The Golden Acorn Inn... shelter from the bizarre bazaar You make your way to the Inn past several booths, so many odd sights and sounds, it's a wonder you can keep a single thought in your head. Standing before you is a tall, weathered inn, three stories in height. It offers shelter, a painting of a giant golden oak tree on the sign out front. The words on the placard read, The Golden Acorn Inn. You enter and see only a few empty tables, but for the most part the bar is full and there are several booths all occupied by at least one person? or more and most of the other freestanding tables are occupied as well, except for two in the very center of the inn. The bartender, a redheaded, redbearded human wearing a dark green short sleeved tunic and apron around his waist, nods to you in greeting. Most of the other customers spare your group a glance and turn away. One young human doesn't even look, his back to the door and taking another sip of his beer, it seems he doesn't have any cares about what comes through the door behind him. On the sleeve of this young human is a patch sewn into his leathers of a helmeted figure with tangled tentacles on a dark blue background. The only one of your group to draw some serious looks is the flame haired Elaina. Quite a few of the customers turn their chair to watch where she goes and what she does. A few of them even wink, particularly a thin, gangly human at a nearby table, a satchel on the floor near his chair. He smiles warmly, especially to Gareth. On his cloak is a sewn on badge of a gold winged wyrm, screaming it's defiance. Hesitantly, Gareth nods slightly and smiles back uneasily. After sitting himself at the one of the empty table, he removes his sword and places it on it's wooden surface. You find a seat amongst what seems mostly half-elves and humans and some of the odd mix humans, the ones with the extra fingers or the colored hue to their skins. Almost all of them wear some symbol or other on their sleeve, or tattooed into their skin, or perhaps even on a medallion around their necks. The bartender himself comes from behind the bar, asking, "What can I get you, cutters? We got the basics and even a few brews from Elysium just in, Lathander's Lite, or Tyr's True, or what about a little Dwarven ale name of Thor's Hope which is just in from Ysgard? For the youngster," he grins at Darrin, "I'd suggest some honeyed goat's milk. Milady, for you, perhaps some Winterblossom wine from the heart of the Beastlands." "Thank you, good sir. My name's Gareth. Forgive my ignorance but my companions and I have travelled from afar. Can you kindly tell us what city is this?.... "Oh yes, a Tyr's True for me and a couple of Dwarven ales for my companions, please." Darrin glances at the symbol on Gareth's armor and says with a nod to Gareth, "I've never heard of Tyr's True, but... I would try it with my... friend here." The bartender gives a glance at the youthful, Darrin, but then smiles at the youngster. Eyeing the Man with the "Fate" badge Brian will wander to the bar and Learn all he can from the bartender, and not only about "fate" but the "free league" and about the bartender's backround and the laws of the city. (My PLan's will have to be posponed till later *the wandering and making "friends") Seeming to ignore, Gareth's question, the man smiles and returns with mugs of ale and a glass of Razorvine wine for Elaina. The ale he places in front of Stump and Stratt, he names, "Moraddin's Mythic Malt." He adds with a smile, "That will be one jinx for the lot. Moraddin's went up in price just last month, darn dwarves." He says this with a twinkle in his eye as he glances at Stump. Elaina remove her cloak and hang it from the back of her chair. Ignoring the mens who are watching here she pick up the glass of wine and study it. She said "Could you we have something to eat and where can we sleep for the night?". Elaina then take a sip of the wine. Waiting for the bartenter to reply. Stratt kneels in a chair, looking up at the bartender. "Uhhmm....actually that goat's milk sounded good. Could I get a mug of that? Ahh...and what is this jinx you wanted?" Stratt leans his elbows on the table. "Hmm?" "What Do you mean Stratt? Do you know something about those factions? Do tell!"