Inn The Beginning

[DM-Boneyard Ben]

A wave of laughter, and the mixed smell of pipe smoke and ale washes over you as you open one of the double doors that leads into The Wayfarer's Rest. Guardsman Jackson at the gate into Clifton suggested this inn, saying, "If you need a place to stay, the Wayfarer's Rest is a great place to find a bed. Tell old Borris that Guardsman Jackson sent you, and he will give you an ale."

A few steps into the common room and the cooking smells coming from the kitchen make your mouth water.The inn itself is a fairly large three story rectangle, the exterior recently white washed, and the windows and doors are bordered in chestnut stained wood. The common room is quite large, with twin fire places set in opposite walls. A dozen round tables cover the center of the room, with several long tables with benches along the outside. A few more private booths line the back wall.

Groups of men sit at all the round tables, laughing, dicing, and listening to a fellow play the dulcimer. A group of guards sit in one of the booths, looking visably bothered.When you enter, several people look up for a moment before going back to what they were doing before. One fellow even nods a greeting. The closest server brushes past you with a laden tray, "Find a spot where you can M'deary, we will be with you shortly." Another server finds you almost immediately after you find a spot, "What can I get you hun?" After placing your order, you spot another fellow entering the common room from the back where the servers have been coming and going. The front half of the man's head is bald, and the rest is graying. He's wearing simple white cotton, and a leather belt strains to contain his considerable girth. Over the rest he wears a pristine white apron. One of the guards shouts, "Innkeep!" and the man heads to their table. He must be the Old Borris that Guardsman Jackson was speaking about.

[Kosga]

Without being overly obvious, I quietly listen in on the conversation between the innkeeper and the guards. Leaving no second to spare after the innkeep is no longer tied up with the guards, Knuckles quickly and gruffly calls out, "Innkeep." When he expeditiously arrives at my table, Knuckles says, "Guardsman Jackson informed me that Old Boris would charitably make sure my tankard was filled this evening. Could you kindly point him out to me, so I may collect upon that amiable offer? Secondly, as I am new in this town whom would I speak to about work in the area? Also, I will require a room for the evening. I do not care how unfancy that room is."

[DM-Delfon]

The guards are asking for drinks because they had a hard tour today. They escorted a crew of miners to The Pit, and along the way a band of Lizard Folk attacked them. The guards managed to kill a couple, and drive off the rest. One of the miners was killed by a thrown spear, and their captain is angry with them.

The Innkeeper bustles over at your call, "Ah, yes. The guardsman is better than the sign out front for sending me custom." You see Borris slip a silver protector, the armoured knight etched on the face glinting in the light before it slips it from his pouch to a pocket, that coin clinks against others already there. You suspect that Guardsman Jackson is paid to suggest the Wayfarer's Rest over other inns in the city. He continues, "Everybody just calls me Old Borris, purveyor of tasty food, good ale, and warm beds." His laugh is heartfelt, and makes his bulk shake. "Because you come on Master Jackson's suggestion, you're entitled to a single drink with my compliments. If you wish more you will have to pay your server for them." Old Borris leans his elbows on the back of a chair, "As to work..." He trails off looking you over, noting your weapons and armour, "The guards back there often hire out mercenaries and adventurers to help defend the miners travelling between The Pit, a vast sinkhole west of the city, and Clifton. There are always posted positions at The Pit itself as well. If guard duty doesn't suit your fancy, the Merchant's Guild pays well for those brave enough to explore the uncharted caverns below, or deal with any threats that are found." A scullery maid calls from the kitchen doorway, and Old Borris straightens holding up a hand with his pointer finger extended, "Duty calls my friend. You could also try any of the Guild Houses in High Quarter, specifically the Adventurers Guild. Or the Pelorian Light Shrine sometimes offers work as well."

Old Borris offers you a key, and settles your account before heading back into the kitchens, you hear, "What disaster has befallen us this..." Before the door shuts cutting off his words. As the kitchen door closes the front door opens, and a couple of sailors by their clothing enter, possibly a couple by the way they look at one another. One male in baggy pants with a sash for a belt and a flowing white linen shirt. The other is female, about sixteen with blue eyes and long flowing blonde hair.

[Kosga]

Taking a quick look around the room after the couple of sorry sacks of puss that call themselves sailors enter, I mutter "The merchants guild it is then." Completely demolishing my drink like it was a pathetically weak enemy, I emphatically stand and head for the innkeeper's counter.

"Greetings, I want extra cheap accommodations, for as long as this will get me." I drop a gold coin on the counter. "And where might I find the merchants guild in town?"

