* The Place

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.

* The Characters

Stryth

(no desc)

Gumbart

You see a short dwarf with grey, rugged clothes. His hair is grey and long,
braided and held together by small black pebbles. His beard is long and a bit
shaggy. Two braids are waxed and stretch back to his ears.
This dwarf is wearing travelling clothes: big, strong boots; a dark coat; and a
warm shirt.
He is wearing nearly no jewelry.

Disur

	Before you is what appears to a male dwarf. He seems to be of average
dwarven height, almost four and one half feet. He has dark hair that only
reveals itself to be brown under a closer inspection. He has a beard that is of
the same color as his hair, but is worn in many braids tucked into his belt. On
his torso well-made chainmail of dwarven make is worn and it hangs down to mid
thigh. His legs are covered with pair of black pants form fitting enough so as
not to hider his movements but not skin tight. His feet are protected by a pair
of well worn boots who's color has become a weather stained brownish-grey with
time. Covering his head is a black helm made of leather which is adorned with
small metal studs. Upon his chest he wears a steel brooch showing a pair of
crossed axes that have silver heads and red hafts.

Kilor

Kilor is a bit short even for a dwarf standing at almost 4 feet 2 inches. He is
a about 150 years old and shows his age well. His beard is neatly braided and
hangs just down to his belt. He wears a simple pair of black britches and a
long black cloak that reaches the top of his boots. On his cloak he proudly
displays the Steel Crest of the Baruk Nala indicating that he is a warder.
Strapped to his back is a large double-bladed battle axe.

Nildin

	You gaze upon a colorfully dressed young dwarf (about 50) that looks
more like a stained-glass window than anything made by Aule. On his youthful
face you can always find a grin or smile, which is evident by the deep wrinkles
prematurely forming around his eyes and in his jolly red cheeks. Hidden from
view by his foot long brown beard is a silver chain necklace with a green
emerald pendant that shines vibrantly in the light. It looks rather like a
paradox really and seems to clash with the rest of this dwarfs attire.
	Drooping down over his forehead is a big baggy orange dyed fur hat. As
he moves the hat bounces on his head and creates a bizarre illusion of some
strange creature riding atop his head. Draping over his broad shoulders is a
multi-colored woolen cloak which hangs down to the floor, and which he trips
over more often than not. (Of course it doesnt help that hes drunk most of the
time.) Hanging loosely around his waist is a pair of baggy pants which
remarkably resemble a burlap potato sack held at the hips by a thick black
belt.
	It is a rare occasion to find Nildin without a fair sized jug of
alcohol nearby. It is even rarer in fact to see him serious, which is only in
very grave matters and when he is sober. He is a kind dwarf, one not overly
fond of business or wars or government, but the type of person who lives life
to its fullest. He can always be found prancing around the Mountain and
bothering people with his jest, but more often than not he is attempting to
make them feel a bit lighter of heart. It is possible though that every once in
a while he will partake of too much ale or mead and get a tad over zealous with
his humor at which point he may go to far.
	Though on occasion hell sing a song or run through a routine of jokes,
he prefers to make people laugh by making a fool of himself in whatever form is
necessary. Overall he is a decent fellow, though a bit on the quirky/obnoxious
side to more than a few of the more upstanding citizens of Erebor.

* The Log

Gumbart says, "What are the specials?"
Khulain walks over to Gumbart and says, "Todays specials are Warg Pie and
Chicken Soup."
Gumbart orders Warg Pie.
Khulain smiles and says, "That'll be 14cp."
You hand Khulain some money.
Khulain bows slightly, "Coming right up!"
Khulain heads through a nearby door, and after several long moments the doors
to the kitchen swing open, and out walks Khulain, carefully balancing the food
on his hand. He smiles jubilantly as he walks. Khulain sets the food at
Gumbart's board.

