The bar before you is well-worn and sturdy, with a polished wooden surface that has obviously seen a lot of use over the years. There is a line of shiny taps rising over the countertop, and at the end of the bar is a pile of gifts stacked three feet high. A massive half-orc is sitting at the bar, his broad shoulders hunched forward as he leans over a tankard of beer on the counter, his dark eyes constantly scanning his surroundings, taking everything in.
The taps are made of polished brass and stand out against the dark wood of the bar. There are four of them, each with a different handle indicating a different type of ale or beer. The first tap is labeled “Bugbear Ale,” an ale so strong there’s a running joke as to whether it is made by bugbears or made of them. The second tap is labeled “Elven Mead,” a sweet mead imported from the deepest elven forests. The third tap is labeled “Dwarven Stout,” a dark and rich breakfast stout touted by dwarves as the best way to start the day. The fourth tap, however, is missing its handle…
A pile of birthday gifts has been stacked up on one end of the bar counter. There’s a colorful assortment of packages and trinkets, some of them wrapped in shiny paper and others left open to reveal their contents. Some of the gifts say who they’re from but others lack any such identification. One such gift catches your eye. It’s a small box made of driftwood with no name and no discernable way to open it.
You cautiously edge closer to the half-orc at the bar. His bulging muscles and thick, coarse hair do little to settle your nerves, not to mention the greataxe he has fastened to his back, a weapon that looks like it’s seen its fair share of battles. The green-skinned warrior turns towards you, baring his sharpened teeth, but instead of a snarl or a growl you’re greeted with the hearty laughter of a now grinning half-orc!
“Oh! You have strong tree smell! Thogg like! Sit with Thogg!”
Despite his imposing appearance, Thogg’s demeanor is surprisingly jovial, and he speaks in a deep, rumbling voice that carries a sense of relaxation.
“Come, sit! You want drink with Thogg? Thogg drink two if you not want. Thogg always drink when sad. Thogg always drink when happy too, but… now Thogg sad. Thogg not understand. Auberon very strong. Not strong like Thogg, but strong. How Auberon could die from mead?
Long time ago, Thogg bad guy. Thogg try kill Auberon, Auberon try kill Thogg. Jhogg, Thogg brother, also try kill Auberon, but Auberon kill Jhogg. Was great fight, legendary fight! Jhogg happy to die like warrior. After big times fighting, Thogg see Auberon in tavern. We have drink and be friends. Auberon great warrior, maybe not happy to die from mead.
Why someone kill Auberon? Thogg think gold. Always battle about gold in this land. Not like home. Thogg no care for gold! Singing elf love gold. Singing elf not a warrior, no honor, just sing. Sing dumb song and play dumb stick. Thogg no like. Maybe Thogg kill singing elf? Hmm, maybe more drink first.”
