Aspiring Heroes of Faerûn

"OK Kess." Krackle would reply as he give her hand a small squeeze. The kobold would standby quietly, listening to the owner of the inn speak. When she mentions the cost of rooms his face would scrunch up a bit. "uhh.... I am a good helper.. you said that you give discounts to helpers. I can help with things. I am pretty good at cleaning stuff.. digging holes... and squeezing into small areas.... will any of that help?" The tiny kobold would ask as he looks up at Madam Zoar.

"You seem very worried," Kess would politely note to Madame Zoar, offering a bow. "Are you willing to divulge of what you've been hearing?"

Chrys nods curiously.  "We're on a job right now, but that ain't sayin' that we couldn't come back after it's done an' help out 'round the place... 'Course, it depends on the pay.  Adventurin's only a life so long as you can afford ta keep it up," she admits.  "But on that note, we're always lookin' to help people out of tough situations.  So if ya know of people who could use the type o' help we can offer, we'd be interested in hearin' that, too."

Lumen is happy to play with some appreciation, and will be sure to ask how much the discount is after he plays as long as the crowd will take it.

Madame Zoar smiles at Krackle's enthusiasm. "My my, aren't you just a little gem. One would not think that a creature of your kind would have such fine manners. I don't know that I have a need for cleaning or digging, or squeezing into small holes, but let me give it some thought and let you know, should the need arises."

To the others, she answers, "I'm not too worried about myself or my inn at the moment, aside from the constant threat of raids that come down from the moors, I just hear things from travelers. We sit right on the junction between those who pass in and out of the High Forest, the Dessarin Mountains, and along the Evermoor Way, and all three of those places have inherent dangers that lurk about. As I'm sure you well know, there is no truly safe place in the North, where you are completely out of the threat of unsavory types."

"From those that return from The High Forest, I have heard tales of vile creatures that roam in the night, especially around Noanar's Hold. If you do go there, I would advise you to stay inside during the nighttime hours. As you go deeper into the forest, I realize this is not always possible, so just be on your guard. And one never knows what each day, or night, will bring. If you pass through there again and there is need, then perhaps I can utilize your skills and your service."

"At any rate, how about a meal to each of you on the house for Lumen's most wonderful performance. His spirited song has certainly put my tavern into good spirits this evening!"

"Now that I can toast to," Chrys says with a cheerful grin ask she takes Zoar up on her offer.  She shoots a warning look at Vesper as a large mug of ale is placed before her, and makes room on the bench next to her for Krackle to sit and partake of the meal.  As Kess sits down at the table, Chrys gives her a thoughtful look.  "Yer sorta from 'round these parts, or so I think I heard before.  Have ya got any advice fer green adventurers like us, ta help us survive out in this area... or better yet, some tales o' yer own adventures ta tell?"

"I'm not gonna chug it all down. Don't worry."

"I start worryin' the minute ya say those words," Chrys tells Vesper with a wink and a smile.

Lumen finishes his set, a bit of perspiration on his brow after a particularly energetic crescendo to cap things off. He had been weaving through crowd-pleasers and a bit of his own material, but he hadn't eaten since their last stop on the road. It felt good to perform again, and he was still pleasantly surprised at his reception here, given the town's taste for outdoor decor. Performing meant that eyes were on you a lot, but it also meant that you had free rein to observe the audience. He made sure to get a decent look at each member of the waitstaff, each patron, looking for anyone who seemed to be concealing anything, anyone who might have an interesting story to tell, anyone who seemed to have particular thoughts about the Pie Pals, anyone trying to remain unseen, anything else interesting.

Perception: 11
Insight: 18

After returning to the table, he ordered a large platter of whatever looked good on the chalkboard, and the biggest stein they had of the local brew.

"Well, that's gone worse in the past, hasn't it now? Anyone else in a great mood? Krackle, you've got fans here, and I might, too! Pretty sure we're bringing our skulls with us when we leave in the morning. Oh, did she happen to say if there might be a musical discount? I was playing and saw you all chatting with her for a while, so I thought the topic might have come up."

He'll also subtly share any observations he makes about the crowd and the waitstaff, if any. He's also fine to do an encore performance if there is the desire for it, and then he'll sleep well in one of the shared rooms.

"Lumen! You got us free food! I wanna order a pie... do they have pies?" Krackle would shout excitedly as the half orc finishes his musical number. 

Lumen

The rest of you enjoy the free helping of shepherd's pie that's being offered as the main course tonight, although as Madame Zoar informs you, the drinks are separate.

• Rich red wine from Silverymoon is 3 sp.
• Barov Crush red wine is 1 gp
• Goodberry Wine is 2 gp
• Heavy stout ale from Everlund is 5 cp
• Coppery amber ale, also from Everlund is 5 cp
• Unfiltered wheat ale from Yartar is 5 cp
• Raspberry wheat ale from Waterdeep is 6 cp
• Gralen's Brew sweet, malty ale is 5 cp
• Dessarin Valley honey mead is 1 sp
• Berry Brandy is 1 gp, and
• Silverleaf elvish gin from Waterdeep is 1 gp.

