ALMONDINES DELIGHT TAVERN:
Zarek and Alley head towards the Almondines Delight Tavern but decide to visit Jaxim & Dallas Delacourt first, to precure some more of their wonderful Delacourt Kaeth (Coffee).
Once at the North Yard the pair find that Jaxim & Dallas Delacourt are no longer selling from their cart. There are now 2 unsavoury characters, with bloodshot eyes, selling only Delacourt Kaeth (Coffee) with the other wares on the cart having been removed.
Zarek and Alley do their very best to avoid being seen from the North Gate and Walls by the City Watch, as this is where Zarek was let into the Filed Yard.
Zarek looks about the ramparts for the City Watch Officer that allowed him access but he only notices that there are more new recruits and an old Dwarven Senior Constable, most likely called out of retirement if his age is anything to go by.
Zarek approaches the Delacourt Kaeth stall by himself and attempts to gain a closer look at the 2 human addicts running the stall. Zarek is having a particular bad day and does not see anything of note about the 2 chaps. He does though, notice that they give the citizens of the Filed Ward Delacourt Kaeth from 2 different pots. Zarek suspects that they are adding Chimera and queues-up to buy a cup and get an even closer look at the 2 vendors.
Zarek noticed that the tent, used as a home by Jaxim & Dallas Delacourt, was shut and the tent flaps tied up.
Once again, Zarek can’t see, or they are covering their real purpose, anything that alerts the Tiefling to the possible affiliation of the 2 humans. Zarek questions one of the vendors and they claim that Jaxim & Dallas Delacourt had sold up and taken lodgings somewhere. Both humans have bloodshot eyes, but not the full-blooded eyes of those that are on Chimera.
Zarek then spots blood stains on the carts counter top, which appeared to have been poorly cleaned and an attempt to cover the stain had also been made. Zarek fears for Jaxim & Dallas Delacourt.
When pressed further the human seller, who has been doing all of the talking, said that she was pregnant and they were expecting a baby. They had made the pair a very good offer and that they were the sole proprietors and vendors of Delacourt Kaeth, which was now called just Coffee.
The human server waits for his partner to come from around the cart and stand in front of Zarek before he serves the Tiefling from the pot of coffee kept under the counter.
Unfortunately, Zarek forgets that Jaxim & Dallas Delacourt are siblings and thanks the humans and leaves with his Delacourt Kaeth (Coffee).
Zarek heads back to where Alley was, still hiding from the view of the City Watch, and he proceeded to tell her what he had discovered. Zarek stores the coffee in an Ink pot that he was carrying, having washed it out, and suggests that it should be taken to Dudley for him to discover if it does in fact contain Chimera.
“Zarek, they plan to make everyone an addict, or at least those who they choose. We must stop this from happening Zarek.” Alley pleads with the Tiefling to help her prevent this atrocious act from continuing. Yet Zarek is still a little unsure of not only the Chimera addicts and their plan, but also of who the Alchemist is.
As it stands it is anyone, including Alley for all he knows. She has been absent during many confrontations after all.
Zarek wants to return to the Delacourt cart once they had taken the coffee sample to Dudley. Alley reminds Zarek that they had the invitation from Bodee to follow-up on and he can manage to help, he’s no City Watch after all and no addict too.
“It may be the safest place in the Field Ward at the moment, the Almondines Delight Tavern is a den of iniquity, but they will not want a visit from the City Watch either.” Offers Alley and Zarek agrees, up to a point.
“Oli is in custardy but we still have to worry about Lucas and Rufus, although we have not heard anything regarding that simple thug with the Hand Cross-Bow.” Zarek thinks to himself as they make their way to the Almondines Delight Tavern.
Then whist walking west down Burnt Inn Street, Alley this time, is lost in her own thoughts and fails to spot the 2 addicts and a lone sprinter seemingly trailing them both along a parallel street. Zarek recognises one of the two addicts in front of them, as the human he wacked over the head with his Dagger and left unconscious when he fought Oli. The second addict was unknown to Zarek but, he had a red patch sawn onto his cloak. It is a repair or a sign of a Chimera supplier.
The lone sprinter was different however and Zarek barely saw or heard him, it was lucky that Zarek just caught glance as he stealthily sprinted past. He was human, wore hide and animal skins and had the bronzed skin of someone who spent time under the hot sun.
Zarek tells Alley of the treat and runner and they both rushed northwards, as sneakily as they to lose their hunters. The pair were successful and managed to lose the addicts and the Barbarian tribesman. Zarek and Alley feel that they should continue onto the Almondines Delight Tavern.
