Towering above you are six large vats of ale stacked upon one another, each one made of sturdy oak and held together with iron bands. The sour-sweet aroma of hops and fermentation hangs in the air around the barrels. The vats all seem to be named after various adventures of Auberon’s past:
WYVERN’S ROOST RED ALE
FEYWILD FUNK BEER
DUNGEON DELVER’S DUNKEL
FORGE OF THE DWARVEN ALESMITHS TRIPEL
LAIR OF THE FIRE GIANT AMBER ALE
GHOSTS OF THE BLACKMARSH STOUT
The human knight, Federic, is intensely studying the vats of ale, rubbing his chin with scrutiny.
The knight takes note of your approach and flashes a broad smile as he turns to greet you.
“Suspicious, isn’t it?”
He motions towards the vats of ale.
“Many breweries throughout the lands have made special ales in my honor, and for some strange reason I’m not seeing any of them here…
No Federic’s Fury Ale? No Legendary Knight Lager, or Valiant Heart IPA?
Why, it’s said that fans have even killed for a pint of Federic’s Side Quest Stout – made right in my hometown of Otrana! I implore you to visit once all this awful murder stuff has been settled. As to that, I have some thoughts. Finnian?”
Federic lets out a hearty laugh, the guffaw drawing the attention of everyone in the room.
“Finnian, the halfling half man? Surely not, he doesn’t seem the physical type. I believe wholeheartedly that this was the work of a professional, a hired goon, an assassin! I’m pretty sure that shady fellow by the window is part of some seedy assassin’s guild, don’t they just look the type? A word of advice, never turn your back on a dark elf, especially one from the Underdark. Then, of course, there’s the obvious winner in all this – that hideous dwarf set to inherit everything. “Never trust someone who’s left-handed.” That’s what my father used to tell me. Just think about it, by murdering Auberon she gets out with the goods and the glory of the Dread Dragon Inn. I bet this place goes straight downhill with a dwarf at the helm. No taste for this sort of work, the dwarves. It’s best they stick to digging holes and forging armor for my adventures.”
