Ale Chat

Tenebrae - Saturday, April 19, 2014, 7:01 PM

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-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-<* A07: Fernwood Pub *>--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-

The common room of the Fernwood Pub dominates the inn, spacious and airy because of the high, vaulted ceiling. Ornately carved beams of dark, polished wood form a lattice overhead, supporting the arched roof two storeys above the floor. To the right of the double-door entry is a spiral staircase, winding upwards to a balcony that rings and overlooks the main area. Large windows at this level grant an excellent view of the river to the west and colorful market stalls to the north and east. An air of coziness is salvaged by keeping the pub dimly lit; parchment-shrouded mana lanterns hang at intervals from the base of the balcony, nestled amongst lush, magically propagated ivy and ferns that grow over this false demi-ceiling and the struts that support it.

The bar is sleek and simple, comprised of meticulously polished black lacquer. Tables are set under the darker niches formed by the balcony floor as well as on the balcony itself. A few are deliberately sized to accommodate halflings and gnomes, but the majority are meant for human-sized individuals. A large common table is on the main floor, set before a semi-circular stage situated against the western wall. Beside it, with pipes mounted upon the wall and running up past the balcony and almost to the ceiling, is a refurbished pipe organ made to look like the one lost when the Fernwood was destroyed during the Merkabah Siege.

Zoob is sitting at a table with a number of artifice components spread in front of him, all the pieces of his thunderbelcher. He is concentrating fiercely as he cleans each one individually, pausing only to take a swig of his ale periodically. It looks like he has not yet dipped his cleaning rag into his drink but it is probably just a mtter of time.

Pendleton steps into the pub, carrying a small cask, with some difficulty, over one shoulder. He grunts a bit as he makes his way to the counter and rolls it over his shoulder, setting it down with another grunt on the top. The bartender looks it over and nods to Pendleton.

"Ha! Check and mate!" Mikilos stands from a corner table, grinning in victory. The trio of gnomes across from the elf blink for a moment, scowl for one more, then grin and offer handshakes to the victor. All four take a few moments to pack up the chess game, the tallest then heading for the bar proper while the others make for the exit.

Zoob finishes cleaning one last toggle-thingy and sits back with a sigh, looking at the parts spread across his table. He picks up his mug and notes it's empty, hopping up and scampering up to the bar for a refill leaving his table briefly unattended.

Pendleton glances over at the gobber as he tries to catch his breath, grins and gestures to the cask the bartender is setting in place. "Try some of the Brundel nut brown ale, friend! Perfect light refreshment for a warm day."

Mikilos eyes the unattended table a moment, fingers twitching... so very easy to just swap a couple parts around, see if the gobber notices... but, a Thunder mis-fire is no joke, and the wizard keeps his pranks to himself. Blinking, he eyes the cask a moment. "Brundel nut? Havn't had that in a while, didn't think was made anymore."

Zoob i just reaching up to slide his mug onto the bar as the man speaks and shrugs. "Sure, I'll try that, I haven't had a nut ale in a while and it wasn't bad list time I tried it. Was in some place way East, or maybe North? Small village that had lots of nut trees and brewed ale with 'em. Sort of an odd flavour but I'll try it again no problem." He slides a couple of small coints onto the counter. "What the man said, please, the stuff with the nuts."

Pendleton smiles to Zoob. "It's... not really made with nuts, but I think you might like it. A tankard for myself as well, good sir. I am not above skimming profits. Ha ha." He glances to Mikilos with a big smile. "Ah, well... we've, ah, had a number of hardships. But the Brundelssen brewing is back in the swing of it, eh?"

Mikilos nods, nodding to the bartender as well for his own mug before peering at Pendleton a few moments. "You know, I vaugely recall seeing you before, but I'm not sure we were ever properly introduced. Mikilos Mithralla, Builder Arcane."

Zoob looks surprised. "No nuts? Really? Why call it that then?" He takes delivery of his fresh ale and sniffing then sipping it. "It tastes like what I remember of the other, maybe that wasn't really made with nuts either, how would you know? We're all at the mercy of the brewers I guess, they could put anything into it and nobody would ever find out."

Pendleton gets his mug, takes a deep drink. "mmm. Well met, Mikilos! I... you look familiar, as well. But it's been..." a shadow crosses his faith, he smiles faintly, mustache dripping a bit. "It's been a while. Hard times. Mmm. To your health, fellows, and to the prosperity of Alexandria!" He raises his glass. A few other patrons raise a motley 'hurrah!' before returning to their drinks. Pendleton smiles a bit more. "I am Pendleton Brundelssen, fine bringer of brew, teller of tales and off-coloriffics, and last stalward stewart of the closed eye of Animus."

Mikilos grins, but shakes his head to Zoob. "You might be susprised what a master can tell just by a few sips. I've tried my hand at brewing myself, and it's not easy to keep your ingredients a secret." Raising a toast with mister Brundelssen, he frowns quietly. "Not the last. One of few. Too few." Though the amulet on the elf's neck holds an aspen leaf, not an eye, the pentagon around it is a sign of the Fallen God.

Zoob sips his ale again, and raises it in greeting to the other two. "Zoob, marksman. This is really good stuff, thanks for the suggestion." He glances over at his table to make sure it isn't being disturbed.

Pendleton smiles to Mikilos slightly. "Ah, to old friends, met again, and those met again only after." He raises his tankard again, then smiles more jovially to Zoob. "Glad you enjoy it! I'm hoping to bring some of our other goods to sale, soon... there's a stout we've been tinkering with, and my dwarven colleagues have almost finished our winter room for some spirits."

