People speak very differently here than they had at the temple of Akadi. Choir recognizes the words, but has no idea what these people are talking about half the time. What is on the house? Why are Adray and Fran going into the fire? Watch her back? She can't imagine what Fran's back was going to do that was worth watching.
But it seems that they are being given something to drink. Choir stretches up to look over the bar and points to a bottle that is bright red and sparkly. She likes red and sparkly.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Edeleth Treesong (Aldalire) WoodElf Druid lvl 8 Talaveroth Sub 2 Last Tree StandingTabaxi Ranger, Chef and Hoardsperson lvl 5, Company of the Dragon Team 1 Choir Kenku Cleric, Tempest Domain, lvl 11, Descent Into Avernus Test Drive Poinki Goblin Paladin, Redemption, lvl 5, Tales from Talaveroth Lyrika Nyx Satyr Bard lvl 1, The Six Kingdoms of Talia
Seeing Choir lean over the bar and points at the red sparkly bottle. “Oh fudge nugget, I’ll take the same. You only live once unless someone resurrects you, right? Barkeep, two shots of ‘Dragons Breath’ please!”
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Ordrag said he would keep an eye on Choir and Polly, but he is also aware of the conversations going on around him, and can't help his curiosity. He grabs his beer mug and wanders over to a nearby table occupied by some folk that seem to be the most talkative and the least thugish. Pulling an empty chair from a nearby table, he plonks himself down in the biggest gap he can find and says:
Hey, you lot seem to have a pretty good grip on what's going on around here, if you don't mind me sayin. What you make of these murders whats going on around the city, eh?
... and he takes a pull from the mug and looks expectedly at the patrons.
Half-elf did not get back on his word, probably Polly impressed him with her knowledge of the liquor. Girls got one shot each of that sparkly red liquid they desired, which strength could be smelled a meter away from the counter. "My name is Alan Alyth, by the way," mentioned he, not without curiosity watching Choir dealing with her liquor.
Ordrag impressed patrons enough to be accepted at the table. His neighbours were a jovial strong-jawed half-orc with a bellowing laugh on the right, and a his opposite - a snooty looking halfling, wearing a colourful cape with an apothecary insignia on it.
"You have to be more specific than that, friend," laughed half-orc. "In the good town of Baldur's Gate murder happen to often to keep records."
"Oh, I know what he means, all right," halfling was talking in expected snarky tone. "He is with Flaming First - don't think I did not see it. And they are fighting each other now. In secrecy, as they think, as if there are no people with brains to notice!"
There are several conspiracy theories circulating around and if Ordrag wanted to, he could here them all - beginning with the refugees attacking good citizens of BG out of spite, and ending with some cult, collecting victims in preparation for BG the fate of Elturel.
--------------------------------
Meanwhile, practically the first thing Fran and Adrey saw when they got upstairs, was Tarina. There could be no mistake here: the human woman, with a tan and unmistakable wrinkles one get on the sea, a lot of grey in her short hair and loud laughter and swearing (the latter, though, was not exclusive to her - the game round just ended and Tarina's partners obviously lost). Come to think of it, the way she laugh and darted her eyes at both of you when you emerged in the room, you could tell she feels uneasy for whatever reason.
”Cheers Choir” she say and downs the shot. And immediately realize why it is called ‘Dragons Breath’. Her tongue burns with the taste of chili and cinnamon and her throat burns with alcohol. Even though it was so strong, it was still one of the best drinks she’d had. “Oh dang, that was one heck of a drink! Thank you Alan! I’m Polly and this is Owis.”She indicate her familiar on her shoulder. “And this is Choir. Uhm, as a bartender you must hear a lot of rumors, right? Have you heard anything about what happened to Elturel?
Adray spots the woman and thinks back that his superior had nailed the description perfectly. He moved forward into the room slowly, his hands calmly at his side and his posture in a relaxed position. He did not want to spook her. "You must be the Tarina we've heard so much about. The women kissed by the sea and lady luck as I hear it. Evident by their groans. We've come to test that luck. We challenge you to a private game of dice."
