Baldur's Gate: Descent into Avernus - IC Thread

[Wandering Owl]

Bright nods when Sky brings up the tavern. She has a rough idea of where they're heading, at least. As the group discusses who to be the voice of the party, she hums to herself, contemplating. "I have some skill with this area, though I tend more towards the… intimidation side of things. I doubt that is to be our initial approach." True enough. She wasn't good at socialising, not really, having a tendency to talk too fast and go off on tangents when she was able to be genuine. And though this guise gave her some amount of confidence, there was only a limited range she was comfortable in. Delicate social encounters were definitely outside that.

She turned her head, looking among the group as they walked, running through what she knew about them in her head. "Sky said she had a way with words. Perhaps she would be the optimal choice." The woman had certainly seemed to live up to that claim so far, and there was something effortlessly magical to her speech and presence. Bright couldn't tell if what she felt was admiration or jealousy.

 

[MrBrown]

"You are fine the way you are, darling," Sylbella commented with a soft, echoing and caring voice, very mature-sounding and almost motherly as she gave Axtis a small, professional smile. The use of the word 'darling' carried no second meaning to it. In fact, it sounded much more like a speech habit than anything else.

Sylbella herself wasn't sure what to think when most of the group turned to her to lead the conversation with Tarina when they got to the tavern. The way she had been raised definitely allowed her to know what to say and when to say it and while she considered herself fairly eloquent, she had no intentions of stepping on anyone's toes. Right now, it seemed to be a consensus for the group so she at least didn't feel like she was overstepping herself. As far as she saw it, they were all equals. This was just playing to each other's strengths.

"If that is everyone's wishes, I have no arguments against it," Once more, Sylbella gave the room a small bow of her, her way of thanking everyone else for at least trusting her with this. "If you are okay with it, perhaps you could assist me in talking with Tarina." She followed up, turning her head slightly to focus on Bright. "Whether you are used to more intimidating approaches or not, one's eloquence is always present nonetheless."

So far, she liked the various individuals in front of her. She had yet to make a solid mindset regarding each of them but first impressions mattered and so far all of them were more than okay in Sylbella's book.

Once everyone demonstrated their readiness to go, Sylbella would describe the way to the Elfsong Tavern. That way, even if they somehow got separated, at least all of them would know its general location. After that, she would along alongside the group.

 

[Nonialba]

The trip from the Basilisk Gate to Elfsong Tavern was not too far. From the loud noise and riots of refugees trying to make their way through the gate, the road went west, curving through the busy streets. There was a certain atmosphere in the city. While usually the roads were filled with noise and bartering, folks of all creeds and races buying, selling and moving through to their location, the atmosphere was noticeably tense. Most people seemed to avoid the gaze of the party, with the appearance of a Flaming Fist patrol there wasn't too much of a surprise.

However, the journey to the tavern itself isn't too difficult. The discomfort that fills the city carries down the road, the news of Elturel's fall causing even the bravest of folks to keep to themselves, keeping their eyes and ears open for any sign of trouble.

A well-worn sign indicates the party's arrival at the tavern. With white, weather-stained walls and worn wood that seems to do little more than hold the building upright. Two sullen humans stand just to the right of the door, talking in hushed whispers, though they separate when the group come closer and moves off from the door. The sign hanging overhead says 'Elfsong Tavern', in copper-coloured lettering.

As the party make their way inside, they are met with the thick smell of pipe smoke. Quiet conversation occurs between tables, as a few tavern patrons sit hunched over their drinks. A Dragonchess Set can be seen between two halflings, and another group in the corner are playing what looks to be an intense game of Baldur's Bones. At the front of the tavern, what looks to be a half-elven man is cleaning some glasses while engaged in conversation with a grey-haired human and a red-haired halfling with an eyepatch over her left eye.

 

[MrBrown]

While she had heard of the Elfsong Tavern and knew of its location, Sylbella had actually never gone inside. Truth be told, the outside appearance never really called to her as she was used to a different... level of establishments. The inside didn't change her mind for the better once she stepped through the door, her eyes scanning the room for the various individuals inside.

She didn't spare anyone more than a few-seconds-glance, she didn't want to be rude and none of the ones present really looked like they were Tarina. "I am going to inquire the bartender about Tarina. Perhaps some of the patrons might also be able to help us and as I cannot be in two places at once, could any of you assist me and talk with them?" While they had agreed Sylbella would take the lead when talking with this woman, they first had to find her and she believed they'd go about it much faster if they divided and conquered for now. They were just asking about her, nothing else.

