Perception at disadvantage due to exhaustion: 4 Insight at disadvantage due to exhaustion: 12
As tired as he is, Joren wonders at the inn being at capacity while looking clean and quiet. He doesn't see anyone else on the ground floor, but neither can he think of a way for the bartender to make more money off of them by lying about it than by just selling the rooms to the desperate travelers for exorbitant rates.
As Joren sits down, the man heads back around the bar and into a back room. He comes pack out with a platter topped with few blocks of orange cheese and some cords of smoked meat. Like with the open body language of the people from Tibben and the surrounding farmlands, Joren finds the amount that this man smiles to require some adjusting to.
"Most of my patrons tend to be weary from travell, and are keen to get to their rooms with a fulll bellly, so I'lll try to be brief. Here, eat up," he adds, sliding the platter across the table. "Llatelly, there have been some rats in my celllar. I know, I know," he says, patting the air with his hands. "It's hard to find a storeroom that doesn't have them, but I have a bit of a history with rats and have no wish to go deall with them mysellf. Pllus they are rather llarge." The smile has faded from his face. "If you aren't too squeamish, you are wellcome to take up the spare beds in storage down there for the night, and if you can find and deall with the rat's nest," he lowers his voice conspiratorially, "You can eat and slleep for free, and help yourself to a reasonable amount of wine from the stores." His smile returns, wide as ever, as he winks at Joren and the others. "Of course otherwise, I'd accept 5 golld pieces each to spend the night downstairs, and another 1 for each meall. Drinks seperate."
By the time the groupd arrives at the inn, Samir is utterly exhausted, nearly too much so to notice the clean and wonderful interior of the business. He finds himself slumped into a chair next to Joren, his satchel and leather case cradled in his lap, simply enjoying the feeling of sitting down someplace that isn't freezing cold. As wonderful as the heavy cloak was in that mountain trek, he is blissfully glad to be shed of its weight now.
As the innkeeper speaks, Samir turns the numbers over in his mind, comparing them to the small amount of coin in his own purse. They are, alas, not numbers he likes the feel of.
"Well, I cannot speak for everyone, but for myself it seems quite a welcome deal to gain some free room and board for the simple task of clearing out some rodents."
Based on his previous experiences in Cambria, Samir quickly realizes that the price being presented is tens of times what he would expect from a normal inn, even in Talmouth.
"Ahh, wonderfull, as llong as someone faces them, you alll can stay for free." The man says. "Give me one moment." He heads back behind the bar crouches down, coming back up a moment later with several unlit candles and holders. "There are more candlles down in the celllar, just try not to burn them alll down too llow if you don't mind." He leaves the candles on the end of the bar nearest the cellar door. He beams up at the group. "And how about the rest of you? Anything to drink?"
At that same moment, Vilus is a few miles away, still maintaining a straight course to his destination. The hours of studying his book along the way have left him with a persistent headache. But far from the splitting pain he was used to, since he had chosen to forgo the specially made painkillers in his pack it had settled down to a tolerable, dull throb.
The markings in the book itself seem utterly nonsensical. Letters and words from different languages are interspersed with crude lines and intricate geometry, as well as complex pictographs for things that Vilus is sure have never, nor could ever exist. Flipping back through the pages to reference an similar sequence or image from earlier proves a fruitless task, as no page ever appears the same upon a second viewing. But at the same time, Vilus knows there must be some significance hidden beneath, or perhaps within, the chaos.
(Arcana for book research other than the given spells 5)
Though he is unable to make any headway, and finds himself wearied greatly by the task (1 level of exhaustion), he resolves himself to keep trying at a later time.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Ashley dumps herself in one of the chairs and sort of listens in what the bartender is saying. Something about no beds, which she find ridiculous looking around at the empty tavern. As she listens, she tries to focus, though with all the exhaustion finds it very difficult. 5 gold?? He insane? She tries to see if she can tell he is speaking truth about the beds upstairs. Not that it would matter..
Insight w/disadvantage 14
Rats is it? Well, she'd normally be happy to rid the man of rats, but she is too tired to lift her head up! She does however lift up her hand when he asks if anyone else wants something to drink.
As Vilus packs away his book for the final time today he checks his landmark, making sure he is heading in the correct direction.