For a moment Tarina's gaze was so intent you would think she is trying to read your mind. Then she answered: "Private, eh? You must be very bold and very rich ("And stupid" - added one of the loosers at the table.) to test your luck against my. But let's see what you get." "Over there"she nodded at the private boot, "go ahead, I'll be right behind you".
And so she was, but not before she made sure you entered and in a line of sight. "Sooooo....Is this really about the game?" She looked more like someone ready to attack rather than to game - in a city, dirty way - dangerous and unpredictable.
-----------------------------------
Looked like Alan took Polly's question as a small talk conversation, and subject was not that interesting to begin with. "Who did not? Not every day cities disappear. Would not even guess why. Some say, their mages did something in their tower, but it's hard to believe. And ..." - what "and" you never know, because at that very moment tavern was filled with sad beautiful melody and ethereal voice raised above conversations. Alan, at first silent as a man respecting good but very familiar tradition, eventually listened the voice with the growing surprise on his face.
Polly suddenly realized she understands the words!
0 sing a song of Elturel Of water, woods, and hill The sun dawns on her ruddy cliffs And fields green and still. This land of long-abiding joy Home of the strong and brave Renowned by all, across the realms, And never once a slave.
0 sing a song of Elturel When foes are at her door Her fields torn by cloven feet From some infernal shore. Arise the mighty Hellriders Take up your swift, keen swords Then charge into the hellish fray And scatter devil hordes.
0 sing a song of Elturel And when the night does fall Sleep safe beneath Companion's light Until the dawn does call. Were bound by mortal covenant That only ends with death And so we'll sing of Elturel Until our final breath.
"I guess here is your answer," managed he to say when the song ended, "but I be damned if I understand what it's meaning".
Remaining calm, Adray gestures to the seat and then sits himself down. In a quiet and calm voice he said, "Captain Z sent us to collect some info to settle the debt owed. I figures you may want some privacy in the matter. Save face."
In a louder voice he says while pulling out a gold coin and setting it down on the table and then pulling out a second slowly stacking it. "Are we to play?"
Polly stands there, silent with a tear in her eye. The song was beautiful and it is not every day you hear a message from the divine. (What language was it in?)
She needed time to ponder this message, she had an inkling of what it might mean and it nearly scared the soul out of her.
Tarina visibly relaxed (though not completely) and now allowed herself a grin again. "Figured that much - bet you have not a single silver to game. Do not like to pretend to play - bad luck, you know, Bones do not like pretense, but right now I would risk it." She threw at the table her set of dice and looked at you expectantly. "Do you ever even played Baldur's Bones?" "No matter, let's pretend we are having a nice conversation first. So, what does nice Captain wants from a poor old lady?"
-------------------------------------------
The language was elven, so, few in the tavern understood the words. Alan did, and he was still impressed. "For decades - and I am not exaggerating - decades! - the spirit repeated only one song, her own sad story. Don't think I like that change. Truly it must be the end of time. Who the hell is Hellriders? No, I do not like it."
With a slight smile, he placed his hands upon the table and motioned for Fran to come join. "Truth, we are to look into the murders by the Dead Three cult. The towns already a mess with refugees and rumors of this and that but this. This is tangible, this is something all can look at and say with clarity, that shit ain't right. And so Captain says you might know something worth knowing. We get that info and you owe the Captain less and maybe we dice a game afterward. Truth again, he warned us not to if we value coin. "
Choir admires the ruby red color of the drink, and wonders why it is in such a small glass. Not that she would complain about something free. She taps the glass to enjoy watching the little bubbles skitter to the top. Then she tastes it.
Choir splatters the sip of sparkly red all over the table, and hurriedly wipes her tongue on her sleeve until it stops burning.
Apparently this drink is decorative only. She returns to enjoying the color and stirring up the little bubbles. Suddenly the air is filled with beautiful song. Entranced, Choir listens and commits every note to memory.
