the story thus far

[tonic]

To get a refresher and reworked copy of the story here:

www.guilduniverse.com/pnpplayhouse/forumreply.aspx?tid=33748


Aurora: *Enters the Tavern*

Gnoshbegoneaway <aka Gnosh>: *In saunters a very short disheveled gnome.*

Rue: *Rue enters the tavern quietly hoping not to draw undue attention. She quickly nods a smile at the innkeeper Oswald and takes a sit near the door. She waits for the bar maid to order her drink and she watches the locals waiting for a opportunity to make back some of the coin she has used up.*

Martin: *A dusty traveller in worn but well kept gear enters the Tavern just before nightfall and sighs. He looks youngish but fit. Given the clothing and armor he's likely a soldier type.*

Oswald: "My hotel's as clean as an Elven arse."

*Oswald tosses a wink in your direction*

Oswald: "Come in adventurers, make yourselves at home. I have a wide selection of ales available, and Ole Cradick in the corner there has a few items ya might find useful, all at a reasonable price I assure you.

If ya be need'n a bed to rest yer bones we have plenty, 2 coppers a night paid upfront and in full.

Bah what the hell, I might as well ask ya! You wouldn't be look'n fer a bit or work would ya?"

Aurora: "Hello, Oswald is it? Nice to meet you. I'll have a pint of whatever's not watered down, please.

How much? Hmmm, I can see I'm not going to get very drunk tonight at those prices.

Work you say? What do you have in mind, and more importantly, what are you paying?

If it's nothing too difficult I might settle for a few jugs of ale, a meal, and one of those poky little rooms you have upstairs. What d'ya say?"

Oswald: "Well My Lady, it seems today is yer lucky day, and purhaps mine as well!"

*Oswald smirks*

Gnosh: "OyeKeep! ApintaAleIwillbehav’n." *eyes the room with glee*

Martin: "Well tell you what Oswald...today is my birthday and I aim to celebrate and here is as good as anywhere.
A round for the house of whatever I can afford, I'll take a room since I wont be staggering any further and if you can throw in a clean elven arse that would be mighty fine...and if in the morn you still need a hungover fighter we can chat but tonight we party!"

Oswald: "Say ole chap, ya you Birthday Boy, I didn't catch yer name..."

Martin: "Some call me...Martin"

*Oswald reaches above the bar and rings an old rusty bell.*

Oswald: "Attention patrons of the Salty Dog, Martin here ( how old did ya say ya was?

Bah it don't matter a bit, yer buying, I'm selling, it's just a win win situation)"

*Oswald gives Martin a friendly slap on the shoulder almost knocking him to the ground*

Oswald: "Now where was I? Oh yes, Martin here is having a birthday, and what better place to celebrate than right here in the Ole Salty Dog!! Drinks on Martin!"

*The Tavern burst into a cheer*

Tavern Patrons: "Happy Birthday Martin!!"

Oswald: *grabs Martin my the arm* "Don't worry sod, we will discuss the bill in the morning, you enjoy yourself."


*Rue watches with interest and makes her way closer to the action*

Aurora: *sits down near the fireplace with her ale and watches with interest as the tavern fills up.

People watching is one of her favourite pastimes and she gives them all equal attention, while trying not to be too obvious. She'd learned the hard way that some people don't like to be noticed, people like the little red-headed woman over there who was busy trying to make herself look as unobtrusive as possible.

She perked up at the offer of 'drinks all round' from the soldierly type at the bar. Her purse was a little light these days and a free drink was a welcome change from counting the pennies.*

Aurora: "Why thank you stranger," she said, smiling as she approached the bar.

Aurora: "Your generosity is much appreciated. I'll have another pint please landlord."

*Everyone seems to be having a grand time, people are laughing, dancing, drinking, and from time to time falling down.

Well, almost everyone........

You can't help but notice one gentleman setting alone in the corner, the man still dressed in his armor, his blade at the ready, you can tell just by looking at the man that he has seen many a battle.

You take notice that instead of drinking ale and enjoying the festivities he is reading an old duty tome, as he reads you notice a look of concern on his face, from time to time he clutches the hilt of his sword*

Borias: *The door opens quickly and striding purposfully a tall figure crosses the tavern floor to the barkeep. The soft chink of mail can be heard between the footfalls and the merryment in the inn.*

*The barkeep looks up from polishing spit into the cups and raises an eyebrow.*

Borias: 'Good day' his tone is polite but has a serious and determined edge to it.

He reaches into his cloak and unrolls a parchment before the puzzled innkeeper.

