Finn:

The two clerics pause a bit, confused by Finn's interrogation.  "We were told there were folk who needed urgent attention out here.  It's our night off... but can't say no to a soul in need, right?"

[Since Finn said she would follow up with the Command...]

10

Finn:

"No," blurts out one of the clerics. 

Both of them get their hackles up.  "Now just what in the Sune's name was that for?  And what has this got to do with Frume?  Our server Bridgitte told us there were some terribly ill folk outside and she begged us to render aid.  It's the kindly thing to do.  Now you tell me why you're bringing spells into this?"

Finn:

The two clerics decline.  "We were just told somebody needed help.  If you've got this, we're just going back to the bar."  You get the impression they are salty about the spell, despite Finn's good faith explanation.

[Based on prior post, we can assume Finn delivers Frume's note, sets up the prisoners at the Riverbed, stables the horses there, and then returns to A Pair of Black Antlers.  It is walking distance... just two blocks.]

Cheddar:

Jirel offers her plates up to the party and those interested have a chance to eat some spicy bar food instead of rations and squirrel.  A line develops outside as the doorman continues to monitor the capacity of the tavern.

The bardic duel draws to a close and most of the bar settles back into table conversation or games of chance.

Quote from Bartjeebus>>

[Based on prior post, we can assume Finn delivers Frume's note, sets up the prisoners at the Riverbed, stables the horses there, and then returns to A Pair of Black Antlers.  It is walking distance... just two blocks.]

((Indeed...))

      With everything as settled and set up as she can make it, Finn leaves the captives to the watchful eye of Misses Binklesworth and the employees of the Riverbed and then heads back to the others.  She finds things quieter than when she had left and feels a bit deflated at that but she bucks up her own spirits by snatching leftover morsels of food off of unfinished plates and catching up to the others by downing a quick two or three mugs of ale.  She explains what she did with the happily married couple, and what precautions she took, before pausing a moment to peek through Misses Binklesworth's senses to ensure that all is still quiet and alright.

     "So...  We starting a bar fight or what?" she sks loudly and boisterously with a mug of ale held high...  With a chuckle she downs it, looks to the others, and laughs.

Curious, Cheddar will take a peak outside to see what might have the priests so uneasy. 

Cheddar, other than a line of would-be patrons forming outside the front door, all you see is Finn leading the horses and prisoners away down the street.

Cheddar returns to his perch and thinks. 

Tylaerys smiles brightly as Finn returns to the Pair of Black Antlers, joining the team at their table, nodding as the changeling explains her precautions with Misses Binklesworth. "You go ahead and knock yourself out Finn, I'll be sitting right here enjoying my Gurdats and this excellent wine while you have your brawl." The blonde half-elf says with a soft laugh. "I thought you would come up with another song for us though. Considering the events in Greenest and at the hidden camp I assume you have plenty of stories to share with us." She adds with a smile and a wink.

     Standing atop the bar, Finn puts on her best 'on stage' disappointed look as she looks down at Tylaerys.  Hanging her head and allowing her drink hand to fall low slowly (while not spilling a drop, of course) Finn takes a dramatic pause before standing upright quickly and engaging the crowd once again.

     "My lady fair says no fighting tonight!" Finn calls out dramatically to all who can hear hear well trained stage shouts.  "But this is an adventurers bar, is it not?  For the brave!  For the bold!  For the, let's face it ladies and gentlement...  For the reckless and foolhardy!!"  She pauses here once more, hopefully getting at least a few shouts and cries of agreement.

     "Just because the lady says we cannot fight doesn't mean we cannot have a song about it!"  Stomping her foot on the table to get the beat going, Finn starts off the first couple of lines fairly quiet to try to tease the crowd into hushing a bit so that they can hear... And then just a couple lines in she is singing full volume.

((Performance Roll in Campaign Log - 23))

We'll be singing... As we're winning...

We'll be singing... As we're winning...

Though I may fall, I shall rise again

Thou shalt never keep me down

Though I may fall, I shall rise again

Thou shalt never keep me down

Though I may fall, I shall rise again

Thou shalt never keep me down

Though I may fall, I shall rise again

Thou shalt never keep me down

He drinks a mead, he drinks an ale

He drinks a wine, he drinks a cider pale

He sings the songs that remind him of good times

He sings the songs that remind him of better times

(Oh, fair lady, fair lady, fair lady)

Though I may fall, I shall rise again

Thou shalt never keep me down

Though I may fall, I shall rise again

Thou shalt never keep me down

Though I may fall, I shall rise again

Thou shalt never keep me down

Though I may fall, I shall rise again

Thou shalt never keep me down

He drinks a mead, he drinks an ale

He drinks a wine, he drinks a cider pale

He sings the songs that remind him of good times

He sings the songs that remind him of better times

(Oh, fair knight, fair knight, fair knight)

