For those that take notice, in darts a youthful gnome wearing a dark blue tunic with belt, brown pants, and gray, fur lined winter cloak.
Bran skirts past the drunken doorman and enters the tavern. His eyes squint a few times, adjusting to the light levels inside. He scans the room for Jerub and a place to hang his wet cloak. Upon seeing neither, he makes his way to who he presumes is the barkeep.
"Good evening sir, my name is Bran, and I was told to meet a fellow here by the name Jerub. He's tall, missing all his hair, looks like he hasn't had a good sleep in weeks, creepy tattoo on the neck. Ring a bell?"
OOC: Changed it to flow (pardon the pun) with Bran's.
The door swings open a moment later, as a tall, well built water genasi strides in, clad in dull scale mail. His blue skin draws a few glances, but he ignores them, and makes his way straight to the bar, though not to drink. That would be pointless, with his constitution.
The genasi smiles at the bartender and gnome, and it suits his face rather well.
"Good evening, sirs," he begins, voice almost impossibly smooth (as is everything about him, really),
Hildigrim swings the round shield onto his back and readjusts his chain mail shirt. "Yes, Fort, I'm really doing this. Now, did I get everything? I'd hate to have forgotten anything."
Fortegren sighs as Hildigrim begins yet another distracted search, looking for anything he might have missed while packing. The two young halfling men, almost completely identical, do another circuit of the bedroom they've shared since birth. "I don't see anything," Fortegren says finally.
"OK," Hildigrim smiles. "I need to go. It's still raining and I don't want to be late."
"Who's this priest again?" Fort asks, his voice a little skeptical.
"Jerub the Gray. Don't worry about it." Hildi places his hands on this twin's shoulders reassuringly. "It's just a job, Fort. It's my foot in the door." He steps back, throws his hands in the air, and turns in a circle. "It's my dreams finally coming true!"
The twins head into the parlor of their family's modest home in Dock Ward where their parents are waiting. Hildigrim's mother embraces him warmly as best she can with everything on his back. "Keep in touch," she says, her eyes wet. "We love you."
Their father steps forward and shakes his son's hand before pulling him into a quick embrace. "We're always here for you," he says smiling.
Finally turning to Fort, Hildi smiles, "Goodbye, brother."
"Get out of here, ya weirdo," Fort says, pushing Hildi out the open door and into the rain.
Smiling from ear to ear, Hildigrim steps into the Bowels of the Earth, rubbing the rain from his face and shaking his arms. "Salutations," he says politely to the doorman, not really looking at the drunk. Hildigrim stops just inside the tavern and looks around. A casual observer might mistake the halfling for a kind of pack mule. Not even three feet tall, yet loaded for bear with a pack, battleaxe, and shield on his back, and a crossbow swinging from his belt. His chain mail glints in the firelight, indicating that it is either brand new or very well kept.
Hildigrim almost dances over to the bar and deftly launches himself onto a stool. "Barkeep," he says, waving a finger at the older human behind the bar. Alandell slowly saunters over. "Sir, I am looking for Jerub the Gray," Hildi says confidentially. "I have an appointment, and I don't want to keep the gentleman waiting." The halfling leans forward conspiratorially, his brown hair dripping rainwater on the bar's surface. "It's my first job as an adventurer and I'm feeling fairly stimulated."
Alandell cocks an eye at Hildi and walks away. Hildi turns to lay one arm across the bar and to look around the room again from atop his barstool, grinning like it is his birthday.
OOC: I won't normally give away so much, but I'm excited to get started.
A disheveled looking man enters the tavern. He wears tattered robes with a hood pulled low over his head obscuring most of his face; a rough-hewn quarterstaff is slung across his back. His eyes dart between the patrons, surveying the crowd before he lowers his hood. The unkempt hair and weather-worn face of the man make him appear much older than one would expect for someone of his age. Despite his grizzled appearance he seemingly radiates a calm air amidst the chaos of the tavern.