Borias: 'I have traveled far and i would ask if you have seen soldiers or people with this symbol emblazened upon them?'

Oswald: "Eh, whatcha on about boy? Let me see what ya got there..........."

*Oswald eyes the parchment*

Oswald: "Hmmm, nope nope, sorry boy I can't help ya out there."

*Just as the young man started to speak Oswald raises his hand.*

Oswald: "Now you listen to me boy, and you listen good, don't go causing any trouble in me bar or me town, we clear on that?"

Now with the pleasantries out of the way...see that gentleman in the corner there?"

*Oswald slaps Borias in the back of the head*

Oswald: "Don't look at him ya damned fool!"

Oswald: "He'd be the man to seek out fer info regarding whats on that parchment, and anything else fer that matter. I warn ya though son, mind yer tongue around that one."

Oswald: "But first grab ya an ale, it's Martin's birthday."

*Oswald winks*

*Borias bites his tongue and releases the grip on his sword hilt within his cloak. It wouldn't do well to accost the barkeep for his rough manner when there were more important priorites.

The dark haired warrior visably relaxes and takes the ale. Sipping it slowly he asseses the patrons in the bar.*

[paladin]

--- Meanwhile elsewhere in the bar ---

* Rue downs the ale in one quick gulp letting the warm heat of the alcohol run its course through her body. She brushes up against a big fat burly fellow claiming his free drink causing enough of a distraction to fish around his pockets and drop his watch on the floor.*

Rue: "Oh…" *looking down* "Sir is that your watch?"

*Reaching down on the tavern floor she hands back his gold watch after a quick appraisal with a warm inviting smile placed on her lips.*

Fat Bar Patron: *Looking flustered and half drunk the man takes back the watch.*

Fat Bar Patron: "why thank you my dear how careless of me!"

*Rue smiles brightly back at him*

Rue: "no problem sir…no harm done."

*Suddenly, and without warning the man in the corner jumps form his chair. Before Rue can take notice his mighty blade is at her throat. She wonders how this was even possible, the man made not a sound, it was if his armor was made or nothing but air*

Rothgar: "It would be in your best interest THIEF to cease and desist from your evil ways while under my watch."

*The man sheaths his weapon, but before he puts it away you notice the glow and sound that the sword makes, it's almost musical, almost hypnotic. You can feel the power of the God's illuminating from it*

Rothgar: " Are we clear?"

*rue laughs*

Rue: "..and what did i steal sir?"

*she stands and holds up her arms in a mocking manner*

Rue: "Please do a search... see what you find.. tis all mine i have and no more..."

*She turns away to finish her drink*

Rue: "ask this fine fellow if you feel the need for meddling sir and not bother me more"!

Rothgar: "I see your intentions, do not play dumb with me... As far as searching you goes, I would not soil my hands with the likes of you."

*Rothgar returns to his table and begins reading his tome again*

*Rue smirks at his retreat, giving a wink at Aurora who watches intently as the scene plays out. With shaky hand she takes the drink that a concerned Oswald offers.*

Amowien: *A striking young man enters the tavern, his armor is worn but he wears it proud, you can tell that this man is a man of action. He walks with pride, confidence beams from this man, when near him you feel a sense of comfort, you feel safe, you somehow know this man would fight and die to protect you and all he believes in.*

*Amowien makes his way to Rothgar, as he passes Rue he can't help but feel a bit troubled, he tosses her a glance, somehow he feels a connection with this woman, like fate has already played its part.*

Amowien: "Father, I came as soon as I got word."

Rothgar: "Sit child, we have much to discuss."

*Martin after watchin the ruckus blearly wonders aloud*

Martin: "...damn, I wonder who rammed a sword up his ass...I am soooooo drunk...."

*Martin concentrates on Rue with all the seriousness of an inebriated individual.*

Martin (to Rue): "I belief he just called you a theef. Shall I defend your honnor...er...honor? Why of course...a pretty lass like yourself...can't be a thiff."

Martin (to Rothgar): "You, there...Ramrod...come back and apologize! No threatening pretty ladies on my bwirthday!"

*His proclamation might carry more weight if he were not leaning at quite the angle...and wielding a sausage...*

*Rothgar and Amowien continue talking taking no notice to the goings on in the Tavern*

--- Back At the Bar ---

*After a couple of minutes Borias turns to the barkeep.*

Borias: "Another good Barkeep and one whatever the gentleman is having there"

*Borias gives a small indication with his head to the table with Rothgar and Amowien*

*With drinks in hand Borias cross to the mans table as an inebriated and annoyed Martin staggers forward a few paces to within "point blank range" of his fearsome weapon.*

Borias (to Rothgar at the same time as Martin): "Sir, forgive my boldness but i understand you are a man of some knowledge and i am a man in search of truth, may i seat myself?"

