The Briarstone Tavern

[Keehnelf]

The tavern has reopened under the proprietorship of Grisela Briarbeard, daughter of Ghrym Briarbeard, after his death in the Battle of Vaul. The tavern has been renamed the Briarstone, due to the massive stone in the middle of the common room that she worked down into a broad, round table since it could not be removed without demolishing the tavern. It reopened for business on May 15, 1 VC.

All visitors welcome!

[Zhym]

The doors to the tavern slam open. Though it is day, only slivers of light peek through. The rest of the door is blocked by the huge mass of man called Lug.

"VARAS!" he thunders. "YOU IN HERE?"

[Keehnelf]

Grisela leans slowly over the counter in the direction of the door. "Big guy, you looking to make trouble in my establishment? Better not be the case, or your name's liable to be Lug the Spider Eater round these parts as you'll never taste the cooking in this hall again." She waggles one stubby finger at the shadow. "Calm down and talk like civilized folk, why don't you? That Varas fellow just left a couple of minutes ago. Would you like to leave a message for him, or would you like to wait out his return over a handful of pints and a couple of bowls of the brown?"

Lug slowly scans the tavern but sees no sign of the lanky thief.

[Zhym]

Lug slouches and hangs his head the way he does when he's been properly chastised.

"Sorry," he says meekly as he steps inside. "This is about that 'inside voice' thing people keep telling me about, innit?" He starts to sit down at the bar, then wonders how sturdy the stools are. "Beer and food sound good," he says. "I see you got a nice big table now. I like it. Think I'll eat over there if it's okay."

[Keehnelf]

Grisela nods, and smiles warmly at the big man as she pats his shoulder before sending him off to the table. She disappears quickly into the back, where she can soon be heard berating someone, perhaps the cook, before returning a few minutes later with a large bowl of stew. She sets it on the bar as she pulls a pint and then brings both to the table, sitting down across from Lug and frowning.

"Now then, tell me of yer troubles."

[Zhym]

Lug digs into the stew greedily. "Mmm, that's good grub," he says. He puts a silver coin on the table. "That enough to cover it?" (-1sp)

He makes a sort of sad, snorting laugh when Grisela offers to hear of his troubles. "You sure you got that long?" he asks.

[Keehnelf]

She motions around the empty taproom. "I've got plenty of time, till this place fills up again--which might take a bit, all things considered."

Grisela makes no motion to acknowledge or touch the coin.

[Starbeard]

Odium Contemptus

Odium wanders into the inn, muttering to someone who is not there. He looks up, thoroughly startled to find himself where he is. 'Bah! Humbug.'

He orders a small cup of wine, then addresses Grisela. 'The ambiance is improved, at least. Your stone table seems useful, I may wish to rent it for a sacrifice in the near future. I suppose you still plan on having beds for hire?'

(1cp deducted)

[Keehnelf]

Grisela looks up at Odium as he enters. "Eh, someone wafted a vulture into the taproom. I'll be right back after I sweep the carcass it hauled with it back out into the street," she jokes with Lug as she stands with mock-weariness. Turning to Odium, she says, "I think you've got this place confused with the inn across the way yonder," she says, pointing out through one of the large front windows of the tavern at the well-marked inn. "I know it was a rough battle, but you're supposed to be a man of letters. Use em, please." She takes the coin and heads behind the bar to draw Odium a pint. As she slides it across the bar and sees his expression of surprise and distaste, she says, "Wine's imported and sold by the bottle only. One round gold piece. The ale's quite fine, though."

[Zorroroaster]

Orrin Lighthammer steps into the doorway of the tavern. He leans against the wooden frame briefly, still fatigued from the recent battle. He casts an appraising eye across the damage and subsequent renovation. His roving gaze stops abruptly when he sees Lug's broad back seated at the stone table, however.

Orrin inhales, a deep shuddering breath. His face is suddenly a tangled mess of emotions. He bows his head and is motionless for a moment, save for a single tear that splashes in the dust at his feet. He wipes his eye and gathers himself upright, taking another breath.