Though I may fall, I shall rise again

Thou shalt never keep me down

Though I may fall, I shall rise again

Thou shalt never keep me down

Though I may fall, I shall rise again

Thou shalt never keep me down

Though I may fall, I shall rise again

Thou shalt never keep me down

Though I may fall (we shall be singing)

Yet I shall rise again (when we're questing)

Thou shalt never keep me down (ooh)

Though I may fall (we shall be singing)

Yet I shall rise again (when we're battling)

Thou shalt never keep me down (ooh)

Though I may fall (we shall be singing)

Yet I shall rise again (when we're raiding)

Thou shalt never keep me down (ooh)

Though I may fall (we shall be singing)

Yet I shall rise again (when we're plundering)

Thou shalt never keep me down (ooh)

Though I may fall (we shall be singing)

Yet I shall rise again (when we're conquering)

Thou shalt never keep me down (ooh)

Though I may fall (we shall be singing)

Yet I shall rise again (when we're feasting)

Thou shalt never keep me down (ooh)

Though I may fall (we shall be singing)

Yet I shall rise again (when we're dancing)

       Thou shalt never keep me down (ooh)

    "Thank you!  Thank you all," Finn says with a bow or three, as appropriate, after hopefully gotten the bar a bit rocking and singing along.  "Now let's keep it going a bit, shall we?"

     Stomping her foot to the beat once more, Finn starts the crowd off with... "Hey, ho... Let's go!  Hey, ho... Let's go!  Hey, ho... Let's GO!" before jumping into her version of Blitzkreig Bop which she calls "The Dungeon Crawl".  ((Obviously based upon Blitzkrieg Bop by the Ramones))

Hey ho, let's go! Hey ho, let's go!
Hey ho, let's go! Hey ho, let's go!

Grab your sword and shield, let's go!

Grab your sword and shield, let's go!

We're fighting through the front line

We're battling the dark divine

The party's losing their minds

The dungeon crawl

We're packing all our gear tight

We're generating magic light

Pulsating to the dungeon's might

The dungeon crawl

Hey ho, let's go!

Hit 'em with a fireball now

What they want, we don't know

We're all revved up and ready to go

We're fighting through the front line

We're battling the dark divine

The party's losing their minds

The dungeon crawl

We're packing all our gear tight

We're generating magic light

Pulsating to the dungeon's might

The dungeon crawl

Hey ho, let's go!

Hit 'em with a fireball now

What they want, we don't know

We're all revved up and ready to go

We're fighting through the front line

We're battling the dark divine

The party's losing their minds

The dungeon crawl

We're packing all our gear tight

We're generating magic light

Pulsating to the dungeon's might

The dungeon crawl

Hey ho, let's go!

Grab your sword and shield, let's go!

Hey ho, let's go!

Grab your sword and shield, let's go!

     Both of these songs, and perhaps a few others she did to warm up the crowd, are crowd favorites sung and performed by many a bard.  They each perhaps put their own spin and flavor into the lyrics or the beats but they are part of their repertoire becauses the masses know them and even if they don't love them the momentum (and the drink) generally get them into the beat and the rythm and the sing along none the less.  But now, Finn decided, it was time for a quieter song...  A more personal song.  Something she crafted herself about an event that held meaning to her and she felt deserved to be more widely known and celebrated...

     "Now to quiet things down a bit and allow the waitresses to take a few orders and deliver a few drinks..." Finn teases with a smile to try to get the crowd simmered down and ready to listen...  I really should have a fiddle for this one, she thinks to herself but starts humming the tune for a bit instead.

On the Uldoon Trails a blue dragon soared on high,

But scoffed a fair young Goliath, with a great axe nearby.

She defended their banner, with colors so bold,

The town and lives of Greenest to defend and uphold.

As she fought and defended, a soldier did appear,

A half-dragon knight challenged, with armor and glaive.

He laughed and he mocked, thinking he'd take the banner,

But our adventurer was ready, strong, resolved and brave.

"You cannot take my banner, not without a fight,

I'll defend it with my life, through darkness and light.

For I am a rebel, fighting for what's right,

The staunch souls of Greenest forever in my sight."

The dragon knight was stunned, he knew not what to do,

For he never faced a foe, as strong and brave and true.

He mounted his horse, and quickly rode away,

Knowing in his heart, he could not win the day.

So, our adventurer continued, with banner held up high,

Through the town of Greenest, under the open sky.

For she knew her cause was just, and her spirit pure and keen,

       To fight for the people of Greenest against the Cult of Dragons team.