Martin (to Rothgar at the same time as Borias): "Excuse me....my apologies for not following protocol...Sir Ramrod...come back and apologize for speaking so dishonorablebly at a lad... *glances over at Rue* ...er...the lass here."

*Martin proceeds to bounce the sausage off of Borias' head who has just walked into the line of fire instead of Rothgar whom he was aiming for.*

Martin: *with a confused expression* "It's rather crowded in here isn't it?"

*Rothgar, with a wave of his hand, causes the very air begins to shimmer. The sausage bounces off of Borias' head but does not fall to the ground, freezing in mid air.

In a magical flurry of righteousness, Wings sprouted from the meat, the meat began to buzz, the meat began to swell.

Before Martin could pounder on if he had had enough to drink he was being chase around the Tavern by a winged sausage+3!!!*

Bar Patrons: *hardy cheers*, "Happybirthday!" "Long live the Sausage !"

*Oswald lets out a laugh, shakes his head and replys*

Oswald: "When will they ever learn?"

Rue: *Not looking to draw anymore attention to the matter with the sword wielding hulk that was ruining her fun and her much needed practice of the fine art of "slight of hand". She quickly grabs martins arm and draws him back to the bar.*

Rue (to Martin): *Whispering* "easy fella don’t go getting yourself into trouble we both don’t need".

*She makes a mental note after a quick assessment of martin to make sure to be off before the bill is due.*

*As Rue pulls Martin close to the bar while running from the sausage and he clumsily staggers into her grasping about somewhat wildly. The quick of eye might see his hands near her pouch...and other assets...or they might not...as he crashes to the floor in a jumble.*

Martin: *Looking up at Rue* "Hey, Oswald, look! Clean elven arse!"

Martin: *pulling his hand up covered in someone's dinner* "I daresay it's a tad cleaner than your floor at this moment..."

*Staring down at martin spread out on the floor after the clumsy feel up and search Rue suppresses the desire to stick his sausage up his nose….barely. Giving him a death glare she steps over him with as much dignity she can possibly hold in this moment and walks to the closest table near the door.*

*With the bar in stitches, Martin quickly orders another round for the bar and perhaps he's tucking something away as folks are distracted, then again, perhaps not..*

[paladin]

--- Back at Rothgar's Table --

*Borias eyes the man after the transformation of the sausage. Knowing that here he may have found his way.*

*Rothgar eyes the young man and utters one word*

Rothgar: "Vengeance?"

Borias: "Vengence? No, my purpose is the oposite it is one of rescue. I seek my mother whom was abducted long ago. I seek her and the men that took her from my father. I seek knowledge, how can i act without it."

Rothgar: "Amowien you may take your leave."

*Amowien gives both his father and Borias a nod as he leaves the table*

Rothgar: "Rescue you say? Have a seat lad, tell Ole Rothgar what's on your mind."

*Borias sits slowly pushing back the cape to reveal a black mail shirt and a long sword with a dark leather tassels which he pushed forward so he could seat himself with dislodging his scabbard.

For a long moment the dark haired warrior pauses.*

Borias: 'It begins many years ago sir. My father a farmer met a woman on his farm.

He fell in love with her and in there love i was concieved. Not long after there union she was taken from my father by men bearing this symbol'

*Borias unrolled a well worn and torn sheet of waxed parchment.*

Borias: 'They took her to where, my father did no know. He spent many months looking for her.

He returned to his farm and soon after a child arrived. With a letter from her saying she did not have the power to return also that i was to be schooled to be 'ready and that there will be a time for me' and that my father made me.

I was tutored in arms, tactics, warfare, mathmatics.

It goes on.

On my fathers death bed did he reveal this to me and said gave me this parchment and told me this pendant i wear always was hers.'

* From with his mail vest he takes out carefully a pendant of unusual blue metal symbol with a dull and strange gem in the center of it.*

Borias: 'I seek her and what or who took her away, for my fathers love i do this and if she is in peril or imprisoned i will do all i can...'

