[The Crystal Cavern] Finding the Crystal [Closed]

[Ian]

1st of Winter, 510 AV. 14:45

"May Vayt curse that damn bear!" Ian mutter. Because of the uneasy feeling the huge bear had given him when it walked up right next to him he had forgotten most of the gate guards directions to the recommend tavern. "And damn this blasted wind!" Ian mutter to himself again. After asking for directions from several other people he was finally on his way again, this time hopefully he would find his way. Gripping his cloak tightly to keep out the cold wind he made his way through the city, occasionally giving out another curse toward bears and cold weather.

After walking for another ten minutes Ian could finally lay eyes on the building described as the Crystal Cavern. Apparently this was the tavern you wanted to visit if you wanted to get warm both on the outside and the inside.

Shivering with cold Ian enters the tavern, the heat instantly striking his face. A murmuring could be heard from the crowd inside with a laugh bursting out now and then. Fumbling with his numb fingers Ian eventually manages to takes off his fur cloak and shakes snow off. It took him nearly an hour to find his way to the Crystal Cavern and he had started to lose his feeling in both his fingers and toes. With another shiver Ian remove his hat and hang his cloak over one of his shoulders and start making his way into the tavern trying to find a table as close to the fireplace as possible. Finding an empty table quite close to the fireplace Ian sits down, looking around the tavern. While waiting for a barmaid to take his order he unbutton his jacket and remove his greatsword on his back, leaning it toward the table. Around a dozen people had already found their way to the tavern despite still being so early on the day, most likely they are probably trying to get away from the cold by finding good company and warming their insides with liquor.

Shivering with cold Ian enters the tavern, the heat instantly striking his face. A murmuring could be heard from the crowd inside with a laugh bursting out now and then. Fumbling with his numb fingers Ian eventually manages to takes off his fur cloak and shakes snow off. It took him nearly an hour to find his way to the Crystal Cavern and he had started to lose his feeling in both his fingers and toes. With another shiver Ian hangs his cloak over one of his shoulders and start making his way into the tavern trying to find a table as close to the fireplace as possible. Finding a empty one Ian sits down, looking around the tavern, waiting for a barmaid to take his order. Around a dozen people had already found their way to the tavern despite still being so early on the day, most likely they are probably trying to get away from the cold by finding good company and warming their insides with liquor.

[Ian]

After a few minutes a woman carrying a tray with a couple of mugs comes out on the tavern floor, smoothly avoiding bumping in to any table or customer. She quickly distributes the mugs while passing the tables, taking up new orders as she goes by. Finally she puts down two mugs at the table next to Ian’s and turn to him with a smile on her face. With curios eyes she examine Ian while speaking “Hello there stranger, what can I get you?” Ian returns her smile “If you can get me a pitcher of Avanthal wine I would much appreciate it” The woman give Ian a wink and a slight nod before turning around and once again smoothly make her way through the tavern floor. While waiting, Ian out his dice set from his backpack starting to play around with rolling the dices over and over again. After a few minutes the barmaid is out on the tavern floor, once again distributing mugs of different brewage. With a quick smile to Ian she puts down a mug and a pitcher in front of him before continuing to another table.

Before managing to fill his mug a man appears at Ian’s table “I couldn’t but notice that you have dices with you, do you perhaps gamble over a few copper mizahar?” While filling his mug Ian give the man a nod to sit down. The man appears to be in his mid thirties with the typical Vantha appearance. Since Ian doesn’t know much about gambling he hands the cup with dices over to the man “Why don’t you teach me a Avanthal game since I’m new to this city. After that we can play a few coins” With the hope that he did not expose his lack of knowledge he sits back in his chair he start to sip on his wine. Twenty minutes or so pass as the man explains the rules and after a few test rounds they begin to play. While playing, the man yells after the barmaid and order in a mug of ale. Ian, whose pitcher now is nearly empty, copy the man and order in a mug of ale as well. Not going so well for Ian he starts to ask about what’s happening in the city at the moment. The game slows down while the man now also is occupied with telling the latest news. In the middle of the conversation Ian stops the man “Wait, can you say that again, about the hunt” Being paying more attention to the dices Ian hadn’t listened that well. The man give him a long look before speaking “As I said, that hunter Keriay are rounding up people and plan to lead them out into the waste hunting snow leopards.” Finishing the last of his ale the man continues “If you ask me only a fool would go out there, but if you are interested you can go to the northern reaches of Avanthal. Apparently it’s there they are meeting up today” With that the man collect his stack of copper mizahar and leave the table with a nod to Ian as goodbye.

Even though Ian doesn’t feel very prepared for a journey in to the waste he still collects his gear. Leaving a gold mizahar and a few copper he leaves the tavern. The cold wind doesn’t bother him much now, probably thanks to the alcohol pumping through his veins. With a smile on his face he start making his way north through the city asking for direction from people he pass by.