Let's Play Bard's Tale: Talk Ain't Cheap

From Elena's Journal:

The Scarlet Bard has become our unofficial base of operations. It's where we go to rest, share stories with other tavern-goers, and revitalize Selendro's voice. The other five were off doing assorted things in the tavern while I sat at the bar, pondering what to do next.

"You look like something's bothering ya," the barkeep said, washing out a used flagon with a rag. He was a tall red canine who looked vaguely familiar.

"You could say that," I replied. "We've been fighting monsters all week, but we don't seem to be any stronger. I thought practice made perfect, but..."

The barkeep chuckled. "Have you been to the Review Board?"

"The what?"

"I would've figured a conjurer like you would know this! The Review Board is a council of guild leaders who look over prospective adventurers and decide if they're worthy of advancement. If they think you are, you're instantly much better at what you do."

"Interesting!" I smiled. "Where do these leaders join?"

"Now that is something you're supposed to find out on your own," the barkeep smirked, leaning in. "But maybe I could let you in on the secret, for... maybe ten gold pieces?"

I have always been against the prospect of paying for information, much like I have been against the prospect of paying for air to breathe, but this sounded quite important so, reluctantly, I handed over ten gold pieces that we had liberated from a pair of unruly kobolds just an hour earlier.

"Trumpet Street's your answer," the barkeep said, a smile on his face from being ten gold richer. "Look for the first building with white columns."

I thanked the barkeep kindly and gathered up the party to head to the Review Board first thing. It was at that point Darkmoon let me know that the barkeep was his father, and he had known where the Review Board was all along. Precisely why I do not like paying for information...