[Nexus] The Black Dragon's Den XIII

[Artemis97]

This old warehouse by the docks and on the edge of the city slums has numerous secret passageways and tunnels leading to it. When you walk in, either from the street or below, you see a freshly cleaned interior that actually looks somewhat welcoming, however, as a seedy hive of smugglers, pirates, and home of the local wererat assassin guild; this is a rough place to have a drink.

The back half of the building has been converted into a set of rooms, used by those who need a bit of privacy, whether to have a private card game, hold a secret meeting, or just to get away from the world while enjoying a dose of some of the more exotic items the Den serves. We don't care what you do here, just don't leave a mess. Just keep in mind, the walls are a little thin back there, and can be listened through (or busted through), so be careful.

The gambling scene is lively here, with craps, three-dragon ante, and darts, among other things. There are certainly not knife-fights held in the ring in the basement. Come early for a ringside seat. Gambling is permitted. Anyone caught betting against themselves will be killed, or worse. So don't do it.

The servers are all NPC goblins. They are: Blackeye, Hooktooth, and Daggernose.
The cook is a goblin woman named Sicklewort.
The NPC bouncer is Gnarl, the orc.

Floorplan:

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The menu is as follows:

Drinks

Common Drinks
All the common drinks are available in an extremely wide range of qualities, brands, and prices. Just remember- you pay for what you get.

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Absinthe
Ale
Beer
Brandy
Coffee
Hard Cider
Kumis (Fermented milk)
Mead
Rum
Tea
Tequila
Vodka
Whiskey
Wine

Specialty Drinks
The specialty drinks are either crafted here or ordered specially from other sources. Normally they are higher class and more palatable, but that is not always the case...

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Black Shadow-
A strong concoction guaranteed to send a chill down your spine at any temperature.
Damned Soul Nectar-
Yummy. Damned souls. Perfect for demons, devils, or anyone else lacking a conscience.
Devil Brew-
It tastes good, though drinking it will gradually corrupt your soul to evil.
Drow Spiderblood Wine-
A specialty drow wine with a strong bite, and a hint of spider venom. Alcohol isn't the only thing you have to worry about when drinking it... but it does taste good.
Firewine-
This wine is created in a way that literally leaves the top simmering and flaming. Only recommended to those who have a good fire resistance. However, it is extremely warm and has a fairly sweet taste.
Frenzywater-
You want to know what it is like to see red? Frenzywater will having you raging like a barbarian.
Goblin Thudrud Beer-
A favorite of goblins... but described by others as smelling like a rotten, flaming cow.
Hearth Brew Mead
This is a sweet mead with raspberries, rhubarb and some kind of ingredient that makes you feel warm when you drink it.
Ichor Liquor-
A mixture of blood and alcohol made especially for our vampiric friends. It can be served neat, on the rocks, or specially heated to 98.6 F.
Liquid Agony-
A drink brewed and distilled from the agony of victims, and quite sweet and tasty, but very addictive.
Mindflayer Mead-
A special brew for those squid-headed fellows. Also appropriate for Zombies, or anyoen else who likes the taste of brains.
Mushroom Wine
An Underdark drink fermented from mushrooms. It has a good deal of sugar added to it and tastes sweet, but may cause hallucinations...
Orc Kragg Liquor-
Strong. Disgusting. Manly.
Poisonbite Cocktail-
This brew is mixed of several poisons and rum. It induces extreme euphoria, and will drain the drinker's strength and mental capacities for a day or so.
Rat Mead-
This foul concoction is meant more for drinking games, and less for taste. You'll need a strong stomach to keep it down.

Other

Food
Like the drinks, the food ranges in quality and price... the menu is currently under improvement.

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Bread-
Crusty, burnt, soggy, or rotten. It's not your choice. A better bakery is "under construction" in the back. Thanks to a newly built brick oven, the bread is actually quite good now, baked fresh daily.
Dragon Steak-
This tender, extremely tasty steak is excellently prepared, but its source is undisclosed...
Fish of the Day-
The catch of the day, or yesterday... be sure to specify "fresh."
Puffer fish liver-
Tetrodotoxin, anyone? Extreme poison is ahead.
Soup-
Most common soups are available, but pay for what you want, or you'll get something else. Served in a bread bowl.

