Interlude in Red Larch

[greyarea]

Marcus, paladin

aside: The Triboar or the TriManBearPig? He Detects Evil while looking at Buck just to be sure...

[kjc]

Rory gives the bear a glance as they walk past, but says nothing, resisting the urge to wave at it or point back and forth between its eyes and his.

Jayce - Fighter
While Jayce feared neither man nor beast, this talk of a man-beast-beast, almost caused a total loss of bladder control. "A manbearpig?" he whispered nervously, "Are you cereal?"

[Spanningtree]

Nahin - Elf

Tis good to see the vibrant life of the forest. He'll say with a shrug and keep riding.

[badams30]

Sorry for the delay. Sick kids and wife, and pesky work commitments...

You pass by the bear location and keep glancing back occasionally, but the animal fails to appear again. As you approach the clearer area that must be Triboar, the town appears to be of medium size, with no stockade, but with plenty of larger buildings (mostly wood) and lots of corrals and pens for livestock. From what little you've heard of Triboar, you do know its a major caravan point, and it's guides are legendary for their knowledge of the area, and for their saavy. You also know that Triboar and Yartar have an ongoing armed fued. Not really a war, but they often have skirmishes over petty issues. To your knowledge, there is no hostility in effect at this time.

As you start to near the city, you can make out a party of 8 horses and armed men riding out in your direction slowly. They don't appear to be exhibiting any hostility, just caution.

As Buck sees the men approaching, he says "No worries. Just some of The Twelve, the mounted watch. Probably just coming to welcome us and make sure we aren't miscreants or Yartarans." He glances back at you all and says "This is a good town, reasonably safe. Normally bustling with caravans. We'll likely get hounded by some guides, most know the areas very well and are worth every penny of their fees. But the best guides are equipped with defensive magics and are leery of those who would trick them. We may want to speak among some of these men tonight, they may have some news of use to us. But mind your instincts. Some shady sorts linger here to skim off the wealthy or careless."

As the mounted men approach, you can see they are all attired in matching studded leather armor with assorted simple weapons (Spears, short swords, daggers, and a couple of short bows.) One of the younger looking men is bearing a standard that has the image of 3 black boars running toward the head of the banner (all on a blood red field) As they approach and slow to a halt in front of you, a middle aged man with short cropped white hair and a long white moustache rides up, hand in the air in greetings. "Well met, travellers. Welcome to Triboar." He smiles a friendly smile and rolls his eyes as he says "You don't look the sort, but we have to ask, you know... You aren't from Yartar, are you?" Before you answer he says "Outstanding. Welcome then. We have just one caravan in town, so the place is practically empty. Enjoy your stay, and keep out of trouble." They move aside to allow you to pass, obviously friendly, but watching you as you ride by.

As you enter the town, it is almost entirely wood buildings, corrals, and with a large marketplace that dominates the center of the town. You see a couple caravan outfitters, a handful of wagon shops, and a couple of inns and taverns. Buck see you looking about and says "We'll be staying at the Frost-Touched Frog. An eclectic place. No food there, but a couple taverns we can eat at."
As you approach the 'Frog, you see the single most impressive building in the town - a two story tower and a modest keep. It is about 2 blocks from your inn.

Buck flips the stable hands a couple of coins and they set about taking your horses and wagon to the nearby barn. Buck hoists his pack and says "Let's go in and drop our gear, and we can go eat and mingle."

The inn is nice, cozy, with comfortable but mismatched furniture and a very restful vibe. The proprietor is friendly, and directs you to a large common room that Buck has purchased. It is large enough for 10-12, and looks inviting. Buck drops his gear and says "Well, men, what'll it be? The Talking Troll or the Triboar Arms?" He chuckles and says "okay, a seedy dive or your average tavern for townsfolk?"

Buck seems to have no preference. He looks to you all for a decision. Questions or actions?

[kjc]

Jayce - Fighter
"I think we all know where Rory is going." Jayce grinned. "Best not go alone brother. I'll take Dak and Grinkle to the Triboar Arms however...no need in looking for trouble. Where's everyone else heading?"

OOC: Hope the badams crew is soon on the mend!

[Spanningtree]

Nahin - Elf

Lets grab a drink in the seedy joint and then make our way to the other for food. Might as well see all this place has to offer. He'll say putting down his pack.

