The party sits at a disheveled tavern in the run down part of the the city of Restov. The group was rag tag, and even in this place filled with half-orcs and other commonly seen untouchables the group stood out. The doors opened and the city guard entered into the tavern causing all talking in the place to come to a halt. The lead guard walked to the counter and leaned in to speak with the bartender.
After a few moments the Bartender pointed to the party and clearly was saying 'That's them' to the guard. The guard stood up, slide a few coins across the counter and turned to his men gesturing to the group. The guards moved to the party's tables. “Did you put in a bid for the outing into the stolen lands?” the lead guard asked pulling a roll of paper from his bag. He proceeded to lay it before the party unrolling it and tagging it down on the top with a small knife to small to be a dagger more like a letter opener.
On the scroll of paper would be each of their names, printed first and then signed. The official header came from the Lord Mayor's office and the script below that was the pitch for the outing into the Stolen Lands, a common sight in these parts as the Lord Mayor seemed to always need adventurers to try and explore the dangerous area.
“Your bid had been accepted, you will meet with the Lord Mayor tomorrow at noon at the gates of Restov for your briefing and departure.” The guard said as he pulled the knife out and rolled it back up. “Good day to you...” He said his tone showed he didn't exactly like dealing with this bunch, they where not the standard affair of Bastard Lords and Merchant Sons, these where people you normally didn't send on missions unless of course, you didn't expect them back.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
OOC - ((Text))
Speech - [b]"Text"[/b ] < Remove space
Thought - [I]'Text'[/I ] < Remove space
Dice rolls will be put at the bottom of the post.
The young woman collects the paper casually and inspects her signature with a smile, waving her hand over it casually so her mark is clearly visible.
"Indeed officer, and I thank you for your courtesy. Do you have time to take a drink??
She gestures at the pitcher of cold water and the extra glasses on the table, then takes one of the glasses and pours before setting it within reach of him.
"The day is hot, and long, and we are not ungrateful for your effort on our behalf. If water is not to your liking, I'm sure the barkeep has alternatives"
((Alias update in progress.))
A woman of blue skin and height taller than most of the men in the tavern smiles at her nearest compatriot.
He seems nice. She said, sarcasm either missing from her voice or extremely well-hidden. She took a sip from her mug. A pint of coffee, black. Her heart already aflutter from the caffein buzz. Finally, another job. I was beginning to think we'd never leave this tavern. She looked around at the myriad of nonhumans and nonentities. Though honestly, I kind of like it here.
"You're just in love with the coffee. We'll be sure to take some beans with us Kawa, don't worry. I promised it won't all be tea this time. Your precious is safe."
Alice laughs a moment at the tiefling's grin.
A good day, and adventure ahead of us.
She's 12 feet tall when she stands, with skin that looks like it was tanned with many a forge's fire, long red hair and green eyes, and a strong body. Her clothes look to be custom made given that she's not normal sized, and her scrap iron sandals clack on the floor whenever she walks.
Even with her kneeling at the table to talk and be more at eye level with the group, she's still taller.
"Looks like I'm stuck with this bunch, But it is for the expansion of the Orlovsky house."
"I agree with Kawa, this place is bad, but were like a freak show even here.
I'm just glad this place has an 18 foot high ceiling, though no so much the second floor overlooking the ground floor."
The gatekeeper sits on the far back of the table, sandwiched on either side by his companions.
Io is human in size and shape, but that's where the similarities end. The man, if he is a man, seems to be nothing but a silhouette of a muscular humanoid wearing a good quality cloak and an amulet that clasps around his neck. If one stares at him long enough, little sparks and speckles of light seems to slide across the surface of his skin, like it is but a lens revealing the night sky of some far off world.
The Gatekeeper touches his hand to a cup of water, and it seems to lose it's vibrancy. He does nothing else with it, and the waitress who comes to detail the table later finds that the water is somehow stale.
Frosch stood on the seat at the table, it was the only way for him to really see over the table as the guard approached. He leaned up on his forearms to see the paper and saw his name scribbled in ink on the paper. He looked between each of the group and he nodded to the guard as if to give his confirmation.
