"Isuppose it would be far more relaxing if I were to arrange my things first. Suppose we all meet back here in a half an hour? That should be enough time for us all to get settled."
"That would be...fine. And thank you for the meal." Janos walked away slightly bewildered at these new people. Most folks in the area weren't open to strangers, and they certainly wouldn't be buying them a meal after having just met them.
These were the Professor's friends. They must be hurting as much as I am, and they're strangers in this town too. Maybe they just need the solace of some common company. Janos could abide them that. They were an odd folk, though the Professor was known to keep a special kind of company. You're hardly one to talk, Janos.
As he deposited his belongings, he thought on each of them, noting the telling details. Daniel was definitely a military man. The polish on his boots was a dead giveaway. Though the way he spoke of the faith, he could be an arm of Imodae.
Matrim seemed like many Janos has met in taverns across the land. But there was something about the way the man moved. He wasn't just a fool looking for a good time. This man was dangerous too.
And lastly, the Lady Van der Geist. She looked and sounded like a noblewoman, but something about her stare unnerved him. Not even Alisia seemed to know so much in a single glance.
Sarianna Vai:
"One Chicken soup, one Beef Stew, anything else?"
Beef Stew for me too. Thank you, miss.
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"I'll have some beef stew as well and the first round of drinks are on me." Mat says to Sarianna. He then walks over to Rhia and says with a huge grin, "We could share a room if you'd like." He quickly dodges out of the way to avoid the expected blow and runs off to his room. He says with a laugh over his shoulder to everyone, "I'll be down in half an hour to get my drink on."
Arriving at his door he lets his grin slip from his face. They seem like a likable bunch and they seem very capable. It's a shame to meet them under such circumstances. Tomorrow is going to be more difficult than I thought it would be. I always considered the professor a paycheck but he truly was a friend and I will miss him. Just being here in this town is starting to affect me, hopefully I'll be able to keep up the act.
He walks across the room and drops his pack on the bed with a sigh. "Well, its not home but it will due for now. After the funeral and the reading of the will I'll be able to get out of here and back in my element.", he mutters to himself as he pours water in the basin next to the bed and washes his face and hands.
After he is washed up Mat cleans his armor and weapons while waiting for the half hour to pass. When the time is up he heads downstairs to join the others. Time to get to know these people better. As he reaches the bottom of the stairs the serious expression melts into a broad grin and the fop Mat persona was in place.
As the group sits and chats and drinks (though Daniel does partake he drinks so slowly one wonders if he'd even feel the effects, at the end of the meal he is still on his first)
And so that's how I first met the proffessor. Assigned to guard the learned scholar as he investigated a small rise of undead in the worldwound. We kept in contact ever since.
Daniel did not revel why he'd come to town five days ago or his limited contact with the proffesor since arriving, he merely told the group hoping to get them to talk about thier relationships with him. Going first was not the smartest thing, but no one ever accused him of being a genius.
Janos arrives at the table with his cloak still on and the hood still pulled up. He sits at the table and nods to each of you, but he looks far from relaxed. As you sit and eat, Janos is fairly quiet, content to listen and comment only briefly on Daniel's story. His interest does peak as Daniel mentions undead though. Afterward, Janos takes a deep drink, then pauses and clears his throat.
"The first time I met him was about eight years ago. The Professor was a friend of my mentor's. He had come to consult her on some herbs he was studying. He claimed they had some unique healing properties. I don't know if it was true or not. He visited several times over the course of the years; sometimes more frequently, sometimes whole years would go by. As I grew older and began to learn things on my own, he sometimes sought my counsel instead of Alisia's. That always felt funny to me."
Janos pauses as if considering something for the first time. "Come to think of it, it wasn't long after that first visit of his that my training turned for the better. Trust me, making potions is incredibly boring."
Sarianna Vai:
"One Chicken soup, Three Beef Stews,
and what kind of drinks do you want to order, Agre's 11, Mountain Ale, Dragon ale, Love Wine, or the local ale?"
"The local ale, please. Always the local."
Rhia could not help but smile at Matrim's rogueish comment. As the man dashed up the stairs he did not notice a heel of bread flying off of a tray carried by Saranna towards the spot where the back of his head was only moments before.
