"Uuuuh" Arthur stumbles over his his words. "I think I'm alright, just waiting for a friend to return." He pauses briefly. "Actually I'm a little thirsty, do you happen to have some water?" Arthur says with a small smile, feeling a little bit more awkward about his decision to sit at the larger table.

((doh! OOC how much money do I have?))

[ 11-24-2003: Message edited by: Kilrath ]

ooc:
Kilrath, sorry I don't have more for you at the moment.

The waitress grins, "Easiest request I've had all day. Just wait here, I'll be right out." With a quick nod, she walks away.

Taylen

Regalor looks up at the new arrivals, "Hello again, young ones. I hope your evening is going well." He turns back to you, and readies himself to speak again, but the innkeeper does so first, "Again?" "Yes, again. They stayed after the induction this evening. The young lady showed an interest in hearing the histories, and I imagine Sureai Esmerelda enjoyed the opportunity to retell them," Elder Regalor smiles, as he turns his attention back to you.

"In answer to your question, you may encounter more of these constructs. As I read you a moment ago, they're easily transported once filled. Preparation, however, provides them with certain limitations. The orbs are a solid construct, as you likely observed for yourself. Only the original laboratory, under Dome Mountain, has the facilities needed for that function. And I'm afraid the details of its location are rather vague."

Pvednes

The two elves in traveler's garb both ignore you, keeping their attention on the chestnut-haired Elder. He, however, looks up, "Hello again, young ones. I hope your evening is going well." "Again?" the proprietor asks, looking back at the Elder.

"Yes, again. They stayed after the induction this evening. The young lady showed an interest in hearing the histories, and I imagine Sureai Esmerelda enjoyed the opportunity to retell them," the Elder comments back, before returning his attention to the other elves.

"In answer to your question," the Elder speaks, facing the elf further from you, "you may encounter more of these constructs. As I read you a moment ago, they're easily transported once filled. Preparation, however, provides them with certain limitations. The orbs are a solid construct, as you likely observed for yourself. Only the original laboratory, under Dome Mountain, has the facilities needed for that function. And I'm afraid the details of its location are rather vague."

As the Elder speaks to the elves, she listens quietly, gazing about the room.

As he scans the room one more time, he begins to grow a little inpatient and anxious waiting for Aust.

Arthur takes in a deep breath and lets it out slowly as he tries to just enjoy the atmosphere.

ooc:
I wonder, is Arthur getting as impatient as I am for things to move along?

You enter a rectangular room. Blue moss pads the floor under your feet. Four glowing flower bulbs in the corners of the room fill it with a soft light. A dozen grey mushrooms, large enough to sit on, make a ring in the center of the room. The walls, formed of the same living branches as almost everything else, carry hardly any decoration. The door you entered through stands in one corner of the room. Each of the far walls has a single leaf-green curtain hanging from it. The Elder and the other two elves listening to him occupy three of the mushroom seats.

Barry follows you inside, and you hear the door shut behind him. Linra steps aside, along with the elf who answered the door. The two of them walk to another corner of the room, and spend a moment conversing outside of your earshot. Linra stands a full head and neck taller than the elven gentleman. Barry walks over to the mushrooms, and sits down on the closest one to the door. It buckles slightly under his weight.

"Since whoever provided the orcs with a Distributor could only fill it in one location," the Elder tells his audience, which has now grown to include you and Barry, "we can reasonably presume that Dome Mountain's location has been uncovered. It's likely the original laboratory had more than one Distributor available. Considering the recent Hunt reports Sorillin has shared with Sureai Naeatalle, Sureai Esmerelda, and myself, it's possible that as many as a dozen of these devices have come into use over the spread of the forest."

"Wat ees a deestribyutar?" Barry asks at the Elder's first pause. At that same moment, the fellin woman taps one of the elves on the shoulder. She leans forward and says something quietly to him. The elf who opened the door for you returns as well, and approaches you. "Sir, Miss," he says, nodding to Barry and you in turn, "I understand you're looking for a place to spend the night."

Taylen

The two humans enter the room, the woman first, then the large man behind her. He takes a seat to Aust's left, while she remains standing close behind him. The innkeeper and the fellin woman walk over to a corner, and begin conversing privately.

