CH. 01 - A Day in the Life

[Daos]

Ladonna Marche (Marche Residence)
"No, I'm not sure yet," Felicia admits. "I'll probably have a better idea once I actually meet them at the festival. I mean, the knight isn't as wealthy, but he is more prestigious. The merchant is probably the wealthiest, but he's also on the road a lot, so I'd be all by myself all day." She shrugs. "Maybe I'll just pick the one who is nicest or most handsome or the most interesting. Who would you pick?"

Her mother snorts. "She'd pick nobody, apparently."

Rivi Wolfright (Lonely Pony Tavern)
"Why don't we step into my office to speak privately?" Rebekah asks. "Gerald, be a dear, keep an eye on things for a moment."

The minstrel nods and gives a lazy wave. "Oui, oui, it is no problem," he says in his standard thick Picardian accent.

She leads Rivi into the back, into her private office. It's a small room with a desk, some chairs, and a large chest. The desk has some finance logs and scrolls on it, kept very neat and in order. The chest contains the taverns profits and is protected by a large padlock and who knows how many magical wards. "Have a seat," she offers, gesturing to the chair in front of her desk. She takes a seat behind the desk, placing her elbows on the surface and tenting her hands.

She begins, "Of course, a tavern requires quite a bit of coin. Although if you're hoping to buy the Pony, I'm afraid it isn't for sale. Maybe in another 20 or 30 years, when I'm too old to run it. As for me, I made the money to buy this place from adventuring. I had a party and we traveled the world, fighting monsters and exploring old ruins. It's not for everyone, though. I was lucky, but two of my party died on our last venture. It's dangerous work."

Ryan McIntyre (Town Square)
Ryan approaches the pillory to speak with the half-elf.  Tavos is a young man, around the same age as Ryan. He's short and thin, but has an acrobat's muscular build. He has short black hair and is clean-shaven. His eyes are dark blue and his skin is fair.  The clothes he is wearing are simple and colorless and show wear and tear.

"Ah, good morning to you, acolyte," Tavos says in reply.  "Forgive me for not offering my hand in greeting, but...I'm a bit disposed at the moment."  He tries to move, but the pillory keeps him in place.  "You know, it's a funny story, really.  The watch caught me last night trying to get into the watchtower.  I didn't mean any harm, I was just...bored."

The watchtower is in the southwestern part of the village, not far from the temple.  It stands 50 feet tall and has a large bell in it that is to be rung should the village ever be under attack again.  It was constructed shortly after the Battle of Buho, around twenty years ago, just in case another attack ever came.

"Really, though, I feel I've learned my lesson...so would you mind lifting that latch and letting old Tavos the Unfortunate out of here?"  He tries to move again, but it still proves futile.  "I'd like to get out of here before anyone starts chucking rotten fruit at me.  I'd do it myself, but...I can't exactly reach the latch from here."

[HorizonsDream]

"Well, when mom and dad put me through this whole process, they only picked out one person for me," Ladonna explained. "And he was some merchant that I considered more of a pervert than a suitor. Sure, he was wealthy, but something about him sent chills down my spine." Naturally, she had explained this to her parents, but they obviously were still mad about it. "But, if I was you, I would go with the craftsman." She wasn't going to tell her to go for the knight because the knight was a noble, and there was no way she was going to advise her sister to go with the man that could give her a higher station than herself.

[Nuke]

"Well, Tavos, Let us just suppose I do let you out. Then what happens? It's not like the entire watch doesn't know you're supposed to be confined. Are you just gonna go about you business? Me thinks it's just better if you do your time here, I'm sure a smooth talker like you can convince people not to throw rocks at you." Ryan walks a bit closer. "I could offer you a drink however."

[Daos]

Ladonna Marche (Marche Residence)
"Really? Only one suitor?" asks Felicia. "I guess I was too young to remember back then, but I'm surprised there was only one. I had to narrow it down to three just to make things easier."

"Perhaps if she had been less unpleasant," Amanda remarks. "Now, enough of that. Eat your porriage. You haven't even touched it yet." Ladonna's mother was only a couple of years younger than Jonas, and had been married off to him at the age of 16. It's clear that it wasn't the lifestyle she had hoped for, and she had grown increasingly bitter about it. When Ladonna rejected her own suitor, their relationship became very strained and remains so to this day.

Like Ladonna, Amanda was blessed with good looks. She has blonde hair, fair skin and blue eyes. She often does her best to dress well and even to appear above her station whenever possible. She doesn't go outside much, because she doesn't want to be seen wearing peasant clothes.

"Speaking of suitors, your father and I have come to a decision after a lot of talking," Amanda begins, looking to Ladonna. "Since you have rejected your suitor and insist on having your 'independence,' then we will grant you your wish. You will no longer be living here for free, starting tomorrow. You will be expected to pay for your own food, clothes and amenities."

