"You may learn to regret your generous offer" She informs Nye with a playful smile over the rim of her glass that contains an especially colourful liquid concoction.
Nye laughs
"One of the best things about being a Xaosman is that you rarely regret anything you do. Chaos is the independence to do whatever you wish and not worry about the consequences. Let the Harmonium deal with those."
Nye sips his drink and smiles at Swift. His leg absently touches hers under the table.
"I thought it was quiet for too long."
Isaac hauls up and punches the nearest brawler, preferably a Doomguard just because he's already seen a Clueless get some hassle today.
1d20+5=24, 1d3+2=4
Issac belts a ragged looking Sinker, snapping his head back. He topples, but one of his mates takes a swing at the Godsman.
The blow connects, but the Sinker howls as his hand smacks Issac's mithril shirt . The patchwork-leather-clad Sinker dances about holding his fingers.
Springhill Jak, Hergik and the rest form a defensive circle with Issac, punches flying.
Swift laughs warmly in return to Nye's words, a bright grin settling on her feline features. "Good point" She responds "Chaos can be a wonderful thing, but for most I can be more chaos than they can handle when I just let myself run loose" She adds with a small shrug and a slight guilty look in Skrint's direction before returning her focus to Nye.
Swift laughs warmly in return to Nye's words, a bright grin settling on her feline features. "Good point" She responds "Chaos can be a wonderful thing, but for most I can be more chaos than they can handle when I just let myself run loose" She adds with a small shrug and a slight guilty look in Skrint's direction before returning her focus to Nye.
Nye laughs and gulps a large draft of his drink
"Chaos is all about being too much to handle. Chaos doesn't need to be handled. When you let chaos run its natural course, it will see you through. It's when you try to limit it that bad things happen. If I hadn't decided to go with chaos' flow when you two came up to me askin' for me help we wouldn't be having such a grand time here tonight would we? For that matter, if yeh hadn't gone an' got in trouble, we'd never have met at all an' I'd probably be sitting in my house playing solitare Watch Me."
Skrint frowns a bit, but keeps silent, sipping his mead quietly
Lady Bethany Archaise:
None of the avariels she has met are actually Elyrian, but they do practice a lot of the same cultural conventions. It seems harpies are considered semi-sentient beasts in this place, but there are so many weird beings here that Lady Bethany doesn't inspire too much comment. It seems that Chonchord must be a rarely-visited world by planars. No one she has talked to has any idea where a portal might be to her home. She now has the distressing problem of earning a living until she can find her way home.
This morning she is flapping along Newt Street when a wall of flyers catches her eye. There seems to be a lot of different job advertisments tacked up onto the crumbling wall, and on a whim she takes a look at them. Most are not interesting, but one catches her eye:
Wanted:
Enterprising team players for a job in the freelance securities market. Willingness to travel and combat skills a must. Good compensation, room, board and retreival expenses included when possible. Inquire at the sign of the Silver Rose, Copper Court, Copperman's Way, Market Ward, Sigil.
Issac belts a ragged looking Sinker, snapping his head back. He topples, but one of his mates takes a swing at the Godsman.
The blow connects, but the Sinker howls as his hand smacks Issac's mithril shirt . The patchwork-leather-clad Sinker dances about holding his fingers.
Springhill Jak, Hergik and the rest form a defensive circle with Issac, punches flying.
Isaac laughs, but it's friendly, not derisive.
"That's an A for effort, cutter. Better luck next time!"
Karrin turns to her companion:
"We better head out Naridre," Karrin says as she watches the halfing stroll over to snap at an angel, "we better not overstay our welcome. Now we got a place to start though."
"Yes, let's go. I hope that Majeed is safe. If he's in a sanitarium that's still better than thinking of him wandering the streets somewhere. Thank you so much for helping me look. This place is so big and so full of strange things. I don't even know what to think of it all."
She looks around nervously as she talks, not sure from which direction the next threat she should hide from will come.
Making a note of the address, Lady Bethany asks around for directions. After being rudely brushed off a number of times, a cloaked Medusa finally offers to point her in the right direction for a silver piece. Sighing and wary of the snakes poking out from under the Medusa's cowl, she flips the woman the coin and flies off in the direction indicated.
Arriving at the location indicated, she spies the Sign of the Silver Rose. She looks around warily, still not sure of the City, before landing on the front doorstep.