"Since whoever provided the orcs with a Distributor could only fill it in one location," the Elder continues following a brief pause, "we can reasonably presume that Dome Mountain's location has been uncovered. It's likely the original laboratory had more than one Distributor available. Considering the recent Hunt reports Sorillin has shared with Sureai Naeatalle, Sureai Esmerelda, and myself, it's possible that as many as a dozen of these devices have come into use over the spread of the forest."

His momentum is broken when the large human asks, "Wat ees a deestribyutar?" Before you or the Elder can answer, you feel a tap on your shoulder, and a soft, fluid female voice whispers, "If you're ready to go, I can escort you to the Koras estate." The innkeeper approaches the two humans. "Sir, Miss," he says to them with a small bow to each in turn, "I understand you're looking for a place to spend the night."

Kilrath

After a couple moments, you notice a quiet rattling noise. You quickly realize that it comes from your knee hopping up and down as you lean on the ball of your foot, bouncing your heel above the floor. The waitress returns, carrying a small tray. She stops at the nearby table, setting down two drinks before walking up to you.

"Here you are, hon," she says, setting down a mug and a small, steaming bowl, "and a bit of Torali stew, on the house. It's bottom of the pot, so it may be a bit lumpy." She leans forward a bit and says quietly, "Our fellin guests have finally had their fill. Not fond of the stuff myself, but some folk can't get enough of it." After that, she wanders away again, towards one of the other tables.

((ooc Have I ever heard of this stew/know what it is? Is it something I might have had before?))

Taylen moves to retrieve his pack and the stuff he was carrying.

(OOC:by now I can't remember if I set my pack down or not)

[ 12-06-2003: Message edited by: Pvednes ]

ooc:
You've got questions? We've got answers.

Kilrath: You've heard of it. All you know is it has a lot of meat. Recipes for stews tend to vary by location.

Taylen: You did put down the armor and other items in your arms. I typically accept that gathering your belongings as a general action will retrieve any of your belongings in your immediate vicinity, so long as nothing makes the task difficult. This does mean, however, that you do it with minimal attention, so if something is missing or out of sight, you may not notice it.

Steam from the light brown stew carries the mixed odors of beef and fish. Your stomach feels empty. The stew has a small wooden handle sticking out of it over one side of the bowl, possibly the visible end of a soup spoon.

Taylen

Aust watches you as you rise, then says, "Pardon me a moment," to the Elder. He follows you over to the corner. Dodging back slightly as you heft the armor onto your shoulder, he asks, "What do you expect me to find out, and more importantly, where can I find you afterwards? I don't know how many times I can track you down in a day, but it isn't many."

The fellin woman walks over to the entrance, and waits for you, with her back leaning against the wall and one foot pulled up under her skirt, fluffing it outward.

Pvednes

The elf, who is no longer holding the door, stands for a few seconds gazing blankly at your left eye. He begins to speak in a soothing tone, "I'm afraid it isn't quite that simple. Our rooms typically fill within an hour of the initiation, and this evening is no different. However, as I'm certain one of the ladies has mentioned by now, I hate to put out a family. We had a couple arrive earlier in the evening looking for a room. They left their home in a hurry, and didn't have much money with them. I agreed to let them stay, so long as they agreed to share the space with another family of similar ill-fortune."

"But I'm going on, and you haven't even sat down," he says, moving to a seat two to Barry's right, where one of the other elves sat before. He pats the seat between your 'husband' and himself, "Please, make yourself comfortable."

Shrugging she takes Barry's hand and moves to sit down, giving Barry a meaningful look.

As he does so he also takes a very brief look around to see if perhaps there might be anything to wipe whatever it is off with.

ooc:
Taylen, you around? We don't have enough people for you to sit idle.

When you reach for Barry's hand, he lowers his brow in an irritated fashion. He doesn't hold his hand out to meet yours, and he puts up some resistance as you move to sit down. With his build, though, he could likely resist much more effectively if he tried.

Though it lacks back support, the mushroom feels as comfortable for sitting as any chair you had at home. The elven proprietor gives a brief nod, "I hope that's more comfortable. Now, since I've told you my view of things, it basically comes down to yours, so I'll get straight to the point. Would you be willing to pay the night's rent on a room, even though you would have to share it with another family?"

