The Salted Dolphin

[Paks]

The Salted Dolphin had been trading almost as long as the town itself had been around. It serviced a wide range of patrons, from the rich to the poor, it favored no one. This is the reason it had become such a popular watering hole. The tavern owner, a human man of middle years known by the name of Derek, had the reputation of being a kind and generous man. He made sure the establishment was kept clean and the bar fights kept to a minimum. He loved the tavern like it was a child of his own.

Entering through the front doors, you can see that the common room is large and filled with many tables, scattered about in no particular order. A large fireplace is centered along the side wall with a small but slightly off the floor stage used by performers to entertain the taverns patrons. A large wooden bench, hand crafted and engraved with images of ships sailing on the ocean, acts as the bar, several women dishing out drinks to paying customers. Smells from the kitchen waft through the tavern, enticing appetites all round. 12 rooms, a laundry and two bath houses are joined to the common room via a long passageway that often finds patrons enthralled by the drawings that line the walls.

The evening that you all enter the tavern, the staff and especially Derek all seem to be in a bit of state, apparently the entertainment booked for the night has come down with a shocking case of food poisoning, leaving the tavern quickly filling with patrons and no one to provide music that had come to be so expected from the The Salted Dolphin.

[Paks]

Paks

As she steps through the doors, she instantly glances around the tavern in search of Xxian. Before she gets a good look however, a man bumps her as he walks through the door and sets her off balance. Cursing quietly to herself as she regains her balance, she looks for the offender in order to give him a piece of her mind.

Finding herself looking right at Joe, the ranger is caught a little off guard as the man appologises, tipping his hat in her direction. Her words catch in her throat. A nudge to her ribs from Lilac snaps her out of it and she inclines her head a little to the man, "Appology accepted, perhaps watching where you are going next time might save all kinds of trouble" she says, before returning to scanning the room, looking for the troublesome gnome.

[Zee]

Joe:

*Nods politely one last time to the woman.* "Indeed, or perhaps I was watching where I was going and it wasn't wholly unintentional." *The last he says with a wink before bowing and turning to the bar with out waiting for a response. He finds himself a nice seat and plops down.*

"Seems a little dull for this kind of crowd, especially on a lovely night like this." *The man says off handedly. Surprised he is to hear the story about the nights entertainment falling ill he looks over to the barkeep, after all knowing who owns the popular inns was always a good idea.* "So, i've a proposition for you. You supply me with some food, hopefully some that doesn't cause me taking ill." *He says in a light-hearted tone and a chuckle.* "Allow me some form of bedding and we split any tips that may be accrued right down the middle. If that sounds agreeable then i'll keep your patron happy with several tunes long enough to get a few drinks in them."

*He looks over at derek for a moment before spinning around on his stool, leaning his elbows back on the bar top and glancing out at the crowd.* "If that sounds unreasonable i'd hope you would be kind enough atleast to point me in the direction of the lonely attractive patrons of the female variety."

[Jereth Ingsbe]

Arak leans back in his chair, the wooden construction creaking under the weight of the block of hair, muscle, and concealed armor under his clothing, his dour expression tinged with boredom were a product of average human drink in an average human bar. Since he'd arrived the night before the dwarf had kept himself busy by taxing the inn's supply of mead, and yet he'd only seen two fights, one ending as the two drunken combatants fell asleep leaning into each other, and the other scuffle hadn't grown to a full fight as the savvy bartender had nipped it in the bud with free drinks for those involved and a promise to avoid each other while in the establishment. With a sigh, the black bearded creature drains the last of his mug, hardly lamenting that he was down to only three gold pieces.

As business began to pick up as the day wore on into evening, Arak's glittering black eyes scan the dregs that slink inside. Hearing the unfortunate news about the entertainers, he lets out a callous chuckle, at least he wouldn't have to listen to the whining songs and twittering tunes of average human mistrels, and he calls loudly for another pint. If he couldn't find any jobs this night around, it might be that he'll have to take what he can from this flotsam of a town and be on his way.

