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Message: <blockquote data-quote="haiiro" data-source="post: 1670539" data-attributes="member: 1891">Entering SelgauntThey arrived at the Statue Gate in short order and without incident. Twin armored warriors were carved around the massive gateway arch, as if protecting the entrance. The statues were thrown into sharp relief by the light of several torches at ground level, and a scattered crowd was gathered in front of the gate.A number of guards were also present, admitting people into the city, and they seemed to be divided into two distinct groups: one group clad in luminous sky blue capes, the other in functional black tabards. The guards in black seemed to be doing most of the actual work, and the Follies approached them. Tuggle spun their tale, describing the troupe as Vicktor brandished the cage of ravens. Satisfied that they were there for Rook's Night, the guards let them pass with only a cursory inspection.Having asked about finding a place to stay for the night, they were directed to the Flags -- a large district of inns and taverns down one fork in the road and not far from the Gate. The street itself was bustling with activity, even this late at night, and people with cages of ravens were everywhere.As the party quickly found out, most businesses in Selgaunt didn't use wooden signs or representative objects to advertise themselves. Instead, they hung large colored flags over their doors, depicting their wares and services. Divining this, the Follies wandered down the crowded street looking for a flag that suggested musicians and was hung from a decent inn. Only one building in easy view fit the bill, and they decided to go inside.The Follies' First PerformanceNoise and light spilled out as they opened the door, and they stepped from the crowded street into an equally crowded common room. At one end were two small stages, with a troupe of untalented minstrels on one and a dancing bear on the other. The common room was packed nearly wall to wall with people, and a long bar ran across the back wall.Thinking that this might be a good time for their first public performance, Tuggle began casting glamour to make himself more charming -- and before the spell was even cast, the head bartender had begun shouldering his way through the crowd, glaring at Tuggle. The barkeep was a short, stocky man with a bald head and craggy features, and he brandished a cudgel in a businesslike manner. Before any of the Follies had a chance to react, he growled, "We'll have none of that in here!"Tuggle started to apologize as Cupric stepped in and tried to mollify the barkeep. Between Cupric and Tuggle, the barman was convinced that they meant nothing by it -- and even agreed to give them a chance to perform on the spot. By way of explanation, he whispered conspiratorially to Cupric that if they start using magic openly, the Skyclads would be all over the place in no time. Cupric's honeyed words also pried out the fact that the bartender -- Frango, actually both head barkeep and owner of the inn, which was called Farry's Port -- made regular bribes to the guards to avoid their attention.The minstrels seemed somewhat resigned to being shooed off the stage by Frango, but the dancing bear troupe was a different story. Led by a dwarf with a massive handlebar mustache, this group shot dark looks at the Follies as they made their way offstage and out the front door. Once the stages were clear, Tuggle began introducing the group as the other Follies conferred about the precise nature of their act.After borrowing a mandolin from Jaehn, Cupric and the outlandish wizard struck up a merry tune. Artemis, despite being urged to perform feats of strength, settled on a vigorous kicking dance he had learned among the Storm Horn barbarians. On the smaller stage, De'lea began posing seductively in her plate armor, making eye contact with attractive men in the audience. Meanwhile, Tal stood near the stage in case his blade was needed, and Vicktor lurked by the exit.Within moments, the crowd was caught up in the performance -- people were clapping in time with the Rook's Night tune being played by Jaehn and Cupric, and several men had moved to the front of the audience to dance with De'lea. Although improvised on the spot, the Follies' performance far outshone the average tavern fare -- so much so that people were stepping outside to bring in passersby. It wasn't long before the common room was more full than before, and the bartenders were busy keeping the wine and ale flowing freely. Seeing that things were going well, Tuggle began working the crowd: a combination of charming the ladies, taking song requests and spreading the word about the Follies.The Follies played and performed for around half an hour, at which point they bowed their way off the stage. Frango was thrilled at their performance -- and the business it brought in -- and offered them room and board until Rook's Night was over, in exchange for daily engagements at dusk. The Follies agreed in a heartbeat -- they'd just covered their expenses for a short while, and found a perfect way to begin building their reputation. In combination with the gold and silver that was tossed into Jaehn's upturned hat during their act, they made out quite well. Ready for sleep, all but Jaehn, Cupric and Tuggle retired to their fine rooms upstairs, one at each end of the hall on the second floor.The remaining three lingered for a bit to mingle with the crowd, and established that everyone had enjoyed themselves -- despite missing the dancing bear -- and wanted bawdier songs in the next performance. Shortly thereafter, they called it a night and joined their companions upstairs.</blockquote>

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