As he wades through long grasses he finds himself staring intently, focused on a single point. Once close enough, he begins to pick out the outline of a building close to the foot of the mountain range, the steep angle of the roof hiding it amongst the jagged angles of the mountainscape but the form of the building betrayed by the lazy trail of smoke from its chimney. Vilus' feeling the chill creep into his bones from the exhaustion of the journey and the energy sapped from him through his research, redoubles his effort to make it to the building before nightfall, as he takes in his surroundings he notices the trail not too far from him, obviously leading between the mountain pass and the town of Burrwatch, he chooses to move to the trail to conserve energy, giving up on the cover given by the grasses in the meantime.
Marion is too exhausted to take in the details regarding the state of the inn and, while trying her best not to show it of course, is utterly relieved at any offer of a bed whatsoever. However, a task has been put before her and duty always comes first, as much as she might dearly wish to stop and enjoy a meal, a drink and a chair.
After placing her belongings down beside the others who have already sat down, she straightens up and the serious look of determination returns to her tired face. "No task is beneath a servant of the Blue Lady. Please, show me to your cellar and let us see about these rodents."
Like Joren, Ashley wonders about the place's emptiness. As an outsider to the area, her weary mind muddles through some thoughts about if there are some local customs or economics at play, but ultimately decides it isn't worth the mental energy at the moment. A bed is a bed, and the sun is getting low on the horizon.
The man smiles, overjoyed that his offer has been accepted, and walks over to the trapdoor by the bar. Grabbing the large metal ring attached to one end, he pulls the door open to reveal a sturdy wooden ladder descending into the darkness. He grabs one of the loose candles and ignites it on an already-lit candle upon one of the many shelfs. Affixing it to a holder, he says, "Wonderfull, I am gllad to hear it. The rats tend to come out at night, so llet's get you set up downstairs now. You can llook around for the signs, and if you can't find the nest, just keep an ear out whille you rest and I'm sure you'lll hear something. Grab a candlle and folllow me. You can bring that tray of food down too if you llike. And don't worry, my lllady," he says to Ashley. "Once we get you set up, I'lll bring down some mugs and you can llook among the shellves and pick your poison, so to speak. This place onlly thrives thanks to thoughtfull travellers such as yoursellves. Now come allong" With that, he begins to make his way down the ladder.
Vilus:
The sun is just starting to dip below the horizon when Vilus rounds the last corner before seeing the inn. A gust of wind blows from the north, and the sign hanging out front flaps awkwardly, knocking one corner up into the horizontal beam from which it is suspended.
Knock
Knock
Knock
In the fading sun, Vilus can see candlelight flickering from within the ground floor windows.
Malachi arches an eyebrow and looks about the empty room as the innkeeper claims there are no available rooms. He does dig into the platter of cheese and meat with great gusto, almost choking when the innkeeper states his price and makes his offer. He looks to the others as both Samir and Marion accept the task and adds “Clear the rats out and sleep and eat for free, or pay 5 gold to sleep down there with them. Appears we will be dealing with rats in any case, might as well take him up on his offer. But wait just a minute as I gather my things.”
Malachi looks again at the innkeeper, now wearing a wide smile and appearing overjoyed that they are taking him up on his offer. Malachi narrows his eyes and a brief presence slithers across the back of his mind, ever so briefly. He reaches a hand into his jacket, toying with something in his hands as he watches the innkeeper prepare their candle and pretends to mess with his pack.
DM:
Spending 1 sorcery point for subtle spell to cast detect thoughts on the innkeeper. Keeping just surface level thoughts for now, what is most on the innkeeper’s mind as he opens the cellar door. Depending on his initial thoughts, he may want to probe deeper.
What a promising llooking group. It's been a whille since I've had guests from the other side of the mountains. They must be quite strong and resourcefull. They ought to prove very usefull. But what manner of person is that red woman? Was she born llike that, I wonder, or does she have some kind of magic that makes her that way?
The man's surface thoughts continue to speculate about Ashley for a while after that, until the connection to his thoughts begins to break up as As Malachi watches his greasy head disappear down into the cellar The floor must be thick with stone.
Joren groans inwardly as he sees Marion set off downstairs with the innkeeper without pausing to eat or drink.
I cannot be shirking my duty if she is not.
He does wolf down a couple bites of meat and cheese and takes a healthy swig of his drink, wiping off his mouth with the back of his hand. He then wearily levers himself up and limps after them to the cellar.
