[Game Thread] Trouble in the Land

[HBlossom]

"I am called Gabby Toulaine. I am heartened that you would throw in with me in this endeavor. I have some skill with a bow."Gabby tipped one slightly pointy ear toward the bow slung over her shoulder, her eyes earnest and her lips curled in a confident smile. Gabby's blue green eyes and hair caught the afternoon sun. She holds out her hand to her two new companions.

[Explosionguy]

"Pleased to make your acquaintance, Miss Toulaine. My name is Genericho Brando."

Genericho firmly shakes Gabby's hand. With a wide smile, he shares his own skills.

"I've been given the auspicious duty of scribing for the church of Abadar, though I have shown an aptitude for the martial arts. The church has been concerned with this most pressing matter, so I have volunteered to help."

The man turns back to the other men presenting the quest. Seeing the group of people and the dwindling number of scrolls, he begins to head in the direction of the men, sword jingling slightly as he takes a step.

"Let's not delay here too long; it looks like this is a limited time offer!"

[Valistar]

"So it is judged. I am Zuma, taxmaster and enforcer of Abadar. I am young, but that hasn't made me any less capable" Zuma shakes Gabby's hand firmly while looking her right in the eyes, a feat in and of itself given that Zuma is only 4'7". After having completed the application process for the group Zuma grabs the scroll for the group. "Alright, lets get a move on. There is money that isn't where it is supposed to be and I intend to fix that problem." Zuma takes a good look over the scroll before tossing it in hir backpack and then heading off toward the road to Argent.

[Explosionguy]

"Zuma, ever the proactive one. I believe I'm prepared for this journey, so let us go."

Genericho adjusts the straps on his backpack so it sits more comfortably and goes along with Zuma.

"Coming with us, Gabby?"

[HBlossom]

"Yes. I believe we will make a fine team. Are you provisioned well?"

[Aarroun]

The group turns from the courtyard, crosses the twin bridges and pass through the nobles quarter before turning north through the merchants quarter, heading towards the Dragon Gate. Beyond the gate, a few inns and shops cluster around the road in the narrow space between the city's walls and the Loran River. A wide bridge arcs over the slow moving ribbon of sparkling blue, touching down to the Trader's Highway which arrows off to the East and West, straight and unwavering until it reaches the mountain foothills.

After following the road for most of the day, you arrive at a sizable roadside inn nestled a half-mile into the forested foothills. It's lofted stables are all but empty, having room for many pack animals and their wagons besides. Welcoming light spills from the tall front windows, a spacious common room lit by wall mounted lanterns can be seen within; an unlit fire pit in the middle for winter months. The place is busy despite the lack of their usual clients; music and laughter spill from the open door, above which hangs a lantern-lit sign proudly proclaiming this to be the Fat Pony.

[HBlossom]

Gabby starts humming as her party nears the Fat Pony. They aren't quite close enough to hear words, but the music sounds familiar. "Gentlemen, I could do with a hot meal. I haven't heard music like that in some time!" Gabby inhales, detecting horse manure, sweet, sun-warmed evergreens, summer flowers, the sweat of men, and rather tempting mutton. There also might be something else on the air. Gabby's mother warned her about busy places like this so she rechecks her belt pouch and keeps as safe a distance as can be managed from the strangers in this new place.

[Explosionguy]

"Yes, we should probably stop here for the evening. Much as I wish I didn't have to sleep, we will need our rest. I wonder what they have for dinner?"

Genericho looks in the windows before entering the inn.

[Valistar]

Zuma shrugs. "Wouldn't hurt to continue, but being well rested helps ensure continued survival." The half orc simply just walks into the inn, not terribly worried about normal decor for such places. On the other hand, this was Zuma's first time going into an inn that wasn't about to be audited. Shi looks around the main room before heading over to the person behind the counter. "Do you have any rooms available? Oh... sorry... My name is Zuma, and these are my traveling companions, do you have any rooms available for travelers such as us?" Zuma was definitely not used to having to be nice to people. Usually people were scared of having their money taken or being sent to jail or something, and that is the way shi liked it. Nothing like some good old fashioned fear to keep people in line. Typically worked best on the wealthy since they were the most likely to be attempting tax evasion or other such lawlessness. The peasants rarely earned enough to even be worth the time and effort it took to collect the taxes from them. Zuma takes another look around the room and quickly assesses the people there to verify that there was no immediate threat.