Assuming everyone was okay with it, Sylbella would then walk towards the men at the front of the tavern cleaning some classes. She'd made sure anyone in the group knew they were more than welcome to walk along with her. The way she walked made it obvious she was completely out of her element, not because she seemed hesitant or uncertain but because of the way she held herself and her general posture. She would most likely look like someone who would frequent more luxurious gatherings.

"Excuse me?" Sylbella would say calmly with a soft and echoing voice from behind the grey-haired man and red-haired halfling as she focused her gaze on the half-elven man. "Are you perhaps the one in charge of this tavern? I was hoping you could assist me."

 

[Chowlett]

Shemlech follows Sky to the bar. He most definitely isn't going to approach other patrons at their tables; but he has learnt a few social graces, mostly by rote, and he knows enough to know that in a tavern you have to buy drinks. This was the barman's livelihood, after all. They'd get much better information from him if they kept his coffers flowing.

Stepping up beside Sky, he cuts in with an almost comically-affected air of being at ease: "But, uh, first I'd very much like a drink. This is a tavern, after all, ha-ha! A firewater for me; small, I think, this early in the day, hah! What about you, Sky? On me, this once."

 

[Sherwood]

Axtis decides to join Shemlech and Sky inside, and heads for an open table (if there is one) and plunks down in a seat. If there are any waitresses working the room, she offers up a wave to one and says, "I'd like a beer, please." She stretches back and casually looks about the room to see where any potential trouble might pop up, hoping that they can get through this without any problems.

 

[Psychie]

Sasha will go and sit with Axtis at her table, propping up her spear against the side of her seat next to her. When the cleric asks for a beer, Sasha raises up two fingers. "Make it two, please."

 

[Ginko The Mushishi]

Gill rarely plucked his beady blue eyes off of his new friends. He would hulk his way along with them, and when they finally reached the Elfsong Tavern he allowed everyone to walk in first, before himself. He examined the room with what little time he could in the doorway before spotting a nice ole' corner to squeeze himself into. Gill took no seats, and had no drinks. He stayed silent in his little corner, looking totally out of place there in the first place. Usually those that brood chose to hide themselves within the dark corners of a Tavern.
Not Gill, though. This chainmail clad buffoon stood perfectly still and motionless. He would not ask for drink, nor food. Neither would he speak unless spoken to directly. That was how Gill was raised in the Coliseum. Those of higher status were not quite hospitable to their laborers. Gill simply believed this was just the "way" of all things, and understood his position in all of it.

Though he would be lying if he said he didn't feel somewhat excited to be in such a place. So many different people and so many stories to hear from each one about their lives. Though that fun had to wait, he wanted to be sure his friends would be protected by any means necessary. He kept watch over each one of his new friends, watching them like a hawk.

 

[Psychie]

Sasha leans back in her seat, trying to relax as she waits for her drink. Then, she sees the tall Gill just standing there, looking around. "Hey, Gill! Get over here and take a load off your feet. Relax and have a drink with us. We can talk while we enjoy a good brew, and we can talk about . . . well, whatever we want, right?"

 

[Sherwood]

Axtis nods in agreement. "Yes, you should join us. We can compare stories of how our two religious orders differ from one another in their doctrine and way they teach their initiates." Besides, he's not a bad looking fellow. It couldn't hurt to enjoy a few drinks with him.

 

[Wandering Owl]

Bright paused just inside the tavern door, pulling her hood tighter as she casting her gaze across the room and its occupants. The rest of the party had spread out across the room - Shemlech and Sky up by the bar, Sasha and Axtis over at a table with Gill seeming like he might join them. They were all acting fairly relaxed and natural, which had never been Bright's strong suit. Not when there was a task pressing in her mind. Divide and conquer, that's the strategy, right? Plus I can't interrupt Sky, not after nominating her over myself.
Mind made up, Bright headed over to the table in the corner where the dice game was ongoing. She put a hand on the table, with a little force in order to get the attention of the players. "I'm looking for a woman. Human. Goes by Tarina. Any idea where she is?" Her voice was low, not intended to carry beyond the table, though the words came out harsher than she had intended.

 

[Nonialba]

I would like each of you to give me a Perception check while in the tavern to see if anything strikes your attention.

As Sybella and Shemlech approached the bar, the tavern keep looked up to the pair. As he was about to reply to the Genasi woman, the request from Shemlech got him to raise an eyebrow.

“That I am miss, names Alan, how can I be of help? To you ser, firewater is not something we supply. We have ale, wine, and mead by the tankard or by the bottle to your fancy.” He looked over the pair. The two sitting by the bar had turned into a conversation of their own, complaining about the cost of things and the change in weather lately.


