M3: Assassin's Knot (Patlin judging)

Rinaldo, Eanos, and Ashnar wait another 30 minutes after Nurlan and Mordik leave, then head to town.

They ride down a gentle slope, past numerous ripe fields, into the small town. They can see, to the west, silohetted against the sea, a tower jutting out into the sky from a small rocky island. To the East a small castle tops a hill on the edge of town. The town itself consists of several dozen small buildings scattered leisurly amidst vegitable patches and trees, along a handful of dirt roads. The Inn is quickly spotted, being near the edge of town on the road north to Monemvassia. It is a single story structure, with a stone foundation, and wooden upperworks. In front, a large green sign reads: “House of Abraham. Food, lodging and Ale.” In the center is a picture of a smiling bearded man holding a tankard. The grounds around the inn contain a large red barn, corral for horses, a tool shed and a garden. A number of trees and bushes grow in the area.

Walking in the door, they enter the common room. The 25 foot square room is lit by four large candle chandeliers. Candles also burn by the four booths and the large table in the southwest. Near the center of the room are four tables with four chairs each. Beyond the tables stands a bar with six stools.

The south wall holds four booths with tall partitions that go to the ceiling. Each booth can hold four characters comfortably. In the southwest corner is a large round table with eight chairs around it. There is a door behind the bar, a door next to the last booth and a pair of swinging doors on the north wall.

At the bar sit an elven man, a human woman, and Tenebrynn, engaged in conversation together, and with a man with a waxed mustache and a red vest under an apron behind the bar. There is also a bearded man with a long black pony tail cleaning glasses behind the bar.
At a circular table sit 5 people. Two armed and armored humans. One armed and armored half orc. One human woman wearing wizard robes, and one nicely dressed human male, with a pencil moustache, and a broadsword.

At a square table sit two men. One is short and wears a sword. The other may be a Halfling, beardless dwarf, or human midget. It’s hard to tell. He wears leather armor and a sword.

Behind the bar stands a man with a waxed mustache in a red vest under an apron.

Two young men dash around bringing food and drinks. There are two empty tables.

Just as you enter, Mordik and Nurlan enter from a door to your left.

Manzanita (in the other thread) said:

Nurlan and Mordik return to the common room. People smile and scoot their chairs around to watch the show. Walking to the center of the room, Nurlan and Mordik notice Rinaldo, Ashnar and Eanos entering from the main door.

Click to expand...

Seeing himself the center of attention, Nurlan realizes the crowd has already been prepped for a little entertainment. He therefore addresses the room, "Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. My name is Nurlan Naibi, a travelling minstrel, and I would enjoy the privilege of entertaining you with a few of the songs I have learned on my travels. However, my companion and I have just come in, and have not yet eaten. Since I sing better on a full stomach, I hope you will be patient and allow me a little supper first."

His eyes scan the room as he speaks, watching facial expressions of both strangers and his secret friends.

Eanos puts on his best stoic face, gripping his quarterstaff and surveying the bar. He leans close to Rinaldo's ear, miming that he's suggesting tables, and says softly, "I guess it's time for me to play the guard. Choose whatever table you like, Master Rinaldo, and I'll station myself between you and the throng once you've done so. Feel free to object to my over-care when others are in earshot, of course. The kind of man who can afford to hire guards and object to their doing their jobs is likely one with a fair amount of disposable income--or so one might assume. A greedy soul might have a pre-loosened tongue if he thinks you've such an open, full purse."

Rinaldo point one of the empty booth and tells him on a normal tone. "We'll sit there, looks like a nice place. Go see the barman and ask him to hot plates, cheese, bread and glasses of wine." Asking Ashnar "Fine with you?" He finally adds "And you can take yourself a hot plate, bread and ale if you want. Then, come join us. Oh! And tell to the barman that I would like to ask him a question or two."

They boy, James, who had shown them to their room, motions Nurlan and Mordik to a table. He returns with bread, stew and ale. He then approaches the newcomers.

"Greetings and welcome to the House of Abraham. Can I bring you some dinner?" he asks Eanos.

There were, actually, three empty square tables, seating four each. After the two parties sit, there is one open table left.

As the groups eat and converse, the half orc at the round table stands abruptly and slams down his cards. They have been gambling. "Damn, Wilfong! You've won again! You sly bastard, what's your trick!?"

An armored human at the table stands with him. "Peace, Kusk. He won fair and square. It should teach you the foolishness of your habits. Come, we must continue our patrol."

The third armored man, and the woman, who appears to be a wizard, rise as well, leaving only the dandy still seated at the round table, sorting his winnings. The four begin to file out.

