Bram: The man continues polishing for a moment, looking off distantly, before his eyes track to yours. "Just ale." he says dryly, and pulls out four mugs.

Clermar, Liafial, Dril: The man doesn't acknowledge any of you, but you all receive mugs of thin ale along with Bram. It's not good by any means, but it's passable if you're determined to drink.

Ospos: Though it's hard to get a good look at the man's face, a few details point to this not being a local. While his cloak is dark and not ornate, it does look very well fitting and made of quality materials. You also notice a few shining bangles on the man's arms, and deep teal skin.

Ava: The tavern is truly quite bland, the only details of note being the cracking stones, creaking furniture and chipped mugs. Everywhere you look there are signs of subtle disrepair.

Bram, being first to pickup and taste his ale, puts it down quickly with the other drinks and casts Prestidigitation on them.

Bram whispers to his friends,

"Just a little enhancement."

Bram has changed the flavour of the drinks to a nicer tasting ale, one he has enjoyed before.

Bram takes a taste of the modified ale.

"Ahh, thats good, thank you kind bar keep, much appreciated. How much will that cost?"

Bram: Your magic shifts the color from a pale yellow to a rich gold as you fill the ale with full bodied tones of wheat and honey. The barkeep doesn't seem to notice or care. "A silver for the lot."

Liafial: The man looks surprised at first at you talking to him at all, a look that turns to annoyance. You can see he has fine features, and his blue-green skin has a wet sheen, like dew, which catches the light of the fireplace. "My horse." he snaps as he stands up and moves to leave, abandoning the grey gruel that must pass as breakfast here.

Bram places a silver on the bar and slides it over to the bar keeper.

"Here you go."

Bram turns back to his friends.

"I got this one. Oh, not interested Liafial? Anyone else interested in this one?"

Bram indicates the extra drink is free for anyone.

At the stranger's snap about his horse, Bram takes notice, but only watches.

Perception check on the stranger: 5

"Tough crowd"

Dril walks near the fire and enjoys some of it's warmth

"Well, it's not a crime to be not helpful...but it sure does seem a little awkward. Then again, this whole plane is awkward." Befitting this statement, Nean stands around a little awkwardly, apparantly not used to a tavern being this empty.

Liafial: (reminder that travel between all planes is monitored but not restricted. the Riftlock only protects the material plane)

Bram: As the man turns and heads for the door, your eyes catch a string of lustrous pearls around his neck. You also notice that the bag he carries is quite large, though it looks flat and mostly empty.

"Very water themed fellow."

Bram whispers to Liafial, indicating the leaving man, with a tilt of his head.

"Perhaps he is from the Elemental Plane of Water, where Caj was from."

Clermar raises his modified drink to Bram in thanks, downs it, and quickly goes for the one Liafial passed over. He mumbles, "I wonder if killing's even against the law here, everyone seems to already have a foot in their grave."

He goes to a window (or the doorway if none are clean or there) to watch the snapping stranger to see where they're headed.

Perception: 5

Clermar: By the time you make it to the dusty window, the man has already vanished into the dusky streets.

"While off-putting, I don't believe that gentleman was a threat. Perhaps he traveled here from a plane of relative proximity, and he's just passing through. What I would like to do is ask the bartender if he knows anything about Verrina."

Approaching the bar

"Good morning sir, I wanted to ask you if you could help me in locating someone local to the area?"

Ava then drops 15 gold onto the counter.

Brand eye go wide, looking down at the 15gp and back up to Ava's face.

Bram swallows his mouth full of ale, still looking a little shocked.

Shaking his head he turns away, leaving Ava to her endeavours.

"Hey Ospos, let's make a little music, this place is starting to drag on me a bit."

Bram pulls out his Flute as he walks away from the bar and begins quietly playing an energetic and happy melody.

Ospos replies, "Always up for playing some music, but Ava kind of needs to hear the answer to her question, and there's not much of an audience to play for."

Bram shrugs at Ospos answer, sitting down in a far corner and continues to play quietly.

Ava: The man stares at the coins in disbelief for moment before snatching them up. "Sure. Who'ya lookin for?"

Bram: The barkeep looks slightly perturbed by the music, but doesn't acknowledge it.

"I'm looking for a local archaeologist, her name is Verrina Dusttoe. I understand that she is currently on the search for an artifact?"

Ava: The man shrugs. "A gnome came through here 'bout a week ago. Said'er name was Verrina. Not a local. Didn't say anything about no artifact."

"Oh. Did she discuss any ongoing travelling?"

Ava: The man shrugs, again. “No, not really.”

Ospos looks a little bit upset, "You're not earning your 15 gold.  Surely you can be a bit more forthcoming.  Did anyone else talk about where she went or what direction she took?"