IC Tavern Thread

[Privateerkev]

Jan looks over at Ebelhard with amusement.

First off, I'm sad to hear that your leaving Outremer soon. We could use all of the good people we can get. But, you do have other stuff to worry about so I guess I can't blame ya. Just sorry to see you go.

And I tell ya, its a blessing that Matthias is standing again. Warms my hopes to see a Crusader running for Chancellor. If he didn't run, I don't know who of us would. I know I don't want the job.

I think it was a good move stating out in front about being Steward. If there is going to be any "lawfare" then lets get it out of the way.

I definitely agree the King needs more influence. I wish there was a way to remove the whole house territory thing from Outremer as well. We need more flexibility in who can govern counties. When the Crusades were getting started, the house territories were to make the houses think they had a stake. But, with the passage of CA 11.4, it is obvious that the houses no longer feel they have a stake. So, we should remove the 4 house territories and let them be governed like Edessa, as Imperial territories where the King picks whom he wants to govern them regardless of house affiliation.

As for English women, I don't know if you've noticed, but I'm a little pudgy and not exactly what you would consider "conventionally handsome." And I refuse to pay for it so I don't know much about any women, let alone English ones.

[Ferret]

Dieter re-enters the bar after calming down and orders a pint for himself, the Prince and Jan to celebrate his promotion to crusader count

As for English women, I don't know if you've noticed, but I'm a little pudgy and not exactly what you would consider "conventionally handsome." And I refuse to pay for it so I don't know much about any women, let alone English ones.

Dieter bursts out laughing

Surely you must be jesting my dear Jan. And I strongly agree with your point on crusader territories, it makes much more sense

[Privateerkev]

Jan happily takes his new free beer from Dieter.

To Dieter, the newest Crusader Count! May the Lord help you as you protect the citizens of Aleppo and serve the Reich in Outremer!

Here Here!

Jan takes a big swig, then turns towards Dieter.

But, seriously, I meant what I said about me. Why do you think I wear a helmet and this Crusader cloak?

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

OOC: Jan has the traits "a bit rough" and "too comfortable" which means he is a bit pudgy and not too attractive.

[gibsonsg91921]

Péter goes and sits by Jan:

Hey cousin, why should Matthias get to run again..? 'Tsnot like he's the emperor or somethin'... He gets too mush power. I sheen it before..

[Privateerkev]

Jan turns to his cousin

Because he has done a good job. He helped Duke Ansehelm get started on the Teutonic Crusade and he can help him return. He's kept the FHA up to snuff and protected Thorn as well as Hamburg. I rather go with who I know than someone I don't know.

[gibsonsg91921]

True, I'm not shayin' that he'sh done a bad job. I'm shayin' that when you give one man power for too long, bad thingsh happen. Power corruptsh - remember Hummel?

[Privateerkev]

I was not active in politics back when Hummel was Chancellor. But, what his reign did prove is that it is possible to impeach a Chancellor that oversteps his bounds so I am not too worried about Matthias running for a second term.

[gibsonsg91921]

Agh, give shomeone elsesh a chance cuz! I'm outta here.

Péter leaves, carried by his shieldbearer and lancebearer.

[Privateerkev]

Looks with amusement as his cousin is carried out by his men.

*sigh*

So many of the youngins don't know how to hold their liquor...

[OverKnight]

Matthias comes in from the street. He approaches the bartender and asks for a coffee.

"Beer?" He replies.

Matthias begins to go into a description of coffee, how it is grown in Arabia and Africa, but stops as the bartender stares blankly at him. He then requests tea.

"Beer?" The bartender replies.

Matthias grimaces, wondering out loud why the leaves have not made it to cosmopolitan Rome since the Reich now controls most of the eastern trade routes. Finally he asks for anything that does not contain alcohol.

Exasperated, the bartender pours some milk into a pint glass and places it down in front of the Count.

Matthias orders the stew and calmly surveys the room, looking as composed as a man holding a glass of milk in a Tavern can.

OOC: It's tough having the "Sober" trait in a bar. It's not like you can order a club soda in the 13th century.

[GeneralHankerchief]

Jens Hummel:

Ladiesh and gentlemen, thish ish your Chanshellor! A man too refined for the tashtesh of the common man but yet shtill wishes to help partake in the feshtivitiesh.

Matthiash, Outremer'sh had a bad influenshe on ye! No beer? BAH! I sheem to be the lucky one here, eh? Barkeep! Keep 'em coming!

