(IC) A Hard Time in Harrowdale

[crazy_monkey1956]

Selua sits quietly, sipping at her drink but otherwise not touching the food. She glances back at her mule often, as if worried someone might take it.

She raises an eyebrow at the turn of conversation toward who might fancy whom, but says nothing. Finally, and somewhat abruptly she says to the Calishite, "These masked men, were they bandits or more personal enemies? Might the people of this town be in danger from them?"

[Voda Vosa]

"I don't truly know my lady. I have my suspicious, but they are of course, unfounded. I thought that 'gentleman' that contracted our services could make a good amount of gold retrieving both his payment and his goods. I... just accepted the contract recklessly. I'll never forgive myself for that." Abde'Ragman says sadly. He finishes his meal, and push his dish to the centre of the table. "I thank you for the food" he says to the other elf with a small smile.

[Walking Dad]

"'kay, Eva', you are the big brain. What we doing next? Lookin' fer a new job?" Storn asks Evanar after finishing one of his ales.

[Scott DeWar]

" well, now that Uncle Niles is at is trade terminus, we canhire out for another job. or we can see if there is any thing exciting going on." It is quite apperent that evanar is looking for something new here. "maybe we can find something by listening in on what is being spoken about?"

[Arkhandus]

A human waitress brings Evanar and Storn their drinks, while the moon elven man at the bar brings Fayne his ale. The cheap ale they serve is just 4 copper a mug, but each is asked "Would you like one of our better drinks? Anything in particular?"

At the bar, the three mercenaries continue their chat. The tall Cormyrian ex-soldier says "Not much work here for us, from what I've heard, but maybe we can find a caravan to Sembia, or a ship to someplace that needs us more. Otherwise I think we're stuck here 'til that Niles fella needs t' leave."

His bearded half-elven companion replies quietly "We could take the Halfaxe Trail to Hillsfar, and seek work around the Moonsea. I wouldn't be welcome there, but we could take the road west to Voonlar, and find mercenary work there."

The leatherclad Cormyrian next to him shakes his head, and mutters "Nothin' good can come o' workin' s' close t' Zhents. If we don't git sent t' fight 'em, they might jes' pressgang us. I mean, that's what they do, ain't it? 'S what I heard anyway.... Mebbe we find a ship t' the Dragon Coast?"

The tall one responds "Don't know we'd find any work there that wouldn't end with us gettin' stabbed in the back and robbed. Maybe work in the Vast...."

[Scott DeWar]

Evanar pays the waitress 16cp for the three ales, then says to storn, perhaps i need to get the caravan going again quicker. you want to keep your ears open for more work?

[Walking Dad]

"'kay, Eva', I stay with the ales and hear for more work." Storn says to Evanar before ordering two more ales.

[Scott DeWar]

evanar finisihes his ale and heads out the door. he continues to where his uncle is unloading and upon arrival he joins with the unloading to get his uncle ready all the faster.

[Myth and Legend]

Abrielle shook her head with contempt. "The dishonesty of some of these mainlanders never ceases to amaze me. This would not have happened in Evermeet." She then faced the tall man and smiled "You are welcome. And I trust Selua enjoyed her drink at least. Let me ask around and see how we can find the Sun Elven mistress of this town."

The Elven girl stood and went over to find Bess or the proprietor and ask them what would be the best way to seek out an audience with Ellarian Dawnhorn. Gather Information: 16+8=24

[Rhun]

Fayne shakes his head to the elven barman, indicating that the cheap ale is just fine. He takes the copper coins out of a pocket in his clock, and drops them on the bar. He adds an extra coin for the barman, even though he really couldn't spare it under his current circumstances.

Then, he turns about, leaning against the bar, and casually surveys the common room as he sips at his ale. All the while though, he continues to eavesdrop on the nearby mercenaries. He may not find work listening to their chat, but he was already learning something of the local geography.

[Voda Vosa]

"Yes, that would do me great good" The man says, standing and walking behind Abrielle, standing still with his staff in hand.

[crazy_monkey1956]

Selua watches Abrielle and the Calishite leave, then returns to her mule, content to sit and watch passerby again, at least for the moment.

[Arkhandus]

North Gate Plaza

Abrielle questions Bess and the diner's proprietor, Bess' father Joss, and they tell her that from what they've heard, the constable Ellarian Dawnhorn can usually be found at the Gaoler's House near the south end of Harrowdale, when she isn't leading patrols around Halvan's Keep and the docks in the evening. The Gaoler's House is a sturdy, two-story stone building with gray shingles and no windows beyond the front room, according to Joss. The Guardhouse barracks lie next to it, a much wider log structure.