Kilrath

The wooden handle sticks out about two inches, just enough to let you avoid the stew with your fingers. Lifting it out of the creamy sauce, you get a better look at it. The utensil resembles a two-pronged skewer, with a sort of scoop shape connecting the back halves of the prongs. It appears as if someone started making a fork, then reconsidered and made half a spoon, but left the outside prongs of the fork intact. And it's made out of wood.

No handkerchiefs or similar items make their presence apparent on the table. You'll either need to eat carefully, get someone's attention, or wipe your mouth on your shirt when you're done.

She tries to lean back on the mushroom automatically, and quickly grabs it to stop circumstances becoming quickly unregal.

He takes his first lick carefully as he does not know if he will like the stew or not.

ooc:
Two weeks without a trace, and everybody's waiting.

Taylen glances back at Aust, "We'll meet here after daybreak. I thought that was obvious." He checks his belongings to make sure everything is stable, then walks over to the fellin by the door. "Okay, I'm ready."

ooc:
You can call it a spork, but Arthur can't.

"Alright then," the proprietor says, standing up, "The room costs four pressed gold, including any meals and supplies you need through noon tomorrow. Now, I'll just need your names for the ledger, before I take you two upstairs."

Kilrath

The sauce tastes sweet, like molasses, though not as thick. It also has a succulent flavor in it from the meat juices.

Taylen

"I suppose that would work," Aust shrugs as you walk away. "Well, see you then. I don't have lodging yet, but I'm not picky. I'll find something." Elder Regalor appears to have started his meditation. The proprietor is busy talking with the human couple that just arrived.

"All set?" the fellin woman asks rhetorically. "Good, then let's go on our way. Follow me." She opens the door, and walks out, taking brisk steps along the hallway. Up on her toes, she almost appears to float.

She smiles at Barry, then at the proprietor. "Would you like us to pay now, or..?"

[ 12-21-2003: Message edited by: Pvednes ]

"Milner, hmm?" the proprietor pauses for a second, "Any relation to Trestin Milner?"

[ 12-22-2003: Message edited by: Pvednes ]

The proprietor nods, "Back when he ran caravans. That was several years back, though. I suppose he's settled down and retired by now. He always knew the right things to say. Anyhow," he walks towards one of the doorways, "best to get money out of the way, so nobody's in a rush about it later. The room is four pressed gold, and includes all your meals through tomorrow afternoon." He reaches around behind the doorway curtain, and pulls out a roll of parchment.

She looks down glumly, then reaches into her pouch, pulling out the required money.

[ 12-22-2003: Message edited by: Pvednes ]

The proprietor pauses a moment, before walking over to you. "I... see," he says hesitantly, as he scoops the coins from your hand, and settles them into his pocket. He slips a thin vial with an odd conical stopper out from the side of the scroll, and unrolls the paper about a foot. Turning the vial upside-down, he traces the words, Barry & Tanya Milner onto the paper. Ink drips out of the vial through the point of the stopper. Turning the vial upright, he holds the paper unrolled for a moment, then curls it up again, and returns it to where he retrieved it.

"Alright then, come with me," he says as he walks past you, towards the door. Barry gets up, and follows the man at a few paces behind.

Taylen

The waitress leads you to the end of the hall, out the door, to your left, and back into the main dining hall. Most of the patrons have left, and the room appears empty. Only a few quiet murmurs reach your ears as you pass, headed for the main doors on the far side of the room.

Once outside, Linra pauses. She looks to your left, at a older fellin woman wearing only a bright pink apron and a white skirt, curled up at the side of a large brown bear. She looks like someone you saw earlier in the evening.

"Auntie Ra?" the waitress asks half-excitedly, "what're you doing out here? Did you wait up for me?" The older fellin stirs, "Linny? Oh, no, dear. I brought a couple humans here from the ceremony. Have you seen them?"

Tania follows along with Barry.

[ 12-27-2003: Message edited by: Pvednes ]

ooc:
Since we haven't heard from Kilrath in a couple weeks, we'll presume he decided to eat the stew unless he says otherwise.

Pved, sorry about the delay.

The proprietor leads you and Barry down the hall, Through the door at the end, straight across, and through another door. He then turns left, and walks up the stairs. Barry follows quietly, with long strides. He takes the stairs three at a time.

Up on the second floor, you follow the proprietor around a couple turns and down a hallway. All the rooms have vine doors, though not of the quality of those downstairs. They resemble smaller versions of the sort of metal gates at the entrances of estates. Fortunately, the doors have curtains behind them, offering some privacy.

