The Broken Goblet

[selhan]

Diseased



Within the wooden structure of the Ilmater infirmary units, four bodies dangerously sick laid in beds with buckets filled with blood coughed out from each patient. Some spillage missed it's mark and shot onto the floor near the beds. Brows covered in feverish sweats, that dripped and soaked pillows and mattresses. Faint groans and rough coughs filled the air with echo's. The coppery smell of blood was thick. A man wanting to check upon the ones he knew as friends and acquaintances and even patrons, carelessly had gotten too close.



For after the sacrifice of the many elves that fell victim to pirates. Word had spoke of a confrontation between the Broken Goblets bruiser and some green flesh tiefling. The tiefling had attacked but the employees of the Goblet as well as its frequent patrons came together to fight off the threat. However before the tiefling died by the hands of the known Bruiser and the well known Minstrel, a curse of Talona was casted forth covering a wide range of a diseased cloud that rendered everyone near to a bloody vomiting sickness.



"…. my betrothed as arriv *coughs* arrived.." *Coughs*

"You're an idiot"

"Idiot?..Perhaps next time when I say leave..you do so immediately" *He glances down at the pool of blood that had missed its intended bucket*

"..The... *coughs*...bastard attacked when we were about to. Vol and him fought..*coughs*.."

"Shush, I already heard...Rest Is the Priestess about?"

"I'd never leave that imbecile alone, nor you. But more were hit by that disease. I heard them behind us, coughing, getting out of their corners...You should... check Roaringshore. Those who got the disease might spread it..."

*He blinks then steps back slowly* "Fok....Its contagious?"

What ever plague or diseased or sickness that placed them in such the state, had transmitted to him for simply being at a few arms length.. It wasn't long before he too stood there feeling feverish, and vomiting blood. An Immediate thought overwhelmed him and he had to quickly leave to give warning before it was too late..



He later returned, weaker, and more feverish, and the temple was out of beds. Had it not been the former patron of his, he would not had even gotten the bedroll. Later the two spoke while the rest that were directly effected from the greenish cloud of curse had soon fallen into a deep and uncomforting sleep.

"Some of us had started to build a life there ,..or did your dragon make you forget us?"

"I didn't forget anyone... I just couldn't keep going on turning a blind eye to the evils of the place...and that was going to get me killed."

" Am I to leave the Goblet? Walk away..."

"How many times the Shore been burned and raided and the Goblet is still there"

"The Goblet is more than a bar"

"Maybe it is ..but your loyalty to that place is dangerous for your health...and that of those who are loyal to you. From what I hear this isnt exactly new ..the Shore coming under fire because of foolish piking pirates... if its not the elves it will just be something else. You are always going to have trouble knocking at your door in that place."

"Aye..but prehaps I'll at least have me rum and lass" *A chuckle that turned into a bloody cough*

"Speakin ol that....find her..tell her what happened"

[Re'Drix]

As the homage was paid to Umberlee, The Previous Captain which now lead a simple ablehand life stood at the highest point of the Roaringshore, Well overlooking the docks below - His trusty hound Gnoll's Bane sat by his flank watching with him, Down at the gathered of pirates and slaves.

"Look at tha' Gnolls.. Sacrificin' to the bitch queen.. Hopefully this will please the seas for what's to come."

With that he would scratch at the hounds ear whilst watching each and every elf be sacrificed, There was no emotion to his face as he stood at the usual spot on the overhangs of little luskan as it was cried, foot perched on the bench leaning with an elbow on a knee..

But the morales of Re'Drix Thorn would still stand, He would respect the already dead, Soon to be dead, and those sacrificed.. Raising his bottle of fine rum out towards the sea for those sacrificed to the bitch queen.

"I don't think "May yer lungs stay empty o' water" woul' be fitting here eh Gnoll? - Maybe somethin' like, May yer bones be picked clean by them who rest at the bottom.. Who bloody knows. Cheers!"

And as the night grew darker into the morning hours, The bodies sunk and floating off, He would hum himself a little shanty watching the sun rise from the horizen

[selhan]

No Rum!



"I'm going to try and rest a little Rose..Sel..either of you you need anything before I find a corner to nap in?"

"Rum!..This Mead is not doing the job..."

*Try's to take the mead by force* "Bad Sel!"

*He puts up resistance* "Bugger!"

"Sel.. Do make me come there and whip you."

*His eyes looks like he was about to whine* "My drink!"

"Sel is a big baby when he be sick."

"Sel you should get back in a bed"

*He twitches his nose and glances at the door way debating....*

"Dont make me get the rope..."

