IC Tavern Thread

[Privateerkev]

OOC: This is an IC thread for KotR players only.

Down the street from the Diet, there is a large building. As you walk through the door, your eyes attempt to adjust to the dim lighting. You get the distinct feeling that dozens of eyes are on you sizing you up as you walk into the tavern. The sound of men carousing and laughing can be heard clearly. As your eyes adjust, you see multiple bars along the walls with tables in abundance. The beer is plentiful and served in large mugs and steins. Further back, serving wenches take orders for a wide variety of food items. Coffee and other non-alcoholic beverages are available but you do not see many people partaking in them. Further into the tavern, you can hear men singing loudly and badly in German. Stairs lead to upper levels where the beds are soft, the doors can be locked, and no one asks any questions. There is a large basement if the privacy you seek has nothing to do with companionship. The patrons are common and noble alike. You recognize many of the electors and knights from the Imperial Diet. They sit in small knots at tables or lined up at one of the bars. The closest barkeep looks up at you while washing a mug and yells out, "what will you be having?"

OOC information:

1.) This thread will be for IC interaction for all players of the KotR PBM from generic elector to Kaiser (though he might not want to "dirty" himself by slumming with the common folk). Its basically in Rome, or wherever the Imperial capital may be, so its a place to unwind before or after a day's work in the Diet.

2.) You can not be banned for anything you say or do. Though do not be surprised if what you say has political consequences. This should foster a more relaxed atmosphere than the Diet. But, consider what you say in here to be in "public". Anything really secret should be best kept to PM's.

3.) Any interaction between characters that puts one in a negative light must have the consent of all involved. This is the same rule that is in the story thread.

4.) No "official" business. While it is ok to discuss edicts, house politics, and elections, this is not the thread for any "official" announcements. Anything to do with official presenting and seconding of edicts still has to be done in the Diet. Same with official announcements with regards to political assignments such as counts. Anything "official" that is stated in the tavern thread is to be regarded as a rumor and not given weight.

5.) The tavern is a big place so regardless of what "destruction" is wrought upon the place, such as bar fights and the like, you can assume that you can still do what you came to do.

6.) All general .org rules regarding posting still apply. Watch the language. While it can be assumed that your character and the bar maid are not upstairs chatting over tea, we do not need a description that would be more apt for the Penthouse Forum.

7.) Because we are trying to interact with each other and keep a certain "flow" going, double posting is fine. Do not feel that you have to be stingy with the posts. If this thread fills up, I'll just start another.

[Privateerkev]

Jan comes in and sits at the bar. Gunther and Max sit down on either side of him. He is pleased at finding the new place. He wonders who else will show up as he orders a beer.

[GeneralHankerchief]

Jens Hummel:

*slurring*

And here'sh to my father Ulrich, the FINEST Chancellor the Reich *hic* Nay, the world has ever seen! Thanksh for the boost, Dad!

And thish one'sh for my brudda, Wolfgang. It's because of HIM that I'm too much of a coward to show my face in that big shiny building over there down the way. Sho here's drinksh all around folks, for my family! No finer a family you will find anywhere!

[Privateerkev]

Jan turns toward the young noble

Jens! What are you doing in Rome? I thought you were back in Outremer. Good to see you getting out and about. Don't be too intimidated by the Diet young Jens. Just show some modicum of proper deference and you can say a lot.

[GeneralHankerchief]

Jens Hummel:

Ah yesh, we're all coming down here in memoriam. To Jonas von Mahren, a great sholdier, theologian, father, and Crushader! Methinksh thish tavern wash opened a mite too late, for surely he would have enjoyed it.

Another round! For Jonas!

[Privateerkev]

Jan raises his mug in honor

I have the feeling that Jonas had the chance to frequent many places like these. But yes, it would have been good to have gotten to know him better. He left Outremer before we came over. He has recently gotten son-in-laws. Maybe they will come by sometime soon and we can all lift our mugs together.

Its so weird to see so many of the old guard passing on. Duke Gunther, my father, Jonas....

Jan gets quiet, stops naming names, and drinks from his mug.

[Ignoramus]

A door opens and Wolfgang Hummel enters in.

"Jens, what are you doing drunk here in Rome? I had thought better of you. Sober up and we can talk."

[Privateerkev]

Jan eyes Wolfgang when he walks in. Instead of saying anything, he turns and drinks more of his beer.

[GeneralHankerchief]

Jens Hummel:

Why, dear *hic* brudda, I thought that would be obvioush. I am here with my besht buddies (he spreads his arms wide) shelebrating one of the Reich'sh finesht men!

Ash for why I am here in the firsht place, why not? It'sh not like they're going to give me command of a *hic* army back out Easht.