[Paks]

Derek considers Joe's offer for a moment. The tavern continues to fill and yet the stage remains empty. The tavern keeper lets out a sigh and looks Joe straight in the eyes. "Aye, that sounds agreeable. We have a room kept aside for entertainers, your welcome to it, so long as the crowd enjoys your performance. Do a good job and I'll throw in breakfast. The stage is over there" he points to the very obvious looking stage, "You'll be starting in half an hour, can I get ye a drink before ye start?"

[Paks]

Lilac

As I entered the tavern, I let out a small sigh of relief. I like to travel, I really do but I was tired and wanted nothing more than a hot meal, bath and a comfortable bed to sleep in. My train of thought was interrupted though as Paks was knocked off balance by some man. For some reason, she kept staring at the man but a quick jab to her side soon fixed that.

As the ranger looked around for her gnome friend, I took the opportunity to order us a couple of drinks, an ale for Paks and a watered spiced wine for myself. I never have been a very big fan of alcoholic drinks but the odd wine here and there, I did happen to enjoy. I noticed that the tables were filling quickly and before I had the drinks in my hand, there were none spare. I didn’t wait for the ranger to find her friend, instead, I saw a lone dwarf sitting at a rather large table, far too large for him to sit at alone. I headed over to him and took a seat without asking permission. Possibly a silly thing to do but I took the chance anyway. Placing the drinks on the table, I realized that Paks had not followed so I slide the ale over to the dwarf, “Evening, hope you don’t mind me joining you, the place is filling up rather fast and there’s not too many places left to sit. I’m Lilac by the way,” she says, offering her hand in greeting.

[Zee]

Joe:

*Nods in agreeance with the man.* "You wont regret it good sir. Just a glass of water will do nicely." *The man says as he looks to the barkeep.* "Don't fret, should be quite the show and I won't leave your spare room in too much of a shamble come morning."

*The man sits at the bar and sips on his glass for a few minutes eyeing the various patrons of the establishment. A keen eye had allowed him to be able to tell who the popular folks of the inn were. Taking it upon himself he buys several of the more popular guests a drink with his 30 spare minutes. Just before he takes to the stage he stands off in the kitchen and unnoticedly he casts a pair of spells. Firstly he casts a an ESP spell and uses it to quickly scan the room for the general mood. Giving him a better idea of what sort of entertainment would work best tonight. Secondly he casts a cantrip spell to help him with his nights work.*

*He takes up on the stage, with out a bow a word or a gesture he sits his chair right in the middle. Takes a candle and lights it, sitting it about 10 feet away from himself he sits down in the chair. He looks out over at the crowd then back at the candle and thrusts a hand towards the candle. Via his cantrip a gust of wind rustles the flame on the candle and extinguishes the flame. T'was a large flame on the candle and the smoke should last for quite a while. Taking his violin from the case he rosins the bow and a slow chilling wordless tune catches the attention of those within. He plays for a few minutes more before switching his track.*

"A song tonight, I asked myself as I came to sit upon this chair. Or a tale to entertain you good folk? Well up until I sat on this very chair I hand't decided, and until this very moment I hadn't decided. So right now I shal do both. A tale, accompanied by music I believe. A ripping yarn, one of love, one of lust. One of joy and one of death. T'is the story of a young man and a young lady."

*As he begins to tell his tale he rosins the bow once more, playing music to accompany his story. The smoke from the candle still stirring, and via his spell not only does he use his violin to help enhance his tale he uses the candle and its smoke. The smoke changes colors through out the tale, red for the passion and the anger. Blue for the tears. Even a pure white that is used for the exctasy in his story.*

*The story is that of a youthful, brash man. He knew of a woman, a noble woman who's heart he had stolen, but her fathers eye he had not. Her father had arranged a marriage for his daughter. The young man had hoped before the wedding would occur that he could strike it out in the adventuring life to raise enough funds to become a land owner and in the eyes of his lovers father, be worthy acceptable to take her hand. Well he had become quite the adventurere in a very short amount of time. He had slain many monsters and accrued enough gold to purcahse a small fiefdom, which he did.*

