3. The Sign of the Broken Head

The sun is fast approaching the horizon and your shadows are long when you finally arrive at the Broken Head. The origin of the inn’s unusual name is immediately apparent. Mounted on a beam across the front door is a huge (6’ diameter) stone representation of Arden the Defender. She is depicted clad in a Corinthian helmet and has rather disconcerting oval staring eyes.

The inn itself is a fort-like structure with no windows on the stone ground story, and only a few narrow windows set into the wooden second floor. It resembles, in short, a blockhouse. A stable abuts one side of the main building and several less-fortified outbuildings are scattered nearby.



---
7:30 pm, Demmasday 1st Lucreon (April) 2993 AEP
Ellagel, Elven Fighter/Magic User 1/1: 6/6, 90’
Grimidek, Dwarven Cleric 1: 9/9, 60’
Jacky, Halfling Fighter/Thief 1/1: 6/6, 60’
Thrudmarr, Wiskin Fighter 1: 5/5, 90’
Vasco, Thorcin Thief 1: 6/6, 120’
Zacharias, Archontean Fighter 1: 10/10, 60’
—
Billie, Mule, 120’

Grim waddles towards the inn. Then, upon customary dwarven Hmph, he enters the inn.

Zach wearily stumbles in, lets his pack down on a seat, and checks his coin pouch. Enough for a drink or three. He looks around for a proprietor, bartender, or anyone else interesting in alchemically converting coin into alcohol.

Ella admired the massive sculpture over the entrance with interest. How many people must it have taken to drag this mammoth head from out of the ruins to affix it here?

Seeing no one out to greet the party’s arrival, Ellagel followed the others into the structure, glad for the promise of a meal and rest under relatively safe conditions.

Jacky's first order of business is not through the front door. Instead the halfling leads Billie over to the stables to find him a spot for the evening.

Vasco looked around the inn, trying to gauge what kind of patrons and people visited here. Then he entered and tried to find a dark secluded corner to sit.

"Strong house. Good for keeping bad things out. And keeping beer safe!"

Thrudmarr's first order of business upon entering will be obtaining a drink.

Whilst Jacky leads Billie around the side of the inn to the stables, the rest of you enter beneath the stone head of Arden. You find yourselves in a smoky common room with a large fireplace and numerous sturdy wooden tables and chairs. In the absence of any windows, the place is illuminated only by the fire and a single bright light source at either end of the room. Judging by its dimensions, it seems that this common room takes up the entirety of the inn’s first floor. There is, however, a flight of stairs leading to the upper storey.

As your senses adjust to your new surroundings, a booming voice calls out "Ah new arrivals! Welcome to the Sign of the Broken Head - a home from home amongst the perils of Arden Vul!". The source of this greeting is a portly Thorcin with a bushy beard - no doubt the "Kettle-Belly" referred to by the guards at the northern gate. He looks you up and down appraisingly before continuing. "You’ve had a long and eventful day I’ll wager. Come, take the weight off your feet. First drink is on the house."

He gestures towards an empty table close to the fire.
There are only two other occupied tables in the common room. At one, a bespectacled middle-aged Wiskin woman with a weathered face and short greying hair is poring over a ledger. At the other are three men who all look somewhat out of place in that they are all wearing the smart, fashionable clothing of townsmen.

---
7:30 pm, Demmasday 1st Lucreon (April) 2993 AEP
Ellagel, Elven Fighter/Magic User 1/1: 6/6, 90’
Grimidek, Dwarven Cleric 1: 9/9, 60’
Jacky, Halfling Fighter/Thief 1/1: 6/6, 60’
Thrudmarr, Wiskin Fighter 1: 5/5, 90’
Vasco, Thorcin Thief 1: 6/6, 120’
Zacharias, Archontean Fighter 1: 10/10, 60’
—
Billie, Mule, 120’

On the house is the best place for drinks, Zacharius replied. Do you have any highly-hopped ales?

"Free drink! Big beard man very nice!" Thrudmarr plops himself down at the offered table near the fire, looking around the room. When he spots the Wiskin woman, he waves excitedly.

After a few moments of sipping on whatever drink is offered, Thrudd strides over to the Wiskin woman's table, beaming proudly. "Hello! You Wiskin like Thrudmarr. We fight angry tree today! Want hear story?"

