Tallius Urist

Barter: 2/5
Streetsmarts: 1/5
Strength: 2/5
Cunning: 3/5
Charisma: 4/5
Business 1/5

Inventory:

Senatorial Signet Ring

Concealed Dagger, Inscription reads "Imperator"

Two Iron Daggers.

Crossbow, 50 bolts.

Dignity

1,370 Gold

Holdings:

Fine horse-drawn cart, valued at 500 gold.

The Clock Tower Tavern, standard configuration, capacity of 50 souls. Basic Brewery on site. Estimated sale value 20,000 gold.

Deactivated Automata, type unknown, properties unknown, sale price unknown.


Employees:

Sif: Barmaid with unusual strength and little tact. Weekly Wage of 30. Insurance pool deposit of 10.

Martellus: Burly academic with brewing and barman skills. Weekly wage of 30. Insurance pool deposit of 10. Contracted for Barkeeping lessons.

Miaya: Eccentric Painter, Cook, and Huntress, in that order. Knows Tallius is actually Marcus Sertorius, seems willing to keep this to herself. For now Weekly wage of 30. Insurance pool deposit of 10. Contracted for Hunting lessons.


You have close cropped brown hair, and are clean shaven. You will remain so, lest someone recognize your once distinctive facial hair. Your wife used to call your eyes liar's blue. You and Lucretia were not on the best of terms at the time, but she has a point there. You are currently wearing high quality, but not high profile, traveler's leathers. Your clothes are beginning to smell a bit, you suppose a week without washing is a bit much even for a "commoner" like yourself.

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The Tavern is alive with excitement, and it is a fine time to be Tallius Urist, you think as you watch the workers and guards drink and eat and do all the things expected of people blowing off steam in a Tavern after a long day of hard work.

Santher is off in a corner, it seems even the people he pays do not deign to drink with the sour Elf. Miaya is smiling, but keeping to herself, passing around those delicious smelling venison kebabs she brought in moments ago. Martellus is lost in his craft, making conversation with the men at the bar, his voice booming and his ridiculous syntax carrying across the taproom. The big man is finally in his element, you decide.

Sif, of course, is beside you, her eyes closed, seemingly just enjoying the ambient noise and the break in her duties.

Your mind turns to business, or rather the lack thereof. You promised free drinks, Miaya provided free food, but you never said anything about subsequent rounds. Time to determine if you are going to squeeze some profit out of the proceedings, you decide.


What to do, Tallius?

>>24494624

By the way, I would ask that you all please sage posts when possible. Its an experiment in being less invasive to non-questgoers on /tg/. My thanks in advance.

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>>24494464
>>capacity of 50 souls

So we're describing our bar in the same terms as a sinking ship? Auspicious!

>>24494624

What do we look like, a senator? After the kebabs and the beers let's cut these guys off.

>>24494624
let's do it with a slight bit of tact inform them that after the next free round money is required crack a joke on how we wont be in business very long with the way these chaps drink for free

>>24494704

I do hope you don't mind if I save this, Seneschal.

Get behind the bar and tell them how happy you are to have them here, and then admit you'll need to start charging for rounds ahead, else there simply won't be any beer to go around. Start with a discount.

>>24494704
>>24494795
>>24495010

Charisma rolls, four dice, please. One per post.

Rolled 92

>>24495031
It'd be a shame to have to start our career out blackjacking the guys who just finished the bar.

>>24494828
Go nuts.

Rolled 33

>>24495092

>>24495031

That's d100s, by the way.

Rolled 58

>>24495031
One last call for alcohol so finish your whisky or beer

Rolled 5

>>24495098
And another.

Rolled 18

>>24495092
>>24495098
>>24495108
>>24495113

Let's take a roll on the random happenstanceometer.

>>24495132
i hope low is good for us

>>24495132
I don't think I like the random happenstanceometer.

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>>24495132

>>24494624

You step behind the bar, taking place next to Martellus as he cleans a freshly empty tankard with a rag he produced from within his vest pocket.

" Alright everyone, now that you've had some free drinks, I have to start running this place as a business. Lucky for you, I am in a great mood tonight, so half price drinks for everyone!"

A cheer would have gone up, but it was drowned out by the sound of a dozen coinpouches slamming onto the bar in tandem. Whatever brew Martellus had seen fit to entice them with their first taste, it certainly seems to have worked.

Sif rolls her eyes with a slight smile, and begins once again serving the customers scattered throughout the room, passing Miaya with a terse nod as the elf heads to the kitchen. You already hear food orders being places, and you grin internally. You never said anything about food being discounted. This just may be a profitable first night after all.

In fact, you are reasonably certain there is not much more to be done in the managerial sense. You could certainly stick around, perhaps get in a word or two with one of your employees or customers, but you feel somewhat out of place. Miaya, Martellus, and even Sif all have jobs and are doing them, Sif's clumsy execution aside. What place is there for Tallius Urist just now?

What now, Tallius?

>>24495307
Start talking to someone. Find someone who looks like they need company, strike up conversation. Gather stories, gain trust.

>>24495307
A thing that you might want for later for the tavern is a wall piano so you can be the piano man or a stage for travelling entertainers can use.

