With the image of the High King vanished you are left with little but a stairway up, a pedestal that’d fit your sapphire if you wanted to open the portal, a throne that looks for less comfortable or polished than it did a moment ago and the hallway back the way you came.  You all head back north to the door you entered through and once you step through it you find that the adjoining hallway is now empty.  Or rather, it doesn’t exist at all.  

     The walls that separated the hallway from the rest of this level of The Tower are gone.  All the walls, save the outside walls and those that enclose the stairway.  It is a wide open expanse of stone.  There is an energy to the air, a potentiality of being something that makes your small hairs stand on end, but for now there is just emptiness.

     You make your way to the hole down to the first level and, peeking down, notice there are no remaining kitten skeletons down there.  Did Raevyn bring them all up to the Zombie Girl?  She cannot be sure one way or the other but it seems perhaps the likeliest explanation…. First one of you climb down onto the waiting stone hand, then another and another.  You help one another except for Nefire who stubbornly shoos away any helping hands and boldly leaps down with a grunt.

     Before you is the open archway with just that faint glimmer of something that tells you it’s not truly wide open.  Through experimentation before you learned that you can leave but you cannot re-enter unless the sapphire is replaced.  High King Vaire had mentioned the sapphire and had seemed to insinuate it was yours to keep unless you used it to open a portal to a different tower…. So with perhaps some regret for opportunities left behind for some, a feeling of good riddance to odd rubbish for others, you all eventually head out the archway into the fresh air once more.

     You take a scant five or six steps, perhaps eight for Nefire, before you see the black carriage with gold and white trim, four white horses to pull it and the King’s Maestro standing expectantly before it.  

     “Come, come!” He calls out and beckons you over with a wave.  “No need to walk all the way home.  We shall ride and style and talk of what is to come!”  Maestro, for the public at large knows him by no other name, has a pleasing voice that is soothing yet strong and assuring.  He offers a hand to assist the ladies in climbing up and in if they wish and welcomes you each by name as you pass.  Once everyone is inside he climbs in himself and calls out to the driver “Home, please!”

     “I hear you are coming to work for the crown.  How exciting.  There are more than a few jobs that arise which are best suited to a group of irregulars more so than the standard soldiers.  Sometimes special skills are required, yes?  The king is quite convinced that you have these skills,” The Maestro says in his warm voice.  “In fact we have one such job brewing at the moment.  It is a bit of a ways, unfortunately, but it does need a good solid looking into.”

     “It is up in The Duldreg in the northeast corner of Vaire.  I believe you are from that general area Krumar?” The question could seem a bit insulting or tinged with something or other for all Orcs are from The Duldreg.  Few choose to try to make a life for themselves outside of that kingdom and fewer succeed.  There is often skirmishes with the elves of Wintershire over the border lines and such but there has not been outright warfare in ages.

     “Obviously it would not be ideal to send soldiers into the region unless it was absolutely necessary. I am hoping Krumar’s presence will ease the way for the rest of you as well.  Of course non-Orcs are allowed into The Duldreg but I do not believe many go there.  I am afraid less return…”

     You all know the reputation of The Duldreg is one of violence and chaos.  The region is harsh and the Orcs who inhabit it even harsher.  Life there is ruled by small clans and they are all constantly battling with one another over the few resources the area has.  Everyone but Krumar imagines it as something akin to Mad Max… Or they would if they had a clue what Mad Max was.  Or even movies.  Krumar, however, knows differently.  There are clans.  There is violence.  There are fights over resources.  Fights over women.  Fights for the sake of fighting.  There are also homes and farms and shops and schools… after a fashion, anyway.  It’s a hard life and that makes for hard people but they are not brutal savages sleeping in the mud or on rocks or anything.  Life there is different.  It is not for everyone.  Hell, it isn’t even for him, really.  He may not be proud of the region, but he knows it’s nowhere near as bad as people think…

     “Eisloch is a two bit mining town that’s never had one day better than the previous.  Whatever they were mining out of there dried up scores of years ago but the town was there so the people stayed as well, I guess.  Why were people in an abandoned, dried up mine in the first place?  Desperation I suppose but rumors have reached the High King’s ears that something was found.  Something unexpected.  Gemstones with unique properties that need be investigated…” Maestro explains to the sound of the horses footfalls and the creaking and moaning of the carriage. 