"This place is surly the place of sufferin'! No rum!, no half naked woman!...misery I tell ye!"

No Rum! Buggers! Wot kinda of place is this! The bloody alcohol would help chase down the side effects! Shrine of Sufferin indeed!. Must think...think... *Coughs*..hmm I know..I will just send someone aye..a messenger or courier , a promising visitor will come soon enough..then I can get me rum...They took my blimey mead. Damn it to hells, tis alright..they dont know about this bottle..yes ..yes...it's always good to be resourceful...and I know just the person to get my precious rum...



House Divine would get a missive from a woman that informed the House,
that the Matron Lady Netanya was in need of a new fresh outfit.


Captain Pike in the Broken Goblet Tavern would get word of his assistant becoming's.


Much later quite keeping quiet and awaiting for caretakers and nurses to settle down or even leave,
he bartender of the Broken Goblet laid on his bed scribbling random thoughts in his mind while he waiting for his rum to arrive.

[selhan]

Lamenting...



To lament means to express sorrow or regret. Lamenting something horrific that has taken place allows a deep connection to form between the person lamenting and the harm that was done, and that emotional connection is the first step in creating a pathway for healing and hope. We have to sit in the sorrow, avoid trying to fix it right away, avoid our attempts to make it all okay.



It's been said that when a person is about to die at their very last breath, their whole life flash before their eyes. But when laying sickly in bed such the same thoughts overwhelms. Does it mean I'm near my death? Has the sickness turned for the worse? Nay, it simply means I finally had a moment to keep still and think. When a person is busy, they don't get time to think about their own lives, a goblet to fill, a rumor to hear, a gossip to share, a song to sway too, a woman to flirt with, a rum to drink. When laying still, and not exhausted to the point you simply succumb to sleep the moment you close your eyes, your left thinking. Thinking of current matters that soon lead to the past....and my past is a bloody mess.



1345 DR - Along the Lions Way

"That was the last of them."

"You sure that was all of them?"

"Yes Mother, we counted nearly two dozen of them."

"Good instruct the boys to return home, we must lay low and out of sight for awhile. Oh.. did they have anything of value?"

"I had not checked...my humble apologies, I was caught up in the fighting"

"You idiot! Must I cut your own throat?! Checking their corps for a PURSE should have been the first thing you did!"

"I'm sorry."

"Do...I.. look... like I want your apology? Leave nothing behind boy remember that. Not only search for things of value, but things that might be useful, notes, documents rare artifacts, be thorough!"

"Understood Mother."

"Now get off your knee and make sure the others do a proper search. We spent too much time out here already. And burn their cloaks, the very sight of it makes me sick."

Clergy would tell you that, that prayerful lament is better than silence. However, I've found that many people are afraid of lament. They find it too honest, too open, or too risky. But there's something far worse, that is silent despair. Giving Gods the silent treatment is the ultimate manifestation of unbelief. Despair lives under the hopeless resignation that Gods don't care, or they doesn't hear, and nothing is ever going to change. People who believe this stop praying, they give up. This silence is a soul killer.

If someone was to ever ask the bartender of the Broken Goblet has he ever lamented? He would tell them..

“Every man is guilty of all the good he did not do.”

[selhan]

Work and Worry Not



The night was at its prime, the towering Orc blood of a door guard stood just outside the shabby wooden doors of the Broken Goblet tavern. The bartender gave a nod which return received a grunt. He stepped in, carrying his crate of drinks and headed inside walking down the dais towards the bar. Captain Pike stood there giving him a scowl, obviously not happy that he had to cover the man for five days. Perhaps the Captain had gotten use to doing less work. The bartender began with grabbing a broom and started to clean the floors. Dammit, where was Mirella, he had remembered that he would pay the tiefer to help with cleaning. Grumbling as he went to his task, it didn't take long till he returned to the bar and began wiping the bar top as well as empty goblets. The very goblets what was a signature item within the particular tavern. Elegant goblets made of blown glass that rests upon a stem of gold or silver. The stems had various designs, some of a bellowing dragon , others a rising Krakan sinking a ship. Few other stems had the more bawdy designs like a mermaid entwined with a sailor or a pirate. Few of frequent and common patrons that were local of the Shore, ordered their rounds of goblets. And he did what he did best, fill the goblets.



It had felt good to be out of a sickly state and being able to return to the bar. However, things didn't feel quite the same. His mind was filled with wonder, about the local pirates and the elves. Without hearing much of any word from the Shore, he was left without rumors, gossips, or news. "What next?" He asked himself while cleaning a goblet in hand, yet his brown eyes had glances off to some random area in the tavern as he was lost in such thoughts. He knew better to worry. And old mentor who he once called mother had told him...