West Gate Plaza/The Treehouse Tap

Evanar starts helping Uncle Niles unload the wagons, while Storn hangs around the Treehouse Tap and drinks some more cheap ale to pass the time while he listens to the other tavern patrons. The others seem to be traveling merchants, local workers, a few elves heading for the Elven Court in eastern Cormanthor, and a few people just here visiting family, from what Storn overhears. The only thing of note said so far is the rumor of treasure buried somewhere in the ruins of Halvan's Keep at the northwest edge of town, and grumbling mention that the city guards charge anyone coming out of there 50 gold peices, so it's usually not worth the bother of going in to search.

Fayne looks around the common room and sees Storn and Evanar, as the latter gets up and leaves. He recognizes both as being around the caravan before he had come in here, so he figures they must be other caravan guards, like the three he was eavesdropping on.

Those three continue discussing their possible plans, but now it's talk about caravan work and how likely it is they'll find a caravan or ship going someplace more profitable for mercenaries. Then conversation shifts to personal preferences and what place they'd rather try to go to for work. None of it is very useful or informative, and after they finish their first drinks, the three mercenaries head out for the docks to check around. Fayne hears their first names during the conversation, but nothing else useful; Malark, Evendur, and Rhistel.

OOC Edit: There'll be more a little later tonight. Never mind, too late and too tired, too busy earlier.

[Myth and Legend]

Abrielle clapped her hands and smiled: "Well then, why don't we go and meet mistress Elaria? Oh, and Abde'Ragman, do you think that Selua might wish to join us? She seems religious, perhaps her deity has some special mission for her here..."

[Voda Vosa]

"Perhaps. I do not know her wishes; she seems contempt with her equine, ask her if you think it's wise my lady." The wizard replies.

[Myth and Legend]

The elf shook her head and headed out, after paying for her meal. "Nonsense, we will convince her to come. Look at her, just standing there next to her mule - where's the fun in that?"

Abrielle then proceeds to wave at Selua and asks her to come with them. "Whatever your business in Harrowdale, you would only benefit from meeting the town's head. Care to join us Selua?"

[crazy_monkey1956]

Selua cocks her head to the side and regards Abrielle as a wolf might regard something that has piqued its curiosity. Finally, she speaks, "Sehanine led me to this place, though I knew not her purpose in doing so. I have waited for a sign from Sehanine to lead me to that purpose. It is possible that Sehanine has led you to me. So be it."

Selua unties her mule and leads it by the reins as she follows Abrielle.

[Arkhandus]

West Gate Plaza

As Evanar, Uncle Niles, and the boys finish unloading the first wagon, a man staggers in through the West Gate, clothes torn and bloody gashes across his arms and torso..... He pants in exhaustion, looking about frantically, and staggers over to the caravan. Niles and the boys are moving some chests of iron ore while Evanar is turning back to the wagon to grab the last box, when he sees the man.

The poor sod approaches Evanar, a pleading look in his eyes. "Ple~ase, s-sir!" he says, voice quivering, "You m-must help me~! Fetch the guard- the const-table! Anyone! My- my son! My son is still out there! Oh, Torm help us!" the man cries out, breaking down into sobs as he falls to his knees, too weary to walk any further. He looks to be one of the Dalesfolk.

Niles and the boys are startled, dropping the chest of ore, which clatters with a loud *CLUNK* as it lands sideways and pops open, a few pieces of ore spilling out. Niles mutters "What the...? Gods! Evanar, help the poor man! What did he say?!"

In the Treehouse Tap, Storn and Fayne faintly hear the clunk and clatter from outside, as do some of the other patrons. Most just dismiss it, but the elves can all tell that it was something heavy falling. At a gesture from the male barkeep, a halfling server carefully goes to take a peek outside.

The Gaoler's House

Abrielle, Selua, and Abde'ragman walk down the quaint streets of Harrowdale Town to find the constable, Ellarian Dawnhorn, to see if she can help the poor Calishite's plight. It takes maybe ten minutes, but they find the Gaoler's House.

Inside, a sun elven woman in red, black, and green uniform works at a desk, reading reports and writing. A longsword with a fancy hilt and sheath is strapped to her back, and a well-maintained composite bow of high quality rests against the wall next to her. She's not as good-looking as Abrielle, but still attractive, which her stern, serious look dampens.

She looks up at the trio as they enter, raising an eyebrow at the sight of the strange group - a fellow sun elf, an elf with rare and unfamiliar features, and a swarthy foreigner. "....Yes?" she asks, not certain what to make of it.

[Walking Dad]

A bit unsecure on his feat (the last drink wasn't alright) Storn stumbles out of the Treehouse. Seeeing Evanar he moves towards the wounded man: "Hey, what's up. Are u 'kay?"

[Rhun]

His curiosity piqued by the commotion outside of the tavern, Fayne drains the last of his ale, and decides to find out what is going on. He gathers up his glaive and heads for the door.