Coming to a stop beside one of the doors, the proprietor spreads his hand against a large oak leaf on the wall. He then turns to the two of you. "Kindly place your hands on that leaf, please. One at a time." He gestures to a similarly large leaf on the opposite side of the doorway.

Taylen

You didn't tell Aust much of anything, besides to meet you at the Whispering Wood again in the morning.

Linra smiles, and nods to the other fellin, "You mean the really tall man and a well-dressed lady? I saw them just a moment ago. They're talking with Master Sastak now."

"Sounds like them," the fellin beside the bear says softly, "good, maybe I won't have long to wait. Where you off to?"

"Running an errand for Master Sastak," Linra replies, tilting her head towards you, and flicking an ear. "He asked me to take this gentleman to the Koras estate."

The fellin by the bear suddenly looks quite a bit more interested. "That old place? Nobody's been there for years. Did someone decide to let the place out?"

"Nope, apparently the old owner is in town again. If I find out anything, I'll let you know, okay?"

"Alright, I'll see you at home, then," the fellin beside the bear nods, and leans back against her ursine companion.

Linra waves goodbye to the other fellin, and begins to lead you away from the Whispering Wood.

[ 01-03-2004: Message edited by: Pvednes ]

"I meant one hand from each of you," the proprietor says, giving a slight shrug without removing his hand from the leaf. After a moment, he adds, "Now you, sir."

Taylen

The fellin takes you through the winding streets on what seems like a fairly direct path. Though the buildings you pass initially look like normal homes with three or four domes, you soon enter an area of larger, more elaborate residences. Each one appears unique in design, with larger or smaller domes in different arrangements, pressed side by side with each other. Many have small gardens or flower beds outside, and unlike most other buildings in the city, they appear to have metal locks for the doors.

Linra comes to a stop, looks around for a moment, then turns to her left and continues. A moment later, she brings you to one of the many-domed houses. The front door is open, leading into a large room with at least a few mushroom stools in it. As you get close, you notice two sets of footprints leading inside.

"Here we are, the Koras estate," Linra says cheerily. "I've heard they used to be pretty important, but they haven't lived here since before I was born. Need anything else before I go?"

Linra shrugs, "I really don't know much about it."

Pvednes

When you remove your hands from the leaf, the proprietor removes his as well, then presses it again a few seconds later. Barry brushes past you, and spreads his right hand over the leaf. After a moment, the proprietor removes his hand again. Barry does them same.

"When you're ready to go inside, press on the leaf again like you did just now. It will wilt off at noon, so be sure to see me before then if you plan to stay longer. Goodnight, sir, madam." With that, the proprietor walks back down the hall, towards the stairs.

Kilrath

After a little while, Aust returns to the table. "Well, that settles my business for the evening. The inn's full, so we'll have to try somewhere else. You all set?"

[ 01-05-2004: Message edited by: Pvednes ]

Barry frowns slightly, then presses his hand against the leaf again. After a few seconds, the door swings open a crack, and bumps the curtain. From behind the curtain, you hear a muffled, somewhat nasal voice ask, "Hello?" Barry looks at you and says bluntly, "I'm goeng far a wauk," then walks back down the hall you came from moments ago.

"Is someone there?" the nasal voice asks from behind the curtain. A slightly deeper, more charismatic voice answers, "It's probably just the wind, dear."

Taylen

"Goodnight," the fellin says cheerily, and runs off, her long skirt billowing a bit behind her. Starting at the door, you see two separate paths of footprints heading from the entrance towards one of two curtains on the far side of the room. Both sets of footprints came from traveller's boots. In fact, the footprints are almost exactly the same size, with only a slight difference in the shapes of the heels allowing you to distinguish one set from the other. Of the two paths, the one with the more prominent heel mark appears to have taken longer steps.

As you cross the room, everything seems quiet. You don't hear any movement at all. Both sets of tracks come together as they approach the curtain. The curtain itself looks overgrown, and has swept the dust away where both individuals brushed past its right edge.

"I'm ready to go, although... if I might ask where are we going?"

Arthur asks inquisitively, knowing that he cannot afford to pay to stay anywhere for the night.

"Hello?" She says, in a light voice.