[Tavern Thread] The Dunn Wright Inn

[Aura]

Charity, Human Female
"Actually," the flame haired woman begins, "I still end up spending most of my time in my rather mundane job as a guard. I've had a couple little escapades, one lasted barely an hour and the other a total of about one day. I'm still debating whether or not to make this 'adventure' thing my full time job. I haven't really been forced into a decision…

"For her part," Charity continues, settling into her barstool in a relaxed way, "My elder sister has been reserved but supportive on the matter. I think she'd rather I just keep working at the temple, but I keep getting the feeling I should be doing something else. Or something like that. My own feeling are a little mixed on that."

 

[mfloyd3]

Iago seems surprised. "Do you not take guidance from Cortessa on such matters?" He blurts. Then looks abashed. "Forgive me, I meant no disrespect," he clarifies. "I meant only that it seems odd for someone to devote themselves to a goddess and not receive...direction."

 

[Aura]

Charity, Human Female
"Cortesia," the flame haired woman corrects with a practiced ease. "In any case, the Goddess hasn't given me any particular clear message on how to approach my life. She seems to be a considerable part of it--I was named by a priest after communion with the goddess," Charity rolls her eyes on that part, "and I virtually grew up in the church after my parents disappeared. I received all sorts of religious education, including a rather useful class on how to use divine wands, which I put to use for the first time just recently. And I work at the church as a guard, standing second rank behind the more seasoned fighters.

"But the relationship a bit stranger than that," Charity lowers her voice. "Sometimes, when I'm quiet and still, I can feel that something's off about some people, and I find those people often prove to be untrustworthy or downright hurtful of others. Also, on this last job, I didn't even realize it at first, but when I bandaged my friends' wounds, by the time I was done the flesh underneath was substantially healed. I attribute both these things to The Bright Lady. However, when it comes to guidance, I am left to interpret subtle nudges and feelings, which isn't easy."

Taking a sip for her beer again, Charity concludes, "I wish there was a good answer to your question, it's one I ask myself."

 

[mfloyd3]

The half-orc nods. "I do not understand the ways of gods," is all he offers.

He signals for another mead.

 

[Aura]

Charity, Human Female
With Grog sliding another mead Iago's way, Charity agrees with his premise, "Yes, it would certainly seem that way for me, as well. I'm not sure how many really do understand the gods… probably fewer than the number of people that say they do. I just do my best and hope it is pleasing to The Bright Lady. So far," she chuckles, "no bolts of lightning."

 

[mfloyd3]

Iago laughs drily. "Yes, a great many people claim to understand the gods," he observes. "Perhaps that explains why there is so much lightning in the world."

 

[Aura]

Charity, Human Female
Chuckling politely at Iago's observation, Charity sets down her mug and looks up at the ceiling. "At least lightning has the merit of being obvious," she muses.

After a moment or two, the young venzan sighs. "I still have to think gear again. Robert has already settled on something." She looks at Iago seriously, "Even though you're helping me avoid doing that, thank you. I hadn't realized how much I needed to unwind after that last jaunt in the field."

 

[Lindeloef]

"If it was only fields... we had to go through the sewers and talk to a crispy burned man. Thank the gods, that the smell came off the clothes." Robert chimes in.

 

[mfloyd3]

"The sewers?" asks Iago. "It never occurred to me to seek adventure there. My own work has always been many days' journey from Venza. I could have saved myself a trip at the cost of some laundry," he jokes.

 

[Lindeloef]

"Wasn't much adventuring going on down there. Mostly talking to a pissed-off dude. I mean I can understand why he was pissed-off, he looked like beef jerky. How fitting, he was also a jerk."

 

[Aura]

Charity, Human Female
A look of certain amusement spreads over Charity's face as Robert tells the story. "You still upset over the 999 gold retort? Hehhh…" Becoming a bit more serious, she explains, "Grandmaster Torch was his name, and he lived up to his name in that he was horribly burned to the point of obviously being in a constant state of pain. I give him a little leeway for that. However, all things said, it wasn't so much that he was or wasn't a jerk. No, the issue was he was tremendously dangerous and he had information we needed, so we had to deal with him.

"The takeaway from this," the Cortesian guard continues, addressing Iago in particular, "is not that there is adventure in the sewers. But rather, there is an information broker. But, I'd only consult him as a last resort."

