The quiz at the Half-pint tavern
Posted: Sun May 20, 2012 7:14 am
This is a log from the most jesterly, biased and arbitrarily unfair charity quiz at the Half-Pint tavern in Milford (may 2012).
The whole event was organized by Sefir (She ran a simultaneous card-game
on the second floor) and was made in support of rebuilding Charali dwellings in the devastated Southside of Lithmore after the great flood).
There is a bit of an introduction to this, so I've tried to divide things up
in sections for an easier read. Also I've coloured the jester (the game host's)
replies in green to further aid readability.
The Half-Pint Inn
[Pleasant]
A sturdy pine bar runs the length of the north wall, built far enough
away to leave a spacious aisle between it and the casks and shelves built
five feet up. A considerable amount of space is cleared in the middle of
the floor, the square tables clustered closer together to provide ample
room for dancing or rough housing; the thinning layer of rushes and sawdust
attest to some form of frequent activity. The west wall opens up near the
bar, evidence of hinges indicating that a door once sealed off the room to
the side.
(The sawdust covering the floor adds a musty air to the bustling tavern.
Travellers and frequent customers alike line the bar and tables, their
mixed conversations mingling to form a boisterous, lively mood. )
People arrive
The Jester sits by the bar, chatting with Berrik. The rather fat man is chuckling loudly at something she just said.
Orban strolls in with an easy grin on his face, doffing a broad-brimmed charcoal grey hat bearing a peacock feather to The Jester. "I hear there's to be some sort of quiz round these parts?" he wonders, pulling himself out a barstool.
"Orbie! Ahem, Baron le Orban!" The Jester grins sideways, lifting her pint to Orban. "You heard absolutely correctly!" She gestures to herself. "And I'm the one to handle the quizzing, yessiree. Are you plannin' to join in?" [The Jester]
Beth arrives from the south.
Beth slows to a halt.
"Hello! Miss op Yay! Master op Orban! I mean.. Lord Orban!" Beth chirps excitedly in greeting. [Beth]
"Wow, I think that's the first time," Orban muses to himself thoughtfully at The Jester's greeting, though his grin unfades. "I am indeed planning to join in, since the quiz mistress is such fantastic company. Ah, hello there, Beth!" [Orban]
"That lord thing is difficult, isn't it?" The Jester agrees with Beth with a small chuckle. She sips her beer. "Hi Elizabethany, here for quiz or cards? The Charali card game is up on the second floor." [The Jester]
"Oh, I want to join in too!" Beth proclaims, skipping up. "I want the quiz. That's down here, right? Is there anybody to be my team?" [Beth]
"I'm playing too, and don't have a particular team yet; we'll have to see how that works out," Orban suggests to Beth. "I'd happily be with you
rather than against you, though!" [Orban]
A woman of dark complexion and light eyes arrives from the south.
A woman of dark complexion and light eyes slows to a halt.
"Excellent!" The Jester beams at Orban's words, "flattering the judge is always going to end well!" She nods to Beth, "Yep, it's right where I am, in fact. Right now it's just the two of you though - we'll see how many show up before we decide on teams methinks." [The Jester]
"We all have to be against -someone- though!" Beth proclaims to ariel. [Beth]
A woman of dark complexion and light eyes wanders into the inn, "You can be against me! I got this in the bag. Or mug. Or whatever it's in."
"Isn't it lucky for us that flattering the judge is so easy, then, with her many good qualities?" Orban tosses a sly wink in The Jester's direction. "I should not be so confident, Miss Nettesheim! I know... things." [Orban]
"Another participant!" Beth cries in delight, beaming over to a woman of dark complexion and light eyes. [Beth]
The Jester nods to a woman of dark complexion and light eyes. "Welcome then, friend. She looks between Orban and the newcomer. "Don't think we've met. Well, I'm the local fool" she says, gesturing to a blue-green jester's cap with three belled appendages on her head. "Nettesh..heim, was it?"
A woman of dark complexion and light eyes peers at Orban, maybe a little tipsy, but not blatantly so, "I've seen you before, but no name." To The Jester, "Is that your name, then? Miss Fool? Not a very nice name. Isobel Nettesheim. Scholar and novice."
remember dark Isobel Nettesheim
From here on you will remember a woman of dark complexion and light eyes as Isobel Nettesheim.
"Lord Ariel le Orban, Baron of Savir - but let's not worry overmuch about standing on courtesy for the duration of this event," Orban informs
Isobel Nettesheim, his grin good-natured and lopsided. "And she has many names, does the Jester." [Orban]
The Jester bows her head to Isobel Nettesheim, "Nice 'ta meet ya then, Miss Nettsheim. As Master Orban says - I can call him that since he's actually a master bard, you see -- I have many names. You are welcome to pick one for me that you like better if you like!"
Isobel Nettesheim peers a few moments at The Jester, "... Marcy. You look like a Marcy."
"-Marcy-?" Beth protests. "But Marcy sounds so.. so.. normal!" [Beth]
"Hush, now Elizabethany" The Jester grins to Beth, "If miss Nettesheim thinks I am a 'Marcy' - then a Marcy I am! Thanks for the name!" [The Jester]
Isobel Nettesheim grins at The Jester, "There we go. And Isobel's fine. I'm nobody important. Yet. So help me I will be." She looks to Beth, "Elizabethany?"
"Elizabethany le Marke," Beth proclaims with a pretty little curtsey and a beam. "But Beth is alright too!" [Beth]
"... don't forget to remind me of it whenever we meet too" The Jester tells Isobel Nettesheim. She gestures grandly to Beth echoing her own introduction, "Elizabethany le Marke, a great dancer of the Troubadour's guild, Miss ... Isobel." [The Jester]
"Marcy's not half-bad, really. It has irony value, wouldn't you say?" Orban points out to Beth, his voice light and flippant. "Besides, it's also
a pretty enough name." [Orban]
Isobel Nettesheim raises a brow, "Irony, eh? How so?" She gives a nod to Beth, "I like Beth better. Easier on my poor tongue."
"Well, I -suppose-," Beth allows in response, looking decidedly not sure. [Beth]
"Yes, why is it irony?, Master op Orban?" The Jester asks sweetly. [The Jester]
"Her other names are things like Mirth and the Jester and Trouble, so Marcy is amusingly... well, as Beth says, normal," Orban explains to Isobel Nettesheim laughingly. "Come now, Trouble," he adds for The Jester, "wouldn't you be offended if I said an ordinary name fit you swimmingly?" [Orban]
Isobel Nettesheim giggles a bit, "Well good. Hate to be just one of the crowd thinking up words when she asks for names."
Beth giggles as well. "Well, I guess if you're just trying to be -different- instead of picking a perfect name for her."
Rules are explained and money starts flying
"Marcy is a wonderful name, don't let anyone tell you otherwise" The Jester says firmly. She then climbs the bartop. There are a few other people who have joined in, mostly common folk who have showed up to watch the spectacle. "I think we should probably start." She looks at Orban, Beth and Isobel Nettesheim, "Maybe best if ya all participated on individually, eh? Two against one's doesn't sound very fair." [The Jester]
Action set to:
The Jester stands on the bartop, hands on her hips.
Isobel Nettesheim grins and shrugs, "Bet I'd win anyway. Do I give ye the money now?"
Beth climbs to a seat at the bar, hopping in place.
