Ch. 1 - The Keep on the Borderlands

"And I am Father Petronius." The old monk finally added. "As you can see, we are all travelling adventurers seeking fame and fortune on the wild fringes of civilization." He motions broadly to the group around him. "As you can see, we are weary from the road. May we request entry into the keep so we may have access to a warm bed to rest our weary bodies, and a warm meal to fill our bellies."

The man-at-arms turns away from you to confer with his fellows, speaking too low to hear from the ground. Finally, he shouts the order; the drawbridge is slowly lowered and the portcullis raised with all the sounds of clanking chains and creaking wood. Two men-at-arms come out to meet you, one being the man who just questioned you. "The Castellan sure will be glad for another band of adventurers to help tame his lands. And coin and news are always welcome. Now if you'd kindly stow your arms and follow me."

Passing through the gate, complete with arrow slits and murder holes, you find yourselves in a clean and well-swept yard overlooked by the massive guard towers at your backs. The yard is fronted by a locked warehouse and a stable, with an that alley leads to the rest of the keep beyond. Coming up to meet you is a retinue of two men-at-arms, a robed scribe, and a splendidly-dressed man in shining white plate mail and mustaches.

"Well met, travelers. I heard of the weariness of your journey, so I'll make this quick. I am Sir Baldwin Godfried, the corporal of the watch here. Here's the short of it: as long as the Castellan and I are in agreement, my word in this keep is law. That means I'd better not hear of any trouble coming out of you lot. If you're lucky, you'll only be banished from the place."

The scribe beside Sir Baldwin and the two men makes sure to get each of your names (whether you give up your real one is up to you). Two hands take Isolde away to the stable, and Sir Baldwin offers his young squire to show to the Traveler's Inn. As you leave with the squire, the only people Sir Baldwin seems happy to have met are Sir Norris, Darlene, and Natassia—though he doesn't seem to recognize the knight beyond his crest, and one could argue that he seems a little too happy to see the ladies.

The sun sets rapidly as you walk, painting the sky a brilliant rose color. The street is quiet, with only a few people sweeping their storefronts or strolling. The air is sweet with animal musk and sweat, and it carries the whicker of horses, the hum of conversation, and the rhythmic hammering of a blacksmith. Down the alley from the entry yard, Sir Baldwin's squire points out to you the smithy, the provisioner's store, the trader's store, the loan bank, and the guild house before stopping at a small fountain square. The fountain is flanked by the aforementioned Traveler's Inn and an unnamed tavern, and it is here where the boy leaves you. "If you have any questions for the Corporal, find me or one of the men-at-arms. They all answer to him."

With that, the Keep is yours to explore.

Natassia excuses herself from the group. "I'm glad to have met you all, and it was nice traveling with you, but I'm going to see what trouble I can get into." With that, she disappears into the evening.

"Well, I hope that she finds whatever she is looking for. As for me, I need a visit to the tavern and then to an inn, and a hot bath!" Darlene heads in the direction of the tavern.

Too intimidated by the whole scenery, Farem does not dare intervene into the conversation with the Watch or his comrades. He finds it wise to name himself and his brother 'Rod' instead of 'Dor' so as to not attract attention and give up that they actually eloped from their domain.

Bofum finds himself attracted to a couple of hunters bringing back game from the surrounding area. Since that was his main activity back home, he elects to follow them to asks questions. "I will see you around" he says to his brother.

Farem shrugs and follows Darlene.

Once again, silently, the elf decided to make her way to the stables. If those stablehands wanted to keep their fingers intact, it was probably best if she stayed with the mule for a while, at least until it got used to its new surroundings...

Upon hearing Darlene's plans, the old priest exclaimed "Yes, that does indeed sound like a wonderful prospect. I could also add a good meal to that. I'm starting to get tired of travel rations..." He then looked at his coin purse, finding it rather light... "I suppose I could always offer the innkeeper to bless his wine cellar in exchange for food and board..."