Orrin walks over and eases himself into the seat next to the big man, gesturing to Grisela with one stubby hand. He looks ahead, his eyes now distant and unreadable as he speaks to his old friend.

"So, where the fuck have you been?"

[Zhym]

She motions around the empty taproom. "I've got plenty of time, till this place fills up again--which might take a bit, all things considered."

Lug pauses between spoonfuls of stew and sighs dramatically.

"Most of my friends are dead," he says. "Lars, Orrin, Naila, Jem, Remus, Adrienne, Rhodri, Kennit—all of 'em my pals, all dead. Lars got killed by a door that snotty little twerp Wendall had trapped. Orrin, Naila, Jem, Remus, and Adrienne got nabbed by orcs that I...I bargained with and ran from. Not proud about that. Rhodri and Kennit, they were may pals, then we had an argument and they ran off to the Finger right when it went boom. I got a new bunch of friends to go rescue my other friends, but we were too late and I couldn't even catch the orc that killed 'em. And then there was the whole thing with Numen and Varas and Niles. Varas was a good pal, and then Numen was a good pal, and then Varas killed Numen, and...well, I got business with him about that, is all I'm gonna say right now. And there's other stuff. Stuff I don't think I can talk about."

He gulps the pint like a smaller man might down a shot of whiskey. "Listen to me," he says, realizing that he is talking the woman whose father just died defending the town. "Whining to you about my friends dying. Sorry."

He says nothing for a while, just eating and drinking.

Then Orrin sits down next to him.

Lug's eyes grow wide. A massive dopey smile comes over his face.

"Orrin!?!" he cries in exuberant joy. "You're alive!" He jumps up and lifts Orrin four feet off the ground in a bear hug that would crush most people less sturdy than a dwarf. "What? How?" He sets Orrin down, then does a hopping, jiggy dance that sets the timbers to rumbling.

"Hey, guess what?" He reaches to his back and swings a shield around so fast it almost deserves an attack roll. "Look what I found! Tall Ron's Dick! Your shield! Took it off a gobbo I killed myself!" Lug holds the shield out for Orrin to take.

He looks around the bar and grows a bit more somber. "So, um, what about the others?" he asks. "Naila? Jem? Remus? Adrienne? Did they make it out too?"

[Zorroroaster]

"Can't...feel...my legs." A shadow of a smile flits across Orrin's face as Lug nearly squeezes the life out of him. He drops to the ground, one hand clasped to his rib cage.

"Damned bones are still tender from the beatings I've taken recently." He pauses, scratching at his beard. "Alive, yes. Living? Well, that's a far different question. Dunno if I have the answer to that one. The how of it is a long story for another day."

He takes the shield from Lug, astonishment on his face. "Where in the nine hells did you fine it? I though it was lost for good when we got bushwhacked by those orcs. Bastards gimme this." He points at his mangled ear. "Don't hear so good on that side anymore. Good thing I've got two of 'em. I'm right thankful to get this back. He pronounces it's proper name, the rolling r's rumbling deep in his chest. If I ever meet a Tall Ron, I'll be sure to show it to him. The shield, I mean."

He sits back down and asks Grisela for two whiskeys. He gives one to Lug.

"Most of us didn't make it, though I'm pretty sure I remember seeing Remus around here a while back. Never did trust that guy. Too mercenary for my liking. Jem was turned into some kinda ghoul, though he was a good enough one when I saw him last. Adrienne..." His voice quivers and he downs the whiskey in his hand, asking for another.

"Adrienne was in thrall to the Lord under the mountain, and beyond broken when I saw her. He had ruined her, defiled her spirit. I could do nothing to help her. And Naila...I can't even imagine...."

He stops, openly sobbing now, finally releasing the pain of the past weeks and months. Eventually he calms down and sips his second whiskey.

"So that's me. What about you?"

[Spartakos]

Limping slightly--his feet still not fully recovered from his grueling trek across the plains--Rhodri ambles into the Briarstone. He almost calls for Ghrym without thought, but catches himself before the name fully forms on his lips. With an expression even more glum than his usual one, Rhodri slumps into a stool and rolls a silver coin down the bar to Grisela, asking for ale when she catches it. When it arrives, he promptly buries his face in it.