     Krumar thinks of Eisloch and the name does sound familiar.  The name translates into common as Ice Hole and Krumar can’t help but wonder if they thought of that when naming it…. 

     “They would do well to mine this Greenstone, or Grunstein as the locals call it, themselves but…” He pauses and sighs and gives a preemptive apologetic look to Krumar.  “I’m afraid for all their willingness to fight one another some foolish ghost stories have scared them off.  One Orc from a small group who went to mine it returned with tall tales of an eerie mine and spectral entities.  I’m afraid the locals have chosen to believe him and refuse to go near the place… And for the obvious reasons, King Vaire cannot just go in and take over.”

     “It is our hope that you six could travel to Eisloch and get to the bottom or what is going on?  Talk to this Hrolf and listen to his tale.  Find out if he’s trying to scare people away to mine it himself or what is going on.  Find out if there is indeed Greenstone in that mine and if so solve whatever problem may be spooking the locals. A few samples would be nice, of course… If there is something special to these stones then King Vaire can try and negotiate with the rightful owners.  If there is nothing worth mining, at least some local troubles will be squelched, yes?”

     “If this sounds agreeable to you we would like to get you outfitted tonight and on the road in the morning.  After a few good meals and a good night’s rest, of course,” Maestro says with some charm.  “I believe the King advised that Dabbert here had some requests in regards to assets to be provided? Any special requests?”

     At this point Maestro more of less opens up the discussion to questions, concerns or other that the group may have, with Dabbert and his assets being given the floor first, should he wish.  The carriage rumbles on back to the castle and there is time to kill before you arrive there, even given the quicker mode of transportation than the walk to The Tower.  

—

To preemptively answer some questions: 

Armor & Weapons: You should all be pretty well equipped normal equipment wise already but if there is an upgrade you need it can probably be seen to.  Full Plate armor is still off the table, if for no other reason than they do not want you going in looking like an invading army….  But everything non-magical is available to you otherwise.  

Mounts: You will each be provided on for the journey there and back.  It’s a loaner, at least for now…

Magic Items:  Not yet.  You got a ring, enjoy it!  LoL…. BUT the group is provided with 3 potions to split up as they see fit.  I’ll determine what they are randomly (or at least semi so) after I see how many you are getting…. Probably get to that sometime tomorrow as I may throw a few non-standard ones into the mix.

—

But yet, feel free to RP, to ask questions, etc etc…

"Not uh... Not her." Dabbert says to Maestro when he goes to help Nefire up.  "She'll cut your hand off.  You can help him, though.". He says as he points to Krumar. 

"I'll... Think on it.  Doc, sounds like this may be your area of expertise.  Thoughts?  Anyone for that matter."

Krumar moans "If I had known our first little quest would be going to The Duldreg, I would have umped through the portal.....I've never come across an orc encampment that likes outsides let alone tolerate them...and I lived in Fraggle Rock which was probably one of the more tamer encampments. By tamer I mean they let you leave, granted without your belongings. This should be a hoot"  

Earlier…

Raevyn’s hand finds and rests on Nefire’s in that brief moment, acknowledging her sentiment. There was more she could say, though the Doctor patiently holds her tongue until their audience with the King concludes. 

During the walk back through the tower, Raevyn falls in stride with Nefire. “Miss Nefire,” She breaks some silence. “I’d have followed you through the portal in search of an adventure worthy of your aspirations.” She says genuinely. “While the King was being mostly honest, he was also withholding.” Hiking up her robe, she accepts a helping hand down to the main floor. “He wasn’t telling the full truth...” And Raevyn felt the people deserved to know the whole story. “Therefore, without guarantee that I’d find answers through the portal to the unknown, in good conscience I could not make the choice to abandon the people of Witherbloom.” The Doctor admits solemnly moments prior to the Maestro’s grand arrival. 