"Remember, this is all for charity" The Jester adresses the room. "Rebuilding of the Charali dwelling in the Southside of Lithmore among other good things. So I will need a donation from those who want to partake in the quiz. But I don't want anyone to go bancrupt, so offer only what you feel your purse can handle!" [The Jester]
"I'm fine with individual participation, aye," Orban agrees, nodding - his grin hasn't flagged a whit yet. "Why not? Any way that we do it should be entertaining." At The Jester's words, he detaches a coinpurse from his belt and hands it over. [Orban]
[Action: Orban is sitting on a barstool, looking in high spirits.]
Orban gives you 500 silver.
"Besides, further bribing me is part of the quiz anyway ..." The Jester muses. She accepts the purse from Orban. "You are most generous mylord!" she beams to the man. "A good start!" A few of the common folk come by and drops a few coins in The Jester's hands too. She thanks everyone with equal cheer. [The Jester]
A well-defined, blonde haired man with grey eyes arrives from the south.
A well-defined, blonde haired man with grey eyes slows to a halt.
Isobel Nettesheim shifts her weight a bit, "I'm pretty dirt poor these days. Can't even fix my cottage. But I bet those other folk need it more than I do."
"How much was the donation again?" Beth asks, pursing up her mouth and rummaging into her purse. [Beth]
Isobel Nettesheim gives you 50 silver.
Beth begins to count their money.
"Initial donation is what you feel you can afford!" The Jester says, throwing up her hands. "Come here, come all, don't be shy, it's all for fun and charity." She waves to a well-defined, blonde haired man with grey eyes, "You there, wanna join in the quiz? Now's the time to chip in!" [The Jester]
"Well, I brought this," Beth proclaims with a beam, passing a handful of coins over. [Beth]
Beth gives you 5 gold.
A well-defined, blonde haired man with grey eyes begins to count their money.
The Jester says, "Winning includes a special, VERY nice drinking mug, and free beer for a month at the tavern." She accepts Beth's donation with a raised eyebrow, "Most generous, Miss Le Marke!" she says, "don't forget that bribery is part of this too though."
"Oh - is it too much?" Beth worries, wrinkling her forehead up. [Beth]
A well-defined, blonde haired man with grey eyes asks, "Is there a minimum donation?"
"It's for charity - there's no such thing as too much," Orban tells Beth, his grin crooked. "But speaking of bribery I have a little present for the quiz mistress... okay, it was your Yule gift, Trouble, but I kept -not- running into you..." [Orban]
Isobel Nettesheim shifts her weight a bit, "I sure hope my smarts'll make up for being dirt poor, living in a run down, rotting cabin."
A well-defined, blonde haired man with grey eyes shrugs and pulls out a few coins and hands them to The Jester.
"No, no worries, dear" The Jester chuckles to Beth, "You donate what your heart feels like." She waves a well-defined, blonde haired man with grey eyes over to her position on top of the bar, "No minimums, it's for charity, so donate what you feel your purse and concience can bear." [The Jester]
A well-defined, blonde haired man with grey eyes gives you 1 gold.
"Ooh, right!" Beth agrees with a beam back to The Jester. [Beth]
"I don't think Trouble would be the sort to discriminate based off how much someone can afford," Orban assures Isobel Nettesheim. "I reckon how you play the game is going to count a lot more... and how much you praise her many and sundry fine qualities, of course." [Orban]
"Thankyou, kind sir!" The Jester bows to a well-defined, blonde haired man with grey eyes so the bells of her a blue-green jester's cap with three belled appendages jingle about her head. "I can assure you, miss Isobel, that wits have very little to do with a Jester's quiz, but that a woman who can come up with such a fine name for me should have no trouble, poor or not!" She eyes Orban somewhat suspiciously, "a Yule gift eh? Ladies and gentlemen, HERE is a man who knows how to butter up the jester! Take heed from this fellow, I can tell he will go far in tonight's events!" [The Jester]
Isobel Nettesheim shifts her weight a bit, "Yeah, can't afford bribes neither. Oh well."
Orban flashes a toothy grin at The Jester, extending a small purple box tied with red ribbons, reading 'Trouble'. "A yule gift," he confirms, "about five months late. Who's counting, right? Anyway, this isn't meant to be bribery, unless you like it, in which case uh... I'm bribing away!"
Orban gives you a small purple box tied with red ribbons, reading 'Trouble'.
The Jester grins as she accepts the package from Orban. She doesn't open it however, rather tucking it away unopened. "Why thankyou, Master op Orban, and a happy Yule to you too. I'll open this when you all fine folk are not all waiting for the quiz to begin." She starts to prance back and forth on the bartop. "Right, lemme quickly recap the rules ..." she draws a breath.
Beth bounces excitedly in her seat, watching on to The Jester.
Orban sits up straighter on his barstool, grinning wider now, and listens to the rules in polite silence.
Isobel Nettesheim waits patiently, herself.
Lien le Storm arrives from the south. She looks to be trying to avoid notice.
Beth is sitting at the bar, excitedly watching The Jester.
A well-defined, blonde haired man with grey eyes shrugs, "Eh, just came her for the charity. You all have a good day."
A well-defined, blonde haired man with grey eyes begins to move south.
A well-defined, blonde haired man with grey eyes leaves south.
An athletic young Farin woman with multiple scars arrives from the south on a clipped step.
An athletic young Farin woman with multiple scars slows to a halt.
"But... aren't you going to play?" Beth protests, watching after the man with a frown. [Beth]
Lien le Storm steps quietly into the tavern, attempting to remain unnoticed, she tugs at a stormy grey velvet winter cloak, lined in soft rabbit fur, pulling the hood down over her eyes as she finds a quiet wall to lean against and watch.
"First of all, welcome all" The Jester says, bowing deeply. "I am the fool, the jester, the local idiot. I will be your quizzical host tonight. Take your seats, stand or linger about, but most of all have fun. So here's the rules! I shall ask a question for you all to ponder. But none of you may guess at the answer until I give you word to do so, understood?" She sweeps a mock-stern glance over the gathered patrons. "You will all get your say, but the order is decided by me. I am highly bribable, affected by flattery and antics of all sorts by the way. Remember, this is all for charity." She gestures to herself. "After having heard your guesses, I shall pick the most correct one - or the first correct one should it come to that." She gestures to an athletic young Farin woman with multiple scars, "You there!" she gestures, "Wanna join in?" [The Jester]
"By the way, Miss op Yay," Beth puts in with an utterly over-innocent look that just isn't believable, "You're looking simply -lovely- today." [Beth]
Orban casts a brief glance over his shoulder at Lien le Storm as she enters, but doesn't call out, quickly returning his gaze to The Jester. "What are you -talking- about, Beth?" he scoffs. "Lovely -today-? She's lovely every day!"
"He doesn't think you're looking especialy lovely today," Beth confides to The Jester. [Beth]
Isobel Nettesheim holds up an Arien's Blood flower towards The Jester, "Does this count as flattery? I'd say yer pretty, but people might get the wrong idea. True though it is."
Slipping through the doorway quietly, an athletic young Farin woman with multiple scars pauses just on the threshold, a slender, athletic figure dressed in a patchwork of dark leather and battered steel plate. Coal-dark eyes scan the room impassively, though with a hint of nervousness. At The Jester's call towards her, the woman shakes her head very slightly, and then takes a step to one side, seating herself by the door. [an athletic
young Farin woman with multiple scars]
A towering black-skinned man with a shaved head arrives from the south.
A towering black-skinned man with a shaved head slows to a halt.
[Action: an athletic young Farin woman with multiple scars is sitting just inside the doorway.]
Hearing the sound of Orban's voice is enough to prompt Lien le Storm to push away from the wall and approach him from behind. Once close enougher, she greets him with a light kiss on the cheek, "Brother." She says quietly. [Lien le Storm]
Isobel Nettesheim gives you a red Arien's Blood flower.