"I’ve got one so hoppy it will blow your socks off! Coming right up!"
The Wiskin woman looks up from her work, peers at Thrud over the rims of her spectacles and smiles. "Pleased to meet you Thrudmarr. I’m Dagmar. If you or your friends need any equipment or other goods whilst you’re here, let me know. I arrived yesterday from Gosterwick with fresh stock."
Two Thorcin boys meet you at the stable and begin unloading Billie and preparing him for the night. They seem capable and confident when handling the mule, although somewhat shy of Jacky.

There are a few other horses and mules in the stable, but there’s comfortably enough room for one more.

---
7:40 pm, Demmasday 1st Lucreon (April) 2993 AEP
Ellagel, Elven Fighter/Magic User 1/1: 6/6, 90’
Grimidek, Dwarven Cleric 1: 9/9, 60’
Jacky, Halfling Fighter/Thief 1/1: 6/6, 60’
Thrudmarr, Wiskin Fighter 1: 5/5, 90’
Vasco, Thorcin Thief 1: 6/6, 120’
Zacharias, Archontean Fighter 1: 10/10, 60’
—
Billie, Mule, 120’

Our dwarven fellow waddles up to the bar. It’s like the start of a horrible joke!

Well now, I best be havin’ one o’ yer strongest ales, den! What’ve got fer ta quench a mighty dwarven thirst?!

Ella scanned the taproom in silence from the doorway as her companions moved in. She tarried somewhat, caring first for her longbow: unstringing it swiftly, storing the string and the bow carefully before joining her boisterous adventuring partners. She would not say it, but being under a roof with no windows, surrounded by sturdy stone walls was an uncomfortable experience for the elf. But she’d need getting used to it, in her line of business.

She approached the innkeeper and asked in a soft voice: "Your offer is generous, and I gladly accept and thank you. Would you have any drink made of fermented fruits or flowers? A wine, perhaps? If not, fresh water would be most welcome."

And as the man busied himself with her order, she added "Many explorers coming this way recently?

Zach puts his feet up on the stool near his chair, and settles in to enjoy his beer.

Jacky makes small talk with the stable boys, asking about the owners of the other animals inside. "The inn seems rather quiet this evening," he remarks. Whether they've got any interesting gossip to share or not, Jacky will flip a silver coin to each of the boys before heading inside to join the others.

Vasco listened to all the talk everyone was making as he asked for whatever food was available including the price. His own stash of coins were dwindling and he had no wish to spend more than necessary. "I would like to have that free ale. Also what do you have for tonight? Might I inquire the price as well?"

"Hmmm Thrudmarr not need anything now. You staying long? Thrudmarr and friends go back to broken city, find riches, become heroes! Maybe need to buy things after. You been to broken city? See anything exciting there? We fight angry tree! Tree go BOOM! And WOOSH!" Thrudmarr makes sweeping gestures with his arms, demonstrating the tree's movements.

Over at the stables, the two lads explain to Jacky that the other horses belong to "them merchants from Gosterwick who pay for statues", whilst the other mules belong to the "pedlar lady". They are extremely grateful for Jacky’s tip, and he leaves the stables to a chorus of "Thank you, mister".

Meanwhile, whilst Kettlebelly fixes Grim’s "strong" ale (which seems, rather suspiciously, to come from the same barrel as Zach’s "hoppy" ale) and Ella’s wine (she’s tasted worse, but it's nothing special) he chats away to you.

"Now, forgive me. We didn’t do the proper introductions. The name’s Kronos and I run this here inn with my better half, Estelle. If you need anything during your stay, just let me know and we’ll do our best to oblige. Food if you require it is two silver a head for a basic meal. A bed in the bunkroom is ten silver. Of course, if you're after anything more luxurious, we can accommodate that as well for a fair price. I’ll open a tab for you and you can settle when you next leave."

To Ella’s question about other explorers: "Aye, we have other groups in and out of here all the time. Some we only see once. Others are regular visitors. We had Dalton’s crew in here a couple of days ago - I’d be cautious if you run into them - they’re very full of themselves. And the group that calls themselves the 'Five Fingers of Destiny' were here last week - a serious bunch, but decent enough."

