Warrior's Rest RP (Tavern at the Bladestone Foundation)

[Milluw]

[artemitavik]

*Derik reads some correspondence on the Foundation member notice boards and from his office. He moves down into the main tavern room and sits at the couch, watching the fire in silence*

[GaretAthran]

A guard from Candlekeep delivers a letter with the seal if the monastery for those in authority at the Bladestone Foundation.

[PM Sent]

[artemitavik]

<removed as duplicate>

[Milluw]

Hear Ye, Hear Ye

Come gather at Warriors Rest for camaraderie, laughter and a handful of competitions to try your luck in. It begins in two days time by evening time.

- Ale Drinking Contest lead by Derik Ranloss

- Pie Eating Contest lead by Ronja Ruidhrí Koel

- Stump Chopping Contest lead by Talio Ruidhrí Koel

- Arm Wrestling Contest lead by Talio Ruidhrí Koel

(( Friday the 9th at 19:00 CET ))

[Milluw]

Warrior's Rest slowly came to bustling life as preparations were set in motion for their little summer faire event. Not too long after the festivities began, the Ale Drinking Contest kicked off. With three flavors of, apparently potent, homebrews served for it, it ended up in a tie with the spoils being split between the three contestants: Jordan the dwarf-elf, Talio and Zul. Zul received a badge for managing to stay seated longest, and Jordan received the never-ending bottle of ale.

The Armwrestling was, meanwhile, fiercely contested, with six participants all duking it out among each other. Ultimately, however, with incredibly trickery and nimble hands, Zul took the win out of the hands the schools own Derik Ranloss, and took with her the badge, the bag and the brooch she won!

Unfortunately, the time ran out for the establishment and the two remaining contests were ultimately reserved for another day. Attendees were told to return in two days time, and were encouraged to sign up too if they were interested in competing.

(( 18:00 CET this Sunday is the continuation of the event. ))

[Milluw]

Two days hence, Warriors Rest once more came to bustling life after a brief delay, with several well-known faces and some new visitors gracing the establishment in this time of merriment and joy.

Not too long after the gathering began, the willing contestants faced off in a pie-eating contest. Many pies were slain by the four contestants, but slowly, one by one, they all fell to the onslaught until only Eilidale remained, sated and victorious! Earning herself a badge of her own, a small fortune and the hair of a unicorn, with which she may do as she will.

Then, the contest moved outside, where the four willing participants got the opportunity to hack away their excess energy to be the first to break a tree stump. Here, the contestants having priorly overeaten ultimately dropped out, first the Pie Champion Eilidale and Rikken, and Sirion the Elf after a fierce struggle, leaving Elektra/Eevee the ultimate winner as hers was the only tree that was split.

She was graced with a hand-carved ring, a badge and another thirty bags for her mighty deed, with Sirion and Eilidale rewarded for the second and third place respectively with a fishing pole and a lantern and their own badges.

And thus, the eve turned to a close, with the prior contestants amicably chatting through the night, their contests won.

[Cinta]

A curious thing happened in the tavern one of these days.

Rumors say a certain prince visited the Warrior's Rest to have a casual drink there, his origin clearly shown to anyone with competent enough eyes in his divine handsomeness and mannerism. So it happened when the prince finished his last drink, a silver haired elf stumbled upon him, and they mingled into lighthearted conversation, where the elf explained the prince why it actually matters which boulder you jump from to a certain river if you really want to have fun, and not... well, be swept away in an unwanted direction.

Anyway, at the end the kind prince donated a magnificent weapon for an upcoming auction - probably because the lass made him laugh, so speculated the onlookers - then left for his sleep, leaving the elf behind to marvel at his gallantry.

[Milluw]

"A prince?" Ronja asked Reinhard in an intrigued tone of voice. She had returned after sun down and looked almost cooked by the sun after a long day. "A prince of where? Details, Reinhard, and don't you spare any."

[artemitavik]

The Bladestone and the Warrior's Rest played host to representatives of the village of South Pine and a Merchant Lord Thaulgaunt, apparently over some sort of dispute over land ownership and mining rights of silver. While it is stated by the staff that the Foundation had some stake in investment in the situation, they had offered themselves as a neutral party to settle disagreements that seemed to be stemming from conflicting contracts and documents, leading to a great amount of bloodshed, and non-combatants caught in the middle.

The two groups arrived, tense and hostile, but after some talks up in the conference room of the Foundation and Rest, it seemed to be coming along. At least until the guards of the representatives attacked their own. The attackers were swiftly put down but now before the South Pine representative was killed. Lord Thaulgaunt was escorted away to the Gate and it is rumored that he intends to hold in honor the agreement he had made with the Village Representative by the name of Redbeard just before the attack took place.