Lumen relays his observations to the group, eats his meal, and then goes to the bar to order a stout, standing right next to the man they’d seen on the road, earlier. He catches his eye casually and says, “hope your journey was more interesting than ours, my friend.” He nods in a way he’s seen rock star bards nod at fans before. Projecting confidence that is not entirely felt.

(Everlund Ale for Chrys)

Chrys digs into her Shepherd's Pie with gusto, mumbling between bites, "We chose the best team name ever, ya know.  Mmm..."  She washes it all down with an ale, then burps and rubs her lips with the back of hand.  Finding Madame Zoar, she grins.  "Now that there was some might fine pie, thank ya ma'am.  I think we'll be willin' ta take a shared room for the night... one o' the big ones," she says, passing over her 2 silver coins for her bed in the largest room.  "We're used ta campin' out together, it shouldn't be a big problem ta share company in the comfort of an establishment as nice as this one.  Right, guys?" 

And yes, rhubarb pie is being served for dessert this evening. 

"I will take a Raspberry ale please!" The kobold would request as crumbs fall from his mouth. He would reach his small bony claw into the nearly empty sack and pull out six copper pieces. He would slowly count out the six coins twice before nodding confidently and handing them to the server. '"I say we all share a room. It is cheaper and I don't take up much space. I can sleep inside of a drawer or under the bed if it helps." Krackle would add with a smile.

Lumen walks over to converse with the man that you passed on your way out of Melton and the two others that he sitting with. "It was nothing special, friend. Just a few extra hours along ploddin' along The Way. Happy to be sittin' here with a drink in me hand, and the ale's much better here than it is in Melton. Good singin' by the way."

He raises his mug to you, but offers little conversation beyond that and turns back to his two companions. 

Madame Zoar accepts the silver from Chrys for the shared room and Krackle's six coins for the ale, which he finds has a definite raspberry undertones, even if it doesn't taste like a mug of straight raspberry juice. She answers Chrys, "Well, I think you will find that our sleeping mats are a bit more comfortable than the ground. Granted, you won't be out under the night sky, but you'll be warmer, dryer and hopefully more rested when you wake tomorrow morn."

Lumen nods at the man, and introduces himself and the Pie Pals if they come over, conversing with some small talk, nothing more. He was just curious if the man was on any special business and when that curiosity is satisfied, he finishes his drink and conversation and then heads to bed, eager to get moving in the morning.

"I'll have some of the honey mead, if you would be so kind," Kess asked at the bar, producing a silver coin before she took a seat.

She was grateful to have rest and food for her belly after the long and arduous walk from Melton to Calling Horns; the savory notes of the shepherd's pie were delicious, and she remarked at the carefully golden, browned potato used for the top layer. It was an ingenious dish, from top to bottom. And yet, it didn't seem terribly complicated.

This reminds me of some of the potato filets that mother would make back in the Dale, she thought to herself. Hearty, but simple.

Kess' thoughts turned to her far away homeland. Right about now, the knucklehead trout season would be in tireless ardor, with fishermen from each of the Ten Towns competing with or even combating one another for the prized catch of Icewind Dale. Merchants were likely arriving everyday from Luskan and Waterdeep, hoping to peddle their wares and load up on the region's famous scrimshaw and knucklehead ivory. Before long, the first hints of winter would be on the horizon, and the snow and ice would return to block the mountain passes and most safe transport in and out of the dale.

I hope you're safe in Lonelywood, mother, or wherever you may be right now.

She hoped her mother was safe. It had been some time since she'd recieved a letter or a communication spell or anything of the like from her.

It was round then that the conversation between Chrys and Krackle proved a welcome distraction from Kess' melancholy.

"I certainly don't mind sleeping under a dry, safe roof of this reputable establishment. It certainly is better than risking a camp so close to the Moors, where a fire could attract unwanted attention," Kess said with a smile, taking a sip of her mead and straightening out her hair. "And the best part is, we can leave this place looking as fresh as we'll feel!"

Vesper will place down 1 gold for a cup of the Barov Crush and then 5 for a room. When her wine is brought to her, she eats her pie, drinks the wine, and then goes to bed. "See you all tomorrow."

Eventually, the evening begins to wind down, and you retire to one of the shared bunk rooms that you have rented for the night. Entering, you see that its a decent sized chamber that has 8 well maintained sleeping mats that are evenly spaced out on the floor. Next to each one is a candle and a small box where you can put your loose belongings for the night instead of just dropping them on the floor and a thick folded blanket. Along one side of the room is a large row of hooks where you can hang your cloaks and store your armor and other larger items. 

You find the sleeping mats to be quite comfortable, and they don't have a stale mildew odor like the rooms did at The Weary Knight in Melton. Overall, this room is much cleaner, neater  and well adorned. Laying your tired bodies down on the thick, straw filled mats with thick cotton and padded wool covers, you find that your eyes close quickly and rest comes easily..

...until it doesn't. Sometimes, a few hours later, when it is still very dark out, you are awakened by a loud commotion of chaos and and banging. At first you think it's only a dream, but you quickly come to consciousness and realize that someone is pounding on the door to your room and shouting. In addition, you can hear a strange racket outside the window, and what sounds like the excited, alarmed whinny of horses.

"Come quick!! Help is needed!! ...trouble...... Grab weapons and head to the stable!"