Savage Harvest- adventure thread

Seated at a dice table hunching over a pint gripped with two hands you find a young man that looks to be in his late teens. Short to medium length dark brown hair, green eyes, and a slim but defined build.  Based on the expression on his face, you'd reason luck isn't quite in his favor, as he eyes the dice with discontent as they settle onto the table. As his head goes back in disbelief, you make brief eye contact for a moment, but he quickly averts his eyes back to the table to watch his coins find their way into the pile of another's. 

He then gets up from the table, and heads over to the bar, asking for a refill. He wears the clothes of the commonfolk - a linen tunic and leather breeches, indicative of a rancher or general laborer. 

Over to the bar comes a pretty girl in her late teens with long curly dark hair, wearing a red cloak over a linen tunic, linen pants and sandals, moving with graceful dancing steps, a flute and a wand tucked into her belt, carrying with her a faint fragrance of...sheep. "You know what they say, unlucky in dice..." She says, followed by a soft laugh as she leans onto the bar right next to the young man. "I hear the wine here is quite good. Care to join me for a glass while you tell me all of what one should try when in Longsaddle for a night?" She says with a wink and a smile, her alluring dark eyes briefly looking into the young man's, while trying to catch the bartenders attention.

"Huh?" He says, looking over - his angular face expressing at first anger and confusion from his recent losses, then embarrassment as he realizes the attractive lass. You'd notice the slight outline of bruising around both of his eyes. 

"Oh, uh - sorry - I didn't realize you were talking to me." He scratches the back of his head, letting out a nervous chuckle revealing a toothy smile with some dagger sharp canines (normal length for a human though).

"Wine - I, uh - sure, yeah. First time in Longsaddle?" He clears his throat after, and takes an awkward sip from his empty pint - clearly distracted and trying to act normal.

The young woman can't help but smile warmly at the cute awkwardness of the young man beside her, brushing against him slightly with her arm as she motions for the bartender again. "Yes, well, first time on my own at least." She says, turning to face the young man again, glancing him over and giving him an appreciative smile. "I'm Sasha." She says after a moment, offering him his hand.

He meets her hand with his own - introducing himself, “Aaron.”

He seems to relax, sinking into the chair a bit more and leaning onto the bar. ”It’s nice to meet you, Sasha. Here alone you say? What brings you in?” 

"Nice to meet you too...Aaron." Sasha gives his hand a light squeeze before releasing it, taking a seat next to him. "I'm actually here with some friends, although they seem to have lost their way. We're on our way to Mirabar for the Festival of High Harvestide. I'm a sheep herder, but I expect the smell gave that away already." She says with a soft laugh. "You wouldn't know where a girl could get a bath around here, would you?"

Aaron, being a rancher himself, shrugs, "I don't smell anything honestly, but I'm sure you could get a bath here. It'll cost you extra to get fresh water, but definitely worth it. You wouldn't want to hop in after a hog farmer."

He laughs, and takes a deep breath, "High Harvestide - of course, I should have guessed that. More folk than ever this year - I'll be there myself. My mother and I take care of a ranch a bit out of town. Were hoping to bring in a good haul this time - things haven't been so great since the last one was canceled."

"Well I guess you're not close enough yet Aaron to smell the sheep on me. Perhaps I'll just take a bath in the Saddle Pond under the moonlight." Sasha says with a soft laugh as they are served a bottle of wine and two glasses, Sasha quickly pouring generously in both of them. "You should join us when we leave for Mirabar then Aaron, I'm sure the others wouldn't mind a capable man like yourself escorting us to the High Harvesttide. Anyway, you shouldn't make the journey on your own." She says a bit more seriously, starting to sip on her wine.

"Will... is that you?  Wow, that is some powerful spell." Gerty tries her best to seem as more of a hired accomplice than a friend, and stands up as tall as her small stature will let her.  "Why yes sir, we'd be glad to escort you in.  Right this way." And she does her best to hold a straight face as they head back around to the front of the establishment.  She keeps an eye out for that drunken dwarf, she sure had her fill of trouble at the moment.