Sitting in the corner in the midst of the early morning crowd a younger dwarf
sits eating his breakfast. He is visibly tired with his eyes closing and with a
mug of a strong smelling drink in front of him. He has an axe resting on the
chair next to him and a dark brown cloak draped over the back of his chair.

Gumbart grabs his warg pie and starts looking for an empty table.

Gumbart asks, "Is this seat taken?"

Heavy footfall can be heard approaching from the West. Kilor appears in the
doorway rubbing his eyes with balled fists...slowly he swaggers up to the bar
and talking to Khulain between yawns says -yawn- "Aya Masta Khulain... -yawn-
...can ya fix me up with some viddles... -yawn- ..." he winks at Khulain and
says "and add some of that brew ya hide in tha backroom!" As Khulain scurries
off to fill the order, Kilor looks around the tavern at the early risers.

Seeing another dwarf approach, the tired warder looks up to see who is
adressing him. Taking a few monments to process the question and another to
formulate an answer he responds, "Not at all. Take a seat, cousin." After yet
another monment, he looks up, "Forgive me, I am Disur, a Warder of Erebor, at
your service." He nods his head in a tired bow as the introduction is spoken.

Gumbart bows his head. He answers "Gumbart, at your service, and that of your
family." and takes the seat.

Gumbart says, "Any trouble in the land?"

Disur looks at the dwarf who sat down with as much intrest as he can muster
after a long night of work. "Well how do you do, Gumbart? Nah, there has been
no trouble in the land that I have heard of, but perhaps ye have some news of
your own to share with a fellow Khazad."

Gumbart shrugs, "Business is running badly these days. I'm afraid an order of
mine from the Iron Hills didn't make it."

Khulain returns with a plate of food and a mug, Kilor tosses a few coins on the
bar and grabs his plate and mug. Seeing very few patrons at this hour, he takes
a seat at a table near 2 unfamiliar faces and begins stuffing pieces of fresh
bread in his mouth. He takes a sip from his mug and suddenly begins sputtering
and coughing. Lookin up at Khulain he hollars "Akh, dis'll wake me up fer
sure!" and winks again at Khulain as he pulls slower sips from his mug between
bites of bread.

Gumbart says, "A small thing, but it I am worried. Not like this fellow there,"
nodding in direction of the new arrival.

Eyes widening at hearing the possible robbery, Disur looks up suddenly awake,
"Could it possibly be a delay? It is the changing of season now and the weather
is not always kind."

Gumbart says, "They must have left the Carmen River valley about a week ago. It
shouldn't take them that long."

Disur thinks a minute, "Aye they probably should have gotten here by now. Have
you had any other orders get lost on that route after this incident? If it was
bandits then they would probably have a pattern" Looking up at the fellow
warder who recently entered the sparsely crowded tavern he nods in greeting.

Gumbart says, "I have a strong feeling that something is wrong. I've had some
goods getting lost now and then, but this is the third in a month."

Gumbart says, "A fellow merchant suggested I take a new look at my partners,
but I don't suspect them. Yet."

Nildin arrives from the Great Stair, Upper Landing.

Gumbarts voice rises about the morning clamour as he says, "Maybe some
Easterlings? Or people from the lake?"

Disur orders an ale for him and his newfound companion. "It was probably
bandits. They have weren't active for awhile, but it looks like they've come
back here." As the ale arrives, he pays Khulain and returns to his
conversation, "We have been patrolling for awhile but they stopped."

Gumbart says, "What should I do, hire some guards?"

Kilor listens intently to the 2 at the nearby table but remains silet...only
nodding his head occasionally between bites of food.

Gumbart says, "Sometimes I wonder why the wards just patrol the area until
things quiet down again. Meaning no disrespect, I think it just encourages the
bandits."

Stryth has arrived.
Stryth enters the tavern, waves and says, "Hello everyone."

Disur nods and responds, "It may help or it may not. It depends if it is the
same group from before. If it isn't then it may be a better armed group and the
guards will only cost you money for their funerals or healing bills." To the
second question he responds in a tight voice, "We patrol the surrounding area
constantly. The further out you move away from the mountain the sparser patrols
are because of the few cost to get patrols more than a week away from the
mountain."

