[Crown Tavern] A drink a drink, my kingdom for a drink...and some good company (open)

Janis Windrough · July 19, 2007, 06:11 PM

Timestamp: Afternoon, Some time in Immanis in the season of Spring Era II of the Celestine Mandate, Era XIV Post Fractum, the Second Era of the Regency of Milo L'Evienne

Ah, the Crown Inn and Tavern. What a comforting sight. It was indeed here that Janis first met his companions on what was to be his ticket out of Prime. Now he was back and the busiest watering hole in the empire seemed like a perfect desitination.

Janis loved taverns. He enjoyed the ocassional tankard of ale, the loud atmosphere and most of all the people. Always in line to meet someone new, make new friends, discuss whatever was on your mind at the time. This is what Janis lived for.

Stepping into the tavern, Janis was warmed immediately, both by now being indoors and by the bustling of people. Students, waitresses, bustling bodies all over the place. That everyone in the empire should enjoy a drink at the Crown Inn and Tavern at least once in their life was a stern belief Janis held. It was an experience all it's own.

Finding his own booth to take up residence in, Janis sat down ordered up his tankard of ale and sat musing for the time being. In short time his tankard would arrive and hopefully soon after, some company would too make it's way towards his booth, into his life.

Holland · September 1, 2007, 03:49 PM

Holland's blue robe bustled around him. His long strides were evident despite the staff that appeared more for show than for support. Holland's gray hair was tied in a tail with a piece of blue cloth.

Holland looked for a familiar face. Seeing none, he looked for a vacant booth. An ale would soothe his dejection caused by his lack of a job.

Signalling the waitress, Holland ordered ale. He leaned against the wall waiting for a stool. Close by, a tall human sat alone in the booth. Holland paid his crowns for the ale and asked Janis, "Are you travelled? I need information."

Janis Windrough · September 2, 2007, 10:46 AM

Janis had been sitting at his booth for quite some time. He was on his third tankard and was rather well socially lubricated although he hadn't had much interaction yet besides his normal smiles and winks at the waitresses and any other pretty girls that may be around the tavern. Alas however, as even that wasn't drawing much of any attention tonight.

Now daydreaming and taking it slow with his third tankard, Janis was soon interrupted by a voice. The voice belonged to a older gentleman. The question was simple enough "Are you travelled?" Janis could help but immediatly snicker. How ironic of a question to be asked of him in this very place. The Crown inn nad tavern where the plans for his original exodus from Prime were laid. Since then, Janis had been to many cities of this empire, even if just for a bit. He wasn't sure what kind of information the man needed or if he could provide it but Janis wanted a conversation partner.

"Well, yessir, I am traveled. Janis Windrough is the name. Why don't you have yourself a seat. I'm not sure what kinda information I can give ya' but I wouldn't mind some company right about now!"

Holland · September 3, 2007, 10:03 AM

Holland laid his staff against the wall and sat down. His mug was still half full and he sipped it before proceeding. "I am called Holland. I once would have thought myself traveled, but as of late I have not set foot outside the city walls."

Holland's gray hair fell over his blue robe. He seemed to favor his left arm. He rotated the shoulder frequently. He held his mug in his right hand. "I have heard of the new city to the north, formerly Port Constatine. It seems to have undergone a change of name."

Holland raised his mug to the north. "A less formal name that fondly refers to the port as shire. Do you know of this?"

Janis Windrough · September 3, 2007, 05:47 PM

Happy to have some company, Janis gladly listened to the inquiries of his new drinking buddy. The man Holland seemed to be interested in Port Constantine. Yes Janis felt he had heard something of the name change, however he had not been to the port city in many many eras and even when he was there it was not for long.

"Well Holland, I have not been to the port in some time. I passed through there when I first left Prime to become 'traveled' as you call it. I was making my way to Natura and well, I don't remember much. Splendid city however, and I believe there was some sort of tornament goin on at the time. Other then that though, don't know if I know much. As far as the change in name goes, well Portshire suits me just fine. Easier to say. They can call it whatever their hearts desire far as I'm concerned."

And with that Janis took a swig of his ale before realizing he hadn't been much help. "Sorry if that doesn't help much Holland, I had been in Mystique for quite some time and only just returned to Prime for the winter. I don't think I'll be stayin' here too deep into the spring either. So any reason your interested in 'ole Port Constantine?"

Holland · September 4, 2007, 01:11 PM

Holland drank his ale and signaled for another round to be brought to the table. He paid when the drinks came.

"I've been pondering. So far, I've been unsuccessful in getting a job here in Prime. My last adventure was to see the university at Midpoint. I never made it. Even though escorted by the Veldar Elite themselves, we were set upon and I was separated. I wandered for a dozen cycles before I found my way back to Prime. "

Holland took a swig of ale. He paused and realized he was chattering like a fisher's wife. "I'm sorry. I don't even know if the Veldar still exists."

Janis Windrough · September 4, 2007, 02:23 PM

Well, Midpoint was one place Janis had not been in this large empire. This man Holland seemed like he had some stories he could tell...he was not just some old man from Prime who hung around taverns. At his mention of the Veldar elite Janis immediately know though, that they had something to talk about. He looked at the new round Holland had purchased and knew he would sleep well tonight. He still had his third tankard to knock off however and got right to that. He thanked Holland for the round then continued.