     Finn hums out the final stanza or two and winds the song down to the quietness the tune deserves... Hopefully interrupted by crowd appreciation but one can never be too sure, specially when introducing a new composition for the first time.  Finn hadn't dared look at Jirel during the performance of the final song and is still afraid to do so.  The warrior may not understand the artistic liscense taken to portray even her defeat as a victory as it brought forth the end of a horrible night for the town and inspired all who saw it...  So instead she looks to Tylaerys for a moment and smiles.  "You wanted songs," Finn says with a shrug and then hops off the table and heads towards the bar needing a drink.

Jirel gives a dip of her head in greeting to Finn upon her return. She takes a mixed plate she saved for her and hands it over. Same with a small one for Cheddar if he wanted it. "Should use that trick teh get us some milk an' cookies fer desert." She gives the feline a gentle nudge. He charmed that waitress and had sweet intentions to match.

At Finn's exclamation including the words bar fight, the giantess was guiltily distracted by her meal and side conversations that she didn't get to respond as quickly as she could have. Jirel straightens her posture and her muscles flex as she reaches an arm up around to rest over the back of Tylaerys' chair next to her. Honey eyes look to Jararaka and she gestures with her head to Finn as if to say, did you hear that? "I'd wrestle." Jirel admits as she goes to flick her attention back to Finn's on coming requests with a mischievous grin tugging at her lips, causing a fang to poke out. She'd relax back in her chair to keep an eye out on, and around, the performances.

Deep in thought, Cheddar ponders what to do next. He is roused by the giantess' nudge and teasing. 
"What?" Cheddar says then realizes what she is referring to quickly. 
"Oh that? That was just tools of the trade." he says then returns to his pondering. 
He absentmindedly scratches the table with one of his claws in his silence silent. 

Still sitting with the others at their table, the young blonde half-elf's silvery eyes watches Finn as she takes the stage, or well, the bar, and gets the crowd going with her catchy songs, Tylaerys finding herself singing along where she can, smiling widely and looking at her friends as she sways to the music. It was not really her kind of music but she realized she quite enjoyed Finn's performance, making her happy and relaxed. As Finn starts her third song, Tylaerys listens attentively to the lyrics and quickly glances up at the blonde giantess beside her. "How sweet, she's singing about you." She whispers at Jirel, her silvery eyes looking up with admiration on the goliath as she recalls the sacrfice and then back to the singing changeling, smiling warmly at the beautiful lyrics, feeling the comfort of the goliath's strong arm at the back of her chair. As Finn finishes, the blonde half-elf claps her hands and smiles widely. "Yes, thank you Finn, that was so good, you really deserve a drink now." She calls out to the changeling, motioning for the bartender to serve Finn whatever she wanted, her treat.

The crowd eats up Finn's performance.  A few of the other bards in the crowd lend their instruments in support of the more commonly known tunes.  So enthusiastic is the response that 2 different groups offer to buy rounds for your table (a gaggle of dwarves who seem to be losing a lot of coin at the dart boards but remain in high spirits; and a pair of rogues who had just come of from the south, where they'd heard word of the attack on Greenest and were pleased to hear such a topical song).

As the night continues, a cow saunters over to your table.  While this might be passing strange enough as it is, most of the crowd takes this in stride, which only makes it weirder.  You're informed by one of the busboys that the cow has been appearing most nights for the last month and half.  No one ever sees it come in or leave - the doorman takes it as a matter of pride that he hasn't allowed any cows in or out - and no one has claimed responsibility.  The consensus is it is some finger-wiggler's idea of a joke, and it has become something of an event each night.  The bartender announces half-off milk and whiskey shots ('gravel cups') until the cow disappears.  After sharing a moment with your all, it peaceably ambles off into the crowd.

(its always such an amazing scene when finn performs !!)

Jararaka hollers and joins the general cheer, chanting along the second song, though she doesn't even have half of Finn's sense of rhythm. She remains seated lazily, but does twists her neck around to look around the tavern. She looks for any suspicious eyes on them, still finding it hard to fully relax around so many people, though she acts like she's just admiring the interior again.

Perception: 9 + guidance 2

By the time she reaches the bottom of the keg, Jararaka's squinting contently under the influence of alcohol, a full stomach and celebration! Again, for some reason. Are taverns always so rowdy? When that cow very calmly approaches them in the crowded tavern, she blinks slowly a few times, looks down at the keg near her hand, and back up again. "I'm pretty sure I've only had one of that." Though she looks back at the barkeep soon when she announces the discount, "I'll grab one o' the gravel cups!" Whenever that gets delivered, she asks half-curious-half-incredulously, "what happened a month and a half ago? Are you supposed to tip it, or something?"

Quote from guyu >>

(its always such an amazing scene when finn performs !!)

