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The Heroes of the Roasted Ox A dwarf wanders in to the Roasted Ox. A decent looking inn considering where it is - Traders Town outside the gate of Mullis Town. The barkeep pipes up, "Good day friend! It'd be a strong Dwarven ale you're be looking for? Gabe is the name and tavern keeping is the game. What brings you to the Roasted Ox?" "Greetings Gabe, Ruegoth's my name and fixing problems is my game. I just got here from Dalane and being new in town I figured what better place to cool down after the long journey and find out a few things about this new place I have come to. So how long have you been running this inn?" "Pleased to meet you Ruegoth. The ale is on the house. A welcome to the fine city of Mullis Town. I've been running this place for near to 12 years now. Quite a smart move with it being on the door step of The Corridor. We get a lot of travellers to and from Mithril. If I were you, I'd be sure to spend some time up at The Agora on week's end. A fine market place that is. Goods of all manner in the finest quality. Quite expensive but you don't have to buy anything to enjoy it. It's the spectacle you see!" "The Agora ... Sounds like the place would be a hive of activity, which is right up my alley. How often does that happen? So being in this part of town I am guessing that your business consists mostly of travellers and that you don't get many locals in here?" Gabe cuts the conversation short as he notices another customer. Looking past Ruegoth to the door he says, "Friend! Come in! My experience tells me you'd be interested in a fine elven wine. Gabe is the name and tavern keep is the game. What brings you to the Roasted Ox?" Ruegoth mutters, "Do you say to every customer that comes in here Gabe?" Winking at Ruegoth, Gabe says, "Got you talking didn't it?" "Well met Gabe!" says the half elf. "I am Aravin de Tylmarade - paladin of Corean. I have journeyed here from Durrover so that I might pray for Corean's guidance at the foot of the Mithril Golem. I'm impressed by your wisdom Gabe, for your experience tells you true - I love fine elven wine. I'd love a cup if you can spare any. And if you'd be so kind as to indulge me, I'd be grateful for a meal, a bath and a room for the night. How's business here at the Roasted Ox? And what news from here in Mullis Town?" "The wine is on the house. I'll put you up in the common room for 1sp a night if that'll suit you. Business here at the Ox ... it's great. I was just telling Ruegoth here," gesturing towards the dwarf "that I've been at it near on 12 years. Plenty of news in this town, especially here at the Ox where many a traveller stops to rest his bones." "On the house! Gabe, you are too kind by far - and this is an excellent vintage - thankyou very much!" Aravin hands Gabe the silver for the room. Turning to the dwarf at the bar and grinning, "Hello there, Ruegoth is it? It's an honour to meet you - I am Aravin de Tylmarade, but I suppose you just heard that. Is this your first visit to the Roasted Ox? How do you like it here?" Casting his eyes past both the dwarf and the elf, Gabe says, "Good day to you friend! Come in! An ale for you there sir? Gabe is the name and tavern keep is the game. What brings you to the Roasted Ox?" Another dwarf dressed in robes utters, "'Tis no concern of yours dear sir." Taken aback, Gabe remarks, "Well then! I'll stick to charging you for this ale. 1sp thanks" "A small price to quech the thirst of a dwarf many days travelled." Says the stranger. Ruegoth, speaking to Aravin says, ""Yes, Ruegoth it is, Ruegoth Ulgon. Nice to meet you too Aravin. Like yourself I have only just arrived at the Roasted Ox a few moments ago. Gabe here has just offered me a pint of his finest when you came in." "Nice to meet you too Ruegoth Ulgon. I hail from Durrover, and am passing through on my way to Mithril via way of the Cordrada Corridor. From where have you come Ruegoth?" Glancing at the stranger and speaking to Gabe, Ruegoth says, "Gee Gabe, do you get many travellers in here that are rude as that guy?" "Ah you get all sorts in here," says Gabe winking. "It just means I give all sorts of service." Aravin - turning to the new arrival - says, "Well met sir. I am Aravin de Tylmarade, Paladin of Corean. I too have travelled far - from Durrover actually, as I was just mentioning to Ruegoth here." Offering a handshake, "What is your name?" "Sit down and have a drink with us stranger," says Ruegoth. "It sounds like you could do with resting those weary feet of yours. I'm Ruegoth and like you and Aravin, I too have just arrived. Unlike you Aravin, my journey was not so long as I have just arrived here from Vesh. I have visited Mullistown many times but this is my first visit to Gabe's inn." "A dwarf! A sight for sore eyes indeed, many excuses elf but if i may take this seat? Another two ales barkeep, not so much head this time eh!" As gabe finished pouring the beers they