The Hunter's Mark

You arrive at the Inn. A small sign with a red exclamation mark under which the name The Hunter’s Mark is written in cursive script. You enter the inn and it is full, almost packed. Lining the walls are taxadermic heads of various animals. There’s a stage area and several musical instruments but no one is currently using them. You walk up to the busy bar and you’re greeted by a cherry looking female halfling. Howdy guys, I’m Lena Lionheart, what can I getcha?

Lena looks at you sympathetically as you fish through your pockets looking for your gold. Alas, you can't find it.
Would you like to start a tab? she says. Most of my patrons use a tab system as they don't get paid until coin arrives on the supply ship. There's no problem if you'd like to do the same.

As you're talking the door opens and Ques walks in...

You see Magak speaking with the innkeeper who is clearly a female halfling. Magak is standing there with him. You see that the inn is packed and there is a dwarf sitting alone at a rather large table. The dwarf is trying to get the attention of Magak and Harbek.

You can stay here and drink for free now but you must promise to pay me later. A friend of yours from the town will act as a guarantor. If you don't pay then your friend will have to pay instead.

Seeing Haedrid motioning to get their attention, Harbek nods at the halfling woman,

"Aye miss. That'll be what I be needin'. Much obliged to ya for sure."

Patting Magak on the back again, Harbek looks up at him.

"I be headin' over to join Haedrid, if ya be needin' me for anything."

As he walks over he sees Que coming through the door and gives her a nod before taking a seat at the table with the other dwarf.

No problem. Oh and if you wanna bring me back a nice stag or something that'll go a huge way towards settling the bill too. she says as you go and sit down next to Haedrid.

Howdy stranger, the names Lena Lionheart and I'm the innkeeper here. The others were looking to set up a tab.
Would you like me to set one up for you too? What's your name? The boys here love fresh venison so if you catch any deer be sure to bring some in. I'll pay ya for it.

Haedrid turns to Harbek and says I wouldn't worry abou' tit friend. This is a frontier town and there's always work that needs doin'. If nothin better turs up ya could alays try ya 'and at 'untin.

It's at this point that you hear a loud ruckus coming from a table near the back. Two large gentlemen sweep the food and drinks off the table creating an awful mess. They eye each other up, then sit down, and begin arm wrestling. A crowd instantly forms around the two and you definitely hear the sound of bets being placed.

You slide over to watch the two men arm wrestle. The immediate area surrounding the two is packed full of people yet somehow you manage to find some space. One of the humans looks like he has spent his entire life lifting very heavy things while the other looks as though he has spent most of his time drinking and eating. The second man looks a little older than the first and he is much larger. The first man looks younger and smaller. They seem quite evenly matched.
A Half Orc notices you and approaches. Care to make a wager?

Most of us don't son. That axe of yours looks pretty tasty? I got a couple a hand axes I could afford to lose. Fair bet?

At this point Haedrid makes appears at your elbow. Tell ya what Serpentskull. I bet ol' Magak 'ere could give ya a run for ya money. How abou' ta match. I'll wager 20 gold against ya two hand axes. You see the half orc grin greedily. I'm game if you are?

Nodding at Haedrid's words, Harbek takes another drink.

As he is about to respond, he hears a commotion from across the room and looks over to see two men start to arm wrestle. Laughing quietly to himself a the site, as it reminds of his time in the military. Turning back to Haedrid,

Aye. I be certain somethin' will present itself. I'm no hunter though, unless we be huntin' orcs, goblins, or the like. Thems I be ready to hunt any time.

The two of you quickly clear a table and sit down. You can hear the excitement of the crowd as people place their bets.
Serpentskull is gonna teach this new comer a a lesson.
I dunno. This new guy looks pretty tough.
What? You gonna bet on the new guy? Serpentskull has never lost a match.
The two of you sit down and size each other up for a moment then Serpentskull puts his arm out and you clasp it with your own.
Place your bets now! You hear someone say. You turn your head and you're surprised to see Lena taking bets.

Seeing the excitement building as Magak sits down to start arm wrestling, Harbek can't help himself and makes his way over to the bar and looks for the halfling. Finding her easily,

Oye lass. How's about you spot Harbek 5 gold against me tab to place a bet that me friend there be winning this contest?

You're betting against Serpentskull? Ya must be mad but I'll happily take ya gold. she winks at you and smiles and makes a mark in her notebook.

Smiling back at the diminutive woman behind the bar, Harbek takes his drink and gets in position to be able to cheer on his friend at the table as he attempts to take on this Serpentskull.

Magak and Serpentskull lock arms and it is a true display of strength. You can see the cords of muscle flexing and straining as each tries to wear the other down. Despite all expectations to the contrary, it is Magak who takes the first round. Gently pushing his opponent's hand to the table.

I get ready for round 2.

@Magak Serpentskull looks at you with a new found look of respect. He nods his head in determination then holds his arm out. You clasp it and your battle begins anew. During your match you see him bite down on his bottom lip and snarl in rage. In a matter of moments he forces your hand upon the table. It hurts a little.

As my arm hits the table, I feel my rage rising. My eyes go wild as I feel a new sense of strength coursing through me.

