(Tavern) City of Orussus, The Red Dragon Inn IV

[Creamsteak]

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The Red Dragon Inn
The Red Dragon Inn is home to a motley sort of people. Located near an incredibly life-like statue of a Great Red Wyrm, rumored to in fact be a petrified dragon. Surrounded by a complex of two taverns and a huge inn with hundreds of rooms of flexible cost, the Red Dragon only irks a small amount of it's costs from the ale and bedding. In fact, most of the profits accumulated at the Red Dragon come from individuals that may never have set foot inside at all.

The Red Dragon is the functioning base of operation of a huge number of adventuresome individuals. Oftentimes a wealthy employer will post an advertisement at the establishment, costing anywhere from nothing for those who need help the most, to hundreds of thousands of gold pieces from kindoms farther away than most people knew the world stretched.

Who sets these prices? The bartender, an infamous brewer by the name of Joe Smith. His reputation is in his bar, and the bar is in his heart. He makes the decision to let the poor and neady post warrants, jobs, and anything else for pennies, while charging absolutely abusive amounts of money for the wealthy to have a similar contract. People pay what he thinks they should pay, and all but those that shouldn't be posting here anyway make the concessions to do so.

This has allowed the bar to grow to it's incredible size. Many a new table was paid for by a simple advertisement. And, in exchange, the Red Dragon is open and often free to it's clients. Drinks of all sorts, wines, ale, milk, and foreign fruits all make their way to the Red Dragon, where anything is possible. The only people not permitted in the Red Dragon are those that offend the barkeep.

Many people tell the stories about the historical figures that have graced the Red Dragon. Many of these stories are told in the stories of bards and the wives tales of the oldest bar maids. The interior is ever changing, some tables being made of common woods, and others being purchased at extreme costs to accomodate the best of heroes and nobles. If someone doesn't like linen bedsheets, oftentimes silk will be imported within the hour to cover those that need it. Of course, this tends to be the path to offending old Joe, but he won't kick you out till your willing to leave on your own.

The dragon's eyes glow at night, acting as a beacon. The street lights on the paths outside allow for an excellent night-time environment. By the time everyone wakes up, they can find a bed of toasted breads, morning pastries, cheeses, eggs, and if they need something special, it only takes a few minutes to make. The Red Dragon is obviously a fine place to spend a night. Of course, the clientel that come her most often are also the same kind of folk that always find themselves on the road, and having a home away from home is a huge reason why they all return here eventually.

The first thing any visitor should do, upon entering the the Red Dragon, is shuffle up to Joe. The barmaids try to ensure that this happens promptly, because Joe can't stand anyone that doesn't say hi at the very least. The second thing Joe does to any visitor, is to get them to shout out their name and any important facts about themselves that others might need to know. Then, third, the entire bar greets the newcomer and gets back to their drinking. It's all just customery, but Joe sure does appreciate it.

[Sparky]

A tall, lean human dressed in well-worn leathers edges in. Pausing in the doorway she stares around, amazed and wary. She flinches as a gaggle of merry patrons brush by her on their way out. She growls quietly, brow furrowed, hands flickering over her fierce array of weapons in what is cleary a reflexive check. She relaxes as she puts a hand on a small, heavily carved wooden flute that hangs on a long, beaded string around her neck. Taking a deep breath, she walks to the nearest occupied table and makes an inquiry.

She smells of pelts and soap and wind. Her voice is raspy, "John Smith?"

[Hof]

Just returning from a brief stroll through the town, Dioran re-enters the tavern. He compliments the maids on their excellent skills ("You really cleaned the house this time") before sitting down at the bar.

After straightening his coat and rubbing his bald scalp absent mindedly, Dioran addresses the crowd: "So, what's new in the world today?"

Hof

[Protean]

A tall lean man strolls gently towards the bar. His humble black hood, slids gently down, revealing a tightly knit braid and shapely goatee, both black. " I present myself, Joseph Dar`maryon, a hunter of bounties and other anequities. I am at the service of all. I also have quite a compliment of wines at my disposal if it pleases any."

[GPEKO]

One of the two ugly half-orc who have been looking for work around the red dragon inn addresses the tall woman. "You tall she ! Say name because Big Joe mad when people not do that. It be easy." He points to himself. "Me Gath."

Gath turns to Joseph, "Wine ? Good but me prefer gloobock*. What you got ? Me low on coins but still thirsty."

*beer in orcish

[Protean]

Originally Posted by GPEKO

One of the two ugly half-orc who have been looking for work around the red dragon inn addresses the tall woman. "You tall she ! Say name because Big Joe mad when people not do that. It be easy." He points to himself. "Me Gath."