"Oh, stop it!"Rhia says in a hushed voice, "He didn't mean any harm by it, besides, people are a bit more free with their speech than in your time."
She goes up to her room setting her things down before rejoining the men at the table, enjoying the reminiscing process that helped people through their loss.
"The Professor first came to help me understand my gift. My family is sworn to protect the innocent from the undead that have menaced this land for generations. The Lady of Graves has granted that that oath holds even beyond death, and through me, those who have fallen can still fight. I....can see into the spirit world and draw power from it." Rhia says giving Janos a knowing glance.
"It was a difficult thing to deal with at first, a huge responsibility, and the professor helped me come to terms with it. Over the years he has been an invaluable resource to the fight against the darkness, and a dear friend."
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Mat listens to Sarianna's ale selections and says, "I'll have some Dragon ale, Lass." He listens to the others as they tell how they met the professor. Jeez, these people seem to run into a lot of undead. Anyone in their right mind would avoid undead, but these people don't seem crazy. All I know is I don't want anything to do with undead. Stinky, rotting corpses that just want to eat you. No thanks.
"I guess it's my turn to tell my tale. I met the professor a few years back while he was in Ardis, he was looking for someone to accompany him on an ....What did he call it...an arca.. a dig of some sort. He had found some Kellid cairn and he needed someone to watch his back. That usually isn't my type of thing but he offered me a tidy some of gold and there was something about the man that I like. Reminded my of my grandfather." A flash of sadness comes across his face but he recovers quickly and with his typical smile in place he continues. "Well, to make a long story short I had to disable a few crudely implemented traps and help the professor recover what some dusty old tome, but thank Desna no undead were involved. I for one want nothing to do with the undead. The thought of some stinky, rotting corpse trying to eat me, no thanks., he finishes with a grim expression and then smiles says, "Dice anyone?"
Daniel joins in on the dice for 1/2 an hour, before retireing for the night.
The night passes on and morning comes,
The morning air is a bit chilly,
but a clear sky and rising sun
giving the look of a good day.
Janos wakes up in his room the next morning and groans. The ranger rolls over and falls on the floor with an impact that causes him to cough and gasp for several seconds. Then he simply lays on the wood floor. And that’s why I don’t stay in towns more often.
After what seems like an eternity, Janos slowly sits up, trying to ignore the pounding in his head. The whispers didn’t help at all. Whispers. That was part of it too. The whispers and the eyes of that Van der Geist woman.
He thinks back to the events of the night. With Mat and Daniel dicing, it left Rhia just studying him. She said she can see the spirit world. She has to know. Know what, he wasn’t even sure himself. It was the Professor who had helped him at first. He said the reason Alisia’s rituals wouldn’t work was that he was already claimed by something. Over the years, the professor had worked with him and they had determined the whispers were from the spirit world, but they had never determined what kind of spirits were trying to speak to him. It was enough to help him manage it and keep him from going insane. For that debt, he was here to honor the man. Maybe the Professor’s death was harder on me than I realized.
Janos manages to stand up and the room doesn’t spin on him. That was real progress. He checked his headband. It was still in place, hiding his ears. At least that had held. With a deep breath he walks back out to the common room.
"Tea, please. And some bread and cheese." Janos drops down into a chair.
Having woken early to greet the sun and make his morning prayers, Daniel goes aboit his morning with his usual practised routine. Wash, Shave, Check gear, Polish Weapons and Armor, Pray. When he was done, he moves downstairs to eat and joinsJano.
Good Mornin, how's the food?
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Mat stumbles through the trees catching himself before falling to his knees, the wound in his leg burns as if on fire. He looks over his shoulder and curses, “Damn, their almost on me. I don’t know how much longer I can keep this up.” Janos, Daniel and Rhia, all dead at the hands of the undead and now he was running for his life. He pushes away from the tree and runs as best he can; hoping that he will be able to lose them in the forest.
After what felt like hours of running Mat burst from the trees into an open field. He skids to a stop eyes wide with fear upon seeing a horde of zombies waiting for him. As they reach for him he screams, turns to run but falls in the dirt. The cold dead hands sink into his flesh he screams again.
