Eshalar, the Broken Lands - (Adventures Thread)

[Lost]

<Allianah's Thread>


  Taking a sip from the water, the old man looked at Allianah, "Snake... a snake spooked my old horse and then the horse lost control, overturning my cart and breaking it. My harvest... it was supposed to tide my family over until the spring..." The old man said.


<Allianah continue>



<Jared's Thread>

 
   As Jared approached the Black Bull, several more drunken men swaggered out and passed out right in front of the establishment. Inside the tavern was an even drunken crowd, with a rather lively band playing up to the crowd. As Jared reached the door, he could hear the drunken men call out. "This is the best Harvest we've had in years, and this calls for a Harvest Celebration..." The rest of the sentence was drowned in slurry speech.


<Jared continue>

[Vicu~sama]

Allianah looked at the old man with sad eyes. "Looks like we can't do anything about your harvest now. What's done is done. Even if I kill the snake, it won't save your cart. If I hurry now, perhaps I can get a doctor to tend to your wounds. I'll be off now good sir." and with that Allianah got up and headed back towards Ghelspeak...

[darthmarc]

Maybe I'll hear a thing or two about this celebration.Jared walked inside and glanced around for a friendly table.

[Lost]

<Allianah's Thread>

   With a sad look the old man, turns away from Allianah. As the young sorceress went back to the road which will lead her to Ghelspeak, she guessed it will take her a few more hours to reach the city proper. Hopefully, she should be there by midday. And hopefully, there would be help for the old man.

    3 hours later, she reaches the gates of Ghelspeak, with several guards looking over the things of any who would enter. As the line finally reached Allianah, the guards look at her. "So, what's your business here?"


<Allianah continue>


<Jared's thread>


   A friendly table was difficult to find, an empty one even more so. The best he could do was to choose an open seat by the bar, while the revelry went on inside. While inside, he could hear toasts and cheers thanking the gods that this year's harvest was good and the money would help them tide over the winter. And as far as Jared can understand (Listen check done), the mayor was handling the Celebration for the next few days.

<Jared continue>

[Vicu~sama]

"I have embarked on a journey to visit the church of Boccob, the God of Magic." Allianah said coyly. "Could you tell me which inn here has the best baths? I'm just dying to soak myself in one after all this travelling. :wink:"

[Lost]

<Allianah's Thread>

"The Church of Boccob? That would be near the Center of the City." The guard remarked. "As for the best baths and inns, we recommend The Golden Lion if you have the coin to spend, and the Red Mistress for the ladies who wish to pamper themselves. For those who don't have plenty of gold, there is the Green Boar and the Black Bull." And then the guards give you the directions on how to find those establishments.


<Allianah continue>

[Vicu~sama]

Thinking to herself as she was walking towards the black bull "I'll try to keep a low profile in this town first.. I'll go to the less colorful establishments."

[darthmarc]

"Hmm. I wonder what activities will be held during those next few days." Jared glanced around the table where he was seated trying to find someone to converse with.

[Lost]

<Allianah's thread>


   As Allianah approaches the Black Bull, she notices the stream of drunken people coming out of the establishment, and soon, some of them have already set up tables outside the tavern to continue their drinking. The heavy smell of ale was hanging about the place as Allianah looks at the building. It was a wooden building of three storeys, it was large enough to be able to hold these much people, and the two other storeys seem to be for renting out.

   As Allianah approached the door, two other men stepped out, both smelled like a distillery, and then chose two spots outside and slumped down. As she opened the door, the inside of the tavern was just as aromatic and noisy as those who were outside. Finding a free place to sit might be a problem. People inside were talking almost incoherently, although (Listen check done), everyone seemed to be excited about a Harvest Celebration that was either ongoing or about to commence.

<Allianah continue>


<Jared's Thread>


   The bar Jared was on had several people talking to each other, some looked like farmers, others looked like they worked in offices within the city. It was still early for people to be drinking, but it seemed perfectly normal for them. Each group was engrossed in their own little conversations, except the odd one or two that slumped down unto the bar already, passed out from the drinking.

   The bartender eventually reached him to ask for Jared's choice. "A new face in town... So what will it be? Food, Lodging or just drinks?"