*He returned to ask for the hand of his lover to find out she had been married just that morning. Sneaking into the room of his lover and her knew husband he finds them together. Anger consumes the man as he slays the husband. He gets caught and sentenced to death by hanging. The day comes for him to be removed from the world and the noose is tightened and the trap door sprung, but the rope breaks. He drops to his feet and in the surprise of all he manages to escape into the woods. Some years pass, the mans fiefdom was forfeit to his lovers husbands parents. But all was not to fret, the young mans lover was with child.*

*A curse though in her fathers eyes, he cast her and her newborn son out into the cold. The young man knew this though, as he always watched her and when she was cast out he took her and the young child who was not his. In his days of slaying beasts he had made many friends and he took up with one of them in an escort troop. It was a rough life but he was happy, he had his wife and a young strong son and two daughters of his own. Though the son was not his, he did not care for he loved the woman who birthed him. While they may not have lived happily ever after, as no true lovers can always be happy. They did love and they did live.*

*The man ends his tale putting his violin back in his case and nods to his crowd thanking them politely. He makes his way over to the barkeep and sits down.* "Satisfactory, I do hope, good sir?"

[Jereth Ingsbe]

Arak's first instinct was to scowl threateningly at the human intruding where the rest had wisely gave berth, but there was something about a wee lass so easily and naively approaching danger that reminding him of his early clan days. Aye she was without even a respectable younglings chin fuzz but there was a certain unflappable rock-steady air to the girl that gave him pause long enough to hear her out.

The surly dwarf reaches a hand out, not for hers but for the offered mug and with a single smooth tilt, drains it dry. Wiping the foam from his lips with his beard he finally takes the offered hand, his iron strong grip and sandpaper calloused hand engulfing the longer delicate fingers. He seems to examine her for a moment, then with a snort, "Aye, no sense in making a soft human like yerself dropin from exhaustion while there be chairs to sit in." Releasing her from his grasp he sits back again, taking the mug of mead from the serving girl without a word, "Arak Brimstorm."

Appearing aloof, Arak is actually quite baffled as he tries to recall who the young human remind him of. It is of no avail as his concentration is broken by the first haunting sounds of the violin from the stage. As always he is quick to discount a human attempting to show any sign of true culture but the man's pacing and control of tone forced the sneer from his face. At first he wonders if he'd been drinking a little too long, until he realizes that queer feeling of magical influence tricking the hairs of his neck. Aye a bard, must be, and a practiced one at that, the crowd would never know the truth and he had to salute the tricky little bastard for it.

[Paks]

Derek

From the expression on the tavern keepers face, you can tell that he is clearly impressed with the bards work. "Aye, it was more than satisfactory, the patrons loved it. I hope you have more where that came from as I don't see this place emptying early tonight" Derek says as he slides the man another glass of water and a mug of ale to join it.

[Paks]

I found myself smiling at the dwarf as he chose to accept my drink first before remembering his manners and taking my hand. I don't know why but I instantly liked him. Perhaps it was soley because he was a dwarf and it was to the dwarven lands I planned to sail but I didn't have to the time to ponder on that as the entertainment started for the night.

To my surprise, it was the man that Paks had had the encounter with. In hind sight, I don't know why I was surprised really, he did have a charming way about him. I enjoyed his tale, and it seemed did my dwarven companion. I was a little disappointed when the story had finished but as I took a sip from my wine, I realised that I had a chance to get to know Arak. Sending a confident smile in his direction, I attemped to strike up some conversation.

"So Arak, what brings you to Hush? The reason you see me here is that I hope to catch a ship to Khardfee, I've heard the land is beautiful and I'd love to see it for myself."

[Zee]

Joe:

*Looks over at the man with a nod.* "Glad you thought it worth the risk of hiring some one on the spot. I must admit i tend to, tend to mind you, stick to a singular performance per night policy but i suppose i can rustle up enough to supply another one." *He reaches out to take the glass of water and drinks on that. Sliding the mug of ale back to derek.* "Though i appreciate the free ale, i do keep the policy of not drinking before i work or before i play." *He says as he takes a sip and looks out over the tavern. Spotting someone of interest he looks back over at derek with a grin.* "Though i don't mind if they do." *He says as he questioningly looks at the man to make sure the free ale was up for grabs, seeing it is he takes it and works his way out into the crowd.*