Quiz starts (sort of)
"Allow me to demonstrate just how this will work, to make things all clear" The Jester says, holding up a button eyed jester puppet with its own tiny puppet. "Mrs Buttons will be the mock guesser. Ahem." She says aloud. "So, Mrs Buttons, the question is: 'What do I have in my pocket'?" a button eyed jester puppet with its own tiny puppet shivers in her hand and returns with a squeaky voice: "That is a silly question, silly Jester! But since you are the bestest Jester in the world, I will say that you have a golden ring in your pocket that you once stole from me!" The Jester shakes her head to the audience. "Well, Mrs Buttons is wrong, but it was a fun answer, and that is what matters. Remember, this is a jesterly/ quiz, things are never as it seems." Seeing Lien le Storm appearing, she addresses her: "Lady Le Storm, care to join us? And you -- big fellow over by the door! Now 's the chance!" she adds to a towering black-skinned man with a shaved head. [The Jester]
A towering black-skinned man with a shaved head pauses near the door, then, eyeing an athletic young Farin woman with multiple scars a moment expressionlessly. "Brother? I thought he was your cousin," he claims distractedly, before he bows his head over towards the Farin woman. "You are the smith, yes? I've been seeking you."
Action set to:
The Jester is running the show with large gestures from atop the bar.
A towering black-skinned man with a shaved head glances over to The Jester, then, bowing his head over to her. "Jester," he greets, quietly, distractedly.
An athletic young Farin woman with multiple scars is sitting on a stool by the doorway, legs stretched out before her and crossed at the ankles. She's chewing on her lower lip when a towering black-skinned man with a shaved head addresses her. Turning a face up towards him that's smudged liberally with a mixture of coal and sweat, she bends her head, responding in a thick Farin accent, "Yes, if it is Amira Khalid that you look for,
" she answers, her eyes sliding over his frame distractedly, "You are knight?", she questions, her voice low.
"It will be a lot of fuuun!" Beth proclaims excitedly to those The Jester is tempting. [Beth]
"Ah, Sir de Laerne," Orban greets, turning a faint smile to the doorway. "Hello. We are cousins by blood, but in Tubor, blood isn't what matters. In our hearts, we are brother and sister, so that's what we claim." He reaches to squeeze Lien le Storm's shoulder by way of greeting, nodding to the barstool next to him. "Come play, sister?" [Orban]
"I promoted him." Lien le Storm remarks simply to a towering black-skinned man with a shaved head at his question. The Jester's question draws her eyes and she offers the woman a smile that settles only briefly upon her lips. She takes the barstool on offer, settling down within it and pulling a stormy grey velvet winter cloak, lined in soft rabbit fur around her. "Ahh.. sure...?" [Lien le Storm]
"See, you fellows are doing just fine!" The Jester laughs, as she bends down to accept a red Arien's Blood flower from Isobel Nettesheim. "And before I even asked my first question!" She repeats her question to those not yet 'in' the game, "Come now, join the quiz, for charity? It's good for the soul - and I ask no more from your purses than you yourself feel you can bear." [The Jester]
"I ahh.. do not have much coin on me though, I will need to return to the bank after." Lien le Storm says quietly to Orban next to her. [Lien le Storm]
[Action: Lien le Storm sits atop a stool next to ari.]
"I thought -I- was like your little sister," Beth protests with a pout to Orban. [Beth]
"I am no longer a Knight, lest you count Royal Templar as a title worthy of one," a towering black-skinned man with a shaved head claims, while he does move to approach The Jester, then, inclining his head to the girl. "I am here to play." To an athletic young Farin woman with multiple scars, he claims, "You wrote a letter to me. I would like to order a sword."
"Do you need any? I don't have that much on me, but enough to spot you," Orban murmurs to Lien le Storm. Beth's question wins a laugh from him, and he notes, "Who says I can only have one sister? All the troublesome young ladies in my life can be related to me if they choose!" He blinks at a towering black-skinned man with a shaved head's words, then grimaces slightly. "My apologies. I knew that but forgot. How should you be addressed now?" [Orban]
Isobel Nettesheim taps her foot a little, frowning as people chatter.
"So ..." The Jester waits patiently for people to decide to join or not. "If ya don't carry much coin, mylady, I'm sure your ... brother will be most happy to cover for you." she offers slyly to Lien le Storm. To a towering black-skinned man with a shaved head, she smiles happily, "Excellent, excellent! A small donation of your own choosing to join, and as much bribery during the game as you like!" she tells him. [The Jester]
A towering black-skinned man with a shaved head begins to count their money.
Clearing her throat, an athletic young Farin woman with multiple scars extends one hand to rub at the back of her neck. Finally, she nods to a towering black-skinned man with a shaved head, "Ah, yes. You were once Grand Master of the Knights, then," she guesses, "Am can speak with you after quiz if you wish, yes? Or you may visit forge, the one which belong to Morgan." The tall Farin sends an almost amused look towards Isobel Nettesheim, and then glances back towards a towering black-skinned man with a shaved head. [an athletic young Farin woman with multiple scars]
A towering black-skinned man with a shaved head gives you 200 silver.
Lien le storm whispers to Orban, 'I have not more than twenty five silver on me, but I do not think that's enough.. If you could cover me till I can get to the bank?'
A towering black-skinned man with a shaved head moves his hand down to his belt, to give The Jester a rather hefty coin purse, bowing his head to The Jester after. "Miss," he murmurs, before his eyes trail over to an athletic young Farin woman with multiple scars. "I was, aye. And very well."
After checking the weight of her coin purse, Lien le Storm leans in close to whisper a few quiet words near Orban's ear, her cheeks holding a light blush. "Silly of me to forget to bring money really.. to a charity event and all that." [Lien le Storm]
"It happens - give me nine silver?" Orban murmurs to Lien le Storm. "Then I can donate a nice round amount in your name that should be sufficient. " [Orban]
Lien le Storm gives Orban some coins.
The quiz REALLY starts - first question
"Very good" The Jester nods to a towering black-skinned man with a shaved head. "Please have a seat." She looks over the group. "If either of you want to group up two and two, you can do so. You will then compete together. Alas there will be only one mug to share in that case though. If so, just tell me, okay?" The Jester puts her hands behind her back. "So let's start with a simple one - one that even rehearsed before. Ahem. 'So what DO I have in my pocket'?" [The Jester]
Orban gives you 200 silver.
"Remember the rules" The Jester says, "I decide who gets to answer first, and I decide who guesses right." [The Jester]
Orban accepts Lien le Storm's coins, adding them into a coinpurse, and then hands it over. "That's for the Lady le Storm!" he calls to The Jester, grinning. "And I shall be patient and quiet until it is my turn. Well, patient anyway..."
Beth giggles brightly, squirming in her seat.
Isobel Nettesheim shifts her weight again.
"Well, this first round, people have already been greasing my palms as well as said very kind things to me." The Jester says, so I shall decide the order based on that. "And based on that ... I think we shall begin with Elizabethany le Marke. So, girl, what do I have in my pocket?" An easy question it is, a warmup question really." [The Jester]
A towering black-skinned man with a shaved head moves for a table nearby an athletic young Farin woman with multiple scars's own, watching The Jester.
[Action: a towering black-skinned man with a shaved head sits at a table here, hand on the surface.]