<> Stratt scrunches up his eyebrows in a quizative look, "What are factions Brian? I just want to know what a jink is. Our good bartender asked us for one for the drinks. I assumed it's a form of currency here, like the taol of Waterdeep. I had intended to exchange the tradebars my aunt gave me for the trip for taol but since we're apparently not in Waterdeep anymore....say did you see the frog-guys? I'll bet they're the result of a mad wizard's experimenting!" The bartender says, "A little food, milk, for my diminutive friend. Of course, of course. Jinx...ah you must be newly arrived. Jinx... gold." Frowning as he fidgets with the misterious drink, Darien sits distanced from almost everyone else and looks deep into the concoction. Stump will down about half has mug then ask the Bartender " If someone were looking for work in this town who would they contact." "I mean work like debt collecting maybe or finding lost things or acquiring items by various means." While waiting for an answer Stump will finish his mug and had it to the Bartender for a refill." "Of course there is always work... people hiring. There's the Planar Trade Consortium... caravan work, and then every faction in Sigil has work for their members to do. There's always just asking around. Someone might know someone looking for a few adventurous types," the bartender says offhand. Darrin reaches into a pouch at his pocket, and pulls forth three gold coins. "If this doesn't cover the food, please let me know, and... keep the rest for yourself for being so... helpful," he adds with a glance at Stump. "I'll bring something right back from the kitchen," the bartender assures him, swiping the coins off the table. They quickly disappear into the folds of his apron as he heads to a door under the staircase. After the bartender is gone, the gangly young human at the next table whirls around and grabbing his satchel he pulls his chair to your table, taking a minute to bow and nod in greeting. "Couldn't help but hear... but you seem to be new to Sigil, the City of Doors. That's a mighty thick Toril accent you folks are carryin'. Allow me to introduce myself. Saegal, first class Knight of the Post at your service. I can answer questions you might be havin', can even guide you around our fair city, and for hardly in cost to yourself, I can help you with money exchange. Ol' John, the barkeep here, he'll take a little of the Toril gold, but nothin's better than having Sigillian jinx... then folks will treat you better, if you know what I mean." Even as he sits down, he hefts out a little case with a set of weights in it, and a little balance which bears a very judicial looking stamp on it, though you can't read the language. "Now who is first. We'll get this done, and then onto other business. Perhaps a few questions, and then some sight- seeing. You'll find my prices quite reasonable," Saegal assures you. "Sightseeing, I'm afraid i have not the time nor money, but, information is useful and gold would be more forthcoming...."<> "Greetings Sir Saegal," Gareth nods back in reply as he shove his chair aside to accommodate the new stranger. "Just exactly how many Toril gold coins are we expecting for a Sigilian jinx?" Gareth asks with one close eye. Saegal takes a coin from his pocket, the stamp on it unknown to you, and on it's other side is the likeness of a womans face crowned around by a wreath of sharpened shards. ""See, it's got to do with weight," Saegal nods to his measuring device. "How much of you jinx is gold and how much other metal is mixed in." He sticks the coin in one cup and shows you how much it weighs and then from his pocket he searches for another coin until he holds up a gold coin, which you recognize as coming from Faerun. He weigh's it and says, "You see. Your coin weigh's a bit more. That means you've got some other metal's which weigh more. Seems like it's worth more because it's heavier, but it's not really. It's really not as pure. Now you could run into some knights be charging you 30 to 35 percent for the exchange, but we have other business, so I'll just make the exchange what it's really worth. Two out of every ten to be changed." He holds up his hands and says with a smile, "Now, we know I got to make a little bit on the exchange, so I'm letting you know, two percent of that's mine for handling the deal, 18 percent is the actual exchange." Stratt looks the knight up and down, "Howdy, Saegal, I'm Stratt Gnisisinishinal. Gnomish questor and trouble-shooter. I have some tradebars...a gift I was to exchange in Waterdeep. If we are staying here for anytime I guess it would be wise to have some of it in the currency of your fair city." Stratt digs into his pockets and pouches, stopping twice to adjust his hat which had fallen yet again into his eyes. He pulls out 4-20sp tradebars and 7 single silver coins. "Errr, here, I'd like 2 of these bars in what ever currency is most common." Saegal shakes his head and with a smile at the gnome, he says, "Your tradebars are just fine, though be careful who you deal with when it comes to stingers. Now you my fellow Knight," he turns back to Gareth, "You look as though a few questions are popping to mind. I can answer as I work." Darrin looks curiously up at Gareth, but then with a slight scowl, he places a pouch on the table and starts counting out gold on the table, making little piles while waiting for Gareth to ask some questions. <>(After the exchange he'll ask these questions.) "Know you of Toril Sir Knight? Can you tell us how we may get back to Toril? There are friends that we vowed to protect before we were .... how can I put? Unexpectedly transported here." Pulling his chair closer to the group