In the temple, the choirmaster had often called on her to fill in for members of the choir who were absent from their duties. She could dutifully replace any of the choir members' voices, repeating their part in the hymn exactly as she had heard them sing it. For some reason, this seemed to irritate the choirmaster terribly, and he called it 'a mockery of art.' But it didn't stop him from calling on her assistance.
None of the choir members had sung anything as nice as THIS, though. If she ever sees the choirmaster again, she will sing it for him, and maybe it will make him less grumpy.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Edeleth Treesong (Aldalire) WoodElf Druid lvl 8 Talaveroth Sub 2 Last Tree StandingTabaxi Ranger, Chef and Hoardsperson lvl 5, Company of the Dragon Team 1 Choir Kenku Cleric, Tempest Domain, lvl 11, Descent Into Avernus Test Drive Poinki Goblin Paladin, Redemption, lvl 5, Tales from Talaveroth Lyrika Nyx Satyr Bard lvl 1, The Six Kingdoms of Talia
"As if you had any coin to gamble," smirked Tarina again but instantly became serious. "Dead Three... I do know something, yes... And Captain is indeed has the right to expect the information from me. But I would not talk."She raised her hand cutting off your questions. "I'll be honest here (it was up to you to believe in that honesty) you came at the worst possible day for me. Or the best - if we can make a deal. You see... some time ago - a long time - I crossed some bad people. And when I say they are bad - you can count on them to be the worst of a kind. Now they are coming for me. The information is true - they are going to be here today. To kill me." "So, the deal is simple - you help me to stay alive, and I tell you everything I know. Otherwise - I swear, no Necromancer will get nothing even from my dead body!"
She is waiting for your decision, saying one last thing "You do look capable, but three of us might not be enough, you might ask your Captain for help".
Fran would have stood at the back with her arms crossed until Adray would call her forward. She'd relax her posture, walk up slowly and look to Adray. At this point she was following the lead, because this art of conversation was no where near her area of expertise. Fran would look to Tarina to see if she could get any insight to this woman while she waited for Adray to do the talking.
As she talked, he frowned and as she finished the deal proposal he closed his eyes, pinched the bridge of his nose for a moment and sighed. "So, you admit to owing the Captain, to a debt and openly admit to not fulfilling it. Now you want a deal with us, and propose a trade for something already owed to the captain... " He thinks for a moment before saying. "No deal."
Adray puts his hands on the table getting ready to stand up and then stops and looks at her. "I'm in a good mood today, so I'll give you a counter. We help save your life and you us for that. You then fulfill your debt to our Captain." He then holds out his hand to shake, "And by the way, more of our team is waiting down stairs already."
Ordrag stayed just long enough with the two patrons to be polite, but getting nothing useful, he returned to the bar just as the song started. Ah, so this is THAT tavern! he thought, remembering having heard about it, but somehow not making the connection. Then, when the barkeep mentions the "Hellriders", Ordrag says:
Hey, me remembers the Captain sayin somethin about them. He said the knights of Elturgard were called Hellriders, and they was arrestin them, cos they was stirrin up some kinda trouble.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
"Don't try to con a con artist, boy." Tarina puts up a brave face but you do not need to be too perceptive to see her relieve - whoever is coming for her, it's a really bad news and she does afraid for her life.
"Well, why don't you show me the rest of your tough guys? Then we can talk who owes who and what."
Looking at Fran he gives her a solid nod of approval. While she goes to leave, Adray keeps his attention on mot only Tarina but the others she was playing dice with.
Fran would return the nod and head downstairs. She'd scan the crowd for the others, though it wouldn't take long to find Polly and Choir. Ordrag not far. At first she thought to just stare until they looked and give a head nod, but something about standing there in her new Flaming Fist attire longer than necessary made her uneasy. Fran would walk over to Polly and Choir. " Adray is up there.Full audience is requested upstairs. I'll meet you up there with Ordrag." She'd then head over to Ordrag, "Ready to head upstairs?"
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just an unstable unicorn.
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People speak very differently here than they had at the temple of Akadi. Choir recognizes the words, but has no idea what these people are talking about half the time. What is on the house? Why are Adray and Fran going into the fire? Watch her back? She can't imagine what Fran's back was going to do that was worth watching.