Just as soon as I have my directions, I will head that way without delay or hesitation almost like I am possessed by some sort of tireless rage demon.

[DM-Delfon]

Old Borris looks you over again, and says, "I have a servants room tucked up in the attic under the eves. It's cramped small, doesn't have more than a bed and a little foot locker in it, not even a window. That will get you a ten-day though, if you're looking for a bargain. If you want something a little more comfortable, I have a private room that you can have for two days on that." He scoops up the Gold Phoenix while he talks, tucking it away inside his apron. Following that he gives you directions to the Merchants Guildhouse in High Quarter, "Head east until you reach the wall, then go north until you find a gate guarded by Pin's wearing platemail. Once inside that gate, follow the main road east until you see the Pelorian Light Shrine, the massive building opposite that is the Merchant's Guild house."

[Kosga]

"Much obliged for the directions, I will be glad to bunk up in the servants room, I am not fussy."

Exiting Inn door even(thank you snagglepuss(looney toons)), I take a quick bearing of bogville, I mean Clifton. Then start heading for the High Quarter. Along the way I am making sure to keep my greed in extreme check as I do not wish to start something here that I cannot finish. (side note what time of day is it?) "Greetings" I cordially say with quick wave of my superior hand as I approach the well defended Pin's on duty. Upon reaching the Pelorian shrine I briefly pause in respect even though I am not a believer. Then it is off to wealth beyond most commoner's wildest imaginations, the Merchant's Guild. Striding with a bit more spring in my step I make my way through the door.

[DM-Delfon]

The noonday sun beats down upon you as wait in line to enter the High Quarter. The Guardsmen that approaches you touches your battle axe in the loop at your waist, and then the great axe offering counterbalance on the other side. You see his eyes touch on the dagger, javelin, and crowbar as well, "Those stay at your belt, understood? Weapons are permitted, but fighting is not. If that crowbar is used to break into anything..." He trails off, but then continues, "You cause any trouble in the High District, and you won't have to worry about jail time. Trouble makers here take the high dive..." He trails off again looking into the High District, then he points at the tower at the top of the cliffs. "Get what I mean?" Then he mimics a diving motion, and waves you into High District.

High District is amazing, each building you pass seems larger than the last, and more ornate. Most seem like palaces beside the buildings you're used to seeing. Fancifully carved stone gargoyles rest upon the rooftops. Statues stand on pedestals, or spit or pour water in the center of massive stone basins. The buildings have carved stone pillars, or elaborate stonework. Lush gardens and well maintained orchards are on the grounds of every estate you pass. It must take legions of servants and gardeners to keep everything so clean and tidy. Even the cobbles below your feet are tightly linked, and nearly flat. It seems like as soon as one guard patrol passes out of sight, another crosses your path from a different direction. The streets themselves are twice the width as the streets below, and they have half as many people. Nobody here has to jostle another to get where they're going. The alleys you pass would be called streets below. Everything screams wealth, and the prices match. Your eyes nearly pop out of your head when you pass a fancy shop where a dagger cost ten Phoenixs.

The prize at the top of the hill in High District is the Pelorian Light Shirine. With it's vaulted golden domes, and towers a dozen stories high it is truly a marvel to behold. The walls surrounding the temple grounds are surrounded by a twenty foot tall wall, pure white, and seemingly made from a single uncut piece of stone. Magic must have been used in the construction of such a wall. After pausing out of respect you turn around to look at the Merchant's Guild. A stone driveway leads up to the largest manor house you have ever seen. Perfectly manicured shrubs have been trimmed to look like animals, and statues of well dressed men line the driveway. Each statue bears a placard that tells the name of the man depicted, and a brief biography of his triumphs. Lining the entire left side of the driveway is wagon after wagon, all loaded down with goods. Dozens of soldiers and adventurers are positioned on the wagons, or mounted along side. A few of the men with crossbows draw back, and load a quarrel when they see you approaching. A knight in plate mail, with a shield bearing the sigil of a coin purse rides out to greet you. He carries a lance tipped with two feet of sharpened steel, you can see a sword on one hip and a battle axe on the other. "Allow me to escort you to the Guild House friend, I don't want this lot to get over zealous in their duties." He leads you up to the absolutely huge double doors, before turning back to the column.

Images:
High Quarter
Merchant's Guild

[Kosga]

Scanning the trigger happy splatter fodder, I quickly snap back to the guard in front of me. "These(gestures towards the armed personnel upon the wagons etc) escorts will be more than glad to have you saves their lives from a long fall with a quick and splatter filled ending. I am most ready to make my way to the guild hall, kind guard." I then turn towards the trigger happy splatter fodder, "Each and every one of you owe this guard a thank you for saving your lives!" turning my back upon them with a mostly audible humphhhhh. "Tally ho, there's a fortune to be made here." I think as I boldly enter the guild hall.