*Borias gaze falls then he looks up into Rothgar's measuring look.*

Borias: 'It is all he ever asked of me. I implore you sir if you know anything that will aid me, let me know'

*Curious of her accusor and his preceptiveness Rue crosses the travern to sit at a closer table in order to overhear rothgar and Borias' conversation.*

*Rothgar pounders the young mans words for a moment, he pulls the parchment closer so that he could examine it in better light.*

Rothgar: "Yes, I know of this symbol, but it has been quite some time since I have laid mine eyes apon it. "

Rothgar: "Borias, it has been many a years since your mother was taken, tell me, what possible hope do you have at finding her or her captures? "

Aurora: *Aurora is still sitting at her table, trying to make her ale last whilst watching the events unfold in the tavern. Curiosity had her watching Rothgar and company at their table. Judging by their solemn expressions and hushed voices, they had something of great importance - at least to them - to discuss.

It was the other events that caught her attention, however. Martin's drunken bravado had almost made her laugh out loud, and it probably would have done if Borias hadn't take it so personally. He looked like the type of person who wouldn't take kindly to being laughed at.

Rue's embarassment had also brought a smile to her lips, although it was more of a sympathetic smile.

Aurora had seen Martin's little sleight of hand and knew that the young woman had to be feeling a little embarrassed by now. She glanced over to the table near Rothgar where Rue had gone to sulk and smiled to herself. Maybe it would be a good time to make a friendly gesture.*

*Aurora picked up her pack and her ale and walked over to the table where Rue sat nursing her drink. When she got there, she slid into a seat opposite Rue and dipped her hand into her pack, then reached over and dropped something into Rue's lap*

Aurora: "Don't worry," she grinned "They're clean. Figured it might get a little draughty for you without some."

--- at Rothgar's table ---

Borias: *imploring* 'You have seen this you must tell me and I have hope sir, it has been years yes. My father died unhappy at heart for not finding her and i was deprived of her. It is a matter of honor plain and simple, she only went to save my father from harm and now i have a chance to do what i can, i must try.'

--- at Rue's table ---

*Rue takes the offerings with pink cheeks flushed.*

Rue: "What do I owe you?"

*Rue, realizing she was unprepared for such a kindness upon her feels suddenly foolish. Just as she feels the color creeping up her face she sees the commotion taking place between Rothgars companion and a new patron who had entered the tavern unexpectedly.*

*The newcomer gestures wildly, stamping her feet while speaking softly but strongly to Amowien. Amowien merely shrugs in response. Irritated, the newcomer storms off and leaves the tavern without another word.*

Rue (to herself): "Hmm...nothing too important I guess."

[paladin]

Borias: "For months now i have seeked any information. Now at last' Borias says quitely.
'Will you tell me sir or would you have me do something to earn your trust?'
The warriors face was set in a determined expression. His deep green eyes narrowed to slits beneath his lids. As he waited for his future to be revealed

Rothgar:

" Your path will be revealed to you in due time, it has been hidden from you thus far for good reasons,the road that leads to the answers you seek is a perilous one, I fear you are not yet ready. For now, enjoy what the night may bring, seek my councel in the mourning..........."



*Rothgar stands from his seat*


"Your sword has been called apon, we did not meet tonight by mere chance, Destiny has called, will you answer?"



* Rothgar leaves the table before the young man can answer, purhaps the old knight was seeking not a reply but instead wanted the warrior to question himself and his motives *



* All these long years you have wondered, longing for an explanation, longing for all the secrets to be revealed. Are you truely ready for what is to come? The path is opening for the young warrior, while releived at the glimmer of hope that answers will come, he can't help but be a bit fearful of what that road may bring.*



*Borias sat for a long while nursing the ale he had puchase, his thoughts he wore like a shroud across his face.
The warrior stood up leaving half the ale behind and made his way to the barkeep and got a room for the night. The old barkeep looked at tall warrior and shook his head slowly having seen that look before.
Borias ascended the stairs and paused halfway to look back at the table where he had met Rothgar, slowly he nodded and smiled grimly.*

'It is time'


After the commotion ends Rue helps aurora right herself. “im sorry about that. My mother runs a tavern back home .I’ve seen first hand how rowdy men get with a little spirit in them. “After a introduction between the two Rue speaks further. “Would you be interested in sharing a room with me Aurora? I know you saw me fishing in that big fella’s pockets but I was only after the sport. *looks down sheepishly* “seems to me we are both alone and in travel. I know I wouldn’t mind someone watching my back. How about you?”



Rue again watches the tavern patrons Rodger and his companion who now thank the gods wasn’t eyeing her anymore like a confection. She quickly looks at the moon judging the time. Does a mental check of her purse which was running low. She would have to gather some more coin and fast if she wanted to keep her freedom. Remember Oswald’s words about some possible work might be something she would have to pursue. She waits for Aurora’s response before she heads over to speak with Oswald.