Mushrooms
Our mushrooms are well acclaimed for their taste and subtle poisons. If you have enemies, make sure they you didn't get something other than what you asked for...

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Amanita-
A hallucinogenic mushroom that is fairly toxic. May cause nausea, sensory distortions, mood changes, and loss of equilibrium. Retrograde amnesia frequently results following recovery. Serious poisonings cause delirium, seizures, or comas.
Chanterelle-
An edible but unremarkable mushroom. Available pickled or dried.
Lorchel-
Also known as false morels (due to similarity in appearance), eating these raw results in extreme liver failure or death. Properly prepared, however, they are quite delicious. Available both raw and parboiled (properly prepared).
Morchella-
Also known as morels, these very prized and tasty mushrooms are available raw.
Omphalotus-
This mushroom looks the same as the Chanterelle. It is extremely appealing in smell and appearance, but has a mild toxicity that will lead to vomiting and cramps.
Oyster-
Unlike other mushrooms, this one has no confusing look alikes, and is prized for that quality alone. Served raw or stuffed.
Porcini-
Also known as Boletus ("superior"), the porcini is highly regarded and is served raw or sautéed with butter.
Portabello-
While edible, this is either described as plain or only slightly sweet. Available raw or stuffed.
Psilocybin-
This mushroom is famed for its hallucinogenic effects, while lacking dangerous toxins. Available raw and dried.
Shiitake-
These mushrooms are normally added to ordered soups. Available dried or raw.

Drink Additives
Buy them for your drink, or for someone else's drink... everything goes here.

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Doze Pill-
A combination of magical energies and herbs guaranteed to put the drinker to sleep in a few minutes.
Hanger's Drop-
Ask for this in someone's drink to put them six feet under. Commonly means poison, though other methods can be bought depending on the target.
Happy Juice-
As seen in Malleo's shop. Turns the hair pink, and makes the drinker extremely happy.
Wonder Trip-
A mixture of magic and poison that causes extreme hallucinations and delirium which are not directly harmful or toxic.

Other Additives are available, you just have to ask.

Other Drugs
If it doesn't get you drunk, and it isn't a mushroom... we still sell it.

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Arhtorvin
A gray powder made by different magic plants, Arthorvin is extremely calming. It is ingested, and numbs emotions and reactions.
Baccaran
A paste made of numerous, undisclosed substances, this is a mild hallucinogen that becomes more powerful as it is used in repetition and increased dosage.
Dreammist
This drug is formed into a tea, and then the vapors are inhaled. It causes incredibly beautiful and wonderful hallucinations that make the world seem dull in comparison. Overdose is extremely debilitating, as is directly drinking the substance.
Devilweed
A tobacco-like substance that is moderately addictive and makes the smoker skittish and more easily confused. Users enjoy it because it glazes over the memories of whatever happens during its effective.
Luhix
A powder made from plants grown in the abyss. It is sprinkled on self inflicted wounds- initially it causes intense pain, then numbs the body entirely. It is one of the most addictive substances known amongst the planes, but overdosing even a little may cause terrible, painful death.
Mertoran Leaf
This leaf is dried and treated. It is not very addictive, but it is cheap, popular, and boosts confidence. Ingested, not smoked.
Redflower Leaves
These leaves are only moderately addictive, but are known to give a boost to hand-eye coordination, making them popular among those who often engage in knife tossing or dart throwing. They are consumed raw and chewed.
Sannish
This blue liquid is made out of unknown ingredients and causes euphoria. It has a tendency to stain flesh and anything else it touches. Overdosing causes intense numbness.

This is by no means the limit of what we can get our hands on, just ask and we'll see what we can do.

Games
As a new addition to the Black Dragon's Den, there is a back room where all kinds of gaming take place. Goblins generally oversee the games and make sure things are fair... but everyone here can be bribed. Best to keep an eye on things yourself.

Card Games
-Coming Soon-

Dice Games
We provide all of the dice used here... unless you slip them out of our sleeve. "Better" dice can be bought with a quiet word and a few coin, though we don't provide protection from those who find out that you've used them.