[Aarroun]

Upon stepping inside a few people look up from their conversations and meals to see who's arrived but the newcomers are taken in stride and talk continues. The musician, that same dapper bard from earlier, doesn't miss a beat as he nods his greetings to the party. Some talk can be overheard that suggests some alliances are being made here, as many of the patrons came from the king's summons; there's safety in numbers after all. The rest of the patrons appear to be locals here for gossip and dinner.

A couple human waitresses expertly weave through the tables delivering food and drink from the kitchen in the back, one of them taps a dwarf on the shoulder, pointing at the door. He turns and seeing new customers, springs into motion, "Welcome, welcome! I am Otik. Yes, we do have some rooms left; as it stands they're four gold a night, including two meals a day. We can arrange to have you all in the same or separate rooms. Alternatively you can sleep here in the common room for five silver a-piece, though I can't say how late it'll be afore you manage that feat." He says, with a meaningful glance towards the lively crowd. "Our beds are guaranteed pest free, except for what you bring with you, and the baths are available to any guest." As he pauses to await your decisions it does occur to you that the stable's loft could also offer shelter, though Otik likely wouldn't appreciate the observation.

[Explosionguy]

The place seemed cozy to Genericho, though it was a bit beyond his comfort zone considering the rural area. As the bard nodded to the group, Genericho nodded in return in appreciation. When the dwarf approached the group and finished his greeting, the man responded in kind.

"Greetings, Otik. I am scribe Brando; blessings be upon this place. Would you mind if I had a look at your rooms?"

Genericho felt that it would be best to get a room for the group instead of sleeping in the commons. He enjoyed services and products of good quality and wasn't afraid to pay extra to get them when he could afford it.

[Valistar]

Zuma eyes the man suspiciously then looks back to the other two. "Quite expensive, even with the provided meals but if you desire to stay I guess we can. I do not have the money though I could help pay for my share of the room." It was times like this that being an enforcer had its problems... like not having any money because it was all spent on gear. Oh well.

[HBlossom]

Gabby was none too comforted by the idea of sleeping out of doors, yet again, and looked forward to having some of the food she saw others enjoying at their tables. She had also become comfortable enough with her companions who both seemed to be seriously interested in getting to work and not particularly prone to funny business that she considered and announced,"I can pony up 2 gold for this night if you don't mind sharing a space." She pursed her lips and looked at Zuma and Genericho earnestly."What say you two?"

[Valistar]

"Sounds like a plan. I call the floor!" Zuma was too young to really be concerned with "funny business" but was slowly getting to that age. Curious would likely be the appropriate phase that Zuma was at, but dedication to hir work prevented any more than that. As for the floor... Zuma had long ago become used to sleeping on hard surfaces and claimed it helped hir rather sunny demeanor (yes, sarcasm). "Maybe after we get settled we can have a proper chat over a meal."

[Aarroun]

Otik accepts the gold with a smile and leads the group, skirting the common room, up a tall stair case to the second floor. The stairs open up to a comfortable looking lounge area overlooking the commons with two hallways leading off the back to the guest rooms. The landing wraps around the sides off the inn, stopping at the front wall and providing a ceiling for multiple booths below and more space for tables above. With the high ceiling of the inn, it appears there could be a third floor, however there aren't any visible stairs leading there.

Otik takes you straight down the left hall, all the way to the back and, producing a key, unlocks the door, "This is one of our larger rooms for accommodating larger groups, I hope you'll find it sufficient." It has two low beds with fresh sheets against the right wall and a folding screen propped up against the far wall next to a claw-footed copper tub. A window faces out the back of the inn; the curtains shut.

Otik hands over the key to Genericho and addresses the party, "When you're ready to eat feel free to come down, Helen or Maria can help you out. If you'd like to get clean, the bath house can be reached by going around the inn from the front. I don't have the staffing at present to have hot water brought up, so you'll have to excuse the inconvenience."