(OOC: This will cost Ladonna 5 gold pieces a month.)



Ryan McIntyre (Town Square)
Tavos is clearly crestfallen at Ryan's refusal to free him, but he does try and perk up a bit at the offer of water. "I would appreciate that small kindness, thank you, acolyte," he says. "The sun is already out and beating down on me, and I imagine the heat will only get worse as the day passes."

[HorizonsDream]

"Mom," Ladonna says sweetly as she finally takes the time to look at her. "I can certainly understand paying for my own clothing and food, but not a room that I share with someone else."

[Nuke]

"Well then, I shall return in a bit, stay right where you are." Ryan responds with a snicker. As he turns to go, a weird smile comes across his lips. He hurries back to home to fetch a waterskin and fill it up. Then he hatches his plan. Going through his stash of herbs he finally locates just the one he was looking for. A gentle laxative he sometimes used on babies. And as an extra bonus, it is barely noticeable. Mixing the powder in and shaking it up, he departs.

Returning to the pillory, he restarts the conversation as he approaches. "Did they tell you how long you are to be locked up?" he asks while un-stoppering the skin. He waits for an answer before holding the bladder and gently squeezing. "Best drink you fill as I won't be able to do this again until much later, if at all. I gotta go before the Captain shows up." Again, as he turns, a weird smile comes to his visage. "Hope everything comes out OK". Ryan then wanders around looking to who else he can help this morning.

[Daos]

Ladonna Marche (Marche Residence)
"Nothing in this life is free, Ladonna," her mother replies. "If you had wanted to leech off others, you should have married that merchant like you were supposed to. It's only fair you pull your own weight around here." She shakes her head. "I mean, really, what is your long term plan here? To live with us, draining our coffers, until you're old and grey? Do you intend to wait tables forever?" she asks.

Ryan McIntyre (Town Square)
After acquiring the waterskin, Ryan pours in some water and mixes the proper herbs for his laxative. He's pretty sure he did it right, although he can't exactly taste it himself to be completely certain. He then returns to the town square.

When Ryan asks Tavos how long he is to be locked up, the half-elf responds, "Probably until nightfall. But they might forget about me out here. They do that sometimes." He greedily gulps down the water. "Thanks again, friend. You'll make a great kohen someday," he says gratefully.

Ryan then considers where he would like to go next. To the north, past the mill, is the graveyard on the other side of the Dark River. One of his duties as an acolyte is to tend to the graves, although as he is off today, he needn't worry about it.

To the west are the blacksmith's shop, the Goblin's Tooth (the non-human pub in town), the watchtower and the temple.

To the east are where most of the shops can be found, including the potter, the grocer, the trading post, the weaponsmith, the armorer, the cobbler/woodcutter, the woodworker and the cooper/wheelwright.

Finally, to the south are the Lonely Pony (the human pub), the weaver/tailor, the barracks, the dairy farm, the stables and the village's inn.

===============

Ryan makes an herbalism check [TN 13] (1d20): 10, pass.
Ryan now has an empty waterskin in his large belt pouch.

[HorizonsDream]

Ladonna lets out a sigh, and stands from the table without eating her porridge. "I was simply trying to negotiate a price with you as it seems we are to have a strictly business relationship now," she says sadly. "It seems like a distant memory now, but I vaguely remember when my mother's voice wasn't dripping with bitterness and disdain." Ladonna walks to the door, and opens it with another heavy sigh. "My hope that the mom that use to love me would return is nothing more than a whimsical dream."

With that said, she steps outside and gently closes the door behind her. There was no need to slam the door shut, even though Ladonna was actually extremely angry. Slamming the door shut would only ruin the guilt trip that she was trying to place upon her mother. Though, she somehow doubted that it would work. ~Pay for sharing a room, and for horrible food? She's absolutely insane,~ she thought to herself as she made her way to the Lonely Pony.

[Nuke]

Ryan decides to do some shopping. He starts by looking for some traveling garb, pants and a tunic and coat. A bit of fire making stuff and some simple pots and pans. He then moves to the stables, checking out the ponies.

[Daos]

Ladonna Marche (Lonely Pony Tavern)
Ladonna makes her way to the Lonely Pony tavern, her place of employment--even though today is actually her day off.

Run by Rebekah Gibert for the locals, the Lonely Pony is a tidy establishment, containing a bar, stage, some trestle tables set up in the center of the common area, and a dozen booths along the walls. Each booth has an archway for an entry, and curtains can be drawn across these archways for privacy. Not surprisingly, the booths are ideal for the discussion of private business. The stage is used on market days by a musicians’ troupe, and is otherwise the home stage of Gerald Chanteur, a minstrel. The bill of fare tends to vary from season to season, although breads, stews, and roast hawk are usually available. Generally, patrons are charged per meal rather than per item, the cost for a typical lunch and supper being three silvers and seven silvers, respectively, not including drinks. Beverages include wine, ale (brewed by Shanson Frye at the Shady Oak), mead, and goat’s milk, for the same prices as the Buho Inn (the two businesses have the same suppliers).