Jararaka hollers and joins the general cheer, chanting along the second song, though she doesn't even have half of Finn's sense of rhythm. She remains seated lazily, but does twists her neck around to look around the tavern. She looks for any suspicious eyes on them, still finding it hard to fully relax around so many people, though she acts like she's just admiring the interior again.

Perception: Dice rolls not yet available for this section. + guidance Dice rolls not yet available for this section.

By the time she reaches the bottom of the keg, Jararaka's squinting contently under the influence of alcohol, a full stomach and celebration! Again, for some reason. Are taverns always so rowdy? When that cow very calmly approaches them in the crowded tavern, she blinks slowly a few times, looks down at the keg near her hand, and back up again. "I'm pretty sure I've only had one of that." Though she looks back at the barkeep soon when she announces the discount, "I'll grab one o' the gravel cups!" Whenever that gets delivered, she asks half-curious-half-incredulously, "what happened a month and a half ago? Are you supposed to tip it, or something?"

 (dang whats happening with the forum dice rollers)

Perception: 18 + 4 (roll available in the game log!)

 Tylaerys tries to lean back in her chair, hoping to direct any and all attention to Finn, still enjoying the wine, the Gurdats and the pleasant company. She doss however discreetly keep an eye on the two rogues, well aware that the cult might have sent spies north to gather information about any countermoves of the Order of the Gauntlet.

Insight to determine intentions of the two rogues: 10

Jirel had been losing herself to the moments of comradery along with Finn's music and the appreciative crowd that she had not come to the realization that the bard was singing about her until Tylaerys would point it out. Having been taking a swig from her mug, it caused her to pause and dribble some down her front. "Oh. But... I didn't..." The goliath actually blushes as she tries to recover. She glances down and clears her throat.

When Jirel looks up, she witnesses the cow casually saunter on up to the table. As she hears Jararaka comment to herself, she too glances down at her mug for a moment to contemplate how many she's had. The warrior calmly places her cup down on the table and looks back at the cow. Honey eyes blink. "Hi th-" And it calmly meanders away before she could finish her greeting.

Jirel's brow knits for a moment. She couldn't just not... "Mind if I go have a chat wit that cow?" She gestures over her shoulder. "At least invite her back to our table..." Exchanging glances with the others at the table, unless anyone objects, the goliath will raise from her seat. She places a hand on Tylaerys' shoulder and looks back to Jararaka, Cheddar and Finn. "Send fer me if ya need me. I could be a few mins."

(Speak with animals)

     Finn does her best to act demure and stunned and taken back by the applause, but she loves it.  Of course she does.  Still and all, it is best to act humble and unassuming and all that.  If nothing else, it makes the crowd just want more.

     Alas, it has been a long day and little rest has been had so Finn is determined to have some now, here, in the boisterous and crazy bar.  After a few moments alone Finn goes back to the group table and sits and eats and drinks amongst them.  Finn had her eyes on the group of dwarves even before they praised her performance - They were drinking heavily and not upset about losing money.  That tended to me fat coin purses and good marks...  But when the more rogueish pair made themselves know, Finns attention was all on them.  She had been considering some petit larceny herself but this pair had her thinking perhaps it better to rob the robber and so she kept a particular eye on them and their movements, after being sufficiently flattered by them, of course.

     Finns attention hardly wavered until she found herself bursting into laughter, in danger of having half her pint expell itself through her nose...  "Mind if I go have a chat wit that cow?" is one of those sentences she had never even contemplated hearing, none the less having to answer... Specially since the random cow seemed almost normal to her, compared to some of the events they had participated in lately.

     "By all means...  If the cow has any requests I'll be happy to fulfill them!" Finn assures her Goliath friend.

     "In fact...: Finn stands and lifts her glass.  She was a lot drunker than she had intended to get, and quicker to.  Still, when the situation arises it must be met with poetry!

Oh gentle cow, how sweetly you do graze

Amidst the fields where buttercups do grow

With eyes so kind, you seem to wear a gaze

Of wisdom far beyond what most can know

Your coat so soft, it gleams in morning light

A shining beacon on the rolling hills

And when the evening comes, you take your flight

Back to the barn where all is calm and still

How kind you are, to give us milk and cheese

And meat that satisfies our every need

You are the gentlest of all creatures, please

Accept this tribute, to you we do concede

Oh cow, we honor you with grateful hearts

And pledge to always treat you well, in all our parts.

     Finn is bowing and trying to take another drink at the same time when the last bit there really strikes her ear...  "Errr, wait.  What?  I don't think that came out right...."

((Performance:  18 ))

While the party enjoys their reprieve, and there attention is on Finn, Cheddar will slip out of the tavern and find a place a bit more quiet. Once found he will settle in, study a bit then get some sleep.