Main Session

"You like a little heat to your ale? You're in the right place. I must say, those golden scales are definitely unique, I've never seen anything like them before." While Nezryn gets the feeling that this woman was similar to the one Ardira was currently chatting with and likely her daughter, her speech was a little more subdued even if she was chatty. Instead the bartender pours out a pint of what smelled like ginger beer mixed with cinnamon, an extra cinnamon stick leaning up against the glass.

"Now for a little fire!" She swivels around with a pinch of something, sprinkling them across the top of the drink, Nezryn soon identified them as red chilli flakes, a bizarre addition to a drink, surely? "Don't worry, we get our brews nice and dull, then spice 'em up to have you soothed and relaxed by the second glass, I cant rightly say what happens after the third or fourth, depends how well you handle your drink!" She gives a soft laugh, patting Nezryn on the shoulder.

Nezryn winces at the pat - the shoulder still sore from whatever wacky magic was used against her earlier, but seeing the barmaid add a cinnamon stick to her drink has the girl smiling wide. "Do you also do cinnamon on hot chocolate? That is the best- topped with a bit of sweetened whipped cream? Oh if I needed to be lured somewhere, that'd have me sold regardless of how obvious the trap." She glances at the patted shoulder, and the golden scales that creep from beneath her clothes. She already forgot about the ache, "Certainly no tiefling, though sometimes I think a tail would be fun. Aside from permanent jewelry, the scales do a good job protecting me. The horns did me well growing up - got to headbutt my older brother when he roughhoused a little too hard." She promptly takes the cinnamon from the glass and gives it a quick tap to ensure she won't fling any ale, then puts it in the side of her mouth to gnaw on - savoring the warming rolled bark.

"Oh I love cinnamon in hot chocolate, especially when the weather is cold and grey! It makes me cozy just thinking about it. I'm Sara, by the way. Not seen your face around here before."

Sara gives a hah! at the mention of headbutting, "I think I'd rather avoid a headbutt, horns or not, so I'd best stay on your good side."

Nezryn lets out an amused huff. "Today'ssth my firsstht day here," she attempts to say before pulling the cinnamon stick from her mouth and plopping it back into the ale to give it a stir, "Took a job to help Emberwynd - I thought it was to investigate that strange building, and it was for all of... Two minutes? Before one of us almost got crushed... And then I met a really pretty guard captain, and then I was told about food-" she chuckles, "so now I'm here, of course."

Nezryn takes a sip of the offered drink and seems to remember something as she swallows the warm concoction, "I'm Nezryn - Nezryn Goldthorp. Pleasure to meet you! Everyone's been so nice here-" Then, in another moment of distraction, "Say, do you often have performers here?"

"Wow, sounds like you've had quite the busy day!" She says, listening to Nezryn as she cleans a few glasses at the bar, "It's really nice to meet you as well, Nezryn. I've not heard a name like yours before!" The woman is personably, friendly and warm as Nezryn seems to sink into comfortable conversation with her.

"Of course everyone is nice, Nezryn, that's the main business of Emberwynd! Its a tourist town, so everyone works hard to make it a place everyone wants to come back to!" She gives a warm laugh, "We do have performers here quite often, I suppose! Usually it's at night though, its a bit of a struggle to find performers through the day – most are more keen when free ale is included for the night." (edited)Tuesday, 2 December 2025 00:44

The girl wraps both hands around her glass as it rests on the bartop and gently tinks it with her nails, "That isn't even counting the weird undead thingies that I fought. The others I came in with were hoping to learn more and collectively decided to split up before I could stop gawking at all the pretty faces..." she trails. "They've got it handled, surely! Do you think there's anyone here worth speaking to that'd know more about what all's been happening, and if so, is one of us already speaking to them? And and, would it be alright if I play my violin a bit?"

"Undead? That certainly doesn't sound good." Sara says, looking a little worried, "Maybe I might know a thing or two, you may be speaking to the right person this whole time, imagine that?"

"Oh! If you'd like to play we'd love to have some light music, we'd pay you a few gold if you're popular." She smiles, "You could take stand over on our little stage over there." She points over to a raised up platform, its not much but it serves as a space for small performances.

"I'd be happy to play a little, so long as I am not needed elsewhere. It would be wonderful if I were speaking to the right person!" Her voice drops to a conspiratorial whisper, "just imagine the bragging rights!" Nezryn smiles again, showing her pointy teeth, "Know something about what, exactly? The spooky magic? Or..?"

She takes a sip from her glass and stands to rummage through her bag.