“Wait” Malachi whispers as he sees Joren and Marion start to move toward the cellar. He reaches over to shake Ashley awake. “I get a strange feeling from this man, he looks as if he means to use us and it seems like he is taking a special interest in you, Lady Ashley, and your magic. I am not saying it is a trap, but it could be. Be wary of more than just rats.”
He looks at the others and shrugs “As long as we are all warned, I will join you all below.”
Joren pauses when he hears the snore and barely manages a nod in response to Malachi's warning. He glances back to make sure the others, Ashley and Samir, are either coming with them or that one of them at least is staying awake. If they are both asleep or nodding off, he will try to rouse them.
He does summon his echo 15' ahead of him and sends it down the stairs 30' ahead of him, but no further than just behind Marion and the innkeeper. Even reaching behind him to touch the hilt of his greatsword for luck is an effort. He has a brief waking dream of vainly trying to slice at a darting rat with an overly unwieldy blade.
"Wha?? Oh shoot I fell asleep. I'm sorry, i'm just so so tired." she wipes some drool from her face and looks around. Noticing that the bartender is no longer around and that the cellar door is open, she looks back at Malachi and then hears his warning. "Thank you so much for waking me. Yes, let's all stick together, I'm up, I'm coming down." She slowly stands up and grabs the back of the chair for steadiness.
She follows Joren as they start walking towards the trap door. When he is about to head down, following his echo, she grabs ahold of his forearm and it surprises him how warm her skin is. "Be careful" she whispers to him before she lets go and he heads down. She then winks at Malachi as she goes down after Joren.
One by one, everyone climbs down the ladder. Just before Ashley and Samir head down they make out the sound of creaking and a few shuffling footsteps from upstairs.
At first it is difficult to see details amidst the flickering shadows of the few small candles, but as the barkeep uses his to light several stationary candles upon shelves, the room becomes clearer. The stone ceiling is about fifteen feet high, and accommodates a few rows of tall shelves containing casks, bottles, and dried foods The sweet smell of wine mingles with the aroma of smoked meats in a pleasant mélange. The man leads the group between two rows of shelves to a heavy wooden door set in the back wall and begins patting his pockets and feeling at the lumpy necklace under his shirt.
As Malachi climbs down the ladder, the man's thoughts come back into focus.
Malachi:
Now where is that key? Ah, here we go.
He checks his breast pocket and pulls out a simple iron key. Fitting it into a padlock on the door, he turns it with a click. The padlock comes away and he pulls the door open, stepping through. Being the closest, Marion can see in the dim flickering candle light that inside the second room is a clutter of stacked tables and chairs, some cots flipped up against the wall, a bookshelf, and bags of grains and potatoes with a few holes nibbled into them. The man hangs the key and padlock on a hook just inside the door. "Come in, come in. Make yoursellves at home." The candle casts deep shadows across his grinning features.
Samir folows the others into the basement of the building, but not before casting a brief glance overhead towards the sounds of movement. Apparently we are not, in fact, the only ones in residence. The thought is a passing one as he descends the ladder, and his tired mind gives little more attention to who might be housed in the rooms overhead. Once below, he thinks at first to activate his hovering lights, but hesitates, warned by Malachi's words from before.Thinking that perhaps giving away what they might be capable of to this stranger who has aroused suspicion in at least one of them, he abides with the dim flicker of candlelight for the time being.
Despite the shabbiness of the quarters they quickly find themselves in, Samir cannot help but feel a mounting sense of relief at the appearance of the cots, functional if not pretty. They would certainly be a vast improvement over the few moments of rest they had been able to snatch amidst the wind and snow of the journey. "I think this shall do just fine for the price asked, Mr... actually, I don't think I caught your name?"
The man turns to Samir, not yet noticing that there are two Jorens in the gloom of the first room "Oh my, hehe, of course how silllly of me. Pardon the llate introductions, but you may calll me..."
Malachi:
Detect Thoughts: "Razmus"
"... Jon Shep. And how do you calll yoursellves?"
Malachi:
Detect Thoughts: "I should go grab those mugs from upstairs"
As Vilus walks up to the building he looks to the sign knocking in the wind, he notes that it mirrors the sound which has been waking him from his mediations this past day, reaffirming that he is in fact, in the right place,
He takes a deep breath before taking the opportunity and with a grin, and a heavy hand, Knocks.