Gumbart nods, "I didn't mean to offend. I know that the wards are doing their
best. But... it just hurts, to see money lost, profits slighted."

Khulain brings Stryth a drink list.

Stryth orders Khulain's Pale.
Khulain smiles and says, "That'll be 4cp."

In the early morning crowd, the warder, Disur, is discussing something with
another dwarf, Gumbart, and says in a tired voice, "I understand you, and I
agree perfectly with your viewpoint." Finishing his ale and plate of food, he
orders another before continueing, "The warders do their best to keep the
merchants pockets unharmed, because if you don't get paid for your goods that
usually also means we don't get paid."

As business drags along at the Longbeard this early morning, the bar is
relatively quiet. A few voices murmuring here and there are the only noises
apart from the regular sound of the tap flowing. All is peaceful and calm at
the Longbeard, but unfortunately for its patrons, they're in for a bit of a
rude awakening. Those present can begin to pick up the sound of distant
singing, which isn't altogether peculiar, however this singing is somewhat
different - it is very high pitched. A few trailing syllables find their way
through the door followed by a long,
"LLLLLAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!"
	Suddenly the shape of a -very- strange looking dwarf comes bounding
through the door. This odd creature looks unlike any dwarf you've ever seen.
First off, he has no beard or mustache. Secondly, he has three long raven
feathers tied to his head. Thirdly, he has no shirt on. And lastly, but
certainly not the least strange, is the leaf-shoes on his feet.
	The odd dwarf leaps across the room, continuously shrieking, and stops
on his tip-toes at the bar. "A beautiful morning Khulain!" he says in a whiny
voice, "I would like an ale please!"

Gumbart says, "Maybe if some merchants are faring better by far... WHAT
THE... ?"  Gumbart nearly chokes on the remaining warg pie.

Stryth gives his beard a good tug, looks up from his drink and says, "I have
quite a bit of pipes and tobacco to bring, so whatever protection that can be
supplied, I would rather we have more than less."

Gumbart watches the half-naked dwarf, warily. "Somehow some merchants just have
all the luck, while others keep losing hard earned money to packs of bandits,"
he says. "I just don't know," he adds, "I can't go off on my own, leaving
business in Erebor all to itself, either."

Seeing the arrival of the very loud, odd, and seemingly drunk dwarf, Disur
makes an vain attempt to ignore him and escape notice. Keeping his voice lower,
and having missed the other dwarf's responce in the racket, he suggests,
"Perhaps you should see how your other merchants are fareing. If some are doing
noticeably better, see what they are doing and how they are doing it."

Gumbart says, "You know this weirdo?"

Stryth says, "I usually try to take at least one other person with me to help
protect my wares, if you pay handsomely enough, you can get some very good
protection."

Stryth says, "The money you pay out doesn't compare at all to what I would lose
if my goods were stolen."

Disur's order arrives as he hears Gumbart's question, "No, I don't know him,
but judging by his appearance he is not a dwarf to have take particular notice
of." He pays Khulain starts to eat his second helping of breakfast before
responding to the other dwarf's comment, "Yes if one has the money to pay for
good protection, you can get some very good and well armed guards."

Gumbart nods, still eyeing the obviously crazy dwarf suspiciously, "Aye, it
costs! I just wish the roads were safer. But as cousin Disur said, the warders
are doing their best. Travellers are left to their own devices if they don't
have the money, or so it seems."