But it seems that they are being given something to drink. Choir stretches up to look over the bar and points to a bottle that is bright red and sparkly. She likes red and sparkly.
Edeleth Treesong (Aldalire) Wood Elf Druid lvl 8 Talaveroth Sub 2
Last Tree Standing Tabaxi Ranger, Chef and Hoardsperson lvl 5, Company of the Dragon Team 1
Choir Kenku Cleric, Tempest Domain, lvl 11, Descent Into Avernus Test Drive
Poinki Goblin Paladin, Redemption, lvl 5, Tales from Talaveroth
Lyrika Nyx Satyr Bard lvl 1, The Six Kingdoms of Talia
Seeing Choir lean over the bar and points at the red sparkly bottle. “Oh fudge nugget, I’ll take the same. You only live once unless someone resurrects you, right? Barkeep, two shots of ‘Dragons Breath’ please!”
Ordrag said he would keep an eye on Choir and Polly, but he is also aware of the conversations going on around him, and can't help his curiosity. He grabs his beer mug and wanders over to a nearby table occupied by some folk that seem to be the most talkative and the least thugish. Pulling an empty chair from a nearby table, he plonks himself down in the biggest gap he can find and says:
Hey, you lot seem to have a pretty good grip on what's going on around here, if you don't mind me sayin. What you make of these murders whats going on around the city, eh?
... and he takes a pull from the mug and looks expectedly at the patrons.
Persuasion: 18
How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
Half-elf did not get back on his word, probably Polly impressed him with her knowledge of the liquor. Girls got one shot each of that sparkly red liquid they desired, which strength could be smelled a meter away from the counter. "My name is Alan Alyth, by the way," mentioned he, not without curiosity watching Choir dealing with her liquor.
Ordrag impressed patrons enough to be accepted at the table. His neighbours were a jovial strong-jawed half-orc with a bellowing laugh on the right, and a his opposite - a snooty looking halfling, wearing a colourful cape with an apothecary insignia on it.
"You have to be more specific than that, friend," laughed half-orc. "In the good town of Baldur's Gate murder happen to often to keep records."
"Oh, I know what he means, all right," halfling was talking in expected snarky tone. "He is with Flaming First - don't think I did not see it. And they are fighting each other now. In secrecy, as they think, as if there are no people with brains to notice!"
There are several conspiracy theories circulating around and if Ordrag wanted to, he could here them all - beginning with the refugees attacking good citizens of BG out of spite, and ending with some cult, collecting victims in preparation for BG the fate of Elturel.
--------------------------------
Meanwhile, practically the first thing Fran and Adrey saw when they got upstairs, was Tarina. There could be no mistake here: the human woman, with a tan and unmistakable wrinkles one get on the sea, a lot of grey in her short hair and loud laughter and swearing (the latter, though, was not exclusive to her - the game round just ended and Tarina's partners obviously lost). Come to think of it, the way she laugh and darted her eyes at both of you when you emerged in the room, you could tell she feels uneasy for whatever reason.
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
”Cheers Choir” she say and downs the shot. And immediately realize why it is called ‘Dragons Breath’. Her tongue burns with the taste of chili and cinnamon and her throat burns with alcohol. Even though it was so strong, it was still one of the best drinks she’d had. “Oh dang, that was one heck of a drink! Thank you Alan! I’m Polly and this is Owis.” She indicate her familiar on her shoulder. “And this is Choir. Uhm, as a bartender you must hear a lot of rumors, right? Have you heard anything about what happened to Elturel?
persuasion: 12
Adray spots the woman and thinks back that his superior had nailed the description perfectly. He moved forward into the room slowly, his hands calmly at his side and his posture in a relaxed position. He did not want to spook her. "You must be the Tarina we've heard so much about. The women kissed by the sea and lady luck as I hear it. Evident by their groans. We've come to test that luck. We challenge you to a private game of dice."