as he explained their dilema to the stranger Knight. "Ah... well, you can go back most likely through the way you came. If you know the key. Or there's the Hall of Records... they can point you in the right direction. They have a list of current known gates, and then there's some cutters in the know that can sell you the information that you desire. Where on Faerun did you need to get to? And most importantly where's the door you came through and what triggered the portal?" Saegal asks, pulling a weighty pouch out of his own pocket. Stump... I am assuming Stump having worked in a Smithy and being a former tradesman would have a above average knowledge of metals and coins. If we can continue business. Stump will take 2 gold pieces out of his pouch then he will ask Saegal if he can hold the Jinx he is showing. When he gets the jinx he will try to feel the difference between the coins(weight them in his hands Saegal says there is about 20% difference). Next he will scratch both coins with his thumbnail see if there is a difference. (The coin with more gold should be softer?) . If he can not he will bite each to see what the difference is. Next he return the Jinx and take his two coins and drop one into each side of the scale (test it they should almost weigh exactly the same). Saegal takes a couple more coins from his pouch and is glad to let you inspect them... he even offers to let Stump use his scales. The coins feel slightly different to your touch, Saegal's a touch softer as you surmise knowing about the softness of gold, and they seem to be quite genuine. Even taking the time to weigh two similar coins you are impressed by the balance of the scales. All seems to be quite in order... until the interruption. If what Saegal has said is true and the scales balance Stump will take 10 gold pieces from his pouch and exchange them. Stratt stiffles yet another yawn as he waits for his coinage. He drinks his milk, slowly curling up in his chair as he dozes off. Up at the bar, Ol' John touchs the hand of a human at the bar and nods in your direction. He's the same one that never looked up when you entered. He looks now in your direction and immediately scowls and turns back to the bartender glaring at him. His dark hair hanging low into his dark eyes, he looks much older than his twenty years with that wistful scowl on his features. The bartender gives him a grin and nods once more in your direction and with a sigh, the young human staggers up from his stool and after a quick stretch he comes over to your table. Young Saegal helping you, gives him a glance out of the corner of his eye and with his head makes a motion for the dark haired youth to go somewhere else, but he keeps on coming anyway. His dark eyes glare at the Knight of the Post, and he leans over him, whispering in his ear, yet loud enough for each of you to hear. Surprising his common is much like yours, though with just a slight accent, as though he had been from your world, but gone for awhile. "The Guvnor over there, doesn't allow the cross-trade in his bar. You should know that." "I am just trying to help these, berks..." Saegal begins to reply. "Pike it! No coney-catching in here. Don't make me nick you for all to see," the young human cuts across him. Darien scowls and looks up from his drink, which he hasn't touched. "Why can't we trade currency and information. We walked through a gate and are lost and this man right here is trying to help us, what is wrong with that? Afraid we'll DO something bad here? We just want to get back and finish what we started and don't you dare ask what it is 'cause it's non of your business!" Stratt opens an eye carefully, watching the new goings on. As Darien becomes indignant Stratt pipes in, "Darien, err, I think he means we are being taken advantage of in this money exchange and that the Bartender doesn't allow fer open theft and swindling in 'is inn so to speak. This Saegal's help will only leave us penniless and possibly dead. Let the bouncer do what he will with this common thief. Thieving is not an honorable thing to practice." Stratt absent-mindedly tosses the wrapper of the sticky-bun he found in his pouches while searching for his trade-bars on the floor. "Hey, hold on for a second, Stratt." Gareth says with a gulp as he sips down the last drops of Tyr's True, savoring is strange yet oddly familiar tingling sensation. Realizing that they are far away from home and seeing that Saegal seems to know a great deal about the events that took place, he quickly intercepts to avoid an unfriendly confrontation. After all, one less enemy is better than no friend at all. "Now, let's not start throwing accusation around and let Saegal here explains himself." Well met, stranger?" Gareth signals with a nod to acknowledge the new arrival. "Is this Knight here just breaking tavern rules or is he trying to rob us of our money?" "Knight... you actually think he's a shining true example of humanity? He's a knight of the post...the