Isaac laughs, but it's friendly, not derisive.
"That's an A for effort, cutter. Better luck next time!"
Issac rattles the Sinker's bonebox, spinning him about. Hergik cries suddenly
"Hardheads at the door! Step lively or were scragged bloods!"
Indeed a patrol of Harmonium troops are at the entryway, grabbing combatants by the scruff of the neck and slapping manacles on their wrists
Springhill Jak grabs a bottle off the bar and heads towards the back of common room.
"To me, cutters! We can give them the laugh through here!"
Karrin and Nari finish their pastys and head back towards the Hive. Strolling down Rook Street they pass the Fated's faction headquarters, the Hall of Information. Various rich-dressed Fated high-ups saunter by, often surrounded by a flock of somber-dressed functionaries, like peacocks surrounded by sparrows.
Rook Street merges into Tea Street as the Clerk Ward starts to bleaken a bit. A large building surrounded by hundreds of different carraiges sits on the road. A large sign reading:
Tea Street Transit: Conveyances for every occasion
Rears along its roof line. There is the muted whickering of hundreds of Arcadian ponies kept in a large corral just visible out back.
As the two walk on, Tea Street beings to lose cobbles and gain fetid pools of ordure. It finally ends in the border district known as Darkwell Court. Darkwell Court is kindly given place on maps as part of Clerk's Ward, but the reality is that the Hive is reaching filthy claws out to claim it. Once grand buildings slowly crumble, and grand houses split into tenements housing thronging Hiver families.
Nari shrinks closer to Karrin, trusting that the tiefling will protect her. Karrin heads down Gouge Row, passing the large brick building with the sign Osmonder's Meats. Karrin recals hearing Ffethpaar and Eir talking about the place when they were looking for the goblin's mouthpiece, Rab Norgins. The place is thronged with folks buying sausages and selling carcasses.
They pass a large building with the sign Weary Spirit Infirmary. The large building seems quiet in the early Afterpeak. Karrin remembers something Eir said about the place, but can't quite recall...
Passing through more of the broken streets, the two enter what passes as a wealthy neighborhood in the Hive, The Marble District. Most of the houses are fairly well kept, but all are bounded by high brick walls with rusty iron spikes affixed to their top. There is a preponderance of taprooms, inns and taverns here, as folks can actually pay to have someone serve them their bub. There are also quite a few bathhouses and massage parlors catering to other needs of the highups. Karrin and Nari see several sleazy-looking men giving them appraising looks, but Karrin's tough demeanor and big blue axe work as a deterrent.
Turning onto a road with the lovely name of Scab Way, the two pass a tavern called the Roaring Balor. The inn seems to be built entirely of black basalt blocks, and several teiflings loaf about its entrance. Just as the two are walking by a rich voice calls out:
"Karrin! Daaaarling!"
It is none other than Veria, the erinyes that Zigel had introduced to her last week. She comes sauntering up, white-feathered wings loaded down with golden chains. She is dressed in a leather bustier and a very short skirt. A large businesslike whip lies coiled at her side.
"How have you been? I heard about Zigel's enlistment, he's such a brave soul!"
She turns her violet eyes to Nari
"And who's your delightful friend?"
Making a note of the address, Lady Bethany asks around for directions. After being rudely brushed off a number of times, a cloaked Medusa finally offers to point her in the right direction for a silver piece. Sighing and wary of the snakes poking out from under the Medusa's cowl, she flips the woman the coin and flies off in the direction indicated.
Arriving at the location indicated, she spies the Sign of the Silver Rose. She looks around warily, still not sure of the City, before landing on the front doorstep.
The Forest District lies on the side of the largest market district Bethany has ever seen: The Great Bazaar. As she flaps over the many shops and stalls, she sees beings of all shapes and sizes selling every item imaginable. She flys past, passing a spiny creature with large leathery wings coming the other way. The creature winks and yells out:
"Allo ducks!"
before dissapearing into the fog that chokes the city. She spots Copperman's Way on the other side of the marketplace, its wide expanse choked with carts, wagons, carraiges and pedestrians. She sees Copper Court and flies down to the building sporting the sign of the Silver Rose. The door is shut, but she can see the dim outline of someone at a desk through the frosted glass of a large window.
Merle turns to nye
"So what made you want to be a barrister? I would have thought that out of all things that would seem somewhat Orderly?"
