At the Sign of the Painted Courtesan

St Khuz 17th Byol, YT330

"The adventure began when Goran Petrovich invited us to accompany him south to a bardic engagement at the Painted Courtesan. I cannot speak for the others but I was in need of a break having spent the last several months in intensive study in anticipation of my elevation to the company of Royal Artificers (or at least the first rung on that ladder). The Courtesan is an inn of good repute near Thōthāur some ten or so easy travelling days south of the capital. Though the late winter weather was inclement we were able to tag along with a trade caravan, lending our swords in return for their camp fires and company.

We left the capital on the 17th of Byol (330) and arrived at the Courtesan on the 27th, having passed through Sandamyr the day before. The village was filling up fast, with diverse peoples (we even saw some Kolloth with one of their peculiar religious leaders) in anticipation of the bardic festival and we were lucky to procure rooms. Goran was one of several performers playing the festival and certainly not the least of them.

While relaxing in the bar Goran told us that his guild had commissioned the compilation of the works of the famous bard Olvyr Hnuffa who disappeared, believed dead, some years previously. Another of the festival singers chanted a lay composed in memory of the hero Caragruin who, with the aid of the Eöl of Barandanabar, had led an assault upon, and into, the Dungeons of Hring. Upon questioning he told us that his uncle had been at the battle (Dagor Nimaglor, YT325) and had even accompanied Caragruin below ground. Goran wanted us to travel westward to investigate the lay further but I was uncertain for my funds would not support a lengthy trip (at least not in a manner befitting a gentleman).

Shortly thereafter we made the acquaintance of the Khazad Olorin, of the line Azaghal. At first we thought him drawn to his compatriot, our beer drinking companion, but it became clear that he was awaiting the arrival of two Eöl ! For when they arrived, female and male, he soon made excuse to join them at the bar and, in short order, arrange a private meeting. During the course of the evening Goran became part of their council learning that the odd threesome were to travel into the west. He hoped for us to accompany them (the elven lands lying close to the Dungeon of Hring) perhaps hiring on as guards to take the strain off our purses. I was able to further negotiate the promise of an introduction to the famed elven artificers from the Lady Amethalriel. To learn from these sages would indeed make such a journey worthwhile. To speed our journey the Lady agreed to provide mounts for us and we prepared to move out at the end of the festival."

From the Journal of Voweslaw