Ryvauld game (Melody)

[Lord Foul]

"So this is a human town," she says quietly to Goldthorn. "Not what I was expecting, but we can learn a lot about them from their settlement. No apparent design at work here, just a random collection thrown together as people come and go, by the look of it. No apparent guards either, which suggests they are confident in their safety... or just prefer an anarchic society."

"Listen well to their language, Goldthorn. You would do well to expand your knowledge of such things, else you may be vulnerable to any plotting you might otherwise overhear. I can give you instruction to help you get started, if we are likely to be here for some time."

"Right, well, there are some things we need, so I think the first order of business is to locate a good place to stay. But if there are any rules to life hereabouts I'd guess that stone monstrosity in the centre to be a likely source of government. Let's head over there and see if we can find someone who can tell us more about any laws and customs. Keep a close eye out for pickpockets and other thieves as we move through the crowds. If we're lucky our exotic appearance will deter them, but I don't think we should count on that protecting us for long."

As they wend their way towards the centre of town and the stone edifice that lies there, Melody watches and listens closely to the sights and sounds of the people and places they pass. She'll note any promising looking vendors, of maps, armour and weaponry, jewellery, magical potions and scrolls etc. Anything that looks like an inn or other gathering place will also be noted. If they can go past any of the other larger structures on the way to the stone building they will do so, to learn the nature of these places.

Melody maintains a stern and unwelcoming mien as they progress, to deter any waifs and beggars from bothering them. If any of the children do become a nuisance she'll speak in the human tongue, cautioning Goldthorn not to eat any of the tasty manspawn. One look at the tasloi's toothy grin should suffice as a deterrent.

[Arbuthnott]

Due to your upbringing, it doesn’t take you long to notice that the many campfires currently lit are cast alight permanently through arcane means. The floor is littered with the remains of their non-magical counterparts, hempen mats and scraps of food trodden underfoot and overlayed with dust. You easily make out large groups of people gathered around in seating areas separated by windbreaks; some on chairs, others on logs or mats. Despite the open ceiling of the town, there is plenty of cover and shade.

Nobody approaches you as you roam the streets; whether this is due to your own countenance or Goldthorn’s rather horrifying visage you don’t know. Despite the number of well-armed people milling the streets, you fail to spot any obvious guard patrols. Instead, almost every stand instead houses rough-looking muscle hovering at varying states of attention.

The path you take towards the stone structure takes you near two of the smaller wooden buildings. Around one sit the first people you see that could be called guards, the metal of their armoured uniform casting a haze in the air beneath the hot sun. Three of them sit on comfortable looking chairs beside the sole door, playing some form of card game. This building has no windows, nor any other obvious entrance save this one door.

The second building is of similar construction, with the sole difference being a large window thrown open besides its entrance. A large, bristled man stands behind the window, using the sill as a makeshift bar, while his wife leans in the doorway with an approachable smile.

You spy venders of all kinds as you walk, with no apparent segregation regarding their merchandise. While many of them sell things common to the forest of your home, there are several vendors selling produce you have only ever seen worn by visiting high elves before; wood and silk seem to be incredibly popular, with many of the passing stalls seemingly dedicated solely to clothes. Other stalls are more martially focused, and it is at one of these that you first encounter what can only be a dwarf, gruffly haggling with a weary patron over the price of a large pick. The staggering choice is slightly overwhelming; although you don’t necessarily find everything you might be looking for initially, with some time spent wandering you should be able to find specific stalls.

Surprisingly unimpeded, you arrive at the stone building in good time. Standing roughly 40 ft. tall, there is one major entrance on this side barred by a large wooden door and metal portcullis. A second group of guards stand to attention besides the door, watching people pass with bored disinterest. They quickly stand to attention as soon as you come closer, however.

“Woah there. Is that goblin yours, elf? I hope you’ve got it under control; we don’t want no funny business round here.”

[Lord Foul]

Melody approaches the speaker with a smile.

"Don't worry, she is my maidservant. She doesn't always look so rough, but we ran into some gibberlings in the forest and barely made it out alive. Given some rest and fresh clothing she can look quite presentable."

"This is our first visit to your town, and we are unfamiliar with your laws and customs. Perhaps you would help us with a little advice. You know, things we need to know to avoid upsetting the locals and getting into trouble with the authorities. I take it this place does represent the Authority around here?" She casts a glance up at the 40' height of the walls. "An impressive fortress! Who is in charge here?"

"We'll be needing some place to stay too. Do we just camp anywhere we can find the space, or do you have... inns or other lodging establishments that we could use?"

[Arbuthnott]

One of the guards in the back sneers at Goldthorn as you introduce her, although he shows visible regret when she bares her teeth in response. The lead guard instead gives a cautious nod. “Just make sure she gets herself presentable quickly. I don’t want to hear complaints of you two scaring nobody.”

“The law’s simple. No stealing, no fighting out of self-defence, no getting on my nerves. If you want to set up shop, you’ll need to buy yourself a permit; there’s storage places around, but it’s first come first serve, so good luck getting any. There’s also a selling tax, so make sure to charge them extra; don’t worry, everyone’s doing it, so they’ll understand. If you’re just buying, don’t worry about the tax; it’s a single percent of the profit, three coppers minimum, so if you’re getting ripped off tell them where to stuff it.”

“You get in any trouble, come get us and we’ll sort it out. There’s a small fee, but better that then getting robbed, eh? Otherwise, the catchpole’s in charge, so you have any complaints you make it his problem, not mine, okay?”

