[AU] Siege on Ebonring Keep - Part 2

[Rybaer]

"My companions and I were passing through the area and I convinced them to stop by. I've heard there are some magisters in this community and I'm looking to buy some reagents and possibly some books. Who would you recommend I speak to?"

"Ah, well, you're probably in the best location within a hundred miles for that sort of stuff," Big Burt says. "There's a small magister's guild set up just a bit outside of town. Now, if yer just looking for simple herbs and everyday stuff, there are a few people around town who have or can find what you need. If you want something more exotic or prepared, you'd probably want to check with the magisters. And they'd have nearly all the books in these parts as well."

Big Burt sees to it that a second round of ale arrives before the first is fully consumed. Warm bread, cheese, and stew follows along in short order. Next to the vile fare at the Keep and the dry trail rations, the food here is heavenly.


ooc- Please check the ooc thread when you have a minute. Possible addition to the party.

 

[Liminal Syzygy]

"Thank you. I'd like to check with one of the people in town first and then head over to the guild later. Are any of the local herbalists particularly friendly?"

 

[Mirth]

"Thank you, Burt," Ys-Baddaden tears readily into the food, washing it back with beer from the mug that fits in his hand like the teacup of a child. Wiping his mouth, he waits for the barkeep to answer Pyior before posing a question of his own, "What can you tell us of these magisters?"

 

[Erekose13]

"This food is wonderful, my compliments to the chef. Thank goodness we do not have to have any more trail rations for a little while." Ys-Korros says to Burt. While eating he listens to the conversation around him, trying to keep everything in his mind so that he is ready for the coming events.

 

[Rybaer]

"Glad to hear you like the food," he says with a smile. "I'm sure the 'missus will be pleased.

"If you're looking for friendly herbalists, I'd say your best bet is Nuella the Sly. She's an old sibbecai who's lived here as long as I can remember. Her sight is nearly gone now, but she somehow can still find herbs that other masters overlook. Probably a keen sense of smell, I imagine. She has a small cottage just west of town and is usually willing to do business for barter or companionship.

"As for the magisters...well, their Enclave is more or less the cornerstone of this entire community. No one's really sure whether the town or the school was founded first, but we've relied on one another for generations. Sharden provides food and other essential services and the magisters provide protection out here on the frontier. They've also helped us through some tough times with drought and disease.

"I guess you could call it something of a school as they usually have a dozen or so students there, but it also brings in a lot of travelers...magisters and other strange folk. Master Feldrake is the leader of the Enclave right now. Nice enough chap once you get past his 'mysterious' demeanor."

 

[Erekose13]

"Thank you for that information Burt, I am sure that it will come in handy." Ys-Korros says to the barkeep. After eating most of his meal, he turns to the others, "So what should our next step be? Pyior, did you want to speak to the herbalist before we see the magisters? I think that might be a good idea if that was your intention."

 

[Liminal Syzygy]

"Yes, I'm beat so let's stop by the herbalist tomorrow morning. We can go directly to the guild after that."

 

[Rybaer]

Ritsar, the young litorian warrior, has finally reached Sharden after over a week traveling the plains. The journey took twice as long as it ordinarily would due to his desire to avoid any further encounters with fellow tribesmen who now followed this strange new cult. Their ways seemed more aggressive and militant than he was comfortable with, and the fervent adoption of the cult's philosophy by the litorian people set his instincts on edge.

Sharden was the stepping stone to the Heart of Night, where Ritsar felt he could prove his worth and establish a reputation worthy of combating the cult's infiltration of his society. Its location was not on his map, but the tales placed its location in the area. He hoped a local might be able to help him along his way.

Ritsar got a few strange looks from the mostly human local population as they went about their late morning chores. The largest building in the village had a rooster painted in bold colors on its side. Probably as good a place to start asking questions as any, he thought to himself.

*****

"If'n you'll be staying in town overnight then," Big Burt said, "will you be availing yourselves of my humble accomodations? We'd be happy to provide you with baths and proper care for your mounts."

Big Burt's attention strays as the door to the Rooster opens. Silhouetted against the bright daylight is a powerfully built litorian.

For a moment, Pyior thinks that it might be Khajom, but this newcomer seems too tall to be his old companion. It also becomes clear that he is armed with a spear and javelins - something Khajom would never use.

"Welcome to the Rooster," Big Burt says as he rises from the table. "Please, come in and join us for some early lunch. I'm Big Burt."

 

[rangerjohn]

Danwyn

"Did you say a bath my good man? Now that is something I could use. So yes, how much for all three?"

 

[Erekose13]

Ys-Korros spots the litorian as he enters the inn. Seeing the travel-worn warrior he invites him over, "Welcome, you look like you have just come in from the plains as have we. Please let me buy you an ale. My name is Ys-Korros, friend."