Helgreth

Helgreth is the proprietor of Helgreth's Tavern.

Appearance

Unusually broad of shoulder for an elf, Helgreth lends a commanding presence to his tavern. Although his hands are ever busy, drawing ale from the tap, clearing stray items from the bar, or polishing glasses waiting to be filled with the frothy brew that has made this establishment reknowned, there is a composed stillness in his steel-blue eyes that speaks volumes.

Questions

>ask Helgreth about siegery
A broad smile creases Helgreth's face in response to your query.  "There's no better game in the world, I say!" Helgreth opines.  "The perfect combination of luck and strategy -- good training for the aspiring military commander, good fun for the rest of us."  He turns to you and continues,  "I met some gnomes on my long fishing expedition who set me up with some sets.  If you're interested in playing, you may RENT one of my sets to play upstairs.

>ask Helgreth about pieces
Helgreth pauses from his endless tidying and leans across the bar to talk with you about what is clearly one of his favorite subjects.  "Now you see, there are three kinds of pieces in Siegery.  First you have your ground troops, second your war machines, and most importantly your castle."  Helgreth lines up some empty glasses on the bar to demonstrate his point as he says, "You place your castle and then you put two war machines on the castle.  Finally you set down three ground troops.  Once your opponent has done the same, you're all set to play!"

>ask Helgreth about rental
"Interested in renting one of my Siegery sets, are you?" Helgreth says as he finishes polishing a glass, carefully adding it to a stack behind the bar.  "I've got six handsome sets upstairs, made with the greatest care by the gnomes.  Let's see, there's the classic set, the Sabrar set, and the sylvan set.  Or if you prefer to play the enemy, there is the kobold set, the undead set, or," Helgreth says with a shudder, "the Maelshyve set."

The cost to rent any one of them is 1,000 silvers for an hour, but since you're a citizen of Ta'Vaalor, we'll call that 800 silvers.  Just ask me about any one of them, and I'll see if it's available.

>ask Helgreth about classic
Helgreth nods and says, "A perennial favorite, these classic elven pieces give you good training in how to handle the forces of the Vaalorian army.  If you'd like to rent these pieces at the rate of citizen's 800 silvers per hour, just ask me about them again."

>ask Helgreth about Rassien
Helgreth leans across the bar and says, "If you're as interested as all that, why don't you come back with 800 silvers, and then we'll talk, eh?"

>ask Helgreth about sylvan
Helgreth leans across the bar and says, "If you're as interested as all that, why don't you come back with 800 silvers, and then we'll talk, eh?"

>ask Helgreth about kobold
Helgreth nods and says, "Kobolds ... well, silly things they are, but more than a few warriors in training have felt the sting of their swords.  Makes for an amusing evening, if nothing else!  If you'd like to rent these pieces at the rate of citizen's 800 silvers per hour, just ask me about them again."

>ask Helgreth about undead
Helgreth leans across the bar and says, "If you're as interested as all that, why don't you come back with 800 silvers, and then we'll talk, eh?"

>ask Helgreth about Maelshyve
A troubled look crosses Helgreth's face.  "Hmm, something seems amiss.  Come back later, please."

>ask Helgreth about beer
Helgreth smiles broadly as he polishes the bar and says, "Nothing like a freshly drawn pint of beer, is there?  I've got a nice wheat beer from Ta'Loenthra on tap, as well as a lighter brew from Cysaegir.

>ask Helgreth about ale
Helgreth nods appreciatively and says, "Fancy a pint of ale, would you?  Extra time in the cask is the key to a good ale's flavor.  On tap today I've got a keg of a distinctive pale ale from near Ta'Ardenai and a local cask ale made by my friend Farmer Yander."

>ask Helgreth about porter
"Now there's a brew of substance!" Helgreth exclaims cheerfully as he stacks some freshly washed glasses behind the bar.  "A great controversy between the sweet taste of a porter and the more bitter taste of a stout.  I've got both on tap today, so you can decide for yourself!"

>ask Helgreth about stout
"Now there's a brew of substance!" Helgreth exclaims cheerfully as he stacks some freshly washed glasses behind the bar.  "A great controversy between the sweet taste of a porter and the more bitter taste of a stout.  I've got both on tap today, so you can decide for yourself!"

>ask Helgreth about mead
"Hmm, hmm," says Helgreth, the hint of a shadow crossing he face.  "As it happens, I do have a small cask of mead on tap.  Never was much of a mead drinker, myself; too sweet for my taste.  But," he says with a chuckle, "I'll stock what my customers want to buy!"

>ask Helgreth about fish
Helgreth leans across the bar and launches into a tale.  "I was just down by Ta'Nalfein at a little trout stream I know.  Sweetest water around, and trout fit for a king.  Was just me and my fishing pole on the bank, a nice cold ale by my side.  Who could ask for more?"

"Just as I was nodding off for a short nap in the bright spring sun, my line nearly snapped!  Trout aren't supposed to be that heavy, but this one weighed nearly twenty pounds."  Helgreth grimaces and pulls his hands, remembering the struggle.  "Eventually, I won, and I pulled in a normal-sized trout.  But it was way too heavy for an ordinary fish.  My curiosity got the better of me, and I gutted the thing right there.  Imagine my surprise when out from its stomach poured a dozen gems!  Emeralds and diamonds, all sparkling in the sunlight."

"No sooner than I saw those lovely prizes, two Nalfein guards appeared.  Sneaky ones, those Nalfein.  They took my gems and said they'd been looking for 'em."  He scowls.  "Some nobleman drowned with a whole coffer full of 'em.  Unfortunate circumstances.  With their menacing looks, I didn't ask more questions.  At least they left me the trout for lunch."

Helgreth whistles quietly and examines his fingernails.  "Yep, and that's just how it happened."

>ask Helgreth about darts
"Why, I love a good game of darts!" says Helgreth wistfully as he draws a pint of porter.  "If I weren't so busy down here with my customers, I'd go upstairs with you and show you how it's done properly!"

Messaging

Some elven officers stride into the tavern and are warmly greeted by Helgreth.  "Your usual table's waiting, and your ale'll be right along!" he says, already drawing a pint.

The Guard Captain appears at the door and is quickly intercepted by Helgreth.  They huddle in quiet conversation, Helgreth frequently shaking his head.  With a final shrug, Helgreth waves the Captain off and returns to the bar.

Helgreth stops one of the serving girls and says to her, "Go check on the folks at the Broadsword Table?  They're entirely too quiet."

Helgreth raises an empty glass to his eye to examine some minute flaw.

A young elven archer rushes into the tavern and hands Helgreth a sealed message.  He hands the lass a few silvers, opens the envelope and mutters something under his breath.  "No reply," he says, and the archer beats a quick retreat.