"You probably have something for dinner," Beth proclaims to The Jester. "Maybe.. roasted apples and sugar canes." She gives a bit of a giggle. "Or Mrs. Buttons is in there eating them." [Beth]
Leaning back to touch her shoulders against the wall, an athletic young Farin woman with multiple scars sends a rare grin towards a towering black-skinned man with a shaved head. Pushing a dark, disheveled lock of hair from her eyes, an athletic young Farin woman with multiple scars shifts in her seat, wriggling her athletic body within the worn leather that traps her form. [an athletic young Farin woman with multiple scars]
"Only one answer at a time." The Jester smiles. "Right, Mrs Buttons is eating roasted apples and sugar canes in my pocket. Good. Next person to guess is the man with the Yule gift, coin purse and honeyed tongue, Master op Orban. What is your guess?" [The Jester]
"The hearts of Lithmore," Orban dramatically declares to The Jester, a hand pressed over his own heart, "enraptured by your merry wit and charming smile! ...How you got them all to fit in one pocket I can't imagine, but your arts are beyond the ken of us less-talented folk!" [Orban]
Isobel Nettesheim smirks a bit at that.
The Jester guffavs briefly. "The hearts of Lithmore is in my pocket according to Master op Orban" she grins. "Man, I LIKE this game. Next up is ... Isobel Nettesheim, who gave me such a nice name earlier tonight."
Isobel Nettesheim grins, speaking up, "Gonna be a bit more mundane about it, as is my way. Coins. Lots and lots of coins in your pocket."
Beth giggles at that, clapping her hand over her mouth.
"Mundane, but to the point! Coins in my pocket is suggested by Miss Nettesheim" The Jester nods. "Next, I think I need to let the huge towering Farin fellow say his mind - he looks so intimidating over there! What guess you, kind sir?" [The Jester]
"Yep, I'm asking you" The Jester smiles to a towering black-skinned man with a shaved head, waiting patiently. [The Jester]
"Intimidating," a towering black-skinned man with a shaved head echoes without tone, while he watches The Jester. "I too, would guess coins."
An athletic young Farin woman with multiple scars glances around the room from her corner, drawing a silent breath; her chest expands momentarily, and then falls as she releases it.
"Ouch, no can do, that guess is already taken and said before your turn too" The Jester says apologetically. "Well, better luck next question, eh?" She turns to Lien le Storm, "And last, but not least, lady Le Storm. Your turn to guess. What do this here fool have in her pocket?" [The Jester]
A towering black-skinned man with a shaved head furrows his brow at that rule, before he just presses his lips together, then.
Lien le Storm stares at said pocket for a moment, her teeth chewing on her bottom lip as she considers the question The Jester poses. Eventually she says with a half-smile, "Oh, I would guess a mouse. You look like the sort of woman who would keep a mouse in their pocket, just in case."
"That's the spirit," Orban compliments Lien le Storm, grinning crookedly. "Good answer." He leans back on his barstool, stretching his hands above his head. "I like this game too." [Orban]
"I should have perhaps just gave a lot of coin and go on my way," a towering black-skinned man with a shaved head laments, then, eyes flicking to the door. "I am not known for intelligence."
"You don't have to be just smart!" Beth protests to a towering black-skinned man with a shaved head. "You can be silly too!" [Beth]
"That is indeed just the kind of woman I look like" The Jester agrees to Lien le Storm. "Ladies and Gentlemen, the unflinching, eternally fair jester has decided that there will be TWO points for this first question. Because I make the rules, and any questions you have to direct to Mrs Buttons anyway. You see - I DO have coins in my pocket!" She gestures to Isobel Nettesheim, "and thus I will grant Miss Nettesheim a point. Close call there, my towering friend, you nearly nabbed that point, sooo close. BUT, I shall give a bonus point to Lady Le Storm too. For few have seen through me so completely. If I had a mouse, I would certainly carry it in my pocket." [The Jester]
"I'm not particularly known for intelligence either," Orban offers to a towering black-skinned man with a shaved head, his tone light and flippant, "but frankly, I've never let it stop me. A little absurdity can be a nice breath of fresh air sometimes, aye?" [Orban]
"No," a towering black-skinned man with a shaved head replies, perhaps unsurprisingly, to Orban, eyes trailing over to The Jester then. "So by your rules, if the first person guesses right, no one else will get a point?"
Isobel Nettesheim claps once gleefully, "Yay!"
An athletic young Farin woman with multiple scars unpicks her legs, and then crosses them the other way, right ankle over left. She watches in silence as the debate unfolds, her mouth puckering at one corner into the faintest smile.
Lien le Storm's lips draw into a broad grin and for just a few seconds, dimples form on her cheeks. "I got a bonus point." She says, nudging Orban at her side with her elbow, and with his words to a towering black-skinned man with a shaved head, she glances his way. "I got a point." She reiterates, "And I didn't guess first. I think, you need to use a little imagination, de Laerne."
"Ah, well," Orban laments with a deep sigh, shaking his head, "I suppose we can't all spend every round trying to come up with something more over-the-top than the last thing we said." He grins fondly down at Lien le Storm as he's nudged, concurring, "You did indeed get a point. I'm sure you'll thrash me entirely." [Orban]
Second question, in which Miss Milbry gets an interesting life
"That is the way I just decided, yes" The Jester nods to a towering black-skinned man with a shaved head. "The way to get ahead is to convince me to allow you to guess first, you see. As I said, I'm most bribable in this regard, and I assure you all coins go straight to charity." She raises her voice again. "Next question, friends" she announces, "Ahem. 'What happens if you walk into the book store on Miller's lane and shout really, really loud?'" She looks about. Hmm, lemme see who gets to guess first ..." [The Jester]
Beth giggles again, clapping her hand over her mouth.
"The way you just decided," a towering black-skinned man with a shaved head murmurs, furrowing his brow, then, before he murmurs, hand moving for his coin-purse, eyes flicking to Lien le Storm, "Very well. I'll give you five hundred more silver so that you allow me to go first until someone gives more coin then that. If this is a game of favoritism."
Isobel Nettesheim wrinkles her nose a bit, "It's a game of charity and having fun!"
"Meeeee," Orban suggests sotto voce, lifting a hand and waving it about to try and catch The Jester's attention. "...Ah, it's a game of favoritism, just... not very logical or straightforward favoritism," he tries to explain to a towering black-skinned man with a shaved head. [Orban]
"My five hundred coins will go to charity, and I don't expect them back," a towering black-skinned man with a shaved head replies tonelessly.
A towering black-skinned man with a shaved head begins to count their money.
An athletic young Farin woman with multiple scars's black eyes swivel back towards Isobel Nettesheim for a moment, then crinkle at the corners. She then looks back towards the group.
"I think five hundred silvers is enough to jump the queue for a little while-- but! I do not need to go first to win a point. As I have proven, I'd rather go last, and see what everyone else says first and then do better." Lien le Storm says, explaining her strategy to Orban and a towering black-skinned man with a shaved head. [Lien le Storm]
"Trust me, I know a thing or two about this" The Jester winks to the audience. "Well, who particularly wants to go first?" She opens her arms in an inviting gesture as she reaches for the coin purse. "Five hundred silver to charity. Excellent my dear fellow." She grins to Orban, "It's a game of favoritism and raw cash. You my dear towering fellow has bought yourself the first guess!" The Jester says generously. "Go ahead, hit me. Well, don't hit me literally, that would hurt since you are so big and I am so small. Hit me ... with words ... well you know what I mean." [The Jester]
Isobel Nettesheim giggles softly at this, moving to finally take a seat and lean back in it.
"Four hundred," a towering black-skinned man with a shaved head murmurs, then, as his hand moves for his coinpurse, furrowing his brow. "Four hundred, sorry. I don't have five hundred," he laments, while his eyes search at The Jester's face for a change.