You see the rage burn out of Serpentskull's eyes as he lets out a roar of triumph. The crowd echo his roar as the score is tied one to one. You sit there feeling dejected. But you focus your pain into rage. You chanel it and let it wash over you. He sits down again and grins at you. You offer your arm and he takes it. You feel the effects of the previous two bouts and for a moment it seems as if your strength may fail you but you summon all of your willpower and you refuse to allow your arm to move backwards. Serpentskull grunts with effort but he cannot move your arm. After a few moments you make your move. You put all of your remaining strength into an overwhelming push which ends when Serpentskull's arm hits the table. The crowd is stunned to silence. Then it errupts screaming your name. Magak Magak Magak.
Serpentskull looks you in the eye. Well fought stranger. I am Garock Serpentskull. I will want a rematch sometime soon. I hope you will face me when the time comes. Til then, enjoy your victory.
And you do. You find your tankard filled with an unending supply of ale as patrons buy you round after round. After your third cup, the door to the inn opens and Que walks in dragging an enormous stag by one leg.

A few patrons look at the stag with clear bite marks piercing through its hide. One of them looks at the stag and then looks at you. Where did you find this?

@Harbek Lena smiles at you and hands you 5 gold. It was worth it just to see Serpentskull lose. He was undefeated ya know? Also, I've made plenty of coin offa ya friend here. I'll be covering his room and board for a while. Only fair innit?

@Que
A group off women wearing leathers and furs approach you. One of them quickly introduces herself Hi there newcomer. I'm Melina a trapper here at Berda Trading Post. Those bite marks were made by a dire wolf. Nasty sorts but their fur's worth a bundle. If you tell me where you found it why I'd be happy to cut you in for say 25 gold once I catch it. How about it?

It is at this point that Saris enters the Hunter's Mark. Saris you see a party in full swing. Magak seems to be everybody's best friend and he is sitting at a table with Harbek and a dwarf that you don't recognise. You also see Que talking to what appears to be a group of female rangers. She looks to be having a good time.

Melina gives you a weird look as if she's not entirely sure what's going on then she says OK. Thanks for the info.
As for hunting together, maybe next time. Also, if you are going to hunt then please be careful. Dire Wolves have been known to kill for pleasure hence that kill that you found there. There's one in particular, a nasty brute we nicknamed 'Shadow'. He's killed three of my girls. Good huntresses all of them. Be careful ok?

As Saris approaches and leans in to see if Harbek would come outside for a quick chat, he looks across the table at his drinking companion, Haedrid,

"Excuse me a moment Haedrid, looks like I be needin' to stretch me legs for a moment and let the drink settle."

Looking to Saris, he nods and then stands to stretch and head towards the door.

As Saris finishes speaking, Harbek lets his words sink in and begins to think about what he has heard. Rubbing his chin as he thinks, he retraces his steps since waking in the rectory.

"Hmmm. Well let me think. I haven't had much interaction with the folk, but they do seem to be genuinely unphased by things. That other dwarf Haedrid, do appear to be a nice fella, and he did up and give me a battle axe and shield to replace the one what I left onboard our last boat, the one what we didn't blow up. Even if that be payment for helpin' him clear the mess off the beach, it were a bit much."

Looking at Saris gravely for a moment, then waving the notion away,

"But us dwarves be lookin' out for each other in ways others can't be known', so there be nothin' to that. Then there be the halfling what runs this place. She was a might happy to extend credit to a fella what just washed up on the shore. Could be good business, could be strange. Hard to tell."

Further thinking over the things that passed this day, "The strangest thing though, be how that monster of a fella took to gettin' beat by Magak so well. Had it be two dwarves at that table one, or both, would have been punched at the end. I suppose we should be on our guard and keepin' particular watch on folks."

Thinking for a moment before responding,

Sleepin' in the wild be no problem for meself. Does the mind good to be out under them stars. You know them to be proof that even in the dark, Pelor's presence be found when you look for it.

Not wanting to drift into a sermon, Harbek turns his attention to the question asked by Saris,

um, yes well. I know Magak and the druid, Que I think she be called, be inside. I'm not to be knowin' where the other one be. I hasn't seen him since before when we all be in the infirmary?

@Saris. @Harbek@Que
Well, it's a lovely size but the fur is quite torn. I can give ya 5 days board or 20 gold. What one do ya want?

Sorry, they're your friends right? I will give you board for the whole lot of you for 5 days. Individually, it's 1 gold per day. I like to keep my prices as cheap as I can.

No problem. The rangers prefer to stay in the wild too. Will you be staying here tonight?

Ok then. Well, here's your gold. We'll be taking last orders in a couple of hours if you want to stay here please come back before then. she hands you 20 gold.

No one seems to be paying you any attention. You make eye contact with a few people who quickly shake their heads and look away.

After your discussion you realise that it is quite late. Lena has called for a final round of drinks. You finish your drinks and head to your rooms upstairs.
You think that Ms. Fraught will be the best person to ask for information regarding the orcs.After a good night's rest you wake up, have breakfast and then head to the Western Trading Company.

@Herod:

The man with the split face grins.
Whaddya got? We ain't got much gold, so we mostly bet stuff. I'm game for anything as small as a betting beers to weapons! I also got some orc ears if ya interested in that sorta thing?

Done. Shall we say 2 silver each to start the pot?

You each put ten silver into the middle of the table. He counts out ten ears and places them in front of you. He takes another ten ears out and places them on the table in front of himself.

Sven. Although my friends call me Cheery

Cheery takes two orc ears and places them in the middle of the table.
I raise you two silver he says confidently.

He gives you a long hard look as if he were trying to read your face. Then he puts in the rest of his orc ears into the pot.

Cheery balks as you reveal your straight and then smiles and reveals a 3,4,5 hand.

Again? he says and then falls silent as the skeleton makes it's way through the common room.

Harbek and Que are sitting in the common room having their breakfast when Saris and Glòrendil enter and strike up a conversation with Lena, the halfling bartender.