Nalos passed by the Laughing Goblin tavern for many days before finally deciding to stop by for a drink and meal one afternoon. It was a dark and old tavern that had seen better times with the woodwork worn, the plaster yellow and crumbling, and the chandeliers rusted. The common room has two floors with a large open space in the middle containing a bar, a stage, and a large fireplace. In th common room was a large old carved totem of a laughing goblin, the namesake of the building. The tables across the room and the booths to the side of the walls were covered with heavy scarring from multiple brawls.
The triton grinned, already liking the atmosphere of the tavern.
There were only a few customers gathered at this time of day. Sitting towards a dark corner were a brooding half-orc and a cold dwarf, each sharing a drink and speaking in hushed whispers. Nalos recognized Pallas, the high stakes gambler, passed out at the bar with a horn clutched in his hands. Towards one of the booths, an elf with dark skin and white hair sat with three human woman, two of them wearing armor and the other wearing robes.
Nalos took a sniff of the air, recognizing the smell of cabbage soup coming from the kitchen. At the bar, a human woman with a tired look and long, black hair is busy cleaning tankards. She talked with a heavily overweight man with a bald head who sat at the bar as well. Eventually, the woman looked towards the triton and forced a smile. Even though there were not too many customers, she found herself very much busy with her work already.
"Go ahead and sit anywhere," the fat waiter called out.
"Except the second floor!" the woman quickly added. "And you better get to him this time, Mar!"
"Fine," the waiter, Mar, stood up from his stool.
Mar stood up from his seat and escorted Nalos over to a table. The triton followed his recommendations and ordered the cabbage soup, which was what the tavern was famous for, along with a strong ale. It was a choice he did not regret at all. The cabbage soup was amazing with great flavors filling his mouth. The ale was refreshing to wash it all down. Within two minutes, he finished both his soup and drink, leaving a small payment and tip for his waiter.
While eating, Nalos could not help but notice how the atmosphere of the tavern seemed too quiet. While it was not too active, the people talking were quiet. From the dwarf and half-orc to the elf and his entourage, everyone seemed to be whispering to each other. The triton hated to be left out but was interested in the talk of the town. When Mar came by to collect his payment, the druid motioned for him to stop, hoping he could provide the answers he wanted.
"Mar, what's the talk of the town?" Nalos asked.
"I'm glad you ask!" Mar grinned and pulled up a chair to sit down at the table. "So, you know how the beacon down at Sokol Keep went out two days ago?"
"Sokol Keep," Nalos rubbed his chin in thought. "Isn't that the old keep out to sea?"
"That it is," Mar nodded. "It's probably older than Phlan itself, and serves as the first line of defense against pirates. Rumor has it that there's this temple inside of it, and that the spirits of the priest haunt it and buried treasure!"
"I'm interested," Nalos leaned forward. "Nothing better than buried treasure."
"That's what I said, but that dwarf shot me a glare," Mar motioned towards the dwarf sitting with the half-orc. "He's interested in the ghosts, but not the gold. Calls it his duty to put them to rest or something."
"Could the spirits have put it out?" Nalos asked, curious.
"Maybe," Mar shrugged. "House Sokol owns that old keep. They only bother with it because it gets them a small amount of coin. There's also some Black Fist soldiers that serve on the island as guards, but the nobles and soldiers accuse each other of foul play without investigating."
"Sounds like something needs to be done about that beacon," Nalos thought out loud.
"I don't know what really happened, but those two ladies over there might," Mar pointed to the packed booth. "I already sent that elf and foreign woman to talk to them. They have a few friends who work at the keep."
"Thanks for the help," Nalos grinned and place another coin on the table.
"And thanks for the tip!" Mar snatched the coin and returned to work.
Nalos stood up from his chair, ready to uncover a new quest to embark on. Whatever Sokol Keep had in stored for him was where to go. And, from the looks of it, there were others interested in the rumors as well. Perhaps if they teamed up together, they would be able to solve this mystery once and for all. While their conversation seemed to be private and it would have been rude to interrupt them, the triton had a way with people. He scooted his chair over at the end of the booth's table and plopped himself down in his seat.
"So, interested in Sokol Keep?" Nalos asked with an earnest smile.
The four turned to glare at him. Nalos had a better look at what everyone looked like. Sitting at one side, the two woman Mar talked about wore metal armor. Mercenaries if he had to take a guess. The dark elf wore leather armor, and with the weapons he carried, was a walking armory. The wide-brimmed hat he wore looked ridiculous on the other hand. The final woman, sitting next to the elf, was a stranger to Phlan for sure. Her black hair fell down to her shoulders and she wore yellow robes with a red sash wrapped around her.