"Instead of worrying about what you cannot control, shift your energy to what you can create,
you probably wouldn’t worry about what people think of you if you could know how seldom they do. Now enough
with these sentimental things, their bothersome. We got work to do boy."



"Bloody woman, even after all these years you still manage to get into my head. Well what then, if what I create crumbled because of bullshite. What would yer mean poisonous tongue say to that? What advice would yer give? " He smirked to himself after catching himself ranting to the air. He couldn't help thinking if something was wrong with him. Was it side effects from the medications he had taken in the Temple of Ilmater, or was it something else?...He quickly shook his head, for he knew the damn answer to his own question. If anyone was to ask the bartender of the Broken Goblet if he was worried about the conflict of elves and pirates, he would say to them...

"Whatever is going to happen will happen, whether we worry or not,
If there is no solution to the problem then don't waste time worrying about it.
If there is a solution to the problem then don't waste time worrying about it.
And if yer bloody need help with not worrying about it, drink until yer drunk."

[selhan]

High Risk



It can be said, that nothing was greatly achieved without danger.
Daring ideas are like pieces on a gameboard that moved forward.
They may be beaten, but they may start a winning game.



".....We've got a plan...." *Continued whispers*...."....are gonna be handling the magic... or maybe they're gonna be...."...*Whispers continue*..

"So you're saying..." *Whispers*

"Nae aint get me involved...*Whispers* ..."if things go sour I might as well hang myself.." *Continues whispers*..."Yer risking much for so little gain."



*She's mad!...
She must have gone crazy...the results ...could not only be fruitless but the risk can bring far more greater danger.
I've always said, there's nothing more dangerous than someone who wants to make the world a better place.
But truly this suicide.*

1346 DR

"Sel, are you mad? Your going alone to attempt what is considered suicide!"

"I put a lot of thinking into it and manage to set somethings up."

"I going with you then. No sense going alone."

"I'm going too. Beats doing nothing"

"Sorry but no, if I take you two, its going to screw my plans up. I need to do this alone, its planned that way."

"Alright then, but your either got balls, or your crazy."

-------------------------------------



"S-Sel?...Is...that..y-you?"

"Shhhh..don't talk...drink this water..I've come to get you out of here."

"Can we leave now!" *Tearful eyes*

"No not yet..move your bed to the other side of the cell. In the coming days this wall is going boom, I will have men that will pick you up and lead you to me."

"And the others?"

"There are none."

*Sobs* "Promise me you will get me out of here!"

"I always keep a promise, I gotta go, I was only given a short time. Here..some food to help get you some strength back..farewell"

---------------------------------------

"Great job Sel, ain't know how you did it. But outstanding"

"Wow you really did it."

"Love make a man do anything huh?"

"Love had nothing to do with it."

"What made you do such a thing then? Wanted to be a Hero?"

"Hero's fills grave yards."



If anyone was to ask the bartender has he ever done anything crazy, he would tell them...

"When you are crazy you learn to keep quiet. Because A goal without a plan is just a wish."
"And you don't get things done sitting around wishin on things."

[selhan]

Back to Goblets

"We are tied to the ocean,
And when we go back to the sea,
whether it is to sail or to watch,
we are going back from whence we came."

"Ah, bartender."

"What a surprise, looks like you still linger upon the Shore. Here for business ?"

"In a way. I was about to leave, but I wanted to thank you for the message received the interested parties."

"Ah, so I take it yalls business is finally concluded?"

"It is. I wanted to give you this for your effort...we ....always pays for a good service."

*He takes the couple of bag of coins with a widen grin*

The bartender of the Broken Goblet had his own reputation he cherished most. One, he worked diligently behind the bar, another was that he with equal efforts, he saw to it , that things get done. Even when certain things might put him at a risk, most of it was mere enjoyment for him. Did he seem to enjoy work? Or did he merely take pride in what he does? Or maybe was it something he was trained to do? It was fact with some of the patrons that new or had dealings with the bartender of the Broken Goblet, this was a bartender that always did what he said he would do. Local pirate patrons might speak of how a woman had shown the bartender a strange hat. One that was missing from its owner for a very long time, in fact, an owner who was rumored to have hunting for the hands of its possession. But that was until, a deal was finally made after a good long conversation with goblets..

"How long have I been doing the student thing?"

"Oh um not quite sure..few months perhaps? Why?"

"I'm gauging how patient I want to be.....No one else is around."

