A September '09 "Atmosphere" Highlight

I'm trying something new here in appreciation for a stunning job, but not known by all.
Hope you enjoy the reading...

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The night is black. The air is chill and wet. You narrow your eyes, but it is difficult to see on the dark, tree-covered trails that run through Travance. You stop at the Inn, but do not see any friends about - just a few cleaning up after the Baronial feast, and a lone alchemist sitting in the corner. It must be the danger of the dark elves, that has everyone either hiding, or out searching and protecting. Your skills are not meant for that kind of activity. You’d rather be sitting by a warm fire, with hot mulled cider, safe from harm.

Usually, the Dragon’s Claw is the perfect place for just that…but not this night. The threat from the enemy is worse than normal, not even one guard in here. Any with a weapon were called to arms. You decide you'll come back, once the battle has ended. Then maybe you can play cards or hear one of the Celts tell some of their crazy stories. By then the cooks should have some of the left-overs from feast out.

You leave and start to head back to your shelter, where you have a bunk with a few friends, but they are no where about, and with the dark elf threat this night, you think it a bad idea to go there alone. Just as you think you’ve run out of ideas, you notice a soft light glow up the hill past the bathhouse.  Is that smoke coming from the chimney? You could swear you hear music in the distance and the faint smell of cinnamon and cloves. You put your hood up and climb the hill, skidding a few times as your feet slip on the damp leaves. You think, “Why didn’t I take a lantern with me?” Luckily, there is a torch lit on the side of the bathhouse that gives you just enough light to see the trail that leads to a lone structure a little off in the distance.

You can see now that there are soft, twinkling lights in the windows. As you walk to the front door, you see beautiful sconces on either side with a welcoming light in each, and both surrounded by fall foliage of deep red, orange and yellow. Leaves, berries and blooms, some of which you’ve never even seen in Travance before. You wonder whose house this is… or is it some kind of Inn? You remember that there may have been a foggy mist you walked through. Are you even in Travance anymore? You shake that feeling off and realize you have to be, as you can still see the Dragon’s Claw at the bottom of the path you just climbed.

You can’t help yourself, and you knock on the door. It opens, almost as if on its own. You peek around the door and see two finely-dressed gentlemen laughing by a warm, blazing fire with mugs in their hands. They look up at you and bid you come in and join them. You’ve seen them before. Oh yes! - The Winterdark merchants. But you hadn’t realized they had set up a small Inn just on the outskirts of town. “Come in, come in” they say. “All are welcome here!”

As you move in through the door, you are awestruck by your surroundings. Beautiful tapestries and paintings cover the warm wooden walls. And there are colors everywhere! Fall has crept into the cabin with them. Every beam, every corner and across the table, there are cascades of vines with every magnificent color of fall. All through the array of autumn wonder, are tiny lights with a warm, soft glow. The silver jewel-encrusted chandelier in the middle of the room has dozens of tea lights in little glass globes, which sets the whole room, alight. From a back room, you hear a few bards softly playing soothing music. You are no longer bothered by the annoying wet, darkness outside. Just looking at this place lifts your heart.

You stand there, looking around in wonder and realize that there are others there as well. Ahhh, so not all of Travance is out hunting Drow! Some have been on their watch already, and are in need of a rest. Others, like you, would only cause more danger to those that would need to protect them out in the night. Some have business to attend to with the merchants. But regardless of the reason you are all here, all are welcome!

Food and hot mulled cider are plentiful. Cheeses, breads, pies, apples covered in caramel and chocolates are just some of the faire available here.

You shake the wet out of your cloak and hang it to dry next to the fire. You greet everyone joyfully, take a mug of cider and sit down to rest your weary bones. Everyone toasts the hosts and the heroes of the town for making Travance safer for all.

Hmmm, why haven’t I found this place before? Maybe I just never thought to look…

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Many thanks for your efforts Doug and Bob.

Was this something that existed? How did I miss that o_O

*pines for cider and caramel apples*

True Story, I was there.

The pumpkin pie was especially good.

Because of all the rain, my pumpkins didn't grow this year... I was super excited to have everyone grab a slice of my TRULY homemade pumpkin pie