Gath turns to Joseph, "Wine ? Good but me prefer gloobock*. What you got ? Me low on coins but still thirsty."

*beer in orcish

"A smattering of varieties. I'll part with a bottle for you. Joseph gets up and hands the half-orc a bottle of 'Cher'brough Fairmont', a soft white.

[Kahuna Burger]

The door to the red dragon opens and middle aged human man steps into the main room. He is wearing clothes of fancy make but common cloth and what would seem to be some sort of sash of office. Stepping up to the bar, he briefly converses with the barman before turning to the folks at the various tables.

"Hello, all, I am Councilman Therick of the township Bluerun. I have come looking for those who would aid us in our current crisis. We are beset by a gang of bandits who raid our businesses and harrass our citizens. Our watch is made up of good men, but they are few and unused to dealing with such blatent disregard for the law. I ask for the aid of any who can give it..."

[Hof]

After hearing the councilman's words, Dioran stands up.
"We are sorry to hear of your plight, sir. Perhaps we can be of some assistance. We would, of course, require a little more information before committing ourselves. What kind of risks would we be facing, and what manner of compensation is to persuade us to take said risks?"

[Kahuna Burger]

Originally Posted by Hof

After hearing the councilman's words, Dioran stands up.
"We are sorry to hear of your plight, sir. Perhaps we can be of some assistance. We would, of course, require a little more information before committing ourselves. What kind of risks would we be facing, and what manner of compensation is to persuade us to take said risks?"

"The risks I cannot easily judge, for I am not a warrior as yourselves. These bandits attack in groups, covering their individual weaknesses with the bullying of a pack. They are mostly ruffians, though with each raid is one or two leaders, who have somehow aquired steeds and weapons above their station. They are whoresons one and all, even flaunting the name as if such birth was something to be proud of. While they plague our peaceful village, I believe they would turn and flee a strong opposition like the curs they are."

The councilman has become redfaced as he speaks and takes a moment to sip his drink and regain his composure. "As for the reward, there is some money in our treasury and many of the citizens have volunteered assets as well. We are prepared to pay out coins and small gems in a total value of 500 gold peices on your successful rout of these bandits. Then, if they do not return in two months time, we will pay the same amount again. I'm sure it is less than you could make in other endevours, but I am apealing as much to your charity as your greed..."

[buzzard]

Having gotten the idea that some sort of introduction to the bartender was customary, Lupic ambled up to Joe and introduces himself -"I am Lupic. I wish to be adventurer. Right now I am very poor adventurer, you need bouncer?"

[In the meantime, he has been following the bald man Dioran around like a puppy. Rather like a dog, anything that threatened him was growled at. ]

Upon hearing a request for adventurers to aid a town he steps up "I will help. Bandits are no good. I can crush the life from them so they no longer hurt you".

buzzard

[Hof]

"Both greed and charity we can display in equal measure, but your offer sounds more than fair. We will assist you in what way we can, though we doubt to be a warrior, as you put it, capable of dispatching with a mounted bully in direct combat. Still, we may yet have some tricks up our sleeves which will help get rid of these ruffians one way or the other."

Near the end of his small anouncement, Dioran appeared just a little too eager. He takes a deep breath to calm himself before continuing in a more sedate tone.

"How far will we have to travel? Have you made relevant arrangements or should we?"
He turns to face the other inn customers.
"Lupic, we would like it if you were to accompany us, as indeed you stated you would. Will anyone else join us? Mister Dar'Maryon and Gath, perhaps? And you as wel, miss.. er.. " Dioran observes the somewhat savage looking woman in the least offensive manner he can achieve "..Mylady warrior?"

[Protean]

A smirk resides on the left corner of Joseph Dar`maryon's lip, tendly nurturing the tightened lines of his face. "I would be most pleased to accompany you, Master Dioran. Perhaps it would be best if all involved in this matter make their way to a cozier space. Contracts and strategy should be discussed while matters are still warm in our hearts."

Rising from his seat, Joseph Dar'maryon picks up the best of his red wines with lithe fingers. "Sir Councilman, how would you enjoy a glass of 'De'vrou Silhouette'? Sirs Lupic, and Gath? As well as our fair lady of nature's wiles?"

[Sparky]

The warrior woman looks up as people file in and address the room. She shifts her shoulders uncomfortably.

