if you wouldn't mind." It wasn't very long before he enjoying the succulent taste of a warm meal after nothing but trail rations and fish for a week. Ezra ate his food in silence, his hazel eyes occasionally glancing around the bar.

[ifdesign]

Few patrons of the busy inn notice the faint barefooted steps of the young woman descending the stairs from the rooms above. Those watching notice her stop at the bottom of the stairs, her eyes fixed on the poor sight of the lute-playing bard. “Now this won’t do” she mumbles quietly to herself. The jingle of bracelets resounds as she gracefully approaches the small wooden stage. She steps up to the stage, smiling at the bard.

Easily recognizing the familiar song, she starts singing along, dancing rhythmically around her fellow musician as she goes.

My love for Fewarn is so great,
Hearts melts for her 'til dusk of day.
The nights are long when I’m away,
When I return, my worries abate.

The trav’ler knows her beauty, pure,
Wanderer of her roads and fields.
Lest one should want a filling meal
And down it with the finest liqueur.

After exchanging a few brief words with the bard, the young woman steps to the front of the stage, makes a brief curtsey with her short skirt and announces "Rayka Tomlin, singer dancer extraordinaire!"

Smiling, she hops off the stage and adds "Anyone care to quench the thirst of a pretty lady?" as she wanders the crowd. Before waiting for an answer she finds a stool at the bar near a black haired woman and a gnome, pleasantly enjoying a meal. She takes a seat, leaning against the worn wood of the counter and waits for the attention of Haali.

[tilbert]

really? in there?

The extend care with which Thalia binds the impressive ram, Thalis, to the bar in front of the Wild Boar is not only the expression for the affection she had for the animal, but also for the reluctance to enter the place in front of her. Through the door opened by a heavy loaded human escapes the sound a singing voice mixing slightly drunk, raucous brawling, some warm light and a invisible cloud of sweaty air. Thalia turns to finally enter the door, but halts to softly crawl Thalis head for a moment.

Heaving a long sigh she puts on her best fake-smile and enters the Wild Boar. When the door shuts in her back, she scans tap room and the patron in it. When she notices the orcs across room, she instinctively bares her teeth for a brief moment, wiping away the smile. With snort she knocks one end of her staff on the wooden floor and turns away from the savage patrons.

Noticing the almost empty table, with only one man sitting at it, she steers to an empty seat. An clears her throat to catch the half-elves attention.

Do you mind?

[Nasrith]

Synnia turned her head slowly, looking behind her at where Zook had gestured. Already knowing who his uncle was on account that he was the only other gnome on the premises, the movement was for show only. "That's your uncle? I just came here with him, and hopefully that's the the last of that group I ever see."

"No offense to your uncle," she was quick to add. "Hiring me was a stroke of genius on his part, but I can't say the same about his other acquisitions. Those two are disgusting."

----------

She heard a man's voice call her out from behind, and instead of simply turning her head to see who he was, she spun her whole body around on the barstool. She had half a mind to fire a blast of magical energy at the plainly dressed man's dinner, just to show him how wrong he was. Her tongue was already half-twisted into forming the first words of a spell when she caught herself. Her eyes flicked over the man's facial features, taking special notice of the scar that ran to his chin, and that supplied her with her response. "Just because I don't let anyone close enough to give me one of those," she quipped, gesturing to the nasty looking piece on his face, "doesn't mean I can't and don't hold my own when I'm called upon to do so. Now what could you use help with?"

----------

Before the man even had time to respond, her eyes, as well as those of almost everyone in the inn - certainly every man - turned to the stage. The clumsy amateur of a bard had been joined by one with much more skill. For the duration of her song, Synnia forgot everything else on her mind, and when the woman stopped and stepped down, the wizard felt a wave of disappointment come over her. This, however, was short lived. When she saw the singer coming to sit down by her, she was ecstatic. "Tease," she accused before the woman could even sit down. "You really they're gonna let you sit here when all they have is him to entertain them?"

"By the way," she uttered, "I'm Synnia." She offered a wispy hand to the newest arrival, and then to Zook, who she hadn't forgotten about despite the ample distractions.

[Crystopher]

Ezraelar, havng been taken in by the attractve bard's song and dance, was broken out of the spell by a distinctive sound indicating his attention was sought. He looked in the direction of where the sound came from and smiled at the halfling woman who had asked to sit at his table. "Not at all, miss, the company woud be nice." Ezra leaned over to the seat beside him and pushed it out for her. "What brings you to the area?" Ezra asked, attempting to make light conversation.

[LeDragon]

The young bard’s eyes follow every of Rayka’s movements with a slightly dreamy smile. However, her performance improves his musical skills a lot. When the new bard leaves the stage, he jumps back on the stage, and then starts with a new song.

"Oh beautiful lady there
don’t break my heart here
Why don’t you continue to dance?
Everyone gives you a glance
Why don’t’ you continue to sing?
Your voice makes my ears to ring"

He batters a few chords on his lute to support his spontaneous rhymed request and makes an inviting hand gesture on the stage.
Suddenly, you all start to realize why he plays in the “Wild boar.”

