Into the White

[Sallera]

The keeper brings your meals immediately, each consisting of several slices of cold roast venison, a bowl of soup, and a roll of crusty bread in the northeastern style, as well as a glass of red wine. "'Heard anything about the North?' That's a bit vague. Which part of it are you interested in? I mean, this is mostly a merchant's inn, so I hear plenty about trade routes and shipments, but you three look a little too well-armed to be interested in how the fur trade's going, or whatnot."

[hustlertwo]

I believe my newfound blood brother here is trying to inquire about political goings-on, for one. We heard rumblings of something or someone named Keryllin which is supposedly an upcoming threat to the area. That might be a good subject to hear about, for starters.

[Sallera]

The keeper raises an eyebrow. "Keryllin? Not a name I've heard. Who told you that?"

[hustlertwo]

Henri thinks for a minute, but sees no harm in telling how they came upon this information. A wyrmling, actually. Claimed to be a servant of this Keryllin, accosted us on our voyage. We still are not sure whether a Keryllin even exists, or if the creature made up a higher power in order to better intimidate passengers. Aside from that, is there any other political news for this area? I know I heard little about the northern continent when I was across the sea, so anything you know may be of value.

[Scorer]

Ameretat starts eating and pays medium attention to the conversation. "Delicious!"

[Sallera]

"A wyrmling threatened your ship, hmm? I heard the same tale from another customer a few days ago. No mention of the name Keryllin, but it seems your diminutive acquaintance has been busy. Daft, too, if it thinks it can get away with that for long." He shrugs, dismissing the matter. "As to politics... well, the gnomish refugees have reestablished themselves under King Lerin. Don't know too much about him, but he's apparently some sort of ascetic - heard he was away at a monastery when the capital fell, which is presumably why he's still alive. Not sure what Rhazani thinks of them, but as far as I know, they've been keeping quiet - they took over the slums on the west bank, and they've been building new dwellings there. All the scum have pretty much just moved themselves upstream - the gnomes made it pretty clear they weren't welcome, and never mind the fact that the gnomes just arrived themselves."

"Hoy, Darkwater," calls one of the dwarves. "Another bottle of last year's Tai Go white for us, if you could."

"Certainly." The keeper vanishes into the cellar to retrieve the requested wine.

[hustlertwo]

Henri looks to his companions as the innkeeper departs. So the gnomes were displaced out of their continent entirely. I don't know if that's what you were looking for, Wildgeist, but it's certainly interesting. I don't typically go out of my way to play good Samaritan, but perhaps if the tavern check in the morning does not turn up any opportunities for the adventure and mystery you seek, we should check with the gnome refugees to see if they require assistance with anything.

[Wildgeist]

It does sounds like an option. Lets wait till tomorrow and se what happens when we explore the city.

[Scorer]

"Agreed... you guys should eat your meals, they're delicious! If you don't want them I can eat them as well, I'm so hungry!"

[hustlertwo]

Henri makes short work of his meal, as it has been some time since he ate anything other than wild game or travel rations.

That hit the spot. And I suppose given what a late hour it is, might as well turn in while I'm at it. Good evening, both of you.

Henri heads off to his bed, hoping that the day's distractions mean that this night's sleep might be more restful than those before.

[Scorer]

Ameretat nods "Good night biggie, I will stay up another hour and see if I see something of interest while my stomach does his job..."

[Wildgeist]

Wildgeist says goodbye to Henri but stays in the table. I think I'll stay with Ameretat while I finish my meal and see if anything interesting happens. Wildgeist keeps one eye in his meal and another in the surroundings.

[hustlertwo]

No problem. Just rouse me if anything life-threatening occurs.

[Wildgeist]

You bet I will, blood brother! Have refreshing dreams and good sleep.

After saying that, Wildgeist continues eating his delicious meal taking the time to enjoy the new and exotic flavors he had not tasted before.

[Scorer]

"So, Wildgeist... Can I call you Willy? What brings you here?"

[Wildgeist]

Of course, Amy. Actually I just want to travel and know more of the world. I want to explore and see what this world has reserved for me. What about you? Anything in particular has brought you here?

[Scorer]

"Yes, I come from another world to conquer everything!" says Ameretat in a joking tone... "No, not really, exploring as you, mostly. I never knew my real parents, maybe I can find out something while traveling."

[Wildgeist]

I'm sorry to hear that, I didn't meant to say anything incorrect... I think it was not easy to be an orphan...

[Scorer]

Ameretat laughs loud "Just kidding friend, just kidding... And I never actually felt orphan, I had a father, adoptive. He told me he found me just recently, but he will always be my father... Well, looks like nothing interesting happened anyway... Let's go to bed... See ya tomorrow Big Willy." Ameretat stands up and goes to sleep...

[Wildgeist]

Well, is nice to hear that. Indeed nothing happened... See ya tomorrow Amy.

And so Wildgeist walks toward his bed for a good night of sleep.

[Sallera]

The rooms you are given are small, but clean, and the doors can be barred. Each contains a bed with straw mattress, a small chest for your belongings, and a shuttered window, although the latter lack glass. This part of Seurd seems to feature little activity at night, and you find little difficulty in getting to sleep.

Henri:

Spoiler

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As you are lying in bed, you hear someone come upstairs, followed by muffled cursing and what sounds like several coins being dropped on the floor. Whoever it is apparently does not linger longer than it takes to collect their money.

The common room is nearly empty when you make your way downstairs in the morning. Two of the merchants you saw here last night are eating porridge, and a lone dwarf, looking rather ill, is sitting in the corner, glowering into his bowl. He leaves shortly after the first of you arrives downstairs.

"A good morning to you." Darkwater greets you as you arrive. "A silver piece for porridge, if you're hungry, or five if you'd like the cinnamon. Comes in from the Western continent; many of my customers are rather partial to it."

[Scorer]

Ameretat looks at him and with a childish expression asks: "I'll take the cinamon!"

[Wildgeist]

I'll also take the cinnamon please!!! I feel happy to find a small bit of home so far away.

Then Wildgeist turns to his comrades.

Did you sleep well buddies? I really had a refreshing night.

[hustlertwo]

Plain for me.

Henri looks at the merchants in the corner.

Did either of you hear anything last night? Someone was stampeding past my door, seemed in quite a rush considering the late hour. Very curious.

Spoiler

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We're ready for the next day in Draconic, Scorer, whenever you are.

[Scorer]

Ameretat speaks while eating... "I'f... he'rd no'ing..."

[Wildgeist]

"Niether did I, Bloodbrother. What do you think it was?"

[hustlertwo]

Henri shrugs. Probably nothing.

Yet he still gazes at the merchants with faint suspicion as he consumes his bland but filling breakfast..

[Sallera]

One of the merchants, a hook-nosed dwarf dressed in violet, notices your gaze, raising a bushy eyebrow. "Something the matter, hmm?"

[hustlertwo]

Henri blushes a bit at his stares being noticed, his green tint darkening. No, not really. I was simply commenting to my friends here about how someone sounded like they were in quite a hurry last night as they ran past my room.

[Sallera]

The dwarf snorts, casting a dismissive glance over the three of you. "Well, it certainly wasn't me, if that's what you're asking." He turns back to his meal with a brief shake of his head, resuming the conversation with his partner in a language you presume is Dwarven.