Coin Pass

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This is a simple dice game played with a pair of six sided dice, and is generally best with four or more players.
Each player puts out two coins (generally one type of coin is chosen, copper, silver, gold, or platinum) and then, in turn, each player rolls the dice.
If a player rolls a one, they take one of their coins and place it in the pot.
If a player rolls a six, they take one of their coins and pass it to the person on the left. This continues until only one player has coins, at which time they take the pot.
If a player has no coins left, they have one round to wait for someone to pass them a coin (by roll of a six), after which they can buy their way back in. You can only buy your way back into a game once.

Serpent's Eyes

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This game is played with a pair of six sided dice, and a game board in the shape of the world serpent.

Before the game begins, the number of rounds to play are determined, though the game may end ahead of time, or when one player runs out of coins/chips. Generally people play with a large number of rounds (double digits).
A round is completed once every player has rolled the dice once.
The dice start with the player closest to the seven on the board.
When a player rolls the dice, he does one of three things.
If he rolls any number 3-11, he places a coin on the corresponding number on the board, or, if the number is already filled with coins, they take the coins off of that number.
If he rolls a 2, he places a coin on every number on the board.
If he rolls a 12, he takes all coins from the board.

Warship

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This game is played with five dice for each player. The person who rolls first is normally determined randomly.
The goal of the game is to create the best 'ship', where a 'ship' is a straight formed either forwards (1,2,3) or backwards (3,2,1). To create a straight, you roll the dice, and choose anywhere from 0-3 numbers from them. Your first chosen die is your starting number (IE, a number on either end of a straight), the second die chosen has to be the middle number of your straight, and the third die chosen is the last of your straight.
You have three rolls of the dice to form a straight. Whenever you choose one of these die, you remove it from the dice you roll to get the next number.
The game progresses like this:
1) Each player places an amount of money agreed on when the game starts.
2) Each player rolls the dice once, chooses any dice from their roll that they want, then either adds in the money first agreed on again, or passes from the game, but leaves any money they first bet in the pot (Note that everyone can see what die you have chosen, if you have chosen a die already).
3) Repeat the second step once more, then every player rolls the dice once more, and the person with the ship with the highest straight wins. If someone creates a ship one the first or second roll, they still bet, but do not have to roll until the last round (which is only done in case of ties).

If no one has a straight, the winner is based on the person with the highest number set aside (with only players with dice set aside competing). If there is a tie in highest numbers, they go to the second die set aside (with only players with two dice competing). If there is a tie between set aside die, they proceed with the same process into the dice they last rolled (excluding those set aside)

If two people have the same straight, they compare the numbers rolled on their last turn (not including the ones placed into their "ship"). The person with the highest numbers wins.

The winner takes all money in the pot. Generally, more than one game is played at once.

Other Games
These may be more or less 'games' as such... but are just as entertaining.

Darts

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Bet on how well someone will throw, whether they can do it with their eyes closed... with their left hand... or if they can dodge a knife- it's all good. There are a few different dart boards, so any number of rings and scoring areas can be played with.

Knife Fights

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We hold knife fights here every once in a while, down in the basement. To surrender or death. Place your bets, folks.
-No current list of PC fighters. Contact management to arrage something 'formal.'

Previous Threads

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The Black Dragon's Den
The Black Dragon's Den II
The Black Dragon's Den III
The Black Dragon's Den IV
The Black Dragon's Den V
The Black Dragon's Den VI
The Black Dragon's Den VII
The Black Dragon's Den VIII
The Black Dragon's Den IX
The Black Dragon's Den X
The Black Dragon's Den XI
The Black Dragon's Den XII

[Morty]

Dipsnig arrives there, riding on Viima. He's head that the Den is reopening, and he figured it's as good a place as any for a private meeting with a possible business partner.

[Artemis97]

Dipsnig will find Raril out front, scrubbing grime from the windows, shirtless and singing something in high elvish. A drowess in blackened chainmail and blue steel plates stood near by, watching him and looking annoyed. Spotting the goblin the drow dropped the sponge into a suds filled bucket and waved. "Dipsnig! It's good to see you!"