Now…

She'll cut your hand off. Dabberts voice echoes above. She'll cut your hand off!

This should be a hoot! Krumar’s voice chimes in.

A slight rustling, then soft ticking could be heard above the carriage. It’s at this point Raevyn clicks her tongue and reaches an arm out. “Ah, there you are Munin.” A raven flutters down from the roof, perching itself upon the doctor’s arm. Pulling some rations from her sleeves, she offers her familiar a few bites. “It appears we have a job.” She says simply in response to Dabbert’s prompt. “Some investigation and research, with a chance of danger.” She summarizes almost as if giving a weather report. “While the group is being outfitted, perhaps preliminary research could be done and summarized over dinner. Krumar’s experience with the culture and environment will be an asset. I am curious to learn more of the history of the mine; its contents and their properties, such as the Greenstone/Grunstein and it’s origin of discovery/naming; the workers and any related or chronic illnesses; and these spectral entities.”

Nefire is about to say something when the Maestro goes to assist, but Dabbert interjects and she squints her eyes and looks at the soldier.  Trying to measure him up a bit she finally gives him a nod and continues on.

When Raevyn walks with Nefire and states how she'd have gone with her through the portal, the halfling looks up at her new friend and smiles, "Sure would have been an adventure, wouldn't it?  Withholding you say?  Well, I guess he had his reasons?  But I do understand you not wanting to abandon your people.  I truly do."

As talk of the new assignment continues, she listens, curious about Duldreg and if it was anything like she had heard.  She hopes so, but could really care less about what exactly they are mining.  "So we leave in the morning?  Good. I'd rather not hang around the castle and such."

Jaylan listens to all that is being said and just waits for the answers of the Maestro to the doctor's questions. 

He nods in agreement with Raevyn as, even with the reassurance of the High King about his situation, he would rather be still on the move instead of being in the castle.

     There are crowds and cheers as the carriage enters Vaire City and heads toward the castle.  It's not Beetlemania levels but more anyone in eyesight quickly realizes it's one of the King's carriages and it's coming from The Tower so they drop everything and rush forward to try to get a glimpse.  You can poke your heads out the windows and wave or sit back with curtains drawn and hide, as you wish.  Paparazzi have yet to become a plague on society so even if you are sighted now it's not like your face will be known in all corners of the realm...

     "You are free to research, of course.  The castle has a library, of course, though I am not sure how much it would have on The Duldreg or Eisloch.  The inhabitants are not the most... lettered of people," Maestro answers Raevyn carefully with a sympathetic nod to Krumar.  "But I can give you access to what we have here or, if you prefer, have you escorted to King's College and ensure you have access to their libraries.  You will find many more resources there though I'm not sure if you will find more answers."

     "Regarding the Greenstone," Maestro continues as the carriage pulls into the castle grounds.  "we know nothing about it which is precisely why we are sending you and want some retrieved.  So far we merely have rumors about a few found stones and much more waiting to be pulled out.  It could all be the fevered musings of a drunkard.  If it wasn't The Duldreg we'd just send a few army regulars to go investigate as a matter of routine and call it a day.  We just do not want to be raising tempers sending in such obvious agents, however..."

     The castle presents itself as a grandiose bastion, built to withstand the test of time and protect its inhabitants. Its imposing walls, constructed with sturdy stone with just a trace of a webwork of enchanted materials, rise high into the sky, creating an aura of invincibility. The outer fortifications consist of towering battlements, crenelated parapets, and defensive turrets, providing vantage points for archers and spellcasters to rain down destruction upon any would-be invaders.

     The castle's entrance is guarded by a massive gate, reinforced with iron and presumably magically reinforced wood. This gate serves as the first line of defense, protecting the inner sanctum from intruders. Suspended above the gate, a portcullis threatens to drop down with a resounding thud, barring entry to those who fail to prove their allegiance.