"I take four hundred just as easily" The Jester says, "I'm cheap that way." [The Jester]
(Continued in next post)
The whole event was organized by Sefir (She ran a simultaneous card-game
on the second floor) and was made in support of rebuilding Charali dwellings in the devastated Southside of Lithmore after the great flood).
There is a bit of an introduction to this, so I've tried to divide things up
in sections for an easier read. Also I've coloured the jester (the game host's)
replies in green to further aid readability.
The Half-Pint Inn
[Pleasant]
A sturdy pine bar runs the length of the north wall, built far enough
away to leave a spacious aisle between it and the casks and shelves built
five feet up. A considerable amount of space is cleared in the middle of
the floor, the square tables clustered closer together to provide ample
room for dancing or rough housing; the thinning layer of rushes and sawdust
attest to some form of frequent activity. The west wall opens up near the
bar, evidence of hinges indicating that a door once sealed off the room to
the side.
(The sawdust covering the floor adds a musty air to the bustling tavern.
Travellers and frequent customers alike line the bar and tables, their
mixed conversations mingling to form a boisterous, lively mood. )
People arrive
The Jester sits by the bar, chatting with Berrik. The rather fat man is chuckling loudly at something she just said.
Orban strolls in with an easy grin on his face, doffing a broad-brimmed charcoal grey hat bearing a peacock feather to The Jester. "I hear there's to be some sort of quiz round these parts?" he wonders, pulling himself out a barstool.
"Orbie! Ahem, Baron le Orban!" The Jester grins sideways, lifting her pint to Orban. "You heard absolutely correctly!" She gestures to herself. "And I'm the one to handle the quizzing, yessiree. Are you plannin' to join in?" [The Jester]
Beth arrives from the south.
Beth slows to a halt.
"Hello! Miss op Yay! Master op Orban! I mean.. Lord Orban!" Beth chirps excitedly in greeting. [Beth]
"Wow, I think that's the first time," Orban muses to himself thoughtfully at The Jester's greeting, though his grin unfades. "I am indeed planning to join in, since the quiz mistress is such fantastic company. Ah, hello there, Beth!" [Orban]
"That lord thing is difficult, isn't it?" The Jester agrees with Beth with a small chuckle. She sips her beer. "Hi Elizabethany, here for quiz or cards? The Charali card game is up on the second floor." [The Jester]
"Oh, I want to join in too!" Beth proclaims, skipping up. "I want the quiz. That's down here, right? Is there anybody to be my team?" [Beth]
"I'm playing too, and don't have a particular team yet; we'll have to see how that works out," Orban suggests to Beth. "I'd happily be with you
rather than against you, though!" [Orban]
A woman of dark complexion and light eyes arrives from the south.
A woman of dark complexion and light eyes slows to a halt.
"Excellent!" The Jester beams at Orban's words, "flattering the judge is always going to end well!" She nods to Beth, "Yep, it's right where I am, in fact. Right now it's just the two of you though - we'll see how many show up before we decide on teams methinks." [The Jester]
"We all have to be against -someone- though!" Beth proclaims to ariel. [Beth]
A woman of dark complexion and light eyes wanders into the inn, "You can be against me! I got this in the bag. Or mug. Or whatever it's in."
"Isn't it lucky for us that flattering the judge is so easy, then, with her many good qualities?" Orban tosses a sly wink in The Jester's direction. "I should not be so confident, Miss Nettesheim! I know... things." [Orban]
"Another participant!" Beth cries in delight, beaming over to a woman of dark complexion and light eyes. [Beth]
The Jester nods to a woman of dark complexion and light eyes. "Welcome then, friend. She looks between Orban and the newcomer. "Don't think we've met. Well, I'm the local fool" she says, gesturing to a blue-green jester's cap with three belled appendages on her head. "Nettesh..heim, was it?"
A woman of dark complexion and light eyes peers at Orban, maybe a little tipsy, but not blatantly so, "I've seen you before, but no name." To The Jester, "Is that your name, then? Miss Fool? Not a very nice name. Isobel Nettesheim. Scholar and novice."
remember dark Isobel Nettesheim
From here on you will remember a woman of dark complexion and light eyes as Isobel Nettesheim.
"Lord Ariel le Orban, Baron of Savir - but let's not worry overmuch about standing on courtesy for the duration of this event," Orban informs
Isobel Nettesheim, his grin good-natured and lopsided. "And she has many names, does the Jester." [Orban]
The Jester bows her head to Isobel Nettesheim, "Nice 'ta meet ya then, Miss Nettsheim. As Master Orban says - I can call him that since he's actually a master bard, you see -- I have many names. You are welcome to pick one for me that you like better if you like!"
Isobel Nettesheim peers a few moments at The Jester, "... Marcy. You look like a Marcy."
"-Marcy-?" Beth protests. "But Marcy sounds so.. so.. normal!" [Beth]
"Hush, now Elizabethany" The Jester grins to Beth, "If miss Nettesheim thinks I am a 'Marcy' - then a Marcy I am! Thanks for the name!" [The Jester]
Isobel Nettesheim grins at The Jester, "There we go. And Isobel's fine. I'm nobody important. Yet. So help me I will be." She looks to Beth, "Elizabethany?"
"Elizabethany le Marke," Beth proclaims with a pretty little curtsey and a beam. "But Beth is alright too!" [Beth]
"... don't forget to remind me of it whenever we meet too" The Jester tells Isobel Nettesheim. She gestures grandly to Beth echoing her own introduction, "Elizabethany le Marke, a great dancer of the Troubadour's guild, Miss ... Isobel." [The Jester]
"Marcy's not half-bad, really. It has irony value, wouldn't you say?" Orban points out to Beth, his voice light and flippant. "Besides, it's also
a pretty enough name." [Orban]
Isobel Nettesheim raises a brow, "Irony, eh? How so?" She gives a nod to Beth, "I like Beth better. Easier on my poor tongue."
"Well, I -suppose-," Beth allows in response, looking decidedly not sure. [Beth]
"Yes, why is it irony?, Master op Orban?" The Jester asks sweetly. [The Jester]
"Her other names are things like Mirth and the Jester and Trouble, so Marcy is amusingly... well, as Beth says, normal," Orban explains to Isobel Nettesheim laughingly. "Come now, Trouble," he adds for The Jester, "wouldn't you be offended if I said an ordinary name fit you swimmingly?" [Orban]
Isobel Nettesheim giggles a bit, "Well good. Hate to be just one of the crowd thinking up words when she asks for names."
Beth giggles as well. "Well, I guess if you're just trying to be -different- instead of picking a perfect name for her."
Rules are explained and money starts flying
"Marcy is a wonderful name, don't let anyone tell you otherwise" The Jester says firmly. She then climbs the bartop. There are a few other people who have joined in, mostly common folk who have showed up to watch the spectacle. "I think we should probably start." She looks at Orban, Beth and Isobel Nettesheim, "Maybe best if ya all participated on individually, eh? Two against one's doesn't sound very fair." [The Jester]
Action set to:
The Jester stands on the bartop, hands on her hips.
Isobel Nettesheim grins and shrugs, "Bet I'd win anyway. Do I give ye the money now?"
Beth climbs to a seat at the bar, hopping in place.
"Remember, this is all for charity" The Jester adresses the room. "Rebuilding of the Charali dwelling in the Southside of Lithmore among other good things. So I will need a donation from those who want to partake in the quiz. But I don't want anyone to go bancrupt, so offer only what you feel your purse can handle!" [The Jester]
"I'm fine with individual participation, aye," Orban agrees, nodding - his grin hasn't flagged a whit yet. "Why not? Any way that we do it should be entertaining." At The Jester's words, he detaches a coinpurse from his belt and hands it over. [Orban]
[Action: Orban is sitting on a barstool, looking in high spirits.]