Khulain looks suspiciously at Nildin as he awaits his ale. The half-naked of
the two breaks out into a stanza of song as he watches Khulain work the tap,
"Oh, and I eat insects and I love trees! I love smelly flowers and sleep with
the fleas, when time comes for work I say 'No, not me!' - I'm a happy jolly
elf, there's nothing better I could be!" Nildin looks around at the faces in
the bar, scooping up the ale placed before him by the bartender. He notices a
few faces with large grins on them and returns the gesture with a toothy smile.
Of course he also sees a face or two trying to figure out his song, which it
happens to be -way- to early for, and shrugs innocently. He shrugs off his
failed effort with a laugh and downs his mug in a few seconds, wiping some foam
off of his face, and then turns to sit down at the bar.

Gumbart adds, "Maybe not every dwarf can afford to pay for "good" protection."

Finally realizing that all the comments being offered are not from one dwarf
the fatuigued warder looks to the new dwarf, Stryth, and introduces himself
with a bow of the head, "I don't seem to recall your name cousin, I am Disur at
your service" Hearing the bizzare dwarf's monolouge, he redoubles his efforts
to stay anymous to the so called "elf."

Gumbart gets up and bows, "And Gumbart, at your service."
nods at Disur and replies, "Good to meet you Disur."

Gumbart says, "I think I remember you from somewhere..."

Stryth says, "I was in the Dales a few months ago selling my goods, perhaps
there?"

Gumbart says, "Hm, maybe I just saw you loading and unloading your wagon near
the stables. I don't travel much, I just buy and sell withing Erebor,
occasionally having some items sent to me from the Iron Hills."

Nildin sits quietly in his stool for a moment, twisting his hair around his
finger and looking around the room. He happens to focus in on the introductions
of Gumbart, Disur, and Stryth and decides, through the clutter of his mind, to
make a nuisance of himself. He leaps up off of his bar stool, as gracefully as
he ever could mind you, and lands face down in the center of the bar floor. For
a second or two he rolls around in his drunken stupor, but stops to catch his
breath. One might notice that the back of his pants have been rolled up, and
are possibly a -bit- too revealing around his waist-line.

Stryth looks at Gumbart, "Perhaps we can travel together, it is
cheaper for protection this way for both of us."

Stryth looks at Nilden and chides, "Pull up your pants, we see enough as it
is!"

Gumbart looks at the drunken dwarf and mutters: "What a shame, to behave this
way in such a public place!" Then, hearing his cousins offer, he bows low and
sweeps his hand before his knees, "How very kind of you, dear cousin."

Continueing to eat his breakfast in what he hopes will continue to be a
relatively peaceful morning, Disur looks to the two merchants and listens
offering his comments as their conversation progresses, "Perhaps ye should get
together with another merchant or so heading in the same direction yer goods be
going and hire protection for the whole group of ye." Looking at the fallen,
rolling, loosely termed dwarf, Disur snorts in disgust and continues to refrain
from addressing him.

Stryth gulps down his drink, puts his mug back down onto the table and looks
over to Disur with interest, "Would you like to join us?"

Kilor finally finishes his breakfast which was a larger concern for him that
the conversation and the silly Dwarf-elf that was dancing around the bar.
Leaving his table he approaches the merchants and the warden and introduces
himself. Wiping his mouth with the back of his hand he starts to speak but is
stopped short as the Dwelf lands face down in front of him. Nudging him with
the tip of his boot he says "Aya Cousin, hows about ya get some food in yer
belly and lay off tha ale for a bit." Then he turns to the table and introduces
himself to the merchants and nodding to Disur "G'day all, I am Kilor...what
seems ta be tha problem here? I overheard bits of yer conversation and ya say
thar be trouble with a delivery ya be expectin?"

Disur Seeing the two make the foolish mistake of possibly drawing the druken
dwarf's attention he states, "Don't attract his attention and you won't regret
the concequences"

Gumbart bows, "Gumbart, at your service. Indeed, this is the third shipment of
mine from the Iron Hill to Erebor that seems to have lost its way."
Stryth looks Kilor over, decides he is safe to talk to and says, "We are
looking for some guards to come with us on our journey. Stryth is the name."