"..look..I been around these lands ..this part of the Coast even for quite some time..and I got a pretty good idea whats be fitting for folks and wotnot. And I aint seeing them fittin fer ya."

"Let's try an experiment then, hm?"

"Oh! And here I have somethings for you."

We are all alone, born alone, die alone, and in spite of true romance tales, we shall all someday look back on our lives and see that, in spite of our company, we were alone the whole way. I do not say lonely at least, not all the time but essentially, and finally, alone. This is what makes your self-respect so important, and I don't see how you can respect yourself if you must look in the hearts and minds of others for your happiness. I had already found that it was not good to be alone, and so made companionship with what there was around me, sometimes with the universe and sometimes with my own insignificant self. Yet my drink had always been that one loyal friend that never disappointed. Patrons of the Goblet would speak of another woman, seeming frustrated and in need to share words with the bartender.

"This about the dead elves?"

"Aye"

"I 'eard Doron Amar took a ship out to recover bodies."

"Oh and how that work out?"

"No idea. Doron Amar rather put an arrow in my head then speak to me."

"I still have no idea what happened. Elves were killed here and dumped in the water?"

"Aye about seventy of em too, don't go getting involved, them pirates gonna hang ya in that tree outside."

"Won't be the first tree I've hung from."

"Look I be honest, I like you, your one of our loyal patrons. You help with business. You help out with things. I know Vol use to seein ya. Better we keep that going then you end up like the other hanging bodies."

I cannot even imagine where I would be today were it not for that handful of friends who have given me a heart full. Let's face it, friends make life a lot more fun. But at the same time, things are never quite as scary until you've got a best friend. Sometimes, the more disappointing of things can happen. A rare thing when true friendship is present and thriving. Patrons of the Broken Goblet may speak of how the bartender and his bruiser along with a smaller woman had meet in the back rooms. What they spoke of, was only within the ears of those very three.

"And that is a true Bruiser and bone crusher"

"So, we gonna throw some kinda thing for the Goblet?"

"Aint no one does it like us eh Vol?" *He barks a laugh*

"Don't forget about the ball over at house Divine."

"Well I bloody glad I'm done with that fokin sickness."

"Ya try to recover with water and sleep."

"You know, I think I like you better drunk "

"Any new interesting folks been comin around while I was sick?"

"Was busy tryin ta keep ya all from diein."

"Aye yer did. Yer took care of the girls too. Appreciated"

*A hefty bag of coins was tossed onto the table*

"Thanks, but, I did it cuz yer my friends."

"Still well deserved"

"I an't complainin."

"I better go check on the bar before Captain Pike gets all grumpy."

The end is not the reward, but which thy path you take, the emotions that course through you as you grasp life,..that is the reward. Some say hard work should be rewarded by good food. But in some other places, like the Broken Goblet located within the high cliffs of Roaringshore, a reward would be a goblet of a patrons preferred drink! But alas..we all live in a realm of dungeons and dragons, good and evil, light and darkness. And the bartender of the Broken Goblet would tell you..

"The best bloody reward is a bag of coins!"

[selhan]

Fractured

"Wot yer doin sittin out here in the rain?"

"Getting wet?"

"Oooh I have half a mind to give that reply a proper response"

"I'm sure you do."

"Oh?...Something seems to be troubling yer. "

"How do you weigh a soul? How much is it worth?"

"Eh? Weigh a Soul?"
*You weigh it by how much it means to you, and how much the loss hurts*

"A life taken, what it the proper compensation for it?"
*The answer is within your question*

"Well lass , that all depends..on the person."

"The loss is immeasurable. A flame snuffed out way before their proper time."
*In this world, you better get use to seeing it.*

"Did you know that elves who have a violent death are lost? They cannot find a way forward without someone like me."
*Oh I know, but it's not my business.*

"I do not even know their names."
*Its better that way, otherwise, it would hurt more.*

Tears shed for another person or persons are not a sign of weakness. They are a sign of a pure heart. Sometimes during a grieving process, eyes tend to seem colorless. Because a world they once saw colorful and vibrant, has now gone dull and bland. Immeasurable she said..yet her words don't even make me wince. If I knew her well or trusted her enough, I would have given her words more insightful. Maybe my words would have been..

"Have you ever lost someone you love and wanted one more conversation,
one more chance to make up for the time when you thought they would be here forever?
If so, then you know you can go your whole life collecting days,
and none will outweigh the one you wish you had back."

"Bad things do happen, how I respond to them defines my character and the quality of my life.
I can choose to sit in perpetual sadness, immobilized by the gravity of my loss,
or I can choose to rise from the pain and treasure the most precious gift I have... life itself."

