City of Orussus, The Red Dragon Inn X

[Heckler]

"I'll stay here in case something comes along. Though I'll keep Master Tarag in mind when I have a bit more coin in my pocket," Rinya replies.

 

[Wik]

elthic watches Tarag enter the room, and listens quietly to the pitch. Quietly, he walks over to the bar, pours a dark ale, and walks over to Tarag.

"It has always been custom among my clan to keep the smith happy with free drinks. Of course, the drinks here are already free, but I think I should keep the tradition alive. You know as well as I that a happy smith can mean life or death when orcs seek to invade your family halls."

Elthic slaps the mug on the table, gives a friendly nod, and then makes as if to reclaim his old seat.

 

[Boddynock]

elthic watches Tarag enter the room, and listens quietly to the pitch. Quietly, he walks over to the bar, pours a dark ale, and walks over to Tarag.

"It has always been custom among my clan to keep the smith happy with free drinks. Of course, the drinks here are already free, but I think I should keep the tradition alive. You know as well as I that a happy smith can mean life or death when orcs seek to invade your family halls."

Elthic slaps the mug on the table, gives a friendly nod, and then makes as if to reclaim his old seat.

Tarag eyes the dark ale appreciatively, then swings around as the dwarf who offered it to him starts to walk off. Taking him by the sleeve he says, "Ho, friend! Wait up. I'd gladly return the compliment. Come, have a drink with me, and tell me your name and where you hail from."

Without waiting for a reply, he turns around and nods to the barkeep, who pours another dark ale with his customary efficiency.

OOC: Even though Tarag is currently waiting on Richard to turn up at Tarag's forge, I'm assuming that this conversation takes place at some other time during the days that he's been hanging around the RDI.

 

[Manzanita]

Rowan sits back with Rinya and Richard, and watches the bustle of adventurers. They ebb and flow, come and go, talk and drink. All so different. He nurses an ale. Perhaps the RDI wasn't such a boring place after all.

 

[Wik]

Elthic pauses for a moment, shrugs, and says "Enh, why not? About myself, eh?

Not much to say. Used to be a cousin of the Thane of our hall. Then my uncle decided he wanted to be king. Luckily, my father, blessed man, stepped in and put a knife in my uncle's back. The thane was kind enough to let us keep our name-" He stares into his drink for a moment. "-for what it's worth.

Not a whole lot for us to do over there. So, I made my way into the humanlands, hoping to, I don't know, slay a dragon or lichking or whatever else. Attach something good to the family name, you know?"

 

[Boddynock]

Elthic pauses for a moment, shrugs, and says "Enh, why not? About myself, eh?

Not much to say. Used to be a cousin of the Thane of our hall. Then my uncle decided he wanted to be king. Luckily, my father, blessed man, stepped in and put a knife in my uncle's back. The thane was kind enough to let us keep our name-" He stares into his drink for a moment. "-for what it's worth.

Not a whole lot for us to do over there. So, I made my way into the humanlands, hoping to, I don't know, slay a dragon or lichking or whatever else. Attach something good to the family name, you know?"

The cleric is sobered by his companion's words.

"Oh, that's bad, when a family member disgraces the clan. And you have to live down the shame of it. Ah, the blessings of family are many but the burdens are likewise great!"

"So how fares your father now? Does he still live? How does he seek to redeem the family name? Surely he acted with honour in protecting his Thane, but dwarven memories are long and the Stonefolk can be unyielding in their judgements."

Leaning back, Tarag chuckles.

"A dragon, eh? Or a lichking? Yes, that would do it. Still, it's a mighty tall order. You'll be needing good weapons to take on that dragon."

"I tell you what: when you're looking for new weapons, come and see me. I'll craft you a fine spear indeed to be sticking that dragon with. And I'll give you a special price. Not free, mind you - I still have to cover my costs - but you won't find a better deal anywhere in Orussus. We folk from under the Mountain have to stick together; and a Smith's name is also sung in celebration when a Hero's fame is recalled."

 

[Wik]

Elthic booms out loudly. "Just like a fine smith, to always think of a sale! You're good, my friend, very GOOD! I assure you, your name will be sung from every mountaintop!

As for my father... he does his best to try and maintain the family coffers, using... I don't know a good word for 'bribe'... to keep the family's enemies away. My father has never been much of a warrior, after all - he was always the wise investor. I think you would like him, master smith."

 

[Boddynock]

Elthic booms out loudly. "Just like a fine smith, to always think of a sale! You're good, my friend, very GOOD! I assure you, your name will be sung from every mountaintop!

As for my father... he does his best to try and maintain the family coffers, using... I don't know a good word for 'bribe'... to keep the family's enemies away. My father has never been much of a warrior, after all - he was always the wise investor. I think you would like him, master smith."

"I think perhaps I might - and not least for the steel in his son's soul!"

"Now I mean it, friend - come to me when you want a new weapon. You don't want any shoddy workmanship - and I don't want a fellow dwarf lost to a dragon's maw because his spear blade snapped."

"Now who knows?" - at this point the earnest fellow looks thoughtful - "I might even be persuaded to come with you to fight that wyrm. You'll likely need a healer along the way ... and I'm not unhandy with a weapon, myself."

Here his fingers fall to move lightly over the morningstar at his side.

Then he snorts, looks Elthic full in the face and says, "But what say we start with something a little bit easier, eh?"

Then he collects two more ales and sits back, pleased to be passing the time with one of his own.

 

[Wik]

"Easier? Sounds good to me. My great uncle saw a dragon once... and only once. I think I'd like a little bit of preparation before I come face to face with mine.

Let me say this, my friend. Should you ever need a blade at your side, come see Elthic. Although, truth be told, the Bazelmak's were never great warriors... we were more masters of subtlety. When I see that Dragon, I sincerely hope he doesn't see me!"

Elthic laughs.

 

[Trouvere]

"It is curious," observes Taelythenihel, how the koehithar form bonds of friendship so swiftly. Little more than a sharing of ale or chatter about weaponry can suffice. And yet, they may also bear a grudge for years held long even by the accounting of my people."