"'Spain'? Never 'eard of it. Anyways, I speak well 'nough fer people to understand me." Kiley isn't the sharpest tool in the shed, but she's been around enough nobles and their offspring to know a speech lesson when she hears it. She curls up as much as she can in the chair she's in, an uncharacteristically sour expression on her face.
the door to the tavern swings wide and a tall lanky man dressed in fine clothes stoops to enter, his bizarrely tall top hat still scraping the rim of the door. he postures momentarily, resting his cane and surveying the crowd.
a deep silky voice reverberates from his chest "timmons, stay with the bags"
he presumptuously strolls to the table occupied by iiwo, rufus an kiley, tipping the brim of his hat to each patron. Luctus gestures to the open chair, then sits, tugging gloves from his long fingers.
" wine, and cheese. with legs and stink, respectively." he says to the puzzled bar wench. a slow grin spreads across his face, revealing too much tooth for comfort.
"Great, 'nother one." Kiley growls a little at the approach of the obviously noble stranger.
Remember, the Rain in Spain falls mainly on the Plain.
Ha ha ha! I thought of Prof. Henry Higgins too!
The latest applicant roster...
AdamWarnock - Kiley Sherrow, Thief/Archer
Cutlass - Sergeant Jack, Axe & Shield Fighter
PbemDM - Doctor Iiwo, Alchemist
flykiller - Ciaran Maelgwynn, Druid
ciretose - Lord Rufus Chumwaite III, Inquisitor(Preacher) of 'Abadar'
Grey Wind - Edrec Verihdan, Sword & Shield Fighter
MundinIronHand - Kalgar Ironhand, Dwarven Cleric of 'Gorum'
flash_cxxi - Xoc Xoc, Halfling Barbarian/Summoner
funnymouth - Luctus Mors, Wizard (Necromancer) ?
Morrin Asturias - Sir Gerald Hynar, Paladin of 'Iomedae'
Darkrite - Ndugu, Tribal Barbarian
There's some really great role-playing here. I must say you guys are making this a tough call for me. The application window closes tomorrow morning!
The tall blonde man walks in soon after, dressed in fine yet simple clothes, with a heavy backpack, with obvious armor strapped to the back of it, organized. He takes a quick glance around the tavern, then strides up to the bar."A mug of mead please, and whatever you have on the spit." He then sits on a stool, and taking a look around at the occupants, nodding his head towards them.
There's some really great role-playing here. I must say you guys are making this a tough call for me. The application window closes tomorrow morning!
Well, are you having fun watching at least?
Well, are you having fun watching at least?
There's some really great role-playing here. I must say you guys are making this a tough call for me. The application window closes tomorrow morning!
Yes, absolutely! :)
That's good 'cause I'm having a blast RPing Kiley.
class clarification: luctus will/would be a witch gravewalker.
class clarification: luctus will/would be a witch gravewalker.
Thank you!
I can see that I should have explicitly asked for race and class info here. Ah well, duly noted for next time.
Well, I guess I should tell you that Kiley's a human rogue.
Jack replies to Xoc Xoc, "Setting aside questions of safety, manners and plain common sense your attitude is disrespectful to the rest of us. It's also silly in and of itself. One of the ways I know that somebody is my friend is that they don't wave their weapons at me. In point of fact I usually get paid rather large sums of money to kill people who go around waving weapons. Besides, the sort of people that you could threaten into doing what you want wouldn't be good enough to get the job done in the first place."
Jack continues to lean against the bar while he says this but he's obviously alert and paying careful attention to what the guy with the spear is doing.
Xôc Xôc's eyes narrow as he tries to take in what Jack is saying. Beside him, the sleek creature growls at Jack's alertness. Finally, Xôc Xôc throws his head back and lets out a raucous laugh, sticking his spear into the ground and giving Jack a good natured punch in the leg. The creature c o c k s its head at Jack and then lays down to lick its fur.
"Xôc Xôc likes talky man. Talky man now Xôc Xôc's friend. Xahara not make you go dead now. She like you too." A big smile lights his face as he hops up onto a barstool next to Jack and bangs loudly. "Drink here for big friend talky man and Xôc Xôc." He thinks for a second. "And bowl of water for Xahara." He indicates the creature laying curled around the base of his his barstool.
"Well," Jack thinks, "Better to make a friend than an enemy. He's got his problems, but at least he doesn't come across as stuck up as some of the other people in this joint."
Jack puts up with the punch in the leg and accepts the drink, nodding his thanks. As he looks around the room he says, "Well, at least we aren't lacking for variety."
The first thing Ndugu notices as he enters the city is the smell of gutted fish, stinking spices, rotting fruit, fresh dung, sweating horses and mules and people.
He hesitates on the road. What was that Holy man's name that came to the tribe two Moons ago... Choomate? he thought to himself.
"Move!" A shoulder knocked Ndugu roughly aside and was gone. He leaned against a grimy wall and wiped sweat from his face.
Ndugu watched the people milling past-the horses, the carts, the endless faces. A man stared suspiciously at him as he passed. A boy pointed at him and shouted something. A woman with a basket gave him a wide berth, staring fearfully up as she hurried by. Now he had a moment to think, the were all looking, and pointing, and staring.
Holy Man, Choomate. I must find. nobody answered.