(1 sp deducted)

[Keehnelf]

A brief interlude...

On May 17th, the door to the tavern opens and a squat dwarven figure steps cautiously and tenderly into the common room. His hair is matted and dirty, his face lined with grief and pain, but the visage of Ghrym Briarbeard is unmistakable even in the gloom of the tavern. Grisela, the first to spot him, drops a stone tankard on the floor and it cracks with a resounding thud, the only sound in the place.

Finally, she half-gasps, half-sobs, and rushes across the common room to throw his arms around her. As he cries out "Gently!" in a hoarse and feeble voice, she tumbles over him and he lands with an unpleasant crash on the floor, grunting unhappily. "Girl, get your bones offa me! I'm barely fit ta walk, let alone wrestle a bear--leave off, lass."

She climbs up and helps him tenderly to his feet, guiding him across the tavern to a seat at the bar. When questioned about his sudden reappearance, he is silent a long while and then mutters into a pint of ale, "Seems the gods ain't done with me yet, I suppose."

Changing tones abruptly, he compliments Grisela on the renovations, and especially on the stone table. "Feels like a bit of home, dinnit?" He smiles, his face turning into a network of grimy lines and wrinkles.

[Zhym]

"So that's me. What about you?"

"I was rescuing you!" answers Lug brightly. After a look from Orrin, he clarifies. "Tried to, anyhow.

"I rounded up a big group of new friends to go back and whup them orcs and rescue my old friends. We went to see Xavro first. He told us lots of stories about old wizards and a cursing ogre, but I can't remember 'em all right now. He also gave me some special honey that makes doors in walls and some incense that makes everyone who can smell it stop fighting. Thought maybe with that stuff we could make it into the orc hold, grab you, and get out without getting us killed too.

"So we go out, run into some goblins, capture them, and one of 'em says you was dismembered. That made me so mad that I killed him and I said he was lying but wasn't sure. Now I know he was! Hah! Anyway, when I killed that one the others started screaming, which brought some more goblins to kill. A white one had Tall Ron's Dick on him. So I took that after I put an arrow in the gob's throat. Figured I'd bring it back to you if you was alive. And you was!

"Then the Finger went asplode. We couldn't get to the orc hole with the forest being on fire and all, so we went back to Xavro's grove. On the way, we ran into Gruuk-Darak. He was hurt and had a couple of orcs with him. I chased them but they got away. Dammit. Really would liked his head for a trophy.

"Hey, did you know that Xavro's grove only shows up during the day? Explained why I got lost looking for it one night. Anyway, I thought we owed him a favor, so we borrowed a magic stick from him and made the river change course to protect the glade. I even did some magic! We saw a dragon, too! Gotta admit I almost needed new pants after that. When we got back, Xavro gave us a jarban sapling to plant and some bees that would make healing honey. After that, we kinda gave up on rescuing you because of the fire and smoke and tried to get out of the forest ourselves.

"So we tried to leave the forest, but it wasn't easy because we had to go northwest instead of south to avoid the fires. The bees died from the smoke, poor bugs. We met some gnomes and made friends with them, and finally got out of the forest.

"When we got to Wendall's tower, that's when things got really bad." Lug takes a drink of whiskey, pausing to let it sink in that everything he just told wasn't even the bad part.

"I don't wanna talk about that much," he says, staring at his whiskey glass. "But Wendall was there, and I punched him right in the face for what he did to Lars, or had a part in doing, anyway. He got all mad and tried to mojo me, twice, but it didn't work on me. Hah! Then Numen showed up, and that ended up having me fighting with my other pals, and then Varas killed Numen and went off with some people and I stayed and help funeralize Numen and I have to find Varas because we got some unfinished business about that." Lug looks up from his drink to Orrin. "You seen him?" he asks.

"There's one other thing I wanna ask you about." Lug says with a sigh. He looks around the tavern. "But not here. Gotta be in private. It's...well, I got a decision to make and it ain't easy, is all I'll say here."