"Good night, Armax, Falbore." says the mustached man behind the counter.

The leader, Falbore, pauses before exiting and addresses the strangers in the room. "Welcome strangers. But remember, Three Rings is a law-abiding town. Watch your step, pay your bills, and stay out of trouble!"

To Nurlan, he adds, "Perhaps we'll catch your act another time."

Tenebrynn watches the goings on behind him vaguely while continuing the conversation with the two at the bar. "I am travelling through the area and happened upon Three Rings. It is fortunate that you say wizards are pretty common. Perhaps I might see this island you speak of."

To Abraham, he says while the other three are absent, "Yes indeed it looks like I may like to stick around the area for a bit, if you have another room available I will take it."

Manzanita said:

They boy, James, who had shown them to their room, motions Nurlan and Mordik to a table. He returns with bread, stew and ale. He then approaches the newcomers.

"Greetings and welcome to the House of Abraham. Can I bring you some dinner?" he asks Eanos.

Click to expand...

Eanos nods curtly to the lad, ordering food for himself and the others, ale for Rinaldo and Ashnar, and--playing 'on duty,' water for himself.

"And when the barman has a moment, Master Rinaldo would like a word," he adds before sending the boy off.

Rinaldo nods at Falbore. "Sure, sir. There is nothing worst for business than having some trouble with the law, you can count on me to stay out of trouble. Good night."

Rinaldo relax a bit on his chair.

Kusk... the name of the half-orc. Falbore seems the leader of a small group, most likely to be the men of Prince Philip. Armax and Kusk are his two men. The women most likely to be an arcanist... The men still there, Wilfong he said, seems a good card player. That's mean he is most likely to be able to read faces and read through lies.

Manzanita said:

To Nurlan, he adds, "Perhaps we'll catch your act another time."

Click to expand...

"Perhaps. I'll be in this town for a bit."

Once his dinner is complete, Nurlan rises and addresses the crowd again. Instead of speaking, he immediately starts singing the song of self-introduction you've heard him sing in the Red Dragon Inn before. After that (

OOC: All this assumes no interruption

) he announces the song about Groshk the Noble Savage. He looks to Mordik for his spear, which he wields during the verses describing Groshk in combat -- to slightly comedic effect, because his performer's outfit doesn't make you think of a ferocious barbarian. He changes tone for the next song, a halfling love song, the only foreign-language song in this set. When that ends, he briefly explains the lyrics, and announces announces the song about Alina the Explorer. Mordik hands him the rope with a grappling hook attached, and he tosses it (although not at or into any climbable surface) as he describes Alina climbing difficult mountains. The last song of set is the classic "The Uncertain Road Ahead", all about enthusiastically embracing whatever surprises fate may hold for us.

Nurlan's Perform check: 9+9=18

Erekose13 said:

Tenebrynn watches the goings on behind him vaguely while continuing the conversation with the two at the bar. "I am travelling through the area and happened upon Three Rings. It is fortunate that you say wizards are pretty common. Perhaps I might see this island you speak of."

To Abraham, he says while the other three are absent, "Yes indeed it looks like I may like to stick around the area for a bit, if you have another room available I will take it."

Click to expand...

Beshcar raises her eyebrows. "The island is where Prince Phillip lives in his tower. You can go to the dock and try to make an appointment. He might see you. Might not. He doesn't see many people these days. You could also try the Mayor, Arness, in the castle to the East. She might know what books he's got. Or even have some herself."

Abraham says. "Ah. Sure, master Tenebrynn. I still have several rooms available. A good thing, as it's a busy night. Each room has two beds. You can have one for yourself for 12 sps. Wilfong there," he indicates the dandy, now counting his winnings at the round table, "is staying alone, and tells me he'd share his room if someone else comes. So then it would only be 6 sps per night.

Since your room is covered by per diem, there's no actual cost difference to Tenebrynn.

jkason said:

"And when the barman has a moment, Master Rinaldo would like a word,"

Click to expand...

James nods, and leaves for the bar. He returns soon with food and the mustached man. "Greetings! I am Abraham." He bows slightly. He is wearing a decorated red vest, under an apron.

Spot DC 15 [sblock]The buttons on his vest seem to match the one found at the crime scene[/sblock]

Everyone claps at Nurlan's performance. Abraham drops a silver piece on his table as he passes by on the way to Rinaldo. The dandy shouts "Bravo" and approaches the table as well. "Marvelous performance my friend." he says, laying down 5 silver pieces. "Perhaps you'd care to increase your winnings tonight with cards, as well?"