"I'd assume you're looking for the dangerous sorts. You know- not a lot of people know this, but there's actually a group of bandits that hang out near Emberwynd Pass...I suppose it's up closer to the river now that I think about it." She says, pouring a drink for a customer before returning to Nezryn, "There's a group of them called the Scarlet Hand I think it was, lots of complaints about petty crime, robbings, a few beatings too, not sure if they've killed anyone but I wouldn't put it past those brutes."

"That would be wonderful, you can play whenever you're ready!"

Nezryn retrieves her violin from her bag, along with the bow, "Is it a fairly large group? The Scarlet Hand?"

"That's a beautiful instrument, Nezryn. Where did you get it?" She asks curiously as she looks over the violin, "I'm not too sure on their numbers, being a bandit group it might be anywhere from 5 onwards, but I know for certain they're a gang that hide out near the forest. Oh! They're easy to spot because they have these painted red hands on their shields, don't go getting into trouble. If you're thinking of encountering these people make sure you go with your friends!" She fusses, wondering if she was sending Nezryn some where dangerous.

"It's been a while since I've heard a violin, most of the bards around Emberwynd prefer the lute, I must say, I'm rather looking forward to it."

"I try not to walk into trouble where I can help it. I have things I wish to do some day, and that requires me to live long enough to do so, no?" Her smile doesn't waver, "I've brought this instrument from home, actually."

The girl takes one last swig from her glass and raises it to nothing in particular, "Music it is!"

With that, Nezryn heads towards the spot Sara designated and begins to play her violin.

Nezryn turns towards the small stage pointed out to her by Sara, happy to finally have a moment to play since her travels began. Perhaps she will blame it on the ale, or the blindness her excitement caused, but she wholly misses the little step up to the platform. Her shoe catches on the ledge, causing the girl to pitch forward - having nothing to break her fall aside from her elbows and the instrument she carries. Instead of a skillful song, all that's come out of her failed attempt at entertainment is a faceplant and harsh twang of a snapped string.

"Ooooo-...." She lets out, feeling a little guilty as if she was the one who'd caused this in a second hand way, "Are...are you quite alright Nezryn?" She calls out to the dragonborn, pressing her hands on the bar and standing a little higher to try and get a good peak at the fallen girl, "If you need help I can come around! Oh heavens, even your violin looks hurt!"

Nezryn sits up, her face heating with embarrassment and eyes welling with tears. Perhaps the girl was a little dramatic, but she might as well have made the worst first impression on a tavern full of new folks... She stays seated on the edge of the platform and nods in response to Sara. Her battered violin is brought close to her chest, nestled between her torso and her knees. "I'm so sorry, Sara - I should have been more careful," she frowns, and quickly rubs her face to attempt to mask the bubbling emotions. Her eyes roam the tavern, noting the people busy in their own conversations, and dreading those who might be staring or laughing at the mishap.

She finds her way around the bar, folding up a napkin as she does, "Now, now, it's alright, it's alright!" She fusses, dabbing at Nezryn's eyes, "You know, I know an old timer who likes this sorta thing. If you get the chance, maybe you can give her a moment of your time and she can fix this in no time at all. A broken string is just minutes away from sounding perfect again!" She nods back to the older woman behind the bar, insinuating that her mother has an interest in instruments.

"I think you've gotten away with it." She reassures, looking back at the tavern floor to see no one really paying them any mind,

Nezryn holds her violin tight, seeming unwilling to part with it. She does not resist Sara's fussing, either, "I think I should be able to mend it... A little bit of magic can go a long way - I just can't believe how much of a fool I've made of myself."

"I wouldn't say so, you just had a little fall thats all. I don't even think people were paying any mind." Sara says, smiling at Nezryn while resting her hands on her shoulders.

"Oh! Aren't those your friends? Looks like they're all gathering together again. You best head over there, you don't want leaving behind!" She says, pointing over to the group of adventurers gathering up again in the corner of the tavern

Nezryn nods, following Sara's gaze, "I'll let you get back to work, too."

Key NPCs

Key Locations

Important Info

Recap

Nezryn chats with Sara Daris, learning more about local drinks, performers, and rumours. Sara confirms the presence of the Scarlet Hand, a bandit group operating near the forest and Emberwynd Pass. Nezryn attempts to perform with her violin but trips on the stage, snapping a string and drawing brief concern rather than mockery. Reassured by Sara, who suggests her mother could repair the instrument (Aggie Daris). Nezryn regains her composure and re-joins the rest of the party as they regroup in the tavern.