Knock..
Knock..
Knock..
A strong and deep vibration echoes through the oak of the door and radiates through the building beyond, He then enters and looks around, hesitating slightly before slowly lowering his hood.
Having taken up a candle, Marion is only half listening to the innkeeper, who now identifies himself as Jon Shep. Her concentration, weary and far below her best as it is, is entirely on finding these rats so that she can feel like her duty is done and at last get a chance to rest!
Stepping past Mr Shep she moves into the room with all it's clutter, taking note of the holes nibbled into the bags. Using the candlelight as best she can she scans the room to see if she can find any sign of the rats, or any holes that might indicate how they are getting in or out of the place.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Joren steps up next to Marion and his echo steps back, slouching behind the two and others so it is not visible.
His mind is tired and slow. It keeps returning to something the innkeeper said earlier: "This place onlly thrives thanks to thoughtfull travellers such as yoursellves."
I am thinking this phrase could be taken in more than one way...
Gamely, Joren tries to scan the room for anything that isn't what it seems or appears out of place. Perception at disadvantage due to exhaustion: 6
As tired as he is, Joren wonders at the inn being at capacity while looking clean and quiet. He doesn't see anyone else on the ground floor, but neither can he think of a way for the bartender to make more money off of them by lying about it than by just selling the rooms to the desperate travelers for exorbitant rates.
As Joren sits down, the man heads back around the bar and into a back room. He comes pack out with a platter topped with few blocks of orange cheese and some cords of smoked meat. Like with the open body language of the people from Tibben and the surrounding farmlands, Joren finds the amount that this man smiles to require some adjusting to.
"Most of my patrons tend to be weary from travell, and are keen to get to their rooms with a fulll bellly, so I'lll try to be brief. Here, eat up," he adds, sliding the platter across the table. "Llatelly, there have been some rats in my celllar. I know, I know," he says, patting the air with his hands. "It's hard to find a storeroom that doesn't have them, but I have a bit of a history with rats and have no wish to go deall with them mysellf. Pllus they are rather llarge." The smile has faded from his face. "If you aren't too squeamish, you are wellcome to take up the spare beds in storage down there for the night, and if you can find and deall with the rat's nest," he lowers his voice conspiratorially, "You can eat and slleep for free, and help yourself to a reasonable amount of wine from the stores." His smile returns, wide as ever, as he winks at Joren and the others. "Of course otherwise, I'd accept 5 golld pieces each to spend the night downstairs, and another 1 for each meall. Drinks seperate."
By the time the groupd arrives at the inn, Samir is utterly exhausted, nearly too much so to notice the clean and wonderful interior of the business. He finds himself slumped into a chair next to Joren, his satchel and leather case cradled in his lap, simply enjoying the feeling of sitting down someplace that isn't freezing cold. As wonderful as the heavy cloak was in that mountain trek, he is blissfully glad to be shed of its weight now.
As the innkeeper speaks, Samir turns the numbers over in his mind, comparing them to the small amount of coin in his own purse. They are, alas, not numbers he likes the feel of.
"Well, I cannot speak for everyone, but for myself it seems quite a welcome deal to gain some free room and board for the simple task of clearing out some rodents."
Based on his previous experiences in Cambria, Samir quickly realizes that the price being presented is tens of times what he would expect from a normal inn, even in Talmouth.
"Ahh, wonderfull, as llong as someone faces them, you alll can stay for free." The man says. "Give me one moment." He heads back behind the bar crouches down, coming back up a moment later with several unlit candles and holders. "There are more candlles down in the celllar, just try not to burn them alll down too llow if you don't mind." He leaves the candles on the end of the bar nearest the cellar door. He beams up at the group. "And how about the rest of you? Anything to drink?"
At that same moment, Vilus is a few miles away, still maintaining a straight course to his destination. The hours of studying his book along the way have left him with a persistent headache. But far from the splitting pain he was used to, since he had chosen to forgo the specially made painkillers in his pack it had settled down to a tolerable, dull throb.
