1999-08-11 Elendor

In Longbeard Tavern, Gumbart is trying to spread rumours about the trip. Later, alone with a senior warder, Gumbart hopes to have some warders along on his trip.

Longbeard Tavern

A large, cozy space opens up before you, a natural hollow in the rock turned
into a tavern. Two openings lead out, cloak racks of cherry and brass attached
to the walls beside them. A long bar of mahogany wood lies along one side of
the room, assorted cups, mugs and flagons neatly lining the wall behind it.
Upon the other wall is built a recessed fireplace, a shaft drawing
most of the smoke up and out of the way. Across the space are set tables,
simple and sturdy, meant to be used daily. The smokey atmoshere is comfortable
and pleasant. Warm light fills the chamber from the fireplace and torches in
iron sconces upon the smooth walls. The place gives an impression of simple
comfort. Leaning against the wall in one corner near the bar is a younger
dwarf who looks sociable.

Ordin

	At range of your eyes, you see dwarf. He seems a slight bit shorter
than the rest of the dwarves these days, but his solid and bulky purportions
make up for this. He's a well matured dwarf, with long grey hair, parted at the
very top, and dangling past his shoulders. His beard is just as grey, with
hints of brown and black, stumbling down past his large belly, braided and
drably decorated with strands of hemp and grey silk which blends with his beard
nicely. His blue eyes are set deep under his wrinkled face and bushy and wild
eyebrows. But of all the features on his face besides his beard, his nose
stands out the most; standing large and red from the icy and frostbitten
climates it's weathered.
	He wears an old drab grey burlap cloak, worn and torn enough to hint
that it has obviously lived out many a storm and battle. At the top of the
cloak, are two draw strings for the hood. They are decorated with cobalt and
amythest beads, and are briaded much like his beard. Underneath this cloak, he
wears a thick black tabard, unmarked by any crest or by any banner, but by rips
and tears, which have been stiched up as best they can. And underneath this
tabard, slight hints of worn leather and chain links. This tabard is held snug
to the armor by an old brown belt with a bronze buckle. To the right side of
this belt sits a large leather pouch, carrying many of his traveling
belongings. To the other side of this pouch is his weapon, with many inhumane
yet just deeds lingering at it's blade.

Jorin
	Before you is the most eloquent looking dwarf. At about 4 feet and 2
inches of height this Khazad shifts occasionally and his chest heaves uneasily
after the simplest gesture. Actually he looks almost shy the way his deep brown
eyes shift about observing the most minute of details. However, any one who
truly knows him can testify that he is in fact the complete opposite,
especially in business.
	Draping over his broad shoulders is a long flowing green cloak,
fastened together at his breast by a sizeable jeweled emblem. His
hood is pulled back and rests lightly down his back, coming nearly to his
waist. His short hair is perfectly set, blowing on occasion from the
surrounding air circulation. From his chin hangs a magnificently maintained
brown beard which is braided into many ends and held fast in his belt by gem
studded ties.
	Jewelry shines abundantly on Jorin pleading for attention. You can see
a glimpse of gold and diamonds shining out from necklaces beneath his beard.
Also proudly worn are large jeweled rings on his fingers, all of them. Many of
these rings bear the symbol of his clan, Bundazanul, as does the brooch
clasping his cloak. Sticking out from its poor concealment under the cloak is
the very bottom of the haft of Jorin's battle_axe, also gem studded.
	More than likely as you now peer at him Jorin is puffing on his perfect
pipe, handed down for generations of his family. This pipe is his
prize possession, though he often allows friends a quick smoke. His love for
business and his lust for good pipe-weed always have him travelling, though by
his looks he is not daunted easily. This obviously rich dwarf isn't always
friendly to those he considers 'under' him, but everyone surprises themselves
and others sometimes.




Elendor time is: Early Morning (about 8 AM ) on Mersday, 12 February 3018. In
the Winter sky, Tonight the moon will be full.



As the first dwarves start leaving again, ready to descend into their mines,
refreshed and merry as dwarves are in the early morning hours, Gumbart, the old
merchant, pushes himself through the leaving throngs and makes for the table
usually reserved for traders. "Khulain, bring me my breakfast, please," he
mumbles as he passes the chef de cuisine. Gumbart sits and rubs his cheeks.
After a few seconds, Khulain reappears with a mug of milk, a cup of coffee,
bread, eggs, jam and a big honey bowl. "Thanks, Khulain," says Gumbart and
starts eating. As he eats, he starts to muster the other patrons looking for
known faces.

In from the archway Ordin strides with a refreshed look on his face and a few
fellow warders at his side, talking of battles and skirmishes, patrols and
drills. Ordin soons parts from the crowd of defenders and heads for the table
closest the barkeep, "Bacon, two slices of bread, and a glass o' mead, if ye
please." Ordin requests as he situates himself at his seat and waits for his
warder comrades to join him.