Her eyes flash and she turns to the speakers, "Rainca did not know the custom. Barav Kree names are sung, but Rainca does not think this is the place for a proper name giving." She purses her lips and looks out of a window. Shrugging, she moves to a clear space on the floor and drops to her knees facing the room. She bows her head and begins to sing a low, wordless melody with a powerful, flute-like voice. She raises her head, singing still, and unlimbers a javelin from her pack, she holds it flat in front of her as the tune takes on a martial tone. She jabs it skyward three times, spinning it in the air before plunging it into the wooden planks of the floor. The melody shifts and is sad, longing. She lifts the flute around her neck by its beaded cord, eyes tearing with memory and the passion of her singing. She cries out one last ringing note and holds it until her breath fails. She bows her head again, lowering the flute on its cord. Rainca sits like that for a time before getting up. She dusts off her knees and wrenches the javelin out of the wooden planks.

"Rainca has introduced herself." She toes the significant gouge in the floor, "Rainca would also like to apologize for marring the floor." She looks up and around pausing for a moment before walking to the gathering near the sashed councilman. She swiftly stows her javelin.

She looks at Dioran. "Mylady..." she grins a feral, predator's grin, "Rainca has not heard such talk in many, many seasons."

She squints at councilman, "The Barav Kree are mighty and have vanquished more than bandits. But we should not speak of the blood we will spill and the songs we will sing over the dead in this place, it is a place of hospitality." She fishes a blue-glazed earthen mug out of her pack.

[Hof]

Dioran makes a full formal bow towards Rainca, with a sudden wink just before he stand straight again.

"Mylady, you have a most moving name, though we fear we could never pronounce it with such an artistic display. But we digress, indeed we should leave here. Oh.." Dioran casts a Mending spell to repair the floor. "...you need not apologize for such minor damage to good master Smiths floor, we think. Let us then depart.."

[buzzard]

Originally Posted by Hof

Dioran makes a full formal bow towards Rainca, with a sudden wink just before he stand straight again.

"Mylady, you have a most moving name, though we fear we could never pronounce it with such an artistic display. But we digress, indeed we should leave here. Oh.." Dioran casts a Mending spell to repair the floor. "...you need not apologize for such minor damage to good master Smiths floor, we think. Let us then depart.."

"OK we go."
[Aside to Dioran as they leave]
"Umm what was Lady's name? All I heard was singing. She say she is Racina, but also sing bunch of stuff. Which is it? I guess it is Racina. "

buzzard

[Hof]

Originally Posted by buzzard

[Aside to Dioran as they leave]
"Umm what was Lady's name? All I heard was singing. She say she is Racina, but also sing bunch of stuff. Which is it? I guess it is Racina. "

"The lady calls herself Rainca, so we suppose that, even if it were not her actual name, she prefers to be adressed as such. As to her singing, we're sure you know as much about the deeper meaning as we do. But, please, do not let us stand in your way from asking her what you wish to know yourself."

[GPEKO]

Gath pulls his large polearm from his back and responds to Dioran "Yeah, me also want to join. Coins be good and bandits be easy smashing. Now, let's glook to be ready for fight." With that the half-orc breaks the top of his wine bottle on a nearby table and drinks almost half of it in one go. While doing so, he slightly cuts his lips on the jagged edges and puts some wine all over his face. Not even pausing to wipe himself, he offers the rest of the bottle to the others. "Want some ?"

[Sparky]

Rainca blinks at the floor and turns her hawkish gaze on Dioran, then Lupic, she squints at them both and looks back at the floor. Holding out her mug to Gath she gives a curt nod and says, "When the Kree speak they call me Rainca. This is also my name." She tosses back a mouthful of any wine that Gath manages to pour into her mug.

"Yellow wine. Rainca prefers red." She looks uncomfortable again, "Rainca is ready to go... too many bodies too close." She wrinkles her nose.

[Scorpio]

The door swings open, and a hunched man enters the Tavern. Closing the door and shaking off the weather, he stands tall and glances around the room.He removes his tricorn hat and sloughs his cape over his left arm. Long dark haired and moustached, He sees a gap at the bar and makes for it. Sidling up to it he makes eye contact with the tender and nods.
"A mead, or a grog, or an ale, whatever ye have handy,sir."
He glances around the room, fumbling for his pipe and smoke.

[Kahuna Burger]

Originally Posted by Hof

"How far will we have to travel? Have you made relevant arrangements or should we?"

Therick nods to the inn door. "I have brought means of transport, though it lacks a certain style. If you have horses of your own it might be wise to bring them. Please, come with me, and we can begin at once, I worry for my family while I am away..."