Entertainment is important for a tavern

>>24495379
Oh definitely. Maybe a telescoping dance pole.

>>24495333
Maybe talk to Sandor. He seems like an interesting fellow despite the slightly murdery vibe we're getting off him. He knows a lot about the local economy and could probably tell us something interesting.

>>24495379
Only if they can sit at the bar and put bread in our jar and ask us man "what are you doin here?.

>>24495307
I like this idea

>>24495429
This one that is.

>>24495307
I think we should shower, and be presentable.

You look around the taproom, trying to find someone not engaged in some conversation or activity. You lock eyes with Santher, somehow already halfway through his third mug of Martellus' thick black brew, you forget the ridiculous name he gave it. No one sits with the craftsman, and you are admittedly curious, so you sit down across the table from him.

" Ah, if it isn't Tallius Urist. I did a fine job on the restoration, if you don't mind my saying. Nothing finer in the world than reclaiming something from the brink of ruin. What can I do for you, something tells me you aren't here for my company."

He downs the rest of the mug faster than you would have advised, and gulps audibly before slamming it down on the table and motioning Sif for another as she hurries by.

" No one else ever is."

>>24495587
"My good man, Santher, I hope I didn't leave that impression. All my employees and customers are interesting, and you are no exception."

>>24495587
"Surely somebody enjoys your company?"

I'm new to this quest, can someone fill me in on what Santher does?

>>24495642

Santher is a stonemason and carpenter from the nearby town of Gearwatch. He was contracted to help restore the crossroads outpost and furnish it, and he did so, hiring the men and guards that now fill the Tavern for this purpose.

>>24495629
This.
>>24495642
Santher is our elven construction foreman. We got him to renovate the bar for us. Pretty handy with his tools but not terribly friendly. Considering that humans just finished curb stomping an elf rebellion in this world its not surprising.

>>24495704
>>24495678
So we should be admiring his work? Talk with him professionally?

>>24495803

Sure, though I'm more interested in the local scene. What's going on in Gearwatch? Who lives there? Are adventurers gathering there? What is the economy based on?

>>24495846
Can we give suggestions like that or do we need to turn that into "" words?

>>24495704
I agree. I don't think we need to ruin this party mood we have in the tavern with to much business talk lets try and get to know the guy on a personal level.

>>24495629

You give the elf your most practiced, winning smile.

"My good man, Santher, I hope I didn't leave that impression. All my employees and customers are interesting, and you are no exception."

The elf snorts harshly.

" Interesting? You think a bunch of underpaid workmen, the overworked elf who hired them, a mute giant with a thing for knives and a half blind crone with a bow are interesting?"

He begins bitterly sputtering laughter. You are beginning to see why the man eats alone.

"Gods, did you ever leave the Capitol before you fell out of a turnip cart on the road to Gearwatch?"

You really need to look into accent coaching. Sif sits another drink down before Santher, and he immediately begins drinking it. You imagine one of his men will have to carry him out of here before he's had his fill, and you are not certain any of them will care to. You certainly wouldn't.

You contemplate how to respond to the elf. You could rise to his increasing hostility, though you suppose that is likely what Santher wants.

>>24495979
"Well, yes. After all, I would not have hired you had you not caught my eye. And I'm sure you - on some level - can say the same about your people." lean back. "It takes a bit of work to see it, but it's there, so long as you don't bite heads off and actually talk with people."

>>24495979
"Well I was just going to butter you up before asking you what you think. So, you think we have enough space for a small stage here, or should we table that for later when the tavern more established and we get a regular crowd?

>>24495979
It's my job to run the establishment that makes them interesting.

but this conversation probably isn't worth our time, i think we should just retire.

>>24496034
We can't retire yet! We just got a tavern built and running!

>>24496050
A job well done!

>>24496020
this sounds good

>>24495979
Obviously we remain friendly and polite.

>>24496020 works well enough for me. Possibly because I am too ill to bother thinking up something to say myself.

>>24496020

Sounds good. I'm no good at dialogue but this is about right.

>>24496020

You resolve not to lose your head. The elf may be an ass, but he is both a customer and an important contact. No need to further antagonize him.

"Well, yes. After all, I would not have hired you had you not caught my eye. And I'm sure you - on some level - can say the same about your people."

You lean back in the chair, an easygoing expression on your chiseled, patrician features.

"It takes a bit of work to see it, but it's there, so long as you don't bite heads off and actually talk with people."

Santher rolls his eyes, finishing yet another drink. The elf's face is flushed, you can see his growing inebriation on his angular face.

" Is this the part where you convince the sour old elf to have faith in people again? Honestly, you think you're the first wannabe priest to try that bullshit on me? I am who I am, quit trying to dig to an inner me that's not there. I aint some fucking puzzle for you to solve, you little human shit."

He calls out loudly for Sif to bring him another drink, but you don't think she can hear him. Or, knowing Sif, she can just hear your conversation and has decided the elf has had enough.

She does have to walk by the table though, and as she does, you see Santher's face change into a leer, and he reaches a hand out, as if slap your employee on her behind. Whether he seeks her attention or just the joys of sexual harassment you cannot say.

You remember Sif telling you about the last time someone tried this. She put the man out in the street, face first. Sif may be clumsy, but your new barmaid is certainly not helpless.

