[IC] Chapter 1 - Concerning Orcs

"I'm not a fan of roofs or beds, but I'll admit I could shut my eyes for a while. And I might as well see this thing through at this point."

The party decides to go to the Black Jug tavern and inn.

After asking around for directions they set their course to the island in the river. They learn that Tarnskeep is actually just north of the city proper, apparently the Baronesses ancestors weren’t fond of the noises of city life.

They pass the town hall and learn that the Baroness will be back to hold court tomorrow afternoon to hear petitions from the townsfolk after some urgent business she has planned in the town hall in the morning.

The black jug is easy to find just across the bridge from the town hall. The island is filled with craftsman shops, warehouses, and docks. You learn that lumber is likely traded downriver from here from the building signs.

The Black Jug has a subdued interior, the building has been constructed in a way that each table is in some nook or cranny to give some modicum of privacy to the patrons. Additionally, the inside is painted a dull black; the light of the lamps and colored bottles behind the bar give a sharply contrasted color to the room.

The bar seems to be the place for strangers to meet and socialize. At the moment, there are about 7 people sitting or standing near the bar. The waitress greets you and asks inf you would like a table or would you be happier at the bar.

"Whatever, doesn't matter to me." say Gramun. "But if you want to buy me an ale, it may soothe my nerves having to spend time indoors." Obvious you can't take the dwarf completely out of the druid..

The waitress leads them to a private table and you are surprised that while you are concealed somewhat from prying eyes, you still have a good view of the public space near the bar. The cat wriggles free from the bag and curls up next to Veronica in the bench.

Of the patrons at the bar, there are a pair of burley men in work clothes chatting and leaning on the bar. They are the closest to you and you can overhear snippets of their conversation. "…new quota for logs is impossible…" and "if I were in charge…" and "someday I’ll ride that barge downriver, once I’ve got ‘nut saved"

Next there’s a traveller who looks like they just got off the boat, cloak still wet from the water spray. His attention is captivated by the woman next to him. She commands a certain amount of respect with her presence and confidence. She is doing most the talking in what seems almost like an a performance quality delivery.

Finally, other than a few singles of minimal interest, at the other end of the table there is a gnome and a human pouring over a map and have a book open next to it. They are discussing something and pointing toward the map with drunken fingers. Every once in a while, the gnome writes down a quick note.

The waitress comes over with some ale and a basket of bread. "Where y’all in from?" She starts filling the mugs. "We’ve got a room or two open if you are wanting. Rooms are normally a good a night but we can settle business when you are more situa… oops" she spills some ale on the table and curses under her breath as she cleans it up. "Where was I? Right, any news from your travels?" She smiles as she finishes up pouring.

Veronica if she looks at the bar and sees the confident woman talking to the traveller, knows a con when she sees one (being the thief of the party).

Sure enough with some of the woman’s exaggerated hand mostions Veronica can see the woman assessing the contents of the travellers pockefs before she finally lifts a small pouch from the poor boatman. She turns to order another drink sliding the pouch into her own pocket as she promptly finishes her story with the traveller and scans the room.

The waitress replies to Dennan. "Oh yes, the finest craftsmen north of Highforge, or so they say." She whipped her hands on her skirt. "You know, we had a pair of rangers in here a day or two ago; but of a sour reclusive lot; no offense" she quickly added with an awkward smirk.

"Said they had come down from the north talking all sorts of normal spook stories of armies and whatnot. Never know how much to trust of them though." After hearing Veronica mention thousand Axe "oh, that was them they were on about, couldn’t remember till you said it."

The pickpocket woman looks around the room; her eyes settle on the Gnome group, where she sidles over and strikes up a conversation pouring over the map.

The waitress continues. "Anyway, if they are friends of yours, they might still be around, they stopped staying here but I’m sure I can find out where they are or went, if my expenses were covered." Her eyes flick toward your coin purse.

The waitress bites her lip as she looks at Dennans coin purse as he asks how much. "Oh, shouldn’t be more than a few coppers really, a silver at most should do." She smiles as she’s called away to the kitchen suddenly to respond to a clattering of pans.

The gnome looks to be explaining something to the pickpocket with naive enthusiasm. The pickpocket, playing the part looks enamored whith whatever the gnome is saying.

Closer to you the workers stand to leave. "… Heard there might be new work ‘round Verge soon. Boss says we migh’ be ‘xpandin’…" the rest of the sentence is cut off as they leave the door.