The markings in the book itself seem utterly nonsensical. Letters and words from different languages are interspersed with crude lines and intricate geometry, as well as complex pictographs for things that Vilus is sure have never, nor could ever exist. Flipping back through the pages to reference an similar sequence or image from earlier proves a fruitless task, as no page ever appears the same upon a second viewing. But at the same time, Vilus knows there must be some significance hidden beneath, or perhaps within, the chaos.
Though he is unable to make any headway, and finds himself wearied greatly by the task (1 level of exhaustion), he resolves himself to keep trying at a later time.
Ashley dumps herself in one of the chairs and sort of listens in what the bartender is saying. Something about no beds, which she find ridiculous looking around at the empty tavern. As she listens, she tries to focus, though with all the exhaustion finds it very difficult. 5 gold?? He insane? She tries to see if she can tell he is speaking truth about the beds upstairs. Not that it would matter..
Insight w/disadvantage 14
Rats is it? Well, she'd normally be happy to rid the man of rats, but she is too tired to lift her head up! She does however lift up her hand when he asks if anyone else wants something to drink.
As Vilus packs away his book for the final time today he checks his landmark, making sure he is heading in the correct direction.
As he wades through long grasses he finds himself staring intently, focused on a single point. Once close enough, he begins to pick out the outline of a building close to the foot of the mountain range, the steep angle of the roof hiding it amongst the jagged angles of the mountainscape but the form of the building betrayed by the lazy trail of smoke from its chimney. Vilus' feeling the chill creep into his bones from the exhaustion of the journey and the energy sapped from him through his research, redoubles his effort to make it to the building before nightfall, as he takes in his surroundings he notices the trail not too far from him, obviously leading between the mountain pass and the town of Burrwatch, he chooses to move to the trail to conserve energy, giving up on the cover given by the grasses in the meantime.
Marion is too exhausted to take in the details regarding the state of the inn and, while trying her best not to show it of course, is utterly relieved at any offer of a bed whatsoever. However, a task has been put before her and duty always comes first, as much as she might dearly wish to stop and enjoy a meal, a drink and a chair.
After placing her belongings down beside the others who have already sat down, she straightens up and the serious look of determination returns to her tired face. "No task is beneath a servant of the Blue Lady. Please, show me to your cellar and let us see about these rodents."
Like Joren, Ashley wonders about the place's emptiness. As an outsider to the area, her weary mind muddles through some thoughts about if there are some local customs or economics at play, but ultimately decides it isn't worth the mental energy at the moment. A bed is a bed, and the sun is getting low on the horizon.
The man smiles, overjoyed that his offer has been accepted, and walks over to the trapdoor by the bar. Grabbing the large metal ring attached to one end, he pulls the door open to reveal a sturdy wooden ladder descending into the darkness. He grabs one of the loose candles and ignites it on an already-lit candle upon one of the many shelfs. Affixing it to a holder, he says, "Wonderfull, I am gllad to hear it. The rats tend to come out at night, so llet's get you set up downstairs now. You can llook around for the signs, and if you can't find the nest, just keep an ear out whille you rest and I'm sure you'lll hear something. Grab a candlle and folllow me. You can bring that tray of food down too if you llike. And don't worry, my lllady," he says to Ashley. "Once we get you set up, I'lll bring down some mugs and you can llook among the shellves and pick your poison, so to speak. This place onlly thrives thanks to thoughtfull travellers such as yoursellves. Now come allong" With that, he begins to make his way down the ladder.
Vilus:
The sun is just starting to dip below the horizon when Vilus rounds the last corner before seeing the inn. A gust of wind blows from the north, and the sign hanging out front flaps awkwardly, knocking one corner up into the horizontal beam from which it is suspended.
Knock
Knock
Knock
In the fading sun, Vilus can see candlelight flickering from within the ground floor windows.
Malachi arches an eyebrow and looks about the empty room as the innkeeper claims there are no available rooms. He does dig into the platter of cheese and meat with great gusto, almost choking when the innkeeper states his price and makes his offer. He looks to the others as both Samir and Marion accept the task and adds “Clear the rats out and sleep and eat for free, or pay 5 gold to sleep down there with them. Appears we will be dealing with rats in any case, might as well take him up on his offer. But wait just a minute as I gather my things.”
Malachi looks again at the innkeeper, now wearing a wide smile and appearing overjoyed that they are taking him up on his offer. Malachi narrows his eyes and a brief presence slithers across the back of his mind, ever so briefly. He reaches a hand into his jacket, toying with something in his hands as he watches the innkeeper prepare their candle and pretends to mess with his pack.