Nye laughs loudly, slurping his drink
"Why that's what they'd LIKE you ta think Merle! The dark of it is that under all their rules and regulations is nothing but pulsing lovely chaos. They tries to make rules for everything, but they can't chink up all the mouse holes. I find the holes in their rules, an' I sneak in like the rat looking for chesse .."
Nye pauses
"Mmm cheese .. WAITER! Some Arborean Gruyere here!"
He snaps back to Merle
"Now, the Guvners, the Hardheads and the Red Death all wish I'd get penned in the dead book, and mayhap one of these days they'll get their wish. But I'm too valuable to certain folks what live on the other side of the faction conflict. I didn't get us reservations at this place by pawning the carrots yeh gave me! "
Nye chuckles at his wit
"The long and short of it is I takes their rules, breaks them up, shakes them together and pieces up a defense that they can't touch! Live by the law, die by the law. If I makes a valid point under their law there's not a blessed thing they can do about it, less they wants to admit all their pretty pretty laws are no better than the barkle a bubbing barmie would spew after too much Hiveshine."
"Karrin! Daaaarling!"
It is none other than Veria, the erinyes that Zigel had introduced to her last week. She comes sauntering up, white-feathered wings loaded down with golden chains. She is dressed in a leather bustier and a very short skirt. A large businesslike whip lies coiled at her side.
"How have you been? I heard about Zigel's enlistment, he's such a brave soul!"
She turns her violet eyes to Nari
"And who's you delightful friend?"
A brief jolt of panic runs through Karrin as realizes that she's come face to face with the devil again but Karrin quickly remembers that she's traveling with someone who's likely even more frightened and Karrin will need to be brave for the both of them.
"Hello Veria," Karrin says, trying to keep the panic out of her voice, "this is a client of mine, just some pro bono stuff, and we're sort of in a hurry. I was sad to hear about Zigel as well. I wonder what he was thinking? I never thought he'd want to get involved in a blood war . . . anyways you're probably very busy, I got some coin together though so if you still got that disguise kit . . ."
'Why did I say that?' Karrin asks herself, 'now you'll likely have to come back . . .'
Veria laughs wickedly
"Oh Karrin, you can come by and pick up that disguise kit whenever you want! I'll even give you a good discount on it! In fact, I'll put it aside for you, come by soon!"
The erinyes looks over at Naridre and sticks out a long-red-nailed hand, her face smiling, red lips framing slightly sharp white teeth
"Hello there! My name is Veria, I am a friend of Karrin's. What's your name, darling?"
She sees Copper Court and flies down to the building sporting the sign of the Silver Rose. The door is shut, but she can see the dim outline of someone at a desk through the frosted glass of a large window.
Unsure of whether to knock or simply enter, she finally just opens the door and steps into the room, walking up to the figure at the desk and clearing her throat.
"Eh Ehm. I have come regarding the note about possible employment within your organization."
Bethany sees a mudcrawler woman with yellow hair sitting behind the desk. It is hard to determine looks among these non-winged races, but her face seems shapely. She stands up and smiles
"Greetings! My name is Hanali. Come with me and I will see if my boss has a moment to speak with you."
The mudcrawler stumps to a small door and opens it, revealing a large open room. She calls up a flight of stairs to the side.
"Renkar, could you come down here?"
She turns to Bethany.
"Would you like a drink of tea?"
"Aye, Springheel old son, my knuckles were just getting tired. Lead the way!"
Isaac follows the air genasi, trying to keep the way clear behind him for the other Godsmen. He shouts back to the Sinkers.
"Love to stay, my darling bashers, but it seems we've got a pressing engagement anywhere but here! Give my fondest regards to the lawmen!"
"Aye, Springheel old son, my knuckles were just getting tired. Lead the way!"
Isaac follows the air genasi, trying to keep the way clear behind him for the other Godsmen. He shouts back to the Sinkers."Love to stay, my darling bashers, but it seems we've got a pressing engagement anywhere but here! Give my fondest regards to the lawmen!"
Springheel Jak leads the Godsmen out a hallway, bursting through a door leading to a rear courtyard. The small plot is stacked with typical junk an inn collects: Old chairs and tables, a splintery bed. Springheel motions to the bed and he and Hergik grab the frame and put it against the razorvine-choked wall.