Dimly trying to reach for some submerged memory, Gumbart takes a look at Ordin.
No further reaction crosses his chewing face as memory of a certain evening a
few nights passed eludes him. Consternated, he turns his gaze back to
breakfast.

Ordin notices the warders nearing him, "We 'ave ta get back ta tha barracks,
Master Ordin, gooday!" bellows one in a rude voice that echoes all through the
tavern. Ordin nods and turns his attention towards the bar, where the barkeep
prepares his meal. The old dwarf sighs and scans the room until seeing Gumbart
looking in his direction. Ordin as well searches his memory for a name to this
kinsmen, and finally recalls the act in which the old dwarf passed out and
caused quite a ruckus. Ordin nods and smiles as politely as he can to Gumbart,
and then looks back to the barkeep.

Jorin arrives from the Great Stair, Upper Landing.

Surprised at the friendly nod, Gumbart nods back. Looking back at this plate,
he seems to consider something. As he finishes his breakfast, he takes the
coffee he hasn't touched yet, gets up, and approaches Ordin, "Good morning to
you, sir. My name is Gumbart, at your service. I see you are in charge of the
warders here. I have a proposition and would like to hear your advice. Must you
leave immediately or have you a few minutes to spare for an old merchant as
myself?"

Ordin arches a brow as the old merchant appraoches him with the idea of a
'proposition'. The old warder brings his arm slowly up to the root of his beard
and touches his thumb and index to the bottom of his lip and the top of his
nose, "A proposition ye say, eh? I do believe I have a spell before morning
patrols... Please do continue..." Ordin speaks in a low voice. In the meantime,
the barkeep finally manages to bring Ordin his bacon, bread and mead.

	Breaking the low murmur of the general breakfast-goers of Erebor this
morning Jorin passes through the tavern entrance to the west. Of course, the
sounds of jewelry on his had announced his arrival countless times before
today, but the layers of fur and cloth about his body this morning have muffled
most of the noise. It is obvious that the Thane has just come from somewhere
outside the Mountain which is surprising because it is so early. As he enters
he throws the stiffly frozen hood to his long green cloak over his brow and it
folds back solidly, only seeming to hinge at the shoulder line.
	After a quick glance about the room Jorin rubs his eyes with care -
having realized that his vision is somewhat lacking due to the change in
lighting from outside. He turns around seeking the companion which had followed
him through the gates and down the Great Stair up to now, but sees noone
through the yellow and green hues teasing his eyes. Jorin stumbles through the
torch lit tavern toward the bar and Khulain dismisses himself from attending to
a miner to see what the Thane might be in need of. "G'morning Khulain" Jorin
says as his vision begins to return, "Busy as usual I see." Jorin grins as he
makes small talk with the barkeeper. "Please good friend, would you be so
inclined as to favor me and fill up my ale flask? I have been out all night and
have finished the remainder of mine entirely." Jorin fishes around in the
inside breast pocket of his cloak and draws out his family heirloom, a great
pipe. He looks at it in consideration and sets it aside on the bar beside him.
With ease Jorin reveals a gold and silver beverage flask with the lid unscrewed
and hold it upside-down, revealing the truth in his words to Khulain. He hands
it over to the tavern-keep and takes a seat at the bar. With a few fluid
motions Jorin has his pipe packed and lit and smoke begins to float with the
air circulation to the ceiling.

Gumbart pulls a chair and lowers himself carefully into it. He sips his coffee
and watches the other patrons carefully. Lowering his voice, he says casually,
"I shall be organizing a party of dwarves which will travel into dangerous
lands. We might want to hire some guards for the trip. Do you know who I could
contact for such a service?" He sips some more of his coffee and watches Ordin
carefully. As the Thane makes his entrance, Gumbart shoots a nervous glance at
the bar. He forces himself to look at Ordin again, however and keeps waiting
for a response.

Ordin gives a suspicious eye towards Gumbart as he slowly reaches for his
tankard of mead and slowly sips, the whole while keeping very careful attention
to every word that Gumbart says. After Gumbart says his piece the old warder
takes a long pause to raise his mead tankard and savagely rips into his first
slice of warm homemade bread. Finally, in a tired voice, hendered by chewing,
the old dwarf begins, "What's ye'r name, kinsmen?"

Gumbart grins, "I am Gumbart, son of Oibart, as I said before. Might I inquire
your name, too?" and nonchalantly finishes his coffee. "As I said, I'll be
needing some experienced men with me, and you seem to be the right man for it.
I have no use for striplings that get lost half the way between here and
Mirkwood, much less beyond. I need dwarves that know how to move in the
shadows."

