The morning hours are relatively quiet, punctuated by the clatter of dishes and the low murmurs of early patrons. Perhaps a local craftsman stops by for a quick mug of ale before heading to their workshop, or a lone scholar pores over ancient texts in a quiet corner, enjoying the relative peace before the midday rush. Several folks came in just to get off the street as the city guard 'polices' the crime scene outside. Overall, the atmosphere is calm and subdued.
As the sun climbs higher, the tavern fills with a more diverse crowd. The midday meal brings in villagers, workers, and travelers, all seeking sustenance and respite. The air is filled with the aroma of roasted meats and stews, mixed with the scents of ale and fresh-baked bread. None really knew how Lif does it but all orders are quickly filled and the food is more than passable. The tavern is getting a bit of a reputation for decent drinks and palatable food.
At one particular table, the group is comparing notes on everything that happened this morning. "Well, we got 'officially' told to stay away but, are we going to? Should we be informing our various patrons ... or are their 'people' already all over this?"
The bodies are cleared away and taken to a local temple. They do not leave any form of markers for the bodies, having collected all the evidence they can prior to moving the bodies. By this point, the guard have all left and people are free to come and go as they like.
At one particular table, the group is comparing notes on everything that happened this morning. "Well, we got 'officially' told to stay away but, are we going to? Should we be informing our various patrons ... or are their 'people' already all over this?"
Sehaethas adds his views, "I think informing them of what we found out would be good. They have some other pieces of the puzzle that we lack. And may have some reason to be concerned."
“I’ll send a message to those likely lads at the Yawning Portal, see what they say with that winged serpent of theirs once they’ve had a chance to ask. Anyone got a quill and some ink, and also parchment, and also good penmanship?” Skye asks.
If so, she’ll dictate and then send her familiar to deliver the message to our Zhentarim contacts.
“Fireball outside the Pact. STOP. Many dead. STOP. At least two attackers. STOP. Watch investigating. Business slow. People scared. STOP. Send leads, or business. STOP. S for Skye.”
Time seems to slow to a crawl as one waits for answers to come to 'them' instead of going out and hunting down results. So it is while Damros waits for responses from Skye's message. Sitting at the company's table, he catches the scent of spilled ale and roasted meat as it washes over him, mingling with the earthy tang of pipe smoke and the faint sweetness of unidentifiable concoctions brewing in the back. The tavern, a sprawling space, hums with the low murmur of conversation, punctuated by raucous laughter and the clatter of tankards. It seems 'life' was settling back into its old routines after the morning's mayhem.
Passive Perception: 14
In the corner, a grizzled dwarf with a beard braided with silver coins attempts to teach a young, wide-eyed elf the intricacies of "Tiles," a dwarven dominoes-like game played with square tiles. Nearby, a group of boisterous mercenaries engage in a spirited round of "Goblin's Gamble," a dice game where the stakes are as high as their voices are loud. A cloaked figure, hunched over a battered pewter mug, keeps to the shadows, their eyes scanning the room, perhaps awaiting a clandestine meeting or simply enjoying the anonymity the tavern offers. 'I should keep an eye on that one,' Damros thinks as he keeps scanning the tavern interior.
Sehaethas sits in one corner working with a youngling, showing them the fingering on a lute. In fits and starts, melodies drift through the smoky air, mixing with the clinking of glasses and the occasional burst of a sea shanty from a table of jovial sailors. Over in another corner, a gnome in respectable clothing waves their arms about as they seem to be recounting tales of heroic deeds and fantastical beasts.
Damros finally settles into the creaky wooden chair that sits by the hearth, offering a welcome embrace of what few shadows exist inside as the sun beams through the front windows. Lif was ahead of Darmos' own thought as a mug of local ale appears. The hours melt away in the tapestry of sights, sounds, and scents. The tavern is a microcosm of the world, filled with stories waiting and memories yet to be made.
His eyes narrow to slits as he appears to be dozing; all the while keeping tabs on the room.
After an hour passes, you get a response. Short and simple "No leads yet. Will investigate." and a further hour after that, you get busy. You notice that about 10 people came and brought one drink (each) and are drinking it very slowly, spread around the room in three groups. When they spot you looking at them (Skye in particular) they nod their heads and you are sure you saw at least one wink. The mere fact that the tavern appeared busy from the outside has brought more people in. Once the tavern is back to its usual levels of business, those 10 each in turn finish their drink, and leave.
Sehaethas continues to train the next generation of minstrel. He finds a surprising amount of pleasure in this, which surprises him. Although not musically inclined, Kylaski is also taking a liking to the kid.
(also, those plans could be a plan for the following day(s) if you wanted to wait for the heat to die down and do something)
Seeing as this kid has been created by player posts, do you envision this as a random kid or specifically the kid from the fireball (who found the necklace). If the latter, I can share his name if I haven't already
[Agreed! Apologies that Xaul hasn't done or said much recently, didn't see any good places to add on and before I knew it, it had been a while since he'd done much at all, so I'll be rectifying that and upping his involvement in coming posts!]
