Newsgroups: alt.pub.dragons-inn From: clay@austin.ibm.com (Clay Colwell) Subject: [Raoh?][TW?] A gnome in search of excitement Message-ID: Date: Wed, 3 Mar 1993 19:55:07 GMT Keywords: gems conqueror squirrel copper Eski wandered from table to table, watching, listening, looking with unabashed curiosity at various patrons of the Inn. Some looked back with bemusement, others with angry or morose faces. Eski took interest at the remarkable architecture of the common room. "So many corners! And yet so neat! How do the owners manage?" mused Eski to himself. Skirting a boot aimed at his posterior from a disgruntled half-orc, Eski found himself near a table of dwarves, boisterously playing at knucklebones. Feeling playful himself, he approached the table, introduced himself, and bought a round for the players. With good grace (and some ribbing), the dwarves set an extra stool at the table, inviting Eski to play. He joined in with gusto, buying additional rounds with the winnings that began to cluster at his side of the table. The dwarves lost some of their original jollity, but were easily mollified by the free-flowing liquor. The game ended with Eski gaining a good amount of local currency and the dwarves sharing a collective nap at the table, their beards trailing in the spills from the many mugs. "Ah, an excellent way to start afresh in a new world," Eski thought as he climbed the stairs to his room. He was soon asleep in the small, but comfortable bed. Eski woke the next morning refreshed, excited at the new day's prospects. Having learned much from the general inn talk, he spent the day exploring the more civilized portions of Generica. He clucked with approval at the Mage's Guild; he got a delicious headache trying to follow the lines of its framework for more than a few meters at a time. He set up an appointment with the Research Department in 2 sixdays to discuss possible repair work for his planar transport. Leaving that building, he found a metalsmith that made finely-drawn copper wire. A minor spell restored the embroidery on his robe, while another cleaned the strong cotton fibers and made the copper threads gleam. He spent the rest of the day at the Town Square, examining the wares to be found, seeking out any gem merchants. He was disappointed at the mediocre quality and bad cut of most of the gems. "By GGOT(aa)'s pack," he thought, "I've seen better luster on a orc's tooth! Perhaps I could set up a shop here. I must check some private shops; surely, they have better craftsmanship." As night came down, Eski made his way back to the Dragon's Inn. Much had he learned that day in the streets of Generica; it seemed a good city to stay for the meantime. Too many dogs, though; Eski had had to outrun several curs that had taken a dislike to him. "Ah, well," he thought, "a few mugs of good dwarven stout will be welcome," as he entered the Inn. He quickly found Rowan Littlefair, settled accounts, and procured for himself a mug of stout, a plateful of hearty venison stew, and more seed for Granite. Standing on a bar stool, he hungrily wolfed down the food, as well as a second helping that he called for upon finishing the first. Now comfortably full, he had his mug restocked and began again to wander among the tables. This time, he happened on the Inn's bulletin board. "Ho, this is interesting. Raoh the Conqueror. Another one. No matter *what* place you go, there's always a petty tyrant to depose. I wonder how this one would compare to Can-Can, or Takhis. "Vicious and blood-thirsty". Yep, most of them are. Still, a little excitement is always fun. Room 13A. Room 13A. Got it." As Eski turned toward the staricase to find Sir Lance, his eyes met those of a wee being, sitting astride a rather large squirrel. "GGOT(aa)'s feet!" Eski exclaimed. "Innmates smaller yet than myself!" He looked closer at the two creatures. "And who might you be?" -- Clay Colwell Profound quotes? Feh! archmage@vnet.ibm.com Disclaimer: The post above does not necessarily IBM Austin, TX reflect the views of IBM. These are *my* opinions!