If pressed, staff will let out that the guards that attacked their own leaders were said to have been bewitched in some fashion, the prime suspect being an Amnian mercenary leader called "Mal", who may have been playing both sides of the conflict and wanted it to continue. The staff further offers that it's probably a good idea if "Mal' hears such rumors that he not show his face anywhere near here, as it is easily confirmed that Derik Ranloss was absolutely furious that such a thing took place in his school, and it also appeared that Ronja and Talio were "none too pleased" as the barkeep puts it.

It may be if they get wind of his location, they would be out for blood... and that's generally unhealthy, so... yeah... laying low would be a good idea.


OOC: Thank you Grinning Death for a FANTASTIC story arc!

[Milluw]

RONJA'S FAREWELL

For a long time, barring the trip home to Secomber Ronja took with Talio and Derik, the redhead had spent most of her time wandering the halls of the school. Rarely was a single candlemark idled away, as she switched between tending to Warriors Rest and training students. She focused on Warriors Rest until sunrise and up until midday. The candlemarks around midday were the time of the day she routinely spent training her students. For many moons she had been gradually increasing the number of peasants or villagers in her classes, all of which for reasons not questioned by staff were able to pay their bills above and beyond the required price, despite their apparent poverty. Not one traveled on with an empty stomach.

When Talio, Ronja and Derik returned to the Coast again, there was an ever present smile and an almost softened energy around her. She carried that warmth with her in all of her interactions, and it brought with it a sense that her presence was fleeting, and that where ever her heart and mind was, it was far away from where she physically stood. She bubbled with the excitement of the coming migration of her clan.

Her classes/lessons were less hands on after her return, for reasons that had become difficult to hide as a little bump had formed on her stomach. As she instructed her students, she at times made use of Talio if he was around to make an example of difficult or high risk exercises, or in stead choose an unexpecting victim from the crowd. The result often being hearty laughter heard from the corners of the training hall she spent her time training students at. At least for a while.

Not many days after their return her demeanor quieted and she withdrew into a shell of appearing stunned at something. Not many words were uttered as the redhead contemplated. That contemplation developed into aggravation, then anger and bitterness. It all reflected into her dealings in the school. For two days she almost seemed to resent the entire establishment. Eventually she slumped, disappointment having set in, and finally she resigned into a softer demeanor again.

Any harsh words spoken in and around staff were mended with sincere apologies from her. The same level of elation and enthusiasm expressed at their return to the Coast didn't return. But she made the best of the remaining time she had at the school, creating little pockets of fond moments with staff she had come to know well.


Thanks to Reinhard especially, Ronja's black little cloud had not managed to effect the general air in Warriors Rest negatively for the time it lasted. Business generally speaking went on as per usual.

The chef had been given a Berry cobbler recipe by Ronja, with the promise that it was sure to lure customers to Warriors Rest as Summer approached. It was a tried and true recipe from little Secomber. At the approval of the chef after having made the cobbler, the redhead went ahead and planted several berry bushes in their indoor garden. It would guarantee them a steady flow of berries through the coming months, without having to import anything for it.

A collection of herbal remedies had been given to the healer at the infirmary by a woman named Aleya Leonhart through Ronja. It was far from a lifetime supply, but a modest collection to treat common ailments into the near future. Things such as herbal syrups, tinctures & extracts, teas & infusions, infused oils and homemade salves. Along with a book called 'Aleya Leonhart's Herbal Tea Collection' was also donated.

(( viewtopic.php?f=480&t=77438&p=935781#p935781 - Only visible to members.

Soon enough, a meeting took place with Michael Dunn, with the intent of selling off what rights Ronja had to the school. A very definite, finalizing move, but a necessary one according to her and Talio. Arriving with his partner, Fierlith Silverglade, they were shown around the school, for them to see what their money would be given in exchange for, and to elaborate on what their deal would actually entail. It was only a matter of days before the pair, Talio and Ronja, had packed their bags. That last night they retired early with a bottle of firewine to their room to be seen no more.

The following quiet morning Ronja let Talio wait by the door as she left her belongings by his. The training hall was quiet, what with most people being asleep, so she had it all to herself. What she spent the last moments of her time in those halls on is anyone's guess, but a worn brass necklace dangled off the flag representing the Lady of Strategy. Dangling below the chain was a small carved out knight. A lanceboard piece with stars for eyes made out of amber. It's color like saffron and honey solidified into a warm, glowing jewel.

By the foot of Ashan Wayne's statue laid a little branch from a pine tree. Small enough that someone just might have dragged it in by mistake, but one could surmise it was placed there on purpose if they wanted to.

Ronja eventually re-emerged to move toward the bar where Reinhard handed her the guest book, which she hovered over with her pen thoughtfully for another prolongued moment. It wasn't until the first patrons showed themselves in time for Dawnfry, that she hurriedly closed the book to pass it back to Reinhard, who in turn gave the pair two luskan ales to go. Whether Reinhard would have it or not, Ronja squeezed the poor man such a hug across the bar, that it almost emptied his lungs of air.

What was written in the guestbook:

The heart of an adventurer
Is a heart that never dies
A heart that reaches the end-
But still, for more, it cries.

