"We don't believe most bathe everyday, a couple of times a week, once a week, every other week, or every month, We bathe a few times a week at least, we work therefore we sweat, so we need to bathe." Yngvar says, he just bathed that morning.

"Finding items seems like a good idea to us as well, but we'll see Master Ponder."
This message was last edited by the player at 15:54, Sun 07 May 2023.

Adriel sits at a small wooden table near the stage, a half-empty tankard of ale in front of him. His sharp, angular features and piercing green eyes give him an air of otherworldly intelligence, and the subtle movements of his fingers suggest a mind always at work. He wears a simple yet finely crafted doublet of dark green wool, and a silver amulet hangs around his neck, bearing the symbol of the god of commerce.

His eyes were fixed on the stage where Lady Mirabelle and her band prepared for their performance. As he awaits the start of the show, Adriel knows that he has important business to attend to for his lord later that night, but for now, he takes a moment to enjoy the music and festivities of the evening.

There was another group of adventurers gathered in the Thirsty Kraken, a motley crew, united by their shared desire for adventure and the promise of a hefty reward. They ranged in age from fresh-faced youths to grizzled veterans, their backgrounds as diverse as the weapons they carried. One young woman with fiery red hair and  green eyes stands out, her leather armor adorned with intricate patterns and her bow slung over her shoulder. Another figure, a hulking brute of a man with a bushy beard and an axe at his side, seems to exude an air of danger and ferocity. A wiry, unassuming man with a sly smile and a pair of daggers at his belt looks like he could slip in and out of any situation unnoticed. The final member of the group is a tall, imposing figure with a shaved head and a tattooed face, his muscles bulging beneath his  armor.

They had heard of Lord Vandergathen's offer of a handsome reward for the recovery of his stolen goods, and they were eager to prove their worth and make a name for themselves in the city.

This group eyed the other group warily, sizing them up to assess their competition. They exchange furtive glances and whispered among themselves, wondering if these other adventurers posed a threat to their chances of earning the reward from Lord Vandergathen. Some members of the group appeared nervous, while others seemed more confident and eager to prove themselves.

ooc; didn't want you to think you were the only ones who replied to his ad

Wishing for a larger bowl of stew than he could afford, Amalfy scrapped at the dregs with his fingers, and addressed the strange woman with the fascinating tales of travel and other lands.

"There are public baths M'Lady, but they are in the wealthier part of town, and not cheap.
"Laborers and athletes tend to rub down in sweat houses with the oil of the olive, and scrape it all away with a strigil."

He used his hands to explain the shape, a cresent of the approximate size to fit around the curve of a thigh muscle.

"Myself, I rinse in the sea, at the beach most morning, which washes my clothes as well as my body. If I left them on the beach, they would be gone before I returned.
"How do people bath where you come from, Lady Akira?"

(OOC I have colors turned off, can't stand them, but I can try and remember to use the code, if someone can tell me what colors are not in use. Preferably something green?)

Akira watches the nice man who seems to be quite hungry.  She knows very well that feeling, something she has lived with her whole life.  However, in her case, it has been by choice although perhaps not exactly her choice.  While she does not have much money, ever, she certainly has enough to get this man who helped them with a decent dinner.

Waving the server over she asks, "can you please get another bowl of stew for Mr. Scroggins?  And some more ale."  She pulls some silver coins from her pocket to pay for her own meal and his.

"It is just 'Akira.'  My teacher tells me I have not yet earned respect and our order eschews titles anyway.  I am certainly not a noble.  I wanted to thank you for your assistance today, leading us to the Lord's house and then bringing us here.  Maybe you can help try to find the stolen items?  It would be very helpful to have someone who knows their way around and can obtain things," she says.  While she would of course be happy to feed the man, she has sensed that some people here are wary about accepting charity.  Something about pride.  So it seemed best to suggest the offer was compensation for a service rendered.

"As to baths, at the Monkery we bathe in a nearby stream.  The water is frigid as it comes down from the high mountains and it is quite bracing.  Normally everyone goes in the morning after our exercises at first light and it is one of the few social activities," she explains.  Her eyes lighting up at a memory, she confides, "but there are places, called 'spas' where they bathe in heated pools near to the geysers and hot springs!  They have perfumed soaps and a thing called a 'sauna' where you sit on wooden benches in a small super-heated room, it is quite purifying," she smiles at the thought of such decadence, not willing to admit that she was actually allowed in one of the hot tubs.

OOC:  It is all good.  The colors are just a useful visual cue for me, especially when there are several people talking.

The server, a young woman with curly hair and a friendly smile, nodded and headied off to the kitchen. Soon, she returned with a steaming bowl of hearty beef stew, filled with chunks of tender meat, potatoes, and carrots. The aroma of savory herbs and spices wafted from the bowl, making the group's mouths water in anticipation. Alongside the stew, she brought a large mug of ale, golden and frothy with a head of creamy foam. The ale had a rich, malty flavor with a slightly bitter finish, leaving a pleasant aftertaste on the tongue.