"Alrighty, when do we head out?" the tiny frog-like creature asked. He stood at barely 2'3" feet tall and weighed 33 lbs and it was only due to his mulecord magic item that he could carry the weight of his gear. He looked to the left to Eva who was a giant in comparison to most, but even more so to him. It took a good running leap for him to even each her shoulder in height. "I wonder why they picked us? I mean I know there has to be others."
Where else does the coffee come in pints? Kawa said. Yeah, no more tea, my childhood's had enough for a lifetime.
She looked up to Evangline, the only person that ever made her feel small. We're not freaks, we're just far more interesting than everyone else. She said.
Then she looked down at Frosch. They can probably sense our natural talent. She said, standing up, her bare feet hitting the wood floor, she adjusted her skirt and threw on her backpack. In seconds, she had packed everything she owned.
The guard took the offered cup of water and drank it slowly, sipping it to test the water at first before finishing it. "Thank you ma'am" he was seemingly kind enough. "I will see you at Noon then, bring your gear, if you need to shop I would suggest you do so soon."
The guards left shortly thereafter, and with that the tavern began to get loud again. People would gossip now and began to pay more attention to the ragtag bunch.
Eva replies to Kawa
"It's all about point of view. For me this group is closer to normal then the guard who just stabbed the paper and the table, his point of view is very likely to be that we are freaks."
"Heck, at least you can go into a store to buy your clothes, armour, weapons and other gear. I have to get mine custom made, and have a hard time getting into a store let alone most buildings as they have ceilings 8 feet from the floor."
Eva replies to Frosch's query
"If you wish to know they likely picked us as expendables"
|
Veilwar nods to Eva, "Aye, you can bet they plan us to clear the way for another group and leave only our corpses. But, we'll show those slow witted humans their errors soon enough."
Veilwar stands from the table stretching, not even reaching Eva's waist with his 3'6" stature. His green eyes scan the room, discretely seeking anyone who may show too much interest in the guard's announcement as he answers Frosch, "I say we leave at first light of the 'morrow and arrive early, no sense in keeping destiny waiting. Right?"
Then, addressing the group, "As for tonight, I agree with the guard. We should review our packs and ensure our rations and supplies are adequate. Where we're going no merchant is fool enough to follow." Finished with his stretch and survey of the room the veteran hunter sits again, a portion of his mind lost again to years past when the wilds of Minata were his hunting grounds. May this venture prove half the thrill of Minata's untamed jungles.
I think we should all take the time to shop for a few dozen pouches of coffeebeans. I'll pay for at least two of them.
Yeah, poor table. Kawa said. If it bothers you, Eva, I hear some mages can decrease the size of others, temporarily, but at least for enough time to enjoy it. She pat the half-minotaur on the back. I can learn to do so, if you desire.
Destiny's overrated. Kawa said. But I agree with you, time to make a real name for ourselves. She nodded in aggreement to Veilwar's last comment. Exactly why we need more coffee.
Eva smiles as she replies to Veilwar
"Don't underestimate humanity, or you might end up under their heel.
If your worried about trouble, I don't think we'll get any.
Especially since I did put that trouble maker and a few of his friends on the tavern's chandelier and let them hang there all night long."
Eva replies to Kawa
"The duration is good enough to get in and buy something,
but the item would remain the same size, and that is where the problem lies.
Though my size does give advantages and disadvantages.
Everything in this world is give and take."
An easy night, and an easier day to come. Still, shopping is a reasonable choice before we leave for the wild.
Alice smiles somewhat fiercely, it's unclear if the thought of shopping or the wilderness makes her so happy, then stands.
Finding a shop, she completes her purchase. At the last moment tucking some coffee and tea into her pack.
|
|
Fluttering next to Io, at just 2' 1", looks at her signature and excitedly says, Looks like we finally get to have some fun!
She quickly checks her backpack to ensure that she has everything needed for a new adventure. Veil, I definitely agree we need to make a quick stop at the merchant for supplies before leaving. She winks as she says this.
