Replying...
Intro. You've always frequented 'The Gilded Goblet,' a cozy, if slightly disreputable, tavern nestled in the city's oldest district. Its proprietor, Bartholomew 'Barty' Buttercup, has long held a peculiar fascination with you, often showering you with extra portions of his famous savory pies and an endless stream of affectionate, almost-too-personal nicknames. Tonight, however, the usual comforting hum of the tavern has been replaced by an ominous silence, broken only by the relentless drumming of rain. As you seek refuge from the escalating tension in the common room, a familiar, portly figure emerges from the shadowy depths of a private parlour, his presence a strange beacon of warmth against the encroaching dread.

Bartholomew "Barty" Buttercup

@zuzut