For a moment Tarina's gaze was so intent you would think she is trying to read your mind. Then she answered: "Private, eh? You must be very bold and very rich ("And stupid" - added one of the loosers at the table.) to test your luck against my. But let's see what you get." "Over there" she nodded at the private boot, "go ahead, I'll be right behind you".
And so she was, but not before she made sure you entered and in a line of sight. "Sooooo....Is this really about the game?" She looked more like someone ready to attack rather than to game - in a city, dirty way - dangerous and unpredictable.
-----------------------------------
Looked like Alan took Polly's question as a small talk conversation, and subject was not that interesting to begin with. "Who did not? Not every day cities disappear. Would not even guess why. Some say, their mages did something in their tower, but it's hard to believe. And ..." - what "and" you never know, because at that very moment tavern was filled with sad beautiful melody and ethereal voice raised above conversations. Alan, at first silent as a man respecting good but very familiar tradition, eventually listened the voice with the growing surprise on his face.
Polly suddenly realized she understands the words!
0 sing a song of Elturel
Of water, woods, and hill
The sun dawns on her ruddy cliffs
And fields green and still.
This land of long-abiding joy
Home of the strong and brave
Renowned by all, across the realms,
And never once a slave.
0 sing a song of Elturel
When foes are at her door
Her fields torn by cloven feet
From some infernal shore.
Arise the mighty Hellriders
Take up your swift, keen swords
Then charge into the hellish fray
And scatter devil hordes.
0 sing a song of Elturel
And when the night does fall
Sleep safe beneath Companion's light
Until the dawn does call.
Were bound by mortal covenant
That only ends with death
And so we'll sing of Elturel
Until our final breath.
"I guess here is your answer," managed he to say when the song ended, "but I be damned if I understand what it's meaning".
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
Remaining calm, Adray gestures to the seat and then sits himself down. In a quiet and calm voice he said, "Captain Z sent us to collect some info to settle the debt owed. I figures you may want some privacy in the matter. Save face."
In a louder voice he says while pulling out a gold coin and setting it down on the table and then pulling out a second slowly stacking it. "Are we to play?"
Polly stands there, silent with a tear in her eye. The song was beautiful and it is not every day you hear a message from the divine. (What language was it in?)
She needed time to ponder this message, she had an inkling of what it might mean and it nearly scared the soul out of her.
“I think I do..” she answers silently.
Tarina visibly relaxed (though not completely) and now allowed herself a grin again. "Figured that much - bet you have not a single silver to game. Do not like to pretend to play - bad luck, you know, Bones do not like pretense, but right now I would risk it." She threw at the table her set of dice and looked at you expectantly. "Do you ever even played Baldur's Bones?" "No matter, let's pretend we are having a nice conversation first. So, what does nice Captain wants from a poor old lady?"
-------------------------------------------
The language was elven, so, few in the tavern understood the words. Alan did, and he was still impressed. "For decades - and I am not exaggerating - decades! - the spirit repeated only one song, her own sad story. Don't think I like that change. Truly it must be the end of time. Who the hell is Hellriders? No, I do not like it."
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
With a slight smile, he placed his hands upon the table and motioned for Fran to come join. "Truth, we are to look into the murders by the Dead Three cult. The towns already a mess with refugees and rumors of this and that but this. This is tangible, this is something all can look at and say with clarity, that shit ain't right. And so Captain says you might know something worth knowing. We get that info and you owe the Captain less and maybe we dice a game afterward. Truth again, he warned us not to if we value coin. "
Choir admires the ruby red color of the drink, and wonders why it is in such a small glass. Not that she would complain about something free. She taps the glass to enjoy watching the little bubbles skitter to the top. Then she tastes it.
Choir splatters the sip of sparkly red all over the table, and hurriedly wipes her tongue on her sleeve until it stops burning.
Apparently this drink is decorative only. She returns to enjoying the color and stirring up the little bubbles. Suddenly the air is filled with beautiful song. Entranced, Choir listens and commits every note to memory.