Triple shit. You should stop this. On the other hand, seeing Santher get what he so blatantly is headed towards would be gratifying.

>>24496396
Let it happen, this will be hilarious.

>>24496396
Stop him. We let him get himself kicked out once he has finished the job of our tavern.

>>24496479

Sorry if its not clear, but the Tavern is done. Santher's job is finished, and his men are simply enjoying drinks and food before heading back to Gearwatch.

>>24496396
...Man, I'm sorry, we HAVE to let this happen. Dude needs to learn a lesson.

>>24496501
Then I have no problem seeing someone get his just desserts

>>24496396
stop him

>>24496396
Ehh, let him. It not only let's Santher get what he deserves but also let's Sif know that we are ok with her doing what needs to be done. Wee can also say something witty to the bastard afterwards.

>>24496396
He needs to be stopped. It'll be bad for future repairs if the elf gets knocked on his ass, even if he is one.

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>>24496396

Let him learn a valuable lesson or keep trying to ingratiate ourselves? Sure why not. That way Sif can tune him up and he'll learn a valuable lesson about judging people. Just be sure to pull him out of the mud and give him a cart home once she's done with him, we'd prefer to be able to use his services in the future.

>>24496538
>>24496515
>>24496420
>>24496587

You move to stop Santher for a moment, but then again, you suppose every Tavern needs entertainment. You sit back into your chair, and lean back leisurely.

A loud smack reverberates throughout the loud taproom as Santher completes his inadvisable attack on Sif's rear flank. Though you thought it impossible, the room goes almost entirely silent, though you spy Martellus drop the glass he was cleaning, a look of utter shock on his face.

Sif stops in her tracks, and slowly turns, holding an empty flagon in her right hand, and the warmest smile you have ever seen across her face. She looks at the elf, his leer turning into a sinister grin, perhaps he is too far gone to not see the lack of sincerity behind her grin? Can he truly think he has won her over with such a display?

" Santher..."

" Yes. Sif was it? You have a nice ass, your mother must be so pro-"

He is silenced as Sif picks him up by the collar of his cotton work shirt, and drives her right hand into his lower throat, fingers extended like arrows. The elf cries out, or at least attempts to, as he begins coughing painfully, his already flushed features turning beet red.

Sif carries him towards the door, his feet dangling of the ground, and none of the workmen daring to aid their employer. You notice the burly guard with the knives, Brutus, you think, stand and move to block the door. Sif stands before him, one had holding up Santher, the other clenched into a fist.

Brutus is impassive. Now that you think of it, you've never seen the man speak.

Sif is still wearing that smile, and you realize you are a little scared of her, just now. You'll definitely not be making any grab attempts on her.

She looks Brutus in the eye.

" Move..."

She says it softly, sweetly, and far more quiet than you can recall her ever speaking.

Brutus stares impassively for a moment, and you begin to think maybe you made a mistake letting Santher do this. (cont)

>>24496819

Then, the mercenary begins rocking back and forth. You are confused, a seizure of kind? Then you see his grin. The man is laughing, utterly silent, but laughing.

He opens the door for Sif, and she carries Santher out into the dark.

Debate your next action if you wish, I am going to dinner. One hour at most.

>>24496819
Give Brutus a drink on the house.

>>24496924
Agreed, and find someone else to talk to.

>>24496924
third and fallow sef out we don't want her to kill him so try and stay in the shadows and if she is going to far you stop her

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>>24496819

Go outside and buy him a cart home because we are CLASSY and UNFLAPPABLE. The guy was drunk, disorderly, and breaking miscegenation laws so it's not like he can really hold this against us. We'd be well within our rights to have the paladins cart him away.

"Everybody has another side Santher, you just need to know how to bring it out."
*Shit-Eatingest-of-Grins*

>>24497010
>"Everybody has another side Santher, you just need to know how to bring it out."
Oh god this a thousand million times

>>24497010
So much this.

>>24497010
I change my vote

Don't buy him a cart! We own a cart charge him for a ride to gearwatch! We need to find a full time driver.

>>24497219
>Offer a Drunk Taxi so people can get home safe

Oooh, good idea.

>>24497219
Oh yea, we do need to make some money off that overpriced piece of junk don't we. Alright drunk taxi service! But let's give Santher a free ride tonight. We did just let Sif cave his throat in. Think of it as an investment in his continued goodwill.

More broadly there's a ton of side businesses we could get into. Traveler's insurance for one. We know the roads are extremely dangerous so charging a small fee to mint letters of transit redeemable for gold at the end of a journey would be an easy way to make a quick buck. We'd need a partner in the other cities, a lot of start up capital, and unforgeable documents, but it might be something to work towards.

>>24497010
>Buy him a cart
Yeah, remember last time we decided to buy a cart? We're never going near a cart merchant EVER AGAIN.

Cart merchants wield some sort of foul scorcery or something.

>>24497639
maybe we need a second tavern in another city

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>>24498150
>one hour at most
>Half an hour overdue

>>24498150
>>24498185

Apologies for the delay, traffic and all. Writing now.

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>>24498150
>> must eat like a pic related

>>24496860
A bit late, but it seems I made it just as it got interesting!