*Weaving in and out of the crowd he makes his way around to paks, the woman he had bumped into earlier. He stands behind her for a second making sure she is stable enough before he walks past her bumping her again in the process. Taking a moment he turns to look at her with a grin.* "Appologies again ma'am. You know we really ought to stop meeting like this." *The last he says with a sly grin and a wink. Extending the ale cup to the woman he smiles at her.* "Care to sit and talk with me for a spell? I believe the owner will give me some time before i have to continue to earn my keep." *He says with a chuckle as he sits down at a nearby table nodding to the other patrons inhabiting it.*

[Jereth Ingsbe]

Casting a glittering black eye at the lass from under a thick black eyebrow, Arak considers not answering her, having already made a big enough sacrifice just letting her sit. But with an inward sigh he reminds himself the basics of dwarven etiquette, Any drinking partner at tha keg gets equal voice til he loses it or passes out.

"Aye, crags as high as an eagle flies and pits o' tha bottomless nature, not ta mention tha caverns without end that a deepwyrm could lose his way in. It bring a tear to any a dwarf's eye."

Complimenting himself with a deep swig of mead for an appropriately foreboding and likely frightening description of his homeland. Sure it wasn't completely honest, he'd heard of some good above ground places, but she didn't ask about those ones. Maybe he tried to dissuade her because she reminded him too much of his homeland already but he almost felt bad. Any twinges of guilt are forgotten as he finds his mug empty yet again and is forced to bellow to get the too busy serving girl's attention.

[Xxian]

Pushing at the door with much entusiasm, eager to pour yet another tankard of rum down his neck, the door flings back and hits the wall with a loud 'crack'.  The gnome stops momentarily, but seeing as the gathered patrons had taken little notice, he sniggers and ushers his nepew inside.

"Ah! there that ranger woman now, she be happy to see Xxian she will yees, best look out for stick though, like to wack gnomers with is she does, uh huh" he advises Chip.

The gnome pushes his way through the crowd, not minding who or what he bumps into on the way.  Little did he know at the time that this gave his companion the perfect opportunity to 'raise funds' while they were temporarliy distracted by the pushy Xxian.

Making his way to the ranger Xxian stops directly between she and Joe.

"Thought you never get here, Xxian been here long time he has, yees, yes he has, had time to do some shopping Xxian has, never guess what Xxian did buy, no, no you won't!"

Just as he tured to head for the bar, he remebered his nephew.

"Ooh, and look who Xxian find, did find a nephew Xxian did, this one a Namfoodle too he is, this one...."

"Booger's the name, happy to have made you aquatance m'lady, you and my unc been an item long then?" the young gnome says with the most innocent face, but the most mischevious intentions.

[Mudguard]

He had noted the empty stage as he came in. When the tavern owner told him that it had been laid waste to by food poisoning, he decided to head straight for a bath and then get out of the dump as quickly as possible.
At least the bath was reasonably clean and the water soothingly warm. However he became alarmed at a faint sound coming through the walls. It was like the devilish sound of cats fighting.
He neglected to change into his new dress and just bundled on the old rags. He hastened out of the bath room making for the exit of the tavern.
Then he stopped. The sound, no longer distorted by walls, was beautiful. And it came from a man on stage with a violin. Agneus was full of admiration but also jealous.
He halted his retreat and asked for a drink. When the man had finished his performance, and the nearly full crowd had gone wild with applause, he said to the tavern owner:
“Now that the crowd’s warmed up, you need a main act right? Give me twice what he got and you won’t regret it.”

[Paks]

Derek

The tavern owner doesn't try to hold back his look of surprise as Agneus makes him an offer. "You must be good sir if you think you can do better than the man with the violin" he says, as he hands him a drink. "I cannot offer you twice as much for I have already struck up a deal with him that I willnot go back on, you see I pride myself as a man of my word. That doesn't mean I wouldn't like to see what you can do. The deal I made with the other entertainer was to halve the tips made from the performance for the night, as well as provide food and lodging. If you can convince the man to go thirds in the tips, we'll have a deal" Derek says, pointing out Joe amongst the patrons.