Hassan Nagir's Maahal (Tavern, not Inn!)

[Zion]

The place was stationed on the eastern edge of Narim, to the left of the The Road of The Shvakkim's tip, overlooking the coastline and the sea of Diana. It was utterly undistinguishable, that is, unless one knew what to seek. A long, brown, and tattered tent, spanning thirty feet in length; its front was not open to the street, as was the usual standard with such places, instead open entirely to the sea. When a passerby walked down the street, the only visible part of the tent was its backside, which looked, more or less, like a huge patchwork quilt. Upon closer inspection, an unlikely event, the different patches were actually different types of animal hides. The only things setting the seemingly poor place from the surrounding houses were the large wooden sign to its right, the chatter emanating from the place, and the sweet scent which constantly drifted away from it on the breeze. The sign read, in large, spiraling silver letters: "Hassan Nagir's Maahal. Entrance Around."

To the right of the tent, about six feet from the sign, there was a narrow dirt trail. It was lined with rocks, and a few torches were stuck firmly in the ground between the stones, lighting the path at night. The path led around the tent, which was actually much wider than it seemed from behind, and ended up in the front of the it. To a newcomer, the sight usually came as a surprise. The inside of the tent was entirely different from its outside. A round wooden counter, about ten feet in diameter, stood in the very middle of the tent, around the thick wooden pole which held the top of the tent high. The counter seemed to be clean, but if touched, one would discover it was very sticky. However, it wasn't the counter which was remarkable about the place. The tent was lined with cushions instead of chairs, and raw linen rugs instead of a floor. Every six feet or so, a weird device stood. Most of the device was a glass bottle. From the side, a long wooden pipe extended, and a pile of some sort of grass was mounted on the device's flat top. The pile was smoking, and gave out a sweet scent. People could be seen smoking from the pipe, which emitted a weird gurgling noise. A pleseant breeze constantly blew, but the tent stood safely, with only its sides flapping a bit.

Behind the counter stood a woman, wearing long white robes, apparently made of fine linen. When a new costumer entered, the woman greeted the newcomer with a smile on her face: "Serale! Welcome to Hassan Nagir's Maahal! How may I assist you? You can order anything from the menu." She pointed to a large wooden board above her head, hanging from the middle pole. "The Hookahs," she added, pointing to the strangely shaped pipes, "are free of any charge." The menu read, in the same spiraling letters as the sign outside:

Price List

Teas
Cinnamon Tea- 3 crowns
Lemon Tea- 2 crowns
Mint Tea- 4 crowns
Apple Tea- 3 crowns
Sage Tea- 3 crowns
Elven Tea- 5 crowns
Spiced Tea- 3 crowns
Black Tea- 5 crowns
Herbal Tea- 4 crowns

Drinks
Sheradine Wine, Red, Bottle- 15 crowns
Sheradine Wine, Red, Glass- 3 crowns
Sheradine Wine, White, Bottle- 20 crowns
Sheradine Wine, White, Glass- 4 crowns
Ale- 2 crowns per half-pint
Brandy- 7 crowns per glass
Cofee, Cup- 4 crowns
Cofee, Jug- 12 crowns

Grilled meats and vegtables are available throughout the day.
Stews require a day to make, and are available only at night.

Stews
-Stews are served with half a loaf of bread.
Lamb stew with Cinnamon sticks and dried fruits- 11 crowns
Chicken stew, cooked in a wine with fresh vegtables- 12 crowns
Stew of beans, lamb, potatoes, eggs and beef (special)- 17 crowns
Pork leg, cooked for eight hours with herbs, served with baked potatoes- 10 crowns

-For different types of Hookah smoking grass, ask the barmaid.

On the counter, another sign read, in simple white letters:

Waiters/Waitresses needed. Inquire in the bar.

In the back of the tent, in the corner, several large metal pots could be seen, standing on a large fire. There was a hole in the tent above the fire to let the smoke out. They were all covered with a heavy lid, and were steaming. Next to the pots, many teapots of different sizes stood empty, and a few were stationed on the fire as well. In daytime, a fat man, boasting a large moustache and wearing white robes could usually be seen standing over two large open fires outside the tent, roasting various types of meat on the flames. The smell, once someone got close, was overwhelming, capable of causing hunger even to a vegetarian Fae. The man himself was the proprietor, Hassan Nagir, and was usually seen speaking to several people at a time, smiling widely. Indeed, the place was not what it seemed to be from Narim's market road.