Zarek and Alley finally arrive at the Almondines Delight Tavern and Zarek decided not to take any chances and the Tiefling spends time watching the Tavern and its patrons, before they both enter the establishment. Zarek watches the Tavern and can see that business is booming, there is a constant and steady stream of clients entering and most look content. A larger than normal number of women is a strange sight for the young lad at first until Zarek realises that they are not clients but ladies of ill repute.
The Blue Tiefling then spots the Barbarian, with the animal skin, he is by the corner of the Almondine’s Delight Tavern and is accompanied by a fellow male and female Barbarian. They appear to be waiting outside the Tavern, while not entering but spying on all those that enter and leave. One of the three leaving would then walk around every 15 minutes or so apart to check all sides of the building.
Zarek is also witness to a strange event as a single, very inebriated Dwarf miner, exits the Almondines Delight Tavern and follows a Tavern Wench to the well in the court yard. The female wench then proceeds to point to the Well and bucket and the Dwarf follows her orders and drenches himself in cold water some 2 or 3 time. Not something anyone would wish for on these freezing nights. The Tavern Wench then waves a hand over him and he come out of his trance. Even the Bar Staff can cast Magic and deal with unruly patrons at the Almondines Delight Tavern.
Zarek and Alley head into the Almondines Delight Tavern and are confronted with a Tavern full of mirth and merriment. The Almondines Delight Tavern is packed to the rafters with every type of citizen found drinking, gambling or enjoying other vices.
The 2 adventures are called over to a dimly lit corner table a man sitting in the shadows. This is nor Bodee thinks Zarek.
The human is a tall, sallow middle-aged Illuskan Sage wearing stained, loose-fitting robes. Below his greasy, stringy black hair is a pair of red-veined eyes that dart around often with a visible tinge of paranoia.
After by Ivan Kayd Maestro finishes his meal, Ivan introduces himself as Ivan Kayd Maestro. He is seated alone and is slobbering over a plate of greasy foods, kebab, chips and saveloys. Showing no sign of shame, his ritual for eating is visibly disgusting and is described as grotesque. From fingertips to sleeve cuffs, his greasy hands push back a barren, empty plate as he looks up and entreats the party. With his mouth still full, he leans back into the comfort of the padded booth. Oils and sauce dribble down his chin.
He will produce and light his pipe after his meal and before he engages the two heroes in discourse.
Ivan explains how the adventures have been stirring up the sands and that in turn has brought more City Watch out to investigate and this has affected all private businesses.
“If you get my drift young Zarek Brightlamp.” Ivan says whilst letting the Tiefling know that he knew is full name?
“I do understand” Zarek replies.
“Bravo, then we understand each other.” Ivan happily concludes.
Zarek asks Ivan about his business in the Filed Ward.
Ivan explains how he was once a scholar at Candlekeep before being expelled from their services for reasons he will not reveal. Ivan goes onto to tell how as he was no longer a scholar of Candlekeep, he had no choice and turned his hand to become a career criminal. Ivan Kayd Maestro tells Zarek how he deals in illegal items and sensitive information with his friend Iomhar ‘Bodee’ Rackham.
The fact that the City Watch now have all those packets of Chimera and a potential snitch in Oli, A.K.A. The Actor, means that the City Watch will be making more inquiries and it would be best for Zarek and Alley to keep their heads down.
“There are many who are looking for you and they do not wish to be friends; they want their product back or compensation.” Ivan explains.
Zarek tries to take a close look at Ivan and his appearance, during their conversation and whilst Ivan orders more sweets, but fails to see anything of note. Alley attempts to signal Zarek but the Tiefling fails to catch the signal from her.
Ivan’s has broken patterns of speech, with a constant stop and starts making him hard to follow in conversation. I work with my good friend Iomhar ‘Bodee’ Rackham as an information broker.
Ivan appears to forget he had mentioned Bodee whilst gawking at young Alley.
“Where was I and why did you call this meeting.” The sage asks Zarek.
“You contacted us remember, here I have the note sent by Bodee, look.” Zarek says and takes out the note.
“Bravo, I knew that, I was just seeing if you did.” Ivan states while looking about the Tavern again.
Zarek asks Ivan about Bodee, and is told that he is not happy to be called that and his name is Iomhar Rackham, he will but use his street name alias of ‘Bodee’ and mentions that Bodee helped him travel from Baldur’s Gate to a city where he could blend in more.
Ivan moves his chair closer to Alley.
Alley finally gets the attention of Zarek and he uses his Spell, ‘Message’, to allow Alley to converse with the Tiefling so she can point out Ivan’s strange leather vest under his cloak and robes. Ivan Kayd Maestro wears a vest or overcoat with many pockets and scroll-tube loops which he makes sure to cover and hide from the sight of prying eyes.