     Once inside the castle walls, a sprawling courtyard awaits. This open space serves as a gathering point for soldiers, servants, and visitors alike. The courtyard is meticulously maintained, with neatly trimmed hedges, blooming gardens, and the occasional statue and fountain adding an aesthetic touch.

     You do not catch too good a look though as you are ushered within the castle, past a variety of chambers and rooms, each with its own purpose and into a lavish banquet hall. Normally  feasts are held here but instead the center of the room is dominated by a lone table and the rest have been moved aside. Adorned with tapestries depicting the High King's history and lit with torches at regular intervals, the room is bright and echoing.

     "We have you set up here for now.  We can have food brought immediately if you wish, regular dinner is not for another four hours or so.  King Vaire is unlikely to be able to join you for the meal but he is hoping to stop in to personally meet you all," Maestro explains.  "There will be a couple of servants just outside the doors, if you need anything just give them a call.  Of course we will set you up with rooms for this evening but we can find something sooner if you are tired?"

     "Miss Raevyn, will the castle's library satisfy or should I have someone escort you to the college to do your research?" Maestro asks warmly. 

---

     Maestro isn't running right off but he does have other duties to attend to as well as seeing to you.  He will wait and chat with you all for a bit or answer questions if needed but he's not hanging out for the entire evening or anything.  There are a couple of servants stationed outside the door that are more than happy to have food or drink brought or arrange for any other needs you may have.  If weapons need sharpening, armor repairing or anything of the sort they can fetch those who can assist with those needs as well.  If you have any "shopping" to do before you are scheduled to head out in the morning, tell the servants what you need and they will see what can be done.

     You all are not being held in the one room by any means.  If you wish to explore the castle you may.  You will find there are some areas that are restricted but they are few and just the logical places - nobody is letting you into the High King's throne room or bedroom, obviously.

     Eventually dinner is brought and it is fabulous.  A meal fit for a king, as they say.  However the king does not make an appearance.  Maestro does and bring's the kings apologies but explains that King Vaire is detained by other matters, unfortunately.

     You are each brought to a nice, comfortable room inside the castle.  None of them are the penthouse suite or anything but they certainly are nothing to complain about.  There is another meal in the morning, this is usually called breakfast I believe, and then you are brought out to the courtyard where horses are awaiting you...  One a bit smaller than the rest, more suited perhaps for Nefire than any of the others.

---

Raevyn - Castle Library or King's College?  You'd lose about an hour or two of research time if you go to the college (travel, introductions, etc) but would obviously have more books at your disposal...  Also, I believe you want to investigate:

Eisloch and the mine

Chronic Illnesses of the area

Greenstone

Spectral Entities

     Please give me History checks for each the first two, Investigation checks for the last two...  ((And of course correct me if I am wrong.))

Everyone Else:  Last call for questions, shopping, anything really before you head out in the morning.  It will be four or five days of travel before you reach your destination... Most of it in moderate / comfortable temperatures but the last day and your time in Eisloch is more winter like conditions so we're assuming you pack some warm gear upon your mounts.

Nefire stays pretty quiet during her time in the castle.  She feels locked up a bit.  She knows she could explore the castle, but where would she go?  She wants out, get a move on, use her axe.  She spent a lot of time cleaning and sharpening her axe as she watched the others.  She tried her best not to seem unapproachable, but didn't really know how to do that.  

She enjoyed the meal and wasn't disappointed at all the King never made a showing.  She figured they had had enough of him at the Tower.  "You know, I am glad we remember everything.  That was my only misgiving about going.  Hearing stories of those that left the Tower but couldn't remember what was in it.  How do you think that was possible?  The King said that most left after the first room, do you think that doing that would wipe your memory after leaving?  Odd."

She does ask some of the servants for some cold weather gear, and as they return, she tries on the heavy fur coat, happy that they took her size into consideration when getting it.  It had a fur-lined hat attached, and was a light brown color that she admired.  She tried on the fur-lined leather boots and gloves as well, but decided not to try the goggles, figured if they worked they worked.