[Morty]

"Hello, Raril," Dipsnig says as his large wolf carries him closer to the bar. "I've heard that my favourite seedy dive was reopening."

[Earl of Purple]

An unusual black van is pulling up outside. The windows have been covered in metal plates and then painted to match the rest of the van, including the front windscreen. A periscope ascends from the roof above the driver's seat, providing vision for the driver without letting sunlight in. The driver is a dark-skinned human male in his early thirties, wearing a posh business suit. His sleeves bulge from the metal bracers he wears underneath his jacket, and pewter rings decorate his fingers. He has ear-piercings as well, and the earrings are small pewter studs. He'll disembark first, walking around the vehicle to open the back door and let out a short figure heavily robed and cloaked. This figure is not so short to be a goblin or halfling, and not so stout to be a dwarf, so is probably a short human or maybe elf. The last to disembark is a massive half-ogre, armed with a massive club reinforced with steel bands and studs. The human looks at the half-ogre. "Stay here and guard the van. Nobody is to touch it until we come back, and the survival of anybody that tries is not necessary."

[Artemis97]

"Yeah, I've been allowed to come here to work and 'make myself useful,' but they're keeping me on a short leesh." Raril jerks his head towards the lady drow.

He watches the van pull up with mild interest, but doesn't seem surprised. The drowess looked a little more on guard, though, dropping a hand to her swords and watching the half-ogre.

"Come on in, folks. Please excuse the dust. We're just polishing things up now. There's still plenty of food and drink to go around, though." Raril says with a smile.

[Orm-Embar]

A tired-looking human male trudges up the road. There's not much special about him; maybe a trifle taller and broader across the shoulders than average, for a human, with a round face wearing a somewhat weary smile. His head and face have been shaved and dark stubble is growing in. He wears a long, quilted jacket - grey with red and black at the seams, long sleeved, high collared, knee length and gathered in at the waist - over a red shirt, tucked into black breeches over heavy black boots. It all looks dusty and worn, if well cared for. He carries no obvious weapons, not even a blade at his thick black leather belt, which might seem strange as the overall effect is that of a uniform of some sort. However, he does carry a short walking stick, and lugs a sort of heavy-looking sack behind him. The sack floats in the air a few inches from the ground. It's full of things that clank and rattle against each other. A couple of sword hilts stick out of the top of the sack.

The human brushes past the black van and its guardian with a glance and pauses at the doorway to the Den. It takes him a minute to maneuver the sack inside, as it's an awkward thing. Then he makes his way through the dim interior, bumping into a chair or table or two along the way but not getting into any fights, until reaching the bar.

"What have you got to cut the dust?"

A short negotiation follows. The human puts a few small coins on the bar - a Fair Amount plus a Decent Tip. He doesn't flash the contents of his purse where it can be seen, however. Then he takes his jar of kumiss to one of the unoccupied tables, kicks the sack under it, kicks a chair out to sit in and another to put his feet up on, and leans his staff against the table. Seated, he drinks while looking around with interest. He looks pleased with the kumiss. Those who notice such things probably note that he didn't sit with his back to a wall, meaning he's either a tourist, or foolhardy or confident for some other reason.

[Interaction welcome]

[Morty]

"I'm glad to hear it. Looks like my potential business partners are here," Dipsnig says, dismounting and waiting for them to approach.

[Artemis97]

"Best of luck to you." Raril wishes the goblin. "Let me know if you need anything. For now, I think I'm going to grab a bite to eat." Raril tips his hat to Dipsnig before heading inside, his guard following after him. The drow picks up his blue silk shirt from where he'd abandoned it over the back of a chair and shrugs it on before heading for the bar.

"Daggernose, can you get me a plate of stuffed portabellos and a glass of some Fireamber?" He asks the goblin behind the bar. Raril looks back at the guard and asks "Do you want anything? No? Alright then..."

With a sigh, the drow makes his way to his usual seat by the fireplace to wait for his order. Noticing the new customer, he gives a polite wave. "Hello. I don't believe we've met before. I'm Raril Xar'Cha. I own this place. I do hope you're enjoying it."

[Earl of Purple]

The human gets a glare from the half-ogre as he walks past the unusual van, but no further action is taken.