[Jorhan D'Athlaan]

Jorhan had slept for two hours on entering his new house, woken refreshed and now walked along the path down the side of the tent. Rounding the corner, he was startled by the opulence of the interior. Silken cushions were scattered around the perimeter of the area and people lounged on them with vacant expressions. None seemed to take much notice of him as he entered the hazy, cavernous tent and walked towards the central bar rotunda intent on ordering some wine and a hearty stew.

As he walked up to the bar and read the menu, he noticed that there was an entry that he had never seen before in any tavern he had frequented. Intrigued he decided to ask what ‘smoking grass’ referred to when the barmaid got round to serving him.

Leaning on the counter and relaxing in the ambience of this new found local retreat, Jorhan waited patiently for his turn to order, happy that this tavern was comfortably within walking distance of his new home.

The barmaid greeted him in the manner barmaids tend to the world over, enquiring after his needs with just the right balance of interest. "Serale miss, this is a most unusual establishment. It was a welcome surprise to this particular hungry traveller when it was revealed what was behind the canvas exterior." Smiling to show he approved of what he'd seen so far, he continued. "I'd like a bowl of the special stew please and a glass of red"

Jorhan resolved to ask about the 'smoking grass' once she had returned with his order, his hunger outweighed his curiosity at this moment in time.

[Zion]

Jorhan:

Yaala Nagir watched the Thëlyri arrive with an interested facade. In Narim, sea dwellers such as Lutrans, Merfolk and Thëlyri weren't uncommon, but were an interesting sight nonetheless. A wide smile spread on the barmaid's deeply tanned face when Jorhan had reached her counter. She listened to his order, noting it on a tiny piece of parchment, and replied. Her accent was different, sharp and stressed on the throaty syllables.

"I thank ye, sir. I am happy you are pleased with the conditions here, and I will get you your wine straight away. However, I must apologize, for the special stew is unavailable today, as I couldn't find the appropriate beans. Can I get ye something else, sir? Perhaps some smoking grass, or another stew?"

Not waiting for Jorhan's response, Yaala bent down, and produced a wineglass and a bottle of red wine. She poured the thick, crimson liquid into the glass, filling it to three quarters, and handed it to the Thëlyri with a cheerful grin. She hadn't seen him before here, and guessed he hadn't used the hookah ever as well. It was always a laugh to see someone try to use the pipe for the first time...

[Jorhan D'Athlaan]

Jorhan was mildly dissapointed when told that the special stew was unnavailable tonight but perked up as the barmaid handed him his glass of wine. Taking a sip he savoured the dry fruity flavour, appreciating the hint of tannin in the aftertaste.

Sighing with approval he addressed the woman behind the bar again. "I'm sure the chicken stew will make an admirable substitue, a bowl of that if you please." Seeing the notice on the bar for the first time, he continued "I see you are looking for staff, I may be interested as I live so close by, assuming that is that you thought me suitable. I have no experience in this type of work, you see."

[Edilae Lakos]

Time Stamp: Evening of the 38th Brightening of Junctior, Autumn of Era I of the Celestine Mandate, Era X Post fractum.

Having seen directions on a job advertisement in the Shvakkim classifieds Edilae began to make her way to Hassan Nagir's Maahal in hope of a good meal. At the same time she kept in the back of her mind the need to find employment.

Edilae had been following the directions but now she was starting to wonder if she'd come to the right place. All she could see was an old looking brown tent and no apparent entry. Skimming over the directions once more Edilae consoled herself that she was indeed going the right way. As she approached the tent she began to hear several animated voices and could smell a sweet but strange scent. Noticing the sign, Edilae followed the dirt path until she found herself inside.

Eyes wide open in astonishment Edilae took in her surroundings. This was nothing like anything she'd seen before. The tent appeared to be lined with cushions, on which sat several patrons who intermittently took puffs from a strange device that appeared to be emitting the scent she had smelled before. Trying to remain relatively unnoticed, Edilae quietly made her way to the central bar.

"Yes, could I please have the chicken stew and some ale? Also could you please tell me what these Hookahs are?"

[Saraid]

OOC: Permission to peer mod by GM Trinity. Jodias asked me to peer mod you, so now I am! Welcome to Alleria.

The barmaid had been busy with something else and was startled by Edilae's sudden question. Smoothing out the wrinkles in her skirt, the tanned woman nodded and took her order down on a piece of parchment. 'Boy, she's a quiet one. And doesn't know what Hookah is? This'll be fun.'