As they set off to leave, Nefire huffed when she saw the smaller horse lined up with the rest.  Without saying a word, she ignored that one, and went for a strong black mare instead, and piled her stuff in it's saddlebags.

Syl is still basking in the radiant glow of his ascension from coastal madman to most honored servant of the high king.  He is already better equipped from the tower trip than he has ever been in his life, so he has no want for more gear or supplies.  He only troubles the servants with a couple of simple requests.  Nothing too much, really.

There is one question, though, which nags at him.  He may have simply missed a crucial detail, or it may be a critical mystery that must be plumbed.  He has already identified Raevyn as the most learned of their little band, but she is busy with research and besides, powerful women are intimidating.  So, he has no choice but to turn to the one he has identified as the second wisest in the party.  And to this figure, he poses the central mystery he has been turning over and over again in his mind tonight....

"Krumar," he says, "This Maestro character, have you caught his name?  His actual name?  I get he likes the title but... seriously, what's his real name, eh?  Maestro's a... a... a job, right?  A prefessional title?  Can't go around using your job for a name.  Why, what if all the cook's started identifying themselves by such alone?  Or, imagine 'Hello, I am Tavernkeeper.'  "Oh hi, Tavernkeeper!  I am called Shtable Boy.'  People would lose their frackin' minds, that's what."

"So... what do you think?"

Also, Syl smells strongly of rum.

"All at that Tower was weird" replies Jaylan to Nefire while trying his own winter clothes "I am not sure our sanity would have survived much longer there... probably that's why the Towwer wipes the memory of people, to protect them from the things it shows to them. Why it would let uss with our memories you say? well, it seems to me that we were crazy enough when we went inside to begin with so..." he smiles, trying to make the others laugh at his joke. He seems a little more relaxed and he doesn't flinch or look over his shoulder every 30 seconds.

     Just as Syl is finishing his little speech in walks a servant with another bottle of rum on a small round tray.  "Here you go, sir" they say as they deliver Syl the drink.  "If you need anything else just ask for me by name, Tom Butler.  I'm always happy to help."

     Butler the butler turns to walk away but pauses.  "Oh, and Steve Carpenter will be in shortly to sand out the rough spot on that chair's arm.  He'll just sand it down, maybe finally fix the wobble in the table as well.  And if you hear any noise overhead don't worry, Will Thatcher is just doing some repairs to the roof.  Except the occasional noise it really shouldn't interfere with you folk.  But we'll have more food coming in for you all to nibble on, Jim Butcher, Sally Cook and Jenny Baker are just finishing up with the foodstuffs Tim Farmer had delivered fresh this morning.  And oh!  Ted Tanner, Wilma Weaver and Zach Tailor wanted me to convey that they would be happy to make any alterations to the clothes provided if needed..."

     Tom Butler then gives a small head bow and exits our story...

((Real post coming later tonight or tomorrow, I just couldn't resist that...))

Krumar listens to Syl and then Butler the Butler. He was about to say something long and wordy about titles and their importance to humans but the names of everyone floored him enough to stop. "Uh well after all that my guess is the Maestro's name is Micheal....Michael Maestro."

"My money is on Mathew Maestro" adds Jaylan

((Why you remember The Tower experience, what his name is and more are things you COULD choose to ask the Maestro before you depart in the morning, if you wish…))

     “Wait!  Wait, wait wait,” an old man calls out while rushing forward towards the group as quickly as an old man with his hands full of delicate glass can when he’s as as frail and as clumsy as Tyegra is.

     Tyegra is a shriveled up, short statured gnome of a man.  Not a Gnome, mind you.  Just a man whose body seems to be transforming into one with age.  He is bald except for a stubborn fringe of long white hair that snakes from one ear to the other, following the lowest portion of his skull to get there.  One eye is larger than the other, though this effect is accidental as he still has a monocle in the one that he has forgotten to remove.  His nose isn’t particularly large though it is particularly round… And the red dust of some kind of another that dirties the front of it does not help.  Tyegra has wrinkles upon his wrinkles and looks perpetually harried yet distracted.  