 

[mfloyd3]

"Sound advice, I am sure," the half orc offers, seeming not sure what else to say.

"Tell me," he says, changing the subject. "When I was in Venza last, there were rumors of demons in the streets. More than usual," he adds. "Has anything new come to pass?"

 

[Lindeloef]

"Only encountered ghosts from the past trying to poison the towns food supplies. No demons. And I haven't heard anyone complaining about it." Robert replies "How long has it been since you were here the last time?"

 

[Aura]

Charity, Human Female
"Demons in the streets?" Charity asks, showing a bit of surprise. "I rather thought the rumor was just, well, a rumor. Some of the other guards talked about it a bit, but nobody ever saw anything. However," she touches her chin as if to think, "I do remember one night the inn was absolutely packed with wall to wall experienced folk. Most notable was this loud dark haired warrior type and some smelly elf who had a fancy new shapeshifting weapon.

"In any case, all these seasoned adventurer types were all hanging out together when a pregnant prostitute shows up and gives the warrior a message. She really laid it on thick, too, acting like her baby was his." The red haired Venzan chuckles under her breath as she recounts the night. "Anyway, after that more people come with messages for the rest of them. Apparently they are all invited to some sort of formal event for someone of importance… whom… I cannot remember." Charity sighs, apparently disappointed. "The point is… if there ever was one… they all disappeared shortly thereafter. And they'd be the first ones I'd ask about demons."

 

[grtrtle]

Wilmorn, Human Male
The Cityside Door opens as a young man steps through. His grip on the polearm tightens slightly as he hefts and repositions his backpack. He pauses just inside the door, and his eyes survey the area from beneath his furrowed brows. The scan is slow, deliberate, with a slight pause at the mark of the red hand at one of the middle tables.

In time, he nods to himself, and steps up to the bar. Setting his weapon and gear down next to him, he calls for some ale and a word with the bartender.

"Good ser, I hear this is where one comes when one has need of work."

 

[Aura]

Grog the Bartender
"Good sir, heh," the big man behind the bar comments to the newcomer, eyeing him up from a distance. "Ain't herd dat in a while, tank ya. Wat willya be havin'?" Stepping from the relative shadow that seems to conceal significant portions of the area behind the bar, the bartender's orcish heritage become apparent. He watches as Wilmorn picks out a table.

 

[mfloyd3]

"Oh, the stories about demons were floating around," said Iago, waving a hand. "But I met some of the adventurers who claimed to have faced one of them. Adventurers like to...embellish their tales a bit. But most would not claim to have seen a demon in Venza without at least have seeing something. Imaginary monsters are more likely found in their natural habitats, on distant shores," he adds. He takes another sip. "Anyway, it is nice to hear the stories have fallen by the wayside."

 

[grtrtle]

Wilmorn, Human Male

"Ale, and what do you have for food?" The man scratches at the scraggly beginnings of a beard before pulling out a silver. He holds it a little too long before dropping it on the table. "Will this be enough for a bit of both?"

His head turns at the sound of conversation, and his eyes move from the speaker to the bartender in an obvious effort to make a connection. With a forced laugh, he adds in a too nervous tone, "Hope it not be costing much more than this, or I may have to ask for a spot in the stables to bed down for the night."

 

[Aura]

Grog the Bartender
"Grog tell youse wat," begins the big man, looking across the room suspiciously, then coming around the bar to meet Wilmorn at his table. "Fud, ale, and place to stay fer night, all fer a silva." A big, meaty hand sweeps the lone coin off the table and he big half orc presents it to the young patron. Peering at Wilmorn, Grog speaks in a low tone, "All you do is eat it, say if it good or no. Deal?"

[sblock=spending]You don't have to actually spend your coin. Even out in the field, you have a certain amount you can spend on food and lodging without actually digging into your pockets, and here in the DWI, as noted by Scott DeWar, it's basically free as long as you're not outrageous.[/sblock]

 

[Aura]

Charity, Human Female
Charity nods in agreement with Iago as Grog's tirade catches her eyes. "From imaginary demons to very real rats… figures… port town…" Her words trail off. Speaking in a low tone (even for an a woman with an alto voice), she speaks for just Robert and Iago to hear, "What's Grog up to? I've not seen him like this."