cross trade. He's gonna rob you blind." The grim faced young man, actually nudges one of the tradebars towards the gnome, while continuing to glare at Saegal. Nodding towards the gold on the table, he says shortly, "Go on, kid... pick that up. I ain't the bouncer, either," he glares at the gnome. "But I do suggest you be a little more careful who you ask questions of. Your gold is as good any other in the Cage." Gulping, Darrin hastily complies, saying, "Yes, sir." His remark earns a quick scowl from the man as well. The man's hand slowly reaches towards a dagger at his belt as Saegal still makes no move to leave. After a few more seconds, Saegal licks his lips to wet them, and fear in his eyes, he begins to pack up his stuff, only sparing a glance away from the man standing over him. When his stuff is packed, the dark haired man steps out of his way, and the thin man bolts from the bar, with several customers laughing as he goes. "Thanks, Keith, appreciate it," Ol' John calls to him. "And no, that ain't towards our bet today." "Good!" the youth says sharply. "I ain't coughing up a gold today." He begins to turn away and return to his seat at the bar. "Now, now, what about that patch on your sleeve?" (wait for answer)<> The man snorts as he glances over his shoulder... the same shoulder which sports the patch that Brian asks about, a helmeted figure with tangled tentacles on a dark blue background. "It's a patch from my faction...The Fated." He waits knowing these newcomers will probably ask him more questions, and sure enough Brian is quick to continue. "That was mighty valiant and if that be the custom of your faction, where can i join, it'd be good to join a club for once."<> "I was just helping Ol' John, because he asked. His boss wakes up and sees that cross-trader in here, and Ol' John would have been in trouble. My faction don't help no one. You help yourself to what you want in life." "Does... doesn't," Darrin sputters at the man and then quickly ducks his head to avoid the glare the he gets in return. "oh, I was wondering..... i need help finding someone...."<> "And you, don't listen very well do you," the man glares over at Brian. "I don't believe in helping anyone." Gareth will try to detect evil from Keith No, as much as he scowls, you don't detect evil, though there is evil in the bar, though the feeling is pretty broad...you can't tell who... I'll glance around the room to see if I notice any suspicious looking or unusual character. There is one half-elf at the far end of the bar, who seems to be the only one paying real close attention to your discussion with Keith, but he's too far to see if that's where your detection of evil is getting a reading from. All the other varied people... many of the strange almost human variety, look very unusual, but then maybe after sometime in this place, you might grow attached to the local populace. "On the contrary, Keith, you did help someone today - if not us then your friend Ol' John. Nevertheless, thank you stranger." Gareth nods to emphasize his sincerity. "If you do not wish to help perhaps you can work for gold? As you already know we're not from around here. I can see perhaps you yourself were not native to this land also my friend. So I am sure you can understand our dilema. Just point to the right direction to gain the information about the Gates Saegal had spoken of and we will ever be grateful." Gareth's eyebrows narrow with concentration as he thanks the stranger. The young man, eyes Gareth carefully, and then takes a quick seat at your table. He holds up a hand before you start to bombard him with questions. "Look, it's against my principles, but, you give me one gold, just to pay the bet I'm about to lose to that smug bartender and I'll try to answer a few quick questions. John's boss helped save my neck one night, so I do what I can to repay, but after that, I look after myself. And you'd be wise to do the same. There's guides, touts, they call them... they'll take you on tours, or there are sedan chairs you can hire at the front of the bazaar... they cost a little more, but they can take you right where you want to go. How did you get here?" he asks calmly. "We... walked into the Humming Wench in Waterdeep, and then we were here..." Darrin stammers. "We..." "Okay, kid," says Keith. "Little scared, huh?" He doesn't wait for Darrin to nod his head before continuing, "So you walked through a portal... you need a key to come through. Were any of you carrying anything... something that once you got here, was gone, or changed? Where did it come out at? Had to be close to here, or you'd probably be in some other inn," he surmises. He takes a few glances at the other tables to see if anyone is taking an interest in your conversation. Darien's eyes light up as Keith finishes his conversation and immediately begins checking his inventory and clothing for anything abnormal or suspiscious. Stratt thinks of his meat pie, "Could have been the meat