---------------------------------

"There maybe is something you can help me with...I want a long long life. But I ain't want my flesh fallin off my bones either."

"So longevity, rather than true immortality."

"Is it possible? Without becoming all ..undead like.."

"There are ways. Undeath is far and away one of the least effective. Though as with all things remember that every power has a price..."

"Could a Devil grant me such a thing?"

"Technically, yes, though as with all things remember that every power has a price..."

"Well at least something that's flawless?"

"There is no such thing As I previously stated, every power has a price. The question is, is it a price you are willing and able to pay?"

"Well depending on the price..I be inclined to choose."

"The first is a dark ritual which I have not used in some time and do not expect you would be interested in. The second is a method of time manipulation via the use of planar traveling to locations in which time has no hold, allowing me to act freely within those domains without aging. The third is a bargain with a higher power, in which I offer eternal service in exchange for eternal life."

"If it alter my form I rather not..I quite like the way I look, the second one sounds complicatin, and wot sort of ..eternal service?"

*The body leans in slightly, angling towards Sel, the eyes lighting up.* ".. Come now... You never wondered why I was so loyal that my faith never faltered even as the gods were outcast? Nor how I knew so much about the nature of death?"

I would love to believe that when I die I will live again, that some thinking, feeling, remembering part of me will continue. But as much as I want to believe that, and despite the ancient and worldwide cultural traditions that assert an afterlife, I know of nothing to suggest that it is more than wishful thinking. We all will come to an end. Its inevitable. How close we come to that end however, is within our power. What we do within the time we live is within our means. Even if peoples lives get cut short, you must ask the horrid question, did they place themselves in such a position? If so then they knew well the risk and accepted any consequences that might befall them.

[selhan]

Goblet Goblet Day





No matter the troubles on the roads, nor the corrupted talks from parsed lips, every man and women needs a good drink! The day was cold, the night more so, but just when people would think most travelers or adventurers would stay within homes and Inn's, boots enter the tavern in Roaringshore known as the Broken Goblet!



Even if word spreads of angry Elves with hatred towards the Shore', or hostile carousing brutal pirates, patrons still continue to frequent the Broken Goblet! Why not? Tis a tavern with rumors and gossips maybe even information! But surely what you will find there is a charming bartender and a minstrel with songs of tales and adventure and a good drink pour into pretty goblets made of blown glass that rests upon a crafty stem with various unique designs!



Talks of Orc battles and other rumors around the Coast fill the smoky tavern with aromas of spilled ale and rum! Pirates, smugglers, druids, barbarians and mages, clap and cheer in their carouse to the many songs! Such a lovely day indeed for the bartender who recently returned from his five days of sickness. But most of all, to lift the mood was seeing the savvy, cheeky, she devil that was rumors to be his woman!



"Hey luv, I'm free."

"Great, means I don't have ta steal ye."

"Guess some catchin up to do is in order."

[selhan]

Things Always Come Back Around



The feelings that hurt most, the emotions that sting most, are those that are absurd - The longing for impossible things, precisely because they are impossible; nostalgia for what never was; the desire for what could have been; regret over not being someone else; dissatisfaction with the world’s existence. All these half-tones of the soul’s consciousness create in us a painful landscape, an eternal sunset of what we are.

"Don't play dumb with me...
Your reaction of yesterday,...
you know more than what you lead me to believe..."

The only calibration that counts is how much heart people invest, how much they ignore their fears of being hurt or caught out or humiliated. And the only thing people regret is that they didn't live boldly enough, that they didn't invest enough heart, didn't love enough. Nothing else really counts at all.

"..though I require to understand if you've been tricked into servitude..
or if you're watched even here.
If not, I promise it will stay between us. I promise on my life...No one.
...Because if you do, I may have a way out."

We all make mistakes, have struggles, and even regret things in our past. But you are not your mistakes, you are not your struggles, and you are here NOW with the power to shape your day and your future. I see it all perfectly; there are two possible situations, one can either do this or that. My honest opinion and my friendly advice is this, do it or do not do it,.... you will regret both.

"...this is far bigger then a squabble as is between pirates and elves and orcs.
This is mankind - no, all living beings survival - and you are in the middle of it already, somehow.
I don't want to know."

There was a long hard time when I kept far from me the remembrance of what I had thrown away when I was quite ignorant of its worth. From experience I have learned many of life's mistakes to include my own.





And I don't intend to repeat them.