Gorruk Stonefist, the half-orc owner of The Thirsty Kraken, slams his meaty fist on the bar to get everyone's attention. "Oi, listen up, you lot!" he bellows. "We got a special treat for ya tonight. The one and only Lady Mirabelle and her band will be performing on this very stage. So put down yer drinks and give 'em a round of applause!" His gruff voice echoes through the tavern, and the patrons hush for a moment to listen. Gorruk's intimidating figure, with his towering height, bulging muscles, and rough features, commands respect and fear from all who cross him. But his announcement brings excitement and cheers from the crowd, eager to hear the music and see the performance. Gorruk steps aside, gesturing towards the stage and allowing Lady Mirabelle and her band to take the spotlight.

Ponder tore his interest away from Akira's tale of her homeland, his natural curiosity unsatisfied, but, after all, they did come to listen to the famed bard. He paid attention to the stage now as Mirabelle got ready to perform.

An elf walks into a bar...

A rather tall, muscular elf, with golden hair and green eyes and a small smile upon his lips. In other words, he stuck out like a sore thumb in this dive. He stopped just long enough to cast his eyes around for an empty seat, anywhere, and moved toward it immediately. There was a band about to start up on stage, doubtless some dirge that passed for music in human circles, but Vanomir's intentions were a seat, a drink, and listening-in to the conversations around him - there were rumours afoot, all manner of troubles in the city. Doubtless there would be people engaged in sorting these problems, and doubtless there would be coin for those that provided solutions. He was looking for the former, and required the latter as a means to an end.

A cup of wine would satisfy for now.

In reply to Vanomir (msg # 40):

As Vanomir enters the Thirsty Kraken, the atmosphere is already buzzing with excitement. Gorruk, the owner of the bar, has just introduced Lady Mirabelle, and the patrons' attention is turning towards the stage. Vanomir takes in the dimly lit tavern, rough-hewn timber walls adorned with various nautical items, such as ship's wheels, anchors, and maps of the sea. Vanomir can smell the smoky aroma of the fireplace and the tantalizing scent of hearty stews and roasted meats on the menu. As the crowd turns their attention to the stage, the elf senses a shift in the air. Some of the eyes of the other patrons have turned towards him,  some curious, some dismissive, and some hostile. His pointed ears and graceful movements mark him as different, and it's clear that not everyone in the tavern welcomes outsiders.

Akira is pretty good at sensing moods, even if she is still acclimating to the culture here.  The shift when the Elf enters puzzles her a little.  She likes the look of the new entrant, sort of exotic like herself.  So she stands and walks over to him clasping hands in front of her and bowing politely she introduces herself, "good evening, I am Akira.  A bunch of us just arrived to listen to the entertainers, and maybe discuss some of the goings on about town.  Would you care to join us?" she inquires, indicating the others.

A half-elf half-turned and smiled at the newcomer in welcome then he looked back to the bard as her music filled the tavern.

Never too proud to accept charity, the stew and ale is well appreciated, though he preferred wine. He doesn't mention this.

"Akira it is then, and many thanks.
"Your home sounds amazing! Those hot baths particularly. Bathing in the sea has it's issues, the salt in the water dried on  your skin."

Dipping into the stew with zest, Amalfy continued to listen to the strange foreign woman as well as those around him.

"I would gladly offer my services when it comes to hunting down the stolen items. The Lord in question is known for his generosity!"

At the announcement from the bar owner, he joined in on the applause. Her music wasn't exactly to his tastes, the few he had heard tended toward the melancholy, and love tunes dripping in treacle, but he saw no reason to not be polite.

Besides, he had stew to finish.

Focusing on the stage, he was startled as Akira rose and approached the elf, whose entrance Amalfy had not noticed. He shrugged at his inclusion into their little party, and swallowed a mouthful of ale.

ooc: I am going to just go through her performance since everyone is here for the conversation that follows, the performance was just background info

Lady Mirabelle and her band took to the stage at The Thirsty Kraken to entertain the rowdy patrons with their melodious tunes. The Lady, a fair maiden with golden locks and a voice that could enchant any heart, sang of tales of heroes and villains, of knights and maidens fair. Her band, consisting of a lute player, a drummer, and a flutist, accompanied her with their own musical prowess, delighting the crowd with their harmonies.  As the night progressed, Lady Mirabelle sang of battles fought and lost, of love won and lost, and of mythical beasts that roamed the land. One of her songs was about a brave paladin who stood tall against a fierce dragon, wielding his sword with courage and skill, and ultimately emerging victorious in his quest. Her voice rose with emotion as she sang of the paladin's triumph, and the crowd was enraptured by her tale.  The patrons of The Thirsty Kraken cheered and clapped at the end of each song, and many raised their mugs in salute to Lady Mirabelle and her band. As the night drew to a close, the band bid the crowd farewell and took their leave of the stage.

As Lady Mirabelle and her band finished their performance, the respectable guests and tourists began to depart from the Thirsty Kraken. In their place, a rougher crowd of seedy-looking patrons began to trickle in, seeking to partake in the rowdier side of the tavern's atmosphere. The dim lighting and smoky interior of the establishment added to the atmosphere, with the large fireplace casting flickering shadows across the rough-hewn timber walls.