"Ah, the Veldar elite." Janis raised his mug very sternly into the air to toast the brave soldiers of Zerdargia. "I don't know a whole bunch of the current status of the Veldar as their city lay in ruins but I am proud to say that I faught beside them when their city was under seige from a big 'ole swarm of undead scum. I haven't been back to the city since the battle however but I've heard things aren't well...after retreating through the tunnels I never really knew exactly what became of the good city..." Janis trailed off for a moment. He was nothing but a very young and very naive man at the time. In all reality he probably had no buisness at the battle but he knew they needed people and he answered the call of his good friend Mizushin to aid the city and hasn't regretted it since.

Janis then returned his gaze to Holland. He gave a smile to lighten the mood and then decided to turn the conversation on him. "But please, I bet you got a good story or two in ya Holland. What have you been up to and what are you doin'? You were looking to find work in Prime you say? I know thats not the easiest thing in the world. Currently I'm employed ov'r at the stables. But enough of me...what of yourself?"

Holland · September 4, 2007, 05:19 PM

Holland relaxed. His arm had hurt less with the imbibing of the ale. He was learning little and that was something. Holland said, "I applied at the bakery. I apprenticed there years ago. Actually biscuits are my specialty. I think they have too many clerks and assistants already."

Holland sipped his ale. "That's why I was considering Portshire. If there is a bakery there, I might be able to find employment. And I know Portshire is not a long walk from here. I've heard of no troubles on the northern roads. My legs are still strong for a man my age. Did you say Zerdargia is in ruins? That is painful. I helped build that city. The dwarves and I constructed it one building at a time."

Holland lowered his voice. "I was once their Thane."

Holland · September 13, 2007, 02:08 PM

Holland was saddened by the news of Zerdargia. The ale in his stomach suddenly lurched into his esophagus. He felt a lump in his throat grow and choke his words.

"Survivors? There must have been survivors?" Holland asked solemnly.

Janis Windrough · September 21, 2007, 05:39 PM

Janis nearly choked on his ale when the man told him who he had been...in a past life presumably. Was he really talking to a former thane of Zerdargia? This was quite a story if it were true.

Janis was thinking as quick as someone who was slightly intoxicated could. He wasn't really sure what to think or to say. He gladly used Holland's question as a reason to get his thoughts back into line. "I, yes I believe there were survivors. Many escaped through some underground tunnels. I believe efforts have been made to fix up the city." Janis lowered his head. This is how he has managed to get out and indeed he believed many followed.

But back to the fact that this man had been a thane. "So sir...from Thane to baker you say? I'm not really sure how to respond to that." Janis stopped for a second and eyed Holland. "You're an interesting case here sir. Any other secrets you'd like to drop on me?"

Holland · September 22, 2007, 08:48 AM

The corners of Holland's eyes lifted from their gloom. "I'm glad it wasn't totally destroyed. Part of my heart might have been destroyed with it."

Holland sipped his ale. "Secrets. I don't have many. When I left Zerdargia, the Thaneship was transferred to Dwermond, the dwarf. I proceeded on grand adventure with Kevlar Phoenixsun. We rode to Primus Gaudeo. It was a fledgling capital in those days, not the grandoise city it is today."

Janis Windrough · October 5, 2007, 03:35 PM

Janis was getting quite tipsy by this point. He was starting to heel his ale, however he was very much enjoying the company of this man. He was a good, albiet interesting conversation.

"A Grand Adventure!!!! Well, good Holland, Traveler, Former Thane, Adventurer and Baker...you are indeed a man worth drinking to." And to that Janis raised his glass and took a mighty swig. "So Holland tell me what it is exactly you are doing after your time here in Prime. I would like to know so that out paths might cross again someday. Do you plan on staying on Portshire long? Are you just planning on baking while you are there?"

Holland · October 7, 2007, 11:10 AM

Holland tilted his cup also. "We must have another. Stories just beg for the smoothness of ale."

The new cups arrived and Holland settled back in his chair. The dull throbbing in his shoulder had stopped. He knew the mind-calming liquid was easing his physical affliction.

Holland said, "I know what my fate in Portshire is. I know the Great Sea calls me north, and I shall abide." Holland raised his mug. "And what about you. What grand adventure holds your future?"

Janis Windrough · October 10, 2007, 03:59 PM

Oh my, more ale. Well this would have to do, it would be simply devestatingly unkind of Janis to reject the hospitality of this man.

"Ah, my grand adventure brings me north soon. You see my good sir Holland, I am a druid, a druid trapped. I spent the cold months here in the city and well, I need to get out. Many a person has asked me just what a young eager lad as myself is doing pent up in the city, but I doing it just now. Meeting people. But soon, soon I head north. I hear there is a grove in Teersfall. There I will continue my training. How far north would you be heading sir Holland? and by boat as well?"

Janis was speaking a bit loudly for basic conversation. Loss of the inner volume knob was no doubt an effect of the ale, however it wasn't as if he was revealing sensitive information. Just about anyone in the bar could have asked him about what he had just spoken and he gladly would have shared as much. Simple conversation, such a pleasure to have.

Holland · October 11, 2007, 08:23 AM

Holland felt the warmth of the ale flow through his body. His arm no longer ached.

Holland said, "A druid in the confines of the city is unusual. I have met druids in the past, but as you say, near their groves. Tearsfall will undoubtedly hold more attraction for a druid than the cobblestone of Prime."

Holland sipped his ale, taking a smaller mouthful this time. "I have no specific plans. My job request went unheeded, and though my needs are few, I still need to eat. Perhaps you would like company north? I haven't seen Tearsfall in many eras."