As he makes his way through the crowd, approaching the barkeep, "Good evening sir, my name is Carrow Locke."His gruff voice seems in direct contradiction to his precisely chosen words. "I am seeking Jerub the Gray, do you know where I might find him?"
Bran turns to the Genasi, "Good lord sir, you are as blue as the ocean is deep! What a marvel you are! You know, we studied all about Genasi in the academy, but to see one in the flesh! Most fascinating indeed."
Upon hearing that both the Genasi and the Halfling are also here to Jerub he says "Gentleman, my name is Bran, Bran Highdimple, and I do believe we three are all here for the same purpose. Might I suggest we find a table a bit out of the way and get to know one another while we wait?"
Arandell throws a wash rag over his shoulder and leans forward over the bar using a hand to steady himself, gaining a better angle to look down at Bran from behind the counter.
He speaks to Bran in a jolly tone, "Well met young wizard. Welcome to the Bowels!" -- He motions to the dark and dingy pub around you. "Aye, I know Jerub!", he laughs, "That's the friendliest description 'o the man I ever heard. He's weirder than crypt ghoul, that one." Arandell pauses for a moment with a slightly revolted look on his face as he seems to recall Jerub's unsettling manner. "Jerub ain't here yet, but he told me ye'd be coming. Yer the first one here, but not to worry. Jerub asked me ta reserve a private booth for ye. Lolli here'll show ya the way."
The barkeep motions to a beautiful half-elf with dirty cheeks and clothing, walking past with a serving tray. She smiles at Bran and motions for him to follow.
Lolli shows Bran to dark back-corner booth, leading him past a a table of scowling dwarves, and another of raucous humans, clad in leather armor and shortswords, playing some sort of rowdy drinking game.
--fifteen minutes pass--
Arandell seems taken aback as Flow's approaches the bar and speaks to him. As he gazes into the genasi's eyes, Arandell seems to be momentarily at a loss for words.
Finally the barkeep stammers out a sentence. "P-p-pardon good ser. Name's Arandell." The man seems to regain his composure. He clears his throat then speaks again, "Jerub ain't arrived yet, but he's reserved ye a table. You're the second to arrive. Only ser Bran has arrived before ye."
Arandell shouts again to Lolli, she approaches Flow and beckons him to follow. Leading him through the crowded common area to the corner booth where Bran is waiting.
--ten more minutes pass--
Alandell walks down the length of the bar at Hildi's beckon and speaks in a welcoming tone, "Well met adventurer! Jerub told me ye'd be coming. You're the third to arrive!"
Alandell looks around suspiciously to make sure no one is in ear-shot. He leans in a little closer to Hildi and says in a low tone, "Listen. I'm happy yer excited to be adventurin'. A bit o' advice though? Keep that kind of thing to yerself. At least while yer here. Saying a thing like that in here is like painting a target on your back!", Jerub laughs.
Lolli is nowhere to be seen so Alandell points toward the back corner booth across the common room and says, "that's yer group there", and then paces away, to serve other patrons waiting further down the bar.
[DM] The backstory is great! It gives me a lot to work with in the future!
--five more minutes pass--
As Carrow approaches, Alandell seems a little annoyed, as the pub has grown increasingly busy. The barmen turns to Carrow in the midst of pouring flagons from a tap and says, "Yeah yeah. Welcome to the Bowels. Jerub ain't here yet, but yer party is sitting at the back corner booth." -- He nods vaguely toward the back corner of the common area.
OOC: PapaKlaus, go ahead and have Bran respond to Flow in your post. This would take place after that.
Taking Alandell's advice to heart, Hildigrim nods and immediate drops his grin and adjusts his face into what he would consider to be a "hardened" exterior. He slides off the stool and sniffs, rubbing the bottom of his nose roughly. Sauntering toward the booth the barman had indicated, Hildi stops in his tracks at the sight of Flow. All pretense forgotten, his mouth forms an O and he slowly approaches.