The Terrisman and his heavily cloaked and hooded companion approach Dipsnig. The individual not cloaked in robes bows deeply to Dipsnig. "Greetings. This is the Night Queen, and I am Doreaus, her Voice. I hope you will not mind my presence, but the Queen was born without vocal chords so I shall translate her gestures." The Night Queen nods her head when she is mentioned. "When we are private, she shall reveal herself more fully."

[Morty]

"Let's not waste time, then," Dipsnig says as he leads the way to one of the back rooms.

[Earl of Purple]

The Night Queen and Doreaus follow Dipsnig to a back room, and will let Dipsnig enter first, though if he insists on them going first, Doreaus will enter whilst the Night Queen waits outside, just to ensure it's not a trap by the goblin.

[Morty]

Dipsnig enters the room and takes a seat at one side of a table placed there. No trap is sprung, obviously.

"Let's get to business, shall we? I was led to understand that we can strike a deal regarding MERC's operations in Skyside."

[Earl of Purple]

Private Room

The robed figure takes off her cloak and the enveloping robe. Underneath is a fourteen-year-old girl with short black hair and green eyes that flash gold. She's wearing an 'I heart Skyside' t-shirt and a pair of knee-length shorts. Her arms are marked with stars, circles and crosses, all branded in, whilst the word 'EVIL' is visible as a scar on her left thigh, carved on a long time ago. "Indeed, we can. The Night Queen is willing to provide MERC with additional bodies and enforcers. Mostly street-level thugs, but we have access to more exotic individuals as well. We will do this for a cut of protection rackets, and no interference in our other business. Primarily drugs, and no slaves, since we know your stance on that." The Night Queen is primarily observing, having told Doreaus what to start with.

[Morty]

[Private Room]

If Dipsnig has any misapprehensions about his business partner's appearance, he keeps them to himself.

"I should clarify that our goal is to take over as much of the city's security forces as we can. Either by removing them, or simply making them work for us. A cut of the profit we earn from this and a measure of protection are an acceptable trade. What other 'exotic' individuals do you have access to?"

[Orm-Embar]

[By the Fireplace]

With a sigh, the drow makes his way to his usual seat by the fireplace to wait for his order. Noticing the new customer, he gives a polite wave. "Hello. I don't believe we've met before. I'm Raril Xar'Cha. I own this place. I do hope you're enjoying it."

The newcomer was lost in thought for a bit there. Not the safest strategy in this neighborhood, but with some luck maybe he'll live long enough to know better. Anyway, he raises his drink in the drow's direction, and still smiling faintly, says, "Good evening to you, then, sir. It's a fine comfortable place you keep for a poor traveler to rest a bit. Bo is my name." He studies the drow for a moment.

[Earl of Purple]

Private Rooms

The Night Queen notes Dipsnig's lack of reaction to her appearance and smirks slightly. Oh, something else: her shadow stands out deep and dark, as though it's being cast by a full moon.

"Exotic individuals include certain specialists; we have a small ninja clan, a number of Ferrings and Mistings, and the Night Queen's magical advisor has a group of students in the arcane arts. It also includes particularly powerful non-human individuals, such as the half-ogre outside, three half-demons and a pair of gargoyles. Others, too." The half-ogre is not actually available, as he's the Night Queen's personal bodyguard.

[Artemis97]

Raril is lean and handsome with dark blue-black skin and eyes that glitter like rubies. His silver-white hair was bound back in braids beneath a wide-brimmed hat, which was lacking its usual feather. Unusual for a drow, he carried no weapons, visible or otherwise, however there was that guard. She stood nearby, eyeing the man with suspicion. The drowess was certainly armed, a paiir of longswords at her sides and a hand crossbow clipped to her belt. She wore blackened chainmail which bore a golden spider on its web over a blue field, the symbol for House Xar'Cha.


"Well met." Raril smiled. "I'm glad you like the place. I had to close it, temporarily, due to... ah... family matters." He frowns, but then waves a hand dismissively. "Not important. Its open for business now, that's what matters."

[Morty]

Private Room

"All would be useful," Dipsnig says, nodding with satisfaction. "The opposition we're likely to face is varied. You'll have to explain to me what Ferrings and Mistings are, though."

