The sound of wet stone grating against wet stone fills the chamber for a short time until a small doorway is revealed. Where the wall was once covered in green slime and water stains, a small doorway to a chamber has been revealed. Members of the party near the doorway take a cautious step backward, perhaps anticipating another attack from bilge rats.

"Did you hear that?" Piker Big Coin asks as he graps the lowest rung of the decrepit looking ladder. The echoes of the shifting rocks from the newly revealed chamber reverberate around him. He glances up and watches Akasha climb further up the rungs. He feels a peculiar feeling in his chest. Is it fear? He tries to ignore it. He hangs there indecisively for a moment, weighing the coin in hand from Silor against the possibilities contained by the sound beneath him. He almost continues the climb until he remembers the mocking voice of his father in his memories.

"Damn it all, and damn him."

Ridicule is what forces him off the ladder, moves his feet back down the corridor to the party.

Drad Silor will be pleased to learn the party has finally put an end to his rat infestation. This week. The entire party is proud of their accomplishment, and begins to heal from any wounds received. (All party members are fully healed by this turn.)

As a small reward for your service, aside from any Drad Silor may have in mind, the adventurers who battled a foe will receive 11 Experience Points each. (Experience from battles explained: http://realmsofadventures.weebly.com/mechanics.html)

Khan McDoo - +11 XP
Aiyana - +11 XP
Ser Boros - +11 XP
Akasha - +11 XP
Blackbird - +11 XP

"Well as happy I am that we murdered some rather odiforous vermin, the smell of burning hair and ancient mildew is a bit much for me" states Akasha, "I vote we head up into a warmer more ale filled enviroment and collect our much deserved award!"

Akasha moves silently towards the ladder and grasps the bottom rung, "the more time we spend down here the less time we spend getting payed up there, and maybe its our recent rodent foray, but I have a sudden hankering for a fight with some goblins, let's go!"

Khan McDoo looks with disdain at the barrels of ale having sworn off the drink years ago after a drunken run in with a barmaid and funny little gentleman named Sven, if he remembers correctly.

Khan starts west along the cellar wall then slows to make sure he does not travel to far from his new companions.  He is excited by any hint of battle, no matter how minuscule.  As he approaches the dark back corner to glowing green eyes blink open, then turn to slits of burning hatred.  A giant rat is big, but the sewage coated beast that emerges from the shadows and approaches Khan is enormous.  Khan jumps at the opportunity to attack the giant rat, swinging his Steel knuckle covered fists with all his might.

KHAN MCDOO (40 450 750) 60 Defense - Steel Knuckles 12 XP
BOSS RAT (12 25 0) 12 Defense - Poison Claws 20 XP
Boss Rat loses 12 defense points in the fight, and is killed.

Master Sung readies for attack so he is to not be caught off guard.

Master Sung immediately steps further into the cellar by proceeding North.  He approaches the large pile of barrels and storage bags. "We offered to help... Help we shall... Enlightenment is not found in cowardly acts, but in overcoming one's fears and doing what is to be done..."

Sabastine smiles when he recalls the memory of how the dark elf pilched a few gold coins from the tavern keeper.  He probably didn't notice her, and she probably hadn't thought she was noticed.  Upon hearing the comments of the monk he turns and faces Master Sung. "Silly man, didn't your time on your knees in the monastery teach you better manners?" Smiling Sabastine steps ahead of the company, off the narrow stairs and deeper into the cellar to the North.  Whistling and calling out "Come out, come out, where ever you are..."

While the other adventurers are settling their tab downstairs with Drad Silor, Ser Boros stands with a loud sigh from the table. "Well Bard, it would seem I'm recently out of a job, and mayhap putting some steel to those little buggers might just make me feel better. Not to mention I'm going to be in need of an income stream soon enough, so if there's talk of some reward that might put some grub on my plate, then count me in..."

Taking a step from the table, his knees nearly give out beneath him. He rather unceremoniously catches his balance on the table before rethinking his movement and sitting back down. "Maybe I should sober up a bit first though..." he offers.

