Dragon of Icespire Peak ***CLOSED***

A confused look crosses the innkeeper’s face and he stutters out an answer: “...uh, well I guess if no one actually stays in the room then we would not charge, but erhm, most of our visiting royals insist on their servants lodging with them...” though truly confused at Tabesha’l’s odd request, the man suddenly realizes that he is likely well outside his place to question the instructions of one higher born than he and quickly admonishes himself. “Uh, forgive my rudeness mi’lady, I shall see to your request, immediately...would you please excuse me for one moment...” The man bows as he backs up through a set of swinging doors.

The priest groans and mumbles something incoherent as Ando tries to roust him from his drunken slumber. Finally, he sits upright with a look on his face that seems to indicate he does not know who Ando and Vaxis are, nor perhaps even who he is. “Troll? Troll...troll...troll...” He continues repeating the word several times with different inflections until it seemingly has lost all meaning. “...I don’t know any trolls young man. Do you need healing? Would like to confess something? Helm is with thee...” His eyes roll back into his head as he lurches forward, his forehead slamming down onto the table like a carpenter’s hammer. He is fast asleep once again. Lying flat in one corner of the establishment is a large, weather-beaten wooden sign displaying the words “The Talking Troll” in distressed red script letters.

Minsys mulls it over then looks at Connak and shrugs.  "How about 120 gp for the two and you stable our third for the night?  Not sure how long we stay but if longer than that, we pay boarding fees for our horse," Minsys says as a counter offer.  

“Fair enough,” says Aldo, once again extending his hand to formalize the agreement. “We open to customers at 8 each morning. I noticed you have no saddle for these horses, we have some available, if you care to take a look.”

Minsys runs his hand through his hair.  "I think I'd be fine riding without one but if someone else needs the horse, it be rough.  Might help with gear transport too... Yeah, let's take a look at a saddle," Minsys says mire in resignation.

Vaxis looks absolutley apalled.

How can one of the cloth be so callous to his duties, he wonders.

He shakes the man awake. "You there, pay attention, we require your assistance, and you seem to require our assistance to make it to an inn or your abbot for the night. Please answer Ando's next question!"

“Fartheen? Yeah...bar opens at three...stays open till three...he’ll be here....for all of it. I’ve no money for an inn...and no abbot to belong to...so, please leave me to my....” The man’s speech stops cold as his vision comes partly into focus and he notices Vaxis’ appearance. He cocks his head in a quizzical look at the dragonborn in chainmail and then covers the side of his mouth with one hand while pointing with the other as he silently mouths the word “Dragon?!” in a question to Ando.

Vaxis frowns.

"No I am a man. Well, a dragon-man. Or maybe thats still a dragon. But I am still Vaxis."

Vaxis seems a bit perplexed by this oddity of a man.

“Right then,” says the priest. “Well I’ve got quite the headache, so if you don’t mind, I’d like to sleep it off until the bar reopens. Kaelen will be here about a half hour before to open the taps and maybe wash a few cups if it strikes him. He won’t start serving until three in the afternoon, so you won’t see Mordecai and his rowdy bunch until then. Now...may the glory of Helm watch and guard thee, dear travelers...” and with that, the priest pulls his frock over his head and lays down in the bench with his back to Ando and Vaxis.

Meanwhile, at Northshield House a plump female halfling bounds down the stairs and announces that Tabesha’l’s private room and bath are prepared. The wait staff lines up near the front desk to await further instruction from the dapper innkeeper.

Ando turns to Vaxis. "I know Tabesha'l said she would meet us here, but if there's no one here, perhaps we should head over to the inn until the bar officially open?"

With that business done, Minsys will turn to Connak.  He shakes the coin purse lightly and says, "Hows about a hot meal and strong ale?  My treat."  He then just starts walking into town not really sure where the tavern may be.

Connak shrugs and follows Minsys.  "You better hide that purse.  I know you'd relish a fight, but would it be worth 120 gold?"

"Maybe... seen people put more cold down for a game a cards or rollin some dice.  Even seen people put it down for a fight.  If the fight be good, maybe worth 120 gp." Minsys responds.  He does put the pouch away though.  

As they walk back out the doors to the rundown tavern, Ando and Vaxis are facing north with the majority of the town behind them. To their left, they see a fabulous mansion sitting atop a 30-foot plateau with four gargoyles perched atop its corners. To their right they see what appears to be a leather shop with many fine items hanging in the windows. A human male is out front working on a saddle and briefly pauses as he notices the pair coming out of the Talking Troll.

Their business concluded, as Minsys and Connak walk from Happy Horse Ranch, they see a large stone keep with several guards wearing matching armor and colors out front. Beyond the keep is an outfitter/provisioner, but there are no customers coming or going even though the establishment seems to be open for business. On the other side of the road (to the south) they see a cartwright, with several newly finished wagons out front on display.

Most of the businesses in Triboar have somewhat of a pioneerIng theme to them and the people moving about through the town are dressed in a similar manner. As Ando, Vaxis, Minsys and Connak make their way through the settlement, the residents nod polite greetings and smile as they pass by the visitors to their frontier town.

Connak turns to Minsys, "You think these people have received word or heard about the dragon yet?  Matter of fact, have you heard about the dragon yet?"

Minsys stops.  "Vaxis?  Yes, already met him.  You thinking town's people will hurt Vaxis?" Minsys says in surprise.  He then smiles and grabs his axe.  "No need to pay for a fight, they get one if hurt Vaxis!"

 Meanwhile, back at the Northshield House, Tabesha'l sighs and stretches contentedly as she climbs out of her steaming tub and proceeds to go through her assortment of perfumes and toiletries. After spending an inordinate amount of time attending first to her mane of black curls, then her nails, then hydrating her alabaster skin with rare elven onguents and on and on until she is finally satisfied with her overall appearance, she wraps herself in the soft silken tunic kindly provided by management while laying down her mage robes and examining them with a critical eye. 

 ** Using the Hat of Wizardry to cast Prestigiditation and effectively dry-clean her clothing before putting it back on. Arcana DC 10: 20 **

Once ready, she proudly strolls back down and addresses the receptionist in a lordly manner:

" I shall be back shortly with my retinue. Do be a dear and please have my room ready, I shall determine the rest of our accommodations upon my return." 

Noticing a halfling still hovering nearby she adds casually: " I shan't require thy services for now. Thou may go."  She pulls out a silver coin and places it in the diminutive servant's hand, before making her way towards the street outside once more, with a regal stride.

Connak responds to Minsys, "Oh, not Vaxis.  A bona-fide flying white dragon.  It's been terrorizing Phandalin and surroundings.  Probably a matter of time until it comes this way."

Vaxis nods enthuusiatically to Ando as they start walking towards the inn.

"Knowing the elven friend, she has likely lost track of time in her bath. We shall meet her there instead and inform the group of what we know for now."

Tabesha’l meets Ando and Vaxis as shortly after she exists the inn. They talk briefly for a moment when Connak and Minsys stroll up as well. The five discuss their findings in Triboar thus far. As they are talking, a group of rowdy-looking humans spills out of an adjacent storefront carrying provisions, several coils of rope and bundles of torches. One of them calls out to the man in front: “Hey Mordecai, we gonna hit the Troll first before we leave for Neverwinter?” The man responds, “Aye lads, unless ye want to travel sober, eh?”

Connak smirks, speaking low to his group, "Wonder if the dragon likes his food pickled?"