"Up an' over lads! Time to make like ol' Springheel!"
The nimble air genasi hops up the frame and leaps over the wall.
Veria laughs wickedly
"Oh Karrin, you can come by and pick up that disguise kit whenever you want! I'll even give you a good discount on it! In fact, I'll put it aside for you, come by soon!"
The erinyes looks over at Naridre and sticks out a long-red-nailed hand, her face smiling, red lips framing slightly sharp white teeth
"Hello there! My name is Veria, I am a friend of Karrin's. What's your name, darling?"
Naridre had let out a quiet when she first saw the winged woman and done her best to hide behind Karrin. She had learned early on to be wary of one with a whip. No matter how lovely they looked on the outside. She shrank away from the proferred hand, but she'd never quite been able to break herself of the habit of obedience.
"Naridre," she said meekly, looking at her feet as she answered the questions. And just for a moment a very different Naridre looked up, amber eyes blazing. "And I'm not your darling."
She cursed herself as she once again shrank back into a meek little mouse. She'd also never been able to break herself of the habit of defiance. This was just the sort of thing that was sure to earn her another mark. She desperately hoped that Karrin wouldn't be angry with her. Being rude to her friend was hardly the way to repay her for all of her kindness.
Hergik hops up the shaky frame
"Don't be tellin yer gram how ta cook porridge Issac. I've scaled these walls since I was fresh hatched!"
He leaps down onto the broken cobbles and takes a drunken bow. Issac does help a few of the other namers over the black-leafed razorvine, then they all scatter different ways down the dark winding side streets of Gurincraag. Hergik, Issac and Springheel Jak end up as a trio.
"An' look at what ol' Jakie boy snatched during the scuffle! A fresh bottle of Dancing Hut Vodka!"
Springheel flourishes the large clear glass bottle, its label embossed with a small hut with big chicken legs.
Hergik laughs and snatches the bottle, popping the cork and swigging a good snort down
"Aye yer a blood's blood me fine lad Jak yeh is."
The few folks walking about the neighborhood are short and stout, most sporting beards. The signs over the shops start to be written in angular runes.
"What's say we find us a Dwarf tavern an' get us some good Undermountain Ale?" Jak suggests after a swallow of his bottle
...
"Naridre," she said meekly, looking at her feet as she answered the questions. And just for a moment a very different Naridre looked up, amber eyes blazing. "And I'm not your darling." ...
The erinyes' eyes narrow a millimeter, then clear.
"Oh I'm just trying to be friendly Naridre. Please don't think badly of me. I'm a very friendly fiend, not mean at all! Just ask Karrin!"
Veria notices Nari's frightened fascination with her whip
"Oh don't you worry, I wouldn't use Mathilda on you, sweet sweet Naridre. She's only for bad people. And you're not bad are you?"
Veria's right hand strokes the long plaited leather of her whip lazily.
Bethany looks at the woman quizzically. Tea?"
I have noticed some Avariel in your City. Do you happen to have any Avarien Ambrosia?"
She looks around the building and wonders what to expect from upstairs.
Hanali looks discomfitted
"I'm afraid we really aren't set up for entertaining here, Miss ...?"
A sound of footsteps echo down the stairwell. An older male mudcrawler emerges and strides over on his weird-looking feet.
"Greetings! My name is Renkar. Welcome to the Silver Rose!
The erinyes' eyes narrow a millimeter, then clear.
"Oh I'm just trying to be friendly Naridre. Please don't think badly of me. I'm a very friendly fiend, not mean at all! Just ask Karrin!"
Veria notices Nari's frightened fascination with her whip
"Oh don't you worry, I wouldn't use Mathilda on you, sweet sweet Naridre. She's only for bad people. And you're not bad are you?"
Veria's right hand strokes the long plaited leather of her whip lazily.
Nari's stomach clenched as she began to feel sick with fear. She knew that look. And that question. The last time she had answered that question wrong she had nearly been crippled the lash had bit so deep into her leg.
"No," she whispered hoarsely, praying desperately that she had the right answer this time. "I'm not bad."
"No," she whispered hoarsely, praying desperately that she had the right answer this time. "I'm not bad."
Veria grins a very predatory smile at the frightened young elf
"I'm sure you're not, sweet Naridre. Please, be my friend and come to my shop with Karrin when you have the time. I have so many delightful things there! I'm sure we could find lots of things to play with."
