evershadow

The Hallows Inn

True, I had read it that way but I suppose I did not see it as being a curse. Either way, Leopold is an interesting character, I can't wait to see him in the IC.

The Hallows Inn

While the she-elf had gone to her room to fetch a bowstring, which of course, Barden was grateful for, the ranger engaged himself in conversation with the innkeeper. Barden had many questions he wanted to ask Lazarus, however, he imagined he would not get too many answers. That is, at least not to the questions that troubled him most.

"How did this place come to be?" He asked, keeping eye-contact with the innkeeper. Despite his appearance, there was a sense of authority and almost majesty to Lazarus, it was something to be respected. Lazarus was silent for a moment, leading Barden to think he was not going to receive an answer at all. The innkeeper's lips parted, he took a breath and then placed a smile upon his face and began to answer.

"I found it, a very long time ago." He paused, "I was once a wanderer like yourself, lost in the depths of the forest. Long story short, when I emerged into this clearing, the building was here, decrepit and ruined. I dedicated my life to making this place a safe haven for people who had been lost like myself." The innkeeper took another brief pause and then placed his hand on Barden's shoulder, "Many faces have passed through this place, some for a brief while, others for longer. Some have even left and returned. There have been heroes, even kings brought and made in this place. I will not lie to you." Lazarus let his hand slip from the ranger's shoulder, back down to his side. "There is no doubt in my mind, that there is something magical about this place." Barden's face had a quizzical look cross his features, "All timid, naturally." The innkeeper assured him, putting the ranger's mind to rest.

"I-I assume you a familiar with the stringing of a bow, no?"

Barden turned to face the she-elf, taking the string from her as she handed it to him, he nodded his head with gratitude and smiled, "Yes, I wouldn't be much of a ranger if I did not" Holding the bow and the bow-string in one hand, Barden was satisfied that should he need it, he would at least be able to use his bow. "You've done me a great favor, and I do not even know your name..." The ranger spoke to the she-elf directly now, "I'm Barden."

The Hallows Inn

@Liriia: The Inn is situated in the middle of the clearing, the building is three stories high. When you enter the door you have the lobby, chairs, tables, fireplace against the far wall and the reception desk. At the back right corner of the lobby is a spiral staircase, made of oak wood (like most of the furnishings in the inn), this leads upstairs, the next two floors are just corridors with rooms. The attic is off-limits to patrons, and is used for storage (unless I think of a better use). Back to the first floor. To the right of the lobby is an arch type door-way, obviously with no doors. It leads to a bar/dining area (think of a typical fantasy pub). Here you can get food and good drink, all different sorts from ale, to Elvish and Dwarven stouts. Behind the bar again is an off-limits trapdoor and stairway that leads to the basement, once again storage (think barrels of booze, salted meats and other foods. Any staff have a room on the second or third floor like other guests.

Outside the Inn you have the forge where Grombrindol (If not drinking in the bar) will be at work, there is also a stables (for anyone who has a steed or later into the role-play acquires one).

Around the back of the building is a small, gravel path that leads into the forest, this path is safe and as long as you stick to it you will be okay, it leads to a spring (if the baths in the rooms aren't your thing). If you keep following the path it also leads to a graveyard (not recommended after dark).

@MistressDizzy; I'm so sorry, I did actually see your post, but it must of been as I was rushing to get to work. As long as your character is bipedal when they're not in water, feel free.

@Muttonhawk; Traditionally I would have to refuse this character simply because it doesn't fit in with my idea of Traditional Fantasy (think D&D races). However, your character is so interesting, I just have to accept it. xD

The Hallows Inn

Having made his way back into the inn and spending a few minutes in the warmth, Barden found himself retiring to his room for another brief respite. Not for rest, more so just recuperation. It was all too strange the ranger thought as he relieved himself of the jerkin he wore, leaving him now in the fine linen shirt of Elvish design, trousers and soft-leather boots. Running his hands along his brow he sighed softly, thinking about it now, perhaps he should have taken up the maids offer to run him a bath because looking at the thing, he didn't have the faintest idea how to run it. Dismissing the idea after a quick debate with his thoughts, he took up his sheathed sword and belted it to his waist, also picking up his unstrung bow in his right hand. During the commotion he'd lost the bowstring, probably to the forest and he knew that there was no way he would find it in there, let alone his own way back to this safe-haven. The ranger decided his best bet was to see if the inn (or anyone in it) had one for sale, another option was to barter with one of the many other bow-wielders he'd seen upon entering the inn. The ranger was not sure if any would have a string suitable for his bow, but, perhaps an Elf would know.

