"Sure, we can check that out! I'll head to the market right now. Maybe they've got some fun things to buy... after I gather information, of course!" Celica says as she heads off to the market with a smile. "I'll meet you back at the inn in a little while!"
You step inside the inn. There is a common room that is mostly empty at this time of day; a halfling is sweeping the floor looking very bored. The decor is rustic, with wooden beams and plain, sturdy furniture. There is one group of humans gathered at a table in the corner, playing dice, and a lone gnome seated in the middle of the room looking very drunk, a large bowl of nuts in front of her. The halfling looks up as you enter, gives you a brief smile, and then returns to his work. There is no sign at the moment of any other staff.
The half-elf blacksmith notices you park the cart in front of the smithy and looks up; she sees that you are someone she doesn't recognise, and returns her focus to her work. She appears to be working on horseshoes at the moment, and you see only a few parts that might be for armour or weaponry around her workplace, and a lot more for tools and things of use to farmers and ordinary folk. A burly half-elf man steps from the attached building, carrying a bucket of water. He also notices you, and seems friendlier or at least less busy. "Welcome friend. New in town?"
The stalls selling groceries seem the busiest; two vegetable sellers appear to have a friendly rivalry, interrupted each other frequently to tempt customers to their wares - it all seems good-tempered. A stall selling herbs and spices has a small crowd as the vendor is describing a new and unusual spice that has just been delivered from the Menagerie Coast, where it is apparently all the rage in the best kitchens. Quieter and off to the side, you notice a cloth merchant who appears to have dozed off, head resting on the table of her stall, and toy merchant who appears to have sold most of her inventory and is packing up for the day.
Alton approaches the working halfling giving him a polite smile, "Hi there, I was wondering if there are rooms available for a few nights and a place to keep two horses and a wagon."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Be excellent to each other, and roll for initiative dudes!
Balassar just smiles and gives a nod "Yeah, looking for some supplies for the horses and ourselves. Plus a little information. I saw this smithy and it reminded me of my family smithy." he just looks around for a second "Names Balassar Silverstone by the way." he says holding out his hand.
Yes, of course, the halfling replies unenthusiastically. Show me where the wagon is, and I guess I'll drive it to the stable. It's across town, so I'll need to take it, and then when you need it again just let me or one of the others know and we'll be delighted to go fetch it. But you need to pay for your rooms first; I'll go get the innkeeper.
The halfling finishes a couple of strokes of his sweeping, and wanders off into the back - at no great speed. You are left alone in the common room.
Hey, you! a rather drunk-sounding voice calls out from behind you. The gnome woman at the table is looking at you while stuffing nuts into her mouth.
Silverstone? the half elf smith says, not looking up. Zadash maybe? I think maybe I met your pa once. Didn't meet the family, but I can see the resemblance. Best talk to Juul if you want to do business. I just hit stuff, she says, indicating the horseshoe she's working on. He's the one with the head for money and suchlike.
That would be me, the burly man says. Juul Crant, at your service, and glad to take your coin. Supplies for the horses? Horseshoes? Tackle? What kind of things?
Balassar looks at the half-elf and just nods "Appreciate it."
He looks at Juul "We could use some new horseshoes for our horses. I think the tackles are fine. As for the information I was wondering if anyone besides me that isn't a regular came through her in the past couple weeks. Maybe one with a scar? or if you knew anything about these brigands that have been causing people trouble?"
"Wants some nuts?" the gnome says, indicating the large bowl in front of her. With difficulty - her hand sways a lot but manages, on average, to point in the right direction. "Got plenty to share."
"Horseshoes we have aplenty. No trouble at all. Bring the horses round and we'll fit them." The price of horseshoes here is 2 silver per item, so 8 silver per horse.
"There's folk from all across the Empire passing through most days. We're not as big a trading centre as some of the big cities, but we're up and coming. A fellow with a scar, you say? Lots of people have scars. Haven't noticed anyone with an unusually prominent scar, though you might do better asking elsewhere."
Balassar, you can feel the tension immediately when you speak of bandits, and the man lowers his voice. "There's no trouble with brigands, not in this town. But there are some folk who don't take kindly to that sort of talk. Best be careful asking questions."
Balassar nods as he looks back at the cart "I'll bring the horses by and I guess many probably do. As for those who don't take kindly, any person in specific in this town who probably wouldn't like me talking or asking about them?" he says laying down his palm on the table and just leaving four gold coins, clearly for the horseshoes and name of the person.