In the temple, the choirmaster had often called on her to fill in for members of the choir who were absent from their duties. She could dutifully replace any of the choir members' voices, repeating their part in the hymn exactly as she had heard them sing it. For some reason, this seemed to irritate the choirmaster terribly, and he called it 'a mockery of art.' But it didn't stop him from calling on her assistance.
None of the choir members had sung anything as nice as THIS, though. If she ever sees the choirmaster again, she will sing it for him, and maybe it will make him less grumpy.
Edeleth Treesong (Aldalire) Wood Elf Druid lvl 8 Talaveroth Sub 2
Last Tree Standing Tabaxi Ranger, Chef and Hoardsperson lvl 5, Company of the Dragon Team 1
Choir Kenku Cleric, Tempest Domain, lvl 11, Descent Into Avernus Test Drive
Poinki Goblin Paladin, Redemption, lvl 5, Tales from Talaveroth
Lyrika Nyx Satyr Bard lvl 1, The Six Kingdoms of Talia
"As if you had any coin to gamble," smirked Tarina again but instantly became serious. "Dead Three... I do know something, yes... And Captain is indeed has the right to expect the information from me. But I would not talk." She raised her hand cutting off your questions. "I'll be honest here (it was up to you to believe in that honesty) you came at the worst possible day for me. Or the best - if we can make a deal. You see... some time ago - a long time - I crossed some bad people. And when I say they are bad - you can count on them to be the worst of a kind. Now they are coming for me. The information is true - they are going to be here today. To kill me." "So, the deal is simple - you help me to stay alive, and I tell you everything I know. Otherwise - I swear, no Necromancer will get nothing even from my dead body!"
She is waiting for your decision, saying one last thing "You do look capable, but three of us might not be enough, you might ask your Captain for help".
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
Fran would have stood at the back with her arms crossed until Adray would call her forward. She'd relax her posture, walk up slowly and look to Adray. At this point she was following the lead, because this art of conversation was no where near her area of expertise. Fran would look to Tarina to see if she could get any insight to this woman while she waited for Adray to do the talking.
just an unstable unicorn.
As she talked, he frowned and as she finished the deal proposal he closed his eyes, pinched the bridge of his nose for a moment and sighed. "So, you admit to owing the Captain, to a debt and openly admit to not fulfilling it. Now you want a deal with us, and propose a trade for something already owed to the captain... " He thinks for a moment before saying. "No deal."
Adray puts his hands on the table getting ready to stand up and then stops and looks at her. "I'm in a good mood today, so I'll give you a counter. We help save your life and you us for that. You then fulfill your debt to our Captain." He then holds out his hand to shake, "And by the way, more of our team is waiting down stairs already."
Ordrag stayed just long enough with the two patrons to be polite, but getting nothing useful, he returned to the bar just as the song started. Ah, so this is THAT tavern! he thought, remembering having heard about it, but somehow not making the connection. Then, when the barkeep mentions the "Hellriders", Ordrag says:
Hey, me remembers the Captain sayin somethin about them. He said the knights of Elturgard were called Hellriders, and they was arrestin them, cos they was stirrin up some kinda trouble.
How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
"Don't try to con a con artist, boy." Tarina puts up a brave face but you do not need to be too perceptive to see her relieve - whoever is coming for her, it's a really bad news and she does afraid for her life.
"Well, why don't you show me the rest of your tough guys? Then we can talk who owes who and what."
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
"Want me teh go get the others?" Fran would look to Adray.
just an unstable unicorn.
Looking at Fran he gives her a solid nod of approval. While she goes to leave, Adray keeps his attention on mot only Tarina but the others she was playing dice with.
Fran would return the nod and head downstairs. She'd scan the crowd for the others, though it wouldn't take long to find Polly and Choir. Ordrag not far. At first she thought to just stare until they looked and give a head nod, but something about standing there in her new Flaming Fist attire longer than necessary made her uneasy. Fran would walk over to Polly and Choir. " Adray is up there. Full audience is requested upstairs. I'll meet you up there with Ordrag." She'd then head over to Ordrag, "Ready to head upstairs?"
just an unstable unicorn.