Of Sound Mind

[Jarval]

And so it begins...

At the end of a day's traveling you arrive at a small roadside tavern by the name of "The Dancing Hounds". The thought of a cool drink and rest is made very appealing by the unseasonably warm spring weather. A young boy takes Kerrick's horse to the stables and you enter the tavern.

After taking a moment for your eyes to adjust to the light in the inn, you look around yourselves. The inn is small but comfortable, with only a few patrons sitting at the bar and around the tables.

A somewhat portly elf standing behind the bar looks over to you and smiles.

"A good evening to you, sirs and m'lady. What brings you fine folk to the Hounds?"

 

[Zhure]

Gholog smiles a tusky grin, "For the ale, of course!" He leans his glaive up into a corner and finds a chair. Seeing few patrons he calls to the barkeep, "First round's on me, for the whole place, and one for yourself, please."

The towering half-orc smiles unthreateningly at each man in the place.

 

[Acmite]

Adren

In a quiet, but steady voice Adren will say to Gholog, "Aye, I'll join you in a drink. You also travel with Aiden, do you not? I've heard of the fabled orcish sense of smell....do these "towns" smell as rancid to you as they do to me? No offense, barkeep, but I'm more accustomed to the gentle scents of the forest than of large communities and inns.

This entire community is so.....so crowded! I see there is much for me to learn about life outside the Ridgewood.

From where do you hail, friend?"

 

[Sollir Furryfoot]

Aiden thinks to himself, I wish we could fill out the temple's duties more easily, I had hoped that this journey wouldn't be a danger to anyone, although the temple seems to have assigned some bodyguards, at least they seem friendly. Whatever outcome may it be, Pelor please grant us your divine protection.

Rubbing his eyes a little to adjust, Aiden responds to his half-orc companion, "Gholog, am I right? I'm grateful for you offering us some ales but I have to decline, though I'm not a man who drinks, don't waste your money on me, I hope I don't offend you."

Aiden begins to ask around the barkeep to see where the temple is and if there is anyone who needs help or healing.

 

[Sir Osis of Liver]

Kerrick Jonez

"Thanks for the drink, this heat is killing me." Kerrick raises his mug to Gholog. He then turns to the barkeep.

"You would not happen to have a room for the night, a place to bathe, and some hot food, would you?"

"I've been on the road for some time now and a hot bath would be heaven for my sore muscles."

 

[Zhure]

Gholog

"Smell?" he roars out a hearty laugh, "It smells of life and mud and swimming ale, chimneys and hearthfires and the tender scent of the divinely flavored sweetmeats.

"Too many years I spent in a monastery filled with ringing bells and burnt incense. It's good to be among those who live for life's sake, not some altruism."

Gholog sips his ale and studies the other patrons.

 

[Other Guy]

Jason

Jason smiles after listening to the half-orc's outburst, but doesn't say very much -- all the while thinking, savage...no, I will not be judgmental...savage.

 

[Jarval]

The barkeeper looks briefly offended by Adren's "rancid" comment, but shrugs it off.

"We have a shrine to the gods just up along the road good sir, but no temple." he replies to Aiden. "I think all here are in good health, but thank you for the offer of your skills."
He goes to get you your drinks and sends one of the barmaids to fill a bath for Kerrick.

Looking around the inn, you take in the few people around the room. For the most part they look like farmers and laborers, apart from a group of four sitting around a table on the far side of the room. They seem to be a family group all dressed in traveling clothes. All four of them look as if they have not slept well for several days

"So, to where are you folks headed?" asks the barkeep as he returns with your drinks.

 

[Sir Osis of Liver]

Kerrick Jonez

"Well, I for one am headed to no where particular. Just enjoy travel, if you know what I mean."

Kerrick grins, "Say there would happen to be any places of interest around here would there? Any thing interesting at that shrine? Maybe i'll have a look at it in the morning."

 

[Acmite]

"For now, I follow Aiden.....I know not our destination."