As you enter the shabby looking gaming hall, you are amazed at how different the interior is. Rather than a grungy and rundown down hovel, you find a fancy, clean and lavish gaming room. There are many tables, all filled with people. There are serving girls bringing drinks and even a little music, though you can’t see where it is emanating from. Along the western wall is a long bar being run by a tall, thin man that looks to be in his 50’s. He is wearing a purple fez that matches a purple silk vest. A long sleeved white shirt, tucked neatly into black trousers with a golden buckle shaped like a dragons head. He is serving drinks with flamboyant shakes of metal cups to mix strange concoctions. The people seem to really enjoy these colorful mixtures.

Luke giggles at Will's disguise and Gerty's compliance and falls in behind them as they enter the hall

William looks around to see if he can find a Harpell or anyone who looks wealthy enough to buy his gem.

Perception: 16 (game log)

If there isn't anyone he'll make his way to the fez dude.

Aaron takes a long drink from the wine glass, his glossy eyes on Sasha - trying to read her thoughts. What game was she playing? Why was she so interested in him? And could she tell he was lying about not smelling the sheep?  

He sets the wine glass down half full, "Well, if that's what you think is the best choice - I won't stop you. Pretty well frequented watering hole for passerby's if you don't mind the attention."

He pauses briefly again, thinking about what else she's said, "I'll give it some thought, traveling with your lot. Your company seems well enough, better than most others, no doubt about that." He grins warmly, "Though I may have to wait a bit longer than you'll want to - I'm supposed to be delivering a wagon to a group for Mr.Cartwright, but they haven't shown up yet. If they take too long, it may take me until later into the day to get on the road, and I'm sure yall 'll want to get there early."

"Does it look like I mind attention Aaron?" Sasha says with a warm smile, resting her chin in her hand as she keeps looking at him like she is trying to gauge his potential, touching her own glass of wine with her fingers. "I wouldn't be surprised if we were the group you're supposed to get that wagon for but I'm not sure, I don't really plan a lot in my life, honestly I find planning boring, my friend Rika is much better at such things." She says with a shrug, taking another sip of her wine. "So, what are you bringing to the High Harvesttide Aaron, apart from a wagon, I mean?"

Quote from Acjots >>

William looks around to see if he can find a Harpell or anyone who looks wealthy enough to buy his gem.

Perception: 16 (game log)

If there isn't anyone he'll make his way to the fez dude.

 There are plenty of wealthy looking folks in here, but the only official looking people are the servers and the Bartender

Aaron meets Sasha's gaze and brings the wine glass up to his lips again, tipping it back for another crude sip. He sets it down with just a 1/4 left now. "Take a wild guess. I think you could figure it out if you try hard enough." 

"Well..." Sasha starts, pouring some more wine into Aaron's glass, then returning to look into his eyes. "...you mentioned a ranch so I assume some sort of livestock, but what?" She says, leaning closer, taking a sniff, trying to determine what the young man had brought with him to Longsaddle.

(Perception to determine type of animal: 11 If the answer is somehow obvious I apologize, Sasha unfortunately has a player that doesn't know much about ranchs)

As Sasha and Aaron enjoy their drinks and conversation, Rolland Halfstock, the president the Coop sees them and heads right to them.

" Ah, Sasha...Aaron. good you found each other.  I heard about all the excitement and about your courage today. Thank heavens you are all alright. I have paired this young man up with you to help with hauling the goods to Mirabar..I wish we could reward you more for your bravery. Maybe once you return. Tell the others in look forward to seeing them at the sale tomorrow night. It's going to be a blast. People are here all the way from Waterdeep, looking to buy...oh, before I forget. The magicless Harpell boy Zander. He works with the cooper, making barrels. He had a spark of invention and has made something that might come in handy for the journey. You should speak with him when you get the chance. It's really quite amazin. Never thought that boy would amount to a jack hill of beans...well, I am off. A Presidents job never ceases.."

"Okay, thanks Mr. Halfstock, we'll be sure to visit Zander and check out that invention of his." Sasha says, laughing softly as the roundish dwarf with the oddly cut beard leaves again.

"So where were we?" She says, returning her gaze to Aaron again. "Cattle...if I had to guess." She says and takes another sip of wine.

Aaron nods to Mr. Halfstock in a bid of farewell, then turns his attention to Sasha, “Either a good guess or I need a bath as well.”

He chuckles then continues, “Well then- It would seem then by the sound of it, I’m bound to your company after all. I look forward to meeting the rest of your companions. Cheers to good company.” He taps his wine glass against hers, then tips it back, bringing it back down to the level it was at before.