Meet in a Tavern

Multiple blocks of Riverside are completely controlled by The Packers' Guild.





Gulleyloft is more of a series of connected buildings rather than a single structure. It serves as the Guildhouse to the Packers' Guild, but also as a bustling tavern and inn.

Winding, multi-leveled, and eclectically constructed, it is a labyrinth - each room and hall varied - some lively and welcoming, others dimly lit and quiet.

Gennadius

Gennadius has been staying at Gulleyloft for about 3 weeks now. He has been earning room and typical meals (but no pay) by performances in the tavern hall. As a friend of Braus, he was given an opportunity and did well enough to gain a trial period.

During the time he has learned clearly that the Packers' Guild is a criminal organization - with rackets of extortion, theft, robbery, and even murder. After a week in the inn, Pireus Angus Tapkin begins to suggest that Gennadius take on more roles if he were to stay. These recent days, the suggestions become more of a direction.

Gennadius is told that he will start going on "collection routes" with Braus on Ship-Day night. That's tomorrow.
"New beginnings," Tapkin says.

Gennadius has made a notional friendship with Xenophon and his crew. Gennadius does not know the exact nature of their business, but he suspects, through effective situational awareness (eavesdropping?), that these armed men are assembling with others to depart on an expedition soon.

Xenophon, Culchas, Damanandros

Xenophon and his crew arrived 9 days ago. The first 5 days they were treated well: single rooms each, with good accommodations, 2 hearty meals a day, and women for anyone who wanted them.

Then the guest group’s welcome began to wear thin. Tapkin says that Eramus' trust fund was running low, that the deal was only for a few days to meet the priest.

Four days ago, the 3 men were moved to a single room with only board bunks to lay on. Food allowance was reduced to one small bowl of watery soup per day.

Xenophon is waiting for the priest Gundus Tavius, but no sign of him yet.

Now on the morning of the 9th day in, Tapkin drops by to ask Xenophon how he expects to pay the bill. The Pireus assures that he will meet back with Xenophon this evening to talk about settling up.

This is troubling. All three of the men are extremely low on funds or completely coinless now, as they have spent more money than expected during the increasingly uncomfortable and costly stay.

Syrena

Syrena spoke with Danarov six days ago. She heard the instruction again to meet the Priest Gundus Tavius, who had a letter from Eramus.

Danarov clarifies though that Eramus wants Syrena to serve as guide for the Priest and small squad of swords up to Old Lusetum Trail. They will pass by Tower 1 and onward, and reunite with Eramus on the spur trail up to Tower 4. Danarov has the papers to get the group past the other Towers; he will hand the documents off to Syrena once the Priest arrives.

Not interested in staying even a single night at Gulleyloft, Syrena has been checking in every evening since. No arrival of the Priest so far.

She tries to predict who the sellswords might be, whether they are here already or yet to arrive. It is difficult to be sure. There are so many shady and dangerous looking characters in the tavern and inn every night.

---

Gundus Tavius walks into Gulleyloft on the night of Divine-Day, 8th of Fifth-Month (Pendaelen), 381 IY.

The bartender hears his question and directs him to a dimly lit booth in the back of the room, where three men are sitting.

As Gundus walks over to meet the men, the bartender nods at Syrena Rachess who sits at the bar, signaling to her that the priest she had been waiting for has arrived.

The conversation continues with growing interest as each member of the table builds part of a beginning that seems to be taking shape, despite the unlikelihood of it.

In a complete surprise, a set of bar maids glides in and sets the table with fresh food and a full round of drinks.



"This batch is on the house, loves," the lead server says, "from The Ion himself. Danarov says enjoy the night!"

The mood changes and the members of the table meeting find themselves being drawn into the lively atmosphere at Gulleyloft.

There is a rumble outside. A storm has been brewing, but this is the sound of drums.

There is a commotion among the crowd of patrons in Gulleyloft. Many rush to the doors to look outside.

Soon there are cheers of approval. Doon Thunder and the Hornsmen, called Maelein Ch'ddon Feine by the Kryseans, have arrived.



These ascetics are beloved by many in these parts of The Docks. On Divine-Day, they beat their drums and blow their horns, strum large lyres, chant and sing in heavy voices - sounding out the Krysean songs of the Mearleigh Mountains. These are men of the Old Ways, and they burn offerings of smoke and incense to the Old Gods of Krys.

