AN: I think it would be neat if our museum created a small culture of relic hunters among the pirates. Also, I tried to upload this one three times and nearly crashed my laptop every time, so I'm currently posting this from my big girl gaming pc. For a name, I guess Tavern of Curiosities works, I couldn't really think of a better one.
Franz of no name sits quietly at the bar and sips at a drink. It does nothing for him any more, now that his heart no longer beats, but it's nice to take a moment and pretend.
The doorbell jingles, and the music slows as everyone inside takes a moment to size up the newcomer.
He's a young man, noticeable not in his face, but the way he moves. It's the swagger of the newly undead, those who were recently raised and think they understand the world now that they've faced it's end.
'He'll learn.' Franz grouches to himself. 'As all young men do.' That did nothing to quell his irritation, nor the memories of his own embarassing youth.
The young man, to his credit, merely nods in acknowledgement, and slinks into the tavern, sitting down to Franz's right, and more importantly, Karl, the old vampire a seat further.
Franz subtly perks his ears and listens in. It's rude, but he's an old man now, he loves the gossip.
"-Heard there was a museum that was looking to buy old artifacts, and that I should talk to you for it." The young man says, before taking out an old silver chalice, covered in intricate carvings. A nobleman's chalice, perhaps, though a bit tacky with so much decoration. "How much for this one? It's elven."
Karl smiles in that grandfatherly way he always does when he's trying to teach the youth a lesson. "It's in good condition, and certainly seems elven, but where- and more importantly when is it from?"
The youth splutters something about just taking it from some other ships hold, but Karl silences him with a single raised hand. "The museum isn't interested in valuables themselves, but the history they represent. Without knowing anything about this chalice you won't get much more than if you sold it to a silversmith to be melted down."
Franz agrees, the museum- lovely place that it is, doesn't need just any old chalice. Except something gnaws at him. Something is off about that chalice.
"Karl, could you pass me that chalice?" The young man gets annoyed and opens his mouth but Karl, good man that he is, slides it along the bar before he can say anything.
Franz picks up the chalice and studies it intently. The carvings are certainly elven, but there are way too many of them, almost like…
He smiles and nods towards the youth. "You've got a good thing here lad, it's dwarven made."
The tavern quiets for a moment, as everyone stops pretending not to be listening in, curmudgeonly old fools they all are.
"Have you lost your bloody mind Franz?!" The one who speaks up is Edwina, an old friend and rival captain, still looking good even in death. She walks up to him and points at the chalice. "You think a dwarf would carve this? And this inscription is in Eltharin!"
Franz nods, and then points to the base of the chalice. "Aye, and this makers mark they tried to cover up is in Khazalid."
Everyone quiets once again, muttering as they digest the revelation.
"Khazalid would mean it's before the war of the beard." "But why cover it up then? Nothing shameful of having old shit from before it all went down?" "Maybe it was just before the war? More embarassing then." "I wonder how much it's worth, has to be a good amount." "You think there are any more?"
A single voice breaks out of the din of speculation.
"I've heard of a chalice of elven make, in a dwarven style. Could be this one has a partner." it's Jonah, a younger man, but famous for his treasure hunting. "Might track it down myself." He muses before returning to his drink.
A wave of excitement spreads throughout the patrons, many leaving outright to try their luck. The poor youth who started it all just sits there, bewildered.
Franz gives him a friendly pat on the shoulder and slides the chalice back to him. "You get that to the museum and tell 'em what you heard here lad, you'll get a good price for it."
The young man nods and stows the chalice away in his coat, before walking out the doors.
Franz goes back to sipping his drink, but his mind still wanders to the chalice's supposed 'partner'.
'Maybe I'll have a go at it.' He thinks. 'Would be a nice change of pace.'
He looks down at his empty mug and smiles wryly. 'After another drink.'