Gerald sits on the bar itself, looking bored. Liala, a young elven woman, waits tables. Rebekah herself is nowhere to be seen. It's breakfast time, so the delectable smell of bacon and fried eggs fills the room, despite the windows all being open to let in a cool breeze. There are four locals present, all human, of course. Anara Dinan sits alone in the back, eating breakfast. She is one of two druids in the village and is responsible for helping with the crops and keeping the protective hedge wall up. She doesn't socialize much, so Ladonna knows little about her.

The other three are sitting together, talking and eating. One is Ser Derica Walls, the reeve. She's in charge of the village's defenses and leads the militia. The second one is Lantrin Locke, the town's cooper and wheelwright. The third is Paul Locke, Lantrin's 17 year old son and a member of the militia.

Ryan McIntyre (Silas' Weaving and Tailor Shop)
Ryan decides to do some shopping. First, he heads to the weaver's shop for some new clothes. It's a modest looking building where the weaver, Silas Goff, works and lives. Stepping inside, he finds a jumble of items, most of which are for sale. His stock includes blankets, cloaks, tunics, hoods and sashes, as well as bolts of cloth which merchants sometimes purchase for their own use.

Silas himself is busying himself counting some silver coins when Ryan enters. Upon noticing him, Silas quickly scoops up the coins into a sack, which he then dumps into a chest and locks it, before turning to the acolyte. "Ah, welcome to my humble shop."

Silas is a heavily built man in his early thirties with beady brown eyes, a prominent nose, a mop of greasy brown hair and a somewhat high-pitched voice. He is not a native to Buho, but rather moved here some ten years ago and set up shop. "What can I help you with today, good sir?"

[HorizonsDream]

Ladonna approaches Liala. "Hey Liala," she says cheerfully. "Breakfast is smelling really good this morning. Do you think I could get a plate?" she asks.

[Nuke]

"Good Morning good Sir. I'm kinda looking for some good traveling breeches tunic and coat." Ryan moves to looks at the racks, hoping to find some good  green ones.

[Rivi]

occ: sorry for the unexpected absence i got fairly sick over the weekend but feeling better now
rivi thinks on her words "iv no problem with danger nothing ventured nothing gained and no i would not buy my home away from home"gesturing to the bar around them "that dose mean i may soon leave to adventure to try and make my fortune and i wouldn't want to leave you without notice and any advice you could give is always welcome"

[Daos]

Ladonna Marche (Lonely Pony Tavern)
"Of course, Ladonna," Liala says with a smile.  "Have a seat, I'll bring it to you."

Liala is the other waitress at the Lonely Pony, and despite this being a human only tavern, she is an elf.  However, she does her best to blend in with humans, often adopting their mannerisms, speech patterns and doing what she can to hide her ears.  As a result, the patrons usually don't mind her.  Like many of her kind, she is lithe and small in build. She also has shoulder-length black hair. Her eyes are grey and her skin is fair.

After Ladonna sits down, she returns a short time later with a plate of breakfast and sets it before her.  "That'll be three silver."



Rivi Wolfright (Lonely Pony Tavern)
"The main advice I could give you is to not go alone," Rebekah replies.  "I've heard rumors of increased monster attacks, banditry and peasant revolts lately.  The roads aren't safe anymore, but going out into the wilderness is even more dangerous than it was in my time.  If I were you, I'd make sure I was well supplied and had plenty of people to watch my back--trustworthy ones who won't leave you for dead in the wild and make off with your coin and gear at the first opportunity."

(OOC:  No problem, I hope you're feeling better now.)

Ryan McIntyre (Silas' Weaving and Tailor Shop)
"Oh?  Planning a trip are we?" Silas inquires.  "Some mission from the kohen, perhaps?"  He aids Ryan in finding what he is looking for.  Breeches are found aplenty, depending on how much he is willing to spend and what he wants them to be made from.  Sack cloth breeches are 5 silver, linen ones are 8 silver, and woolen ones are 1 gold.  He doesn't have any velvet or silk ones available, as there is little call for them in such a sleepy village.  The coats are the same price as the breeches.  A good tunic is 8 silver for cotton, 12 silver for linen, and 16 silver for wool.  Ryan is able to find all there in shades of green, as well.

[HorizonsDream]

Ladonna takes a seat next to Gerald, who is sitting on the bar, and pays for her meal. "You're looking awfully bored this morning, Gerald."