Jorin nods to Khulain politely as the bartender returns the Thane's flask.
Puffing deeply on his pipe in between his words Jorin begins to place an order
with Khulain. "Well good friend Khulain, you probably already know what I'm
going to order but I must be formal about it. I'd like a pot of coffee, a slice
of mutton, three fried eggs with a bit of salt, a slice of ham, and...Hmm..."
Jorin pauses, thinking about his money for the first time since he sat down,
"That'll do it, I'll have to cut off there for now old friend." Khulain nods,
quite familiar with the Thane breakfast habit and rushes off to attend to
others and get Jorin's food going.

Ordin nods and slowly sips his mead once more and looks far down into his
tankard for the slightest drop of any liquid. Disapointed on his findings, he
sets his tankard down and reaches for a think slab of bacon which he eats with
his bare hands, tearing apart the meat and stuffing piece after piece in his
mouth so that he can get as much eating in before his turn to talk once more.
After finishing his first slab he reaches for his tankard and rediscovers it to
be an empty vessel and sits it back down with a frustrated look upon his face
as he beckons the barkeep for more mead, who promtly fetches the old warder his
tankard. Ordin nods as he makes his last swallow, "Aye, I suppose I owe ye as
much as a name... Ordin the second, at ye'r service. I'm afraid I'll need much
more details on this 'trip you have planned... sure doesn't sound like much of
a trading expedition, I'd gather?"

Gumbart looks around once more, noting every glance turned away, every ear
trying to pick up a few snipplets. He signals Khulain and lifts his coffee mug,
pointing. Khulain nods and soon enough he brings another one, scalding hot and
steaming. Gumbart shoves a few coins in his direction and craddles the hot mug
between his hands. He takes a sip and savours the bitter taste. Under his dark
eyebrows, his eyes turn back towards Ordin. "The party I am organizing will be
gone for a few months, maybe half a year. Nobody might be coming back. The risk
is deadly and the reward is uncertain. It is a gamble. Can you give me any
names of dwarves that might be interested in such gamble? I would prefer to
stop here if you told me you were not interested in it, if you told me you
prefered the calm and peacefull life you are leading here. The gamble I am
about to propose is only for the ambitious."

Jorin looks up eagerly as one of Khulain's assistants grace the bar before him
with his favorite breakfast, exactly as ordered. With only a single word of
thanks to the server the Thane puffs from his pipe, sets it down after blowing
a solid white smoke ring across the room, and begins to devour his food. He
nods satisfactorily toward Khulain as he comes up for air between downing some
coffee and biting off a piece of fried egg.

Ordin lets out a roar of laughter and hammers his fist against the table.
Quickly he stops and crouches his head in towards Gumbart and speaks in a low
and raspy voice, "You expect me to send me warders, my cousins off to be
slaughtered, and ye expect that I'll send them without knowing more about what
they may be slaughtered by? I'm afraid I'll need to hear more on this still."
Ordin brings his head back and keeps a very cold gaze fixed right on Gumbart's
forehead as he reaches for his tankard of mead.

Gumbart smiles a wry smile at Ordin's burst of laughter. He nods, "Aye, you do
need to know more if you want to order them on this party. I would prefer it
the other way around; you release them from service for a certain period in
which they can accompany me as fair partners on a quest for fame and fortune."
Gumbart pauses and considers, looking at his coffee, watching the other
patrons, trying to guess at how many have heard, how many are still listening
and trying to estimate the time it will take for rumours to fly. He smiles
silently to himself and continues, "I'm going after a rumour I have heard off
in the East. A rumour about certain possessions of our last King under the
Mountain, of Thror, son of Dain, son of Nain. A certain treasure he carried, I
have heard."

Ordin seems to grow more impatient as the time progresses and the moments pass.
The old warder finishes his last sip of mead and folds his arms as he waits for
Gumbart to finish, Ordin fires back almost imediately, while his eyes glow like
red hot coals, burning in anger, impatients, and slightly sarcasim, "Just what
treasure did he carry? Eh? I've had 'nough of a run around, I've got me duties
to attend to, and if ye can't answer my questions in a straight forward manner,
I'll just be on me way." Ordin takes his steady gaze of of the old dwarf's
forehead while he digs in his pouch of coins to pay the barkeep."

Gumbart nods at the reply and pushes his chair back, rising. "I would not want
to trouble you, much less prevent you from attending to your duties. I've held
you up long enough, cousin. I'll be around for a while, you'll know where to
find me." He steps around his chair and pushes it back under the table Ordin is
sitting at and bows before turning around. He waves towards Khulain and turns
for the stairs.

Ordin finishes, "I'll be in the barracks or here if you want to give clearer
details." (lost the complete pose because we all got booted)

Jorin finishes up his meal with a pat on his stomach and pulls a few silvers
out of his shirt pocket. He looks over to Khulain, across the room attending to
a patron and decides to set the money on his dirty dishes. With a nod to the
employee behind the bar Jorin stands from the table, scooping up his pipe
tenderly, and makes for the door behind Gumbart.

​#Elendor