[badams30]

Buck laughs and says "The Troll isn't terrible, just a bit.. uh... well... seedy." He nods at Grinkle and Dak, who seem perfectly content to go to the other inn w/ Jayce. The rest of you head to the Talking Troll.

Talking Troll Visitors
As you approach a ramshackle building that is clearly a tavern, you see a faded sign with a rather nice carving of a troll with his hand in the air and obviously talking. No words, no sign other than this, but obviously... the Talking Troll.
Some laborers and teamster sorts hang outside the inn, chatting and laughing, and as you enter, you can see why the place has the reputation it does. The inside is run down, and has mixed smells of good ale, spiced tobacco, sweat and general funk. The clientele seem to be worker types, and the banter inside is noisy and animated, to say the least. You find standing room at the bar, and you see a couple barmaids in low cut dresses, well endowed and friendly, but clearly as used and busted as the guests. One approaches and smiles at you all, "eh' there, what'll it be for ya?" Buck nods and smiles, and says to you all, "Despite the surroundings, the place has some of the best ales in the north. Any you get will be good." And he orders a local ale, handing the barmaid a few gold coins, her eyes light up and she smiles broadly, "Yes, Sir! We'll get you taken care of nicely!" And she disappears for a second, then a large ugly half orc comes out and rousts some drowsy looking drunks from a nice table near the fireplace, and he turns to you all and gives a quick salute and says "Uhhh, yer table, Sirz." And with that, you have a seat. Buck chuckles and sits, inviting you all to join him. Your drinks arrive and you settle in to people watch and drink a bit. A cursory observation of the tavern shows mostly caravan staff, but Buck points out a couple of guides that are conspicuous by their dress. Other than that, mostly drunks and yokels.

Triboar Arms Visitors
Jayce, Grinkle and Dak make their way to the Triboar Arms, a plain establishment that seems clean, quiet and reserved. The Tavern is well cared for and if you had seen it, you'd realize that this is the polar opposite of the Troll. As you enter, you see mostly locals, a handful of caravan guards and teamsters, and a couple of rugged looking dwarves in the corner near the back. As you enter, the conversation quiets a bit as some of the occupants eyeball Grinkle, but everything resumes shortly, but with some glancing your way with odd looks. As 1/3rd of the place is open, you have no problem finding a nice table to the side, and within a couple of minutes, an elderly woman, accompanied by a young girl of no more than 10 or 12 comes over and says "Hello there." She looks at you all very suspiciously, as two of the three of you won't win any beauty pagents, but after a moment of Jayce's charm and civil bearing, her demeanor loosens greatly. "What can I get you boys? The ale is good, as is the wine, and we have some nice pheasant with vegetables tonight." Ordering a round of drinks, you settle in and people watch. As you begin to chat amongst yourselves, a man in brown robes approaches. He has an eye patch and heavily scarred face and neck. He appears to have no hair, or at least none is visible from his drawn up hood. His hands are covered in brown gloves, and no other attire other than the heavy brown robes and the dagger on his belt are visible. He nods at you all ands says in a gravelly voice, "Got room for another?"

[greyarea]

Marcus, paladin

Marcus takes one look at the Troll and rolls his eyes. Why do I even bother? he mutters to himself. He knows he will stick out like a sore thumb in any seedy bar.

He heads to Triboar Arms to join Jayce, Grinkle and Dak. He's approaching when the man asks to sit at their table but holds back to see and hear what happens.

[kjc]

Jayce - Fighter
"Good day madame, and to you young miss!" Jayce says warmly. Addressing the girl, he adds "I'm quessing that you are learning to serve tables. So... I believe we will begin with six ales, two loaves of bread, and much butter. There may be others joining us later, we will wait on dinner for awhile." After the servers leave, he says quietly to his comrades "remember our business is our own, let's be friendly without saying too much."

When the stranger in brown approaches, Jayce gestures to a chair, "Sure friend, pull up seat and share a drink. Welcome to our exclusive club." Jayce chuckles as he looks to the half-orc and hobgoblin.

As Marcus hangs back, Jayce nods slightly, as if to say "good idea." Inwardly Jayce winces as he is sure Grinkle or Dak will start waving enthusiastically to the paladin.

[Spanningtree]

Nahin - Elf

Colorful place... Nahin will say as he sits with Buck in the Troll and enjoy a local ale taking it all in. If he see's anyone that looks like they could lob a spell he'll open up a conversation. Otherwise he'll wait for others to approach him and if that does not happen he'll retire to the tri-boar with Buck to sup a bit.