     “Don’t be taking off without these!” Tyegra calls out, tripping over his own foot in his hurry.  You are all momentarily aghast as your minds eye immediately envisions this small, old man crashing into a crumble of himself, glass vials breaking and smashing and making a mess of everything… But in the old man’s zeal to not let his precious cargo fall and shatter he pulls off an amazing feat of acrobatics - He ducks and balls himself up in order to protect the rack of vials he is carrying and while he hits the ground with his shoulder alarmingly hard he then rolls once, twice, three times even before scrolling right back up on his feet again, seemingly just all the more dirty for the hassle.

     “Oh!  Heh.  Sorry about that,” he apologized and slows his pace up to you.  “The king would have my head again if I dropped these, now wouldn’t he?”

     Tyegra carefully steps his way up to Raevyn and gives her a smile, the old man proudly showing off his five teeth.  “Made these myself, I did,” he assures her and hands over the rack of vials.  There are six potions altogether, each with a label attached with tiny, delicate names and descriptions upon them.

     “Well now, that is done now.  Nobody can complain I didn’t deliver… Nope nope nope,” Tyegra says as he has already turned around and is walking away surprisingly quickly. 

     By the time Raevyn looks at the labels closely enough, squinting to read the tiny script, Tyegra is gone… or at least too far away to hear even if you screamed out after him.  Raevyn, after a moment or three of squinting, quickly realized the labels are written in no language she knows.  Passing them around it is clear it is no language anyone knows.  Raevyn comes to suspect that perhaps the old concotionist has a language all his own…

     With time, though, and a little calculated experimentation, Raevyn eventually discovers that the party has been given a Potion of Healing, a Potion of Greater Healing, two Potions of Animal Friendship and two Bath Potions.  Yes, Bath Potions.  They do pretty much what you would expect by the name - You are magically rid of any dirt, grime or other offensive substance a good old fashioned hot bath would.  Additionally your breath is freshened, your makeup done (if one does wear), your hair coiffed to your personal sense of perfection and you even gain the effects of an expert mani-pedi!  Side effects include the soft, gentle scent of lavender surrounding you for the next 24 hours and the occasional soap bubbles escaping if you dare burp or fart in that time…

---

     The journey from Vaire City to Eisloch takes you across the NorthEast of Vaire and is a relatively quiet jouney, at least until you reach The Duldreg.  You do need to take a ferry to cross the waters soon after leaving Vaire City but that is accomplished with just a few coin and some extra tending to your horses.  Once across you basically have a more or less straight line, adjusting a bit to follow the main roads as much as you can and to avoid natural impediments where needed.  You can hit villages and towns along your journey, if you wish, or avoid them and take a more scenic route.  It is a pleasant trip… ((So say the rolls for random encounters… But Vaire is a mostly safe and quiet place so it’s not unexpected.  Course if you all want trouble you could always stop in a village, find a bar and start some shit…))

     But things get colder and colder as you start reaching the northern edges of the islands.  We’re not talking raging snow storms quite yet but there is a bite to the air and eventually you do see snowpack upon the ground.  It is hard for some of you to believe the weather can change so much in just several hours travel, but change it does.  Midway through your last day of travel you are all likely digging out the heavy cloaks you packed, perhaps even gloves.  By the time you actually arrive at Eisloch you realize it is a remote, icy valley in an unforgiving snow blanketed wilderness.  Despite the biting cold winds a tenacious hamlet of sort thrives here, the people too stubborn to abandon their homes for better climes.  As you ride into the village you feel all eyes upon you, hear the occasional growl… Or is that the wind?  You are definitely in the bad part of town, so to speak.