Some are lucky enough to look upon my sword. It's quite difficult not to look at it, not when its thirsts has been quenched and it begins to bleed the blood of its victims from its acidic greenish form. A cursed thing it was for such a blade. So much of a curse I cant even be rid of it. When wondering eyes happen to glance at it, they think it something foul and that I am in some servitude or another because of it. Amazing how wondering minds tend to wonder. As fancy as they are..their always wrong.



Their wondering minds would be far closer to the truth if ever they seen the other one, as red as blood with a darkness that shrouds its glistening sheen. This one..this one is no curse..nay..this one was from promises well kept...

[selhan]

Anger



“If you spend your time hoping someone will suffer,
the consequences for what they did to your heart,
then you're allowing them to hurt you a second time in your mind.”



"Blimey..yer pick a bad time to be coming here."

"Perhaps you should start by explaining why I should not follow you to wherever you slither to and put two ice darts into your eye sockets"

"Miss me already? Projectiles nae work in here luv, nor does magic"

"Eilistreaee and Alexander would be most upset if I got in to a fight. But certain things are worth the trouble"

"Aint know why you come here ..but your pretty brazen... and don't look at me like that, I wasn't involved nor did I fancy wot happen. But it isn't my business and I'm told to stay out of it. Now yer gonna drink your drink or not?"

"And to think you even bother with Netanya! Who despite her own issues is no traitor. So why does she tolerate you "Pirate."



The Elf woman, blinded by anger was bold and brazen enough to come to Shore' risking her very life simply to seek answers. Was it answers to her questions or was she looking for an outlet to direct her anger too. Anger is an acid that can do more harm to the vessel in which it is stored than to anything on which it is poured. Anger, resentment and jealousy doesn't change the heart of others.. it only changes theirs.

"I have been here before. Some brigand wanted to buy me"

"Wot are you even doin in Roaringshore ? ..Im quite sure Netanya and Edelgarde would be upset you came here.."

"I've heard the rumors. I am a wizard. Some think I am a witch. We could always put a curse on him. Or a geas"

"..but he seems nice..you shouldn't be mean to him.."

"See the lovely said I'm nice"

"Sel is like those swashbucklers in the chap books."

"Oh you're a swashbuckler!? *she looks at Sel impressed* "Do you have a ship?"

"Nae , ain't a Captain either"

"Oh I see you walk your own road like a lone wolf? Impressive! Do you have a girlfriend? Just asking for a friend"

"I do and it aint her"

Most misunderstandings in the world could be avoided if people would simply take the time to ask, "What else could this mean?” But the world that we know it, seems to lack the time or they do what I call "Thought before they Think". It's dreadful what little things lead people to misunderstand each other.

"I am afraid to ask the next question, because of the possible answer"

"Whats the question?"

"How many ...were small?"

"Didnt see the children...but I know the Wavelord said men woman and children. I seen some Calishites slavers too. But that night ain't seen them, only the adults about six to nine of em. It was a whole ship of yer kin they caught ..about seventy bodies in total. But just so you know, not even the Hellstorms where there that night."

"Are you alright?"

"Might be best yer take her away from the Shore.."

"I.... i just need to....rest and I will....teleport...I.."



We cannot control the way people interpret our ideas or thoughts, but we can control the words and tones we choose to convey them. Peace is built on understanding, and wars are built on misunderstandings. Never underestimate the power of a single word, and never recklessly throw around words. One wrong word, or misinterpreted word, can change the meaning of an entire sentence and start a war. And one right word, or one kind word, can grant you the heavens and open doors.

But if someone was to personally ask me what I thought about the angry elf that came into the Broken Goblet and tried to slap me across the bar and make couple attempts to even attack me that night, I would tell them..



"Whatever begins in anger, tends to end in shame."

[selhan]

A Bend In the Road



"Every day is a journey, and to me that journey itself is home. You can't go back and change the beginning of your journey but you can start where you are and change it's ending. Like roads that has a bend in its path, the bend is not the end of the road…Unless you fail to make the turn. Sometimes the smallest step in the right direction ends up being the biggest step of one's life. Everybody has the power to say - This is not how my story will end, and more often than naught, it's their choices in life, that determines how it will end."



"During such journey's, you will meet people, some will be unwelcoming, others will form bonds of friendship, maybe loyalty or even things more intimate. Such bonds can be exciting, invigorating. The spiritual moments around campfires, carousing in taverns, the sharing of adventures, the thill of fighting along side with one another. They say a friend is someone who knows all about you and still loves you. There is nothing I would not do for those who are really my friends. I have no notion of loving people by halves, it is not my nature. I have learned that to be with those I like is enough to call companions."