DM:
Spending 1 sorcery point for subtle spell to cast detect thoughts on the innkeeper. Keeping just surface level thoughts for now, what is most on the innkeeper’s mind as he opens the cellar door. Depending on his initial thoughts, he may want to probe deeper.
Malachi:
What a promising llooking group. It's been a whille since I've had guests from the other side of the mountains. They must be quite strong and resourcefull. They ought to prove very usefull. But what manner of person is that red woman? Was she born llike that, I wonder, or does she have some kind of magic that makes her that way?
The man's surface thoughts continue to speculate about Ashley for a while after that, until the connection to his thoughts begins to break up as As Malachi watches his greasy head disappear down into the cellar The floor must be thick with stone.
Joren groans inwardly as he sees Marion set off downstairs with the innkeeper without pausing to eat or drink.
I cannot be shirking my duty if she is not.
He does wolf down a couple bites of meat and cheese and takes a healthy swig of his drink, wiping off his mouth with the back of his hand. He then wearily levers himself up and limps after them to the cellar.
Tanis(Ranger1): Shiverquill's Tempest City | Xarian(Fighter2): NioNSwiper's Tyranny of Dragons
Dyson/Eleo(TwilightCleric4): Vos' Beyond the Veil | Soren(ShepherdDruid5): Bartjeebus' Ravenloft | Ophelia(WildMagicSorcerer4): Ashen_Age's Risen from the Sands
Joren(EchoKnightFighter6): NotDrizzt's Simple Request | Sabetha(MercyMonk3): Bedlymn's Murder Court | Seri(NatureCleric3/DivineSoulSorcerer1): Bartjeebus' Greyhawk
As Joren gets up to leave he hears a loud snore To his left. He looks over and sees Ashley with her head on her arm laid on the table, fast asleep.
“Wait” Malachi whispers as he sees Joren and Marion start to move toward the cellar. He reaches over to shake Ashley awake. “I get a strange feeling from this man, he looks as if he means to use us and it seems like he is taking a special interest in you, Lady Ashley, and your magic. I am not saying it is a trap, but it could be. Be wary of more than just rats.”
He looks at the others and shrugs “As long as we are all warned, I will join you all below.”
Joren pauses when he hears the snore and barely manages a nod in response to Malachi's warning. He glances back to make sure the others, Ashley and Samir, are either coming with them or that one of them at least is staying awake. If they are both asleep or nodding off, he will try to rouse them.
He does summon his echo 15' ahead of him and sends it down the stairs 30' ahead of him, but no further than just behind Marion and the innkeeper. Even reaching behind him to touch the hilt of his greatsword for luck is an effort. He has a brief waking dream of vainly trying to slice at a darting rat with an overly unwieldy blade.
Tanis(Ranger1): Shiverquill's Tempest City | Xarian(Fighter2): NioNSwiper's Tyranny of Dragons
Dyson/Eleo(TwilightCleric4): Vos' Beyond the Veil | Soren(ShepherdDruid5): Bartjeebus' Ravenloft | Ophelia(WildMagicSorcerer4): Ashen_Age's Risen from the Sands
Joren(EchoKnightFighter6): NotDrizzt's Simple Request | Sabetha(MercyMonk3): Bedlymn's Murder Court | Seri(NatureCleric3/DivineSoulSorcerer1): Bartjeebus' Greyhawk
"Wha?? Oh shoot I fell asleep. I'm sorry, i'm just so so tired." she wipes some drool from her face and looks around. Noticing that the bartender is no longer around and that the cellar door is open, she looks back at Malachi and then hears his warning. "Thank you so much for waking me. Yes, let's all stick together, I'm up, I'm coming down." She slowly stands up and grabs the back of the chair for steadiness.
She follows Joren as they start walking towards the trap door. When he is about to head down, following his echo, she grabs ahold of his forearm and it surprises him how warm her skin is. "Be careful" she whispers to him before she lets go and he heads down. She then winks at Malachi as she goes down after Joren.
One by one, everyone climbs down the ladder. Just before Ashley and Samir head down they make out the sound of creaking and a few shuffling footsteps from upstairs.