A young, fair-haired waitress approached when Axtis waved her over, giving a polite nod to the pair sitting at the table.
“Welcome to the Elfsong, we’ve had trouble getting beer in recently, but we do have ale, mead, or wine if you would prefer. All the conflict going on has caused us problems with some of our suppliers.” She attempted to give a calming smile, though her expression could easily tell she had received a scolding from more than one irate customer over the lack of things.


As Bright approached the table, the two halflings glanced up, and between each other.

“Tarina aye? She’s upstairs, probably scamming some poor buggers. Though if yer lookin’ to get any money back you’ll be in a right state. From what I’ve head, she’s owing money to plenty people.” With that, as if not intending to continue the conversation, the grizzled halfling turns back to his game.

 

[Sherwood]

Perception roll for Axtis at a +5

And I don't see shit.

 

[Wandering Owl]

Perception roll for Bright at a -1

Total of 19, since idk whether you count crits on non-attack rolls.

 

[Psychie]

Sasha waves her hand dismissively. "Ale is just fine thank you, no worries there."

OOC Passive Perception is a 20, but my active roll is a +5
Total of 14

 

[Chowlett]

"Ah, then a mead for me, please"

PP is 9; Shemlech rolls... a 3.

 

[MrBrown]

"A glass of red wine for me, please, Alan. Thank you." Sylbella ordered with a soft smile on her lips and the same echoing voice. There was an alluring aura to her smile as she looked at Alan. "You see, we are looking for a woman... Tarina. We were told she often comes by this establishment. Do you know where she might be?"

Sylbella "Sky" Evenwish
Perception: +3
Passive Perception: 13

 

[Ginko The Mushishi]

Gill raised his head as he saw Axtis and Sasha beckon him over to their table, and blinked a few times as he did so. People were Inviting him to a table? What generosity his friends showed! It made him smile as he nodded to them and began waddling through the tables to get to their own. Softly plumping his rear on a chair and smiling at the two of them, like a child being given a piece of candy.

"Uh...Thank you, for letting me sit here with you both. I was more than happy to stay standing and keep watch over you all. I am very thankful for your hospitality."
​

Gill turned his head when the waitress arrived to take their order. Gill seemed to grow somewhat nervous, or unsure of himself. He looked up to the waitress with his blue eyes and chewed his lip.

"Um.. I am not allowed to buy anything. But I am sure my friends are able to buy something for me, if they so choose to." As he said this, he placed his pouch of gold pieces on the table and gently inched it towards Sasha or Axtis to take. "I respect them enough to take care of what is in there."
​

Gill seemed rather uncomfortable in this moment, staying very much quiet after Sasha and Axtis both spoke of what they wanted to drink.

Gill Ravencrest​

PP: 9
Modifier: -1

Total: 4

 

[Sherwood]

Axtis looks a bit surprised at Gill's comment, then asks of the waitress, "Can you go ahead and make it three ales, then? Then we can enjoy our drinks together. Thank you." She then turns to Gill and asks, "So, Gill, why is it that you can't buy anything? Is it a part of your paladin oaths? Or is it something else?"

 

[Nonialba]

Axtis, Gill and Shemlech don't notice anything that catches their attention, too focused on their own individual tasks.

While Sasha doesn't notice anything with a preliminary scan, she picks up a muttered conversation between two humans, male and female that have just entered the tavern, heading up the stairs almost immediately.
"I hear that now Sessprin is dead, Dead-Eye has been putting the crew to work. Won't be surprised if there's another mutiny soon."
The male elbows the female as they continue up the stairs, the rest of their conversation impossible to make out.

Bright notices the two humans making their way up the stairs, and is able to catch the second part of the conversation (but not the first part as she was talking to the halflings at the time)
"Well with all the rotten things going on around here, I wouldn't be surprised. Apparently there's a group of people loose, Death Riders, Hell Riders...something like that. They're probably working with those damn cultists."

Sybella doesn't notice the two humans, as she is talking with Alan. She does however notice one of the barmaids reach to grap another, talking in hushed whispers. She can just make out the following pieces of conversation.
"I hear that ... is on ..., keep to the back room. Don't do anything that'll .... He's not ...." It is hard to make out the entire conversation due to Alan and the general noise in the bar.

"I can make it three ales, I'll bring them over soon." The barmaid smiled to Axis, Gill and Sasha, giving a nod of her head before making her way back to the bar, leaving the three to their conversation.