     It doesn’t take long to spot the center of social life in Eisloch, the tavern.  The Frosty Beard leaves a lot to be desired but you were told an Orc by the name of Hrolf has been the loudest voice spreading the rumors of greenstone and entities and that the tavern is where you were likeliest to find him…

     Stepping inside the Frosty Beard every face turns to you.  If at first a merry song was going through your head (Making your way in the word today, takes everything you got.  Taking a break from all your worries, sure would help a lot.  Wouldn’t you like to get away?) the needle does a long scratch across that record long before anyone can shout out “Norm!”  No, these are not friendly faces turning your way, no welcome is implicit in the light in their eyes, there are no smiles upon their faces.  What you see stepping into the bar if a room full of hard drinking, cranky Orcs… The bar was not lively and boisterous when you entered, at best it was a low grumble of chat and grousing, but full on silence befalls the place as you all enter.

     And lingers…

     “You sure you got the right place?” One particularly ugly Orc sitting in the middle of the room calls out as he starts rising from his seat.

     “If they’re looking to spend coin on drinks they are!” Shouts out a rather hefty woman who stands behind the bar wiping the same dirty rag over the counter as she does the glasses.  “Shut the damn door before all the heat escapes, why don’t yas, and come in proper and order something!”

"It's uh...and Orc encampment.  Of course it sucks.  It's supposed to suck."  Dabbert says to Krumar.  He thinks about it a moment, and reaches out and pats the Bard's shoulder.  "I uh...no offense."  

During their stay at the castle, Dabbert gets himself fitted for a nice set of half plate armor.  Brushed bronze in color, though dulled as not to by shiny or stick out too much.  He gets some paint and does a little customizing, putting a big broken skull on the front with charcoal colored paint, then rounds up some cold weather gear for the journey...

...and has put his new furs on before they reach the Frosty Beard.  Stepping inside, it becomes clear fast that they're not the usual clientele.  He watches for a minute, then shrugs as he steps toward the bar and lays a coin down.  After all, how many times had he been told you shouldn't walk in like you own the place...but rather that you didn't give a f*&k who owned it.  

"I uh...I'll have a drink, please."  He says, taking a moment to look around at all the staring faces, making eye contact with as many folks as he can as he does so.  When the lady steps out and makes a comment about buying drinks, Dabbert grins, and turns toward her.  "Evening ma'am."  

Krumar is the last to enter the tavern bundled up as he'd forgotten how awful the weather can be or at least he blocked it out with the rest of his time in the Duldreg. He hears the woman shout and jumps a bit crashing into the wall before turning to close the door. "Apologies Ma'am. Doors closed. I will have whatever he's having" Krumar points to the orc who stood up and addressed the group "And buy him another from my companions and me."

Dive tavernfolk are dive tavernfolk, whether small and scrawny or big and brawny.  These are Sylrieth's people, whether they know it yet or not.

Syl walks up to the bar without hesitation.  He slaps a handful of silver on the counter and asks, "Pour me a tall cup of whatever rotgut you're serving whats giving this fine lot such fair, green complexions."

Nefire looks around as she steps into the Frosted Beard, taking in the sea of green skinned orcs.  She isn't sure how she feels about the situation, but is glad to have her axe by her side.  She narrows her eyes at the one that asks if they have the right place, but continues her trek over to the bar with the rest of them.

When Krumar speaks up about buying that orc a drink on them, she pipes up, "I most certainly will not buy that oaf a drink!" Juust loud enough to be overheard by the ones nearby.

She finds an empty seat and clambers up, wrinkling her nose at Syl's comment, "Rotgut?  No thank you.  If you have a hot drink, I'll take that, otherwise a tall mug of ale will do."

Ushered in, rushed through, and sent on their way, the Doctor barely remembered her choice of study. As if made for her, to avoid added time, she settles to complete her review from the library. She could always go to the college another time when more appropriate. 

It wasn’t that Raevyn was expecting to discover anything new from her research, more so she wanted to ensure she fully familiarized herself with what was already documented so she knew what gaps to fill. As a researcher, she wouldn’t be doing her due diligence if she didn’t thoroughly prepare herself ahead of an expedition. 