After a ceremony outside, the skalds tour through the large inner chambers to the great celebration by part of the crowd.

It is clear though that others, the old Tirenean stock, dislike the show and are loosing patience.

Damanandros looks on with interest as the table is adorned with fresh food and drink. A feast!

It may be obvious to everyone that he eats quickly by overloading his cheeks with food before sitting back to process it, only to go in for another mouthful. Not that he appears particularly famished, just that he has an odd way of eating. Not the best way to encourage conversation as it takes an awkward amount of time to clear his mouth to talk.

Once he has eaten his fill, four or five mouthfuls for anyone keeping count, he enjoys the night’s revelry all the while taking in his companions. Making mental notes on preferences of food and drink, and their mannerisms.
This night he does far more observing than talking, but he fields any questions asked of him. This was not a time to display statesmanship or engage in debate, as he had no intention of establishing himself as a leader, this is a time to bring the group together and establish roles.

To Syrena he asks "Beyond the first leg, how much of this journey is along patrolled roads with a bed at the end of it? Should we prepare for making camp along the way?"
He makes a subconscious check of the pouch at his side. "Will I need to pick up a few things before we set out, or will supplies be available at the first stop?"

The tension grows as Tireneans and Kryseans start to drift to party lines. A brawl seems likely, until a heavy presence enters the room.

Glais Danarovus walks through, with Angus Tapkin in his wake - sharks swimming through a school of mackerel.



Danarov, the Ion (OOC: the Boss, Chief), smiles calmly and nods to the small faction leaders in the room. His Pireus (OOC: dock leader) follows behind with a menacing glare that sears like a hot branding iron.

Sometimes brawls are tolerated in certain sections of Gulleyloft, but the signal is sent that tonight is not the time and this is not the place.

The tension is sapped out of the air, and everyone goes back to having a good time instead of looking for a fight.

Xenophon and Syrena have been looking for an opportunity to speak with The Ion. Their opening arrives.

Danarov departs the common hearth hall to an adjacent room, past two sentries.

Tapkin makes eye contact with Syrena from across the room, and nods for the two to follow with him.

As the others break into pairs, Damanadros and Gundus talk through some ideas at the table.

Soon a provocatively dressed gypsie woman imposes herself, showing her allures. "I know you two Patricians will not be drawn in to any fight over forest music like these lower born.



What knowledge do you seek?" She slides in the chair between them, nestling up first to Damanandros. "Do you wish to have a reading?"

Nodding, Damanandros acknowledges the guide's plan with a raised fist. An apparent attempt to signal a show of solidarity but it comes across as thin and awkward. He would have to work on that.

Watching the pair walk away to a private meeting he scans the room for patterns of threat and notes the direction they leave in.

For a while, he engages Gundus in discussion regarding the virtues of faith vs displays of inspired magic in the relationships between the clergy, lay folk, and the divine.

"How do the common folk reconcile the fact that only the clergy wield power and the congregation never becomes a vessel for the will of the gods?"

The arrival of the gypsie completely derails the line of questioning. Not accustomed to unfamiliar people pressing in so close he is set a bit on guard and places his hand subconsciously to his coin pouch.

"So what is the price to have my fate laid out before me?" He quips as he pulls out a silver coin and smiles.

He is both attempting to cover what could be construed as an insult, while simultaneously validating her. Besides, it would be an interesting experiment if he could see if there is actual magic being woven into the ritual.

When Xenophon and Syrena pass into the passage to the guarded chamber, they come to a surprisingly unnoticeable stairway downward. The steps shift in an irregular spiral and then angle out in the opposite direction, leading to a lower chamber beneath the grand room above.

Entering, the two guests find themselves in yet another room of tavern motif, though this one smaller and quiet.



The Ion, Danarov, is at a table reading a small ledger by an oil lamp.

There is a bartender at the bar. He pours two drinks, expensive brandy - offers them to Xenophon and Syrena - then motions them over to the table.

Angus Tapkin soon descends the stairs and joins the room, falling in behind them as they take a seat.

Xenophon knows that he is meeting underworld royalty this night. Danarov's rise to prominence is no secret - Xenophon had heard it from a former employer and mercenary commander, Dimitrius Strabo.