Orban gives you 500 silver.
"Besides, further bribing me is part of the quiz anyway ..." The Jester muses. She accepts the purse from Orban. "You are most generous mylord!" she beams to the man. "A good start!" A few of the common folk come by and drops a few coins in The Jester's hands too. She thanks everyone with equal cheer. [The Jester]
A well-defined, blonde haired man with grey eyes arrives from the south.
A well-defined, blonde haired man with grey eyes slows to a halt.
Isobel Nettesheim shifts her weight a bit, "I'm pretty dirt poor these days. Can't even fix my cottage. But I bet those other folk need it more than I do."
"How much was the donation again?" Beth asks, pursing up her mouth and rummaging into her purse. [Beth]
Isobel Nettesheim gives you 50 silver.
Beth begins to count their money.
"Initial donation is what you feel you can afford!" The Jester says, throwing up her hands. "Come here, come all, don't be shy, it's all for fun and charity." She waves to a well-defined, blonde haired man with grey eyes, "You there, wanna join in the quiz? Now's the time to chip in!" [The Jester]
"Well, I brought this," Beth proclaims with a beam, passing a handful of coins over. [Beth]
Beth gives you 5 gold.
A well-defined, blonde haired man with grey eyes begins to count their money.
The Jester says, "Winning includes a special, VERY nice drinking mug, and free beer for a month at the tavern." She accepts Beth's donation with a raised eyebrow, "Most generous, Miss Le Marke!" she says, "don't forget that bribery is part of this too though."
"Oh - is it too much?" Beth worries, wrinkling her forehead up. [Beth]
A well-defined, blonde haired man with grey eyes asks, "Is there a minimum donation?"
"It's for charity - there's no such thing as too much," Orban tells Beth, his grin crooked. "But speaking of bribery I have a little present for the quiz mistress... okay, it was your Yule gift, Trouble, but I kept -not- running into you..." [Orban]
Isobel Nettesheim shifts her weight a bit, "I sure hope my smarts'll make up for being dirt poor, living in a run down, rotting cabin."
A well-defined, blonde haired man with grey eyes shrugs and pulls out a few coins and hands them to The Jester.
"No, no worries, dear" The Jester chuckles to Beth, "You donate what your heart feels like." She waves a well-defined, blonde haired man with grey eyes over to her position on top of the bar, "No minimums, it's for charity, so donate what you feel your purse and concience can bear." [The Jester]
A well-defined, blonde haired man with grey eyes gives you 1 gold.
"Ooh, right!" Beth agrees with a beam back to The Jester. [Beth]
"I don't think Trouble would be the sort to discriminate based off how much someone can afford," Orban assures Isobel Nettesheim. "I reckon how you play the game is going to count a lot more... and how much you praise her many and sundry fine qualities, of course." [Orban]
"Thankyou, kind sir!" The Jester bows to a well-defined, blonde haired man with grey eyes so the bells of her a blue-green jester's cap with three belled appendages jingle about her head. "I can assure you, miss Isobel, that wits have very little to do with a Jester's quiz, but that a woman who can come up with such a fine name for me should have no trouble, poor or not!" She eyes Orban somewhat suspiciously, "a Yule gift eh? Ladies and gentlemen, HERE is a man who knows how to butter up the jester! Take heed from this fellow, I can tell he will go far in tonight's events!" [The Jester]
Isobel Nettesheim shifts her weight a bit, "Yeah, can't afford bribes neither. Oh well."
Orban flashes a toothy grin at The Jester, extending a small purple box tied with red ribbons, reading 'Trouble'. "A yule gift," he confirms, "about five months late. Who's counting, right? Anyway, this isn't meant to be bribery, unless you like it, in which case uh... I'm bribing away!"
Orban gives you a small purple box tied with red ribbons, reading 'Trouble'.
The Jester grins as she accepts the package from Orban. She doesn't open it however, rather tucking it away unopened. "Why thankyou, Master op Orban, and a happy Yule to you too. I'll open this when you all fine folk are not all waiting for the quiz to begin." She starts to prance back and forth on the bartop. "Right, lemme quickly recap the rules ..." she draws a breath.
Beth bounces excitedly in her seat, watching on to The Jester.
Orban sits up straighter on his barstool, grinning wider now, and listens to the rules in polite silence.
Isobel Nettesheim waits patiently, herself.
Lien le Storm arrives from the south. She looks to be trying to avoid notice.
Beth is sitting at the bar, excitedly watching The Jester.
A well-defined, blonde haired man with grey eyes shrugs, "Eh, just came her for the charity. You all have a good day."
A well-defined, blonde haired man with grey eyes begins to move south.
A well-defined, blonde haired man with grey eyes leaves south.
An athletic young Farin woman with multiple scars arrives from the south on a clipped step.
An athletic young Farin woman with multiple scars slows to a halt.
"But... aren't you going to play?" Beth protests, watching after the man with a frown. [Beth]
Lien le Storm steps quietly into the tavern, attempting to remain unnoticed, she tugs at a stormy grey velvet winter cloak, lined in soft rabbit fur, pulling the hood down over her eyes as she finds a quiet wall to lean against and watch.
"First of all, welcome all" The Jester says, bowing deeply. "I am the fool, the jester, the local idiot. I will be your quizzical host tonight. Take your seats, stand or linger about, but most of all have fun. So here's the rules! I shall ask a question for you all to ponder. But none of you may guess at the answer until I give you word to do so, understood?" She sweeps a mock-stern glance over the gathered patrons. "You will all get your say, but the order is decided by me. I am highly bribable, affected by flattery and antics of all sorts by the way. Remember, this is all for charity." She gestures to herself. "After having heard your guesses, I shall pick the most correct one - or the first correct one should it come to that." She gestures to an athletic young Farin woman with multiple scars, "You there!" she gestures, "Wanna join in?" [The Jester]
"By the way, Miss op Yay," Beth puts in with an utterly over-innocent look that just isn't believable, "You're looking simply -lovely- today." [Beth]
Orban casts a brief glance over his shoulder at Lien le Storm as she enters, but doesn't call out, quickly returning his gaze to The Jester. "What are you -talking- about, Beth?" he scoffs. "Lovely -today-? She's lovely every day!"
"He doesn't think you're looking especialy lovely today," Beth confides to The Jester. [Beth]
Isobel Nettesheim holds up an Arien's Blood flower towards The Jester, "Does this count as flattery? I'd say yer pretty, but people might get the wrong idea. True though it is."
Slipping through the doorway quietly, an athletic young Farin woman with multiple scars pauses just on the threshold, a slender, athletic figure dressed in a patchwork of dark leather and battered steel plate. Coal-dark eyes scan the room impassively, though with a hint of nervousness. At The Jester's call towards her, the woman shakes her head very slightly, and then takes a step to one side, seating herself by the door. [an athletic
young Farin woman with multiple scars]
A towering black-skinned man with a shaved head arrives from the south.
A towering black-skinned man with a shaved head slows to a halt.
[Action: an athletic young Farin woman with multiple scars is sitting just inside the doorway.]
Hearing the sound of Orban's voice is enough to prompt Lien le Storm to push away from the wall and approach him from behind. Once close enougher, she greets him with a light kiss on the cheek, "Brother." She says quietly. [Lien le Storm]
Isobel Nettesheim gives you a red Arien's Blood flower.