Benziken, the male hobbit bard, decides to count his cards to find out why he can't seem to win at this game.  Apparently there are three cards missing from this deck.  All the time sitting there has him curious as to what the others have gotten up to.  He secures his lute, slung over one shoulder by a thick canvas strap. And reaches for the tin lute held fast to his hip by a long tin chain.  Benziken follows Ser Boros down the narrow staircase.

Meanwhile, downstairs...

Master Sung stands up and extends his hand to Blackbird "We shall, fore it is the way to enlightenment..." Master Sung smiles, "But not before my tea." He returns sitting.  Blackbird rounds the monks neck with a gentle arm and tugs him to his feet. "The busty broad will have ye tea readied for the road old friend! Let's go!"

Smiling maliciously Sabastine looks to Blackbird "I could have not said it any better myself. Let us get organized." He looks to Master Sung, "One of us needs to figure out just what goblin issues they are having and where. I would hate to stumble onto a small horde and end up with a goblin spear through my gullet!"

"You seem like the conversationalist, Master Sung, why don't you go ask around and find out what information you can dig up." I will talk need to visit and speak with my connections as well. Oh and I need to equip myself for a venture into the wilds."  He looks to the others at the table, "Will you be joining us?"

Sabastine smirks at the uncomfortable feeling at the table. Looking to both of the individuals at the table he waits for the barmaid to return. "So I couldn't help but over hear your distress, I too am sick of the inaction, isn't that the word you used sir ranger?" Crossing his arms he leans into the occupants at the table and quietly says "So lets find some action, shall we?"

Master Sung stares intently at Blackbird as if not only deep in his own thoughts but Blackbirds as well. "I too am tired. How do you propose we satisfy our adventurous appetite?"

Smacking his flat hand against the table top, Blackbird McAllister shouts, "Let's be gone from this tavern and on our way to scrubbing goblin scum from the face of the realms!"

Master Shi Wu Sung looks toward bar maid and with a smile asks for a tea or other warm beverage as he takes a seat at an empty table.

The bar maid, Malurie Ardan, slips out of the room.  She never hears Ser Boros' harsh comments ...

"Perhaps the King's Guard hasn't dealt with 'them goblins' because they're busy doing other things, like, oh I don't know, protecting the King?!" Ser Boros offers with only a slight slur. His cheeks are red from the wine and after speaking it appears as though he may be somewhat abashed by his outburst and he returns his gaze to the table and pretends as though he said nothing at all. He'll toss an extra gold to the barmaid by way of apology, but offers no words of such to her.

Blackbird McAllister waits for the monk to be seated, then pulls out a chair and joins him.  How well the two know one another is still a mystery to the other people in the room.  "Well I for one have had enough of this inaction! You understand my position monk, now is the time to decide what we plan to do."

While Aiyana is at the corner of the balcony, she scans the city streets below. After a short time, she sits at an empty table to observe the others on the balcony. Eventually she decides to see if she can get any useful information about the other adventurers from the bar maid.

The bar maid, Malurie Ardan, begins speaking with Aiyana about reports of goblins snatching sheep at local farms to the west of the city gates. "I dun' know why the King's Guard hasn't squashed them goblins like the sewer rats they always chasin' round here.  But I tell'a - anyone would take a stand and them farmer's would be in their debt. That's sure enough!"

Overhearing the ladies conversation, and having no desire to leave his drinking, Ser Boros loudly orders another glass of wine (added to his tab downstairs) without getting up from his seat. His tone to the barmaid is not so much rude as it is simply gruff and exhausted. Should anyone pay him any mind his attention would be mostly focused on the table in front of him, although it would be easy to spot the frequent glances he gives to the woman standing on the balcony. His looks are not lewd or suggestive, but curious.

Welcome to Realms of Adventures! Thank you for taking a step
into fantasy, and joining the fun of a game with the other players.

Typical to most roleplaying games - you find yourselves in a tavern.
The tavern is where adventurers come to rest and regroup, and recount
their achievements! Keep your ears open, you may learn something...