Welcome to the Borderlands

[MedievalMan]

(Alright Dymondy should join us later so at this point its just You, Joe, Blaze and Myself. Classic four man band. Hopefully we can survive the wilds!)

Dwali grunts an agreement. "Aye, it ain't much but how hard should it be to find this blighter? He's either dead or around here somewhere. Innkeep I will take a room as well."

[Blazeguard]

Thorgrim quietly adds, "I would like a room as well, please."

[Joe the Rat]

Manger steps forward as well, and speaks in a low and friendly voice. "I would like... to know when you'd last seen Clyne Elffrin, or if you've heard word of where he might have gone off to. My friends here are a bit concerned to his well-being and whereabouts. It's fairly important, so I thought it best to ask the most wise and well-informed woman in town. Perhaps you can take a few minutes to talk? Privately, if you like?" He adds the last with a warm smile.

"Oh, and the kid here needs a loft or something." he adds in a normal inn-volume voice, gesturing at Nat.

[jcm]

OOC: Going to sleep in a while, here's some info I think we should try to get (aside from info about Clyne Elffrin):

0. How much are the board and lodging rates?
1. Recent news and rumors
2. Local attitudes towards the adventurer's guild/adventurers/strangers in general
3. Local attitudes towards magic-users
4. How strict/capable the local law-enforcement is. (Not that we're planning anything)
5. Local customs we should be aware of

Do we know anything else about Clyne, class, known enemies, favorite color, etc.?

[MedievalMan]

Speaking with the innkeeper and a few of patrons for several minutes you learn the following information.

0. Its 5 sp a night to stay in a private room. Private rooms can hold 4 people but its cramped. Its 2 sp a night to stay downstairs in the common room, sleeping on the floor. Its 1 cp a night to sleep in the barn. Also its 5 cp a night to stable an animal in the barn.

1. Rumors.

Rumor 1: Several caravans have been attacked recently by a large gang of kobolds, which is unusual. Survivors say the kobolds were led into battle by a large 4 armed purple skinned demon. One merchant, Dreyny Hale, is looking for a group of mercenaries to find the kobolds lair and retrieve an important shipment of rare ore. Dreyny can usually be found at The Kings Chalice, the local tavern, drinking his sorrows away.

Rumor 2: A young noble by the name of Robern Resby recently road into town asking for directions to old Kemoor Castle, which lies several miles to the north. He explained that he recently purchased the castle for an incredibly steep price and sought to renovate it and move in. However he returned several days later saying his new home was overrun with bandits and monsters. He is now looking for a group to clear the castle of its current inhabitants so he can begin the renovation process. Robern has made camp just north of town with his workers and retainers and can be found there.

Rumor 3: Many years ago this whole region was under the control of a blasphemous sect calling itself the Order of the Frog. They operated out of a secret base in the swamps to the west but constructed several fortresses and monasteries in the area. The church of law and good with the aid of stouthearted adventurers put an end to the order some 25 years ago and burned their compounds to the ground. The ruins, filled with treasure it is said, still dot the wilds. One such ruin is located on Toad Island to the west and is said to house a large green emerald worth a small fortune.

Rumor 4: Far north of Trolls Crossing lies the Duskmoor Fen, a foul and mist shrouded moorland covered with old cairns and barrow mounds. Near the center of the fen lies the famous Barrowmaze, a vast and sprawling labyrinth of corridors, tombs, and burial chambers. Many adventurers seek their fortune in the maze as it is well documented to be full of old Hillfolk gold and jewels. However the maze is crawling with undead of all descriptors. It is whispered that for every 3 men that enter only 1 returns. Much wealth has been retrieved from the maze and yet only a fraction of the place has been explored.

2. Locals seem to enjoy having adventurers around, when they behave themselves. They are the towns secondary source of income after the trade that travels along the main road.

3. Locals tend to be wary around magic-users they don't know and try to avoid them when possible. A magic-user who proves that they have the towns best interest at heart however is welcomed like any other traveler.

4. The local guard takes every threat very seriously. They are surrounded on 3 sides by savage wilderness from which bandits, ruks an other monsters regularly appear. The garrison is some 30 strong and is supplemented by the militia in times of crisis.

5. Its a sign of good faith to tithe at least a single coin to the wall fund before journeying into the wilderness. The locals also have a strong dislike of toads and frogs, but its taboo to kill the beasts. Rather once every month or so all the toads and frogs that can be found are gathered up and taken to Toad Island where they are dumped.

You know that Clyne has neck length blonde hair and typically wears an ornate suit of leather armor. He hasn't been seen for several months and the last time anyone saw him he was speaking with a dwarf in private. The dwarf was a traveler and has not been seen since.

[MedievalMan]

After dumping their gear in the room Dwali, Aebard, and Geoff will find a table to sit at downstairs and wait for the others to get their things squared away. They talk amongst themselves quietly in the meantime.

((OOC: Hey party leader, Magner is broke. You might want to get him some accommodations, even if its just the barn))

[jcm]

OOC: Okay, private room to be shared by Talim, Dizon, Morsha, and Magner. Where do we start guys?

[MedievalMan]

OOC: Whatever you guys vote for in majority Dwali will go along with.

[Joe the Rat]

(You really want to be locked in with Magner all night? And his dog? One of 'em has to get up twice a night to take care of business, and the other one howls.) Magner suggests we grab a table to discuss our options. A nice shadowy alcove where they can look furtive and mysterious, thereby blending in perfectly with the other denizens of a typical fantasy public house.

"Hrm. Sounds like it may take a bit of beating the bushes to dig up Clyne's whereabouts, or at least his body. Smells of misfortune... We'll need to ask the guards and check his residence or shop or whatever it is you guild people do for business." He eyes the food and drink making its way to other patrons.

"And we should probably look into some of these other rumors - if we're gonna be stuck in this box of walls in our off-time, we may need a little more coin."

[Blazeguard]

Having dropped their gear in their room, Thorgrim and Seor make their way to an empty table in a corner and sit down. Thorgrim orders a meal and an ale for both him and Seor and then waits for the rest of the group to gather.