"Hainard's hairy toes!" Hildi exclaims, sliding in beside Bran. "You're a genasi! I mean, I've read all about you. You're obviously a water genasi. I mean, truely! How fascinating!" Hildi continues to stare, completely ignoring the gnome beside him.
Bran waits for the half-elf barmaid to come by, then orders a cider.
He turns to the halfling, who is obviously excited to be here, and extends his hand. "Well met my little friend. My name is Bran Highdimple, pleased to make your acquaintance. Glad to have someone in this party with the same view point as me." Bran makes a gesture comparing the height difference between them and the high blue fellow across the table.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
After meeting with the delightful Jerub the Gray, Barrel Jynx headed over to the Bowels of the Earth tavern to secure himself a room. "Might as well make some money while I wait for Jerub's 'Quest' " Barrel muttered as he made his way to the South Ward. It didn't take Barrel long to find the tavern. Placing a copper piece into the drunken doorman's hand Barrel walks into the Bowels.
"Good evening sir barkeep, I have come to make you rich." Barrel says with a smile. "I'm sure you've heard of me but just in case, let me introduce myself. Barrel Jynx, Dwarven Bard Extraordinaire at your service."
Barrel gives a deep bow and as he stands up he gives his fine silk black cloak a little flourish.
Alandell gives the old dwarf a once over. Barrel is dressed in fine silk black and gold clothing(His entertainer costume), a black cloak with gold trim around the outsides and a fine black hat with a golden feather stuck in it. Across his chest are 5 daggers in some kind of harness and a short bow strapped to his back. He is holding a small drum that he plays as he talks.
"For the low price of a place to stay and a meal or two a day, I will gladly entertain your guests for you. You see, I have a meeting with Jerub the Gray next week and I do not wish to miss the meeting. it's very important business you know. What say you?" (OOC: I use my background feature, By popular demand to gain a room and food for the week while waiting for the meeting.)
***One week passes***
The Bowels are extra crowded it seems the evening that Barrel was to meet Jerub the Gray. Barrel gives a wink to Alandell.
"I told you I would bring in the crowds for you and make you rich. Let me know when you see Jerub the Gray. I am going to perform for a bit until my meeting." Barrel says as he gives a small bow.
Barrel begins to walk the crowded room juggling his daggers and singing bawdy songs with practiced ease while waiting for Alandell to notify him of Jerub's arrival.. 12(Performance roll)
Edit OOC: I wear my armor under my entertainer costume because Barrel is not sure what will happen tonight
"Oh, please pardon my boorishness," Hildrgrim says, tearing his eyes away from Flow. He smiles at Bran. "My name is Hildigrim Goodbody." He looks back at Flow. "Very nice to meet you both."
After everyone in the tavern has gotten a good look at Barrel's act and the dwarf has finished collecting his tips, Arandell gives the dwarf a somewhat discreet "come here" motion from across the room.
Barrel receives 10 gold pieces from his week of work at the Bowels of the Earth and he earns free room and board in the tavern's most lavish suite, decorated in royal blue and gold drapings and a large bowl of exotic fruits from Calimshan (2 rations).
Lolli casually approaches the booth. Slides a flagon of cider across the wooden table to Bran and gently speaks, "5 nibs, ser" (5 cp).
*blows on the dice this time*
13 10 12 12 16 5
Obviously going to reroll the 4: 14
There you go. Reroll that 4 and hopefully we will be good to go.
Much Better!
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For those that take notice, in darts a youthful gnome wearing a dark blue tunic with belt, brown pants, and gray, fur lined winter cloak.
Bran skirts past the drunken doorman and enters the tavern. His eyes squint a few times, adjusting to the light levels inside. He scans the room for Jerub and a place to hang his wet cloak. Upon seeing neither, he makes his way to who he presumes is the barkeep.
"Good evening sir, my name is Bran, and I was told to meet a fellow here by the name Jerub. He's tall, missing all his hair, looks like he hasn't had a good sleep in weeks, creepy tattoo on the neck. Ring a bell?"