As the other dwarf approaches, Disur stands to greet the other warder, "G'day,
these fine merchants here have just been discussing the possiblity of bandits
on the trade route from here to the Iron Hills." Looking to Stryth he responds,
"Sorry I can not join you on your route, I have other buisness here to attend
to"

Understandingly, Stryth nods and says, "I understand, perhaps another time."

Gumbart nods, too, hiding his anger.

Nildin is too out of it to understand the meaning of the other dwarves talking
about him. He slowly struggles to get up on his feet again and pulls up his
pants with a humorous blush. His droopy eyes look up innocently to the
gathering of merchants and says in a high-pitched voice, "Greetings fellows...I
am Eldrielionandanorilon." The strange dwarf-thing grins, "I would be happy to
be your.......Your.....Um.....escort, your escort!..."
Stryth looks over to Gumbart and asks, "Do you know of anyone that is good to
guard our goods?"
Nildin points to himself.

Kilor nods his head sits at the table without waiting for an invitation and
motions for the young warder to take his seat. Stroking his beard he leans back
in his chair and says "Hmmm, well that seems ta be a problem then..." bobbing
his head up and down slowly he says "Well, we have a group headin over to the
Iron Hills...perhaps ya should join up with them and ya might find the delay in
these shipments."

Stryth looks at the disheveled thing and says, "Well, do you have a shorter
name by which you are called?"

Gumbart says, "Of course not, you twit!", then, catching himself, Gumbart
mutters, "Anyway, sober up before pestering other honest dwarves.""

Stryth whispers to Gumbart, "Him as a guard? I don't even think he would know
what to do with a weapon."

Gumbart nods, looking at the poor drunken fellow disdainfully, "Yeah, we'd have
to carry him."

Nildin looks dumbly over at Stryth, "Why yes friend, my friends will sometimes
call me Eldrielionandanorilo. And YES!" he shouts looking at Gumbart, "I know
how to handle a weapon! I happ'n to be the best with a bow! I can shoot the
ground from in a tree!" Nildin chuckles at his wit and looks around for an
unguarded ale to snatch.

Stryth calls over to Khulain, "Give me another pale!"

Gumbart says, "Didn't you hear me? Why don't you just leave us to our
business??"

Disur notices the possible foolish mistake Gumbart is about to make, "You
shouldn't anger him, you are gonna regret the concequences" As the drunk makes
his comment Disur gives him a distainful looks and, he chuckles quietly and
hopefully unnoticed to himself.
Khulain brings over Stryth's drink, Stryth hands him the money and Khulain
says, "Enjoy!"

Gumbart says, "Ah, don't worry about him. He wont make I scene."

The elvish-dwarf gets a rather cross look on his face. "Well, my little friend,
what can I do to prove it to ya?! There ain't nothing us Mell...Mel..." he
pauses, trying to sqeeze out the word, "Us Mellon can't do!"

Kilor chuckles at the *dwelf* under his breath and says to the others "Fear not
Cousins, he is only a threat ta himself...I've heard he caught himself on fire
once right over there." he pauses a moment to point a stubby finger at the
hearth. Changing the subject he says "Now where were we....ah yes,do ya be
interested in headin over to the Iron Hills? It would be wise ta head over wit
tha group that's goin since ya won't hafta pay any escorts."

Gumbart casts his evil eye of sobering on the miserable drunkard.

Stryth's eyes pop open at the sound of no costs and says, "What a wonderful
idea!"

Gumbart says, "There are some dwarves leaving there, soon?" suddenly
interested.

Shaking his head, Disur gets up to move to a quieter table as the "dwarf" makes
his self-proclaiment. As he goes he mutters to himself, "I only wanted a quiet
breakfast and then a good 10 hours in a bunk, but instead I get two complaining
merchents and a drunken dwarf, who thinks he's an elf."

Gumbart says, "Are you sure there won't be any extra cost -- perhaps some
membership dues or other? Who is leading the party, anyway?"
Gumbart tries to wave the half-naked twit away, "ksh, ksh."

