An Open Chair 8/3/02

[Saga Librarian]

Katryna Sowdier
Shamaness of Saga

Katryna opens the wooden door of the Tavern expecting to hear the voices of her family or even a few visitors but what she found was mostly silence. You could hear people in the kitchen preparing food and what have you, the tinkling of glasses as the barmaid washed them and put them on the shelf, the Bartender was leaning on the bar reading a letter of sorts but the places was empty otherwise.

Kat let the door quietly close behind her, she stepped further into the bar towards her table feeling thankful she would soon have a cold ale and a place to sit. The Bartender looked up as she passed and went to grab what he knew she would ask for. Kat heaved her packs off of her shoulders and let them drop to the floor by the table. Reaching down she pulled out a chair and sat down with a sigh escaping her lips.

The bartender approached the table and placed the ales infront of Kat. "The tavern seems a wee bit empty tonight" Katryna says as she looks around the room. The Bartender frowns slightly "Yes, you are right Shamaness, no one has been by in a couple of days." "Bah, I bet they ave been out venturin and sleighing beasts, they be gettin thirsty for some of Tuppens brew and findin their way back ere soon."

The Bartender returned to where he had been standing before and Kat picked up her mug and took a swig and smiled as the cool ale flowed over her tongue and down her parched throat.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Quea FV
Port a Party

Quea burst through the door, making more noise than a herd of mammoth on ice clad bridge. She runs up to Katryna and tosses her sheild and scimitar in a clatter on the floor.

Panting she says "Kat have ye heard? They cleared the entrance to Jagged Pine, there's been all kindsa gnoll trouble there!"

Without missing a beat she turns to the bartender, "Quick bring me brandy and water, I be parched!"

She flops herself into the chair directly across from Katryna and places her packsack slowly and almost lovingly upon the back of her chair. Her actions in stark contrast to the careless manner she treated her other belongings.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Wystro

"Stay away from my Free Beer!" cries an elvish voice from a dark corner of the Tavern.

Unseen until this moment, Wystro hides at a corner table behind you and to the left...no, your other left...yes back there! You can just barely make out the red of his robes. In his pale, spindly arms he embraces a keg of Free Beer that a friendly Hobbit had given him the night before.

He sees you looking at him. "Stop looking at me! Go away! Itsssssss miinnnnnnnnneeeeee!" He hisses, panic rising in him to the point of overflowing. He clings to the keg like a barnacle to a sea-faring vessel.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ntalliya
Elemental Mistress

Ntalliya stands outside the tavern door. As she is telling Clumpy to go play, she hears the screaming... "Stay away from my Free Beer!"

Laughing to herself she pushed open the door and entered the Tavern. Scanning the room she says " Wow, this place is empty! Where is everyone?!"

She walks across the room and sits down next to Kat. " Hello you two! How have ye been?" She glances up and notices the barmaid bring some Gnomish Spirits her way. She beams a smile at the barmaid, and hands her some coin. "Thank you dear!"

"Wystro! I hear ye screaming my dear, how's your Free Beer?"
She slowly studies the room. "Ahhh there you are dear! How are you?"

Smiling at Wystro, Ntalliya picks up her mug and takes a small drink, savoring the flavor as it rushed past her tongue.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Quea FV
Port a Party

Quea rolls her eyes at Wystro's screaming. She leans forward towards Katryna and whispers "We really need to a plan a family intervention for him."

Quea giggles at Ntalliya and turns towards Wystro to see if he will panic at the mention of his free beer.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Wystro

Wystro sees Ntalliya and Quea enter...they're giggling....they're planning something! Quea turns towards Wystro...think of something!.....think!

Ah Ha!

In a moment of brilliance, Wystro recites a few quick incantations. Objects appear in his hands -- these things are meant for battle, but they will serve just fine. The possessive elf places a pair of summoned earings, bracelets, a necklace, two rings, and shoulder pads on his blessed keg.

Then, from one of his well-cared-for satchels, he pulls out a spare silk robe and places it upon the accessorized container of beloved beer. Digging far, far into one of his bags, he finds the remains of a berry pie that Quea gave to him when they first met. Wystro uses the bright berry filling to draw upon the keg a set of lips and a bit of rouge.

EEeeEEEeKKkkK! Quea is approaching! Wystro starts to whisper sweet nothings to his now-alluring Free Beer in the hopes that his friends will not intrude upon a private moment of love.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Quea FV
Port a Party

Quea taps Wystro on the shoulder.
"Wystro! Come join us at the table and bring your err..friend."

Quea returns to the table giggling and whispers to Ntalliya "watch this".

Quea speaks in an overly loud voice "Tally was just telling me that there are several family members dropping by soon to bring us all free beer."


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Menemas Fleetfoott
Tunare's Chosen

Strides into the tavern in his usual, confident stride. He is carrying a keg that looks very similar to Wystro's, without the.....accessories.