At first it is difficult to see details amidst the flickering shadows of the few small candles, but as the barkeep uses his to light several stationary candles upon shelves, the room becomes clearer. The stone ceiling is about fifteen feet high, and accommodates a few rows of tall shelves containing casks, bottles, and dried foods The sweet smell of wine mingles with the aroma of smoked meats in a pleasant mélange. The man leads the group between two rows of shelves to a heavy wooden door set in the back wall and begins patting his pockets and feeling at the lumpy necklace under his shirt.
As Malachi climbs down the ladder, the man's thoughts come back into focus.
Malachi:
Now where is that key? Ah, here we go.
He checks his breast pocket and pulls out a simple iron key. Fitting it into a padlock on the door, he turns it with a click. The padlock comes away and he pulls the door open, stepping through. Being the closest, Marion can see in the dim flickering candle light that inside the second room is a clutter of stacked tables and chairs, some cots flipped up against the wall, a bookshelf, and bags of grains and potatoes with a few holes nibbled into them. The man hangs the key and padlock on a hook just inside the door. "Come in, come in. Make yoursellves at home." The candle casts deep shadows across his grinning features.
Samir folows the others into the basement of the building, but not before casting a brief glance overhead towards the sounds of movement. Apparently we are not, in fact, the only ones in residence. The thought is a passing one as he descends the ladder, and his tired mind gives little more attention to who might be housed in the rooms overhead. Once below, he thinks at first to activate his hovering lights, but hesitates, warned by Malachi's words from before.Thinking that perhaps giving away what they might be capable of to this stranger who has aroused suspicion in at least one of them, he abides with the dim flicker of candlelight for the time being.
Despite the shabbiness of the quarters they quickly find themselves in, Samir cannot help but feel a mounting sense of relief at the appearance of the cots, functional if not pretty. They would certainly be a vast improvement over the few moments of rest they had been able to snatch amidst the wind and snow of the journey. "I think this shall do just fine for the price asked, Mr... actually, I don't think I caught your name?"
The man turns to Samir, not yet noticing that there are two Jorens in the gloom of the first room "Oh my, hehe, of course how silllly of me. Pardon the llate introductions, but you may calll me..."
Malachi:
Detect Thoughts: "Razmus"
"... Jon Shep. And how do you calll yoursellves?"
Malachi:
Detect Thoughts: "I should go grab those mugs from upstairs"
As Vilus walks up to the building he looks to the sign knocking in the wind, he notes that it mirrors the sound which has been waking him from his mediations this past day, reaffirming that he is in fact, in the right place,
He takes a deep breath before taking the opportunity and with a grin, and a heavy hand, Knocks.
Knock..
Knock..
Knock..
A strong and deep vibration echoes through the oak of the door and radiates through the building beyond, He then enters and looks around, hesitating slightly before slowly lowering his hood.
Having taken up a candle, Marion is only half listening to the innkeeper, who now identifies himself as Jon Shep. Her concentration, weary and far below her best as it is, is entirely on finding these rats so that she can feel like her duty is done and at last get a chance to rest!
Stepping past Mr Shep she moves into the room with all it's clutter, taking note of the holes nibbled into the bags. Using the candlelight as best she can she scans the room to see if she can find any sign of the rats, or any holes that might indicate how they are getting in or out of the place.
investigation: 6
Joren steps up next to Marion and his echo steps back, slouching behind the two and others so it is not visible.
His mind is tired and slow. It keeps returning to something the innkeeper said earlier: "This place onlly thrives thanks to thoughtfull travellers such as yoursellves."
I am thinking this phrase could be taken in more than one way...
Gamely, Joren tries to scan the room for anything that isn't what it seems or appears out of place.
Perception at disadvantage due to exhaustion: 6
Tanis(Ranger1): Shiverquill's Tempest City | Xarian(Fighter2): NioNSwiper's Tyranny of Dragons
Dyson/Eleo(TwilightCleric4): Vos' Beyond the Veil | Soren(ShepherdDruid5): Bartjeebus' Ravenloft | Ophelia(WildMagicSorcerer4): Ashen_Age's Risen from the Sands
Joren(EchoKnightFighter6): NotDrizzt's Simple Request | Sabetha(MercyMonk3): Bedlymn's Murder Court | Seri(NatureCleric3/DivineSoulSorcerer1): Bartjeebus' Greyhawk