Quiz starts (sort of)
"Allow me to demonstrate just how this will work, to make things all clear" The Jester says, holding up a button eyed jester puppet with its own tiny puppet. "Mrs Buttons will be the mock guesser. Ahem." She says aloud. "So, Mrs Buttons, the question is: 'What do I have in my pocket'?" a button eyed jester puppet with its own tiny puppet shivers in her hand and returns with a squeaky voice: "That is a silly question, silly Jester! But since you are the bestest Jester in the world, I will say that you have a golden ring in your pocket that you once stole from me!" The Jester shakes her head to the audience. "Well, Mrs Buttons is wrong, but it was a fun answer, and that is what matters. Remember, this is a jesterly/ quiz, things are never as it seems." Seeing Lien le Storm appearing, she addresses her: "Lady Le Storm, care to join us? And you -- big fellow over by the door! Now 's the chance!" she adds to a towering black-skinned man with a shaved head. [The Jester]
A towering black-skinned man with a shaved head pauses near the door, then, eyeing an athletic young Farin woman with multiple scars a moment expressionlessly. "Brother? I thought he was your cousin," he claims distractedly, before he bows his head over towards the Farin woman. "You are the smith, yes? I've been seeking you."
Action set to:
The Jester is running the show with large gestures from atop the bar.
A towering black-skinned man with a shaved head glances over to The Jester, then, bowing his head over to her. "Jester," he greets, quietly, distractedly.
An athletic young Farin woman with multiple scars is sitting on a stool by the doorway, legs stretched out before her and crossed at the ankles. She's chewing on her lower lip when a towering black-skinned man with a shaved head addresses her. Turning a face up towards him that's smudged liberally with a mixture of coal and sweat, she bends her head, responding in a thick Farin accent, "Yes, if it is Amira Khalid that you look for,
" she answers, her eyes sliding over his frame distractedly, "You are knight?", she questions, her voice low.
"It will be a lot of fuuun!" Beth proclaims excitedly to those The Jester is tempting. [Beth]
"Ah, Sir de Laerne," Orban greets, turning a faint smile to the doorway. "Hello. We are cousins by blood, but in Tubor, blood isn't what matters. In our hearts, we are brother and sister, so that's what we claim." He reaches to squeeze Lien le Storm's shoulder by way of greeting, nodding to the barstool next to him. "Come play, sister?" [Orban]
"I promoted him." Lien le Storm remarks simply to a towering black-skinned man with a shaved head at his question. The Jester's question draws her eyes and she offers the woman a smile that settles only briefly upon her lips. She takes the barstool on offer, settling down within it and pulling a stormy grey velvet winter cloak, lined in soft rabbit fur around her. "Ahh.. sure...?" [Lien le Storm]
"See, you fellows are doing just fine!" The Jester laughs, as she bends down to accept a red Arien's Blood flower from Isobel Nettesheim. "And before I even asked my first question!" She repeats her question to those not yet 'in' the game, "Come now, join the quiz, for charity? It's good for the soul - and I ask no more from your purses than you yourself feel you can bear." [The Jester]
"I ahh.. do not have much coin on me though, I will need to return to the bank after." Lien le Storm says quietly to Orban next to her. [Lien le Storm]
[Action: Lien le Storm sits atop a stool next to ari.]
"I thought -I- was like your little sister," Beth protests with a pout to Orban. [Beth]
"I am no longer a Knight, lest you count Royal Templar as a title worthy of one," a towering black-skinned man with a shaved head claims, while he does move to approach The Jester, then, inclining his head to the girl. "I am here to play." To an athletic young Farin woman with multiple scars, he claims, "You wrote a letter to me. I would like to order a sword."
"Do you need any? I don't have that much on me, but enough to spot you," Orban murmurs to Lien le Storm. Beth's question wins a laugh from him, and he notes, "Who says I can only have one sister? All the troublesome young ladies in my life can be related to me if they choose!" He blinks at a towering black-skinned man with a shaved head's words, then grimaces slightly. "My apologies. I knew that but forgot. How should you be addressed now?" [Orban]
Isobel Nettesheim taps her foot a little, frowning as people chatter.
"So ..." The Jester waits patiently for people to decide to join or not. "If ya don't carry much coin, mylady, I'm sure your ... brother will be most happy to cover for you." she offers slyly to Lien le Storm. To a towering black-skinned man with a shaved head, she smiles happily, "Excellent, excellent! A small donation of your own choosing to join, and as much bribery during the game as you like!" she tells him. [The Jester]
A towering black-skinned man with a shaved head begins to count their money.
Clearing her throat, an athletic young Farin woman with multiple scars extends one hand to rub at the back of her neck. Finally, she nods to a towering black-skinned man with a shaved head, "Ah, yes. You were once Grand Master of the Knights, then," she guesses, "Am can speak with you after quiz if you wish, yes? Or you may visit forge, the one which belong to Morgan." The tall Farin sends an almost amused look towards Isobel Nettesheim, and then glances back towards a towering black-skinned man with a shaved head. [an athletic young Farin woman with multiple scars]
A towering black-skinned man with a shaved head gives you 200 silver.
Lien le storm whispers to Orban, 'I have not more than twenty five silver on me, but I do not think that's enough.. If you could cover me till I can get to the bank?'
A towering black-skinned man with a shaved head moves his hand down to his belt, to give The Jester a rather hefty coin purse, bowing his head to The Jester after. "Miss," he murmurs, before his eyes trail over to an athletic young Farin woman with multiple scars. "I was, aye. And very well."
After checking the weight of her coin purse, Lien le Storm leans in close to whisper a few quiet words near Orban's ear, her cheeks holding a light blush. "Silly of me to forget to bring money really.. to a charity event and all that." [Lien le Storm]
"It happens - give me nine silver?" Orban murmurs to Lien le Storm. "Then I can donate a nice round amount in your name that should be sufficient. " [Orban]
Lien le Storm gives Orban some coins.
The quiz REALLY starts - first question
"Very good" The Jester nods to a towering black-skinned man with a shaved head. "Please have a seat." She looks over the group. "If either of you want to group up two and two, you can do so. You will then compete together. Alas there will be only one mug to share in that case though. If so, just tell me, okay?" The Jester puts her hands behind her back. "So let's start with a simple one - one that even rehearsed before. Ahem. 'So what DO I have in my pocket'?" [The Jester]
Orban gives you 200 silver.
"Remember the rules" The Jester says, "I decide who gets to answer first, and I decide who guesses right." [The Jester]
Orban accepts Lien le Storm's coins, adding them into a coinpurse, and then hands it over. "That's for the Lady le Storm!" he calls to The Jester, grinning. "And I shall be patient and quiet until it is my turn. Well, patient anyway..."
Beth giggles brightly, squirming in her seat.
Isobel Nettesheim shifts her weight again.
"Well, this first round, people have already been greasing my palms as well as said very kind things to me." The Jester says, so I shall decide the order based on that. "And based on that ... I think we shall begin with Elizabethany le Marke. So, girl, what do I have in my pocket?" An easy question it is, a warmup question really." [The Jester]
A towering black-skinned man with a shaved head moves for a table nearby an athletic young Farin woman with multiple scars's own, watching The Jester.
[Action: a towering black-skinned man with a shaved head sits at a table here, hand on the surface.]
