Shackled City, Act I - Life's Bazaar

[Krago o'the Mountain]

Eliara turns to the others after Jenya departs. "I suppose a tavern is a good place to start, and I'm sure most of us would wish to have a toast to arriving in Cauldron, and begin our investigation as to whether these caverns beneath ground are myth or fact."

Konstantine greatfully accepts the potion. "Thank you kindly, Jenya. Your hospitality is amazing in this time of turmoil. I only hope that we can repay you with our aid."

Once Jenya has answered any questions that anyone else has, the bard deeply inclines her head to the High Priestess. "Thank you once more, and I hope your evening is pleasant as well."

Konstantine finishes her tea and looks at the others. "Eliara, I think your suggestion is a good one. This Drunken Morkoth Inn sounds good enough. Perhaps the patrons there can tell us more. And a toast and a song certainly sound in order."

"A compilation of all the missing people would be helpful, thank you. I hope we can solve your riddle, and help return the missing people back to their homes."

After all the questions are asked, Intari stretches and follows as everyone gets up to leave. "It is late and I am interested in seeing this "proper bed" that the caravan guards talked of. Perhaps we should retire there for the night?"

"Yes, to this Drunk Morkoth then. Where's there alcohol, there'll be loose tongues," says Eliara.

Konstantine nods in agreement. "Well, let us be off to this inn. If they don't have anyone performing, I could sing something for you. I read that good bards can often get free meals and lodging for performances." The bard looks excited at the thought.

"One possible connection," Galen says, "seems to be that there was no forced entry. I mean, suppose that others kidnapped also somehow had the locks of their doors bypassed. By a picklock, for example, or by magic. The riddle says 'the locks are the key.' If we can figure out how the locks are by-passed, perhaps that'll point us toward who might be responsible."

(OOC: In response to the desires of the majority, I'm advancing the action to the Drunken Morkoth Inn. However, please feel free to continue role-playing the discussion as to the meaning of Jenya's riddle for as long as you wish.)

With directions obtained from the good folk of the St. Cuthbertine Church, the Drunken Morkoth Inn is not difficult to find. The stroll down Obsidian Avenue is easy enough, even on a rather miserable evening such as this one. There are few people out and about, just a handful of hurried locals, rushing to complete their business before retiring to a warmer and drier locale.

The party does pass by a patrol of the city watch: five men wearing breastplates emblazoned with the emblem of a watchful eye wreathed in flames. They carry halberds, short swords, and shortbows in a relaxed-but-ready fashion. The patrol's sergeant looks on vigilantly as the two groups cross paths, and he gives a courteous nod of greeting. Apparently, bands of adventurers are not an uncommon sight in Cauldron.

The Drunken Morkoth is easily spotted both by the cheerful lantern glow shining from its windows and the comical sign perched above its entrance. Upon the sign, a cartoonishly painted fish-like monstrosity lolls drunkenly about on the surface of a large body of water, as several empty beer mugs float all around it.

Inside, the Inn is pleasantly warm and clean, with a high bar counter and solid-looking wooden tables and chairs comprising the furnishings. The inn looks to be having a rather slow night (again, probably due to the weather), but there are a few patrons...a mix of merchants and locals from the look of them. Some are eating a late dinner, but most just look to be nursing a drink and chatting. One middle-aged woman waits tables, while a thin balding man tends bar. The woman notices the party's entrance and calls out, "Have a seat where you like, I'll be right over."

Actions?

 

[Mark Chance]

Inside, the Inn is pleasantly warm and clean, with a high bar counter and solid-looking wooden tables and chairs comprising the furnishings. The inn looks to be having a rather slow night (again, probably due to the weather), but there are a few patrons...a mix of merchants and locals from the look of them. Some are eating a late dinner, but most just look to be nursing a drink and chatting. One middle-aged woman waits tables, while a thin balding man tends bar. The woman notices the party's entrance and calls out, "Have a seat where you like, I'll be right over."

Galen takes the lead, selecting a table near a wall against which he can lean his longspear. He plops down, stretching his legs, rotating his ankles to undo the kinks of walking for much of the day.

 

[Dichotomy]

Konstantine follows Galen to the table, takes a seat, and looks around the inn. So THIS is what it's like. A group of adventurers, a noble quest, and a wonderful inn to rest for the night. Just like in the stories...

The bard looks at Galen and decides to turn the conversation. "I see that you have a symbol around your neck. One of the gods, isn't it? Are you a priest?"

 

[Krug]

Eliara sits down and watches other customers. When the middle-aged serving woman comes by, Eliara strikes up a conversation and tips her. If she is not too busy, she asks about Cauldron. "And what of these caverns I hear lie beneath the city? Are they a myth? Have you been there? A woman such as you who has toiled here for years must have heard something..." If the woman is too busy Eliara will seek out customers around instead.