-Pre Time of Trouble-


"I realize, for the first time, how very lonely I've been in this world, and how comforting it is to have the presence of another being along side me. Nothing makes a room feel emptier than wanting someone in it. If anyone ever felt such a way, but had a particular person in mind, they should say to them, If you cannot hold me in your arms, then hold my memory in high regard. And if I cannot be in your life, then at least let me live in your heart. For not even death can end a relationship, it can only end a life."



-During the Time of Troubles-


"When a person tries to live two lives, there are times they live them for two long that each separate one merge into each other, thus becoming one. What a lot of them fail to learn, is that the second life doesn't truly begin until they realize they only have one left. Though I find something else humorous. Like, isn't it sad that so often it takes facing death to appreciate life and each other fully? In truth however, in this world that I have been living it, I don't fear death for death never seems to be infinite. However the two things that are, would be the universe and human stupidity and I'm not sure about the universe. Never doubt that even a small group of thoughtful, committed, adventurers can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."

"But enough drinking to my thoughts, I need to prepare for a long travel,
a bend in road will possible lead me to the beginning of the final end."



"Well..maybe after one more goblet"



*If patron's happen to ask Captain Pike to the whereabouts of the bartender, he would tell them, he had grabbed his equipment and headed out only saying he should be back in a few days.*

*As the bartender stepped out fully equipped for his long travel, he only had one thought in mind.*



"Bloody hero's make savin the world bloody complicatin."




*And now I got to deal with this shite.*

[selhan]

Ludicrous



"I still have yet to understand why the appearance of a man struggling violently,
as it would seem, with an airy nothing, and calling for assistance against a vision,
shouldn't have appeared ludicrous."

I've been arrested several times. I've been known to dress in ludicrous fashions. I've also built a career out of negative reviews. My goal in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style. No one is perfect no matter how hard they train or try to be. We all will make mistakes, that's a given. But making obvious mistakes is something beneath me.



"Might as well overthrow the Dukes of Baldurs' while yall at it., I'm sure it be a lovely tale."

"Yer just got no spine."

"I don't know whos feeding you these ideals, but I sure hope you know what yer doing. Like I said..I aint stopping no one."

"Aye, doing shady deals that most likely killed innocents."

"Tis why I like the Shore, I get to do what I want how I want when I want, and no one asks questions." "Freedom of living is splendid"

"Oh, but see, when the "how I want, when I want" becomes "hurting others", it becomes a problem. Otherwise I support it."

"Do I look like a bloody priest of Torm? Please..dont assume such. I serve drinks. I care not for the business of others "

"Ye only care for yerself, got it."

"I liked it better when yall was drunk" "This what happens when yall hang out in the city too much. Yer all start acting noble."

"When a bunch of people get slaughtered right before my eyes, I think that be a problem. This an't a place of freedom. Slaves? Killing innocent people?"

"We all was there...why speak of the past? Dont you think its funny the elves still aint doing anything? Or wait maybe they are...getting us to do their bit of work for them? Sorry..aint no ones puppet. I felt bad for them elves...Then, ...life keeps going. I'm a bloody bartender...the most of my patrons are bloody pirates ...that is the Goblets Business! Goblet coin is Goblet coin. I am not getting into elf business and that is final. Nor am I gonna interferein with their business that is final. And IM not in the Shore to do what I think is Good! I would have worked elsewhere. I just ..serve drinks..okay?"

"Aye, crystal clear."

"I am in the Shore mostly to sing and get paid. Otherwise, my nature will remain always the same. As I cannot force you to choose something you wouldn't do - that's the principle of freedom. We can be free to do something, to do the right thing, or not. It is why one should fight for the freedom. To make our choices that determine us."

"Because you'd never stick your neck out for anyone. Your a coward. Live in your hole and die alone."



When anger blinds the thinking of a man, are we to excuse their words and actions? Or hold each and every word with a threat of consequence? The answer is quite simple. To each their own. Die alone? Me? Far from it. I don't have the luxury to die alone. Nay, regardless of what happens to the Shore or the Broken Goblet, I will never be alone. Never was, not since thirteen years ago. All the patrons that frequent the Goblet, I hold them higher than mere customer base. Some I would even call friends and companions. We all have our own beliefs, our own cultures, and outlooks at the world. And no matter the discussions, no matter the debate no one will ever be able to change how mine is. And one thing is quite certain, I'm far from being alone, for someplace, somewhere, there's a chair waiting for me.



Patrons in the Broken Goblet might mention talks of disagreements in the tavern causing furniture to break or get thrown around. One particular bench was nearly smashed but a heavy swung missed it's mark. Was it fate? The will of the Gods? Or something else entirely?