---
7:40 pm, Demmasday 1st Lucreon (April) 2993 AEP
Ellagel, Elven Fighter/Magic User 1/1: 6/6, 90’
Grimidek, Dwarven Cleric 1: 9/9, 60’
Jacky, Halfling Fighter/Thief 1/1: 6/6, 60’
Thrudmarr, Wiskin Fighter 1: 5/5, 90’
Vasco, Thorcin Thief 1: 6/6, 120’
Zacharias, Archontean Fighter 1: 10/10, 60’
—
Billie, Mule, 120’

Jacky comes into the main room just as the innkeeper lists down his prices. "One hot dinner for me please! And I'll have a mug of the same ale that they're enjoying," the halfling says, waving a hand toward his companions.

He nods along as Kronos tells the group about the other adventurers plying their trade around Arden Vul. The name 'Five Fingers' makes him grin. Surely this present group can come up with a better title than that for themselves.

"Do you have any spare rooms?" he asks the innkeeper. "That is, if the rest of you don't mind sharing!"

Grim chugs his ale in a manner surely most impressive!
I don’t mind ta share a room, I’m fine wi’dat!
Kronos, meh friends n’ I had a scare, somethin’ awful! De tower, at de base o de cliff. We were horrified by an apparition. Ya know ’bout any o’ dat?!

"If you don’t fancy the bunkroom, then there's a private room upstairs. Three gold a night. Trouble is, it's taken at the moment."
"What? The old tower at the bottom of the waterfall? Most sensible folks avoid that place. The ‘Tower of Madness’ they call it. Anyone who stays there is driven crazy, or so they say. Supposed to be haunted by some noble who lost his one true love. Fairy stories probably, but I’ve never been in there myself. You never know, do you?"

---
7:40 pm, Demmasday 1st Lucreon (April) 2993 AEP
Ellagel, Elven Fighter/Magic User 1/1: 6/6, 90’
Grimidek, Dwarven Cleric 1: 9/9, 60’
Jacky, Halfling Fighter/Thief 1/1: 6/6, 60’
Thrudmarr, Wiskin Fighter 1: 5/5, 90’
Vasco, Thorcin Thief 1: 6/6, 120’
Zacharias, Archontean Fighter 1: 10/10, 60’
—
Billie, Mule, 120’

"Oh dear, I suppose it'll be the bunk beds for us then," Jacky says cheerily. After a good meal, that could hardly dampen his mood. "Is it the traders from Gosterwick up there? Maybe they'll have some work for us in the dungeon."

Ella sipped her wine carefully and slowly, as a humming-bird would sip nectar from plump flower. She listened to all this new information, satisfied to learn that there would be a place to fall back to, in between forays into the Halls.

Money, however, was a problem. She had all of six coppers to her name. She turned to Zacharias: "Would you be able to cover my expenses? I’ll return the amount, doubled, after our first foray into the Halls."

Grim’s big ol’ calloused fingers reach into his belt pouch. He pulls out a gold piece, equal to ten silver, and sets it carefully on the counter in front of ol’ Kronos.
Ya have a weekly rate, do ya? Meh friends n’ I may be holin’ up here a while. Not sure yet!
Can ya tell meh if dere be a Lucrean temple hereabouts? N’ a smithy, as well? Sites n’ sounds fittin’ to an ol’ dwarven cleric!

No fairy tale, Master Kronglass, it's real enough. Would you believe I started this trek a teenager? The ghost of the nobleman ate a good decade of my life force, Zach replies morosely as he sips his ale.

Thrudmarr, having wandered over to the bar after speaking to the Wiskan woman, shivers upon remembering the ghostly visage. "Ghost very angry. Make young Zach become old-man Zach! It say...noo-ma? Something like that."
"Thrudmarr can help!" he slaps 2 gold and 4 silver on the counter, to cover bunks and meals for Ella and him.

"Do think on the bright side, Zach," Jacky says, standing on tiptoes to clap the man's back. "You're in the prime of your human life! Why waste it fretting over what you've lost instead of what you can do now?"

He turns back to grin at Ellagel. "It seems you have no lack of champions offering their purses, miss, so I shan't compete in this regard."