Frosch looked at the fluttering fey and he said "I think so" He said leaning down to grab the bag on the floor, his arms lengthy almost as long as he was tall but not quite that long. He pulled up his pack and he put it on his back. "We need to make sure we have food, who knows what we will find out there, we might not come across anything edible for days."
The other members of the tavern are only barely hiding their looks at you. Most seem just perplexed, while some seem to be plotting what they will do with the gear once the band loses. But none seem to be openly hostile, not with the giantess sitting among them.
Io stands near to Coyote, intent on following her about town.
-Posted with Wayfinder
Now where did he say he'd meet us? Ah, yes. Just through here. Hello Eva! Kawa!
Alice spots the half-giant and the tiefling and moves towards them with an easy grace, then looks around curiously for the guard.
Doesn't look like our guide is here yet but I'm all set. Can't wait to be under open skies again. Well as long as it doesn't rain.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
I like humans. They're fun to watch. Kawa said to the taller woman. Why is everyone so obsessed with their looks and their clothes. Dress practically, I say. She told her, the irony that what she was wearing what could barely be considered a swimsuit in most countries apparently lost on her.
Heya, Alice! The oni-girl said with a wide wave. II'd like some rain, actually. Feels good.
On Kawa's clothes comment Eva replies
"I would not call your clothes practical Kawa.
If I were you, I'd cover up more. As there are plants that are coated in poison and some of those poisons work on contact, like poison oak."
Gatekeeper Io will arrive at the set upon time, with a large wagon in tow by four horses.
4 Heavy Horses - 800GP
4 Bit's n Bridles - 8GP
In the Wagon: 40 days Feed (400 lbs) - 2GP
Coffee Beans (40 lbs) - 2GP
Pavilion Tent (50 lbs) = 100GP
7 Bedrolls (35 lbs) - 7SP
14 Blankets (42 lbs) - 7GP
Soap (25 lbs) - 5SP
3 Fishing Net - (15 lbs) - 12GP
7 Compass (3.5 lbs) - 70GP
3 Blank Maps (6 lbs) - 150GP
300 ft hemp rope (60 lbs) - 6GP
4 Signal Horns (8 lbs) - 4GP
150 Day's Trail Rations (150 lbs) - 75GP
100 Sticks Incense (10 lbs) - 100GP
50 Tindertwigs (-) - 50GP
10 packs of Cards (10 lbs) - 10GP
10 sets of Dice (-) - 1 GP
7 Blank Flags (21 lbs) - 70GP (I figure we can use these when we set our own territories)
The Silhouette of a man looks over the assembled group and speaks to them all in their minds simultaneously.
Greetings. I have procured a wagon and coffee. And some other things we might have needed. I also do not understand how you all can wear so much clothing. Isn't it stuffy and difficult to breathe with that much wrapped around you?
|
|
Coyote comes flying up to the group and comments, I agree Alice, open skies are great as long as it's not raining. She looks over at Io's wagon full of gear and smiles. Io it is crazy how much clothes some wear, I prefer to be free to fly without concern of my clothes getting caught on branches.
She is looking forward to finding some fun on this adventure, maybe even a little trouble.
As they gathered their supplies people would of course watch them. They where abnormal sights in this land ruled mostly by human beings. As noon fast approached they would have to make their way toward the gate of the city where the Lord Mayor waited for them. He was flanked on either side by four men each armored and armed with bastard swords, held tip down toward the dirt.
"Welcome.. ladies and gentle" the mayor said to them with a half-hearted smile. "Today you begin a grand journey." he held out their charters to take, one for each of them. "This charter gives you permissions to collect bounties in the stolen lands, to establish a settlement there and to clear out the area. This also gives you the right to map out an area, so do consider the names you decide on for things such as lakes and rivers for they will be official"
|
|
Veilwar graciously takes his charter from the Lord Mayor, wondering how the human would react to his withered, leathery, blackened hand. "Thank you, Lord. May our efforts fulfill our dreams and yours."
To his black blade, Veilwar thinks, "Szo Cuta, this may be our chance at last. To think that we have such an opportunity to establish a refuge where those like us may find a home."
Eva smiles as Veilwar takes the carter and adds
"I thank you for this opportunity, Lord Mayor. I hope we don't disappoint you."
