Through the Hornwood

You all make your way into the Diamond Spider, leaving the soldiers and attendants to take care of the horses and wagons. The interior is a single, large taproom that runs 100' east-west and 80' north-south. The ceiling is vaulted to a height of 20', with an upstairs balcony, bounded by a low wooden railing, providing additional seating. There are two sets of stairs leading up to the upper level. Windows are set up high, above 10', and appear to be placed so as to avoid rowdy people from crashing through them. There are a few open, barred windows set lower to provide a bit of ventilation.

In addition to the main door you enter, there are a pair of other exits, one along the right wall, and one tot he rear by the bar. A large central chandelier hangs in the center of the room, while four smaller ones flank it. Each has numerous candles that reflect off of glass and mirrors to brightly light up the interior space.

A dozen bar maids are running around the taproom tending to patrons, while at the long wooden bar work four bartenders. The main room is packed with clientele, but Caedwyn manages to find a decent table in the back right, near the bar. Besides the plethora of open tables on bot the lower and upper levels, there are also booths along the left and right walls and what looks like a door to a private room along the wall by the main entry. The last thing of note sits behind the bar itself. The wall is etched like a large spider web, the center of which is about 8' high. There, on a shelf in the center of the web, sits a glass case, inside of which is a statuette of a large spider. The statuette itself looks to be carved from a single diamond.

As for the clientele itself, it looks to be a hardy, ragged bunch. off-duty soldiers, ruffians and scalawags appear to abound, all singing, dancing and jostling one anther as a bard stands on a slightly raised platform in the middle of the room, playing a lively tune about virgins and dragons.

Calling out your request, a few of those around laugh, howling wildly as they slap one another's backs.

"Mutton! He says!"

"Roast? Where from? Down at Arkna's butchery? Hahahahahaha!"

Before you answer, a server moves up to your group, counting loudly.

"1...2...3......... 6..7. Seven ales for ya sirs then? Ain't no mutton or roast, though plenty o' figs, fruit, cheese an' breads fer ya lord an' ladyships." the girl says. She is human, slim and tall, with her dark hair pulled back into a tail. Wisps of hair float across he face, giving her a flustered look.

"If yer be looking for a full meal proper, best bet is the Minstrel, sirs. Better rooms, too, if I do say so. We's got a couple rooms with warm 'nuff beds, but not sure if there even be room this late in the day. Master Braz can tell ya the details. He's right there." the girl adds, pointing to a lone man sitting in a booth across from you.

While there are no card games going on at the moment, there is a plethora of drunk people engaged in various sporting activities. Most patrons are gathered near the center stage, where a lithe half-elf continues to strum a lute and dance away as he belts our rowdy tune after rowdy tune.

However, along the entry wall (bottom of the lower level map - Area E) are a group of people throwing daggers at targets. They are in various sectioned off 'lanes', with one person and one target per lane. The last lane is not throwing daggers, but rather has a long table with people at both ends. It appears to be a spider racing contest, as several spiders are put on a track with insects at the far end. Wagers are being called out everywhere.

It is not long before the girl and two others return with a round of drinks and three platters of foodstuffs; Sliced sausage links, mustards, breads, fruits and three different cheeses are piled on and slid onto the table. Along with those, large tankards of ale are sloshed across to each person, most making the trip while a few frothy splashes land on the table and a couple of laps.

"Tankards are a silver per, ladies and sirs, and the trays themselves are 2 apiece." the lead girl says, standing next to Caedwyn and smiling.

"First time here in the Oyt? Business here or elsewhere? Not often we seen so many sell swords gathered in one spot. Must be a great tale, sirs."

Across the room, Merri, you note that it is as any other race. Bets are made prior to launching the spiders, with each spider getting odds to win based on its past history. Most of the spiders look to be of the average stock, tarantula, etc., though a couple of rather sizable daddy long-legs are in the mix, as is a fat brown spider. A chalkboard is in place of where the normal dagger target would be, with the spider names written and the odds next to the name. People are placing bets with a man who appears to be working for the house. He sports normal clothing, but has a club leaning up against the wall next to him. He takes names and bet amounts and when all is set the spiders are released.

Names on the board include Arachnado, Curly Eyes, Leggins Mcghee, Chitty Chitty Fang Fang, Boris, and Lem. It seems that Boris has been on a good run, coming in at 2-1 odds, while Lem is the new guy and is posting 10-1 odds.

As Caedwyn finishes his tale, and he looks back up at the lead server girl, he is surprised to see her standing there with the second round of drinks. She must be fast, or your tale long, but regardless you all now have two drinks on hand.As she bids her leave, a slim, olive-skinned man steps up to your table. He wears gaudy robes which cover what looks to be a sleek leather armor beneath. His hair is curly and peppered, his face clean shaven except for a long, fu-Manchu style mustache. He bows slightly to you all and straightens himself.

"Welcome, good fellows. I am Braz. Spider Braz, your humble proprietor. I trust things are to your satisfaction thus far?" he asks.

MerriTaking a quick look at the man taking wagers, you see that he writes the wagers down on individual pieces of paper, takes the wager and puts everything in a small box which he then sets on a the counter in front of him. From your vantage, it appears visible to all participants throughout the race.