Zacharias turns to Ellagel, who had been nice to him on the ascent and after the apparition, and hands her a platinum piece. This should cover what you need, Lady Elminster. We'll discuss repayment if we survive.

Turning to Jacky, Zach continues Maybe so, Master Jockstrap, but most primes of life come with the teachings of experience. I may be dumb, but now I am both dumb and ignorant. By the time I learn what to do, I will either be dead or an old man. Zach goes back to contemplating the unfairness of life through the lens of good ale.

A quick summary of the financial situation as there’s a lot of coinage flying around.

A drink, meal and a bed for each of you, assuming you go with the basic options, costs 13 silver. Stabling for Billie is 10 silver.

That’s a grand total of 88 silver, or 8 gold and 8 silver.

So far, we have 1 gold from Grimidek, 2 gold and 4 silver from Thrudmarr, and a platinum piece (5 gold) from Zacharias for a total of 8 gold and 4 silver.

So Kronos just needs 4 silver more from someone.

---
7:40 pm, Demmasday 1st Lucreon (April) 2993 AEP
Ellagel, Elven Fighter/Magic User 1/1: 6/6, 90’
Grimidek, Dwarven Cleric 1: 9/9, 60’
Jacky, Halfling Fighter/Thief 1/1: 6/6, 60’
Thrudmarr, Wiskin Fighter 1: 5/5, 90’
Vasco, Thorcin Thief 1: 6/6, 120’
Zacharias, Archontean Fighter 1: 10/10, 60’
—
Billie, Mule, 120’


Is the private room at the Broken Head available? 1d100

After dining, is there anything else you would like to do this evening?

Or would you prefer to fast-forward to the next day?

---
8:10 pm, Demmasday 1st Lucreon (April) 2993 AEP
Ellagel, Elven Fighter/Magic User 1/1: 6/6, 90’
Grimidek, Dwarven Cleric 1: 9/9, 60’
Jacky, Halfling Fighter/Thief 1/1: 6/6, 60’
Thrudmarr, Wiskin Fighter 1: 5/5, 90’
Vasco, Thorcin Thief 1: 6/6, 120’
Zacharias, Archontean Fighter 1: 10/10, 60’
—
Billie, Mule, 120’

Ella is very thankful for the financial assistance afforded her, and content to realize that the party manages these costs in a fraternal manner. She would keep that in mind going forward. Other than dining, she is ready to rest as soon as the others are finished eating. She is a light sleeper, like most elves, and her favorite time for studying her spells is pre-dawn, so she tends to be an early sleeper.

"We discuss strategy in the morning?"

Yes. Let’s rest this eve, I feel like we earned that!

Zacharias finished his dinner and dragged his recently-created weary bones to the bunkroom, dropped his packs in an out-of-the way spot, and promptly went to a much needed sleep. His body and soul literally abused—with whispered prayers to Chibalba and Ellion, he hoped that sleep would help his body come to terms with his new reality.

Kronos points out one of the fancily dressed townsmen, a Thorcin, to Jacky as the current occupant of the private room. "Godric the Wise they call him. He’s one of the statue brokers from Gosterwick. He’ll pay for any statues you’re able to recover from the Halls. As will either of the other two gentlemen that he’s sitting with."

Kronos explains to Grimidek that there are no temples or smithies nearby. "Leastways, none that I’m aware of up here. Who knows what you might find down below. But above ground, there’s naught but this inn."

At that point, a woman dressed in clerical robes walks into the barroom through a door behind the bar. Those of a religious persuasion realise that her garb and holy symbol indicate that she is a follower of Tychias, the god of luck, fate and wealth, otherwise known as the Lady of Thieves’. "Ah, here she is," exclaims Kronos with a smile. "Estelle, come on over and meet our new guests."

---
8:10 pm, Demmasday 1st Lucreon (April) 2993 AEP
Ellagel, Elven Fighter/Magic User 1/1: 6/6, 90’
Grimidek, Dwarven Cleric 1: 9/9, 60’
Jacky, Halfling Fighter/Thief 1/1: 6/6, 60’
Thrudmarr, Wiskin Fighter 1: 5/5, 90’
Vasco, Thorcin Thief 1: 6/6, 120’
Zacharias, Archontean Fighter 1: 10/10, 60’
—
Billie, Mule, 120’

Thrudmarr waves excitedly at the priestess. "Hello god-lady! Me Thrudmarr! Me fight ghost AND magic tree today! Ghost make friend Zach old. You have magic to help?"