OOC: Changed it to flow (pardon the pun) with Bran's.
The door swings open a moment later, as a tall, well built water genasi strides in, clad in dull scale mail. His blue skin draws a few glances, but he ignores them, and makes his way straight to the bar, though not to drink. That would be pointless, with his constitution.
The genasi smiles at the bartender and gnome, and it suits his face rather well.
"Good evening, sirs," he begins, voice almost impossibly smooth (as is everything about him, really),
" I am Flow. I, also, was to meet 'Jerub' here."
And that's all I have to say about that.
"You're really doing this?"
Hildigrim swings the round shield onto his back and readjusts his chain mail shirt. "Yes, Fort, I'm really doing this. Now, did I get everything? I'd hate to have forgotten anything."
Fortegren sighs as Hildigrim begins yet another distracted search, looking for anything he might have missed while packing. The two young halfling men, almost completely identical, do another circuit of the bedroom they've shared since birth. "I don't see anything," Fortegren says finally.
"OK," Hildigrim smiles. "I need to go. It's still raining and I don't want to be late."
"Who's this priest again?" Fort asks, his voice a little skeptical.
"Jerub the Gray. Don't worry about it." Hildi places his hands on this twin's shoulders reassuringly. "It's just a job, Fort. It's my foot in the door." He steps back, throws his hands in the air, and turns in a circle. "It's my dreams finally coming true!"
The twins head into the parlor of their family's modest home in Dock Ward where their parents are waiting. Hildigrim's mother embraces him warmly as best she can with everything on his back. "Keep in touch," she says, her eyes wet. "We love you."
Their father steps forward and shakes his son's hand before pulling him into a quick embrace. "We're always here for you," he says smiling.
Finally turning to Fort, Hildi smiles, "Goodbye, brother."
"Get out of here, ya weirdo," Fort says, pushing Hildi out the open door and into the rain.
Smiling from ear to ear, Hildigrim steps into the Bowels of the Earth, rubbing the rain from his face and shaking his arms. "Salutations," he says politely to the doorman, not really looking at the drunk. Hildigrim stops just inside the tavern and looks around. A casual observer might mistake the halfling for a kind of pack mule. Not even three feet tall, yet loaded for bear with a pack, battleaxe, and shield on his back, and a crossbow swinging from his belt. His chain mail glints in the firelight, indicating that it is either brand new or very well kept.
Hildigrim almost dances over to the bar and deftly launches himself onto a stool. "Barkeep," he says, waving a finger at the older human behind the bar. Alandell slowly saunters over. "Sir, I am looking for Jerub the Gray," Hildi says confidentially. "I have an appointment, and I don't want to keep the gentleman waiting." The halfling leans forward conspiratorially, his brown hair dripping rainwater on the bar's surface. "It's my first job as an adventurer and I'm feeling fairly stimulated."
Alandell cocks an eye at Hildi and walks away. Hildi turns to lay one arm across the bar and to look around the room again from atop his barstool, grinning like it is his birthday.
OOC: I won't normally give away so much, but I'm excited to get started.
A disheveled looking man enters the tavern. He wears tattered robes with a hood pulled low over his head obscuring most of his face; a rough-hewn quarterstaff is slung across his back. His eyes dart between the patrons, surveying the crowd before he lowers his hood. The unkempt hair and weather-worn face of the man make him appear much older than one would expect for someone of his age. Despite his grizzled appearance he seemingly radiates a calm air amidst the chaos of the tavern.
As he makes his way through the crowd, approaching the barkeep, "Good evening sir, my name is Carrow Locke." His gruff voice seems in direct contradiction to his precisely chosen words. "I am seeking Jerub the Gray, do you know where I might find him?"
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Bran turns to the Genasi, "Good lord sir, you are as blue as the ocean is deep! What a marvel you are! You know, we studied all about Genasi in the academy, but to see one in the flesh! Most fascinating indeed."
