OOC: what's the plan?

OOC: Back to town with our tail between our legs.

OOC Yep, that is the plan.

OOC: Ok!

The party takes four days on foot to travel back to the Rusted Anchor. They come to the lively place at twilight to find several patrons sitting enjoying the generally relaxed atmosphere and live music. As the party enter they don't really recognize anyone in the tavern or behind the bar. The mood of tge party clashing with that of the bar full of lively patrons who's hard jobs were no where near as hard as the last week of each party member!

Nat breathes in the tavern smell and his whole mood transforms.  Well, whatever happens next, it was a pleasure adventuring with you folks.  Now, before we attend to business, I suggest a stiff drink.  We survived, after all - so far at least.  He will head to the bar and get four ales, and bring them to a table where they can all sit together.  

(If no-one comes to summon us, then there's a trapdoor in the cellar or kitchen I think, leading to the Order's base?)

Alici joins Nat and orders a bottle of whatever the strongest liquor the Rusted Anchor has. "We're going to need something stronger than ale, friend Nat."

     "I believe we will have an earful for our efforts. A drink to prepare for that would be nice." Retiog collapses into a chair, worn out from the travels. "The start to our service does not give fill me with hope for the future."

Metagaming pigeon says coo coo *Duc is the only official member, remember* coo coo

The tavern is doing a bustling trade. A human barmaid who's got more confidence than real looks comes over with a comly smile.

"Good evening," she says. "What can I get for you," she asks batting her eyelashes at Retiog and Nat.

Having put on her cloak just before entering the tavern Duc smiles at the server, and answers "Ale and whisky for everyone at the table, I will also need to speak to someone urgently." she says adjusting the cloak and flashing the insignia. 

The girls eyes double in size seeing the insignia before nodding and backing off the table before rushing tp the bar where a large half-orc was picking his teeth with a piece of bone. Leaning over the human woman says something to him as he laughs out loud then gets up. Grabbing a bottle he lumbers over to the table with a grimace.

"Who's this then," the half-orc asks his accent typical of the slums of Sul Na Mara with a face that tells you another story about his profession which doesn't speak to him working behind a bar long. "You lot are too green," he motions to the party, "and how come she's the only one in a cloak." He adds jabbing his finger at Duc with a sneer.

The human woman remains behind the bar as the patrons are beginning to look your way curiously.

Alici stands, inserting herself between Duc and the half-orc, staring him down with a sneer and a feral growl. 

intimidation : 9

      Retiog rises from his seat as well. "We have returned from our first mission, if you need to know. Go tell whoever is in charge that Gimble was taken."

"That wasn't the right choice dearie," the half-orc backs off looking genuinely scared but he raises a hand and whistles as the jovial patrons around the party in the tavern stand.

First one an archer near the door blocking it. Then another two with swords by the bar stand then more still. Altogether its sixteen different men and women who have thrown off hoods, put down cards, or mugs of ale then stood up from tables all showing steel and grim expressions.

"Where's Tarwick," a beautiful drow woman comes forward with a frown. "He left with you lot," she adds next as she's flanked by angry faces humans, dwarves, and half-elves, "he's not with you now," she adds.

        "I was telling this one," Retiog says to the drow, gesturing to the ugly half-orc, "Gimble was taken when we were on the road coming back from retrieving the item. Looked like some sort of animal drug him away back towards that time-shifting mountain."

"Or it is some sort of elaborate game, I'll tell you for free that it all seemed like a setup to me, I think you want to talk before all the fighting starts though, even you big guy, although it does seem like you changed your mind about that already." Duc says aiming the last barb at the half-orc. 

Nat takes a swig of ale and looks on.  As he doesn't have any standing with the Order, he lets Duc handle things.  He looks around the tavern, and in particular at whoever is providing the live music, and considers possibly joining them later on - if he's still alive, of course.

"Get up," the drow says to the party. "They'll be judged below," she says raising a hand as the sixteen move forward.

Alici, who is already standing, downs her drink and slams the mug on the table before following the Order members.

 Nat also downs his ale and follows.

Sinking her whisky and leaving the glass upside down on the table Duc walks past the half-orc eyeballing him as she does, moving without seeming to rush.

"We should have ordered a meal first..."