Throughout the introductions at the gate, the dwarf stays behind the party with hood pulled low. It is easy for him to hide, though he doesn't make a huge show of it. When asked his name, he grunts out "Gorgram."

After being recorded, he heads straight to the tavern with every intention of finding ale, but not a bath.

Allowing Isolde to be taken by the stable hands, Eltrezar finds himself wandering the length of the keep that he is able to access. He notes which building is which (often confirmed by asking a guard or popping his head in), and then sets to procuring a room at the inn.

Ezra looks at the remaining party, exhaustion clear on his face he asks ever so short with words Ale then?

Darlene, Farem, Father Petronius, Kraagor, and Ezra make their way to the tavern. This is a long, squat building of stone and timber, with windows that face the fountain and spill golden light onto the street. The place is quiet tonight, with about a smattering of patrons here and there who talk in relaxed tones. A hearth roars in one wall, over which a pot of stew bubbles. Wooden stairs one one wall of the building lead up to an attic or loft. Most of the patrons are common folk, except for one woman who has a sword on her belt.

The barkeep, a burly yet cheerful man with a scar across his nose, is wiping down the taps on his kegs when he notices you. "Good evening and well met! Are those new faces I see? Must be; I get all kinds of folk in here but I've never gotten you lot."

A sign on the bar displays the bill of fare, and the barkeep is happy to help those who can't read.

---

Meanwhile, Eltrezar enters the inn, a long, low timber building with a hanging sign that declares this "The Traveler's Inn." The common room is warm and bright, with a hearth and benches, and a wooden staircase leads up to a loft. The kind young innkeeper tells Eltrezar that the inn has five private rooms and one common room. The private rooms accommodate one or two guests and cost 1 g.p. per night, while the common room can hold a dozen and costs only 1 s.p. per night.

"Good eve, kind barkeep. Might I inquire if you have some small task that I could perform in exchange for a meal and enough to secure a room at the inn and a hot bath?"

Farem stays close to Darlene, eager to hear the answer as well.

"Well," the barkeep says, "I suppose I could put ya to work for the night. Dishwashing and serving and the like. Mind that's just for when it's quiet—when it's busy we can't have no customers gettin' in the servants' way.

"Name's Bregund, by the way." He offers to shake hands with Darlene and Farem. "I own the place. Usually it's the servants working the front, but on quiet nights like this I let 'em take it easy."

"I'm not too proud to wash dishes," Darlene says, gratefully shaking Bregund's hand.

Eltrezar holds out two gold coins and says, Hrmph! "I would purchase a room for myself, and ten beds in the common room for my companions. In the morning I intend to begin exploring this wilderness in earnest. Would there be a cartographer in town, or a guard captain with a map of the area?"

"Me neither!" answers the young warrior to Bregund, eager to prove he can be useful.

Hello Master Bregund, I'd have a beer and some soup, please.
Ezra tells the barkeep before he proceeds to find a place to sit and see if he might be able to overhear anything useful or interesting from the other patrons.

"Good day, fighting men!" Sir Norris had shouted up to the soldiers on the wall when the group had arrived and been challenged. "Tis Sir Norris Hollysure of Wrenstead and his entourage, I'm sure word had been sent ahead and we're expected. Fetch the lord, then, go on! Let him know the swords he desires have arrived!"

All of that certainly hadn't worked, but the group had gained admittance to the keep regardless. Quickly enough Norris separates from the group, bidding them best wishes -- making his way to the tavern to negotiate a long-term rate and find the fetchingiest filly in the place.

There was no sign of Delfarious when the challenge at the gate had been issued, and eerily enough the man had emerged from the shadows inside the place after they'd all been allowed to enter and headed for the stables and tavern.

Jealous with his coins, he is none-the-less none-too-keen to sully his skilled, dexterous hands with the likes of washing dishes and chamber pots. He pays for wine, soup, and a private room for the night before choosing a table where he will sup. He's been too long on the road and has blistered feet and a sun-burned head; tonight will be an evening of leisure, before he turns his attentions to the wilds of the west.