Upon hearing that both the Genasi and the Halfling are also here to Jerub he says "Gentleman, my name is Bran, Bran Highdimple, and I do believe we three are all here for the same purpose. Might I suggest we find a table a bit out of the way and get to know one another while we wait?"
Arandell throws a wash rag over his shoulder and leans forward over the bar using a hand to steady himself, gaining a better angle to look down at Bran from behind the counter.
He speaks to Bran in a jolly tone, "Well met young wizard. Welcome to the Bowels!" -- He motions to the dark and dingy pub around you. "Aye, I know Jerub!", he laughs, "That's the friendliest description 'o the man I ever heard. He's weirder than crypt ghoul, that one." Arandell pauses for a moment with a slightly revolted look on his face as he seems to recall Jerub's unsettling manner. "Jerub ain't here yet, but he told me ye'd be coming. Yer the first one here, but not to worry. Jerub asked me ta reserve a private booth for ye. Lolli here'll show ya the way."
The barkeep motions to a beautiful half-elf with dirty cheeks and clothing, walking past with a serving tray. She smiles at Bran and motions for him to follow.
Lolli shows Bran to dark back-corner booth, leading him past a a table of scowling dwarves, and another of raucous humans, clad in leather armor and shortswords, playing some sort of rowdy drinking game.
Arandell seems taken aback as Flow's approaches the bar and speaks to him. As he gazes into the genasi's eyes, Arandell seems to be momentarily at a loss for words.
Finally the barkeep stammers out a sentence. "P-p-pardon good ser. Name's Arandell." The man seems to regain his composure. He clears his throat then speaks again, "Jerub ain't arrived yet, but he's reserved ye a table. You're the second to arrive. Only ser Bran has arrived before ye."
Arandell shouts again to Lolli, she approaches Flow and beckons him to follow. Leading him through the crowded common area to the corner booth where Bran is waiting.
Alandell walks down the length of the bar at Hildi's beckon and speaks in a welcoming tone, "Well met adventurer! Jerub told me ye'd be coming. You're the third to arrive!"
Alandell looks around suspiciously to make sure no one is in ear-shot. He leans in a little closer to Hildi and says in a low tone, "Listen. I'm happy yer excited to be adventurin'. A bit o' advice though? Keep that kind of thing to yerself. At least while yer here. Saying a thing like that in here is like painting a target on your back!", Jerub laughs.
Lolli is nowhere to be seen so Alandell points toward the back corner booth across the common room and says, "that's yer group there", and then paces away, to serve other patrons waiting further down the bar.
As Carrow approaches, Alandell seems a little annoyed, as the pub has grown increasingly busy. The barmen turns to Carrow in the midst of pouring flagons from a tap and says, "Yeah yeah. Welcome to the Bowels. Jerub ain't here yet, but yer party is sitting at the back corner booth." -- He nods vaguely toward the back corner of the common area.
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Flow ignores the bartender's demeanor. After all, he's used to it.
Flow stops at the corner booth and sits down across from Bran.
He's not really sure what to make of the gnome.
"Most fascinating, indeed." Really? he thinks.
Flow nods at the halfling.
"I don't think I heard your name...I'm Flow," he says.
And that's all I have to say about that.
OOC: PapaKlaus, go ahead and have Bran respond to Flow in your post. This would take place after that.
Taking Alandell's advice to heart, Hildigrim nods and immediate drops his grin and adjusts his face into what he would consider to be a "hardened" exterior. He slides off the stool and sniffs, rubbing the bottom of his nose roughly. Sauntering toward the booth the barman had indicated, Hildi stops in his tracks at the sight of Flow. All pretense forgotten, his mouth forms an O and he slowly approaches.
"Hainard's hairy toes!" Hildi exclaims, sliding in beside Bran. "You're a genasi! I mean, I've read all about you. You're obviously a water genasi. I mean, truely! How fascinating!" Hildi continues to stare, completely ignoring the gnome beside him.
Bran waits for the half-elf barmaid to come by, then orders a cider.
