Blezzy carries the repaired backpack and agreed coin into a cramped slum tavern, its low rafters stained with smoke and spilled ale. The shopkeeper follows close behind, one hand resting on her copper-studded apron.
A steady barmaid keeps cups filled from a dented cask, while three dust-coated laborers crowd a corner table. Their boots and cracked hands mark them as mine workers.
the shopkeeper
One drink, perhaps. But first, you still owe the tavern for the last tab I covered.
The laborers lower their voices, then fail to keep quiet. One is a gaunt middle-aged man with a missing ear; another, a broad young woman, grips her cup until her knuckles pale.
the gaunt laborer
Green light beneath the mine. Not lanternlight. It moved against the stone.
the broad laborer
And someone was speaking down there. Calm as a priest, right before the whole shaft groaned.
Lyra
Rumors cost a copper apiece. The useful ones cost more. Pay for a cup, and I might tell you who saw that light first.
✓ Quest Accepted
Pay the tavern tab
“I pay the tab from my previous visit, giving the barmaid a little wink to show her that I'm still romantically interested in her and haven't left her for someone - or something - else. As she walks away from the laborer's table, I follow her back to the bar. When she turns around at the bar and notices me, I toss her another coin and speak to her quietly, "Beautiful, would you please tell me more about those rumors around the mine-shaft that I've been working at? Oh, and fill my bottle up with more whiskey, too, please, beautiful darling." I prepare a separate stack of coins to pay for the whiskey fill up.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Mercantile, rolled +0)
Blezzy
The tab is settled. Blezzy pays the barmaid what she owes, then gives her a small wink before following her back toward the bar.
The barmaid sets the laborers' cups down and returns behind the counter. When she turns, Blezzy is waiting there with another coin ready between her fingers and a separate stack prepared for whiskey.
Blezzy
Beautiful, would you please tell me more about those rumors around the mine shaft that I've been working at? And fill my bottle with more whiskey, too, please, beautiful darling.
Lyra
For the coin, gladly. The green light was seen first by old Marn, who swears it came from a sealed lower cut. Then a voice warned the miners away.
Lyra
They say the collapse was no accident. Something beneath the slums is claiming the richest veins, and anyone who opens them draws its notice.
She accepts the rumor coin, then takes Blezzy's bottle and fills it from the dented cask's concealed whiskey jug, pouring until the enchanted glass is full.
the shopkeeper
There, miner. Your debt is paid, your drink is bought, and now you have a warning worth more than the tavern's gossip.
✓ Quest Accepted
Discover what is claiming the richest veins
Quest Complete
Pay the tavern tab
+ New Item Acquired
Whiskey
“I give a brief bow to the shop merchant that covered my previous tab. As she turns to leave, I turn back to the barmaid. "Are my elven features still attractive enough to you that you're interested in sharing your bed again tonight? While we're at it, we could talk more about what kinds of creatures might be lurking around the mine-shaft trying to lay claim to my valuable ores." I say to her, flirtatiously trying to convince her to seduce me again as I wiggle a couple more gold coins between my fingers, showing a payment already prepared for the information I want to request of her in bed.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Mercantile, rolled +0)
Blezzy
Blezzy gives the shopkeeper a brief bow in thanks, then turns back toward the barmaid.
Blezzy
Are my elven features still attractive enough for you to share your bed again tonight? We can discuss what creatures claim my valuable ores. These gold coins are ready.
The barmaid studies the offered coins, then Blezzy's face, and accepts the payment with a knowing smile. The shopkeeper pauses at the doorway but says nothing.
Lyra
Attractive enough, certainly. Come upstairs after my shift, and I will tell you what I know while we share the bed.
Lyra
The miners describe more than a ghost. They speak of a dragon's agent, a hooded watcher carrying green light, guarding veins meant for an intelligent dragon's transformation.
Later, behind the tavern's closed upper door, the barmaid keeps her bargain. Intimacy occurs off-camera, while her low voice supplies the rest of the warning.
Lyra
The dragon wants high-level ores, especially adamantite. The watcher marks anyone who breaks its seals, and the next vein may be watched already.
Quest Complete
Discover what is claiming the richest veins