>>24496860

You follow Sif outside, and see her begin to pummel Santher further. She gets a few more hits in before you decide it would be best intervene.

" Lady Sif! Killing customers is bad for business."

She slowly turns her head towards you, still holding Santher's shuddering, coughing form up above shoulder level. Her eyes catch the light from the interior of the Tavern, and her teeth glare bright in the moonlight, the false smile still etched across her face. You suppose she would be beautiful if she were not so damned terrifying.

Her smile drops, she begins to simply look indifferent to her surroundings. Santher falls into the mud and shit behind the horses, the bow-wielding crone, who has joined you outside, hurries to get him up, and more or less dumps the elf into the back of one of the work carts.

The crone, Maud if you remember right, turns to you, her crooked teeth showing through a grin.

"Tha pissant's payin tha bill fer me an' ol Brutus, may'swell make sure he gets back ta pay us."

You nod, and she heads back inside.

" Maud!"

She stops.

" Tell Brutus his next rounds on the house."

She waves in acknowledgement, and puts an arm around the silent mercenary as they head back inside.

You look towards the elf's prone form.

"Everybody has another side Santher, you just need to know how to bring it out."

You grimace a bit at the double meaning.

Sif is standing next you you, breathing a little heavily from nearly killing Santher. Her pants are a little muddy, but that's really all she has to show for the 'fight'.

" Tallius, I didn't mean to cause trouble..."

You think for a moment how to respond.

>>24498485
I'm fine with you kicking them out if they're getting handsy, but there's no sense having blood on your hands.

>>24498485
"Reflexes, I know. Don't worry about it too much - sometimes that sort of thing can come in handy." pat her shoulder. "Might have been wise to make sure everyone knows you ain't going to put up with that sort of thing on the first day, eh?"

>>24498512
Reasonable beatings are common in most taverns so it's fine. As long as they stay reasonable beatings.

>>24498485
Is Sif human or something else?

>>24498485
Fire that bitch. If she just did her job and poured him a drink he wouldn't of slapped her ass in the first place. I would of been fine if she just threw him out on his ass, but that was unacatable. Plus I never liked her in the first place

>>24498559

She is human. Has the manners of an Orc, but she's an attractive, curvy redhead to anyone who's looking.

>>24498574

This seems reasonable.......

>>24498574
Here we go

>>24498559
Until proven otherwise, yes.

>>24498574
>>24498598
Totally reasonable. Or wait no, the other thing. Crazy. We instigated that situation after all. Why would we blame her for it?

>>24498512
>>24498532
Something like this.

>>24498619
We let it happen I wouldn't say we instigated it. But still yea don't fire her maybe just dock her pay for his cart home or something

>>24498598
>>24498574
That does seem a bit harsh and if we fire here on the spot we would lose our "only" barmaid and it might hurt our relation with our "only" barkeep.

>>24498619

Really going out on a limb here, but I'm gonna posit that >>24498598 was sarcasm. Just maybe.

What the hell? Why would we fire Sif?! That whole situation was our doing. It's a stupid idea.

>>24498485

"I'm fine with you kicking them out if they're getting handsy, but there's no sense having blood on your hands."

She nods.

" Sorry boss, it won't happen again, I mean, unless you tell me to do fuck them up, in which case, I'm your fucking girl. I'm damn good at it, apparently."

You put a hand on her shoulder, and shrug.

" Might be good that you showed you don't tolerate that sort of thing right away, now people know."

Sif smiles, and you walk back into the Tavern together.

Awkwardly everyone is staring at the two of you, the taproom is eerily silent. Moments pass, the tension thick.

You hear clapping, and then more and more. First Maud, then Brutus, and then the rest of the workmen join in, clapping, laughing, and raising their drinks. The denizens of the taproom, their salute concluded, return to their own conversations. Martellus appears to be relieved, wiping his dark brow with one of his many rags, and you spot Miaya giggling over by the doorway leading into the kitchen.

Sif returns to waiting tables after squeezing your hand for a moment. You look around the room, and everything seems to be at a slower tempo than before. Seems the party is dying down, as it were. No one would blame you for turning in a bit early, or you could strike up conversation with someone else.

>>24498747
>or you could strike up conversation with someone else.
Let's talk with the folks around, get some feedback on the drinks and the service, etc.

>>24498747

Unless anybody has anything they desperately want out of this crowd I say we turn in.

>>24498747
I'm all for talking. This is the first night of us being officially open. We need to be here all night long to have a presence, especially if we are going to help bartend at some point.

>>24498875
>>24498792
Sounds like a plan!

>>24498875
same
>>24498893
I think it would be weird if we just left part the way through our first night of business. I mean would you start a tavern and then on its opening night just peace out? I say we stay till the last person leaves, and make sure people have a good first experience.

>>24498747
Pour ourselves a beer. It's our tavern, after all.

Talk with a local, see who Martellus has been talking to tonight.

>>24498747
Also, try to see if there's any minstrels around. Can never hurt to be a stop on a bards route.

>>24498747

You decide to pour yourself a beer, after all, you've earned it, and ask around about what people think about your new tavern.

" The beers damn good. Marty always had good stuff back at Donner's good to see that hasn't changed."A gruff man with a healthily thick set of sideburns leading into his mustache says.