"So, yeah, that's what I been up to."

"Oh! I almost forgot! I also got back to town after all the fun was over! All those gobbos and orcs and hobgobbos and other bad guys, and me with Smurfgrill, and I get back too late to help! Coulda been a knight, too, but noooo, I hafta be wandering in the forest fire and fighting with Wendall and such. Ain't fair, I tell ya. Ain't fair at all. 'Sir Lug' has a great ring to it, don'tcha think?"

When Ghyrm returns to the tavern, Lug gives him a funny look. "Huh," says the big man. "I thought he was dead."

[KingOfCowards]

Bertram eventually returns to the tavern, especially after word that Ghrym has returned spreads throughout the town.

He specifically seeks out Lug, the leader of the failed rescue attempt at the orc fortress.
"You're Lug? I have heard many things about you. Most importantly that you tried to rescue the captives at the orc fortress. A brave attempt, no doubt. But I am interested in knowing if you plan to make another attempt, now that the fires have died down. There was a huntress named Adrienne that was taken captive, and reports from Orrin says she is still alive. I would like to accompany you if there is another rescue plan in place. If not, I would appreciate any information you could offer me."

[Zorroroaster]

Sitting next to Lug, Orrin listens as Bertram inquires about Adrienne, sadness in his eyes. He speaks softly to both of them.

"'Tis true that she was alive when last I saw her. Her mind and spirit were gone, however. I wish there was more I could have done at the time." He pauses, looking down at his scarred hands.

"To hell with it. I couldn't do anything for her then, but I will help you now, if you'll have me. If she's still alive and in that place, we'll find her. It's the least I can do. Someone didn't give up on me, either." He shoots a sidelong glance at Lug.

"Whaddya say, big guy?"

[Zhym]

Lug nods. "I want another shot at that Gruuk-Darak," he says with a sour grin. "And everybody's gonna try to loot the broken Finger when it cools off. Don't wanna miss out on that."

He gives Orrin a look. "But I need to talk about that thing I said I needed to talk about. It's...kind of urgent. And important." He looks back at Bertram. "I...sorry. I want to help you, and I will. I just...I've got to talk about something with Orrin first, and it has to be Orrin. I trust him, cause we've been through a lot, y'know? So, um...don't go anywhere. But I got to talk to Orrin before I promise to do anything."

Back to Orrin: "So, uh, is there anywhere we can talk?"

[Starbeard]

Odium Contemptus

Grisela looks up at Odium as he enters. "Eh, someone wafted a vulture into the taproom. I'll be right back after I sweep the carcass it hauled with it back out into the street," she jokes with Lug as she stands with mock-weariness. Turning to Odium, she says, "I think you've got this place confused with the inn across the way yonder," she says, pointing out through one of the large front windows of the tavern at the well-marked inn. "I know it was a rough battle, but you're supposed to be a man of letters. Use em, please." She takes the coin and heads behind the bar to draw Odium a pint. As she slides it across the bar and sees his expression of surprise and distaste, she says, "Wine's imported and sold by the bottle only. One round gold piece. The ale's quite fine, though."

"What?" Odium looks around, mildly flustered and noticeably defensive. "You say, what? Well, I have things on my mind. Yes, on my mind. Out of my way!"

He slurps up the last of his small beer with a sour expression and hobbles to the door. "I am affronted by the lack of respect given to the gentility in this forsaken place. One would expect a knight to be addressed with a softer tongue. Your regent will no doubt be hearing about it tomorrow." He leaves the building guarding his satchel and casting untrusting looks at passersby.

[KingOfCowards]

Bertram stops Odium with a hand on his chest.
"I have something for you as well."
He reaches towards his belt, and produces a small pouch.
"You're not a brave man. But you fought on the side of Vaul as promised. I keep my promises as well. Here is the remainder of your payment."

50 gp deducted from Bertram as final payment for Odium's assistance in the battle for Vaul

To Lug and Orrin, I have no problem hand-waving this conversation in the tavern as happening after you two have met privately. Just let me know your answer after you discuss. Bertram will be going back that way one another.