That won’t stop me!
That will. How does Gawain feel about it?
ok, Aciryas will enter the singing contest.
Chat about this and that, I’m not in a hurry to begin information gathering until Fundin has a few more ales safely stowed away. Then start talking about mining - it’s been a while since I’ve done any and I miss it now and then. Are the humans running this show? Are they any good at the trade? What’s Fundin’s well-lubricated opinion of the management? (In the Old Tongue if he likes.)
Because of your gnomish underground knowledge, Fundin accepts you as a fellow miner. He also enjoys talking in Dwarf whilst having a drink.
He answers your questions, speaking softly in Dwarf:
Are the humans running this show?
Sir Guy Gisbourne owns the mines and sometimes inspects them. He delegates day-to-day operations to a Lieutenant in his military force.
Are they any good at the trade?
His overseers are fine on safety (‘a mine accident costs money’), work the miners pretty hard (‘it takes a while to get you to the mineface - let’s make full use of your time’) and are careful inside the mine - but dump the mine tailings as cheaply as possible (‘fancy disposal costs money’).
What’s Fundin’s well-lubricated opinion of the management?
As long as you do everything Sir Guy wants, you’re looked after. He makes a big show of caring for the miners, but it’s the same way you’d look after a decent pick or shovel.
He comments that all leave and holidays immediately after the County Fayre have been cancelled. For some reason, he wants us all back at work…
*sets them up again
Well, you’re obviously a bit of an expert at the craft - has there been any development in the mining that calls for a sudden rush-job? (“Cancelling holidays, the hound. He’d see things differently if he got off his arse and handled a pick for a few days, I’ll bet!”)
Gawain calmly replies to the Minstrel’s salute. “Very good to see you again, Corporal. At ease.
Those were great times and you should be proud of saving all those innocemt lives.
I’m off duty at the moment, looking forward to the Fayre and so on. My Squire is around here somewhere and I’ve already made some new friends too. 
This chap here (he introduces Cadogan) thinks I should have a go at the Sword contest - what do you think?”
Alan leans forward. “It’s far too crowded in here for a proper conversation, Sir. Let me get you a private room.”
He asks the barman, who promptly produces a key.
Alan invites Gawain and all his friends to join him. (Gawain makes it clear to the party that he trusts Alan.)
Fundin:
“Oh, that’s very generous of you. Of course, you do build up a terrible thirst, hacking away all day.
Mind you, that Gisbourne looks pretty strong. If he wields a pick as well as he uses a sword, he’d be the best in the mine!
He’s told us that we’ll get double time for any holidays lost this week. And there’s no new shafts to be dug. So I really don’t know why he wants all of us there. I suppose he could have one of his boring ‘meetings’ … his Lieutenant tells us something’s going to change, then asks us to vote in favour - and woe betide any miner who doesn’t put his hand up straightaway to agree!”
Keeping it simple - if you buy some drinks, just cross a gold piece or two off your sheet. (Assume you either buy a few locals a drink, or leave a tip for the barman!)
Similarly, if you use missiles, assume you have a lot and can restock either by recovering them, or buy purchasing every time you visit a town. As above, cross off an occasional gold piece.
I’m not bothered about keeping track of small stuff like this.
Anyone can enter on the day (there’s a small entry fee in copper coins. but quality folk like the party would pay a gold piece - as some of it goes to charity).
When we reach that point, I will enter three contests, looking only to have fun in the Singing and Playing, but hoping to win at Falconry.
Hulgfar: “Indeed. A simple day of fishing, turned into an election, and now seems to be turning into something quite interesting”
Would there be anything wierd about going into the Swordfights with a dagger? Cause I figure he would have signed up the moment he heard about it otherwise
Marian shyly says she’d like to enter the Falconry … but the thought of all those spectators makes her shudder.
Marian asks if at least some of the party will join her in the private room.
Of course my Lady.
Simon (lucky for you he’s an expert ) and Aciryas confer briefly.
They decide that a Dagger is not a Sword. However Hulgfar could ask Edith Weston (who presides at the events) if there could be an ‘open weapons’ section, or something like that.
Maybe Baron Wheldrake (Events Sponsor) would even put up a prize…
Certainly.
Hans appears to be too engrossed in the enjoyable society of his fellow shorty to pay any attention.
I would be happy to.
Hulgfar winks at Ergj, subtley looks round the room to see where everybody of authority is then says, just loud enough for everybody to hear, “It’s too bad they focus only on the sword around here. It is a fine weapon, but limited in effect, and vulnerable to a fighter with knowledge in more refined and exacting weapons”
Gawain, Alan A’Dale, Marian, Cadogan, Cullen, Aciryas and Crumlin move to the private room.
Gawain asks the barman to let his Squire (he discreetly indicates Hans) into the room when Hans wishes. The barman immediately nods.
The private room is simply furnished, with wooden benches and a table, but is perfectly clean.
Crumlin thinks a moment, then says “Can anyone stick this on the ceiling? We want to keep our discussions strictly private.”
He produces a pebble with Continual Light precast on it.
Once again there is a pause in the conversation, although the peasants in the pub are careful not to stare directly at either of the two Warriors at the bar.
A voice at the back of the pub calls out “You’re not from around here, are you Sir?”