[DM-Boneyard Ben]

None of the guards seem overly happy with you. Some are confused, some insulted. But, you make your way into the guild with a grand staircase leading up to the rest of the guild. You see, various expensive staues and carvings, even some jewels actually built into the walls. Important looking nibles and merchants travel up and down the stairs. But the guard leads you away from the stairs to the right into a room thats pretty plain looking. There is various chairs on the walls and many are occupied by adventurers most are tougher looking than you. At the other end of room is a row of bored men and women who're calling numbers and talking with adventurers. "Have fun" The guard chuckles and leaves you. Theres an older lady next to you behind a small counter. She hands you a slip of paper "Theres ya number now wait to be called". She says, flatly not even looking up from whatever shes reading. Nothing to do now but wait. Your number is 73. "Number 7" Calls one woman. "Now serving number 7"

[Kosga]

As I pass guards I show them equal pleasure of there company. After I receive my number I quickly scan the room, looking for any fellow dwarves here. I will take a seat and impatiently wait for what will be an eternity. Dang I wish I could just kill a couple of these morons to get through this line up faster, and where is the barkeep? Can't these idiots move any faster? I'm getting bored already! I think to my self.

[DM-Boneyard Ben]

"Number 8" Calls a man. "Now serving number 8". It goes on like this. Sometimes the people (An old human woman, a dwarvish male and a young Elivish woman) at the desks call out multiple times. Other times they just seem to up and leave for no reason. Some adventurers strike up an hour long conversation, mostly with the young elvish girl. Others get to the desk and leave a few seconds after. After what could be days you finally hear your number. You approach an old crusty woman with a nasally voice. "Welcome to the Merchant's Guild, how may I help you?" She asks disinterested.

[Kosga]

As I arrive at the disinterested old bag's desk, I shake myself back into the realm of consciousness. "Good evening, or is it morning already? Either way I am looking for work. I really do not care as to what kind of work. I am more than willing to take whatever you have, even the stuff that most do not come back from. Umm oops, almost forgot My name is Knuckles. I can start in the morning."

[DM-Delfon]

The woman doesn't seem amused by your comments, but then you're not sure she is amused by much of anything. She slides you a small stack of papers, and says, "Go over there and fill these out, in triplicate." She gestures vaguely off toward a counter with several ink pots, quills and sanding bottles. "If you can't read and write, the fellow in the white robe will help you for a small fee." You can see a bored looking man in a white robe reading from a massive tome sitting at a desk adjacent to the counter. "When you've finished filling out the forms, take them to that office." Here she gestures to a door on the other side of the room. "74!" She calls out without preamble.

Arriving at the counter you find that the stack of paperwork is actually three identical stacks. Inside the stack you find a sheet asking for your personal information, next of kin, address / inn you're staying at etc. A multiple choice questionnaire related to the work you're willing to do, with answers of yes, maybe and no. The list of possible work is staggering, but highlights include: "Risk bodily injury or death to protect Merchant's Guild persons or property - Yes, Maybe, No.", "Be willing to kill another sentient being in the line of duty - Yes, Maybe, No." It goes on like that for two pages. Another page asks about your religious beliefs, and asks you to detail how you want your body handled in the event of your death* The star is explained at the bottom of the page as "*A fee may be required to perform the rites, or hire an appropriate priest do complete the rites. In the event that your body cannot be recovered, the Merchant's Guild cannot be held responsible."

[Kosga]

With a soft sigh I slide up a stool to the counter and begin working on the paperwork. "Risk bodily injury or death to protect Merchant's Guild persons or property - Yes. "Be willing to kill another sentient being in the line of duty Yes. Dumb question I think while filling it in. Religious beliefs, let the gods sort out where the souls go... In case of My death, (which it cannot happen) I wish my body to be petrified and erected as a statue for all others view in awe. A Medusa will gladly turn my body to stone for you.

When I am done with this tedious paperwork I stand and head into the office that the emotionless, disinterested really old bag gestured at.

[DM-Delfon]

It takes you about an hour to fill out the paperwork, twenty minutes per set. By the time you're done, your hand aches from holding the quill. One of the scribes checks over your paperwork, and requires clarification in a couple places. You missed a blank on page seven of set two. You forgot to sign the last page on all three sets, and initial in no less than six places. Grinding your teeth, you finally manage to have three completed sets of paperwork for whomever is in that office over across the room. Just as you look at the door in question, someone walks out of it, turns and attaches a sign to the door. The man walks away without a backward glance. When you reach the door, the sign reads, "Gone to lunch, please be seated."