"You probably have something for dinner," Beth proclaims to The Jester. "Maybe.. roasted apples and sugar canes." She gives a bit of a giggle. "Or Mrs. Buttons is in there eating them." [Beth]
Leaning back to touch her shoulders against the wall, an athletic young Farin woman with multiple scars sends a rare grin towards a towering black-skinned man with a shaved head. Pushing a dark, disheveled lock of hair from her eyes, an athletic young Farin woman with multiple scars shifts in her seat, wriggling her athletic body within the worn leather that traps her form. [an athletic young Farin woman with multiple scars]
"Only one answer at a time." The Jester smiles. "Right, Mrs Buttons is eating roasted apples and sugar canes in my pocket. Good. Next person to guess is the man with the Yule gift, coin purse and honeyed tongue, Master op Orban. What is your guess?" [The Jester]
"The hearts of Lithmore," Orban dramatically declares to The Jester, a hand pressed over his own heart, "enraptured by your merry wit and charming smile! ...How you got them all to fit in one pocket I can't imagine, but your arts are beyond the ken of us less-talented folk!" [Orban]
Isobel Nettesheim smirks a bit at that.
The Jester guffavs briefly. "The hearts of Lithmore is in my pocket according to Master op Orban" she grins. "Man, I LIKE this game. Next up is ... Isobel Nettesheim, who gave me such a nice name earlier tonight."
Isobel Nettesheim grins, speaking up, "Gonna be a bit more mundane about it, as is my way. Coins. Lots and lots of coins in your pocket."
Beth giggles at that, clapping her hand over her mouth.
"Mundane, but to the point! Coins in my pocket is suggested by Miss Nettesheim" The Jester nods. "Next, I think I need to let the huge towering Farin fellow say his mind - he looks so intimidating over there! What guess you, kind sir?" [The Jester]
"Yep, I'm asking you" The Jester smiles to a towering black-skinned man with a shaved head, waiting patiently. [The Jester]
"Intimidating," a towering black-skinned man with a shaved head echoes without tone, while he watches The Jester. "I too, would guess coins."
An athletic young Farin woman with multiple scars glances around the room from her corner, drawing a silent breath; her chest expands momentarily, and then falls as she releases it.
"Ouch, no can do, that guess is already taken and said before your turn too" The Jester says apologetically. "Well, better luck next question, eh?" She turns to Lien le Storm, "And last, but not least, lady Le Storm. Your turn to guess. What do this here fool have in her pocket?" [The Jester]
A towering black-skinned man with a shaved head furrows his brow at that rule, before he just presses his lips together, then.
Lien le Storm stares at said pocket for a moment, her teeth chewing on her bottom lip as she considers the question The Jester poses. Eventually she says with a half-smile, "Oh, I would guess a mouse. You look like the sort of woman who would keep a mouse in their pocket, just in case."
"That's the spirit," Orban compliments Lien le Storm, grinning crookedly. "Good answer." He leans back on his barstool, stretching his hands above his head. "I like this game too." [Orban]
"I should have perhaps just gave a lot of coin and go on my way," a towering black-skinned man with a shaved head laments, then, eyes flicking to the door. "I am not known for intelligence."
"You don't have to be just smart!" Beth protests to a towering black-skinned man with a shaved head. "You can be silly too!" [Beth]
"That is indeed just the kind of woman I look like" The Jester agrees to Lien le Storm. "Ladies and Gentlemen, the unflinching, eternally fair jester has decided that there will be TWO points for this first question. Because I make the rules, and any questions you have to direct to Mrs Buttons anyway. You see - I DO have coins in my pocket!" She gestures to Isobel Nettesheim, "and thus I will grant Miss Nettesheim a point. Close call there, my towering friend, you nearly nabbed that point, sooo close. BUT, I shall give a bonus point to Lady Le Storm too. For few have seen through me so completely. If I had a mouse, I would certainly carry it in my pocket." [The Jester]
"I'm not particularly known for intelligence either," Orban offers to a towering black-skinned man with a shaved head, his tone light and flippant, "but frankly, I've never let it stop me. A little absurdity can be a nice breath of fresh air sometimes, aye?" [Orban]
"No," a towering black-skinned man with a shaved head replies, perhaps unsurprisingly, to Orban, eyes trailing over to The Jester then. "So by your rules, if the first person guesses right, no one else will get a point?"
Isobel Nettesheim claps once gleefully, "Yay!"
An athletic young Farin woman with multiple scars unpicks her legs, and then crosses them the other way, right ankle over left. She watches in silence as the debate unfolds, her mouth puckering at one corner into the faintest smile.
Lien le Storm's lips draw into a broad grin and for just a few seconds, dimples form on her cheeks. "I got a bonus point." She says, nudging Orban at her side with her elbow, and with his words to a towering black-skinned man with a shaved head, she glances his way. "I got a point." She reiterates, "And I didn't guess first. I think, you need to use a little imagination, de Laerne."
"Ah, well," Orban laments with a deep sigh, shaking his head, "I suppose we can't all spend every round trying to come up with something more over-the-top than the last thing we said." He grins fondly down at Lien le Storm as he's nudged, concurring, "You did indeed get a point. I'm sure you'll thrash me entirely." [Orban]
Second question, in which Miss Milbry gets an interesting life
"That is the way I just decided, yes" The Jester nods to a towering black-skinned man with a shaved head. "The way to get ahead is to convince me to allow you to guess first, you see. As I said, I'm most bribable in this regard, and I assure you all coins go straight to charity." She raises her voice again. "Next question, friends" she announces, "Ahem. 'What happens if you walk into the book store on Miller's lane and shout really, really loud?'" She looks about. Hmm, lemme see who gets to guess first ..." [The Jester]
Beth giggles again, clapping her hand over her mouth.
"The way you just decided," a towering black-skinned man with a shaved head murmurs, furrowing his brow, then, before he murmurs, hand moving for his coin-purse, eyes flicking to Lien le Storm, "Very well. I'll give you five hundred more silver so that you allow me to go first until someone gives more coin then that. If this is a game of favoritism."
Isobel Nettesheim wrinkles her nose a bit, "It's a game of charity and having fun!"
"Meeeee," Orban suggests sotto voce, lifting a hand and waving it about to try and catch The Jester's attention. "...Ah, it's a game of favoritism, just... not very logical or straightforward favoritism," he tries to explain to a towering black-skinned man with a shaved head. [Orban]
"My five hundred coins will go to charity, and I don't expect them back," a towering black-skinned man with a shaved head replies tonelessly.
A towering black-skinned man with a shaved head begins to count their money.
An athletic young Farin woman with multiple scars's black eyes swivel back towards Isobel Nettesheim for a moment, then crinkle at the corners. She then looks back towards the group.
"I think five hundred silvers is enough to jump the queue for a little while-- but! I do not need to go first to win a point. As I have proven, I'd rather go last, and see what everyone else says first and then do better." Lien le Storm says, explaining her strategy to Orban and a towering black-skinned man with a shaved head. [Lien le Storm]
"Trust me, I know a thing or two about this" The Jester winks to the audience. "Well, who particularly wants to go first?" She opens her arms in an inviting gesture as she reaches for the coin purse. "Five hundred silver to charity. Excellent my dear fellow." She grins to Orban, "It's a game of favoritism and raw cash. You my dear towering fellow has bought yourself the first guess!" The Jester says generously. "Go ahead, hit me. Well, don't hit me literally, that would hurt since you are so big and I am so small. Hit me ... with words ... well you know what I mean." [The Jester]
Isobel Nettesheim giggles softly at this, moving to finally take a seat and lean back in it.
"Four hundred," a towering black-skinned man with a shaved head murmurs, then, as his hand moves for his coinpurse, furrowing his brow. "Four hundred, sorry. I don't have five hundred," he laments, while his eyes search at The Jester's face for a change.
"I take four hundred just as easily" The Jester says, "I'm cheap that way." [The Jester]
(Continued in next post)