"Howdy everyone. I've brought some of that free beer that Wystro keeps leaving about."


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Wystro

Some say that the gods made the races of Norrath with word and song, and that there are still certain words that carry in them the exquisite power to break a mountain, or make a flower bloom from barren sand, or make an Ogre weep openly at the absolute beauty of the stars in the night sky. None of these ancient and powerful utterances contains the unbridled might of the words "Free Beer".

As Menemas uttered these words, Wystro's soul was both shattered and completely reborn. The tavern around him focused in razor clarity, as if seem for the very first time with the first light of the dawning universe.

Wystro rose from his well-worn oaken chair and moved towards Quea Menemas,and Ntalliya -- towards meaning and hope and ultimate fulfillment.

In this one, transcendent moment, Wystro left his Alluring Keg unattended.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Menemas Fleetfoott
Tunare's Chosen

Menemas sets the keg down next to the table with a thud. He motions for the bartender to bring 5 mugs. Upon recieving them he draws 5 drinks from the keg, hands one to each of his friends, and keeps one for himself

"Welcome Wystro, have some beer."


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Wystro

"Thank you, my deeeeeeeeear friend Menemas!"

After inspecting the mug for dirt or water spots, Wystro takes a long cool sip.

"And hello Quea, my Pie Maker -- It is good to see you as well, my beloved Ntalliya!"

If you listen closely, you can just barely hear the gentle weeping of an abandoned Alluring Keg in a dark corner of the Tavern.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Menemas Fleetfoott
Tunare's Chosen

Menemas smiles gently.

"I see you have learned the lesson that I've been trying to teach you then."

Menemas


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Wystro

"And what might that be, Menemas?"

sippppppppppp


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Quea FV
Port a Party

Quea winks at Katryna giving her the signal to action.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Katryna Sowdier   
Shamaness of Saga

Watching the others smoothly luring Wystro into a false sense of security she glances over to the table where Wystro once sat and notices the poor keg all by its self, dressed up and no where to go. Kat slowly and quietly not wanting to be noticed raised herself out of her chair and in the shadows near the wall she made her way to Wystro's date with an evil grin upon her face.

Slipping the keg under her arm she quietly crept back to her table and slipped back into her chair, setting the keg on the floor beside her. Reaching into one of her packs she pulled out a old faded blanket and covered up the keg, then quietly she slid the keg under the table towards the otherside so when Menemas keg was empty they could switch the two quietly. Looking to Quea she smiled at the deed completed.

Yes Wystro would learn to share *grins to herself*.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Wystro

"Oh, Katryna! I did not see you. Come! Share in the Free Beer that Menemas offers!"

sippppppppppppppppppppppppp

"May I have another mug full please?..."


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Menemas Fleetfoott
Tunare's Chosen

Menemas smiles at Wystro and fills his mug.

"Why of course you can."


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ntalliya
Elemental Mistress

Ntalliya quietly sits at the table, watching the events take place. She flashes and evil grin at Kat then turns and beams a smile at Wystro.
" Menemas, would you please refill my mug with that wonderful Free Beer?"


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Quea FV
Port a Party

Quea holds out both her mugs. "Make mine a double Menemas."


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bippin
Elfhugging Halfling

Bippin steps in jsut as the words "free beer" are heard. His ears perk up immediately, and looking around, he sweeps past the bar to pick up a mug, and pulls up a chair to join his friends.
"I did hear free beer mentioned, did I not?" he puts his mug forward, to be filled.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Caillou 
Pebble with a bow

Caillou mutters to herself, "Free as in beer, free as in beer", trying to understand just what she had been hearing in her odd dreams. She passes the window of the Tavern and hears "Free Beer" being spoken by those inside. Caillou pauses and wonders if that would help her understand the odd phrase.

Caillou comes into the Tavern and sees a collection of her friends, her family around Wystro and a keg.

"Free beer?" she asks of no one in particular and then pulls a pint when there is assent.

Caillou sees Bippin, smiles, and sits down on the floor near his chair. She sipps her beer, ruminating... Free as beer... 

[Saga Librarian]

Katryna Sowdier   
Shamaness of Saga

Kat looked over to where Menemas was handing out the beer and noticed it coming out of the keg slower, almost to a tinkle, she realized his keg was getting low, the switch had to be made very soon. Katryna stood up slowly trying to think of a way to distract Wystro while someone switched the kegs, then an idea hit her and a grin spread across her face.

Kat turned to Wystro and whispered "Hey Wystro I have to talk to ye over by the bar, its about an enchanted stein that never empties of beer." Noticing Wystro's reaction she knew she had him snared just like a druid did with their foes in Eastern Waste. Wystro accompanied Katryna to the bar as she made up this story of how the stein came into existence.

