LOCATION:

Azulada Tavern

The Seaward Tavern is an odd name for the place a good hour's walk away from the harbours, you think to yourself as you settle down into a chair. However, it does not deter the odd mix of sailors, artisans and vagabonds from feeling at ease here. Even a few pitch-black uniforms of the Numenorian Navy can be found here, associating mostly with those of their own kind by the far wall. The drink is plentiful, the food is passable, and it's a good chance to meet someone you know in the city amidst the twenty-odd solid oaken tables that are arranged in careful disorder inside the tavern. The pervasive presence of the guard around the area also makes this place a genial place for dealing without fearing violence.

Contents:
* Aloric
* Adunalu

Obvious exits:
Lodging Room Out

[Aloric:] As day begins to give way to night in the city of Umbar, the Azulada Tavern is less crowded than usual. Perhaps it is the brutal heat of this summer's day which keeps the regular patrons in taverns more accessable to the ocean's breeze. To the back of the tavern, a door creaks open. A man walks out to warm greetings from those few regulars braving the heat for a pint of ale and a hearty meal.

"Aloric! I didn't know you were back there son, shall I have your dinner prepared?" Asks the barman to the man from the back room.

"That would be delightful Melchit, and a tall ale if you please.", the man replies as he takes a set at a table near the bar.

[Yozimru:] The barman's hearty greeting draws the attention of one of the other patrons, a richly dressed merchant, whose coat of crimson silk must surely be far too hot for such a day as this. Indeed, beads of sweat gather on his forehead, and wisps of grey-black hair are plastered to his head. He draws out a large handkerchief to mop his brow, before turning to his table companion and murmuring quietly. "Who's that fellow? Do you know him?" He frowns at Aloric's plain dress, dismissing him for the moment as a person of no importance.

[Adunalu:] "I know not," quietly says the large bearded man sitting at the table with the merchant. Unlike his companion, he does not seem to ming the heat, and is enjoying a meal of steak and ale. After taking a large bite of steak and washing it down with his drink, he continues in a low tone: "I've not seen him before... doesn't look like the sort of person I'd associate with anyway..."

[Aloric:] Melchit delivers Aloric's dinner and ale with a warm smile, "Anything else I can fetch you lad?"

"No thank you Melchit, it smells wonderful. Do thank Andrella for me.", Aloric replies with a warm smile of his own.

"Will you be gracing us with another show this eve sir? The misses was talking about you all night after yesterday's display."

Aloric laughs softly and shakes his head, "Nay Melchit, please apologize to Andrella for me, but I'm afraid I won't be able to perform tonight."

With these words, Aloric's attention is pulled to the two men at a nearby table. "Hello gentlemen, is there something I can do for you? I don't mean to be rude, but if you're curious about someone, the best way to learn of them is to simply ask, is it not?"

[Yozimru:] The richly dressed merchant looks up with a scowl, his grey eyes cold as ice. "And if one is courteous, the best thing is not to eavesdrop on private conversations," is his swift reply. "I deal in trade - luxury goods, mainly. Somehow I don't believe you would have anything that would interest me." He lifts one shoulder in a shrug.

[Adunalu:] The larger man turns as he is addressed by Aloric, squinting at the other, looking him up and down; but rather than answer as his companion he merely offers a nod to accentuate his point and a low grunt to express his disinterest in the situation.

[Aloric:] Aloric laughs warmly at the words of the merchant. "It can hardly be considered eavesdropping friend. I am quite sure that even the hard of hearing within the tavern were able to hear your words. As for interest, I care little what you believe, as first impressions are seldom correct...a mistake you've made i shall surely forgive...but since you see fit to provide me with your occupation, I too shall provide mine. I am an entertainer of sorts, first and formost anyway. I perform shows of skill with a wide variety of bladed weapons. I am a master of arms you see. To those of wealth, however, I am a trainer in such weapons as well as a dealer in rare, antique, and exotic weapons. So verily, we may in fact have things to discuss."

As the portly man gives his own look of disgust, it is simply returned with a smile.

[Aloric:] As Melchit the barman passes by the pair's table he whispers, "Mind your mannors lads. He may not look like much, but he's actually rather wealthy, and bloody good with his blades. Lucky for you both I've yet to see a sign of a temper in 'im, but I'd not wish to push my luck were I you."

[Yozimru:] The merchant stares pointedly at Aloric, and rolls his eyes at his heavy-built companion. "Are you, now?" he queries, making at least an attempt at politeness since the man will not go away. "Well, I have no interest in entertainers, and as for weapons, I deal in more exotic things, such as wines, spices ..." However, his eyes narrow and he adds, "Are you a buyer or a seller?" Melchit's advice is seemingly ignored, for he does not acknowledge the man.