Glais Danarovus was born to a lower noble house and trained his entire youth to join the ranks of the prestigious Palatinian Guard. He gained the post, but it was short lived as his father landed the family name into dishonor.

After demotion, Glais served the remainder of his military obligation as a Centurion, deploying to the wars against Jutland and Celdora. Upon discharge from the 3rd Legion, he joined the Packers' Guild under the tutelage of Guildmaster Dameon Korith, a long time associate of his father.

In less than a decade, Danarov has become one of the most feared men in the region. First renown as a master swordsman and assassin, now recognized as an expert strategist with a skill in operations, he is The Ion in Amanuctum. This makes him the second ranking leader in the Packers' Guild, answering only to Guildmaster Dameon Korith in Kourithos.

"6 plus 6 Eagles of Silver buys a Seeker's Reading and a Word of Wisdom, master," answers the foreign woman in her exotic accent, as she slowly strokes her fingers up Damanadros's arm and over his shoulder.



"But if you wish to truly encounter the Magick of the Gods, follow me to my chamber, drink the Nectar of the Ancients," she holds up a bottle of her potions, tantalizing, "and enter into a Higher Realm of Knowledge, Understanding, ..." she leans forward to finish the last in a breathy whisper, touching her lips to Damanandros's ear, "... and Pleasure."

As the sensuous woman makes her advances, Damanandros uses a specialized technique to detect congregation or disruption of arcane energies, usually the sure signs of magic use.

Though the confessed soothsayer has not yet made any claims of sorcery or divination, so far Damanandros sees no signs of it. It will take longer to reach full certainty on the sense of magic. This technique takes some time.

Something else does capture his senses though, and almost immediately. The Krysean skald Doon Thunder stands nearby. Damanandros can see the lines of magical augmentation, crackling and winding wistfully in irregular patterns, all along the rugged musician's great drum that hangs by a strap slung over his shoulder and across his back. This musical device is wondrous and recently manifested, Damanandros is certain of it.

Sense Power Results: Detection of recently used magical item, the Drum of Doon Thunder. More time would be required to gain clarity on the target to confirm spellcasting (Time listed as 1 Turn = 10 minutes).

Optional Actions: Pay 12 silver to hear short "Seeker's Reading" onsite and continue the Power Sense to completion? Relocate to the woman's private chamber to investigate claim/offer of advanced ritual casting?

Damanandros pauses before responding, his curiosity equally piqued by both options. Though tempted by the possibility of an exotic night in the woman's drug-addled embrace, he ultimately parts with 12 silver to receive a reading.

Leaning in, he savors her warmth and breathes in her softness like a newly opened bottle. "I must keep my wits about me, but I would be grateful if you could divine the road ahead."

Once the coins are neatly stacked on the table with an extra one as a gesture of appreciation for her evident skill, Damanandros rests his hand protectively over his pouch to ensure that she doesn't take more than he has agreed to.

During and after the reading, he will pay close attention to any signs of magical energy.

The gypsy woman continues her seductive work with Damanadros, whispering and caressing him as she asks open ended questions about what he seeks most.

She takes his hand for the reading, then peers deep within his eyes, all the while tempting him with the touch of her body against his.

She takes a rhythmic cadence as she speaks enigmatic proclamations about Damanandros's coming fortune.

He notes one rhyme series

"Your sorrows melt away, your struggles an end.
For the Gods have decreed the fame and fortune you win.
Gold, silver. Wine and women. Yours and claimed, for all men to see.
Lesser they are, awaiting their fate by your decree
Like the Eagle you soar over mountain and sea."

In the end, the harlot's sensual advances are far superior to her attempts at poetry and theater. By the end, Damanandros detects no sign of arcane techniques, perhaps confirmed by her words at the end of the reading...

"Now, Seeker, come with me that I might reveal the Highest Secrets to you through a bonding of our Spirits. I yearn to feel your Power, and give you my Divinity."

Soon Syrena and Xenophon rejoin the others in the greatroom.

With their debt paid and comfortable overnight rooms awaiting, the party enjoys the fine Natasa Brandy gifted from the House as they talk about the coming journey.

The sounds of cheers and laughter and music fill the tavern hall as the new companions savor their last night in the city.