Chapter 1: Introduction

"It doesn't" the barman muses, seeming to enjoy Chailin's confusion. "But it helps you activate the portal that leads there. The thought's the key"

"Every portal needs a key t'activate it, luv" says the barkeep as he swipes the bar. "Most keys are items you need t'be carryin' with you, but sometimes keys are weird. Like a thought, or a feeling or a song y'need t'be recitin'." He pauses to look up at Chailin. "You must be new here if you don't know the dark 'bout the portals, eh?"


"I, uh..." Bokorumon needs a moment or two to figure out exactly what Tarandar is saying to him. "Yeah, your expenses aren't covered and we don't know how long you'll be here for. Sucks for you, but it is what it is." The guardian takes a big sip and empties his drink. "Can't go against the rules. Which, by the way, state that I'm here to escort you. To me that means make sure you don't escape or do something really stupid in your ignorance. You want to earn yourselves some jink to pay for this place, I won't mind. I mean, unless it's like, a fight to the death. Sorry, bad example. Don't even know if you're capable of even doing that. But you catch my drift, yes?"

"I'm no afterlife specialist, but I do know the dead ain't aware o' their state. Makes you pretty alive th'way I see it" the barman says with a grin, before pouring some ale into a mug. "I'll get s'm' food from the kitchen. Try this stuff in the meantime, 'tis strong enough to wake the dead. Ain't gonna have much doubt after quaffin' sum". The man-dwarf seems to laugh a bit at his own joke, then leaves the mug next to Chailin before heading towards the kitchen to place an order.

Meanwhile, the humans turn around to notice Xana. "Kindest apologies, stranger, but we are in the middle of a rather important conversation that we would like to keep to ourselves. Are you lost?" one of them speaks up.

Bokorumon takes a moment to mull over Tarandar's words, though whether he's deep in thought or struggling to think through the alcohol is not clear. "You said so yourself, you are... irregular situations" he finally says. "But that doesn't really change much. My duty is to be your escort, regardless of whether you're alive or dead. At least until Yen-Wang-Yeh shoots you through a portal to your destination Plane. So yeah, if you stay here and don't make up for it, he will, when he makes his final decision. Gotta uphold the laws. Innkeeper gets compensated, Palace is free from the debt you've laid upon it and you end up paying anyway. Price is deducted from your ticket, if you get what I mean. Nice places ain't that cheap and it's your actions that pay the ticket, not the coins in your pouch. It's the way of the Planes." Bokorumon pauses to motion for another drink. "As long as you're still around by that time, my job's done. So yeah, if you wanna improve your odds of a nicer destination, you might as well find a way to pay for your stay here. Doesn't have to take you away, I bet they could use a few extra hands to clean the place or help in the kitchen."

The humans look at Xana. "That depends on your viewpoint, I suppose" one answers. "But generally, people round these parts tend to know where they are and why. It's where they're headed afterwards that's usually the question. You see, a lot depends on asking the right questions."Bokorumon simply waves his hand in a "go ahead" fashion and Tarandar walks to the bar, joining Chailin. The man-dwarf bartender returns with a plate of steaming meat and some vegetables on the side. The taste is strong and slightly smoky, much like game meat, but the texture is soft and juicy. "Brought in straight from Bytopia, marinade's my little secret" the bartender says with a toothy grin of pride, before noticing Tarandar. "Oi, you with her, aye? An' the lil' gnome. Fancy a drink or some food? Your friend here's got you covered for tonight" he says as he pulls out the ring from a pocket. "Though she tells me you're gonna help with our litte... situation at the cellar. Do that and the ring'll be yours again, plus plenty o'credit on yer tab."

Xana's move doesn't go unnoticed but that meat sure is delicious...

Barman returns with a steaming plate of food, which he lays in front of Tarandar. "Don't enjoy it too much, might have trouble rememb'ring the portal key" he says, before noticing Xana helping herself to some food from Chailin's plate. "Yer elf friend and I 'ave come to an arrangement for now, got enough store credit for another plate of food, plus drinks for you and the gentleman if y'like. Just don't get too smashed like ol' Bokorumon there if you're headed towards the cellar later on."