*He raises his arm in the air, burps, and slumps, asleep.*

[Privateerkev]

Jan looks over at a passed out Jens with amusement and says to himself,

"The way people are dropping out east, be careful what you wish for young Jens..."

[AussieGiant]

Filing in without seemingly anyone noticing the room becomes slowly silent as through the door enters Duke Arnold's darkly clad retinue and favoured regimental Captains.

Scanning the room the Dread Knight Bane is clearly searching for something or someone. Even with his reverse curved full helm the sweeping motion of his head feels as if all is being revealed to him.

After some moments, the imposing figure of the Duke moves through the fully armed gathering of Austrian soldiers and fighters.

With a slight nod of his helm a silent understanding is passed between the Dread Knight and his Duke as he walks up beside Bane to scan the tavern himself.

Looking at a large and occupied table in a prime location near the hearth, it suddenly dawns on the occupance that the Duke's retinue is staring as one towards them.

By the time Bane has taken three steps towards the large table, the seats are emptied and the serving wench has begun clearing the half eaten meals and wine.

As a group they move without a word towards the table and begin to sit.

Arnold , taking the tables head position, has his back to the wall and is facing the entrance.

Finally the silence is broken when Grom bellows to the barman across the room; "Nice place you've got here fella, BEER, bring me BEER I say!!!"

At that the room returns to normal, the Duke's party begins to relax and talk amongst themselves.

[Cecil XIX]

I think I few drinks are in order, especially to mourn the dearly departed. In the space of eight years we have lost four honorable men, more than a seventh share of our Generals and fifth share of our electors. Jan and Jens, you two better be careful. It's fine if the Lord has decided to call home his own; a tragedy if the result of simple accident and maliciousness.

A toast, gentlemen! To those dead who have served the Reich well!

[AussieGiant]

Arnold nods his greeting to Becker, raises his tankard along with the rest of the men at his table.

"To those dead who have served the Reich well!"; the Duke's toast is replied with thunderous approval from the gathered men in the room.

[Privateerkev]

As the Duke walked in, Jan stopped drinking and looked up. He turned back to Max and saw his Teutonic Knight stiffen. Jan moved his right hand out and, with the palm down, waved down subtly in the universal gesture to stand down. Gunther sat unphased through all of this just drinking his beer. When the Duke and his party passed, Jan relaxed while Max turned back to his beer and attempted to enjoy it. Gunther turns to Jan and says, "so, is that the one I've heard so much about?" Jan replies, "yeah... thats him. We've basically agreed to leave each other be but I've always wondered what would happen if we ever ran into each other outside of the Diet again. The last two times that happened, we almost killed each other."

[Privateerkev]

Jan turns when he hears the Austrian group erupt in cheers. He thought he heard Edmund say his name. Sitting and thinking for a moment, Jan makes up his mind. He looks up at the bartender and asks for two more beers. With one in each hand, he walks over to the Austrian table as Gunther comes with and brings his own and Jan's. Max decides to stay seated at the bar.

Gentlemen,

Since we're toasting the fallen, I wish to have one for Sigismund. I think it is only appropriate that I include both of you in on this.

Jan places a beer in front of Edmund and one in front of Duke Arnold. He takes his own back from Gunther. Lifting his mug up, Jan says loudly,

To Sigismund! A good soldier and a good friend! Your are missed!

[AussieGiant]

Arnold's eye's lock for a moment with Jan's. There is a imperceptible exchange not noticed by the others.

You're right Jan.

To Sigismund, a fine man and a fine Brother!!!

[Privateerkev]

Jan locks eyes right back at Duke Arnold and gives a nod. Nothing threatening, just an acknowledgment. It is clear that he is at the table because he thinks it is the right thing to do, not because he wants to. Before anyone else can notice the tenseness between the two men, Jan downs the rest of his beer.

Well gentlemen, I would love to stay but I need to turn in. Enjoy the beer.

Jan gives polite nod to the Duke and then a nod to Edmund. He then turns and walks away with his grizzled old veteran Gunther behind him. Jan and Gunther meet up with Max at the bar, pay the bartender their tab, and leave.

[Ferret]

Dieter walks in alone and sits at the bar drinking pint after pint of beer completely ignoring everyone else in the room. Inside he is deeply disturbed by the recent death of KIng Salier and wonders if he will suffer the same fate at the hands of the mongols when he returns to Edessa.

[Privateerkev]

Early in the evening, Jan walks into the Tavern with Gunther and Max in tow. Seeing his brother-in-law Dieter at the bar, Jan takes the stool next to him and orders a pint.

Good evening Dieter, how have you been handling everything? I know a lot of this is new to you so if you have any questions, let me know.