The man takes two gold and gives you four silver in exchange; exactly the price of the horseshoes and nothing else. He doesn't speak a word, and shakes his head, but then looks - you think meaningfully - in the direction of the market square and the stalls, though it's not clear which one. The smith watches on, continuing her hammer; it's not clear whether she heard your question or what she thinks of it.
Alton gives a shrug, "Why not, while I wait for the innkeeper." He takes a seat across from the gnome, "Thank you for the kind offer miss. This place seems like it had better days."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Be excellent to each other, and roll for initiative dudes!
The gnome stares at you. The inn, or the town? Not that I care much either way. This place is a shithole. You from Felderwin, boy? I think I hear that on your tongue. What in the world brings you to the arse end of the Merrow Valley?
Balassar just shrugs "I'll bring the horses by." he says walking away crossing his path with the half-elf "Take it you wouldn't want to talk about anything related to the brigands or the man with a scar on his face?" he asks "I'll pay for the information."
"The inn, mostly, and I'm from around Felderwin." Alton replies and then shrugs, "Just some work I've picked up recently. My friends and I have been asked to look into an issue with some brigands that are rumored to be nearby and hunt down a particular individual. The description is that the person has a unique scar on their face. I don't suppose you'd know anything about either of them?"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Be excellent to each other, and roll for initiative dudes!
The smith regards you for a moment, then shakes her head. We don't want trouble here. I hope you can understand that. She resumes her work, ignoring Balassar for the moment.
Ho-ho? The gnome barks a loud laugh, drawing the attention of the group of humans at the other table. There's no brigands round these parts, my friend. She has the manner of someone telling a joke. None at all. Don't you know this is the safest town is all of the Empire?
The halfling returns with what is presumably the innkeeper following. Another ale, and more nuts! the gnome shouts at one or both of them, and then leans in to Alton in a conspiratorial manner. You can never have enough nuts, she whispers; her breath smells pretty much as you'd expect.
"Sure, we can check that out! I'll head to the market right now. Maybe they've got some fun things to buy... after I gather information, of course!" Celica says as she heads off to the market with a smile. "I'll meet you back at the inn in a little while!"
Alton:
You step inside the inn. There is a common room that is mostly empty at this time of day; a halfling is sweeping the floor looking very bored. The decor is rustic, with wooden beams and plain, sturdy furniture. There is one group of humans gathered at a table in the corner, playing dice, and a lone gnome seated in the middle of the room looking very drunk, a large bowl of nuts in front of her. The halfling looks up as you enter, gives you a brief smile, and then returns to his work. There is no sign at the moment of any other staff.
Balassar:
The half-elf blacksmith notices you park the cart in front of the smithy and looks up; she sees that you are someone she doesn't recognise, and returns her focus to her work. She appears to be working on horseshoes at the moment, and you see only a few parts that might be for armour or weaponry around her workplace, and a lot more for tools and things of use to farmers and ordinary folk. A burly half-elf man steps from the attached building, carrying a bucket of water. He also notices you, and seems friendlier or at least less busy. "Welcome friend. New in town?"
Sally will stay with the cart to look after it.
Celica:
The stalls selling groceries seem the busiest; two vegetable sellers appear to have a friendly rivalry, interrupted each other frequently to tempt customers to their wares - it all seems good-tempered. A stall selling herbs and spices has a small crowd as the vendor is describing a new and unusual spice that has just been delivered from the Menagerie Coast, where it is apparently all the rage in the best kitchens. Quieter and off to the side, you notice a cloth merchant who appears to have dozed off, head resting on the table of her stall, and toy merchant who appears to have sold most of her inventory and is packing up for the day.
Alton approaches the working halfling giving him a polite smile, "Hi there, I was wondering if there are rooms available for a few nights and a place to keep two horses and a wagon."
Be excellent to each other, and roll for initiative dudes!
Balassar just smiles and gives a nod "Yeah, looking for some supplies for the horses and ourselves. Plus a little information. I saw this smithy and it reminded me of my family smithy." he just looks around for a second "Names Balassar Silverstone by the way." he says holding out his hand.
Alton:
Yes, of course, the halfling replies unenthusiastically. Show me where the wagon is, and I guess I'll drive it to the stable. It's across town, so I'll need to take it, and then when you need it again just let me or one of the others know and we'll be delighted to go fetch it. But you need to pay for your rooms first; I'll go get the innkeeper.