Adriel shifted his gaze from the merrymakers and instead scanned the room with a sharp eye. His purposeful demeanor and no-nonsense attitude caught the attention of those who had been previously lounging about. Pulling his table to face the crowd, he cleared his throat and spoke in a commanding voice. "Hear ye, hear ye! Attention, adventurers! I am Adriel,  responsible for handling Lord Vandergathen's affairs, and I am here to discuss a matter of great importance. His lordship is offering a generous reward for the recovery of some stolen goods, and I am seeking those brave enough to take on the task. Come forth if you are interested, and let us discuss the details."

Rising to his feet, Amalfy glances at the others to see which had chosen this path to follow.

Ponder grabbed his mug and followed Amalfy. After all, he'd declared earlier for wanting to find the stolen items. He grinned. While he felt bad for the suffering of the people diseased, he also knew he couldn't do much about it. This was more in line with his talents!

Rytel was late to the party, catching the last bit of the performance.

Now as people had started to clear out he looked around the room.  It was then that Adriel addressed everyone.

All he did was look around the room to see who took the offered job and what people were here.  His fingers were interlocked and resting on his abdomen.  He waited to see how this would play out and what the assembled adventurers would do.

ooc: there is no one here advertising for the sickness, or for investigating it, those were whispers you guys overheard.  Apologies if I wasn't clear, there will be a separate advertisement for that issue

Calgarvin watches as some of those gathered move to follow Adriel, and surveys the remainder of the crowd. He tugs on Luthien's cloak and leans into him, whispering:

Akira is entranced by Lady Mirabelle and her band.  While the music is nothing like that of her homeland, she finds it beautiful and soothing in its own way, nearly magical.  When the performance is done, she approaches the group and bows politely, placing one of her two gold pieces into the collection tankard at the edge of the stage.  While the gold could easily sustain the young ascetic for a week or more, such music can sustain her for a lifetime.

"Lady Mirabelle and good sirs," she says, addressing the group, "your music is enchanting and makes the hearts of all who hear it sing with joy.  Thank you for brightening all those here with your magic."  She bows once more.

She returns to her place but once Adriel addresses the remaining crowd, Akira rises once more to join those interested in recovering the lost items.  Such wanton thievery cannot be allowed to stand.

Lady Mirabelle and her band are delighted by Akira's words and gesture. They thank her with warm smiles and bows, touched by her kind words. Lady Mirabelle steps forward, a graceful and elegant figure, and addresses Akira directly. "Thy generosity and thy gentle words be of great gratitude, youngling," she said, "and we be honored to hast touched thy heart with our melody. We prayeth to continue to bring forth joy and bewitchment to all those who shall hearken to us, and 'tis a joy to know that we has't achieved such with thee. It lifteth up our hearts, that we has't been able to make thy spirit sing." The other members of the band nod in agreement and add their own words of gratitude.

Seeing Ponder and Kira step forward at Adreil's announcement, Amalfy does what he can to puff himself and make himself look a bit proficient than he is. He tries to make it clear that he is with the pair, and glances to the table to see if any others join them, all the while attempting to retain his meal in his stomach at the saccharine words of Lady Mirabella.

While it was possible that  her words were sincere, from the world Amalfy came from, they could only an attempt to fill her coffers. Manners were the lubricant of prosperity, for those in her line of work Besides, two whole gold?

Akira was indeed generous. He needed to try and make sure more, if not most of that generosity comes his way.

In reply to Rytel Phorza (msg # 48):

Luthien agrees with the suggestion, and nods at Calgarvin.

So, he approaches Rytel. "Greetings. Did the temples send you out here to investigate the sickness?"

Calgarvin trundles along behind Luthien, his head tilting left to right looking at those remaining who might fit the bill for their quest. When they reach Rytel, he simply nods a greeting and lets Luthien do all the talking.

Knowing all-too well of his uniqueness herein, Vanomir was more than a little surprised that the first to approach his table was a small human woman. Perhaps her rather different appearance to the other humans marked her as a kindred spirit, but she was most welcome in any case. The elf smiled.

"Well met, Akira - I am Vanomir. I would be delighted to join you, not least because I may have to fight my way out of here if I do not. And perhaps if I do, but at least it might be more of an even contest. Lead on."

As he rose and followed Vanomir noticed a half-ef nod in his direction, and returned the favour. Well, that makes a gang of three at least.

Then the band struck up their 'music', and he listened along with everyone else. When it was finally done, there was a distinct change in the atmosphere as the music-lovers left and the melee-lovers entered. If the air had been unfriendly previously, it was distinctly hostile now. When the one called Adriel made his announcement some of Vanomir's new companions rose and made their way to the stage, and thus so did he.

As Adriel waited at his table, two groups approached him, each eager to learn more about the job at hand. However, the peace is short-lived as a tall, intimidating figure from the second group steps forward, his muscular frame and tattooed face exuding power and confidence. He sneers at the first group, remarking that they look more suited to serving drinks than seeking adventure.

"Ye look more like ye should be serving mead to patrons than going on a quest," he grumbled. "Leave the task of recovering Lord Vandergathen's property to us, true adventurers. Ye can stay put and keep the tavern seats warm for us when we return."