pie. It was spoiled when I came thru but was fine when I entered. It could have been this key...but I threw it out cause it was rotten. Say did he say we could have some place to sleep? I'm tired." "Little Stratt, here's always thinking of food, Keith, please don't mind him." Gareth let's out a barrel of laughter and claps his sleepy eye companion warmly on his back. "Here's the gold we owed you," Gareth hands the man a piece of gold he had promise. "Let me see, anything missing or changed?" Gareth says as he rummages through his belongings. "Umh....everything looks fine? Did anyone notice anything? Or was Stratt's meat pie the source of the portal?" The young man lets out another howl of laughter as he said so. While everyone checks their belongings Gareth leans closer to Keith and whispers, "Don't look, Keith, but it seems that someone is quite interested in our little conversation. Who's the half-elf in the far corner?" Keith doesn't even look to the end of the bar, but he winks at the big man and whispers, "A friend... more valuable to you than even I am." "Perhaps our little conversation should be done behind close doors?" Leaning back on his chair Gareth lets out a huge yarn and speaks loudly, "Stratt's right, let's all have a good nights sleep and continue this conversation in the morning. So Ol' John, have you a spare room for us for the night?" Gareth hollers at the bartender. "Would you like to share the room with us or should I ask for a separate room for you Milady?" Gareth asks his red head companion. "Sorry I can't stay... I've got an appointment, but I'm a regular customer. There's rooms for rent. John can take care of it. You all look a little tired, in fact," Keith replies. "Interesting a key, though, and probably what it was. But it was used up anyway and wouldn't have gotten you back through. Now, you just need to know the key that operates it from this side, and hopefully the connection is two-way and not a one-way trip. Could still be a meat pie, but could be something similar as well. There's a spell some wizards can cast that can give you information on your gate, but I ain't a wizard," Keith says. "If that door doesn't work, go to the hall of records, though with all the paperwork, you'll be here until the kid," he motions to Darrin, "is a grandfather," he laughs a little. "I'll see you, berks, around," he adds standing up and tossing the one gold piece to the bartender. Good naturedly, he shakes his head and says to John, "Last time, John. I'm done helping the clueless that wander into your bar... I've got business to attend to." "Have a good day, laddie," John calls out to him as he leaves the bar. <> "O.k. so your friend doesn't help nobody, then may I ask, what badge people does? or do none of the faction's here care about anything?"<> The bartender replies shortly, "Most people help those who are in their same faction, youngster. The varied factions of Sigil all believe they are helping in some fashion, at least many of them do. The guvnors, that is the Fraternity of Order, which I am a member of, believes that law is the guiding force of the multiverse. Know the laws and you can find peace. Then again, the Harmonium believe that if everyone follows the same laws and believes the same way, that peace will come and everyone will be happy. Then the Mercykillers, they believe in Justice... very important to them. Then the Believers of the Source, think that every one of us is on our way to Godhood, and the Sign of One, believes that everyone imagines their own world, that is, they are the center of the universe and we all exist do their design. There are others as well, but if you wish to know more, many people you meet will be happy to tell you about their factions and beliefs. I would not do them justice, as I truly believe that the Fraternity of Order is the true way. It is hard for me to give credence to other beliefs that are opposed to mine, to do them, justice." ------------- Brian to the Bar... "How can I help you, young man?" the bartender smiles from behind the bar, while he takes a moment to clean a few more mugs. "That man.. the one with the symbol on his arm, "fate" I belive. I am interested in him, i cannont say why but could you tell me of him? and that one, the "freedom league". I am also intrested in you my friend, oh, and a mug of a good STRONG ale for me, i like that sort of thing while i talk." p.s. making friends is GOOD, if i get a chance a pat on the back or a nod , anything to make me his buddy. He nods once and pouring a mug, he sets it in front of you... and waits... for a few seconds... Whenever the bartender drifts on his story and Brian has run out of ale he will purchase another. OOC Now in the above sentence, where did I say the bartender even started speaking. IC... The bartender clears his throat and says, "Five greens...I'll be back shortly." He moves off and doesn't seem to be too concerned about coming back to answer your questions. ----------------