As she poured some ale for the human woman, the barmaid replied in her throaty accent, "The Hookahs? Oh, its grass to smoke. Makes one feel uh...lets just say its a natural 'high'." The barmaid winked at Edilae as she pushed the jug towards her and sauntered off to get the stew.

"Would you like to try one of the hookahs?" The barmaid grinned a tempting grin while handing Edilae the warm bowl of chicken stew.

[Edilae Lakos]

Clasping her jug in her hands, Edilae had another look around the tavern. There was a certain air about the people inside- it was almost as though time was irrelevant. Nobody appeared in a hurry to get anywhere. In fact they appeared contented to just sit and take in the surroundings. This concept was intriguing to Edilae and she almost felt jealous. Exhausted from her journey and troubled by what, or who she was looking for, Edilae longed to feel that way.

Maybe I could just take a small puff and see how I feel. If I don't like it I can just leave. I'll never know 'til I try.

Edilae carefully studied the barmaid, cautious not to be seen to be staring. She was dressed in beautiful white robes in what appeared to be very fine linen. She appeared to carry the same air of the many patrons, smiling as she worked. She seemed friendly, as did everyone she'd met so far in Narim...but could she be trusted? Edilae just couldn't be sure.

After being handed her stew and allowing the warmth of it to soothe her as she carefully sipped, Edilae began to feel her fears melt away, and curiosity once again got the best of her.

"I guess I could try just a little bit. You never know, it may be just what I need."

[Tharion]

Tharion walked into the tent and saw the different things. These bars have changed since Tharion remembered. Ethier way he went up to the barmaid and bought a full pint of all. He paid the barmaid and made his was over to a corner of the tent. The dwarf set on the rug and leaned agianst some cusions. It was more comfortable then he thought it would be.

The dwarf started to drink his ale. Tharion had gone through more then what he wanted in the last few patterns. Today Tharion was going to drink away those problems.

[S'Lon]

Ducking through the tent entrance, S'Lon paused and surveyed the interior of the tent. He had not been in here on many occasions but it came as a welcome change to the rest of Narim. He was on his way back to Robyn but he felt the need for a nice pot of tea, of course if he was really lucky, she would come and find him here, but that was unlikely so he would quickly drink his tea and be on his way.

”Serale,” he smiled back to the woman behind the counter, ”spiced tea for me if you would be so kind.”

While he dug in his pouch for the crowns, S'Lon glanced idly round the tent once more, ignoring the hookahs spaced round the tent. Free or not, he wasn’t tempted, for to survive in the wilderness he needed all of his wits around him and he didn’t see the point in meddling with them.

Taking his tea, he turned and then noticed Tharion tucked comfortably into a corner with an ale, so he gave a short wave and walked over. Sitting down on a cushion, carefully balancing his tea, he smiled at the dwarf. ”Serale, Tharion, its good to see you again, though I wouldn’t have expected to find you in this place. How has life been treating you since we last met?”

He took a drink of the tea and smiled with pleasure as he waited for Tharion to answer.

[Saraid]

"Go and sit down. I'll bring you one. No need to stand here when you can relax." She waved the girl over to some cushins and laughed a small laugh. Edilae would get along just fine in Narim once she felt comfortable with her surroundings.

The barmaid grinned mischieviously as she lit a Hookah for the human and brought it over to her. She liked watching the reactions of people who took their first puff inside the tavern. Some were happy, some were utterly disgusted. Oddly, this was an enjoyable part of the barmaid's day.

OOC: I think you can just post how you feel...whether it's sick or not...lol

[Tharion]

Tharion took another gulp before he looked at S'lon. The first thing the dwarf noticed was the cup that S'lon held. "A weak drink means a weak spirit." Tharion took another drink before speaking. "This time I might actually be able to rob you" He moved about so that his axe was noticable. "After lots of wondering and fighting I ended up here. I've got mixed up into many things since that night I stumbled apon you. Sad thing is I have nothing to show for it." Tharion takes another drink. "So now i'm going to drink myself away. Then perhapes after a few ale's I'll try one of those," He nods towards one of the Hookah.
"So what you've been doing since that night?"

[S'Lon]

”A weak spirit, eh?” S'Lon laughed at Tharions comment. ”Well, if I set out to have a drink, then perhaps I would join you in your drinking this brightening. But unless I set out to drink then I try and avoid drinking or those,” at which point he nodded towards the Hookah.