" The food's pretty good, but there isn't much of it. Guess I won't complain too much, I think that elf of yours has been sneaking out to kill more animals she can cook while no one's been looking. Smart one, that." A mousy little stick of a man, a carpenter's assistant says.

"..." Brutus stares at you, but he's downed your free drink, and seven more besides, so you assume he is satisfied. Maud is taking a nap. You don't know if she had too much or if it was simply the old woman's bedtime.

Everyone seems to like Martellus, seems the burly academic is a natural at his job. Sif is equally liked. Some of the men mention discomfort at an Elf preparing their meals, but overall they seem to be okay with the results.

There are a number of other opinions which fill out your view of your current offerings.

Beer Quality: B

Beer Selection: C

Liquor Quality: D

Liquor Selection: D

Wine Quality: D

Wine Selection: E

Food Quality: B

Food Diversity: E

Special:

Martellus' brewery. Allows crafting of new beers and other beverages.

>>24499163

Sounds like we need to find a supplier for our cook.

Can we go investigate the automaton? See if there are any signs of latent life, or intelligible markings?

>>24499163
Clearly we need more wine, and we need a wider selection of foods - perhaps we should look into getting a baker, and buying wines?

>>24499228
We really need a few more types of wine, a few more types of liquor as well. A tavern is only as good as its spirits!

>>24499163
Wine and food variety, then. Looks like we'll have to make a trip to the market or nearby city.

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>>24499163
Oh shit,our selection is pretty bad isn't it. This is unacceptable. We need to get suppliers and fast. But this raises a bigger question, what do we have access to? We're up north so wine making is out of the question. Do we have access to a variety of grains, hops, coke for kilning our mash? Is there livestock? What lives in the forests?

>>24499220
>>24499228
>>24499276
>>24499322

This is all true, but you do need an action for the current time as well.

>>24499356
Then we ask our barman and our cook about ways to rectify the situation!

>>24499347

The nearest farms are quite some way south, the forests are inhabitated by wolves, bandits and mankiller Automata, even the occassional mankilling wolf-form Automata engaged in banditry.

Grain, wine, and other such things will have to be ordered through caravans.

>>24499387
So we need to find the local caravan that runs through this place habitually and grease the shit out of the caravan merchant. Make it worth his while to stick around and supply our place. "Convince" him of our lucrative possibilities.

>>24499387
Speaking of Automata, when do you guys think we should investigate our own?

>>24499356
I say we just grab ourselves a beer and watch as the crowd dies down, but lets wait until tomorrow for talking about improvements. We can have something like a meeting with everyone before the day truly begins.

>>24499433

You have an agreement with one caravaner, Karth. This agreement currently amounts to blackmail in return for basic supplies. Who knows what else he could bring?

>>24499475
Alright. Let's watch the crowd thin for a while, then have a meeting with our crew.

>>24499467
Agreed brews at the bar. Just hang out and be seen enjoying ourselves.

>>24499467
Same. Perhaps something will ensue.

>>24499475
We can discuss that with our crew at the meeting

>>24499356

Well, this >>24499220 post suggested we go investigate our machine in the tower.

Rolled 46

Ignore this.

>>24499163

Nursing your second brew, you decide to simply hang back, and wait for the numbers to thin. After an hour or two, the accounts are paid, and the workers and guards begin to leave, climbing aboard their carts and sleeping within them, to return to Gearwatch at sunup.

You call a meeting of the employees, and they congregate in the taproom after Sif and Martellus are done cleaning.

Miaya leans against a wall, Martellus has the night's profits collected, and Sif is sitting in a chair, apparently exhausted, her head covered by her arms on the table.

Martellus clears his throat.

" All in all we took in one hundred Gold tonight, Tallius, more than covering the comped drinks. I think many of those men spent everything they just earned tonight. A fine showing considering we were at half capacity for only a few hours."

You hear snoring. Sif must be out.

Miaya steps away from the wall.

" Tallius, hunting only covers so much. We need more food suppliers, I'll talk to Karth about it when he comes by next week, unless you want to go into Gearwatch and look for alternate sources."

You nod. If you want to tell your people anything before settling in after a successful night, now is the time.

>>24499740
I refuse to ignore this.

>>24499805
Sounds good to me, I think its Tallius' bedtime.

>>24499805
Compliments to all people around. Asl Miaya if she'd be alright sharing her space with a baker, or if we need to purchase another extension. Also, we need to improve our beer and lager and liqour selection. Lastly, check on the clockwork.

>>24499805
Lord and Ladies tonight was a fantastic night. I can think of a better way to open the tavern! If you havent chosen your room yet do so you may have any one you like I will be taking the master suite for now! Martellus, if you could please follow me to the tower for a moment (we should really check out the automata upstairs make sure it doesnt kill us in our sleep).

>>24499845
Lets not worry about a baker just yet. More employees means more wages which means less money. The food issue can be as simple as different meats and vegetable dishes, some noodles. All easy to cook. Taverns arent really known for their pastries. We want salty light food that gets people to drink more.

>>24499845
We could also ask if she knows how to bake, but yes lets give compliments all around.

been reading and posting anonymously through all threads making myself more prominent.... please dont die thread its only 9cst

>>24499805

"Miaya, what do you think about pastries?"