The Broken Goblet bartender is modest and arrogant at the same time. The Broken Goblet bartender is lazy and easy - but mysterious. But above all, the Broken Goblet bartender says this; "I ain't botherin others nor do I bloody care, so do likewise and don't be botherin me".

[selhan]

"The Strongest of Friends"



"In the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter, and sharing of pleasures.
For in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed."

"I'm pleased to see you decided to show yourself." *He turned away gently leaning his back on her shoulder* "I was beginning to worry your death was upon you." *He barked a laugh*

"Hush your blasphemy pirate or you'll be speaking through a face full of feathers!" *Shushing him with her fingertip smooshing his mouth to stop his concerns and she scrunched her nose at him* "I'm slippery and fast, like a gazelle evading a pack of clumsy wolves snipping at my heels, I'll just kick them in the head like so.." *Flicking the tip of his moustache to illustrate and she nonchalantly curled the end of it if his facial hair was long enough*

*He barked forth another laugh while glancing at her with an expression of disbelief* "Gazelle? ..Gazelle? Ha! , you sure you still even know how to pump blood in those thighs of yer's?!... Could've swore I seen a stiff strut" *He laughs* "Nae as slippery as me hun, after all, I'm the Slippery Bastard" *He grinned playfully in a teasing manner*

"Mmmm.. don't tempt me to challenge you to a duel.. my backhand is strong and so is my wit." *tossing him the gauntlet with a wicked gleam lurking in her baby blues*

*He flinched away laughing* "Oi yer better keep yer bloody purse snatchin fingers to yer self!" *His laugh continues with full of mirth* " Troublesome!.." *He takes a deep breath* "So what's in store or what plots cookin in that head of yers?"

"A battle of bards..! I want to duel a minstel..! A silver tongued linguist who'll make work for the tips I intend to earn so I can pay for drinks while I'm here!" *Laughs happily as she elaborates on her grand scheming and scans the rooftop her eyes skipping to the foggy corners as if to spy opportunity on the horizon. She near shivered with it and raked her nails into the woodgrain*

One of the most magical thing a bartender can do, is know that the most massive characters are the ones with seared scars. For out of suffering, emerges the strongest souls. If ever someone asked the bartender of the Broken Goblet what he thought about friendships, he would tell you..

"Friends are..."

"Siblings..."

"The Gods.."

"Never.."

"Gave us."

[selhan]

"Brooding Bruiser"



"In his face there came to be a brooding peace that is seen
most often in the faces of the very sorrowful or the very wise.
But still he wandered through the streets of the town, always silent and alone."



I hate it when the storm clouds in Roaringshore roll in, heralded by dazzling claps of thunder and lightning that boast an ocean of tears. This majestic performance of bad temper manages to overshadow my pathetic attempts at pouting. No one broods like Mother Nature, hence she steals all the attention I would sulking after. Even to my bruiser.

"How could you guys just stand there watching?"

They say...

"You guys are able enough to had done something!"

They say...

Wise priests and priestess may say "Forgive others for ignorance, for they don't know." But I say on to you, that bloody sayin is quite easy to say when yer ain't the one being ridiculed. I look upon the face of a man who many would had thought, his heart stern as steel, his fortitude matches the Grey Peaks. But the truth is, even steel bends or breaks when the tension is far greater then the metals expectancy. Looking into his half blood eyes, I wonder what dreams lie dormant hidden in the womb of his soul, quietly waiting, incubating seeking opportunity to come forth? From my own experience I know the dreams come to rest in the soil of your mind. They compel you. They disturb you. They haunt you with visions of possibility. They prompt you to walk restlessly through life knowing that you may someday stop, listen and decide to nourish them with faith and action. Yield to the silent urging. Listen. Hear. Receive.

Someone will always judge with blind eyes

But it was not them that was there...



They will never truly understand...

It is not them that stand within our very boots...

They are on the outside only to hear of what's within...

It is WE that drink along side tension and conflicts...

It is US that must live amongst those who enjoy inflicting pain and death...

We are the one's sleeping in the middle of it all...

Some ridicule for what they wish they had protect...

They are not the one's that IS protecting something!



The bartender of the Broken Goblet would look at his bruiser who had fell a slumber in the tavern.
Although the co worker wouldn't hear the bartender, he would still say on to him while he snored..



"Open your eyes, Your eyes and judge yerself not. And brood no more."

"Cause wot's still funny to me, is why er'body else out there seems to want us to do sumthin and not them bloody selves?...."

"I ain't no blimey puppet."