Chapter Two - At the Sign of the Frog and Buttock

All of the images henceforth are generated with Craiyon--I think it fits well with the random, procedural nature of the narrative. "Tavern door at night"

Erasmus enters The Frog and Buttock just as night is starting to fall in Goldcrest. Behind the heavy oak door the, almost-too-warm atmosphere of the tavern and the sound of laughter peels away some of the lonelyness he’s been feeling. Inside the common room, there are three fires burning--one in the center of the room vented up through the roof, as well as smaller fires on the east and west walls. Each attracts its own crowd of patrons. Behind the bar, a dwarf standing on a platform running the length of the back wall polishes a drink and eyes the wizard darkly. 

"Dwarf bartender" AI still has trouble with eyes.

“No animals,” he says, looking at the rat in disgust. Rats have been an issue at The Frog before, and the presence of Erasmus’s companion has surfaced some unpleasant memories. 

“Oh, sorry,” says Erasmus, and makes a motion to leave, but thinks better (or worse) of it and turns around. “Sorry, I won’t be but a moment, and my friend will stay in my pocket, I promise you.” 

The dwarf’s eyes glint. “I SAID, NO ANIMALS!” he roars. 

Silence. All heads turn and face the wizard, who meekly squeaks “Ok” and legs it for the exit.


"Courtyard with table at night"

Outside, the shadows dance on the courtyard illuminated by the two large burning torches flanking the sides of The Frog’s entrance. Scattered around the dirt floor of the area amid the patches of grass and weeds are heavily-used wooden tables and chairs. “For being in a good part of town, the outdoor seating arrangements could be spruced up,” thought Erasmus. 

Feeling a little foolish, Erasmus sits down and gingerly removes the rat from his front pocket and places him on the worn whitewashed table, half expecting the creature to bolt at its first chance of freedom. To his amazement, not only does the rat stay put, but it turns around facing him and sits back on its hind legs, almost as if it were ready to make a suggestion as to what to do. 

Addressing the rat, Erasmus says “We need to go back in there. I need you to stay out of sight. I’m going to put you back in my pocket and put my handkerchief over you, and you can snuggle down and hide. I can’t believe I’m talking to a rat, but you’re the only friend I’ve got right now.”

Erasmus puts the rat in his pocket and places the handkerchief as gently as possible on top. He feels the rat scuffling around inside as if bedding down, and then the stillness of the night returns. 

Stepping back inside, Erasmus attracts much more attention than he did upon his first entrance. Everyone’s eyes are on him as he approaches the bartender for the second time. 

“Where’s the rat?” says the dwarf, his tone accusatory, as if waiting for a lie. 

“It’s...outside.” 

“Really. Show me your pockets then.”

"Gnomes on a barstool" I love this image. It reminds me of the homemade images that used to decorate the stories in our elementary school English textbooks.

Erasmus takes a deep breath and holds up the front of his robe for inspection.  At that moment, a group of three intoxicated gnomes leap up on barstools in front of him and begin wildly gesticulating and demanding their next round of drinks. The bartender has no choice but to do his job, so Erasmus silently thanks them for interrupting and moves toward the largest crowd of patrons, hovering around the west fireplace. 

Scanning the crowd for a friendly face, he spots a halfling lingering around the periphery. The halfling’s name is Herim Growort, a Goldcrest native who makes his living as a messenger. Herim’s warm smile and gentle speech immediately put Erasmus at ease-”Finally, a friend!” he thinks. 

“Herim, says Erasmus, “I’m looking for another halfling--a storyteller named Glenda. Do you know where she is?

“No,” he answers, “but I do know her. She’s here some nights telling tales in exchange for a warm meal and a pint of mild. Why do you ask?”

“I’m looking for an obelisk. An...ancient obelisk? I don’t know. I’m trying to find--” he lowers his voice to a whisper--”I’m trying to find the owner of the rat in my pocket, and I think he may be there.”

Herim smiles. “I know where the obelisk is. In my line of work you see all parts of the realm, or at least a fifty mile radius around Goldcrest. Any farther than that and we use a relay system. The obelisk is northeast of here. There’s not an easy route to follow directly, but if you follow the river west out of town until it bends southward and then travel due north, you won’t be able to miss it.” 

“You’re indeed a kind soul,” says Erasmus. “Thank you so much. One more question--I’m in need of lodging tonight. Is there anywhere you would recommend?”

“There are rooms right here at The Frog,” he says, “and while I’ve not stayed here before I hear they are quite comfortable. Now’s the time to ask for one too. The barkeep, Rainan’s his name, his mood changes like the weather, and, well, take a look just now.”

The halflings look up at the bar. Rainan’s countenance has totally changed. Instead of the scowl he was wearing just a few moments ago, he lustily sings along with the gnomes at the bar. 

“That’s what you call a monetary attitude adjustment,” says Herim. “Those gnomes just plunked down a pile of gold, and old Rainan will be in a jolly mood the rest of the night. Go on now, ask him for a room.”

Erasmus nervously approaches the dwarf behind the bar. “Excuse me, sir?”

“Yes, laddie,” the dwarf answers with a smile, “what can I be doing for ya?”

“I’d like a room for the night.”

“Will ya now? I think we have one available. Best one in the place, in fact! It’s not cheap, though. It will cost you 4 gold pieces a night, but that does include this evening’s meal and tomorrow’s breakfast.”

Erasmus inwardly recoils at the price, knowing full well his life savings only amounts to 10 gold pieces. But it’s late, he’s in an unfamiliar place, and it’s better to overspend than under in a strange location. “I’ll take it,” he says.

Rainan hands him the key. “I’ll take two pints as well, Erasmus says to the dwarf.”

“Right-o,” he says, and seves them up. Erasmus brings the pints over to the table Herim has reserved for them, and they spend the rest of the evening in friendly conversation. 

At 9 o’clock, Herim bids Erasmus goodnight to return to his wife and family, and Erasmus follows the small hallway behind the bar to the row of rooms.

"Medieval bedroom"

Right away, he sees why the room demanded a princely sum. A cozy fire with a polished bronze grate burns brightly in the hearth, framed by a carved wooden mantlepiece. Tapestries woven with golden thread hang from the walls, depicting pastoral scenes from the countryside around Goldcrest. A large porcelain tub on carved legs sits against one wall, with separate taps for hot and cold water. Alongside the tub is a shelf with cakes of soap and various other exotic-looking gels and creams. The large four poster bed on the right is well appointed with fresh linen sheets and plenty of soft pillows. “Seems about right for 4gp,” he says to himself. 

After a long, luxurious bath, he feeds the mouse a piece of cheese from dinner, climbs into bed, and falls into a deep, comfortable sleep.


Tomorrow, Erasmus sets off for the strange obelisk, and, he hopes, to reunite the rat with its owner. Will he survive the journey? Tune in next time to find out!


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