During this pleasant moment of musical silence, the door opens and two elder men enter together with a blast of cold air and some rain drops.
Outside, you can see an impressive, barded ram which looks quite unhappily inside.

The men, both dressed in worn robes and mended leather armour but without visible weapons, hurry to a table at the left side where three other men with similar clothes seem to wait for them.
They seem to know the newcomers well, because they greet them - as common between men - with rude words but immediately stop when they see the solemn and grim faces.

The newcomers take seats and put the heads together. Haali, who immediately arrives to collect orders, is driven away by resolute gesture.

"… found Karafin’s caravan… no survivors…. close to Cold Valley… talked to the guards..."

Some mumbling follows.

"… tell the reeve …"

This remark is followed by some scornful laughter.

"...expensive... same as robbed..."

"... accuse orcs ... toll dodge...send his whole army..."

The men nod of assent. Then, after a moment of silence, the men who were already in the "Wild Boar" take a deep gulp from their beers.

[thuglife236]

Sebastian playfully rolled his mug in his palm, taking in the scenery around him. His brother Mathieu had immediately rose to his feet to meet the beautiful songstress before Sebastian restrained him.

"Patience brother, enjoy your libations and company will find us."In the meantime he noticed two orcs, and already holding his brothers sleeve, led the siblings to the table.

He sat next to the burlier of the pair and placed his right elbow on the table, hand raised in the air while he lifted an eyebrow to the orc.

"Care to wager a drink and a warm meal to a match of strength?"

He had plenty of coin, but noone was ever noticed drinking quietly at a bar, save from the naturally alluring beautiful people.

Now fully engaged, Sebastian clenched the muscles in his hand and bicep in an attempt to bring the orcs hand down. During this adolescent display of strength and pride, the large human couldn't help but overhear a group of travellers whispering in such a solemn tone that only indicated danger or corruption, maybe both. Now, the collective attention of the bar was turning toward Seb, who was more than holding his own against the larger creature. His anchor tattoo was glistening with sweat on his bicep, and Sebastian was grinning in confidence as the orc struggled against the warriors powerful grip.

Strength roll: 16

[ifdesign]

With a playful lift of her eyebrow, Rayka smiles at the dark haired woman sitting next to her. “Oh, don’t be so hard on him,” she says lightly. “He’s quite good if you give him the chance.” Almost in time with her response, the onstage performer lifts his lute and begins a new, spirited song.

“I’m Rayka, by the way. And I’d love to get to know you but you’ll have to excuse me as I think I just got an invitation to dance.” Rayka throws a wink at Synnia as she propels herself back towards the stage.

She smoothly hops back on the stage to the welcomed hoots and hollars of the crowd. Giving a mischievous smile to the bard, she turns to face the crowd and begins stomping and twisting her body with the sounds of his song.

 

Originally Posted by ifdesign

Dice * Perform: Dance:

Despite her obvious inclination for attention, she doesn’t seem to dance for anyone but herself. Eyes closed, legs stretched, skirt twirling; never looking out into the crowd. Her thin arms clap in time with the beat. She moves as though no one watched her. Completely lost to the sounds of the lute and her own rhythmic movement.

[Draconis]

Synnia remarks about Zook's uncle just as another gnome enters the inn. Zook lets out a mischievous laugh. "Oye, sorry mi lady. I must 'ave been mistaken." Zook points to the gnome that just entered, carrying a small table, and retreating up the stairs. "That be mi uncle there." Zook turns his head to hide a smile.

When the dancer came to sit by Synnia and Zook, Zook's eyes were filled with marvelous thoughts. "Mi lady, mi lady, what moves you have! More... more.... more!" With that the dancer returned to the stage as the bard started to play a new song. The gnome seemed to be oblivious to the men talking in hushed words.

[Xom]

Amola was taken aback by the young woman's comment about his scar. He had completely forgotten of his wound, and this rather potent reminder left him stunned.
At any rate his meal had just arrived, and some new dancer had caught everyone's attention.
So he ate and thought back to the days of his youth and what a fool he had been.

Amola felt a refreshing cool breeze brush across his brow and glanced up from his meal for a moment, and saw two men walk inside.
Something about these men seemed familiar but he couldn't quite recall what.
Curious, his eyes followed them to a distant table with several other men all wearing the same garb. They were whispering about something.
Amola hoisted up his pack in one hand, and the remainder of his meal in the other. He then made way over the table next to these mystery men, almost tripping over an excited little gnome on his way.

Amola dropped his pack on floor with a dull thud then tossed his meal onto the table, and sat down.
He looked up to meet the gaze of Half-elf and a Halfling with remarkably curly Hair.
"Hi, I'm... I'm well, uh, dont mind me." and with that he turned in his chair to see if he could overhear what the men were talking about.