The heart of an adventurer
Is a heart that always longs for more
A heart that ends up at the end of the hallway
But is still looking for another door

The heart of an adventurer
Is a heart that refuses to sink
A heart that ends up at rock bottom
But still the surface it seeks


The heart of an adventurer
Is a heart full of wonder
A heart that stands in the midst of a snow storm
But somehow- still creates thunder

The heart of an adventurer
Could be the heart of you and me
A heart that has the full picture
But still thinks there's more to see

- Ronja Ruidhrí Koel

Then, after having tucked those ales away into her luggage and having picked her belongings up, she reaches her free hand toward Talio to lace her fingers into his. Her hand squeezed his and she gave him an affectionate smile, it reaching her blue eyes that twinkled with renewed excitement. This was her way of telling him she was ready to leave now.


From this day on it would be known that the new Proprietor of Warriors Rest and co-owner of The Bladestone Foundation is Michael Dunn.

(( Thank you to all that I have shared roleplay with over the years. ))

[Korchas]

It was, indeed, a quiet morning at Warriors Rest, as Talio made his last round through the place on his own. Having done a last brief goodbye-round of training with what students he had, in the usual tormentously harsh way he does, and paying off his tab with Reinhard (grudgingly so, on his end) the day before.



As Ronja absconds to say her own goodbyes, he places their things by the door, relying on the quiet time and the perpetually active bouncer to keep an eye on it for a precious few minutes as he goes to say goodbye in his own way, as well.
In particular taking his time to, surprisingly, take a breather in the Indoor garden, tapping some of the thin berry bushes that had just been planted. "Wasn't here too long, but it sure was some interesting times." He notes to himself, briefly also visiting the kitchen to thank the Chefs for always leaving -something- lying out in range, a thing he had noticed them doing mostly for the sake of the peasants that came to train, as well, and encouraging them to keep at it with such a mindset, no matter what.
On the Office desk Derik usually sits on, he would have left a small letter for the man, with the writ "To Derik - in case we miss you in person" Scribbled onto it. Nodding to himself, then, he returns to their luggage, waiting leaned against one of the pillars next to the stage for his wife's return.



Soon enough, she does return to the bar room, to be greeted with two Luskan ales for the journey. While she hugs poor Reinhard's spine to splinters, Talio leaves it at a respectful nod and a firm handshake, saying everything there needs to be said between men without words.. Before loading up on almost the entirety of the luggage, to spare his wife the effort of carrying excessive weight.

Emerging into the Bright, Sunny, but still mildly frosty Daylight, the Gates were opened to them. One hand grasping that of Ronja, gently yet firmly, as his other adjusts the packages he has slung over himself, he leans over to give her a quick peck on the temple. Ahead of them being, at first, Old Roads, then New Roads for their entire family... who knew what was to come? But that was for the future... For now... They both took the first step into a new life.



((So long from me, as well! Thanks for the Fun we had, and good luck!))

[artemitavik]

Derik, on his part, having just missed them while out on patrol, sat down at his desk and opened the letter. Reading it over, he nodded at the words and then sighed.

It was really over.

Everyone was really gone now, his whole Family. He'd see Ronja and Talio again in short order of course, helping them travel to their new location with the Braithreachas Leomhainn, and he would eventually join them. But for now, he just sat and looked around the room for the time being, letting the candles flicker.

Out of his desk of all things he took out a wooden cooking spoon, old and worn, with the small mark of an inn at Daggerford on the handle, and just rolled it in his fingers absently.

[ValerieJean]

Mane-Attraction, Apple, and Noneighm would be stationed in the WR/BS Stable until known traders were arriving, in which they would be lead out and tied down on the fence nearby. The stalls would be cleaned out and the hay replaced, one at a time each horse would be saddled then untied to be lead on a walk before being mounted. The nearby trees used as obstacles to better train them, the Elven woman would start slow with the horses she recently encountered to get them better acquainted with herself before testing them further.

[artemitavik]

Posted both in the Inn and the Arena/School

Based on current actions in the war between the Zhentarim of Darkhold and the Lord's Alliance, the Bladestone Foundation and the Warrior's Rest hereby ban the presence in their facilities of any Zhentarim and their Allies, including but not limited to: The Black Abby, The Blackroses, as well as the Drow and Orc already banned by policy.

This is based on the willful and intentional perpetuation of war crimes against unarmed civilians and non-combatants by the Zhentarim and their allies including but not limited to:
-Scorched Earth attacks that are intentionally damaging to the lands and livelihoods of non-combatants such as the assassin vines and seeding of shambling mounds.
-Poisoning of well.
-Mind control to perpetuate self-harming actions.

The Foundation finds these actions dishonorable and unworthy of warriors of stature. While no delusion is held by the Foundation that this will in any way impact the Zhentarim war efforts and actions, the leadership of the Foundation felt this statement needed to be made.

This ban is to take place immediately and will persist until the war crimes mentioned are halted in entirety.