Tales of Faerun

[Flipout6]

"...I didn't know Mulhorand had its own midget army." Arland commented drily as they were all charged by a flowing mass of children. Still for all his attempts at indifference he couldn't stop the smirk that crawled its way onto his face, or the mirth from fading from his eyes.

 

Sybille, meanwhile, was more than content to help entertain the little admirers. She even dismounted and led her horse by the reins with Marie still on its back, trying to hide her face as bet he could. She even let a few of the youngsters try to lift her maul, a feat they struggled with before she laughed and picked it up in one arm. A few of them looked up at her in awe, but she clarified that it wasn't terrible heavy to most "grown-ups" and winked. She got a few mischievous looks as a response.

 

Dri laughed as she took her turn to be swamped, but that grin switched to alarm when one of them yanked a pouch of knockout powder from her belt. She was quick to snatch it back, trying her best to explain through the amulet (with mental images rather than words) that the pouch was dangerous. Confused, the child looked up at her with an odd grin on his face. He babbled something in Mulhorandi that she couldn't understand. Beside her on his own steed, Weyland was bewildered by the abundance of fascinated children but also amused, cracking a wistful smile.

 

Annette was the one that stole the show, conjuring the phantom image of a dancing baby seal just like she had once upon a time when practicing magic with Amendale. Curious children flocked around the illusion, giggling and cooing and trying to touch it. Amendale chuckled when he saw the image.

 

Marie just hid her eyes and waited. She wasn't in the mood to be goggled at like a circus animal.

[AurianaValoria1]

Suddenly, a sharp whistle split the air, and as quickly as they had swarmed the group, the children scattered like marbles. Coming towards them from down the main street were three guardsmen, one of them with golden scale armor much like that of Imhiros. The man in gold, presumably the captain, fussed at the children in short Mulhorandi phrases, scowling at them and shooing them back towards their parents. After sweeping the urchins from the dusty streets, he and his comrades stopped a good distance from the party. He then nodded to the companions and spoke in Common with a thickly accented voice.

 

"Apologies for the behavior of our young ones," he began, "You would think they had never seen adventurers before. I must admit..." he trailed as his dark eyes wandered over the diverse group, "...you are quite, unusual. Still, travelers from far lands are not unknown to us; they should have minded their manners, and their curiosity." He leaned on his spear, "It could cause them much grief someday if they encounter a less tolerant group."

 

He gestured behind him, "I assume you want refreshment and lodging? There is an inn two streets over with a stable for your..." he peered around some of the horses to see the griffon and mastiff mounts, "steeds."

 

Rhaine thought for a moment. It was just past highsun, and they could make it closer to Sultim if they pushed through the evening. Yet, she had no doubt that Conall, Weyland, Marie, and Audri were still exhausted, and perhaps it would be best if they took advantage of the hospitality offered them. Sighing, she turned in her saddle and addressed the rest of the party, "What say you? Shall we stop here or keep moving?"

[josh900]

Zaph was certainly enjoying the attention from the young ones, spreading out his wings and prancing about as if on show, Azuris and Bob meanwhile were feeling the exact opposite and were grateful for when the ankle biters were dispersed.

 

When Rhaine asked the group on their opinion on stopping and resting Leif hopped off of Zaph and approached. "Not like we're in a rush or anything right? Couldn't hurt to rest a bit, clean the wounds and all that." He suggested.

 

"Keep moving." Said Azuris. "We're gonna attract too much attention here." He said as he kept his head down, trying to avoid the gazes of the chattering women nearby.

 

"Us, or you?" Leif asked with a laugh.

 

"Both." Azuris grumbled under his breath.

[Diamondragon62]

Codswell nodded in agreement, "Yes. We should keep moving. Me guts telling me a storm is brewing and it ain't the weather." Codswell looked oddly distressed, as if he was very nervous about something. He kept fidgeting and fiddling with his knots as he followed the group.

[FreemasonGamer]

Rameses leaned forward into Jarl's saddle, weighing their potential options as the captain of the town guard offered them such hospitality. The fire genasi listened to Leif, Azuris, and Codswell, and he was only slightly surprised that a majority of the trio preferred to carry on to Sultim. However, Rameses was not particularly keen on spending another night exposed to the threats of the desert night, especially with several of their companions already afflicted.

 

"Unless we can reach our destination before nightfall—unlikely—then I would suggest we stay here for the evening," Rameses replied to Rhaine. "I see no reason to turn away soft beds and a night of rest, which I'm sure would do more good than not."

[Flipout6]

"We attract attention no matter where we go." Amendale told Azuris. "That cannot be avoided." He looked to Rhaine. "I suggest we stay here overnight. Better we avoid a repeat incident of last night by camping in the middle of the wilderness."

"I could use some rest, myself." Weyland said, rolling his shoulder. "And I'd prefer a mattress to a sleeping bag." Dri yawned, communicating her agreement.

 

"Seconded." Arland added. "And there's sure as hells not going to be a storm brewing here of all places, Cods. Shadiest thing you'll get around here'll be a hide-and-seek game."

 

"I'm getting rather hungry myself." Sybille's stomach growled to prove the point. "Could be the storm Codswell means, too. We stop here and we can grab as much food as we can pay for."

 

"Indifferent." Marie said. Her cheeks burned with embarrassment being in the public eye like this, but camping on the road didn't strike her as wise in the least.

 

"I can brew some potions overnight if we stay here." Annette shrugged. "More than we'd get in the field, to be certain."

Edited May 23, 2015 by Flipout6

[AurianaValoria1]

Conall shifted in his saddle, "I...would not be opposed to staying here for the evening. I think more rest would do me good, right now." Beside him, Zorica nodded, "I'm inclined to agree. And I am also of the same mind as Amendale and Annette. We can gather more supplies here and in a safer environment, even if we get gawked at while doing it."

