Book 3: Act 2 - Friends of the Easterly Inn

It is the year 2946 of the Third Age, and the lands east of the Misty Mountains are astir. From the cloud-shrouded peaks above the High Pass to the spider-infested gloom of the forest of Mirkwood, paths long-deserted are trodden once again. Busy merchants carry their wares to new markets, messengers bring tidings from foreign realms, and kings send forth armed men to extend their influence and the rule of law. Some say that a new age of freedom has begun, a time for adventure and great deeds to reclaim glories lost in long centuries of oppression and decline.

But adventures are not really things that people go out and look for. They are dangerous and rarely end well. While it is true that a handful of valiant individuals set out to make their mark on the world, for others it seems that adventure chooses them, as though it is the path they are fated to tread. They are restless warriors, curious scholars and wanderers, always eager to seek what was lost or explore what was forgotten. Ordinary people call them adventurers, and when they return successful, they call them heroes. But if they fail, no one will even remember their names...

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Re: Book 3: Act 2 - Friends of the Easterly Inn

Post by Vardaen » Mon Apr 06, 2015 7:33 pm

Frier slaps Borir on the shoulder, "Good! This place needs another dwarf to help keep it running right. These Hobbits can cook but they have no head for solid dwarven buisness. You can help me focus on the forge like we have been to start and then we can see what else we can do for the Brandybucks."

Vaurthil and the others show no interest in running the Inn, thankful as you might be for the Inn itself. The meeting goes on with numbers and business plans and contracts being signed.
I need FP from Pipkin and Wren and anyone else that wants to add to their acitivites over the winter moths please do. I hope to flip to the AP this week if possible.

Shurijo check the OOC thread on the holding and I'll make any sheet updates I need to.
"He that breaks a thing to find out what it is has left the path of wisdom." - Gandalf
J.R.R. Tolkien, Council of Elrond, The Fellowship of the Ring

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Re: Book 3: Act 2 - Friends of the Easterly Inn

Post by Trogdor » Tue Apr 07, 2015 6:15 pm

"I assure you," Pipkin says. "If you don't let me help in the kitchen, I shall never speak to you again."
Well this sucks. Who knew that you had to have a high Valour to run an Inn? So much for the humble innkeeper. I never knew that Barliman Butterbur had such a high Valour. ;-)
Last edited by Trogdor on Tue Apr 07, 2015 7:08 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Re: Book 3: Act 2 - Friends of the Easterly Inn

Post by Eilandor » Tue Apr 07, 2015 6:58 pm

Wren welcomes the downtime spent at the Easterly Inn after their latest venture. Some of the more recent encounters have alerted the Elf to the fact his combat prowess is severely unbalanced. "Well enough with a bow, can barely hold a blade, " he says as he whittles away on some additional figurines. He is surprised to see Varuthil tending to Dando and Rodry on occasion, which in turn puts a smile on his own face. He seeks out Finn, who is very busy in his own right, about giving him some pointers with a bladed weapon. Over the course of several months, when the two found time, he would train. When spring arrives, Wren feels as though he could possibly hit something he swings at, which is a far cry from before.

After a brief walk in the woods, Wren makes his way to the Inn. Along the way he sees Dando and Rodry playing just outside. Producing two small figures of men in battle stances, he hands them to both. "Name them as you will, and may they have many fantastic adventures..."

Inside, it seems he has stumbled across a meeting regarding the Inn itself. Not wanting to interrupt, he simply finds a chair and tries to get up to speed.
Number Two: "You are number six."
Number Six: "I am not a number, I am a free man!"
Number Two: "Muh ha ha ha ha!"

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Re: Book 3: Act 2 - Friends of the Easterly Inn

Post by Vardaen » Tue Apr 07, 2015 8:28 pm

Pipkin is almost shouting about having to join in on the venture. Agatha is the main stonewall in this, "I know Master Pipkin that you are a good cook, but its my kitchen and if you want to help then you'll have to follow my rules until I and trust you!" The pair turn to debating the merits of saffron and rosemary when used with lamb for a good ten minutes until Dody finally chimes in taking the chance when Wren arrives that disrupts things.

"Yes! How can we turn away a kinsmen, a Brandybuck no less!" He hands the pen, "You can put in what you can and we can work out the fine details later on how the cuts go. I need more hands in the kitchen, and perhaps you could help me with the solar, a nice smoking room, and pipeweed trade. I hear we could even try and raise some ourselves if we can get the right seeds and aid, if you know any good gardeners!" So over the course of the next bit Pipkin is brought in as a partner as well.
"He that breaks a thing to find out what it is has left the path of wisdom." - Gandalf
J.R.R. Tolkien, Council of Elrond, The Fellowship of the Ring

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Re: Book 3: Act 2 - Friends of the Easterly Inn

Post by Shurijo » Tue Apr 07, 2015 8:29 pm

Borir continues on with signing the various contracts. The dwarf makes sure to shake everyone's hands on the deal and proceed to give his insights into making the inn more accommodating to his fellow dwarves.

"Pipkin, I'd expect nothing else. You will be our official food taster and recipe manager. I am sure our travels will discover other herbs and courses that you can record and bring back to the inn." The dwarf replies to the hobbit.

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Re: Book 3: Act 2 - Friends of the Easterly Inn

Post by Eilandor » Tue Apr 07, 2015 8:45 pm

Wren patiently waits for an opening, "I'm not much of a business mind, but I have accumulated a small stash of wood carvings during our stay here. Could a spot be made available to offer them for sale. Many travelers are likely to have children and it could do some good in getting the word out on this place."
Number Two: "You are number six."
Number Six: "I am not a number, I am a free man!"
Number Two: "Muh ha ha ha ha!"

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Re: Book 3: Act 2 - Friends of the Easterly Inn

Post by Blubbo_Baggins » Tue Apr 07, 2015 8:47 pm

Finn nods at Wren's suggestion, and asks him about feasibility of improving the defenses of the Inn, particularly the idea of building a stockade surrounding the area, as Woodmen Town and Rhosgobel have.

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Re: Book 3: Act 2 - Friends of the Easterly Inn

Post by Muskrat » Tue Apr 07, 2015 8:52 pm

Varuthil quietly rises from her chair and leaves the meeting without a word. The discussions on how to run an inn strike her as tedious but she sees no need to interrupt the flow of the others' conversation by saying anything. Instead, she finds Dando and Rodry and ushers them outside to play while she watches over them. By this time, they've realized that trying to actively engage her in their games is a hopeless task and simply accept her silently chaperoning them.

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Re: Book 3: Act 2 - Friends of the Easterly Inn

Post by Trogdor » Tue Apr 07, 2015 8:56 pm

When he finally emerges from the kitchen after a long conversation with Agatha, Pipkin smiles and walks over to Dody. "Well, I do have a few contacts among the pipeweed farmers in the Shire. It might take some doing. But I'll wager I can get us some clippings eventually. Might take some time and a trip back to the Shire. But I'm sure I can manage something."

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Re: Book 3: Act 2 - Friends of the Easterly Inn

Post by Eilandor » Tue Apr 07, 2015 9:02 pm

Wren thinks on Finn's inquiry for a moment, "I was out walking the surrounding woods earlier, not for this reason but it now affords me the ability to answer your question. Depending on how vast you want the perimeter to be, it's certainly feasible. There are a few streams that would need to be accounted for..." His voice seems to trail off a bit, "Are we absolutely sure it's necessary? The place is awful quaint as is."
Number Two: "You are number six."
Number Six: "I am not a number, I am a free man!"
Number Two: "Muh ha ha ha ha!"

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