The halfling finishes a couple of strokes of his sweeping, and wanders off into the back - at no great speed. You are left alone in the common room.
Hey, you! a rather drunk-sounding voice calls out from behind you. The gnome woman at the table is looking at you while stuffing nuts into her mouth.
Balassar:
Silverstone? the half elf smith says, not looking up. Zadash maybe? I think maybe I met your pa once. Didn't meet the family, but I can see the resemblance. Best talk to Juul if you want to do business. I just hit stuff, she says, indicating the horseshoe she's working on. He's the one with the head for money and suchlike.
That would be me, the burly man says. Juul Crant, at your service, and glad to take your coin. Supplies for the horses? Horseshoes? Tackle? What kind of things?
"My friend took the wagon over to the smithy at the moment, and thank you." Alton turns to look at the person that just called out, "Um, yes?"
Be excellent to each other, and roll for initiative dudes!
Balassar looks at the half-elf and just nods "Appreciate it."
He looks at Juul "We could use some new horseshoes for our horses. I think the tackles are fine. As for the information I was wondering if anyone besides me that isn't a regular came through her in the past couple weeks. Maybe one with a scar? or if you knew anything about these brigands that have been causing people trouble?"
Alton:
The halfling sighs, and wanders off.
"Wants some nuts?" the gnome says, indicating the large bowl in front of her. With difficulty - her hand sways a lot but manages, on average, to point in the right direction. "Got plenty to share."
Balassar:
"Horseshoes we have aplenty. No trouble at all. Bring the horses round and we'll fit them." The price of horseshoes here is 2 silver per item, so 8 silver per horse.
"There's folk from all across the Empire passing through most days. We're not as big a trading centre as some of the big cities, but we're up and coming. A fellow with a scar, you say? Lots of people have scars. Haven't noticed anyone with an unusually prominent scar, though you might do better asking elsewhere."
Balassar, you can feel the tension immediately when you speak of bandits, and the man lowers his voice. "There's no trouble with brigands, not in this town. But there are some folk who don't take kindly to that sort of talk. Best be careful asking questions."
Balassar nods as he looks back at the cart "I'll bring the horses by and I guess many probably do. As for those who don't take kindly, any person in specific in this town who probably wouldn't like me talking or asking about them?" he says laying down his palm on the table and just leaving four gold coins, clearly for the horseshoes and name of the person.
Balassar:
The man takes two gold and gives you four silver in exchange; exactly the price of the horseshoes and nothing else. He doesn't speak a word, and shakes his head, but then looks - you think meaningfully - in the direction of the market square and the stalls, though it's not clear which one. The smith watches on, continuing her hammer; it's not clear whether she heard your question or what she thinks of it.
Alton gives a shrug, "Why not, while I wait for the innkeeper." He takes a seat across from the gnome, "Thank you for the kind offer miss. This place seems like it had better days."
Be excellent to each other, and roll for initiative dudes!
Alton:
The gnome stares at you. The inn, or the town? Not that I care much either way. This place is a shithole. You from Felderwin, boy? I think I hear that on your tongue. What in the world brings you to the arse end of the Merrow Valley?
Balassar just shrugs "I'll bring the horses by." he says walking away crossing his path with the half-elf "Take it you wouldn't want to talk about anything related to the brigands or the man with a scar on his face?" he asks "I'll pay for the information."
"The inn, mostly, and I'm from around Felderwin." Alton replies and then shrugs, "Just some work I've picked up recently. My friends and I have been asked to look into an issue with some brigands that are rumored to be nearby and hunt down a particular individual. The description is that the person has a unique scar on their face. I don't suppose you'd know anything about either of them?"
Be excellent to each other, and roll for initiative dudes!
Balassar:
The smith regards you for a moment, then shakes her head. We don't want trouble here. I hope you can understand that. She resumes her work, ignoring Balassar for the moment.
Alton:
Ho-ho? The gnome barks a loud laugh, drawing the attention of the group of humans at the other table. There's no brigands round these parts, my friend. She has the manner of someone telling a joke. None at all. Don't you know this is the safest town is all of the Empire?
The halfling returns with what is presumably the innkeeper following. Another ale, and more nuts! the gnome shouts at one or both of them, and then leans in to Alton in a conspiratorial manner. You can never have enough nuts, she whispers; her breath smells pretty much as you'd expect.