Hergik hops up the shaky frame
"Don't be tellin yer gram how ta cook porridge Issac. I've scaled these walls since I was fresh hatched!"
He leaps down onto the broken cobbles and takes a drunken bow. Issac does help a few of the other namers over the black-leafed razorvine, then they all scatter different ways down the dark winding side streets of Gurincraag. Hergik, Issac and Springheel Jak end up as a trio.
"An' look at what ol' Jakie boy snatched during the scuffle! A fresh bottle of Dancing Hut Vodka!"
Springheel flourishes the large clear glass bottle, its label embossed with a small hut with big chicken legs.
Hergik laughs and snatches the bottle, popping the cork and swigging a good snort down
"Aye yer a blood's blood me fine lad Jak yeh is."
The few folks walking about the neighborhood are short and stout, most sporting beards. The signs over the shops start to be written in angular runes.
"What's say we find us a Dwarf tavern an' get us some good Undermountain Ale?" Jak suggests after a swallow of his bottle
"You nicked the liquor, your choice of tavern. You surprise me, though, Jak. There weren't enough bearded women at the Wayfarer for your taste? This is a side of you I've never seen before, cutter, but I've ever tried to be a supportive friend."
Veria grins a very predatory smile at the frightened young elf
"I'm sure you're not, sweet Naridre. Please, be my friend and come to my shop with Karrin when you have the time. I have so many delightful things there! I'm sure we could find lots of things to play with."
Naridre hides behind Karrin afraid to answer. She doesn't like this woman. She doesn't want to ever go near her again. But she owes Karrin, and if that's what Karrin wants her to do she could hardly refuse. Besides, outright refusal might get her labeled as bad. She decides it's safer to stay mute instead, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.
"I'm afraid we really aren't set up for entertaining here, Miss ...?"
A sound of footsteps echo down the stairwell. An older male mudcrawler emerges and strides over on his weird-looking feet.
"Greetings! My name is Renkar. Welcome to the Silver Rose!
Bethany turns aback to the stairs as the man comes down.
She addresses both Hanali & Renkar at first, "my name is Lady Bethany Archaise of House Vex Archaise."
She then addresses Renkar more fully. "I am currently trapped in this cesspit you call a City and I find myself in need of some work so as to attempt to find my way back home. I saw your advertisment on a board and it looked interesting, so here I am."
She spreads her arms with a flourish to indicate herself and then presses on. "I have some small skill at arms and have musical talents which may be of use to you."
"What exactly does this job entail and when do I start? I am eager to move myself out of the accomodations I am currently occupying and move into something more befitting my upbringing."
Veria grins a very predatory smile at the frightened young elf"I'm sure you're not, sweet Naridre. Please, be my friend and come to my shop with Karrin when you have the time. I have so many delightful things there! I'm sure we could find lots of things to play with."
"Well we better get going," Karrin quickly says, "lots of things to do before we're done for the day, and we mustn't keep you any longer then we need too. Good day to you."
Karrin quickly hustles away practically dragging Naridre along with her. Karrin puts a few blocks between them before releasing Naridre's hand and turning to talk to her.
"That was Veria," Karrin says, "and she was a friend of one of my former fellow mercenaries, but she's actually no friend of mine. Quite frankly she gives me the shivers, but she's always very nice and polite so I feel bad about snubbing her, I mean people here in Sigil are sometimes very different then they are in other parts of the universe, but also sometimes they aren't . . . I'm not sure where Veria falls into the grand scheme of things but she's got some information on me and I don't know what that is . . ."
Karrin blinks. Until the words came tumbling out of her mouth Karrin hadn't realized what she said to be true . . . as if one side of her brain had kept the secret from the other . . . but suddenly everything made sense.
"Anyways," Karrin says shaking off the stray thoughts, "my point is this, I don't know what sort of person Veria is, and just now she tried to make like we were old friends, but that's not the case, could just be her way of doing things, but the thing is I don't know her and you shouldn't trust her. I knew someone that trusted her but that's the extent of our relationship. If you don't feel safe being around her then you leave. Simple as that. Devils scare me, might seem strange considering my heritage, but I never knew my parents and I'm not friends with any devils."
Nari feels a sense of relief in knowing that the scary woman was no friend of Karrin's.