[Adunalu:] The big man does not likewise ignore the barkeep: he shoots a dark glance his way, peering disdainfully through squinted eyes. "And I'm the King's brother," he mutters sarcastically. To Aloric: "I'm not much interested in buying weapons... but if you're the one buying, you might be in luck..."

[Aloric:] Turning his chair towards the two men Aloric nods in reply and says, "Actually I am both friend. I have a vast collection myself, and oft I act as a "middle-man" of sorts. I normally receive a retainer to find a specific item while on my travels throughout Numenor and her provinces, purchase said item and any others I find value in, and either keep them or sell them to my buyers...at a modest commission of course." He ponders a moment, "Wines and spices you say? Sounds dreadfully dull. To each their own accord though, I'm sure it's nearly as profitable as rare antiquities and exotic weapons." Looking from man to man after the robust man's comment he adds, " I am called Aloric, by the by, and should you know of any such weapons, I could certainly reward you handsomely for them, or information leading me to them."

[Yozimru:] "So you believe wine and spices dull?" queries the richly-dressed man. "I would say rather 'how dull the palate that does not taste such riches'." His manner is thawing, at least a little. "Well, friend Aloric, since we seem to be dealing in introductions tonight, my name is Yozimru." With that the richly-dressed man falls silent.

[Adunalu:] "Adunalu," says Adunalu, with another grunt and a nod. "Wine, spices, weapons," he goes on to say, "it doesn't matter as long as it pays well. I deal in ivory myself... whether of the andamunda of the plains or the great mumak of the desert, none else in Umbar is as great a trader thereof as I." He crosses his arms over his wide chest, glaring sidelong at Aloric.

[Aloric:] Aloric smiles warmly to the men. "Well met Yozimru, do not misunderstand me. I am fond of fine wines and exquisite foods. Do not let how I dress fool you, a man of wealth need not always flaunt it, and in my experience, if he saves enough a man of meager means can always purchase fineries and silks. Well met are you as well Adunalu...Hrmm...Have you knowledge of Andreth Nurzemin of Pelargir? A noble of little note but great wealth, his home is filled with ivory trinkets and great Mumak tusks. He actually has an order in with me for a finely crafted scimitar with an ivory handle. Perhaps there truly are matters for us to discuss after all."

[Aloric:] Aloric tosses two large gold coins over to Melchit with the command, "Melchit, the food and drink of my new business associates are on me my friend. Their silver is no good here, do you understand? What they do not use of that...buy Andrella something nice in appreciation of her toiling in the kitchen."

[Yozimru:] Yozimru frowns slightly at this Aloric's words, but inclines his head, a faint smile on his lips. He sits back in his chair, eyes flicking from Adunalu to Aloric and back, clearly listening to the conversation about weapons, though he is taking no part in it.

Just as Aloric returns from his trip to the bar, a tall fellow in the uniform of the Numenorean navy enters the tavern, murmuring something to the barkeeper before heading off to join a couple of his fellows at a table by the far wall. "Someone here called Yozimru?" the man shouts?

The tavern falls temporarily silent. As the patrons stare in curiosity, the merchant Yozimru mutters, "Excuse me one moment," to his companions. Drawing himself up to his full height, he walks towards the bar, glowering at the unwelcome attention.

"Yes?" he demands of Melchit, the irritation plain in his tone. "For what purpose do you disturb me?"

"Apparently there's a- a ..person.. outside to see you," the man informs him with a smirk.

[Aloric:] Aloric sits back and samples his fine meal of venison and potatoes. As Yozimru excuses himself, he nods to the man and takes a long sip of his ale. Curious as to how Adunalu will answer, but not so curious as to neglect his repast.

[Yozimru:] Yozimru sighs at the innkeeper's words. "Very well. Thank you." With a few long steps he leaves the tavern, only to stop before its open door. "You!" he exclaims. "What do you want?"

"Azramanu sends me," comes the reply, in stilted, strangely accented Adunaic, "to tell you the repairs are finished today. We pack up now." The speaker is male, that much is clear; a deep voice, yet slightly nasal.

[Adunalu:] "Perhaps he does," says Adunalu, "but that is of no concern to me. I rarely visit the northern territories, and when I do I rarely stay for long." He dismisses the matter with a wave of his hand. "Nay, most of my dealings is with the cities of the far south... Ciryatandor, Hyarn, even Tanturak. The north holds little interest to me... I care little for the Nimruz."

[Aloric:] Aloric nods to Adunalu as he finishes his bite and washes it down with more ale. Afterwhich he responds, "Their gold is pure, I care little for their politics or status. I merely provide a service for profit."