<Jared continue>


<Arkanias' Thread>


   Arkanias was no fledgling to the City, having come from Mythhaven, this city was a smaller version of it. Heron has asked him to make his way towards Ghelspeak to speak to the head of Red Griffins, and then give him a letter from Heron. But as Arkanias found out the whole city was busy with preparing for the Harvest Celebration, the Red Griffins were tasked to keep the peace within the city and with the drinks overflowing, it was difficult to stop all the fights that would break out from time to time. Arkanias was told that Captain Marionus would see him tomorrow, given that the preparation were taking up most of the time.

    Well, he had nothing better to do while waiting for the next day, and decided to explore the city.


<Arkanias continue>

[Vicu~sama]

Allianah looks around for someone sober to ask but it would seem like the establishment probably doesn't have any of those. Allianah goes to the bar instead and asks the bartender what this harvest celebration is and what people usually do during that time,

[grafxillusion]

It is a wonder to see so many people in such a joyous mood, Arkanias thought. Although it is much rowdier than in my hometown, still it pleases me to see that people live in peace and enjoy life as it should be.

Arkanias stroll along the road, enjoying the sight and the attention he gets from women as he pass by. Occasionally, some of the lady grabs his arms to dance with him as the bards on the streets plays a merry song.

I really enjoy being outside our manor. So this is life outside! he mused. I wonder why Master Heron's face is so gloomy when he told me about this task.

With a twist and a shuffle, the dance ended. Arkanias bow towards his partner and kiss her hand. "It is a pleasure dancing with you my lady." he said with a smile making the lady blush. "Now, since I am new to this town and I am a bit lost," he said with a grin, "Would you be so kind to show me around?"

[darthmarc]

Remembering his meager coins, Jared smiled at the bartender. "Can I have your cheapest drink?"

[Lost]

<Jared and Allianah's thread>

   The innkeeper smiles as he sees Jared's coins. "No need for that here, keep it. The drinks are free. This is a Harvest Celebration after all." And as he says that, he brings several mugs of ale up on the bar and distributes it to each one on the bar, even Jared.

   As the mugs of ale are distributed, a new face was seen by the bar, she was female and exuded a strange aura that made those people who weren't too drunk yet to stare even for just a few seconds before going back to their drink. Even Jared found himself staring at his woman.

  Allianah on the other hand found all the staring quite unnerving, she was used to most people from her villag treating her as the blacksmith's daughter, but here, in Ghelspeak, she was an unknown and yet, people were staring at her.

   As she motioned for the bartender, the bartender approached with a mug of fruit juice. "Well, here's a drink for the lady, unless you would rather have something stronger. Now what I can do help YOU with?" Allianah then spoke. "What's this Harvest Celebration?" The Bartender, who now introduced himself as Ivann, looked shocked. "You don't know what the Harvest Celebration is? Why it's a thanksgiving Celebration to the Gods of Nature, particularly Obad-Hai and Ehlonna for giving just a good Harvest to help us over the winter. At nights, it's usually an excuse to drink yourself silly, but during the day, there are some religious activities and a colorful market as the farmers hawk their wares."

   
<Jared and Allianah continue>


<Arkanias' thread>


   Still blushing, the woman looked at Arkanias, "This is Ghelspeak my Lord, there are so many things that you can do and so many places to see. And with the Harvest Celebration starting, even more things to do and places to see will be coming in the following days. I shall try to help you, and you have only but to ask me about them."

<Arkanias' thread>

[Vicu~sama]

This will be fine. Thank you. Allianah said as she downed the mug.
Farmers and wares... Allianah thought for a little while then reacted suddenly
Oh! I do remember passing someone who met an accident on the way here. I think he had lots of wheat with him. I wonder if he's alright...

How about another one of what you gave me, Ivann Allianah said with a wink.

Looking around the strange people she saw someone beastly staring at her.

Allianah mumbled to herself I hoped that this would be a human settlement. This harvest celebration probably brings everyone into town.

[grafxillusion]

"I am in your debt milady," Arkanias bows once more. "Perhaps a drink will suffice for now. Would you mind joining me?"