[Ferret]

I am fine Jan, it just seems to me that the Reich has passed it's Zenith of power. WE have large armies on all our borders, our generals are dropping like flies and bands of rebels seem to be becoming more common inside our lands. It seems to me that only the hard work of our Chancellor is holding the Reich together.
And, worst of all I haven.t had a fight for a while, in fact this looks like as good a place as any.

Dieter leaps up and smacks the peasant next to him right on the jaw, causing uproar in the tavern

(OOC: I was bored and I think he's had a too few many ;) )

[Privateerkev]

Jan leans back and gives Dieter room to swing. In between Dieter's swings at the peasant, Jan taps Dieter on the back to get his attention. He wishes to calm Dieter down before he gets in over his head.

OOC: Oh its cool. Bar fights are perfectly ok in here and pretty much inevitable.

[Ferret]

Dieter turns to his brother in law after downing a few peasants and looks ashamed.

I'm sorry Jan I got carried away. I think it would be best if I left now before I cause even more trouble.

[Privateerkev]

Jan, Gunther, and Max all stand up and look at the crowd in a universal gesture that makes it clear that they got Dieter's back. The small crowd backs down and resumes their drinking. Those knocked on the ground, get back up and go back to their spots at the bar or tables.

I think that would be a good idea Dieter, we'll stay here and make sure no one follows you out. I'll see you later.

Jan claps Dieter on the shoulder as a goodbye.

[FactionHeir]

Hans enters the tavern, alone, heading straight to one of the corner tables - however not without ordering a meal and beer with the nearest wench.

As he seats himself, drawing and unfolding a scroll, he scans the room quickly before immersing himself in the scroll's contents.

[econ21]

Elberhard slouches into the tavern, looking dishevelled, downcast and the worse for wear. He notices his brother Hans, with his head buried in a scroll, and turns away awkwardly.

He approaches the barkeep and orders two pints, sending one over to his brother, with his compliments. His own pint he picks up and admires, as if he has just been re-acquainted with a long lost friend who has done well for himself.

Just as Elberhard is about to savour his first sip, the portly Diet Speaker waddles into the bar and accousts the Prinz.

"@#$%^&!!!ing @#$%^&!!!, I don't believe it!" curses his Elberhard and reluctantly he follows the Speaker out of the tavern, giving a sad backwards gance at the pint of ice cold lager sitting untouched on the bar.

[gibsonsg91921]

Péter enters the tavern, orders a pint, and sits with Duke Arnold.

Nay, to Sigismund, Ehrhart, and Jonas!

May Edmund and Wilhelm (OOC: is that his name?) be blessed!

[Privateerkev]

Jan walks back in and notices an empty beer on the bar. Looking around, he shrugs and sits down. He orders his own beer and wonders whether the owner of the pint on the bar will come back.

[Warmaster Horus]

Friedrich enters the tavern, a huge grin all over his face. He's clearly happy about something, and decides to celebrate.

"My friends! I hope I may soon call you that! Today is a good day for me, having been accepted for service in the Duchy of Bavaria. Because this is so close to the Diet, and because I know many members frequent it, I've come here to thank the men that have made that possible."

He looks around, and seeing that a few (not to say many) men have finished their pint, he decides to continue down the path he chose that night. He exclaims in a rather loud voice:

"All drinks are on me tonight! Come, and be merry, for I know I am!"

As the reality of the offer settles in the mind of those gathered in the Tavern, they quickly empty their pints, and rush to the bar to get some more. Friedrich sees the situation, and thinks 'I did a good thing to repay them. I just hope I'll have enough money to pay for all their drinks.'

A lot of shouting ensues, and in the small chaos, he takes a pint that he'd noticed on the bar, and goes to sit at a small table next to the hearth

[Privateerkev]

Jan gulps down his pint, orders his free pint, and raises his mug towards the kind Bavarian general that made this all possible.

[econ21]

Elberhard hurries into the tavern and rushes to the bar. Finding it empty, he looks around puzzled, like a lost puppy and slumps down next to Jan.

"Evening, Jan! Well, that's a @#$%^&!!!ing turn up for the books, isn't it? Matthias standing again?

There was I, singing his praises and saying no one should be afraid of following such a hard act. It was like I was giving a @#$%^&!!!ing funeral oration.

And then the little @#$%^&!!!er jumps up out of his grave and says he is standing again! It was like the return of the living dead.

Well, I suppose there is at least one man not afraid of following such a hard act!

Oh, and I've put my cards on the table about being Steward of Outremer. If Lothar or any other rules lawyer wants to upset the apple cart, they can. I can't be @#$%^&!!!ed.

We should probably discuss Outremer legislation at some stage. I can't help feeling the King should be given similar standing to the Dukes in terms of influence. But we can perhaps discuss that in the morning.

What I want to know now is - do you know anything about English women? And do they all want to put your @#$%^&!!!s in a nutcracker?"