"Tarina?" Alan muttered with a frown, eyes glancing to the staircase the couple went up before.
"Aye, she's here. She's up the stairs probably swindling people out of coin. She's a damn good game though, if you want to try your luck." He pours a mug of mead for Shemlech and a glass of wine for Sybella, handing both over.
"That'll be 5cp for the wine and 4cp for the mead if you will."

 

[MrBrown]

Sylbella took notice of what the barmaids were saying to each other, keeping her eyes on Alan the entire time. The conversation itself didn't make much sense to her and given she didn't have anything else to go on, she pushed it to the back of her mind. Whoever they were talking about, however, didn't seem like someone they wanted to be near.

She couldn't help but notice the frown on Alan's face when the man mentioned Tarina's name as she reached for the poured glass of red. She raised it to her lips, her motions very delicate and proper, tasting the red liquid before setting the glass back down, keeping one hand on it. "Thank you." She said for the drink. "It seems as if she has taken some of your money in the past, darling," Sylbella commented elegantly, reaching for her coin pouch with her free hand and grabbing a single coin from it.

She extended it towards Alan, waiting for him to hold out his hand before setting the single gold piece down on his palm. She'd make a point of trailing her digits slightly along his palm before withdrawing her hand while keeping her eyes focused on Alan, a charming yet composed smile on her lips. "For our beverages, and those of our companions." She would nod her head at the rest of the party as they ordered. The value more than probably covered the drinks so it was obvious Sylbella was also going for more.

"Is there anything else you can tell me about her, darling?" She took another sip of her wine, swirling the wine in her glass a bit afterwards as she set it down on the counter once more. "Certainly, you have heard a thing or two about her, no?" While they knew where she was now, Sylbella didn't like the idea of going up there just yet without trying to find more about this woman.

 

[Wandering Owl]

Bright gives a short nod. "I see. Thank you." As she goes to leave, she pauses, overhearing the end of a conversation. The names mentioned ring a bell in her mind, and she tries to work out where she's heard it before. Hellriders. Those were the knights that Zodge had mentioned, the ones from Elturgard. The captain hadn't spoken about a connection between them and the cultists, but as they both seem to have reason to hurt people here, Bright can see how they might be working together. One to watch out for.
Seeing Sky already in conversation with the bartender, she makes her way over to the table where Sasha, Axtis and Gill were sitting, and takes a free seat. "Tarina is upstairs. Engaging in some sort of scam for coin, apparently. I suggest that we regroup, and then go to speak with her." She keeps her voice low, aware of the staff and other patrons close by.

 

[Nonialba]

Alan took the coin, not batting an eye as he felt her hand trail across his palm, putting it with the rest.
"I know she hangs around here, gambling her coin and drinking her ale. Sometimes she's known to not be the most honest in a game of Baldur's Bones. That's all I can tell you." He returned to cleaning glasses, glancing over to the rest of the group.

"If you want to find out more, go talk to her yourself. Upstairs, probably at the same table as usual. As long as you and the rest of you lot don't cause trouble, then you're free to do whatever. I know what you Fists are like, keep your weapons sheathed in my tavern and I'm sure you can stay as long as you'd like." Once finished with the glass, his attention was drawn to another patron that had approached, a human male, giving a nod to Sylbella before going to speak to the other to take a drink order.

 

[Sherwood]

With Bright there, Axtis picks up her drink and says, "Well, if Tarina is upstairs, I suppose we need to go up and talk with her. See what information on these cultists she can offer up, just like Capt. Zodge said. Shall we go?"

 

[Ginko The Mushishi]

Though neither of the two seemed to have taken his coin as he had hoped, Gill continued to keep it on the table. Axtis bought all three of them some ale it seemed.. When Axtis addressed Gill, he had looked at her and nodded softly. Her question was within reason of course. Gill would provide answers to that shortly.

"To put it bluntly, I am a Slave. Or at least, I have been one since I could remember. I labored in a Coliseum for most of my life, my caretaker was another slave whom worked the smithy. He was a good man. Though being a Slave I was taught many things to live by. A set of rules to be exact by the one who owned me, I am not allowed to own possessions unless given to me by another. I am not allowed to own money, or use it to purchase anything. I am a slave, not a free man.. When the Order took me in, I simply believed it that my services as a Slave were needed elsewhere. Now I am here, serving you all and Captain Zodge. I don't mind my life, it is a fair and uncomplicated one. To serve others is and has simply been what I do. Within reason, of course."
​

When Bright arrived, Gill turned to look at her as she spoke, nodding in approval to both Bright and Axtis.

"As long as everyone is ready, I shall follow."​