“There are a few rooms in here for rent; extortion, if you ask me, but some people’ll pay anything for some privacy. Otherwise, Bertha might set you up if you ask real nice like. Her and Wilf have a tavern over that way somewhere.” He gestures towards one of the buildings you walked past. “Most people just camp wherever, though. No tax on that, and we’re just outside the Raining so it’s not like you need the shelter. Again, keep an eye out for any thieves, and don’t you dare think of it yourself. Thieving’ll cost you more than just a hand round here.”

[Lord Foul]

"Thank you for the information. I'm sure we'll have no difficulty following the rules. You've been most helpful. Please take this as a token of our appreciation." She offers him a gold coin; extravagant as a gratuity maybe, but if it buys us some goodwill with the local law enforcement that might come in handy later.

They leave the guards and head back in the direction indicated to Bertha and Wilf's tavern. Even if they don't have affordable accommodation, it sounds like a good place to get a decent meal, some more 'street level' information, and a locale likely to be a hub of activity for travellers like ourselves.

[Arbuthnott]

Palming the gold coin, the guard looks entirely unfazed by the extravagant gift. “You’ll do just fine here. On your way, now.”

The direction the guard gestured was vaguely close to one of the buildings you passed earlier, the one with window, so you head in that direction. In the subsequent minutes, a large queue has formed outside the window, the man who is presumably Wilf busy handing out tankards the size of your head. Near to that, the open door is now vacant, giving you a clear view into a small room filled with tables, patrons and candles.

[Lord Foul]

"Stay close behind me, Goldthorn. These people seem alarmed by your appearance, for some reason, so best not give them any surprises."

Melody leads the way in through the open doorway, looks for a vacant table, in a corner if one is available, and takes a seat, with Goldthorn behind her concealed at least a little by Melody's larger size and more striking appearance.

Hopefully someone will approach, but if they find themselves waiting unattended for long Melody will attempt to attract the attention of a server.

[Arbuthnott]

The room is smaller than you expected, for being one of the few complete buildings you’ve seen so far. Almost solely made of wood, it retains the thick husk of smoke and spices that have slowly seeped into the walls day after day. There are ten small, round wooden tables dotted around, all clearly unfixed and light enough to readily move, each affixed with a number of candles that lighten up the room.

To your left as you enter, there is a square bar cornering off Wilf and his window from the rest of the room, a doorway partitioned by thin drapes beside him presumably leading into a back room. A second doorway, this one containing an actual door, leads from the main room through the same wall.

The room is relatively occupied when you enter, with at least six of the tables hosting several patrons each. Although you get a few curious looks, you find yourself an empty table with ease; two fit your criteria, one being closest to the back door, the other being in the furthest corner from any kind of door.

It takes several minutes before a woman approaches you, moving to your table after delivering a group of elderly men several steaming bowls. The woman is the same one you observed standing in the doorway before, her brown hair falling out of a messy bun that draws attention away from the lines creasing her face. With a polite smile, she speaks with a brisk lilt. “You’re new. What can I get you both?”

[Lord Foul]

We'll take the table in the farthest corner, away from the doors.

When the woman approaches them, Melody returns her smile, and says:

"We've travelled far and are hungry and thirsty. If everything you serve smells as good as whatever is in those bowls you just served, it will do us just fine. Use your own judgement, if you will, and bring us the best you have. My maid here prefers meat, if possible, and rare if you have it. My own tastes are a little more refined, and I'll be intrigued to sample your finest dishes."

While we wait for the food and drinks to be served, Melody will brief Goldthorn on what she has learned so far. She'll give a rough translation of the information obtained from the guard leader, emphasising that they seem to be very strict on thieving around here, so until we become more familiar with the place and its ways, best resist any temptation to help ourselves to things that don't belong to us.

When the woman brings their food, Melody makes appropriately gracious noises of appreciation for the fine victuals, then adds:

"We are new in town and will be needing somewhere safe to stay for a few days. Do you happen to have any accommodation available for us? A single room would suffice for our needs, and somewhere to wash and clean the wounds we picked up on our journey. The town guard captain was very complimentary towards your establishment and the welcome you provide to weary travellers."

While we eat Melody goes on to brief Goldthorn on her plans for trading goods and shopping for new equipment, noting that Goldthorn could do with some new clothes and probably some better weapons too. She asks Goldthorn to consider if there is anything else she needs... or wants, and to let Melody know when she spots it as they search the town.

[Arbuthnott]

The woman scratches her chin as you order your food. “One of our best, one meat; got it.” She nods to herself before bustling off into the back room, stopping only once to collect some dishes. You see her in and out several times while you wait; it seems she mans the floor by herself, while the man constantly moves back and forth between the window and his own door.

It takes you slightly longer than you’d prefer to be served, but when she does the woman carefully lays out a large plate of fish, grapes and cheese, with a tankard of sweet, slightly salty wine; curiously, she gives you a wink as she does. Goldthorn gets a shallow bowl of steak in a thick, brown sauce with a small plate of vegetables on the side and a tankard of what looks like milk.

“If you want to stay in a proper building, then sure. It’s one gold per night per person. We close the taproom after the second Raining, so give me an hour to move out all the tables and have the floor scrubbed, and you can come back in. Have you got your own bedroll? The cushions are on the house, but if you want a futon that’s an extra five silver per night.” With a snort, she adds “I know, everyone wants a room, but I’ve only got this one for sleeping in. You can have a curtain for an extra two silver per night, but let me know now if you do; we’ve only got three of them, and one’s already been booked.”