Mikilos frowns mildly. "Keep meaning to try my hand at some stronger spirits, but the equipment is almost the same as for alchemy. I tend to get ideas part way through, get distracted with other chemicals, and in the end I don't quite trust drinking the results."

Zoob brightens up. "Spirits I have some experience with. My Ma used to run a still in the engine room of our old airship until it exploded. The still that is, the airship wasn't hurt much. It was really convenient, a good source of constant heat and right there for the drinking both! I bet yours will taste better though, the sulphur notes really didn't help much."

Pendleton laughs. "Oh, yes... my brothers and I keep turning down the, ah, stills and heat projects our colleagues come up with. Most of our business is beers, but we used to have a decent secondary business using freeze distillation. Mmm." He drinks. "Much safer than experimental alchemy. Mmm. My son in law keeps wanting to try out Kulthian distillation designs." He shakes his head. "One mad, mad dwarf."

Mikilos nods. "Jacking can make a good product, but tends to be pretty seasonal. As for the rest, I can't say I've much fondness for Kulthian designs, in brewing or elsewhere. Had too many such device trying to kill me." ((Jacking- freeze distillation))

Zoob nods in agreement. "Artifice and beer do not go well together. I want a still that will work no matter who operates it, not one that requires the inventor to function."

Pendleton grins to Mikilos. "Ah, but that's where magic comes to play! We have rooms kept in the throes of icy winter, and so... winter white year 'round!" He sucks his mustache. "It's, admittedly, not an entirely novel idea, but with really good cider, we have little competition. Alas, at the moment, we can only make a small amount at a time." He glances at Zoob's workings on the table. "Well, my viridescent virago, if you are inclined to experiment for employ, perhaps we could talk business. If only to share information."

Mikilos nods to Pendleton. "Also seen it done by transporting barrels to icy mountain tops, then back down. But neither seem to have quite the same flavor as an all natural winter snap. Can still make a mighty fine product, mind you. But just isn't the same."

Zoob grins widely showing many sharp teeth. "Unless you want a still that will punch a hole in a wall at 500 paces I'm not really your Gobber, I just know firearms. I can weaponize a still but I probably can't make it produce good spirits. I'm willing to try but you are probably better getting an expert for that."

Pendleton nods to Mikilos. "Ah, perhaps, perhaps. And as for stills... well, if we need a wall taken down, a weaponized still might come in handy." Deep thoughtful drink. "Then again, given recent history, some techniques to turning stills into weapons might come in VERY handy."

Mikilos frowns and nods. "Seen a few modified casks put to violent efforts. Hard to say if was worth the cost, but have to admit I enjoyed the look upon those hill giant's faces."

Zoob puts his now-empty mug back on the bar, stretching up to do so. "Thaks again for the recommendation, it's good stuff. I'll look for it in the future. I should get back to Bessie though, she'll want reassembling."

Pendleton raises a hand. "Well-met." He rummages in his robe, produces a leather bag. He sets it on the table, opening it up to reveal a small brown wooden pipe and a case of tobacco. He begins assembling. "So, Mikilos... I would imagine it's been, oh, a few years since we've passed one another... I imagine you may have a tale or two."

Mikilos mmms, and nods. "To be sure. Though most of the really good ones have already passed into bardic tales. They may have different details, but they tell it better."

Zoob trundles back to his table to start reassembling, effectively leaving the conversation.

Pendleton finally tamps the tobacco to his liking, places it in his mouth and lights it with one finger, puffing a bit. Soon he has the thing started and takes a considered suck, blows a thin stream. "Mmmm. Yes, I have become a bit of a teller of tales, myself. It's protective." He grins to Mikilos. "Grandkids swarm over me, it's the easiest way to vanquish them!"

Mikilos mmms. "Not a trouble I plan to have for some time. Though did have an intresting time about a year back. Little girl brought in from a small village to the east. Her mother had recently passed away, and was claiming me as her father. Now, I had passed that way, about the right time, but I tend to keep good track of potential children."

Pendleton chuckles. "Ah, well, that is a problem I've thankfully managed to avoid, even in my younger and, ah. More adventuresome days. And... and I'd best not talk of THOSE days overmuch, eh?" He takes a puff, and swirls it with one finger. The smoke briefly takes on a vaguely curvaceous shape. "So now, I try to rebuild what has been torn down. But thinks have grown quiet." (puff) "And I find myself with the old urges..." He pauses, then grins. "Well, some of them, at any rate... saving folks from the roving dead, for example."

Mikilos nods. "Not the best of goals, in that in teh best of situations, would be no undead to save folks from. But, since there are such beasts, the saving goes over rather well."

Pendleton puffs. "Which relates to a tale...

There once was a Witch named Ophelia

Who would collect undead memorabilia.

Her favorite, a glyph,

Made corpses quite stiff

For taking part in some necrophilia.

Puff puff

Mikilos snorts and rolls his eyes. "Well, they do say there's nothing like snuggeling up with a cold girl on a warm night..."

Pendleton grins 'neath furry stache. "Ha! Quite, quite. Well, I must be off, I am due back for dinner at... some hour. Mmm." He finishes off his tankard and nods to the bartender. Then to Mikilos, "It really was nice to see a familiar face. If you hear of some minor adventuring to be had, keep me in mind. Just... don't let my wife know." He raises his pipe to Mikilos.

Mikilos chuckles and nods. "No promises, but the Guild posts ajust about everywhere. Anycase, fare well. Until we meet again."