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZ, Khu, Khu, ZZZZZZZZ, Zach sputters in his sleep and turns over, slipping into a nightmare…?

There are three statue brokers at the table, each representing a different ‘Factor’*. They introduce themselves as:

- Godric the Wise, a Thorcin representing ‘The Golden Band’ Factor.
- Crisarius Three-Legs, an Archontean representing ‘The Prosperity Factor’.
- Fenitior Stone-Hands, an Archontean representing ‘The Wisdom Factor.’

*I’ve added a note on the Factors to the Lore thread.

Godric is the first to respond to Jacky’s question: "Indeed, I have clients from all over Magae who will pay handsomely for any ancient relics recovered from Arden Vul. They don’t have to be large, although the bigger pieces often command a higher price. It’s quality that I’m really looking for."

Crisarius interjects abruptly: "Of course, if you want the best price for all your hard work, then you’ll want to bring them to me and The Prosperity Factor."

Fenitior sneers in a dismissive manner at the other two. "Amateurs, amateurs. Antiques are a specialist business. You have to understand what you are selling before determining what it’s worth. I think you’ll find that only The Wisdom Factor provides that professional insight."

You sense a definite edge in the relationship between the three dealers.
"I’m pleased to meet you Master Thrudmarr, although I’m afraid that reversing ageing is beyond my meagre talents. If I were able to perform such a feat, I would have applied it to Kronos a long time ago!"

---
8:10 pm, Demmasday 1st Lucreon (April) 2993 AEP
Ellagel, Elven Fighter/Magic User 1/1: 6/6, 90’
Grimidek, Dwarven Cleric 1: 9/9, 60’
Jacky, Halfling Fighter/Thief 1/1: 6/6, 60’
Thrudmarr, Wiskin Fighter 1: 5/5, 90’
Zacharias, Archontean Fighter 1: 10/10, 60’
—
Billie, Mule, 120’

Jacky looks between the three men. "I see! And is it only statues that you'd be interested in buying? Of course, if we do come bring back any, I'll be sure to swing by."

When the conversation is concluded, Jacky will go claim his bed.

"Is okay. Zach still strong fighter, even if old now!" He yawns widely, stretching his arms. "Thrudmarr tired after fighting tree and ghost. Need sleep now."

With nothing else going on and nobody else to meet, Thrudmarr will go find his bed as well.

"Statues mainly, but we’ll take a look at any artworks or artefacts that are likely to appeal to our clients."

One by one, you retire upstairs to the bunkroom. As Jacky is halfway up the stairs, he hears a "Pssstt!" sound behind him. Turning, he sees one of the merchants, Crisarius from the Prosperity Factor, behind him. With a wink, Crisarius drops a pouch of coins into Jacky’s hand. "A little incentive to give me first refusal on any interesting items. Think of it as a downpayment or a retainer."

Opening the pouch, Jacky sees that it contains 50 gold coins.

---
9:00 pm, Demmasday 1st Lucreon (April) 2993 AEP
Ellagel, Elven Fighter/Magic User 1/1: 6/6, 90’
Grimidek, Dwarven Cleric 1: 9/9, 60’
Jacky, Halfling Fighter/Thief 1/1: 6/6, 60’
Thrudmarr, Wiskin Fighter 1: 5/5, 90’
Zacharias, Archontean Fighter 1: 10/10, 60’
—
Billie, Mule, 120’

Tallfolk think they can buy anything! Most of the time, they're right. Jacky grins right back and makes the pouch disappear. "First look on anything I carry back," he agrees.

Zacharias twists and turns. In his dreams, ghostly figures with spectral bloody claws and filthy fingernails moan in spiritual agony as they reach out into him and pull his very life-stuff out of his body—gold-sparkling clouds streaming from rents in his torso—and stuff it into their slobbering, gaping maws; full of evil, green teeth. Desperate, plaintive cries of No, no, leave me alone escaped his lips as he sank further into Lyncion's grip.