Chapter 1: Wherein the Protagonists Meet at an Inn

[Joe the Rat]

Galen smiles and puts the madolin strap over his shoulder. He gives it a quick strum, and looks up at the patrons drinking... "how about a tune while I am here?", and not really waiting for a response jumps right into a rousing drinking song. As he plays, he walks about the room, to provide some measure of diversion away from the gear and door....

[tune]
As I was goin' over the Kill Dara Mountains,
I met Colonel Pepper and his money he was counting.
I drew forth my dagger and I rattled my saber,
Sayin': "Stand and deliver, for I am a bold deceiver!".
Musha rin um du rum da, Whack for the daddy-o,
Whack for the daddy-o, There's whiskey in the jar-o (the traditional point at which tankards are tipped for a large gulp)

Galen continues the tune as long as it takes, each new verse a similar sort of diddy ending with the "whack for the daddy-o, There's whiskey in the jar-o"

(You lucky son of an elf. Double 6's)
Galen's choice of song, particularly when he hits some baudy bits, seems to have waved off their suspicions in favor of proper entertainment. They happily sing along, and basically ignore Muddle's skulking. (You'll be singing a bit longer - I want everyone else to give everyone else time to react.)

Muddle continues gathering his gear, and a few other weapons,shields and bags that he can carry, and steps outside when he has has all he can carry.

You manage your own gear, Galen's pack, and a large sack with all of the bows, and the quivers, with Hamish's buckler balanced on your head. You look like a walking junk pile.

Selene is surprised by the turn of events. She weighs whether or not it would be a good idea to enter at this time. She listens for the reaction to Galen's song.

Seems they're having a good time. You hear quite a bit of stomping.

Saeloria nudges the cook, "Well, go on. Give the lads a hand, won't ya." Meanwhile, she will stay outside keeping a watch for any unpleasant surprises.

The cook stumbles in, and helps Muddle retrieve the rest of the packs, and the melee weapons. (Those outside may gear up).

Saeloria's ears pick up a grumbling voice in the stables.

[Hywaywolf]

"This is going far better than I expected," whispers muddle as he sorts out his gear and gets everything in place. Once he is done, he will go back to the door and listen to see how it goes with ol' golden tongue inside. He won't show himself. I don't recall if anyone picked up the crossbow by the stable, but if they didn't he will point at it, and hope someone gets the idea that we should recover it before its owner does.

[Solomoriah]

"Goodbye, friend," said Hamish as he laid his iron bar aside in favor of his proper weapon. "I barely knew ye."

[jcm]

Selene watches carefully as the equipment is brought out. She makes sure that none of her belongings are "inadvertently" picked up by others. She then gears up.

[Hywaywolf]

(OOC: what a bad thief I am not to take anything)

[Blazeguard]

As soon as Saeloria's equipment is brought outside she quickly but thoroughly checks to make sure that everything is there. She breathes a sigh of relief as she secrets her dagger back in its familiar place inside her boot.
As the others gear up, Saeloria puts a finger to her lips and then motions towards the stable, indicating that she hears someone inside.

[Solomoriah]

Hamish had only to put on his buckler and pick up his spear, and as soon as he had done so he moved toward the stable, ready for action.

[Hywaywolf]

Muddle whispers, "Do it quietly. Golden tongue is still in there all alone."

He'll watch the others check out the stables, but wait for the Bard to pick up his tips and make his farewells. He has the crossbow out of sight, but ready to use and his sword is loose in its scabbard.

[SmootRK]

Galen continues the tune as long as it takes, each new verse a similar sort of diddy ending with the "whack for the daddy-o, There's whiskey in the jar-o"

Assuming, this all works well, Galen will end with flourish. "thank you boys. I will be back later for a real round of carousing" then leave to rejoin the rest of the party with the gear.

Seeing that the gear was collected (and making sure his pack went out with the team), Galen wraps up with a creshendo of strumming, then bows "Thank you boys. We'll resume this later once the business matters are wrapped up." He continues bowing and thanking as he backs out to the door, then turns and goes out.

Immediately outside, he comments "phew! that was nerve wracking. Where do we go from here?" looking at his new friends for insight?.?. He grabs his pack and quickly shoulders it.

[Joe the Rat]

Seeing that the gear was collected (and making sure his pack went out with the team), Galen wraps up with a creshendo of strumming, then bows "Thank you boys. We'll resume this later once the business matters are wrapped up." He continues bowing and thanking as he backs out to the door, then turns and goes out.

Immediately outside, he comments "phew! that was nerve wracking. Where do we go from here?" looking at his new friends for insight?.?. He grabs his pack and quickly shoulders it.

The gang of roughs quickly shift to grumbles of disappointment, and curious mutterings. Little bits like "told you they weren't dead" "where the elf woman at?" and "Red said Creepy wouldn't be here until sundown" catch your ears before you close the door.

As soon as Saeloria's equipment is brought outside she quickly but thoroughly checks to make sure that everything is there. She breathes a sigh of relief as she secrets her dagger back in its familiar place inside her boot.
As the others gear up, Saeloria puts a finger to her lips and then motions towards the stable, indicating that she hears someone inside.

Hamish had only to put on his buckler and pick up his spear, and as soon as he had done so he moved toward the stable, ready for action.

grabing your spear, you notice a couple of new scratches and knicks on the shaft, like it's been in a fight.

The grumbling is a bit clearer, as the speaker approaches the door... "Yuga take those lolligags, sitttin' and drinkin' an singin' when the horses need taken care of. I've a mind to put my boot-" At this point the latch on the door opens, revealing a rather grizzled looking man, wearing the same basic gear as the rest of the men, only with a bit more hay and muck, and a few streaks of grey in his straggly beard. He looks quite surprised.

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Wildlands, date unknown, 3:10pm