Did she remember to eat? Did she let Munin out? Who was Maestro? Did the King even intend to come meet them? Would she benefit from any improvements to her gear? Did she have warm enough clothing? Did she have enough time for a request or two? Did an old man hand her glass vials? Did she even get to say thank you? She rode a horse? Was she that absorbed in her work to have lost track and fallen behind on so much?

It was all a bit of a blur, like a white out in the deepest winter storm.

Raevyn finds herself inside a tavern. She wasn’t in the library any more. The masqued woman brushes snow from her cloak and calmly steps aside from the doorway when Krumar crashes into the wall on his way to closing the door.

Striding forward the Doctor quietly finds herself a seat. She crosses one leg over the other, smooths out her robe, proceeds to tug one finger at a time to loosen her gloves before removing them and placing them to the side on the table. She lowers her hood and finally palms her mask to remove it. From here she takes out her medicinal pouch, opens it up in front of her and begins to roll some herb that could help calm Krumar’s, and patrons’, nerves. Once done Raevyn sits back, lights it, inhales deeply, ”Cheese platter, if you will.” prior to exhaling a thick cloud of smoke. She then holds it out to her left.

     "A drink, huh?  In a bar?  You sure you're in the right place, child?" the large Orc woman behind the door responds to Dabbert with no effort at all to hide the sarcasm.  As she says it, thought, she turns and grabs a glass and a bottle seemingly at random.  She pours one into the other and puts it in front of Dabbert without removing her hand.  "That'll be a silver..."

     She glances sidewise as Syl walks up and slaps silver on the bar.  She's heard better repartee but since he's got coin to spend she doesn't much care what he has to say.  She slides a glass in front of Syl and then pulls a pitcher out from under the bar and fills it with that.  It's a nearly black, thick liquid but if Syl takes a close look around it is indeed the most popular drink amongst the locals.  "Bitter Stout," she remarks and takes a silver for the drink without it barely even being noticed.

     Nefire, Jaylan and Raevyn all step inside as well and are enjoying the warmth that is slowly starting to soak through their outer layers and into their bones when Krumar apologizes and closes the door.  "You paying for the whole group?" the bartender asks Syl after Krumar orders a drink from about five feet away, and one for the riled up orc customer.  Affirmative answer of not she starts setting up more glasses and pouring drinks, she's seen enough to tell this lot has coins and there's enough customers in the place to ensure the strangers pay if need be, she figures.

     She raises an eye up as Nefire calls out that she won't be buying anyone a drink and the low grumble of response this brought from various tables.  One glass is immediately removed from those she is preparing for the party and when Nefire says she wants something warm instead the bartender removes another, this one being replaced by a mug.

     "Who needs her drink," grumbles the Orc who had originally started rising when the group walked in.  He was still in that uncomfortable half sit-half stand pose and was happy to take this as a reason to sit back down.  "Her drinks wouldn't even bit a sip, eh?"  He was hoping for a good round of laughter, he got some half hearted attempts after he jostled a couple of people near him.

     "You want a special drink with that cheese then, darling?" the bartender calls out to Raevyn sitting at a table just a bit away from the bar.  "Or the Bitter Stout do you?"  

     The drinks are poured out and delivered to everyone's preference and the cheese platter is actually a lot better than you would have expected for a place like this.  There are three kinds of cheeses, four if you could the lump of fuzzy green something that may or may not be breathing, some crackers, two types of hard breads, some berries of some kind and what appears to be either a pepperoni or sausage type meat.  

     "I'm Mudge," the bartender says as she delivers the platter.  "Ignore this lot, they're just not used to strangers and have zero freaking manners on the best of days."  A couple Orcs nearby grumble but none actually contradict her.

     "You lot need anything else gimme a hollar, eh?" Mudge says, as friendly as you have heard her be.  "But I's got to warn you, I charge double damages to whoever I decide started the fight, alright?  So how's about not starting one?"  After looking at each of you she then looks out over the rest of the customers. "They already know the rule.  They also know they'll be banned til they pay up plus a month...  But I don't imagine you all are staying around so that part won't matter much, eh?"