[OverKnight]

Matthias raises an eyebrow as he drinks his milk. Setting the glass down he stares at Jens. The intimidating nature of the gesture is ruined by the faint milk moustache clinging to his upper lip.

To each his own. I would prefer coffee, I found the drink very useful during my term.

Actually, I'm not Chancellor anymore, my term ended with the opening of the Diet session. At this point I'm only a candidate.

Still I have to keep my wits about me.

Matthias notices the milk on his lip and with a muttered oath wipes it off.

[Privateerkev]

Jan watches with amusement as Matthias tries to look imposing in a milk mustache.

Count Matthias,

The front area has beer and such. I think they serve other food items farther back in the tavern. Should be coffee back there. Victor here is new so he probably didn't know that.

OOC: While not an upscale place, the Tavern isn't a dive either. We can safely assume that it carries a wide variety of food and drinks. Everyone should feel that there is something for them here. I'll change the top post to reflect this.

[FactionHeir]

Hans looks up as Friedrich shouts his appointment and free beers and again as Jan congratulates Dieter. Putting the scroll aside, he blinks a few times to readjust to the dim lighting before walking over to Jan's table

Hail Jan, I see you are back from Outremer as well now? Hans nods politely to Elberhard and Matthias And of course I congratulate your brother in law to his formidable appointment.

Turns to Matthias I see you are running for re-election? Well, I think that will be difficult. Of course you may have more support than I did during said diet session, but many members of the diet are still opposed to a single man serving two chancellorships in a row. I wish you good luck nonetheless.

To Elberhard Why thank you for the pint brother. Why are you not having any? Feeling sober this night eh? WENCH! Bring my noble brother a beer will you?

[Privateerkev]

Jan turns to Hans

Yes and let me congratulate you as well on your promotion. Your brother made you Crusader Count of Acre. You'll get to make sure that no one sieges the Holy City again.

Jan raises his mug to Hans

May the Lord be with you as you protect the people of Acre and guard the Pope!

Here Here!

As for the Prince here, I think he has a lot on his mind. *laughs*

[FactionHeir]

Aye does he indeed? Care to indulge me?

It is indeed ironics I should hold Acre once more - the fortress I once took during the first crusade. Incidentally, Salier had offered me Edessa, but that is in better hands with you.

[Privateerkev]

As for Ebelhard, he's pretty much running the Diet right now with the Kaiser planning his wedding to the ERE princess. He's also Steward of Outremer so he has to deal with people like me who are planning reams of legislation. And,

Jan says the next in a lower voice.

I think he is having women trouble.

As for Edessa, I thank you for your kind words. The King told me he expected me to protect that city and I will do so for as long as I am able. I suspect he offered you Edessa because he was going to send me back to Aleppo to take over my father's estate. But, Ebelhard changed things around. Thats ok, Dieter can deal with Duke Ansehelm since he will be the one who is the official Franconian representative of Outremer and not me. Plus, at Edessa, I am out on the frontier where the action is and I want in on what is being planned next.

[FactionHeir]

Indeed, and together we shall smite these Mongols, eh?

[Privateerkev]

Oh we will. Matthias might have taken out the general that killed King Salier and many of my men, but there are three more armies out there. The people of Edessa deserve to be able to come out from behind the thick city walls without fear.

[AussieGiant]

The Austrian table near the hearth becomes quiet...every man at the table is looking at the Duke as he reads a report...his face takes on an increasingly menacing visage...

Smashing his fist onto the table in frustration the Duke stands abruptly

God damn it!! This is a farce!! Grom, Bane with me!!

At that the Duke leaves trailed by his two retainers.

[Privateerkev]

Jan walks into the Tavern and sits down at his spot at the bar. He looks tired. So much has happened today. Jan gets a beer and takes a deep satisfying pull. Sitting in thought, Jan ponders all of the decisions he will have to make tomorrow. He hopes he is up to the task. He is going to have to be. Lives are on the line. Jan holds up his mug and toasts someone who was his mentor but is now his peer,

Here is to you King Salier. I know this isn't what you wanted but I hope I can do some good in this position.

With that, Jan downs the rest of his beer, gets up, and leaves. He goes back to his quarters in Rome to pray and to get some much needed rest. Tomorrow is going to be a busy day...