We can not afford to disappoint. Io thinks aloud. There is much at stake.
-Posted with Wayfinder
See, Io and Coyote understand. I want my feet to touch the soil and my skin be embraced by the air. Kawa said. The gods created us with less.
She bows low to the mayor. Thank you so much for the opportunity, your mayorship. I'll do my best in your services.
Frosch walked over to the Lord Mayor and smiled as he jumped up to grab the charter paper. "Thank you sir, we will do you proud" he said before returning to his group, mostly staying close to Eva who he was sure would provide excellent shade for the duration.
"Alright everyone, are we going to head out now? Or did anyone need something else?" he asked looking around with big wide eyes.
Thank you, sir. Your advice is timely and will of course heed it. Do you have a rough map or just a description...
She trails off reading the charter.
Ah, it's all here then. Excellent Now, let us be off. There is still much of the day remaining.
Alice is cordial as the group departs, walking casually beside the wagon. Once they exit town, she climbs aboard.
You outdid yourself as always IO. Are you sure you're not the spirit of a great quartermaster reborn? Or perhaps it was you Szo. In either case I thank you.
You outdid yourself as always IO. Are you sure you're not the spirit of a great quartermaster reborn? Or perhaps it was you Szo. In either case I thank you.
The gatekeeper gestures from where he stands, picking up his charter with mage hand and pulling it to him. He holds it for a moment before putting it safely away.
Your thoughts of gratitude are welcome... Alice. Io responds, his mental voice somewhat stiff. Though I have no ties to any mortal spirit. I assure you my body is quite real.
The Mayor nods his head to the group and he says "I wish you as much luck as I can." He gestured to the guards to make sure the gate was clear of any peasants who where attending the gathering so the wagon could move unimpeded. "Oh, before I forget" He called out to halt them as they began to pass beyond the gates. "If you find Ser Jeremy Mallor or his remains. I would be willing to give you an additional reward should he be sent back to Rustov."
|
|
"Alice, Szo Cuta says she is offended and if she is any spirit reincarnated it would be that of warrior priest of Sarenrae." Vielwar responds with a grin. "Well, that and some other colorful remarks I won't repeat. You know she doesn't like her name shortened" He shakes his head, knowing it will happen again as he has learned the group likes to antagonize Szo Cuta at times since they cannot hear her diatribes. Unfortunately, he can hear them.
As they leave the Lord Mayor's presence Veilwar pauses on the Lord Mayor's comment for a second, the name Sir Jeremy Mallor faintly familiar but unsure as to why.
I will keep my... eyes open. Io projects, a bit of alien humor considering he has no eyes.
The gatekeeper will sit at the front of the carriage, driving it unless someone else offers to do it.
Frosch would stop and look back toward the mayor and he climbed up on the wagon sitting on the edge of the wagon's rim. "I will be sure if we find anything we relay it sir" he had no idea who this man was, but he knew that he must be important.
Thank you, ser mayor. We will keep our eyes out. Kawa said.
Once outside, Kaway puts a fist into her hand, smiling widely. Aren't the rest of you excited? We get to do the official work for once. No more kicking goblins out of abandoned buildings, no more standing in the background as bodyguards, and don't get me started on that incident with the cows. She said. We're doing something that actually means something. She sighed happily. Do you think we can name some of the landmarks after dirty words?
You must have had a much different experience with those cows than I had, Coyote. She turned to Veilwar. Trouble we caused? It was all the cows, I swear.
Alice laughs, tilting her head back to the sky as the land grows rougher around the wagon.
"Cows are simple creatures, and they don't see just the veil. It's good to be out of the city, yes? If we're going to name landmarks something sly, we should choose something more intimate than vulgar. Where's the fun in a joke if all understand it"
I know I remember that name from somewhere. Jeremy Mallor, Jeremy Mallor.
Alice's happy mein slowly fades as she mutters quietly to herself, and she eventually climbs up on the back of the wagon.
Got it!
She exclaims a while later and explains the history of the man to the group.
Eva shows a bit of an upset face at everyone's wording of cows and events with cows