The Weary Traveler Inn and Tavern (4)

[Cauchy]

Epi

"I'll Give That Bounder a Proper Thrashing!"

"I figured you might just do that, which is why I elected to go alone. Though, um, thanks, I guess."

"You broke into a house? I'm, um, surprised. Nothing huh? Well that would look to eliminate that path of investigation."

[Inferno]

Sir Ugghra, half-orc aristocrat:

"Surprised?" said the inhuman investigator, momentarily distracted from delivering swift retribution to a presumptuous and cheeky constable. "Young Miss, Please Rest Assured That I Will Stop At Nothing in Seeing That Justice Is Done. Furthermore, As A Fully Authorized Agent of the Crown, Such Actions Fall Within My Right. Finally, The House Is An Abandoned Property and As Such, Belongs To No One."

Sir Ugghra paused as if in uncomfortable thought. It passed quickly and he said, "Now. Shall We Three Interview One of the Families Most Likely To Welcome Our Inquiries? If We Hurry, We May Still Depart For The Tower At Noon."

If Epi and Dowling were amenable to that suggestion, Sir Ugghra would leave a letter for the other three with the innkeeper, sealed in wax and stamped with his noble crest, should they make their way to the inn looking for their colleagues. In a bold and stylish hand, it read:

• "My Dearest, Most Illustrious Madam and Sirs,
  The Honour of Your Presence is Requested. If You Would Be So Kind, Let Us Please Agree To Meet Today at Noon of the Clock, at The Inn of the Weary Traveler.
  I Look Forward, with Keen Anticipation, to Enjoying Your Most Pleasurable Company Soon.
  
  Furyondy Prevails.
  
  Yours Sincerely,
  Lord Ugghra Caine
  Earl of Fairwain Province
  Capital City of Chendl
  Furyondy"

[Cauchy]

Epi

"Do you know the location of any of the missing families?"

[OGRE MAGE]

A local farmhand walks by just as the team discusses missing family members.

You folks talkin bout the Marleys are ya? That sure was a shame what happened to them.

[Scott308]

Father Dowling

I'm not sure who the Marleys are, my son. Would you be so kind as to inform us of the fate that befell them? He pulls out an extra chair at the table and motions for the farmhand to be seated.

[OGRE MAGE]

Oh, no thank ye sir! I gotta get back ta work.

The Marleys run the general store across town. They lost their boy a while back. I thought that's who you was talking about.

Good day folks. The hand moves on along out of the inn.

[Inferno]

Sir Ugghra, half-orc aristocrat:

"How Convenient! Surely Our Righteous Enterprise is Blessed by Mighty Quo. Shall We?" the odious orog-man asked Epi and Dowling as he gracefully rose from his chair.

[Cauchy]

Epi

"I think that was were I went shopping this morning...didn't realize they had a missing member of their family."

[Scott308]

Father Dowling

Curious is it not that the Marleys were not included in the list of the missing? I agree, we should head over there and speak with them. The priest stands and prepares to leave.

[OGRE MAGE]

I assumed others were going to lunch also, but it appears not. I'd like to go to the tower tomorrow after a better spell selection and en force with the group.

Orando, friend to half-orcs



"Eat Mukluk eat!" says Orando, slapping his new-found friend on the shoulder as the bread bowl of stew is served. The elf orders a few ales and talks with the half-orc, weaving irrelevant often false small-talk about himself, compliments about Mukluk's skill and brutish good looks, and more relevant questions including:

- What do you do at the Pounding Fathers?
- Pitchforks looks fun. Tell me about it. Maybe we can go there tonight.
- How does the Pounding Fathers do such volume of business in so small a village?
- I do a little thieving on the side. Is their a guild here wink wink.
- Is the new sheriff in town any good?
- What's with these disappearances?
- The mayor seems a real bitch. What's her problem?

When you enter the Weary Traveler for your early lunch, Yon looks rather perplexed by your new companion. He says nothing about it but, you can tell he is uneasy for some reason.

When the food and drinks arrive, Mukluk indulges heavily. In between huge mouthfuls of food, he answers your questions amicably.

Me no work there!........me work at Pitchforks..........it can be fun.........most people know to not make too much trouble...........lots of blacksmiths guys go there.......blow off steam and spend their earnings.

He stuffs some more bread in his mouth and continues.

They get lots of work from all over. Lot of passing caravans go by here. Lot of farmers here. They build good wagons and bring them to big cities to sell me think. They do good work. Have good reputation.

Me no thief. No guild here that I know of.

I think new sheriff is afraid of us. He always saying bad things about us but, he too afraid to come around by us.

Disappearances? Me pretty new here. Don't know about that, and don't know who mayor is. Never seen her before. She don't leave house much I hear.

[OGRE MAGE]

From her chair at the table, the quiet Epi can see out the window. She sees another mean looking half-orc tromping around outside, looking around at the different buildings.

He looks pretty mad and seems to be heading towards the Inn.

[Grognardsw]

Orando, inquisisorcerer



"Have a drink here Epi," says the elf to the ranger.

"So Mukluk, tell me about Pitchfork's. It sounds like a rough but fun place."

"I hear the owner of Pitchfork's owns the Pounding Father?"

[OGRE MAGE]

Mukluk

Woofing down some more of the stew in between sentences, the half man continues.

Pitchfork not own Pounding Fathers. It owned by Timmy. Pitchfork own the tavern across the road.

It a pretty rough place. Not many pretty boys like you go in there.

[Grognardsw]

Which tavern is across the road?

[OGRE MAGE]

Pitchforks tavern (40) is directly across the road from the Pounding Fathers (2). See map:

viewtopic.php?f=243&t=4471#p192807

[Cauchy]

Epi

She points to the half-orc out the window, "Ya know him? He does not look pleased."

[OGRE MAGE]

Muk looks up from stuffing his face and glances out the window, he then spits his mouthful of food across the table.

Oh, no! That my brother. He going to kill me! I supposed to be at work! How did I let you talk me into this?

He stands and makes a run for the back exit, just as his brother is about to enter the Inn.

I better not get fired for this!

[GreyWolfVT]

Odilo looks displeased "Oh Orando look what you did. You got my friend into trouble. What the devil were you thinking?" the mage takes a bite from a hunk of bread he grabbed. "Mukluk we will hopefully see each other later. Sorry for the trouble if you need me to I can help you keep your job."

[Grognardsw]

Orando, evoker

"Good day Mukluk, perhaps I'll see you at Pitchfork's," says Orando at the half-orc's hasty departure.

"Oh Odilo, I didn't realize you were here," he says to the old wizard. "I had thought you elsewhere for some reason. Well, we still have some afternoon time to dredge painful memories from more families of the victims. We need some addresses; the mayor and her tax collectors will certainly have that information."

Orando gets up to leave, intending on visiting the mayor's office.

"Though these orthodox methods we've employed have given little insight. I think it time to use more bold ploys to perhaps shake loose information."

[GreyWolfVT]

Odillo leaves shortly after Orando looking for Mukluk and Grillock. "Yes well I have some other things to tend to as well."