Watching over Wystro's shoulder for when the switch was done Kat continued with her story adding more and more the longer it took. With the deed completed Katryna told Wystro that no one has seen the stein in many many many centuries. Noticing Wystro's reaction to the end of the story she suggest they return to the table smiling to everyone as the approached and offering Wystro another mug of free beer.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Menemas Fleetfoott
Tunare's Chosen

Menemas gives Katryna a thankful nod as he beginds to pass out more free beer.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Wystro
Mage of Felwithe

After hearing the most wonderful, yet melancholy story ever uttered by a living being, Wystro finds himself possessed by a great thirst. He walks back with Katryna to the growing collection of people.

"This keg never seems to end! More beer for my friends! More beer for me! Cheers!"

sippppppppppppppppppppppppp


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Quea FV
Port a Party

Quea once again holds out her two mugs for refill. "Hit me two times Menemas." As Menemas begins to fill the second mug, the keg slows to a mere trickle.

Quea turns to watch Wystro's for his reaction.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Wystro
Mage of Felwithe

"Well.....itsgettinglategottagobye!"

Now that Menemas's keg is empty, Wystro's mind turns back to his own keg that he has so cleverly disguised. Wystro pulls himself gently up from his barstool and painstakingly puts one....foot...in front...of the...other until he makes his way to the darkened corner where he left his Aluring Keg.

'NOOOOooOOooOOoOOoOooOoOOOoO! Where is my ke.....errrrrrrrrrrrrr.......DATE?!?!?"

The darkened table is empty.The Aluring Keg is gone! Wystro falls to his knees as his heart explodes like a gnomish firework -- a thousand sparkly pieces gently float down to the dusty Tavern floor.

"WWAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Katryna Sowdier   
Shamaness of Saga

A loud noise was heard throughout the tavern silencing the conversations that were had. All heads turned to the darkened corner where sobs could be heard coming from a darkened form. Katryna felt guilt seep inside of her knowing she had done the deed that caused this pain, slowly she rose from her seat and went to the Bartender and whispered in his ear, a couple of minutes later he carried a keg of ale to where Katryna awaited. Katryna picked up the fresh keg of Tuppens brew, the best of Norrath and calmly walked over to were the form now quieter slouched at the table.

Katryna cleared her throat "ahem" watching the figure slowly raise his head. Katryna looked into his eyes and says "Now Wystro my friend it was I who took your dressed up ale." Kat paused for a moment to make sure she had Wystro's attention. "I have another keg here in my arms, it be of the finest brew as it was made by Tuppen himself and I will let you have it on one condition" Katryna places it upon the table where Wystro can see it and smell it, noticing Wystro raising his hands to take the keg she slapped them back down. "THE CONDITION dear Wystro is this" Kat pauses and when Wystro looked up at her she continued, "You have to pour everyone a drink from that keg, you have to share it then whatever is left after everyone has a mug is yours to keep, do you accept the condition my friend?" Kat asked.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Quea FV
Port a Party

Quea walks over to Wystro & Katryna smiling. She places an arm around Wystro's shoulder.

"You can do it Wystro. I know you can."

She squeezes Wystro's shoulder encouragingly.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Wystro
Mage of Felwithe

The words "Keg" and "Share" fought a merciless battle against each other within the confines of Wystro's spirit. As Wystro wore down from his inner conflict, he suddenly felt Quea's calm reasurance wash over him, fortifying him, offering the strength and guidance to move forward.

Wystro nodded his ascent to Katryna's condition. The Shamaness smiled and allowed the red-robed elf to approach the Blesssed Keg. Then, in the weakest imaginable whisper, Wystro spoke.

"....(I have Free Beer here for anyone who wants a mugfull)...."

Katryna turned to Wystro and broke out in a broad smile.

"There now, that wasn't so bad"

The elf smiled weakly back


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Quea FV
Port a Party

The entire Tavern broke out in a glorious cheer.

Quea was the first to hug Wystro. She handed him one mug and sweetly said "Make mine just a half, I am pretty lickered up already."


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Menemas Fleetfoott
Tunare's Chosen

Menemas' face breaks out in a huge grin.

"I appreciate the offer but I must decline, I've had my limit for now."


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Siffo
Silly Old Rogue

*Siffo looks on the family intervention with fear and trepidation*

*He looks at his tailoring kit and his coin purse realising his super secret hidden pocket can only hold one or the other*

*His face lights up*

YATTA! All I have to do is find that wizard and hint that there are free focus items at the tavern, he will hurry over and be the next victem.

I even know where to put my things where they can never touch them. Thank goodness Offis would never socialise with his employers family and friends.

BWAAAHHHHHAAAHHHAAAAHHHAAAA!!!!


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ntalliya
Elemental Mistress

Getting up from her seat Ntalliya walked over to Wystro and gave him a big hug. " I am glad to see you sharing again my dear! I however must be off."

Ntalliya turns to give everyone hugs. " I shall be off now.Take care and be safe!" She makes her way to the door, turns to wave goodbye and exits the tavern.

Once outside Ntalliya calls for Clumpy to follow her and slowly begins her trip home.