Exiting his room in no rush the first thing to greet him was the sound of conversation winding from down the hall. [/i]"How do you fare, Master Elf?"[/i] Barden leaned his back into the door frame of his room and smirked, "Perfect..." He whispered to himself. He had been looking for an Elf and here opportunity presented itself.

Closing his door, quietly behind him (so as not to disturb other patrons), Barden made his way down the corridor and presented himself.

"Ah, Innkeeper..." Barden spoke with a polite tone, "Lazarus, isn't it?" He asked with a nod of gratitude, "And she-elf." He added, turning to show notice of the other. "I noticed as I was going through my belongings that I misplaced the string for my bow." He mentioned, presenting the bow of Elvish design towards the two, because of it's design and of where it was from (Blackwood, an Elvish territory given it's name by the trees that grew there, from another land seperated by sea), he was expecting questions to be raised about how he obtained it. "Probably in the forest somewhere." Barden paused and turned his gaze to the she-elf, another wanderer he assumed with a similar experience. A small smile cracked along his lips, "And I doubt I'm going to find it there, let alone my way back to this place." Barden held the bow further towards the two, "Please, if you can be of any assistance, you'd have me in your debt, and my thanks."

The Hallows Inn

@MistressDizzy; I'm so sorry, I must have completely overlooked them in my rush to get to work. What exactly is the race/class you are wondering about?

@Cedric; You can still apply. :)

The Hallows Inn

I'm off to work now, so I'll be back later. Enjoy the day.

The Hallows Inn

@OutlawedPanda: You're free to use Lazarus and Grombrindol as long as your use fits in with their CS'. As for Sceolan, he was my character (a much younger version) in both the Hallows Inn and the Sanctuary. Just for sentimental value I'd like to have control of that NPC entirely. I spent years playing as him. :P

The Hallows Inn

@Dizzy; Hello, sorry. What is the race/class of the character?

@Kitten; I posted there, it's weak but I'm shattered (tired).

The Hallows Inn

Barden stood by the only window in his room, it was tall but not much wider than him. The innkeeper, Lazarus, had not lied about the view from his room, the ranger had a good view of most of the clearing, at least what was in front of the inn. He had been watching for the last while as a group of newcomers emerged from the tree-line into the clearing, much like himself. It was strange, but Barden passed it off as a plan of the Drakenwald, having grown to learn that this place was if anything, unpredictable. Turning, taking the time to examine his room (after some much needed rest), Barden could not help but notice that it was more spacious than the exterior of the building would give away. It was by no means large but rather a moderate size. As the ranger was on the top floor and in one of the corner rooms of the inn, the ceiling got narrower as you followed it up until it met at a point. Wooden beams, painted a dark brown ran along the length and breadth at the widest point of the ceiling. Barden could only imagine that the rooms on the other two floors would at least seem a lot larger than this one due to the cube like shape as compared to the prism type ceiling in his room.

The bed frame was made of a dark oak and was beautifully crafted. Decorative carvings gave the bed an almost Elvish appearance and Barden could only wonder whether this was a personal choice of the innkeeper Lazarus or just what had been at hand for furnishing the room. The sheets and covers on the bed had been prepared beautifully when Barden had first entered the room, but were now a bunched mess. The ranger sighed and remade the bed, nowhere near as perfectly as it had been when he arrived, but it would suffice. His bag, bow and sword were all propped by the far side of the bedside table and his torn overcoat was strewn over the bed. Barden wondered about inquiring on getting this repaired, but knew enough had already been done for him with free refuge, what else could he possibly ask for?

Clothed in everything except the coat, Barden tugged at his Jerkin, making sure that it wasn't awkwardly worn over the fine linen shirt he had underneath. I suppose I should introduce myself to the others... he thought to himself as he exited his room and made his way across the hallway and down the stairs.

Upon reaching the ground floor, the ranger already noticed a few new faces, and the same faces that had been there when he had first arrived. He raised an eyebrow as he looked around what could only be described as the lobby of the inn, he wondered just how many rooms this place had. Leaving the inn through the same door he had entered, he found himself still getting used to the feeling of sunlight off his skin, especially after a year of being a "prisoner" of the forest. He spotted the new group of wanderers that he had seen from his bedroom window and cautiously but surely approached them.

His clothing and boots still as wet and dirty as they had been when he arrived, Barden imagined that he must have looked a mess. However, appearance was not of much importance to him. He ran a cupped palm along his chin, fingering at his short beard, awaiting someone to strike conversation.

The Hallows Inn

Nice to see everyone is getting along with the posts, I'll post either before I go to sleep or tomorrow morning before I go to work, oh and FireFlower, nice CS. Accepted.