"I didn't like her. She reminded me of my master, smiles on top and cruel underneath. She knows how to use that whip too well for my liking and I'd just as soon not go near her again."
"Wait," Karrin blinks, "your master? Like you were a slave? Is this who we're hunting down?"
There is a hint of an edge to her voice.
"I hate slavers." Karrin adds, "Nothing I enjoy mashing more then bullies or slavers!"
Nari feels a sense of relief in knowing that the scary woman was no friend of Karrin's.
"I didn't like her. She reminded me of my master, smiles on top and cruel underneath. She knows how to use that whip too well for my liking and I'd just as soon not go near her again."
"Wait," Karrin blinks, "your master? Like you were a slave? Is this who we're hunting down?"
There is a hint of an edge to her voice.
"I hate slavers." Karrin adds, "Nothing I enjoy mashing more then bullies or slavers!"
"That we can agree on," Nari says, just for a moment showing a hint of fighting spirit.
"Majeed was not my master. He's the one who rescued me. I was a slave, born to it. My master said I was disobedient, that I had a bad attitude, that I required additional correction. He liked his whip very much. He was a wizard from a very important elven family so his 'little excesses' were overlooked.One day when I was required to help in the laboratory, I accidentally spilled part of a potion. While I was being punished something in my mind just broke loose. I made the laboratory go BOOM. I didn't mean to. It just happened. But I knew he'd kill me if he caught me so I ran. I ran fast. I hid in the forest. I was there for weeks. Sometimes it was cold, but it wasn't much worse than having to scrub the battlements all night because I didn't show enough respect when i said yes, sir. And that's when Majeed found me. He took me in, adopted me, taught me how to control my powers. The least I can do is take care of him now that he needs it. That's why I want to find him so much."
Swift gives a small delighted purr as she drinks and listens intently to Nye's words, a bright smile on her face as she shifts a little closer to him to make sure she doesn't miss any of his lively outlook on life.
Her smile however does falter somewhat as she notices the two feline males frowning "Are you two alright?" She questions Skrint and Seph, her head tilted curiously to one side as she observes them "Are you not having fun? Maybe we could try to find something that you'll both enjoy.."
"You nicked the liquor, your choice of tavern. You surprise me, though, Jak. There weren't enough bearded women at the Wayfarer for your taste? This is a side of you I've never seen before, cutter, but I've ever tried to be a supportive friend."
Jak laughs drunkenly
"Yeh've got a good point, Issac lad, an' it's not just the one on top of yer bonebox! 'Tis celebrating we should be doing, an' staring at bearded ladies ain't the type of fun I'd be interested in."
The blue-skinned Godsman ponders.
"I know a place right inside the Marble Distrct in the Hive wots called the Fallen Angel. They have a floor show with a lot of aasimar women, an' their bub's not too bad for a Hiver dive. Wot say you louts to that?"
...
"Well we better get going," Karrin quickly says, "lots of things to do before we're done for the day, and we mustn't keep you any longer then we need too. Good day to you." ...
Veria smiles and waves as Karrin hustles Naridre off.
"Ta for now! Come and see me real soon!"
After their discussion of the mysterious erinyes, Karrin and Naridre resume their hunt for the Gatehouse. It isn't too far from the dirty boulevard known as Scab Way where Veria had waylaid them.
The two enter a district that seems to be populated by ill folk. Old people with crutches hobble along, folks shrouded in multiple layers of rags push small handcarts filled with rubbish, a young teen girl with a unicorn-like horn on her forehead howls up to the smog-filled Sigil sky. They see a road called Bedlam Run, sporting a sign with an arrow reading: Gatehouse.
Above this district's crumbling tenements, a large castle-like building with a odd spiked entrance rears up. The building runs along an entire street, small iron-barred windows facing the boulevard. Karrin and Naridre can hear a cacophany of cries and howls coming from the edifice.
Surprisingly, the grounds surrounding this formidible building look well kept. There is actually a small grassy park of sorts in front of the oddly shaped entrance, and a cluster of folks sitting in odd wheeled conveyances are scattered about, often accompanied by an attendant of some sort. This could only be the Bleak Cabal's headquarters, The Gatehouse.