[Kosga]

Visible disgusted and grumbling under my breath I take a seat. "After all this paperwork I need a drink!" Otherwise I sit and very impatiently wait out this dude's lunch break. Thinking the whole time that they need more than one person to be doing his job. Just as soon as I see that guy return to the office I am standing behind him so fast that it appears as though I teleported there.

[DM-Boneyard Ben]

You sit in around, bored. For what feels like hours before the man finally returns and you would get up behind him but theres someone following him. The Elven girl from the counter is at his back giggling. but you get close enough to make your point. They return to their respective stations and you fiiiinally get to pass in your papers. He looks them over once. Twice. Three times and looks at you. "Alright" He says. "You'll need to pay a tracker's fee for the Medusa, along with various danger taxes but everything is in order. You start now. Head to the stables" He says and puts your papers in a file and tucks them away. Any arguments are met with a disinterested look and the following. "Time is Money" along with a wave of his hand.

[Kosga]

"Alright, now we're talking, just one quick question. Where are the stable at in town? I only arrived long enough to have a drink acquire a room and fill out paperwork for a couple of days."

With the speed of a lightning bolt I then move from his office to the stable, making sure along the way that I do not cause anyone any undue pleasure to themselves.

[DM-Boneyard Ben]

He sighs. "The Merchant Guild's Stables, they're around the back". Assuming you want nothing else you head there and you see a large stable house. There's a few people running around. They're leading the horse's out of the stables, one sees you and jogs up to you "Oh hey! You must be the new guy, here" He says cheerfully and throws you a shovel. He leans in and whispers. "Be sure to get the Guild Master's stable extra attention, it'll win you points" He winks and takes back off with everyone else, leading the horses out. You look in the stable house and the smell of fecal matter assaults yours senses as it clicks in what you were sent here to do; Muck out the stables.

[Kosga]

Gives thought at tossing all of the crap into the guild leaders stall but doesn't. With a loud sigh I take his shovel and scoop to it. I make short work of the crap out here. Not wanting to be here any longer than I have to be, I also do not concern myself with getting dirty.(that asshole in the office is going to pay lol). I will also tie a small piece of cloth over my face as to not breath anymore of the shit here than I have to. I want to be done just as quickly as inhumanly possible. Specifically before he returns from the back.

[DM-Boneyard Ben]

After a couple of long, grueling, stinking hours under the noon sun in that stable you finally finish, it takes you a while, matter of fact its closing in on sunset, but your done! The happy guy comes back and whistles. "Good job, new guy" he says impressed, he then hands you a couple pieces of paper, one is a map of Clifton marked with a red X near one of the gates. The other is a slip of paper signed by the Merhchant's guild giving you permission to tag along on with the Miner's on their way to the Pit. "Order's from the big man, bud. Your going to the Pit for exploration in the name of the guild" He points to the X on the map. "Go there tomorrow morning and hand this slip to the guard, he'll let you ride with the Miner's all the way to the pit. Once there; explore, find gold, jewels, treasure, anything and everything, bring back that info to the guild along with some prove of claim and you'll be in for a hefty bonus depending on your find" He slaps you on the back fondly, flashes you a smile and takes the shovel, taking off to lead the horses back to their stables.

[Kosga]

Well now that I smell like a great big pile of manure I am tempted to go back into the guild headquarters and give both the old bag and moron in the office a great big hug. Instead I will head back towards the inn that I am staying. When I pass the guards of the great fall(the ones at the entrance to the high quarter). "Excuse me guard, Might you be able to direct me to the nearest bath house?" Once he has given me directions, I smirk and offer to shake his hand. "As you can also tell I have not caused any trouble during my visit. Thank you for the directions."

I will then head to the bath house and get cleaned up before returning to my inn for some good grub and a couple of drinks.

[DM-Boneyard Ben]

When you approach the guard he backs up and holds his nose, staying away from you, much less your hand. "Yeah, I can..' He gags. "tell... Its that way" he directs, pointing.

Once cleaned you head to the Inn and sit down for a meal and drinks. (reduce money accordingly, please). On your way you pass a halfling in simple clothes with a short sword talking with a tired looking guard. While eating you see a fellow dwarf in with bagpipes at the bar talking and drinking with Ol' Boris.