Damros had spent the better part of the day, or what felt like an eternity, within the smoky confines of the tavern. The scent of stale ale and greasy mutton mingled with the chatter of patrons was getting to be too much for him. He'd nursing a lukewarm tankard of the house's "finest" brew and listening to the droning tones of Sehaethas and his young student as they worked on that one jaunty tune, played with more enthusiasm than skill. The initial hope for information, for a lead, for anything to break the monotony of what was turning into a less than stellar day of non action and discovery. Now, only a growing impatience gnawed at him, a physical restlessness that made him shift in his creaky chair and eye the door with increasing longing. The shadows outside were shifting, painting the windows a changing spectrum as the sun dipped behind the surrounding rooftops, and the thought of another moment amidst the boisterous tavern revelry was unbearable.
With a frustrated sigh that barely registered above the tavern's din, Damros pushed himself up, the scraping of his chair a harsh protest against the floorboards. He slapped a few coins onto the sticky table, ignoring the minstrel’s expectant glance, and with a final, lingering look at the hazy interior, he strode towards the exit. The clamor of the city, even as the day stretched out, was a welcome relief. The air, though far from clean, held the promise of the unknown – the sharp tang of street food, the murmuring of market vendors working through the day and anticipating a final surge of sales before dusk, and the distant, metallic clang of a blacksmith’s hammer. He stepped out of the tavern's oppressive warmth and into the cool embrace of the fading day, a hungry explorer in a city waiting to be discovered. The narrow, cobbled streets beckoned, and Damros, a man of little patience, was finally free to answer their call.
Xaulwatches Damros' exit from across the tavern, and catching the troubled expression on his face, also makes to leave, giving Barnacle the sign to stay. As he steps out onto the street, he finds his mind comes to a similar sentiment as his Shadar-Kai companion; the early evening air's cool chill is soothing after the heat and clamminess of the packed inn, almost like the soft lap of seawater at dawn. Whilst being a man that typically thrives on the laughter and bustle of a happy crowd, Xaulalso takes note of, and appreciates, the gentle silence of the alley. The distant chatter of street vendors and creak of carriage wheels up and down the uneven roads is pretty calming compared to the cacophony of yells, cheers and cackles he'd gotten used to hearing day and night within The Pact and Poltergeist. But, the half-orc shakes off this reflective mood and catches up to his friend. 'Your expression seemed stormy as you left; at least more than usual.' he joked, but maintaining a calmly inquisitive tone. 'The murder investigation getting to you? Can't say it hasn't been tense for me too, in all truth. Found myself far quieter than I'd usually be since the incident. Guess having something like that so close to home just makes you think, doesn't it? It's been a far few months since we've had any real action, and now I've got that tentative feeling in my stomach, like I'm on the edge of a cliff and I'm just about to slip down back into the chaos of a quest again.' He sighs gently, wiping a hand across his brow. 'Well, comfort would never come that easy for us. We all know what it's like to make that promise, to get ourselves enthralled into something much greater than us, more than anyone.' With a smile, he puts a hand on his friend's shoulder, and says 'Whatever comes next, I'm sure we'll tackle it. As a team.'
Damros chuckles, "Nothing brings in the regulars like chilled drinks and hot gossip."
(Are the bodies gone? With the event, does waterdeep do crime scene tape or equivalent? Is our entrance blocked?)
The morning hours are relatively quiet, punctuated by the clatter of dishes and the low murmurs of early patrons. Perhaps a local craftsman stops by for a quick mug of ale before heading to their workshop, or a lone scholar pores over ancient texts in a quiet corner, enjoying the relative peace before the midday rush. Several folks came in just to get off the street as the city guard 'polices' the crime scene outside. Overall, the atmosphere is calm and subdued.
As the sun climbs higher, the tavern fills with a more diverse crowd. The midday meal brings in villagers, workers, and travelers, all seeking sustenance and respite. The air is filled with the aroma of roasted meats and stews, mixed with the scents of ale and fresh-baked bread. None really knew how Lif does it but all orders are quickly filled and the food is more than passable. The tavern is getting a bit of a reputation for decent drinks and palatable food.
At one particular table, the group is comparing notes on everything that happened this morning. "Well, we got 'officially' told to stay away but, are we going to? Should we be informing our various patrons ... or are their 'people' already all over this?"
(sorry for the long delay. Busy time with work).
The bodies are cleared away and taken to a local temple. They do not leave any form of markers for the bodies, having collected all the evidence they can prior to moving the bodies. By this point, the guard have all left and people are free to come and go as they like.
After joining more my signature got out of hand so I am now a proud member of the extended signature club!! :)
Sehaethas adds his views, "I think informing them of what we found out would be good. They have some other pieces of the puzzle that we lack. And may have some reason to be concerned."