" If you're asking if I can make them, the answer is yes, though Elven pastries might be a bit spicier than what your customers expect. That could be good or bad depending on the reception they receive. We will need to order an appropriate oven."

You thank her for the information.

"Lord and Ladies tonight was a fantastic night. I can think of a better way to open the tavern! If you haven't chosen your room yet do so you may have any one you like I will be taking the master suite for now! Martellus, if you could please follow me to the tower for a moment..."

Miaya nods, and begins leading the now-conscious Sif upstairs. Martellus silently follows you outside, and around to the tower.

You walk up the spiral stairs, and find the Automata where you left it.

"Impressive!"

Martellus springs forward, and begins examining the Automata up close.

" Looks alike a servant model, but I have not read about there markings on the collar before."

The contraption has a raised metal collar that resembles the gorget of a piece of plate armor. A serier of bending and twisting lines rim it, apparently the language of the Clockwork Empire.

Martellus shrugs.

" It's not a threat, the power source is dead. You'd have to get another, and that's either five hundred thousand gold to a black marketer or whatever it costs to fund an expedition of Origin these days. Either way, a bit beyond us just now."

" Thanks Martellus, good to know the damn thing won't kill me in my sleep.

He smiles slightly.

" Of course, Master Tallius. Now, I am going to turn in, I suggest you do as well. Taverns open early, you know."

He leaves you to your thoughts in the tower.

To bed!

I hope something more happens soon.

>>24500202
Is it a heavy piece? we should move it to the bar tommorrow as a center piece draw people in. (not tonight in case a groggy sif doesnt realize it is dead and breaks it when she sees it in the morning.) Besides that I say we get to bed and have that dream sequence!

>>24500202

Another business opportunity, funding expeditions into the clockwork core. We front them for their expenses and they split the goods with us. From there it's a hop skip and a jump to trading in banned artifacts. With that sort of money.... well a humble tavernmaster could go far.

>>24500335
I dont think we want to go far, for fear of being found out again. I agree with helping fund adventures into the origin but becoming a blackmarket tradesman may not be our best course in the end...

>>24500368

Our dear wife will never stop looking for us. If we accrue any kind of reputation it will probably draw her to us in the end. Not saying we need to go all in and make this Legitimate Business Quest, but we'd do well to be ready for her when she comes knocking.

>>24500202

You decide to take Martellus' advice and turn in, though you make note to see if you can move the Automata downstairs the next day.

On your way back you spy Miaya running off into the woods again, bow in hand. You wonder if the woman ever sleeps.

The hall in the second floor is silent, except for Sif's snoring. You do her the courtesy of closing the door to her room as you walk by, she might not care for propriety, but you care about your employees.

You proceed to your room, the Suite is relatively spartan, though the bed is quite luxurious, a fact you are grateful for as you fall into it, and are soon fast asleep.

****************

A strange thing, memories. You put them in boxes, chain them up like prisoners, but even the world's greatest thief would envy their ability to escape from confinement...

**********

" Marcus!"

What? Where are you? Marcus?!?

"MARCUS!"

You snap to attention, and look around you. The villa. Father's villa. Your home. And who...

Long black hair, fierce eyes, tall for a woman. Tanned in the way all the Le'Eforets are, a gift from their lands in the eastern lands.

Lucretia.

" Are you coming or not, Marcus, we have an appointment to meet."

Appointment?

Your memory is clouded, why are you here? You can't remember, really, but you feel you should go with her all the same, the rightness of the thought is surprising.

You take a step forward without realizing it, but you feel lighter. Shorter even. What is this?

>>24500621
Well, keep the appointment.

>>24500621

" Something wrong, Marcus, you look like you've seen a ghost, and the damnable make up Mother makes me wear is not so ghoulish as that."

She smiles. You have not seen that in so, so long.

>>24500621
Clearly it's a few weeks before our wedding and we're taking care of preparations with our bride.

>>24500621
Best not keep the lady waiting.

>>24500660
How did this happen?

What.

Kiss her.

>>24500767
Do it do it do it

>>24500660
>inb4 people claim us waifu-ing our actual wife

>>24500792
EX-wife.

>>24500660

You don't really understand what this is, but you don't care. It feels right, and that's all that matters.

You kiss Lucretia, and she returns it for a moment, before softly pushing you away.

" Marcus, what would people say? I know this is nothing new to us, but you know how prudish the Capitol is, we can't be seen to be a couple until the ceremony. So let's get going, right?"

You nod, smile, and follow her. Together you both walk out the front foor of the Villa, and the light blinds you. Suddenly, the light clears, and you are in a strange place.

Last you remembered, the Serotius Villa did not open out into an alley in the non-human quarter. Where? What?

Lucretia is gone, and you are shorter still. There is a figure blocking the exit of the alley, the door you entered from appears to be gone, and your back is to a dead end. This is bad. You soon realize you are looking at an Orc, one of the gangers by the look of it. Why did you come here?

" 'Ello, little one, how about you and I go git sum kebabs, eh? Hehehe..."

You do not understand many things about this, but you know this Orc does not plan to buy you a damned kebab.

>>24501101
Run from the kebab Ork, lest we end up an Ork kebab perhaps in more ways than one.