[Privateerkev]

Jan walks in early. It is still light outside. As he pads in, it is clear he has just woken up. Plopping on a stool at the bar, Jan orders a coffee with some liquor in it. It is placed in front of him and he lifts it to his lips and takes a pull. It is warm in more than one way. Gunther, walks in and whispers in Jan's ear. Jan almost spits out the contents of his cup when he hears the news.

The Prince did what!?! For life?!?

Alright, we have some work to do. Lets go.

Jan finishes his cup in one quick draw and departs.

[GeneralHankerchief]

Jens Hummel:

*sip*

He is not related to me...

*bang*

*sip*

He is not related to me...

*bang*

*sip*

He is not related to me...

*bang*

etc.

[Privateerkev]

Jan walks in with Gunther and Max dutifully in tow. He sees Jens Hummel banging his head against the bar to a rhythm. In between each bang, Jens takes a drink. Jan figures that with some things, it is truly better to not ask. He sits down further down the bar and orders beer.

[Stuperman]

Gerhard Steffen walks in, his brow sagged, his eyes red, he stops just inside the enterance of the bar, and waits for a minute as though he has forgotten where he was going.

He cautiously makes his way to the bar, he speaks:

'I'll have a........a.......er, several beer'

'Several, sir?' the barkeep responds

Gerhard stairs off into the distance for a time, with a shake he answers:

'What?, er, yeah, gimme....ah....3 beer now, and..........keep them comming.'

The barkeep pours the first beer, Gerhard drinks it quickly as the barman pours the other 2. Setting down the empty mug and picking up the other 2, one in each hand.

He starts towards a middle table, after 2 steps, he spins quickly back to face the bar, spilling both his beer in the process.

'One more thing' he announces 'have a hooka sent to my table'

'This hashish Conrad sent me works wonders on my illness, but doesn't help the concentration much, or the mouth for that matter' Gerhard ponders to himself as he looks over the room.

After a time of gigling to himself, Gerhard spots Arnold against the wall on the far side of the bar, he summons a quench wench and orders a round for Arnold's entire party, and makes his way over to the table, Joining the game of "Did you hear what Jan said?" already in progress.

[Tamur]

*Fritz enters the bar hurriedly. He rushes to the bar and whispers something to the tender*

"You want what?" bellows the barkeep.

*Fritz whispers more urgently*

"You want a...", the barkeep begins, but Fritz slaps a hand over the man's mouth just in time. He whispers again, and keeps his hand over the barkeep's mouth a moment until releasing him.

The barkeep grumbles as he walks into the back room, and returns with a rope and two towels. He roughly throws them at Fritz, who hurriedly stuffs the towels into his tunic.

*He turns and sees Arnold and Gerhard, blushes furiously, and makes for the exit.*

[Privateerkev]

Jan walks in exhausted. He plops down at the bar. The bartender knows him so well now he just puts a mug down in front of him. Jan drinks as he has some random thoughts.

Who knew being King was so tiring? Who ever thought that the King could also be a King-maker? Trying to get Crusader Counts on the same page is like herding cats. I think the Lord is punishing me for all the grief I gave Salier. And I also think the Lord sent Jens Hummel to punish me for all of the outbursts I caused in the Diet when I was younger. And why was Duke Arnold's and Duke Gerhard's table laughing so hard? Why on Earth does my cousin want a rope?!?

While these thoughts were mildly amusing, Jan was tired. He finished his beer, paid for his drink, got up and met up with Max and Gunther, and left with them taking flanking positions.

[OverKnight]

Matthias walks into the tavern looking worn.

I would much rather face the Mongol Hordes by myself than go through that again.

Perhaps one beer won't hurt.

Matthias sits and savors a rare treat.

[Privateerkev]

Jan walks in followed by Max and Gunther. Jan had gone to his quarters but he couldn't sleep. Instead he had stayed up for hours writing letters. For now, the letters were sent off. Max and Gunther took up a table by the bar while Jan walked up to Count Matthias. Jan ordered a beer.

Jan says with a grin,
Count Matthias, if you are going to drink, then I insist that you not do it alone.

[OverKnight]

You and you entourage may have a seat if you wish. I fear my own is less fearsome, a tutor I barely see, a military engineer who is supervising the construction of the Ballista Towers in Edessa, a Teuton who is looking after Adana and my mentor stays in Italy.

Perhaps a Dread Knight, like that walking Iron Mountain Arnold has, would be more imposing.

Still at least I don't have a Pagan Magician, they seem to be more trouble than they're worth.