[Orm-Embar]

[By the Fireplace]

"Ah, family," Bo says with a knowing grin. "They can be difficult. Believe me, I know." He considers the drowess on guard and his expression turns serious, just for a moment. Looks like she knows what she's about, that one does. Then his faint smile reappears.

"You wouldn't know a place I might be able to sell some junk, would you?" The sack sounds a metallic clank and rattle as he gives it a shove with his foot. "Need to earn some coin if I'm going to keep paying for your fine drinks here. Might need to find a place to stay too," he admits.

[Earl of Purple]

Private Room

"Exiles from my world. Ferrings can store things in metal- speed, strength, weight, wakefulness, nutrition- making themselves slower, weaker, lighter, sleepier, or hungrier in order to draw on that stored attribute later. There's specific rules on what is stored in which metal; pewter is strength, and I could give a demonstration if required. Mistings metabolise metals to empower themselves with supernatural abilities, greatly increasing their strength with pewter, their senses with tin, able to telekinetically push or pull metal objects with steel or iron, finding others that are burning metals with bronze or hiding the abilities of those around them with copper, even enhancing or reducing emotions. I understand less of Mistings than I do Ferrings, and neither is a whole list. We have no Twinborn- that is, individuals that are both Mistings and Ferrings- which is a pity since their abilities are greater than simply a Misting and a Ferring, especially since a Ferring or Misting only has access to one of the metals each." From Brandon Sanderson's Mistborn trilogy, and I don't think I've seen one in the Nexus outside my control.

[Morty]

Private Room

Dipsnig nods.

"So long as they can help, the hows and the whys aren't that important. Now, let's talk about some details. How open do you want our cooperation to be once we make our move in Skyside?"

[Earl of Purple]

Private Room

"The Night Queen doesn't mind out agreement becoming common knowledge, so long as it is not advertised and she remains anonymous. Particularly physically anonymous, with no description of her circulated. Her family still live and some may wish for her return." People will figure out who exactly are supporting MERC in Skyside anyway, either through simply recognising some of the individuals, capturing and torturing somebody to tell, or with bribery, but not all the members of the Night Queen's inner circle know her true name to keep that secret.

[Morty]

Private Room

"Then we'll keep it as discreet as possible for as long as we can," Dipsnig says. "Do you have any questions for me?"

[Deathkeeper]

A large figure walks up to the bar, hooves clacking on the floorboards.

The newcomer is a brown-furred minotaur, seven feet in height without counting his up-pointing horns. His coat is short but kept neat, especially this time of year. He's clad only in some armored leather pants. Now, he has plenty of gear in his satchel, but unless someone can tell it's magic that isn't particularly obvious.

He gives the fellow a small, friendly smile as he takes the seat next to him. His large size isn't particularly comfortable on these small seats, but he seems rather used to it, considering the booze with a twitch of his tufted tail.
"Hope you don't mind, friend." he says.

[Orm-Embar]

[Fireside]

Bo looks the minotaur-looking creature over and keeps smiling - although he has to look way up to do it. "Not at all, welcome." He even goes so far as to shove the chair with his duffel bag on it out of the way a bit. Bo's seen a few stranger things even in his own command. Not many, but still. Also he knows that good manners are better than weaponry any day.

[Deathkeeper]

Fireside

Krayger lets his bag drop to the floor against the seat. He extends a three-fingered hand to the fellow. They're scarred and calloused from years of wielding weapons.
"Krayger. You order a drink yet?" he asks. Krayger has always enjoyed meeting new people in bars. He isn't entirely sure why.

[Orm-Embar]

[Fireside]


"Kumiss." He holds up the jar, takes a sip. "I got a taste for it when we occupied the grasslands. What are you having?"

[Deathkeeper]

Fireside

"Something big or something strong. I generally need either to actually feel it. I've a soft spot for ale, myself." says the bovine fellow, with a wave to the bartender to make it so.

[Orm-Embar]

[Fireside]

Bo waits a decent interval for Krayger to get a drink.

"You from around here? Or know this city? There's one or two things I'd like to know - if it's not a lot of trouble."