levitated from his hand and over towards the two dwarves, hitting the bartop with a bump, spilling nearly all of the dwarven wizard's onto the floor. "You... made me lose my concentration," cries the dwarf, pointing menacingly towards Gabe but cracking a small smile. As Ruegoth slowly drinks his ale he says, "Nice trick you have there friend, it looks like it still needs a little work though. Slow down on the ale friend, I am yet to finish my first beverage. So what brings you to Mullistown stranger?" “My reasons are unclear to even me new friend, by the by Fatso Fjalar is my name. What are the reasons for your being here then? Surely Vesh is nicer this time of year!” Aravin pipes up, "Yes Ruegoth, what brings you to Mullis Town all these times? And what news of Vesh?" "The main reason that I am here in Mullistown is that it is not Vesh. True, Vesh is lovely at this time of year, but I have done all I can do in the town of Dalane, where I am from. I need to expand my horizons so that I may meet some new people, see some new places and hopefully solve a few people's problems along the way. Why Mullistown in particular? Well, I have been coming here for years for the carnival of flowers and the feast of wheat. My mother is the finest brewer in Dalane and she delivers ale here for those two festivals. I usually act as her bodyguard on the journey. This year, I decided to stay on. So Aravin, why do you travel to Mithril?" So Aravin is your name? Apologies for earlier I do not intend to be rude, it seems my manners abandon me in the presence of others of my kind.” And Fatso offers a bow. "Well sir, two reasons chiefly. Since I was first called by Corean, I have always wished to gaze upon his Mithril Golem, and see for myself the magnificence of The Avenger's creation. This pilgrimage has been a long time coming for me. Secondly, it is my fervent hope that I will recieve some sign from Corean as to how best proceed in his service. As you well know, Mullis Town marks the entrance to the Cordrada Corridor - the path to Mithril. I thought I might rest here, and have a look around. After all, one must enjoy the journey!" He grins. "I had hoped to earn some coin whilst I was here actually - my purse is light after such a long journey. Say Gabe, know you of any smiths who could use some hired help?" Gabe, ignoring the question from the paladin looks to the door once more and chimes, "Good day to you friend! Come in! An ale for you there sir? Gabe is the name and tavern keep is the game. What brings you to the Roasted Ox?" The stranger responds, "Vine, ret, in a clean glass if you vill. I am looking for partners in my qvest for knowletch. Know you of any looking for adventure hereabouts?” In the style that makes Gabe, Gabe, he says, “The wine is on me.” Gabe gestures in the direction of the two dwarves and the half elf “these fellows may fit the bill. Travelled from far and wide they have and landed on my doorstep.” The dwarven rogue offers, "Welcome stranger, come and sit down and take that load off your feet. I am Ruegoth, and this is Aravin and Fatso. Like yourself we have all just recently arrived here. So what kind of knowledge do you seek friend?" "Gut day friends, I am toldt you look vor adventure, ya? I am Viktor, a... magic wielder... and I ham looking vor strongk companoins to aid me in my qvest vor arkine knowletch." Ruegoth gestures towards the other dwarf and answers, "Well that is not exactly my cup of tea although it sounds like something you would be interested in Fatso. It does seem that all four of us have our own personal quests. I can't speak for Fatso and Aravin, as we have only just met, but I could also use some companions in my journey. It seems as though we can all help each other." Turning to Gabe, Ruegoth asks, "Gabe, so what can a hungry dwarf get to eat around here?" Fatso cuts in with "“Magic wielder you say, I suppose I also would fall under that, however vague, category. I welcome you to our ‘party’ perhaps you would like an ale?” Ignoring Fatso, Aravin speaks. ""An honor to meet you sir, I am Aravin de Tylmarade, a paladin in the service of Corean. It seems you are indeed correct Ruegoth, we all have our own aims and goals. It's clear to me, that we could be of assistance to each other - and I know I would welcome the company. So then good sirs, I propose a pact. We band together and help one another to conquer his own personal quests, that we might achieve more together than we would divided. At first meeting, you each seem competent and determined to me, however I would ask that you show your true nature that you might be judged. In this I will stand first: mine own aim's are to answer Corean's call to punish evil, to serve Him as a knight, and to bring to justice those who slew my family. What say you all?" Fatso, reclaiming the floor responds - "As I have mentioned before new friends, my ambitions have not truly presented themselves to even me, but what I can tell