Kilor nods his head at Gumbart "Well, I would suggest if'n ya be interested,
that ya head over thar as soon as ya get yer goods packed up...they be headin
out soon. I believe Lord Kloi will be leading the group or possibly Toran. They
will expect no dues sir..." she pauses a moment to look over at the dwelf then
back to the merchants "Jes keep yer noses clean...they won't tolerate behaviour
such as his."

Nildin frowns, sure of the misuse of his elvish word and the sudden lack of
attention. He decides the only way to get the rooms attention again, be it good
or bad, is to do something stupid. Suddenly, he lunges onto the table where the
merchants sit and begins to caress it. "You fools!" he shouts, "...How could
you do this to a happy tree?!"

All over the place Stryth's drink spills, "You fool! A perfectly good pale!"
Seeing Nildin starting to get a bit too friendly with the table he was at,
Disur gathers up his axe and cloak, he moves over to the table next to the
merchants, still keeping his eyes on the conversation he takes a seat with his
back to the wall and orders an ale from the bartender.
Gumbart wipes his beard, tightly trying to keep calm.

Stryth says, "Please, go away, go catch that insect in the corner to eat, I
heard they taste good.""

Smoke pours from Mt. Doom as the Dark One's evil sorcery lags the game.
The smoke clears as good triumphs and the database saves.

Gumbart says, "Ha! Why don't you!?" and mutters under his breath, "You
have no shame!""

Kilor jumps to his feet just as the dwelf lands on the table...mugs go crashing
to the floor and ale splashes all over his cloak. Brushing the liquid from him
as best he can, anger flares in the eyes of the Warden. His patience broken now
and with a voice of authority he waves over to Disur to be prepared for any
trouble and says "I believe that is about enough Nildin, now take a seat and
mind yer manners or I'll be forced ta have ya sober up in tha pit!" Knowing
that Nildin is far too intoxicated to clean the mess he's made he waves a
server over and asks her to fetch a broom and a pail "We should get this glass
cleaned up before someone gets hurt" she looks over to Nildin referring to him
as the someone. Reaching in his pouch he pulls out some coins and tosses them
on her tray "And give this ta Khulain ta pay fer tha broken mugs." Then glaring
at Nildin he says "And I expect ya ta pay me back fer those too!"

Gumbart stares Nildin down, triumphantly, and turns to Kilor again, "I am sorry
this had to happen. Before all of this dissolves in anger, could you tell me
were to get more information on that trip you mentioned some time ago?"

Seeing the order to get ready, Disur tiredly gets to his feet and places his
axe in its harness. He moves clear of his table and closer to the drunk with a
look in his eye that he is going to enjoy getting the chance to remove the
annoying dwarf from the tavern.

Nildin suddenly jumps up on the table, his hands on his cheeks. "Oh! How I
lament thee tree! Poor child of...the wife of Mahal - er, I mean Aule..." he
sings before Kilor gets the opportunity to interrupt him. A bit perturbed by
the tone of voice of Kilor he climbs clumsily off of the table. The sad drunk
looks down at the mess he has made on the table and on the floor and pretends
to comply at first, bending over and picking up a shard of glass, to prevent
his removal from his second home. Looking at the glass he grins and begins
looking at his reflexion in the dim light, twirling his hair and making an 'I'm
so beautiful face'.

Stryth says, "I have some things do to right now, you can find me by the
Blacksmith's carving pipes when you are ready to go.""

Stryth gets up, waves to his friends and leaves.

Gumbart bows and says, "Perhaps we'll see each other on that trip."

Gumbart turns around and bows to Kilor, "Thank you for providing me with that
name. I shall go and find Toran."

Disur moves over to Nildin with obvious annoyance and looks to Kilor, "Do you
want me to remove him?" He looks up and wait for an answer with a look that
shows the one he obviously wants to hear.

Gumbart bows to Disur, too, and says, "Well met, Disur of the Warders. I hope
to see you again, too."