[Yozimru:] Yozimru mutters to himself: "Azramanu must seek to make me the laughing-stock of the town, sending such a messenger," glancing furtively back into the tavern as he does so."

The merchant moves sideways, and the one to whom he has been speaking can be seen by some of those looking on. The man is shorter than most Dunedain, swarthy-skinned and broad-shouldered; he is clad in worn-looking tunic and trousers. His head is bowed, but a mane of black hair is visible.

[Aloric:] If the dealings of Yozimru are of interest to Aloric, he shows no signs of it. Instead he keeps his attention on Adunalu and his ale.

[Adunalu:] Adunalu shrugs his broad shoulders. "There is better wealth to be found in the south. The desert nomads are much more hospitible than their kin in the Ered Nimrais and the lands about Tharbad. The dark forests of the distant south are not perhaps as safe to tread as those of the north, perhaps, but the wealth of ebony and mahogany more than makes up for any inconvenience. Gold, too, there is in great quantities, and platinum near as fair as mithril."

[Aloric:] Aloric hrrms, "Ebony and mahogany as well, eh? Those along with ivory in the hands of a skilled smith could make for quite a profit for us all. The lands to the south are know for exotic weapons as well. I've heard tales of a place called Dus where they forge Tulwars nearly as fine as my own."

[Yozimru:] Yozimru, standing outside, hears nothing of this, however. "You have delivered your message, now go," he says sharply after a long pause, during which he cranes his neck in an attempt to view the table at which Adunalu and Aloric sit. "What are you waiting for?" He sighs. "Very well, then." He delves into his belt pouch to fish out a copper coin.

The Hillman - for such he is - makes no move to take the coin, but says doggedly, "Azramanu wishes you to come." He stops, frowning in concentration, then adds, "Sign papers."

[Yozimru:] Yozimru glances back again through the tavern's open doorway, to where Aloric and Adunalu are sitting - clearly he wishes to listen to their conversation. Already precious moments have slipped by ... "Then I will come - soon," he replies. "Wait here." He reenters the tavern, and heads over to merchant and bladesman, but does not reclaim his seat. "I am afraid I must leave you," he states bluntly, glancing from one man to the other in case they wish to drop hints as to the missed conversation. "I have business matters to attend to. But I hope to see you both again." To Aloric he adds, "Perhaps I shall someday convince you that wines and spices are not so dull." Turning to Adunalu, his voice drops to a whisper.

Yozimru whispers to Adunalu: "I hope that you will consider my suggestion. To ship spices alongside your ivory would only make sense.""

[Aloric:] Aloric nods to Yozimru and smiles, "Perhaps you shall friend, or perhaps I will show you that weapons are an equally valuable commodity. Either way, I look forward to our next meeting."

[Yozimru:] Yozimru manages a thin smile. "Perhaps. I have never considered trading in weapons, but that is not to say I could not. In any case, farewell for now." He nods to both men and strides out of the tavern.

Participants:

ALORIC

The man before you stands just under six feet, and posessed of a slim yet very athletic build. His eyes are an deep and stormy grey, filled with a look of intensity. His hair is black as night, long, and neatly tied back into a ponytail halfway down his back, and a neatly trimmed beard adorns his face. His skin is deeply tanned from spending many hours outdoors practicing his craft.

The man is dressed rather plainly, A simple, sleeveless tunic of a dark grey color overwhich he wears a black vest of studded leather. His pants, likewise are black and are tucked into knee-height boots of a soft black leather. He walks with an aura of quiet confidence, by no means does the man appear arrogant, but certainly he does not appear to be meak either.

YOZIMRU

'Hawk-like' is an adjective that sometimes comes to mind when looking on Yozimru, merchant of Umbar. His hair is dark with just a few hints of grey at the temples, his skin pale. His lean face is dominated by a large beak-like nose; set above it are a pair of keen sea-grey eyes, whose sharp gaze misses little. He is of average height, but carries himself so haughtily that those meeting him are often fooled into thinking he is taller. He dresses in rich silks, favouring reds and golds; the sparkle of jewels can be seen woven into the material, and gleaming from buttons and buckles.

ADUNALU

A tall man of Numenorean ancestry is this, somewhat different from most Dunedain. Though taller than the Rhevain of Middle-earth, he differs from the typical Numenorean in his impressive weight. Weighing over two-hundred pounds, this person is truly a big person.

This man's black hair curls atop his head, and two blue eyes peek out from beneath his bushy eyebrows, and a short beard sprouts from his chin. His clothing, like that of many Dunedain, is rich and beautiful, an embroidered black tunic and a belt of pure gold; his hands are covered in rings of gold and silver. On his feet are a pair of sandals, not as beautiful as the rest of his attire but still functional.