you is that I am honoured to have gained such motivated and able companions. I can tell you that I enjoy adventure and crave the knowledge that is sure to come from our journeys together, I shall ask for your trust for new friends you already have mine." Then to himself, Fatso mutters, "Perhaps soon my true place will be defined, for Ontenazu is nothing but memories..." "Well Aravin, my aim is help and protect those who can't help themselves from those who have wronged them. Sometimes people don't have the money or skills necessary to deal with people that have done bad things to them and the traditional law doesn't always have the man-power or is too tied up in red tape to help. That is where I see myself stepping in and doing the things that just need to be done. Aravin, I will gladly help you in your quest to get revenge on those that killed your family. What do you know about the scoundrels?" Asks Ruegoth. Aravin responds - "I thankyou for you kindness. The killer is a Callastian spy named Viklas - a known war criminal in Durrover. He is a balding, middle-aged human, with a long scar down the left side of his face. Through my investigations, I have come to understand that he is a cunning spy, due in no small part, to the fact that he has been extremely difficult to track down." Then turning to Viktor: "He used magic to incapacitate me when I last encountered him - if you were to assist me in bringing justice to this criminal, any and all arcane sundries would be yours. Ruegoth and Fatso agree to the pact, we'd surely benefit from your presence, and you from ours - what say you?" In protest, Fatso says, "All arcane sundries you say, perhaps a little flippant with the tongue there Aravin. Although I may not look it I too am touched by all that is arcane and would appreciate it if I was treated as such," also turning to Viktor, "you have yet to tell me of your errr... gift new friend, indulge my curiosity won't you?" Aravin now, "I would disagree with you Fatso. It was a measured comment - not flippant in the least. The pact we are making, to which I understood you to have agreed - is that we are to help one another achieve each man's goals. Viktor has made it clear that he desires arcane knowledge, and should he agree to the pact, I'm happy to help him get that. I thought your wish was for adventure, and the knowledge that came from these adventures. Quite a worthy goal if you ask me - you have my respect already. If you desire else - do make it clear to me - I would aid you to my very last - none would take the terms of the pact to heart more than I!" "Adventure is my goal, for with that adventure comes knowledge and it is that which I value most, Viktor's wishes I respect and am willing to ensure that he is duly compensated and his efforts within the party." Turning to Viktor, Fatso offers, "I want to help you accomplish your goal, I assure you of this. If arcane items we come across bring you closer to your goal then I will be happy to let you have them... that is my word." Ruegoth now in defense of the other dwarf, "Fatso, don't roll over so easily my friend. Aravin, Fatso has already told us that his ambitions have not truly presented themselves to him yet. True, he has said he craves knowledge that can be gained from adventure, but it is only when one gains knowledge and experience, that someone truly understand what they want. It was only when I saw my mother nearly beaten to death and a women being raped in front of me that I decided that I didn't want to let that happen to anyone else. Similarly, it was not until tragedy struck your life that your path became clear. Fortunately for Fatso, he has not had such horrible experiences as you have Aravin. Fatso, as you gain the knwoledge you seek, your ambitions will surely change and I would expect that we would all support you in that journey. If that happens to be in the arcane arts, as a painter or as a damn sailor on the blood sea, then I will assist you. Nothing ever stays the same in this life and if something happens to one of us that means one of our lives takes a different path, I would hope that we would all support each other." "To you Vatso I vill say thiz. I am secialized in a particicular form of art, one that dealz in flesh andt bonez. Many of zee people of thees region fear it as evil, but eet is not zo. My art is still fledgling but one day it may help heal the masses. To you Aravin de Tylmarade i say thiz. You have nought to fear from I paladin. Some vould think that practitioners of mine craft vould oppose the followers ov Corean, but again a mizconception. I too have a wrongk to right, but I know it vill take powerful craft to defeat mine enemies. It will alzo take powerrful alliez. Mayhap you are dese. And lastly to you, Ruegoth. Your commentz could not be clozer to der truth. I vould nefer have thought to valk this path had not a great injustice been done. But such is life, ya?" And so a party was formed ... |