 

Argyros shrugged, "I would rather keep moving, but I understand your need to rest frequently, especially after recent events. I am content either way."

 

"As long as there's good drink and lots of it," Abby chimed in, "I don't care."

 

Rhaine slowly nodded as she took in everyone's opinion on the matter. Turning back towards the guard captain, she finally spoke, "We accept your hospitality, and we thank you for it, goodsir. If you could please show us the way to the inn of which you speak, we would be grateful."

 

The captain gave a half bow in response and proceeded to lead them to the town's lodging, his comrades preventing the children from even thinking about rushing the adventurers again by walking on either side of the group. Some of the parents literally had to hold their young ones by their collars to keep them from craning their necks out of their doorways as the party moved away...

 

=======================

 

"Samassa! Did you hear that? They're staying here!"

 

Samassa's eyes were wide, "Oh my...well," she gave a flustered smile, "Well...you know what that means, don't you?"

 

Her elder sister paused for a moment, then her brow furrowed, "You're not considering..."

 

"Ayala, think!" Samassa grasped her sister by the shoulders, "Do you want out of this town or no? What are you willing to do, huh? Are you just going to rot here, spinning cloth until you die?"

 

Ayala stood still, eyes frantically searching her younger sibling's, "I..."

 

Samassa grinned, "Come on. We cannot pass up this opportunity, and you know it."

 

=======================

 

The guardsman must have spoken true about the traffic the town received on a regular basis. Under no other circumstance would a structure like The River Crossing be needed; a four-story, extensively guarded, surprisingly lavish structure roughly in the center of the town, with easy access to the market stalls and stores. It was built of white granite and limestone, each side of the building sporting a colonnade with columned archways. Every entrance opened with sturdy, iron-reinforced double doors, and the windows were of stained glass in various elaborate floral patterns. The interior reflected the lavishness of the exterior, with a grand common room in which polished wood furnishings were carefully arranged beneath brass chandeliers. A massive bar was at one end of the room, behind which were the doors to the kitchens, and it was through these that serving girls constantly passed, allowing the viewer to glimpse the busy cooks and roaring ovens beyond.

 

A few stable hands had taken the liberty of tending to the party's mounts while they themselves entered the inn proper. Abby was immediately taken with the look of the place, unable to stop tilting her head upwards to watch the dancing flames in the chandeliers.

[Diamondragon62]

Codswell bucked up and shined his best smile when he heard the young ones and breaks off from the part to talk to them, "Hello little ones. I couldn't help but overhear you talking. If you would like i suppose i can tell you a tale or two of what has happened to me in my travels." Codswell sat on the ground near the kids and said to their parents, "Don't worry. I like children. I will watch over them and be sure to send them inside when they must go in." Codswell gave his best at reassuring the adults so they would feel at ease while he told his tales to the kids. "Now gather round children and I will tell you what it is like outside this city."

[FreemasonGamer]

Rameses climbed down off of Jarl's saddle, handing his reins to one of the available stable hands before gently patting the great white camel on the neck. "Don't give them any trouble." Rameses chided softly with a smirk to his steed, who groaned loudly in response as he and the other mounts were taken to the nearby stables.

 

As he and his fellow companions moved to enter The River Crossing, Rameses chuckled quietly as he witnessed Codswell gather the nearby children children after the guards had departed. While these native younglings probably knew little Common speech, that did not stop the cheerful halfling from beginning to spin them wild tales of his past experiences. Nodding once to the benevolent bandit, the fire genasi called out, "Be sure to tell us how many of them speak Common, Codswell. I'd be intrigued to know."

 

Once inside the grand tavern, Rameses raised both brows and whistled quietly in awe of its luxurious, grandiose interior. The scents of good food and good drink also drifted through the air from the bar and kitchens, causing Rameses' stomach to rumble hungrily. Taking a seat at a polished oaken table near the lengthy bar at the far end of the grand common room, Rameses sighed in relief; the luxurious, civilized nature of the tavern's interior made him feel at ease. The genasi then ordered a humble mug of tea and a few buttered rolls, for he did not have much coin to dine lavishly. As he waited for his order to be fulfilled, Rameses leaned back into his chair comfortably as he examined the rest of his fellows; while some were weary and borderline pitiful in condition, a few others brought a smile to the genasi's features.

 

"I sincerely hope that grows back." Rameses snickered to Rhaine, trying not to laugh at the notable gap in her plumage where one child had snatched a feather of hers.

[Llhunara]

The redhead had no issues with calling it a day. After recent events, a nice night in an inn would no doubt be welcomed by more than just the bar happy half-elf. Trotting over to the establishment with the rest, Llhunarra was more than a little excited to exchange the grabby children with wenches and a bar tender. Children always wanted something, while bar tenders were almost always willing to give you something…if you had the coin at least. Sliding off her horse, she drops lightly to the ground before heading inside, the large main room brining a smile to her fair features.

 

Wasting no time at all she heads for the bar, guiding herself onto the closest stool before giving the tender a wave. She had plenty of alcohol left in the flask at her waist, but why go through that when the counter behind the bar was stocked full? Best to save her own drink for when she was relaxing in her room…hopefully in a nice bath. Taking it somewhat easy this night she orders a glass of dark red wine, not caring for what make or from where, she was pleased just the same when taking her first sip a few minutes later. So soothing and warm, the perfect thing to settle the nerves. Next came food, Llhunarra again having little preference besides the very important detail that it be warm.

 

Drink in hand, order for food sent back to the kitchen, the rogue was settling in for a good night. Turning in her stool to face the better part of the room, she throws her right leg over her left as she leans back into the bar. Sipping her wine once more she wondered how the others were settling in, feeling this was something all of them could use.