>>24501159
Aye.

>>24501101
Shish his kebab.

By which I mean punch him in the face.

>>24501101
Do we have our dagger? If so prepare to rumble.

Remove Kebab

>>24501309
Dream logic tells me that this is the best idea.

>>24501175
>>24501218
>>24501309

You look down, seeking to find your dagger, but you find instead that your body is that of a child, and you carry no dagger. You have a wooden play sword at your hip, as befitting a young boy.

You don't think you can best the Orc with it, but it will be hard to run as well.

>>24501372

remove Kebab

File: 1367121772764.png-(208 KB, 330x500, 1362377189008.png)

208 KB PNG

>>24501372
>Orc is offering a kebab
>We're a child
AKWARD.

Though apparently we were on at least second base with our ex-wife before we were even of marriable age! Go us.

Kick that Orc in the balls and run like the dickens.

>>24501372
Stand our ground. We ain't afraid of no orc.

>>24501372
I dont think we can hit him, maybe scream?

>>24501372
Kebab his face with the sword.

>>24501372
a child, how dare he!? use our Dignity to shatter this false image

>>24501372
nut tap then run?

>>24501372

Throw the sword in his face and run past him. Our boyhood is not being plundered today.

>>24501422
Second Base? What are you playing mang, second base is boobies...

Votes for:

Attack the Orc

Distract the Orc and Run

Call for help.

Please link your votes to this post.

>>24501508
>Attack the Orc and run

Genitals getting struck still hurts no matter who does the striking.

>>24501508
i guess its a dream so we cant really get raped without waking up
>attack the orc and run

>>24501508
Attack the orc, our ego would be large enough to control our dreams sufficiently to make us nigh unstoppable.

>>24501508
>Attack the Orc and run
Go for weak point of any man!

>>24501536
>>24501551
>>24501556
>>24501559

Strength roll, one dice.

Its a minus one modifier because you are ten.

>>24501508

Remove Kebab

Rolled 61

>>24501508

>>24501609

I think he ment a 1 d 20

Rolled 7

>>24501595

Rolled 22, 30 = 52

>>24501609

Wagh.

>>24501595

Rolled 66

>>24501595

>>24501621

It's always d100s unless specifically stated otherwise.

Rolled 13

>>24501595
A thrusting attack can remedy the age ten problem.

Rolled 74

>>24501595

>>24501101

You grip your wooden blade, and grit your teeth. You're no warrior, and you are apparently a child, but Tallius Urist bows to no man or beast. Wait, Tallius Urist? Marcus. Marcus Sertorius. That is your name. Strange. But no matter.

You charge forward with a boyish yell, and jam the blade point first into where you assume the Orc has his genitals.

"BWARGHLE-FUCK!"

The creature buckles, and you run out of the alley and into the street. You have no idea where you are, and the labyrinthine maze that is the non-human district of the capitol is hardly helping.

" Marcus!"

A child's voice, a girl. You look to where it came from, and you see a figure on top of the perimeter wall of the ghetto. It's almost twenty feet up, she must be quite the climber.

Lucretia!

" Marcus, come on! I told you It was a bad idea, Senator Nero didn't keep you from coming here because he hates you, dumbass!"

Her hand is reaching down, and you run to the wall to take it, just as you are grabbed from behind.

" Hey, everyone, this is the Sertorius boy! Think how much he must be worth! The Sylvans will pay his weight in gems."

Strength roll to break free, two dice.

Rolled 97

>>24501795
Less weight= Easier to run.

Rolled 84

>>24501812
Righteous face kick time.

Captcha: seventy-five useuveh

I'd take a 75.

Rolled 89

>>24501795
Rolly
>>24501812
Nice

>>24501812
Goddamn, Marcus was a strong little bastard.

Rolled 27, 12, 42 = 81

>>24501812
>>24501838

>>24501812
>>24501838
MARCUS STRONK

Rolled 79

>>24501873
>>Rolled 27, 12, 42 = 81

"The orc's head explodes like an overripe melon."

>>24501873
These are some weakass kidnappers.

>>24501897

/tg/ dice, the natural enemy of exciting encounters.

Rolled 51

>>24501897
we have no charisma with a cart salesman but we can beat an orc in a fist fight when we were 12.... Maybe we should become an andventurer...

>>24501873

You manage to flail around and kick your captor in the shin, hard. The frail elf woman hops on one foot in pain, and you elbow her in the gut, dropping to the ground as she doubles over.

" MARCUS! RUN! MORE ARE COMING!"

You run towards Lucretia as fast as you can, your friend's voice and the sounds of the mob chasing you driving your legs to move faster than you can ever remember them. Ten feet from the wall, a door flies open, and you see a club swing towards your face, too fast to dodge...

Rolled 38

>>24501987

Rolled 26

>>24501993

I stand by my previous statement.

>>24501993
>>24502021

The club misses, poorly aimed by the fat dwarf who is now attempting to step out into the alley, but it throws you off your footing as it grazes your shoulder, and you fall over, rolling across the rough cobblestones. The Dwarf picks up his weapon, and raises it over his head for another swing. It descends, you are too stunned and tired to move, and you hear Lucretia scream.