Along with the invalids taking in the day, there is a crowd of poor folk lined up along the crushed stone walkway to the Gatehouse. Many look sick, but some just look hungry. Several folk go up and down the line, talking to the queued-up Hivers. A Half Orc dressed in black with a Bleaker symbol stitched on a black beret on his lumpy-looking head strums a splintery lute near the long line:
"Madness comes and madness goes
An insane place, with insane moves
Battles without, for battles within
Where evil lives and evil rules
Breaking them up, just breaking them in
Quickest way out, quickest relief wins
Never disclose, never betray
Cease to speak or cease to breathe
And when you kill a man, you're a murderer
Kill many, and you're a conqueror
Kill them all...Ooh...Oh you're a god!"
A few folk who look to be attendants also work the line, jotting down notes on small wax tablets.
"What exactly does this job entail and when do I start? I am eager to move myself out of the accomodations I am currently occupying and move into something more befitting my upbringing."
The mudcrawler Renkar ponders
"It is a pleasure meeting you lady Bethany. The job is available for room, board, medical and corpse retrival expenses. We split all monies earned, by loot or fee evenly once expenses are covered. We are an ecclectic lot of specialists, but we have no one of the bardic tradition yet. What sort of lodgings do you require? The room and board covers a room at the Copper Cauldron. If that doesn't suit, perhaps we can figure out a per diem arrangement."
"Are you not having fun? Maybe we could try to find something that you'll both enjoy.."
Skrint looks up
"No I am fine Swift, I am just still a bit tired from my sojurn in the Bucket. I don't mean to spoil the fun."
He resumes sipping his mead. Nye looks at him
"All's well wot ends well cutter! You were a drop in the Bucket, but yer old pal Nye drilled you a hole and you dripped on out! Yer a free cutter now! Don't dwell on the past, charge into the future!"
Naridre's psicrystal jumps up and down a few times, skitters down her arm and back up to her shoulder several more until she finally has enough. She timidly approaches one of the attendants.
"Excuse me. Could you please spare a moment?"
Nari approaches a stout human woman in Bleaker black with a wimple over her graying hair. The woman smiles tiredly at the young elf.
"Yes, miss, what can I help you with?"
What sort of lodgings do you require? The room and board covers a room at the Copper Cauldron. If that doesn't suit, perhaps we can figure out a per diem arrangement."
"I require a room of fair size, on an upper floor and with access to a large balcony. There must also be a large soft bed to accomodate my wings. Water must also be freely available for grooming, although a bath is not entirely necessary unless it is quite large. A desk and low perch is also a must. Chairs are for you mu... landwalkers. A small wardobe or chest is the last requirement." She pauses for a second and then coninues.
"If this Copper Cauldron meets these requirements then it appears I will be staying there, otherwise more suitable arrangements must be obtained."
"The payment arrangements are fair and are acceptable to me."
"By Specialists, does that mean that we are Mercenaries, Bodyguards, or are hired on a case by case basis according to certain skills needed for a particular job?"
"If this Copper Cauldron meets these requirements then it appears I will be staying there, otherwise more suitable arrangements must be obtained."[/b]
"The payment arrangements are fair and are acceptable to me.""By Specialists, does that mean that we are Mercenaries, Bodyguards, or are hired on a case by case basis according to certain skills needed for a particular job?"
Renkar thinks briefly
"I think we can arrange something. The furniture can be obtained, and there is actually a large room in the attic of the Cauldron that can be modified to suit your needs."
Renkar pauses again
"Mostly the third option Lady Bethany. We are flexible, but we do not take jobs that involve assasination. kidnapping, or things of that nature. We retrive goods, safeguard goods, and solve problems people have."
Nari approaches a stout human woman in Bleaker black with a wimple over her graying hair. The woman smiles tiredly at the young elf.
"Yes, miss, what can I help you with?"
"I'm looking for a friend of mine. I think he might have ended up here. He's an elderly man. A xeph by the name of Majeed. He wandered away from home and I'm very worried about him."
"I think we can arrange something. The furniture can be obtained, and there is actually a large room in the attic of the Cauldron that can be modified to suit your needs."
Renkar pauses again
"Mostly the third option Lady Bethany. We are flexible, but we do not take jobs that involve assasination. kidnapping, or things of that nature. We retrive goods, safeguard goods, and solve problems people have."
"Very well, this is acceptable to me. I have no need to return to my current lodgings. I have everything that came with me right here," she points to the Quiver and Pack on her back.
"Will yourself or your servant," she indicates Hanali, "be showing me the way?