Jaral Barrelstout's Story Thread

Subject: Jaral Barrelstout's Story Thread 7th November 2010, 7:45 pm

"So, Jaral, will you do it? For all of the history you share with our family? For Caby?"

And the day was going so well - the sun was shining, the weather just nice enough to sit in the open and not worry about an extra jacket. In other words, perfect beer-sampling weather, which many of the halfling men were doing this afternoon.

Jaral enjoyed a comfortable status as the premier brewer in Gatherhold. Strong drink always finds a place in society, and Jaral had made an art of brewing hearty ales well suited to the nomadic lifestyle, the kind that traveled well and remained smooth at warmer temperatures. Spirits were still brought in from the northern peoples by various travelers, but when it came to affordable drink, Jaral was the halfling to see.

As any tavernkeeper can attest, you make a lot of friends behind the bar. Jaral was no exception. He had a good ear for listening, and even the nomadic halflings that came in for his three-gallon jugs stayed in his establishment hours longer than needed to buy a supply for the coming months. And as any tavernkeeper will also attest, if you work behind the bar and have a lot of friends, business is good.

Jaral had started his life with the nomad tribes, where he learned to brew quick beers over a day or two. Speed is necessary on the Plains of Talenta as the brewing process is thrown off by the jostles and bumps of travel. But when that beer was ready, ooooh, Jaral could trade it away for food and necessities that made it unnecessary to hunt with the others of the tribe.

It was during this time that Jaral became known as Barrelstout. It was also during this time that he met the Darkbriar family, Cale and Mar Darkbriar, and later their daughter Caby. As often happens with friendships, what started as a casual acquaintance gradually became a deeper relationship, until it reached the point that Jaral owed more to the Darkbriars than he could remember, and he was fairly confident the Darkbriars felt the same about him. Jaral had enjoyed the company of the Darkbriars over fifteen years when he decided to open a business in Gatherhold - although his friends still came to stay with him for several days every time they visited Gatherhold for supplies.

But today...today it was only Mar. She was obviously upset, and the fact that Cale was absent meant something was wrong. Mar explained that Caby and Cale had some secret conversation three nights ago and that Caby had left the tribe. Cale refused to tell Mar the specifics of the talk. Infuriated, Mar untethered her husband's pony and raced to Gatherhold to call in a favor from an old friend - and old friend with the financial means to find a runaway.

Jaral sighed, the exhalation seeming to come more from his tired soul than from his lungs. "Yes, Mar Darkbriar, I'll find your daughter." A gentle smile crossed his face. "Though I'm not sure I'll be able to bring her back. We both know how stubborn she is."

Mar returned his smile, hers barely reaching still-damp eyes that looked up from a half-empty flagon of his best ale. "I know, Jaral. If she won't come back to the Plains, promise me you'll look after her until she changes her mind?"

Jaral rubbed the back of his neck absently. The girl had a two day headstart, at least. So much to do... He nodded his head. "Of course Mar, of course."

Subject: Re: Jaral Barrelstout's Story Thread 7th November 2010, 8:52 pm

Oh, WELL DONE, Master Llama! Well done indeed!

Subject: Re: Jaral Barrelstout's Story Thread 7th November 2010, 11:11 pm

Thank you, E! I enjoyed reading yours as well. Mine has very little dialog in comparison...but Jaral is quiet, so I'll live with it. Very Happy

It only took one additional drink to convince Mar that she needed to go home to her husband. Once she was gone, Jaral's efficient business instincts took over as he made plans to leave town. In a matter of minutes he had instructed his employees to keep the brewery running for a bit while he was away. He knew them all personally and was confident they would do well in his absence. Jaral turned to the door and paused. After a moment he returned to the register and cleaned out the till. "Just in case", he said. After a quick wave he left his business and walked straight to the armorer.

Having tried nothing more adventurous than double hops in a batch of beer one time, Jaral wasn't exactly sure what he needed for this kind of expedition. The armorer smiled warmly (maybe a little too warmly) and guided Jaral from item to item, explaining how each would undoubtedly save his life in the near future. Even though he normally enjoyed bartering with his fellow businessmen, time was slipping by and he paid full price for everything. His new belongings fit nicely in a backpack and a small sack purchased for travel, and he was off.

When one is known for tasty beverages it is easy to ply others for information. Jaral wrote out several vouchers for free ale as he made his way across the Plain. Nomads notice anyone traveling nearby, and a young girl traveling alone was quite an oddity. One nomad was willing to trade a pony ride toward Vulyar for 6 gallons of Jaral's ale. With a stroke of his quill, Jaral felt he had cut at least two days from Caby's head start. Things were looking up!

Vulyar wasn't as populated as Gatherhold, but just as large to the halfling. It didn't take long to notice he was the only halfling in the town, an observation he quickly put to good use. Jaral found what he was looking for in the third inn he visited. The tall serving wench shared what she knew of the young halfling who had recently left town. A generous after-meal tip sparked her memory and soon Jaral was on the road to Vom, the supposed destination of a young halfling girl, her two companions, and a boy from the area.

It was shortly after midday when Jaral arrived in Vom. A quick look around the town revealed the single tavern, and Jaral pushed his way through the human-sized door, certain that he was catching up with the wayward Caby.

Subject: Re: Jaral Barrelstout's Story Thread 7th November 2010, 11:45 pm

Awesome, very nice Smile

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