He turns to the halfling, who is obviously excited to be here, and extends his hand. "Well met my little friend. My name is Bran Highdimple, pleased to make your acquaintance. Glad to have someone in this party with the same view point as me." Bran makes a gesture comparing the height difference between them and the high blue fellow across the table.
Flow smiles, resigned to his fate.
"Yes, I'm a water genasi. I'm glad that if nothing else, I can 'fascinate' the two of you," he says, arching his eyebrows to show that he is joking.
"But I still haven't heard your name!" he says to the halfling.
And that's all I have to say about that.
After meeting with the delightful Jerub the Gray, Barrel Jynx headed over to the Bowels of the Earth tavern to secure himself a room. "Might as well make some money while I wait for Jerub's 'Quest' " Barrel muttered as he made his way to the South Ward. It didn't take Barrel long to find the tavern. Placing a copper piece into the drunken doorman's hand Barrel walks into the Bowels.
"Good evening sir barkeep, I have come to make you rich." Barrel says with a smile. "I'm sure you've heard of me but just in case, let me introduce myself. Barrel Jynx, Dwarven Bard Extraordinaire at your service."
Barrel gives a deep bow and as he stands up he gives his fine silk black cloak a little flourish.
Alandell gives the old dwarf a once over. Barrel is dressed in fine silk black and gold clothing(His entertainer costume), a black cloak with gold trim around the outsides and a fine black hat with a golden feather stuck in it. Across his chest are 5 daggers in some kind of harness and a short bow strapped to his back. He is holding a small drum that he plays as he talks.
"For the low price of a place to stay and a meal or two a day, I will gladly entertain your guests for you. You see, I have a meeting with Jerub the Gray next week and I do not wish to miss the meeting. it's very important business you know. What say you?" (OOC: I use my background feature, By popular demand to gain a room and food for the week while waiting for the meeting.)
***One week passes***
The Bowels are extra crowded it seems the evening that Barrel was to meet Jerub the Gray. Barrel gives a wink to Alandell.
"I told you I would bring in the crowds for you and make you rich. Let me know when you see Jerub the Gray. I am going to perform for a bit until my meeting." Barrel says as he gives a small bow.
Barrel begins to walk the crowded room juggling his daggers and singing bawdy songs with practiced ease while waiting for Alandell to notify him of Jerub's arrival.. 12(Performance roll)
Edit OOC: I wear my armor under my entertainer costume because Barrel is not sure what will happen tonight
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"Oh, please pardon my boorishness," Hildrgrim says, tearing his eyes away from Flow. He smiles at Bran. "My name is Hildigrim Goodbody." He looks back at Flow. "Very nice to meet you both."
Flow smiles.
"A pleasure."
He turns to watch the knife-juggler.
A waste of weapons, but he is very good, Flow muses inwardly.
And that's all I have to say about that.
Bran sips his cider and watches the dwarf juggling the knives.
"Of all the acts one could do in a dimly lit crowded room, knife juggling seems like a bold choice"
Hildigrim takes advantage of the distraction to resume studying Flow.
Perception: 18
EDIT: Well aware of Hildigrim studying him, Flow attempts to act natural.
Deception: 4
EDIT: He exudes an aura of casualness, though inwardly he feels a little awkward.
And that's all I have to say about that.
After everyone in the tavern has gotten a good look at Barrel's act and the dwarf has finished collecting his tips, Arandell gives the dwarf a somewhat discreet "come here" motion from across the room.
Barrel receives 10 gold pieces from his week of work at the Bowels of the Earth and he earns free room and board in the tavern's most lavish suite, decorated in royal blue and gold drapings and a large bowl of exotic fruits from Calimshan (2 rations).
Lolli casually approaches the booth. Slides a flagon of cider across the wooden table to Bran and gently speaks, "5 nibs, ser" (5 cp).
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"It's not a waste if it pays well, I guess," Flow mutters as he observes the exchange.
He glances at his own weapon, a trident that rests next to his seat. No juggling that.
And that's all I have to say about that.