You all sit together at a table not far from the corner the innkeeper suggested as a possible performance location. You get a few curious glances from the other patrons, but they are mostly minding their own business.

Balassar smiles at the mention of trost "Food would be great. Whatever you recommend and three flagons of trost please." he says as he just heads to the table they plan to sit at. He looks at Alton "Maybe a story about our heroics, might get someone willing to talk to us?"

Celica's a little disappointed that there's no radler, but she'll settle for a trost. She sits with Balassar and gives Alton a little cheer as he goes to play. "Yeah, sing a song about how cool we are! Celebrate our heroics!"

Is Alton going to play? If so, let me know song/songs and the general vibe, and give me a Performance check.

Alton plucks a few strings on the lute making sure it sounds good before striking up a country style tune. "That works."

Performance: 14 

Alton, the chatter in the room dies down pretty quickly as soon as you launch into your song. People seem a little taken aback, not perhaps accustomed to entertainment that intrudes on their conversation, or not accustomed to entertainment that is worth paying attention to. But you deliver your song with such enthusiasm and skill that a few listeners are starting to mouth the words by the third chorus, and join in on the fourth. As the song comes to an end the whole tavern is singing, and it erupts in applause, with people laughing, and some looking a little embarrassed that they got caught up in the music so much. The innkeeper has appeared in the middle of his work and stands grinning at the doorway, applauding with the others. He doesn't come over to speak - not wanting to interrupt your performance - but the atmosphere in this inn has become a fair bit merrier.

Will you end here, on continue on with a selection of other songs? The crowd is definitely calling for more.

Balassar and Celica, one of the dwarves comes over, tankard of ale in hand and definitely a little drunk, and asks "Hey, you came w'that bard, right? S'any o'that true? 'Bout the dragon'n such?"

Balassar just smiles as he enjoys the song. When the dwarf comes over and asks if it is true he stands up looking at the dwarf. Looking around to make sure he has enough room he then begins to grow in front of everyone as he just reaches down for his mug and takes another drink "That answer your question?" he asks sitting back down in the chair at his new height.

Balassar, there are gasps, and a fresh round of applause. The chair creaks beneath you but does not give way - yet.

Alton gives a bow to the crowd and takes a moment to check the tuning on the lute. He plucks a few strings before dropping into a mountain tempo in A minor. Playing a folk tale song about a cowboy who has a vision of red-eyed, steel-hooved cattle thundering across the sky, being chased by the spirits of damned cowboys.

Celica's eyes glow in wonder at Balassar's sudden growth. "Woah! You didn't tell me you could get all huge like that! How did you do that?"

Balassar just smiles a little as he orders three more flagons of trost "We can chat about that later."

Alton's performance continues, and though it doesn't quite reach the heights of his first song, the crowd remains enthused.

(If Alton would like to invite donations, he can do so.)

So, is there anything you want to accomplish this night, or anyone that you would want to speak to. There's the innkeeper and the various patrons in the inn, or you could explore the town by night, or head to bed. It's up to you.

"So, you and Alton have been companions for a while, then? What do you make of him? He seems like a nice guy, talented too, but I'm curious what you think about him," Celica asks Belassar, scooching their chair closer to the table to lean in and hear what the dragonborn warrior has got to say. "Oh, also, what's the deal with that growing thing you just did? I'm so intrigued by it! I won't tell if it's a secret, promise - I'm great at keeping secrets!

Alton gives another bow, "Thank you for being such a lovely audience. We welcome any donations that help us help you. I will leave you all with one last performance, for now. A bard needs his fill of food and drink too." He strums a couple of strings striking up a slow but upbeat tune.

Performance: 21 

Balassar just chuckles as Alton continues to play "At first I thought he was small and talked a lot. However, after our first adventure together with Wash I saw there was more to him. The same with the others we adventured with throughout our time together. Now, he's like a brother. As for how I learned to do the grow thing..." he just leans in close "That's my secret for now." with that he just leans back in his chair and take a sip of his drink. He just looks around the bar trying to identify if there's anyone who might be someone willing to chat a little more about the issues with the town.

OOC:

insight check: 22

Alton, the crowd seem impressed, and pleased with the rest of the performance and especially the finale. The trio of dwarves give the loudest cheers - and the most money. You get some appreciative cries from the gambling humans, but less money - they are more focused on their game. The halfling family applauds loudly, and the half-orc and human couple may not even be aware that there's anyone else in the room. You get 7 gold, 45 silver and 12 copper pieces from the crowd; pretty meagre compared to a larger, more prosperous city, but a good take for a place like this.

Balassar, you glance around. There really isn't a way for you to tell who might want to talk about the kind of things you're interested in, but the dwarfs seem chatty and open to a conversation with strangers; the humans look a bit seedier - more likely to know stuff, less likely to want to talk. Those are probably your two best options.

Alton, the innkeeper comes over as the crowd returns to their business. Impressive. Best we've had in here for a few years. Are you stopping long? I could advertise, get a crowd in for tomorrow or the night after, if you're interested?

Alton thanks those that came up and gave some coin, and slips the coins into a pouch. He looks to the innkeeper as he settles back into his seat, "Thank you, the practice pays off. It is hard to say how long we will be here for, we have some business to attend to both in and out of town. I think were going to deal with the out of town business first from the sound of it. I would be happy to do a second performance in the future, though." He flashes the innkeeper a smile, "In return for such a great performance, my friends and I could use a bit of information. You or your staff wouldn't happen to have seen a man with a unique scar on his face?" Alton describes to the innkeeper the guy they are looking for.

The innkeeper looks surprised as you mention a man with a scar, and interrupts you before you can complete any description. "Are you sent from Lord Teratt then? I wasn't sure anyone would come. Perhaps we should step into a back room," he looks around at the patrons, suddenly a little nervous. "With your friends too, if you wish?"

Alton just gives the innkeeper a nod, “That is fine. I can pass the information on to my friends. They are working on getting more information about another job we are here for.” He lowers his voice so just the table can hear, “Besides, it would look suspicious if we all went to the back. With just me it can played off as future business discussions.”

"What do you think, Balassar? Think we can get some more info here? If you want to divide and conquer, I can chat up some folks, give 'em that ole Celica razzle-dazzle," Celica says with a smile. "Works like a charm, I guarantee!"