Rolled 23

>>24502051

Rolled 90

>>24502060

>>24502069
Ouchy

>>24502069

FINALLY

The club drops to the ground, and blood spatters the cobblestones, and drenches your youth's robes. The Dwarf falls to his knees, grasping vainly at the bolt that protrudes from his neck, a look of dawning horror upon his broad, bearded face.

You get up, and run, almost slipping on the gore that now covers the stones, running in rivulets, forming a delta of the dwarf's lifeblood upon the stones. The mob sounds as if it is only moments behind you, and you jump up, reaching toward's Lucretia. You see her tearful face, and grasp cold steel as she pulls you upward with both hands.

You sit on the top of the wall for only a short moment, noticing the metal crossbow in Lucretia's small hands. But the horde approaches, and she locks eyes with you, and pulls you over the edge.

You cry out in surprise, but are caught by armored hands. Paladins!

It seems Lucretia's father has come to retrieve you, Marcel Le'Eforet, Grandmaster of the Order of the Crimson Altar.

... and you watch as Lucretia hands his crossbow back to him, and he replaces it in his side holster, the handheld device seeming almost a toy in his larger hands.

" Well, young Marcus, it seems you owe my daughter your life along with your hand." His voice is bitter. He doesn't look happy, and you cannot blame him. What father wants to watch his daughter become a killer?

For Lucretia's part, her eyes are dry now, and she is simply looking down at the ground, lost in thought, as the other Paladins move about the street, keeping it cordoned off.

>>24502248
Hug Lucretia. Thank Lucretia.

When we wake, feel very sad.

Rolled 48

Rolling to see how oppressive the weight of our lifetime of regrets is when we wake up.

>>24502248
That bastard plotted this.

>>24502248
hug lucretia without saying anything and then hug her father. He may like a "son"

>>24502456
Going to have to go with this.

File: 1367126012871.jpg-(20 KB, 262x489, batmanlikee.jpg)

20 KB JPG

>>24494453

Congratulations with your Quest, Barkeep. Seems you've got a steady following now.

Glad my suggestion for a first name stuck. Now there's a little part of me inside of you.

Don't fight it.

I don't even know what is going on any more. I guess I'll come back later.

>>24502266

Marcel looks like he expects you to say something, but you don't know what that could possibly be. Instead you walk towards Lucretia, still staring at her feet, and embrace her.
It takes a moment, but you feel her return the hug. Behind you, Marcel chuckles softly, and places a hand on both your shoulders.

" I suppose that will do, for now. Come, I'll bring Lucretia by later tonight, but Nero wants you to meet him at the Senate."

Your heart drops. The Senate, father has never called you there.

You are mounted on one of the barded warhorses, and the Paladins march to the Senate. Lucretia was brought home, in the other direction. She waved as she left, looking back from behind one of the Paladins, a shy smile on her face.

You are marched through the halls of the Protectorate's government, and right up to your father's office.

Marcel knocks and calls out through the door.

" Nero! I brought Marcus, he's alright, but a bit bloody. I'm sending him in."

The door opens, but you hesitate. Marcel leans in and whispers.

" It's alright boy, he's your father, you have nothing to fear from a man with such expectations for you."

You are unsure if that was meant to be soothing. It was certainly not successful.

You step inside. The office is rather utilitarian, with the exception of Father's relics and art. You see the father's knife in it's display case, the very same knife you are told that cut the throats of the elven oracle-queens and ended the Sylvan Suppression.

Your father sits at his desk, and he indicates that you use one of the chairs across from him.

You sit, and look him in the eyes. His white hair was once a vibrant auburn, but now it is simply a rim of white across his severe skull and a silver close cropped beard that gives him a classic image of nobility. He adjusts his glasses, an old habit of his.

" Tell me, Tallius, how did this come to pass?"

Wait, Tallius?

"Tallius."

That's not your name...

"Tallius!"

Stop it...


(cont)

>>24502666

" TALLIUS!"

You are shaken awake, your eyes opening to reveal Sif, fully dressed, a concerned look on her face.

" Tallius, damn it, you had me worried, You wouldn't wake up no matter what we did, Marty was about to go get some rotgut and throw it on you. We've got fucking customers, and you need to see what kind!"

Business never sleeps, and it doesn't wait for you to figure out just who the hell you really are.

**************

Once again, thank you for participating in Tavern Quest! I have had a wonderful time running tonight's session, and I hope you all enjoyed playing.

Remember, Tavern Quest continues at 5 eastern in exactly one week, on Saturday.

Here is the archived thread for your viewing pleasure: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/24494453/

Have a great week, and don't do anything Tallius wouldn't. Or is it Marcus?

>>24502777
It's Tallius
See yah next week Barkeep!

Rolled 4

>>24502777
Thanks Barkeep. Same time next week!

>>24502777
See you next week, Barkeep. You da best.

>>24502777
great job barkeep! I will be watching same time every week (usually at work so "norm probably wont come about until 9:30cst)

Great job everyone goodnight!

For those of you who keep track of such things, I decided to get a Twitter for the Quest. You can expect me announce cancellations, were they to occur, but otherwise you can expect the same schedule I have been keeping.

>>24503948
https://twitter.com/TavernQuest

And there it is.