Drenched in sweat Mat sits bolt upright in bed with a screaming and looks around wildly for the undead that were all around him seconds ago. As the fog of sleep lifts he realizes it was a dream and falls back on the bed with a shaky laugh. “Damn, that is the last time I listen to people talk about undead while I’m drinking.” After a few minutes he sits up quick and jumps out of bed remembering that today was the professor funeral and he must not be late. He quickly washes up and dresses in the clothes he brought for the funeral and rushes downstairs to meet the others.
He nods to Janos and Daniel as he sits down at the table. “Good morning, I’m starving and I would like to thank you both for the talk of undead last night. I made my dream interesting to say the least.” He says with a smile and looks around for the serving girl. When he sees her he says, “Eggs, bacon and milk, please.”
"Likewise any encouragement for me to keep drinking. It made my morning splendid." Janos sips the tea gingerly and frequently closes his eyes to ease the pain.
It's only then that he notices the other two are dressed in finer clothes than before. "Right, the funeral. My head's so busy pounding, it forgot to check the day's events. I'll be back." He drains the cup of tea and rises. Still a bit unsteady, he gets up, grabs some bread and cheese to take with him and returns to his room to wash and change.
More than a half hour later, he returns in more suitable clothing, though nothing as fine as either Mat or Daniel wear. The hood of his cloak is up yet again, but he seems far less affected by last night's activities.
Rhia awakens and breathes deeply, realizing that today an important part of her life would be laid to rest. Slipping out from under the covers, she stands up, the clothing she had removed the previous night scattered across the floor,as was the norm for anything the put down, tossed by the more restless of her spiritual entourage.
She stretches, leaving the blinds drawn, and lighting a candle in the dark room, she sits crosslegged on the bed, skyclad as she uses the flame to draw her focus, reaching out to the spirit world, her morning ritual, part meditation, part communion with a world with which she possesed a unique bond.
There was far more spiritual activity in Ravengro that she had ever encountered before, a sign of.... something, though she did not know what. The spirts around Janos were especially notable, a powerful bond that seemed somewhat muted by the city, more natural and primal, nature spirits perhaps.
Perhaps an hour later she opens her eyes, smiling at the spirit of her grandmother, watching over her.It was fitting that as a cleric of Pharsma her spirit would be walking with her today.
She rises washing with almost ritual care, appying an appropriate prefume,mhyrr based carrying the spiritual energy of final rest. She dons formal black robes of silk, lined with silver an elevated version of what was customery for servants of the Lady, a long flowing cloak completing her outfit.
Leaving her room she makes her way down the stairs, just as Janos takes a seat, seemingly joining the other men already seated at the table.
"Good morning gentlemen," she says with a smile, as one of the chairs seems to pull itself out for her.
She glances to her left smiling in thanks to something only she could see.
Sarianna Vai:
"Hopefully you all slept well."
Well rested, thankyou. Daniel is likewise pleased at Rhia's arrival. The saddness of the day did not take away from the woman's beauty.
[b]We should be going soon. The funeral is not for a bit but the Proffessors daughter may wish to talk to us before the guests arrive.
Janos can feel Rhia approach right before she actually makes it to the table. He turns his head toward her and... Did that chair just move by itself? He shakes his head. Must still be the drink.
"Mornin' Lady Rhia," he says with a small nod of his head. He turns to Daniel. "That's a good idea. She might need help with last-minute preparations too."
Embarrassed, Daniel finally manages to pull his eyes from the woman.
Yes, well let's go then.
Rhia smiles, genuine and warm, aware of the attention and rather enjoying it. There were many who avoided her company due to the strange things that occurred around her.
"Yes, now is the time where the bereaved need thier friend and acquaintances the most."
you all go to Kendra's home.
Kendra:
she greets you at the door after a few knocks on the door,
"Good morning and what can I do for you? the funeral is in an hour"
"Excuse the intrusion, Miss Lorrimor. Since we agreed to be pallbearers, we just wanted to offer help with the preparations for the funeral if you need anything. At the very least, let us escort you to the Restlands."
Yes, do you have support this morning, Miss Lorrimor? A kind ear or shoulder is needed when we are hurting. If you already have company or truly wish to be alone then we can meet you there, but an escourt at the least....?
Rhia looks directly into Kendra's eyes as she speaks.
"I understand your need to remain strong at this time, allow us to lend you strength, it is the least we can do after everything your father has done for each of us."