”In part it’s a difference related to our choice of weapons, I guess. Your axe is primarily a weapon of brute force, but my bow is something that requires a fine hand; if I needed to use it after having a glass of ale or two, the chances are I would miss what I was aiming for if it was any distance away or if I needed to make compensations.”

He grinned and took a drink of the spiced tea, savouring the delicate flavours for a moment. ”But as for myself, since the last time we met on that trip of Xanos’s my life has had quite a change. The brightening before I left for that trip I met a woman, and when I came back I looked her up again.” He stopped talking for a moment as he immersed himself in the memories of those first days with Robyn. ”Now we are together with a house and everything and we plan to get married soon.” He grinned to himself at the change in fortunes.

”Of course, one effect of that is that I need to settle down a bit and actually find myself a way of earning a living that will support us both. We are looking around Narim at the moment looking for a business to invest in or trying to find a gap in the market that would allow us to set up our own business.”

S'Lon forbore to mention the exact nature of the business that they had decided to invest in, as he wasn’t sure if Tharion would approve. But even if he did, S'Lon wasn’t sure that it was really consistent with the ethics of being a ranger and so overall at this point he was keeping quiet about it. Should Tharion press for more then he would smoothly describe the official cover story for the business which was respectable enough.

[Tharion]

"A fine hand," Tharion mimmicks S'lon. Then he waves his hand around. "And my point S'lon is that you should have a good drink and if you to get tippy do what I do. Just start swinging till something hits. Or for that stick you use you might as well just shoot randomly and hope you it anything." Tharion laughs. "Last thing you'll ever see me use is a bow," He takes another drink. "The arrow would shoot out, bounce of a rock, bounce of a shield and hit me in the head." Tharion finishes off his ale. "Besides that's what I like about the axe. If you hit someone it's going in. An arrow could just bounce off.

Tharion listened to S'lon for a few minutes. He glanced around at a few humans stumbling around. Probably the effects of the grass. Tharion started giggling like a school girl. "You S'lon are being tamed. Leaving the wild to settle down in a town and getting married." Tharion smirked "The chain is getting more tight. So what is this market gap you seem to be looking for?"

[S'Lon]

S'Lon grinned at Tharion as he spoke and took another drink from his cup. ”Tamed, eh?” He laughed briefly, ”maybe you are right about that, but somehow the chains don’t seem as binding when you attach them yourself.”

He allowed his gaze to follow the others in the tavern while he considered his answer to Tharions question. ”Well we have a few things in mind, and I think that we will end up with several businesses in the end. Exactly what we do is not fixed yet and I think that we will end up being involved in a number of different businesses.”

“I don’t intend to give up on the wilderness, so my current plan is that we will have two different sets of business. First of all there will be something that Robyn can run, especially when I’m away in the wilderness being a Ranger and our current plans are to open a hotel and restaurant, something small and more exclusive than the taverns and inns here provide.” That of course was the official story and it was true as far as it went.

”But the other area that we are looking into, is to invest in some other businesses. What I have in mind is to build a network of business contacts where when I am out travelling I will find opportunities to buy and sell goods in other cities or smaller towns and villages around the wilderness. One plan I have is to open a shop here in Narim where I can sell things that I can find and buy elsewhere. Did you know for example that there is no jewellers shop here in Narim, even though we export gold and jewels to the rest of the Empire? I reckon that I can find people here in Narim or in the wilderness who are mining the gold and jewels and then finding someone in another city who can turn them into jewellery that I can then sell in the shop here.”

He took another drink and drained the cup. ”So that’s the sort of thing that I have in mind, but as you can see, I intend to be fairly flexible.”

[Tharion]

"Only women who could get chains on me is if she could throw me agiant the wall and attach them to my neck" Tharion laughed as he got another pint of ale from a passing barmaid. The dwarf listend to S'lon while drinking his ale. Tharion never knew much about business and he really didn't care. Tharion believed that you could get just about anything in Narim and that there wouldn't be anything else you could want. As S'lon talked it seemed to be almost like a story that he'd been preparing it all along. But the dwarf didn't concern himself with that. He never suspected people for much.

Tharion emptied his glass before S'lon got to the minning and jewlery bit. S'lon started to talk about mining. It was clear from Tharion's expression that he was more then excited. The dwarf tried to hide it but it wasn't working. He cleared his voice before speaking "I remember the mines back home. Always good to go down and see what was coming up from the mines. So who do you have in mind?" Tharion was being careful about the subject. He had been wanting to be in mining for a long time but had never had the money to carry out such an expedition. For Tharion this was another chance of a life time.