"This is a private meeting," the foreigner spoke with a sigh. "Please, excuse us."
"Private meeting?" Nalos raised an eyebrow, the realization hitting him. "Oh, I see."
"Do you now?" she asked.
"I do," Nalos nodded. "You're wanting to keep that treasure all to yourself!"
"What?" the woman blinked in surprise.
"The treasure of Sokol Keep!" Nalos responded. "It's going to be mine. Now, I am willing to cut a share with you."
"There's no treasure in Sokol Keep!" one of the mercenaries chuckled.
"Perhaps we should explain to him what is happening," the dark elf offered. "This is all just a misunderstanding, and he could be able to help us."
"Then introductions are in order," the mercenary spoke. "I'm Kerla. My friend's Aravele."
"Nalos," the triton introduced himself, extending his hand out to anyone to shake.
"Hana," the final woman shook her head. "I don't think we should work with him, by the way."
"Duly noted, and I am Arannis Uthmar," Arannis bowed his head, but otherwise did not take the offered hand.
"Good to meet you all," Nalos withdrew his hand. "So, what's the job?"
"We're just wanting someone to investigate Sokol Keep," Aravele answered. "Our mutual friend, Grim, is leader of the Black Fist deployment there, but he's missing. We just wanted someone to check up with him."
"And find the treasure?" Nalos offered.
"Others have already searched the keep for treasure, and turned up empty handed," Kerla explained. "There is no treasure."
"Obviously, they didn't find treasure because they lack the experience I have," Nalos grinned, pointing a thumb at himself. "You see, not too long ago, I was a pirate!"
"A pirate?" Arannis raised an eyebrow in confusion.
"Arannis, you're competent enough to work with, but not him," Hana told her companion.
"Understood," Arannis stood up. "We'll be leaving now."
"Oh come on!" Nalos stood up, huffing. "I know about the job. You gotta take me along now!"
"Not happening," Hana denied him.
"The job requires experienced adventurers," Kerla pointed out. "These two have been on adventures before. You look too young to have been."
Suddenly, the door to the side swung open with a wild bang, drawing everyone's attention over to it. Around ten men, all of them burly, barged in, glaring towards the table the two mercenaries sat it. Nalos grinned, realizing that they were looking for a fight. There was nothing more he loved than a good brawl, and now, he would be able to bond with his newfound companions. The group marched over as he, Arannis, and Hana formed a barrier of sorts to keep them back.
"Your friends in the keep are costing us work!" one of the burly men called out. "Where are they hiding?!"
"Sod off, Thirus," Kerla insulted. "Crawl back into the hole you came from before you and your friends get hurt!"
"If I can beat this mob, will you let me join you two?" Nalos asked enthusiastically.
"Not how it works," Arannis growled, looking at the mob. "You have fists. We have steel. How do you think this will turn out?"
"You won't cut us all down!" Thirus called out. "And if you do, you'll be hung for your crimes!"
"Please, calm down!" Hana tried to reason. "There's no reason we should fight. Let's just take a moment and talk our problems out."
"Our problems is with those two!" Thirus told her. "Now, get out of our way, or we'll make you!"
Clang!
Their eyes were drawn briefly back to the bar. Nalos gasped to see Pallas standing up, clutching his drinking horn. The half-elf wore rags and his hair was unkempt. Yet, to the triton, who saw what he was capable of when it came to cards, held him in high regards. He slumped over with his footsteps, eventually making it over to stand between the townsfolk and the adventurers. He held one, shaky hand up in the air, signalling for a break.
"Maybe I can be of help," Pallas offered. "Let me try talking to 'em before you start a fight."
"If you can get them to tell us where the Black Fist are, be our guest," Thirus decided on with the rest agreeing on.
"You're not getting past us," Arannis told him.
"Sure he is," Nalos stepped out of the way. "That's Pallas. He has a way with words."
"Thanks, kid," Pallas stepped through. "Now, I bet your wondering why I wanted to be this close for a talk."
"We're listening," Kerla nodded.
"It's because I always get the first punch in," Pallas grinned.
Not giving anyone time to react, Pallas slammed his mug into Kerla's face.
His foot swung out, kicking Aravele in the face.
Both mercenaries were knocked out and collapsed down on the table, everyone gasping.
"Damn it," Arannis cursed.
"Now," Pallas turned back to the crowd, laughing. "Who's next!"
The mob charged towards the booth.
A/N: And with my return from hiatus, it's time to see what the gang back in Phlan is going to get up to. In the next chapter is a common event that happens in the careers of most Dungeon and Dragons players: a bar fight.
Until next time.