[Kosga]

Casually strolling up to where the guard and halfling are having there conversation, quietly as I can without looking like I am up to no good, which I am. (1d20+3 14+3 = 17 stealth)

Upon my arrival to standing within a few feet of the guard. "GUAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD!!!

Snickering a bit as he turns around. "Good evening< I always wanted to do that." Turns towards the halfling... "Greetings Halfling how are you on this fine evening." "Sorry bout that guard you appeared to be extra tired today like you had spent too much time out last night at the local... Therefore I thought I would try to give you some pep back in your step today. Hows your day going?"

[DM-Boneyard Ben]

The guard jumps in place at your screams and brings his halberd u,p twisting it around and bringing it down on your head, he stops and inch before your face. "You. State your name and intention" Gone was the sleepy guard, the bags are still under his eyes but this guard is on kill mode. One false move and your done. You also note the halfing has disappeared into your Inn

[Kosga]

"Well firstly if my intentions were of a violent nature, you would have been laying in a pool of your own blood right now thinking how much this hurts as the blood gurgles in your mouth. Then your companion right over there(points at another random guard doing his job) would have been charging over here with his halberd raised no intentions of doing anything but killing me. You would not have known what happened till after the cleric tended to your wounds and was told that you were attacked in the back.

Though I couldn't help but notice that your pivot was a bit lose on the back end. Here let me show you. When you turned with that rather large weapon flying over your head intent on making me beside myself in the most literal of ways, your feet didn't rotate in a completely smooth manner." I turn around, using my hands to simulate a rather large weapon in hand, and make the same pivot and chopping move, except that my feet move in a completely smooth symmetrical manner as my hands come down in the chopping motion making sure not to actually be near enough to him that he thinks I am going to hit him.) "Did you see how my feet just kind of flowed as they turned me around? That tiniest bit of wasted time and energy could have been the difference between you being a hero or being given your burial rites by a priest.

The other thing that I did notice while you were turning to make sure that I was not up to lawlessness was; Where did that halfling disappear to? A law abiding member of this community, like myself, would have no fear of someone yelling for the attention of a guard. Only someone whom either had something to hide or was up to something not very honest and lawful would run off and hide at the first mention of a guard being called.

Lastly my name is Knuckles, And don't worry I have already been given the speech about if I use this crowbar to smash something, use either of my axe's to hurt someone, likewise with my daggers, what will happen to me." I then make the same falling motion the high quarter guards did. "My intentions are honest and straight forward. I had never gotten to yell for a guards attention before, I wanted to know if it was as satisfying as what I have been told that it is. The knowledge that when you call the guard will be there just as fast as possible is as comforting as a warm blanket is on a cold winter night. You also look a little over worked. Are you short handed by chance? I suggest getting some extra sleep tonight, your eyes show that you are not sleeping enough. I wouldn't want your judgement to be compromised by you not having been properly rested." Looks at his halberd, "That thing could kill a man by accident if you make a bad choice based upon being tired. But I have taken way too much of your time up already, for that I offer my apologies. I shall be on my way now, it is time for dinner and a few good drinks. Good evening Guard."

[DM-Boneyard Ben]

The guard pulls away his halberd and just stares at you, starting to fall asleep as you prattle. The guards who'd burst through the Inn doors have stopped to watch the spectacle. Of the three the sleepy guard is the only one with a halberd. They stow their clubs and start laughing at you as you move about. When you finish the guard takes a step back and breathes in and out and then twists his halberd in an expert display. Spinning it, throwing it up into the air and catching it. Each movement is precise and to the point not a single bit of wasted energy. One of the other guards even gets in on it, throwing an apple at him while his back is turned and the guard pivots, even more precisely than you had shown and slices the apple. He then turns to you tapping his halberd on the ground twice before leaning against it. "Thanks for the.." He yawns. "Aaaaaaaadvice" He smacks his lips, lazily. His fellow guards join him, laughing, patting him on his back. "Good job, Sly" Says one of them. The other laughs and the two guards grab the halberd welding one and drag him off to patrols. He takes it in stride, smiling as his comrades drag him along

[Kosga]

Without saying a word I pickup the apple that he just left laying in pieces on the ground, rub it off upon my tunic, then take out a dagger core and eat it. "That's the problem with guards these days us law abiding common folk always having to pick up the trash that they litter about." Spoken just loud enough they may or may not have heard me. I then turn about, and stride right into the inn. Immediately I scan the room for the halfling. Then having noticed that Ole Boris is having himself a grand time setting up for a drinking contest. I shall get some dinner rest and prepare myself for a day working with miners in the mine.

[DM-Delfon]

Knuckles story continues here