Quest Failed: Chapter Two - Dev Log #34

Hiya there, guys!

The votes are in and it looks like the majority of you are interested in learning more about a certain cunning innkeeper! (Not to say that I might not ever touch on the other choices that were listed in the future or anything like that.)

So, today we'll be taking a closer look at Anna! A, uh...very close look...if you'll just...take your eyes from off of the attached picture for a moment and read all the nice words I've written below that would be nice...or not, whatever works best!

At first glance, Anna might seem a touch intimidating to those unfamiliar with her; a seemingly grumpy expression plastered across her freckled features, all the while emanating an aura that suggests you probably don't want to get on her bad side. Any newcomers to her cozy little inn nestled in the heart of Rhan might be too intimidated to even approach her for a room or a mug of ale--either due to said apparent grumpiness, or maybe from the generous helping of cleavage she so proudly boasts, not one to shy from her sexuality. (Though that seems to be a common trend that the citizens of Rhan like to freely flaunt their bodies, if one takes a glance at a certain royal knight or spy!) But if they mustered up the courage to approach the front desk, they would be greeted with a cheerful voice and staggering amount of hospitality. Well...as long as they can pay, of course.

Yes, as hospitable as Anna can be--almost to a motherly extent, ensuring her customers eat their breakfast in the morning and won't go hungry--she is also very business-minded, and the mere sight of gold will get those tired eyes of hers gleaming. Essentially, her hospitality extends to however much gold one might have and the moment they run out, well... In most cases she'll boot them out into the cold and lock the door--but if they were perhaps a smaller, cuter customer...she might be able to come up with some kind of alternative arrangement to serve as payment for the night. It's very rare that someone's cuteness would overpower her love of gold, though, so don't count on it saving you from the frigid night air!

Anna is something of a workaholic, seemingly running the entire inn by herself; renting out the rooms to people, serving food and ale, and even taking up the cleaning duties with her every trusty mop. With how spotless she keeps the place, and how prompt the service is, many would find it hard to believe that she's able to do everything at once, so efficiently. And from the swift, efficient way she wields the mop, able to clean up the floors and sweep out the drunken troublemakers in one fell swoop, many have been left to wonder just what mysteries lie hidden in Anna's past.

She doesn't talk about her past much beyond general recollections of having once been a young adventurer that traveled the world and has seen all there is to see before settling down with her own business as old age finally dulled her abilities, but like all good mysteries, there are rumours abound, exchanged in hushed tones. Was she perhaps a famous adventurer from long ago, now opting to live a more secretive, quiet life? Or was she something...far more dubious, given the fact she's very tight-lipped about things. Either way, she's never one to comment on the rumours, and seems to take pride in how much others may talk about her.

Despite her workaholic tendencies, at the same time, she also knows how to have fun, if we go by the rather...ample evidence posted up above! Yes, even while on the job, she's always keen to sample her own product and join in with the festivities, getting a bit carried away on some of the more hectic evenings. But even as irresponsible as they may seem, the moment she's had her fun, she's right back on the job, powering her way through the nausea and headaches that might come.  It's all worth it for a little fun now and again, right?

Finally...alongside running her inn, she also has an operation she runs on the side that helps fuel her love of gold. It wouldn't be fun to completely spoil what her little 'side business' is, but let's just say it involves 'clients' paying in exchange for 'services', hmmmm~? Well, I'll leave what that might be to your imagination--but don't get the wrong idea, she isn't the one offering these 'services' herself, of course. She's not THAT kind of woman, gosh!

Hopefully you enjoyed this little sneak peek into this cunning woman's life! Admittedly I may go back and re-write some of these passages as I feel there may be more eloquent ways to put things, or expand on some areas, as these are rather stream of conscious in nature, but if anything has left you confused or there's something else you'd like to know about her, as always, post away in the comments!