"And what about that song, bard?This looks as good a place as any for a tune," the wood elf says to Konstantin.

 

[Scotley]

William Baker Human Paladin

William joins the conversation between Konstantine and Galen while looking over the rest of the patrons in the inn. He tries to decide who to strike up a conversation with. To his companions he says, "Eliara didn't waste any time getting down to business, I like that."

 

[Caliber]

Following Galen and Konstantine towards the table, Intari takes a seat with them.

Paying attention, he seems interested in Konstantine's question, curious about the gods of the wetlanders.

 

[Krago o'the Mountain]

Eliara sits down and watches other customers. She goes over to the seargant and makes a greeting, and buys him a mug of whatever he might be having. After a few quaffs, she asks him about Cauldron. "And what of these caverns I hear lie beneath the city? Are they a myth? Have you been there? A man such as you who has toiled on the streets for years must have heard something..."

OOC Clarification: Actually, the sergeant and his watch patrol were passed by out on the street. He's not actually here at the Inn. However, there are several other folk in the inn that Eliara could strike up a conversation with, so I'll assume she picked someone at random to speak with...unless you advise otherwise, Krug. Let me know.

Thanks,
Krago

 

[Krug]

OOC Clarification: Actually, the sergeant and his watch patrol were passed by out on the street. He's not actually here at the Inn. However, there are several other folk in the inn that Eliara could strike up a conversation with, so I'll assume she picked someone at random to speak with...unless you advise otherwise, Krug. Let me know.

Thanks,
Krago

Oops. Duh. Eliara will try the serving woman if she's not too busy; if not she'll just try other customers who look like locals then.

 

[Krago o'the Mountain]

Galen takes the lead, selecting a table near a wall against which he can lean his longspear. He plops down, stretching his legs, rotating his ankles to undo the kinks of walking for much of the day.

Konstantine follows Galen to the table, takes a seat, and looks around the inn. So THIS is what it's like. A group of adventurers, a noble quest, and a wonderful inn to rest for the night. Just like in the stories...

The bard looks at Galen and decides to turn the conversation. "I see that you have a symbol around your neck. One of the gods, isn't it? Are you a priest?"

William joins the conversation between Konstantine and Galen while looking over the rest of the patrons in the inn. He tries to decide who to strike up a conversation with. To his companions he says, "Eliara didn't waste any time getting down to business, I like that."

Following Galen and Konstantine towards the table, Intari takes a seat with them.

Paying attention, he seems interested in Konstantine's question, curious about the gods of the wetlanders.

As Galen, Konstantine, William and Intari seat themselves, the waitress approaches and asks with a friendly demeanor, "What can I get you this miserable evening? The stew is good tonight, if you're hungry, or I can just get you drinks."

Eliara sits down and watches other customers. She goes over to an affable looking man at the bar, and makes a greeting, and buys him a mug of whatever he might be having. After a few quaffs, she asks him about Cauldron. "And what of these caverns I hear lie beneath the city? Are they a myth? Have you been there? A man such as you who has toiled on the streets for years must have heard something..."

Not wanting to take up too much of the waitress' time, Eliara approaches the bar, and orders a mug of beer for one of the men there, trying to engage him in conversation. He seems friendly (especially after receiving a free drink!) and the two exchange pleasantries. When Eliara steers the conversation towards the caverns under the city he replies, "Caverns, eh? You and the lot you came in with look like the type for 'caverns' all right. Hunting for treasure and fighting with beasts of all sorts, am I right? Well, there's bound to be all sorts of tunnels, caves, and gods only know what under this city, but I wouldn't know how to get at 'em. Wouldn't want to, either. Life's got enough trouble without going and stirring up extra. Take the disappearances...it ain't right, good people vanishing from their beds, and the watch can't figure out what's happened to 'em? I heard one of them that disappeared, that Coryston Pike, she knew it was coming. Feared for her life, she did, and now look what's happened! 'Least, that's how I heard it."

[Eliara Gather Information Check: Roll = 16, Total = 17]

 

[Dichotomy]

Konstantine returns the waitresses friendly tone. Oh not nearly so miserable now that we are here. I hope everything is as nice as we'd heard.

Hmmm... I suppose I haven't eaten in a while. Why don't you bring me some of that stew. Oh, adventurers always have ale, don't they. It must be good, if they always drink it. The bard gets a big grin on her face. And some ale as well, please.

Say, would it be a bother if I performed a song or two? Perhaps a good pub song to get your other customers in a lively and thirsty mood?

After the waitress' reply, Konstantine returns her attention to Galen hoping to resume their interrupted conversation.