“I’ll send a message to those likely lads at the Yawning Portal, see what they say with that winged serpent of theirs once they’ve had a chance to ask. Anyone got a quill and some ink, and also parchment, and also good penmanship?” Skye asks.
If so, she’ll dictate and then send her familiar to deliver the message to our Zhentarim contacts.
What do you say in the message? (specifically any explicit request for assistance in some way or another, and what information you share with them)
After joining more my signature got out of hand so I am now a proud member of the extended signature club!! :)
“Fireball outside the Pact. STOP. Many dead. STOP. At least two attackers. STOP. Watch investigating. Business slow. People scared. STOP. Send leads, or business. STOP. S for Skye.”
After an hour passes, you get a response. Short and simple "No leads yet. Will investigate." and a further hour after that, you get busy. You notice that about 10 people came and brought one drink (each) and are drinking it very slowly, spread around the room in three groups. When they spot you looking at them (Skye in particular) they nod their heads and you are sure you saw at least one wink. The mere fact that the tavern appeared busy from the outside has brought more people in. Once the tavern is back to its usual levels of business, those 10 each in turn finish their drink, and leave.
After joining more my signature got out of hand so I am now a proud member of the extended signature club!! :)
Other than waiting for a response from the Zhents, do you have any other plans? (no worries if not. I do have ways to move the story along)
After joining more my signature got out of hand so I am now a proud member of the extended signature club!! :)
Sehaethas continues to train the next generation of minstrel. He finds a surprising amount of pleasure in this, which surprises him. Although not musically inclined, Kylaski is also taking a liking to the kid.
(also, those plans could be a plan for the following day(s) if you wanted to wait for the heat to die down and do something)
Seeing as this kid has been created by player posts, do you envision this as a random kid or specifically the kid from the fireball (who found the necklace). If the latter, I can share his name if I haven't already
After joining more my signature got out of hand so I am now a proud member of the extended signature club!! :)
Either is fine. Being the same kid might connect us more to the story.
[Agreed! Apologies that Xaul hasn't done or said much recently, didn't see any good places to add on and before I knew it, it had been a while since he'd done much at all, so I'll be rectifying that and upping his involvement in coming posts!]
Xaul Lackluster: Half-Orc Fathomless Warlock: Warlock Dragon Heist
Borvnir Chelvnich: Black Dragonborn Barbarian: Dragons of Stormwreck Isle
Pushover Gerilwitz: Tiefling Wizard: Acquisitions Incorporated
Callow Sunken-Eyes: Goliath Arctic Druid: We Are Modron
DMing The 100 Dungeons of the Blood Archivist , The Hunt for the Balowang and Surviving Tempest City!
Killer Queen has already extended this signature, though not by much!
Xaul watches Damros' exit from across the tavern, and catching the troubled expression on his face, also makes to leave, giving Barnacle the sign to stay. As he steps out onto the street, he finds his mind comes to a similar sentiment as his Shadar-Kai companion; the early evening air's cool chill is soothing after the heat and clamminess of the packed inn, almost like the soft lap of seawater at dawn. Whilst being a man that typically thrives on the laughter and bustle of a happy crowd, Xaul also takes note of, and appreciates, the gentle silence of the alley. The distant chatter of street vendors and creak of carriage wheels up and down the uneven roads is pretty calming compared to the cacophony of yells, cheers and cackles he'd gotten used to hearing day and night within The Pact and Poltergeist. But, the half-orc shakes off this reflective mood and catches up to his friend. 'Your expression seemed stormy as you left; at least more than usual.' he joked, but maintaining a calmly inquisitive tone. 'The murder investigation getting to you? Can't say it hasn't been tense for me too, in all truth. Found myself far quieter than I'd usually be since the incident. Guess having something like that so close to home just makes you think, doesn't it? It's been a far few months since we've had any real action, and now I've got that tentative feeling in my stomach, like I'm on the edge of a cliff and I'm just about to slip down back into the chaos of a quest again.' He sighs gently, wiping a hand across his brow. 'Well, comfort would never come that easy for us. We all know what it's like to make that promise, to get ourselves enthralled into something much greater than us, more than anyone.' With a smile, he puts a hand on his friend's shoulder, and says 'Whatever comes next, I'm sure we'll tackle it. As a team.'
Xaul Lackluster: Half-Orc Fathomless Warlock: Warlock Dragon Heist
Borvnir Chelvnich: Black Dragonborn Barbarian: Dragons of Stormwreck Isle
Pushover Gerilwitz: Tiefling Wizard: Acquisitions Incorporated
Callow Sunken-Eyes: Goliath Arctic Druid: We Are Modron
DMing The 100 Dungeons of the Blood Archivist , The Hunt for the Balowang and Surviving Tempest City!
Killer Queen has already extended this signature, though not by much!