Kendra:
"Thank you for support,"
a tear comes to her eye.
still a little teary
"Come on in, as we'll be going in 30 minutes to get my father's coffin and place it in the Restlands."
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Mat lets the others do the talk while he shifts uncomfortably from foot to foot. He smiles sadly and nods in agreement with the others and follows them inside when Kendra invites them into the house.
I hope she doesn't start crying. I'm having a hard enough time with the funeral drawing closer by the minute. The last thing I want is to show a moment of weakness in front of strangers. I'd rather them not know how much the professor meant to me and his loss with surely affect me for the rest of my life.
Janos walks into the home and turns to find himself face to face with a tearful Kendra. He's clearly uncomfortable and yet another awkward moment for Janos passes before he says anything.
"It's, uh... It's ok. We miss him too. We were telling stories last night of how we all met your father. It's, um, those things we need to hold on to." He takes a deep breath to steady himself, clearly also being affected by emotion. "I remember when my mother died. I was just a boy. It won't be easy, but it will be ok in the end."
Kendra:
still holding back her tears,
"I also have two other guests who have volunteered as pallbearers,
in the parlor."
she guides to the the parlor
her guest are two Ulfen women;
Ones 6 foot 3 and has an athletic and curvy human build with pale skin,
But her face is beautiful with blue eyes and long Golden Blonde Hair in a braid that starts at the base of the skull and ends near her waist,
and wearing peasants clothes.
The other is 6 feet tall and has a muscular yet boxum and curvy human build with comely features and pale skin.
Her face looks attractive for a human. She has Golden eyes and lose Copper Red Hair that ends at her mid back,
wearing what looks like a hybrid of monk and clerical clothing, though more on the monk side.
After placing a conforting arm on Kendra's shoulder, Rhia steps forward to meet the others. Standing before the two statuesque Ulfen women she seems almost fragile.
"I am glad to meet more friends of the Professor, though I wish the circumstances were different. I'm Rhia."
the shorter red head introduces herself first
"I'm Alkaid, a priestess of Kurgress."
the taller blond introduces herself next
"I'm Tina"
"Well met Alkaid, Tina, I'm glad that were able to be here to honor The Professor. When the ceremonies are complete I would love to hear how you knew him, and share our stories as well." she says looking back to her other new companions.
"A pleasure to meet you both. I'm sure the Professor would be honored to have you here. Have you travel far?"
Janos studies their clothing and the shape of their faces. He had only heard stories of the Ulfen people.
Daniel eyes the 2 women curiously, his unstudious, yet perceptive mind trying to fathom the appearence of two more adventurers.
All of us coming together to farewell a friend is not strange, but the distances to our respective homelands is. WHY would we all coincidently be close enough to recieve the death letter. I thought it was my own random descision to come here. Now I see fate's hand in it. SOMETHING is going on...
Daniel Arrisen, pleased to meet you
Janos realizes he has not introduced himself. "Apologies. I'm Janos Ardeal."
"I happen to be a wandering Priestess,
As I like to explore the world and help where I can."
"Having traveled with various caravan's, I have traveled a lot."
"Well, I'm glad to know that your travels made it possible for you to be here today, as sad a day as it is, such things are always better in shared company."
Daniel's ears pick up at the mention of religion. It was one of the few subjects he actually studied.
I am a Cleric of the Inheritor. I know very little of Kurgess, but that's more my shortcoming as a scholar. I would like to know more if you've a mind to chat later. In the mean, I'll wait in the foyer for when you all wish to leave. We didn't mean to interrupt.
she answers Daniel's inquiry with a slight smile
"Well it's not that surprising as he is a minor god, and he is a god of athletics."
Truly? I would love to hear more, after the funeral. Athlethics plays a role in the Inheritor's church as well, it brings joy and has the benefit of strengthening the body for the rigors of work or soldiering.
Daniel stops, remembering the somber occasion. This was a day of rememberence, not revelery.
Janos studies the two strangers. With all he's been through, he was still a child of Ustalav and regarded strangers with some suspicion. He looks over the two women for any evidence of weapons and looking for true signs of grief.
you see no weapons on them
the shorter red head seem to be in more grief than the taller blonde
"The Professor must have meant a lot to you for you to volunteer to carry him to the Restlands. I know it's been hard on us."