Chapter 5: Blingdenstone

The table rattles under Heartboiler's hands, send the few remaining dishes jumping into the air.

Cemos, as you bend down to check the pair of them, you see they do have some bruising around their faces, but not excessive.

With a roar, the Duergar lunges up from his seat, pushing past the gnome talking to him. You can see that under his heavy cloth cloak, there is a set of dull scale armor and a warpick hangs from his belt. His face pulls into a wide grin as he doubles in size, rising to nearly Heartboiler's own height. he says as he charges at you, drawing his warpick as he goes.

The foursome of gnomes turn and run up against the wall, save for their friend who's breathing is blowing bubbles in his soup. The barkeep smiles and lets out a small yip as one of the slouched patrons turns and hoists a tankard of ale in the direction of the fight. he cries out.

PCs are up!

Dustin fires off a bolt at the Duergar that sails wide of the mark. Heartboiler whips the massive blade back and forth across the large Duergar's body, painting him a portrait of pain. The first blow lands and he opens his mouth to chuckle it off. Then comes the backstroke. Swift and well placed right across the chest his eyes clench closed as the wind rushes out and his massive frame falls backwards, clipping a nearby table. In just a matter of seconds, the bar fills with hearty cheers and the sound of tankards being pounded as the dark ale drips down the face of the now unconscious Duergar.

The other would be "combatants" very quickly realize just how large a mistake it would be to get really involved with this fight.

Tappy Foamstrap runs up to you, Heartboiler, and immediately hugs your leg. Totally oblivious to the threat this actually puts her in.

Oh ya big lass, thank you for that bit o' mirth! That cantankerous old bastard never did tip very well. Truth be told, he's a few dozen gold in debt to the establishment but we've never been able to muster the strength to take it. You've my thanks - ah - umm. What IS your name?

Combat is over! The place is a bit in shambles, but the mood is HIGHLY elevated. Heartboiler has advantage on any CHA check made with the tavern occupants for the foreseeable future. All of you can enjoy free food and lodging for one night.

Tappy smiles at you. Well, we do have something without mushrooms. It may not be mountain lion or ram, but you'll maybe find it very delicious. she says, running off to the back. Soon you here a muted argument followed by a slamming door.

After a few moments, a surly looking gnome comes out wearing a streaked apron and looks over Heartboiler appraisingly. Ah yup, you'll like it. he says, before wandering back off to the kitchen. A barmaid moves around the table, keeping you all filled with whatever drinks of choice you may request.

About ten minutes later, Tappy comes back out, a smile on her face and a wand in her hand. Behind her floats a massive tray, easily the size of one of the smaller tables in the Foaming Mug. Flicking the little wand, the dish sails over and settles on an empty table near to you. Arranged on the tray is a veritable forest of pieces and parts of a young steeder, the giant tarantulas the Duergar are known to breed and ride. Foremost are the eight large main leg pieces, each the size of Heartboilers own arms. Arranged around them are a host of dark breads, smaller piles of shredded meat, and small dishes of assorted spices of all colors and aromas. Nestled in the middle is the head of the creature, opened from the top and holding a medium tureen of some lightly glowing sauce.

Ok, so madam Heartboiler, out of our genuine thanks and utmost astonishment for your prowess at beating in that lunk's head, not to mention your recovery of our compensation, we'd like to present you with a dish we've only served to entire parties of heroes to the city so far. You look like you can eat, though, so here it is, just for you. The Succulent Steeder Special. The main legs have been quick steamed and seasoned with only a little salt and pepper. The spices are there for you to apply as you'd like, some blindingly hot, others more mild. The smaller piles of meat are a shredded steeder meat that was braised in dark ale for several hours. It goes wonderfully with the bread. Now, you may be interested in this sauce here. It's a house specialty that we've come to love over the years, and if you dip the steeder leg meat in it, oh boy are you in for a treat. It's a glowfish and ixitxachitl curry. Very spicy, but also somehow fresh, like one of those oranges we've been given by surfacers in the past. It's rich and light at the same time. Please, we really hope you enjoy it all! Tappy says, very animated, much more so than when you first saw her when you entered the bar.

As she's finishing up the explanation of the mountain of food now in front of Heartboiler, the door to the tavern bangs open and a fidgety looking old deep gnome wanders in. A large pair of glasses sits on his nose, and wiry gray hair seems to sprout from his head and ears in equal measure. Clothes are tattered and burnt in some places, patched with a hodgepodge of leather and steel in others. Around the bar, a round of welcome goes up. Ho Enzo!

Tappy turns and smiles. Well Master Dwarf, you wanted to meet old Enzo here he is. HEY, ENZO! You have GOT to meet these people! she says, moving quickly over to him.