Alley again attempts to signal Zarek to look at Ivan once more and he yet again misinterprets the inquiry.
Zarek begins to question Ivan about the next topic of interest, the ’Dhavian Trill Theatre. Ivan admits that he himself had visited, as a judge, in hopes of changing the minds of the addicts and is familiar with the internal layout of the rundown Theatre.
“It seems that the stringers are so set on changing their fortune that they just take the reins and push into the unknown. If they go far enough, the lady rewards them. Strange, yeah?” Ivan says confusingly.
Ivan moves even closer to Alley and attempts to flatter the young human for her beauty.
Zarek then goes onto ask Ivan about Chimera and Ivan becomes visibly agitated with the Tiefling and asks him back about their reason for this line of questioning. Ivan does not answer Zarek’s question directly.
“Who are you, an undercover member of the City Watch? Tell me that you don’t work for them.” Ivan says as he moves closes to Zarek and looks directly into his eyes.
“I don’t work for the City Watch; I have only just arrived this past tenday.” Zarek honestly responses.
“That is very honestly answered young Zarek, Bravo.” Ivan answers. “It all seems true that which was written about you, young lad.”
Zarek takes a chance and asks Ivan if he knows anything about the City Watch and who and why their investigations need the whole of the Field Ward to be placed under quarantine.
As Ivan begins to tell the pair too much information about the City Watch and as he begins to talk about Civilar Alonzo Redhawke and his very forceful and intimidating tactics.
Iomhar Rackham, A.K.A. ‘Bodee’, suddenly appears from nowhere, interrupts the group and ends the meeting immediately. Iomhar Rackham then proceeds to send Ivan away. Bodee then uses Thieves’ Cant to speak to Ivan, as Ivan is reluctant to go and leave Alley.
As Ivan finally leaves the table, needing to slate his addiction and is now anxious to find privacy, he tucks the table’s bill into the hood of Iomhar’s cloak. Gently patting him on the shoulder before he walks away, and he insincerely thanks him for the meal.
Ivan then turns back to Zarek and says, “The hard times haven’t yet passed, can you spare a coin or two?” Zarek offers him a measly 4 Nibs.
Bodee gets up and an exchange of words is had with Ivan. There is also an exchange of something between the two of them, which both Alley and Zarek missed seeing.
Zarek also sees that the Barman calls over to someone and a Dwarf appears from the crowd and is sent upstairs.
Iomhar ‘Bodee’ Rackham sits back down and on closer inspection can see seen to be a Half-Elf, and a known scoundrel, who recently arrived from Baldur’s Gate with Ivan and was caught up in the quarantine. Standing above average height, 6’ foot, with a malnourished but sturdy build, he is very young compared to other Half-Elves, he has olive skin, is dressed in tattered black traveller’s clothes and a boot-length charcoal cloak. Under the cloak, two simple, pitted Daggers are on the right side of his belt and a well-made Leather Satchel hanging heavily from the left. Under his grey hood, his long straw-coloured hair and a short, scruffy stubble would lead you to believe he is human.
‘Bodee’ introduces himself as Iomhar Rackham and states that he knows who Alley is, as they both live in the Scrap’d Rafter Tavern, but he has not met the Tiefling.
“Iomhar, this is Zarek a good friend of mine.” Alley tell Bodee.
“A friend who may have put you in harm’s way of many factions. I worry about you Alley the Field Ward is not a safe place for someone like you love.” Bodee appears genially concerned.
Bodee explains that Ivan is a bit eccentric but very good at his work. Bodee has clear eyes and appears not to be under the influence of either Travellers Dust or Chimera.
Bodee also warns the 2 heroes of the dangers of getting involved with this deadly drug, Chimera, and the real treat to their lives from ’The Alchemist’ and his many followers.
“If I, was you, I would buy some Chicken and a can of coke and hide out until this all blows over.” Bodee offers.
Bodee settles the bill and bids the pair a good evening.
“If there is anything we can do for you both you can always find us, cos nowhere to go is there.” Bodee tells the two heroes before he gets up and leaves the Tavern.
Zarek and Alley leave the Almondines Delight Tavern hoping to visit Dudley, if he is there and the City Watch allow them to see the Cleric, to have the Coffee from the stall analysed.
As the 2 friends leave, they both see a well-dressed, cheery looking, female gnome behind the bar alongside the barman.
“That lady gnome must be the owner and proprietor of the Almondines Delight Tavern, and this place has a few Zhentarim remember.” Alley reminds Zarek. Zarek and Alley see that she carries herself with a strong veneer of kindness and mischief much like other gnomes, albeit with a tint of grit much like the rest of the Field Ward’s residents, as she smiles and nods to them both.