He walked further into the city. He sees a sickly looking woman with a bundle in her arms a baby? kneeling against a building. She reaches up towards a man and says "...please?". The man kicks her back "Get away Wretch!" he hears the man yell at her.
so THIS is civilization. Ndugu thinks. and they call ME a savage.
Holy Man Choomate. he tries again. help me find.
He chuckles, watching Xôc Xôc and Jack. He is relieved that the two didn't end up fighting, and him having to separate them. He take a swig of his just delivered mead, still waiting for the food.
He reflects back to what brought him to this his superiors of the order commanding him here to check on the rumors of the fog. He gives a soft sigh, bring despite his confidence in his abilities, he hopes he isn't over his head for his first mission for the Order. He'll need strong companions that's for sure. Now instead of watching the few in the tavern casually, he tries to size them up.
Kiley gets up and walks to the bar and orders a mug of what ever's strong and cheap. She sees Gerald and asks, "So, are ya a noble too?"
She isn't scowling any more, but the look of defeat is possible even a worse fit on her.
Ciaran had difficulty getting to the tavern. It's not that it was hard to find the direction - it was mostly straight from the town gate, with a couple of bends, - but his feet were not used to the feel of the cobblestones. As he went towards his destination with cautious steps, he noticed a big, half-naked man with a lost look on his face, asking for someone. He felt a sudden surge of sympathy towards the hulking giant, who was obviously a dweller of the wilds, much like himself.
"Hail thee. My name is Ciaran. Why have you abandoned your homeland to come to this wretched city? It is not safe here with the fog coming. Maybe you should go back and warn your elders."
Awesome! I hope we'll do you proud.
Well, it looks like all applicants are present and accounted for. Recruitment is now closed. I'll post my six players a little later.
Takes another swig of his mead, then has as his food is delivered, taking a bite out if a hunk of chicken. He looks at kiley, swallows and answers, shaking his head. "nay, not a noble. Far from it milady." He chuckles. "Just a follower of the light of Iomedae. the name's Gerald."
Kiley's drink is brought to her at the same time Gerald gets his food.
"Kiley, just Kiley. I sure as hell ain't no lady." Kiley takes a small gulp of her drink. "I guess yer a 'olyman from what ya said. 'Fraid I don't know much 'bout this 'Iomedae' fellow, though."
Smiles, chuckling at Kiley. "holy man I suppose. Tho I prefer to leave the preaching to the others. I do my worshipping with other means." Gerald then laughs. "She be the goddess of valor and honor." he says, before taking another bite out if the chicken, then washing it down with mead.
"So she's a goddess o' soldiers, huh?" Kiley takes another pull from her mug. "Don't suppose ya have any words o' advice on dealin' with nobles. Seems ta me Iomedae is either a hypocrite or a bane ta nobles," she says, her voice even more bitter than her words.
Xôc Xôc looks around the room, followng Jack's gaze. "Which one Variety? He be good help to make the smokey smoke all gone? Many strange big men here. Smokey smoke all gone soon. Talky Man and Xôc Xôc make sure of that." He catches a brows furrowed glimpse from the creature at his feet. "And Xahara too."
Ndugu is relieved someone has responded to him. He nods to Ciaran.
"I am Ndugu, Champion of the Nyumbani. My Elders sent me to this place to find help in stoppping the fog. Seer says that help will be found here.
He looks again at the miserable woman on the side of the road. Her face is pale, pinched with hunger. People just strode by as if she wasn't there.
"Two Moons ago a Holy Man visited my people to preach the ways of 'Civilization'. I thought he could help me find people to help. Think his name was Choomate. I admit I didn't listen too close at the time."
He looks across the street and sees a man sitting at a table tucked into a steaming plate of meat and vegetables. Ndugu blinks at the plate of food, then at the starving woman.
Gerald cocks his head at Kileys question. "Advice on nobles?" he asks curiously. Then nods. "She's a bane to anyone who is unjust."
The bar maid returns with luctus' food: a pint of ale and a very moldy pice of cheese. he notes the manner in which the locals are eating and drinking, then devours the foul cheese in two bites, and drains the glass in three great gulps.
marvelous local fare. he smiles wide again and a bit of ale drIbbles down his chin.
my coinpurse is nearly empty, and I suspect it will remain so. 'tis better to empty it with company. A glass of this beverage and cheese to all here who will take it, and a cup of tea for present company! he rattles the last few coins from his pouch with vigor and a great bellowing laugh booms from his lungs.
"Aye, tha only times I was aroun' 'em, they just gave me orders, or ignored me. Never could speak me mind, tha Guild 'ad a 'abit o' makin' others suffer if I did."
Kiley looks into her drink and sighs.
"This goddess o' yers, 'ow does she see a person who sold 'er soul?"
As Ndugu is talking to Ciaran he sees the man in the tavern across the street slide his half eaten food to the side and laugh at something his companion said.
A look of anger crosses Ndugu's face. "Forgive me." he says to Ciaran as he pushes past him and across the street.
He storms into the tavern and grabs the plate of half uneaten food. The man starts to get up shouting "Hey!" Ndugu puts a hand on the man's shoulder and shoves him back into his seat. "You seem to have finished your share."
He then storms out of the tavern as quickly as he entered and delivers the food to the starving woman across the way.
sold your soul, you say? how....interesting. Perhaps there is more to discuss here than drink and dark clouds. If it's sorrow you're feeling now over something lost, don't. There are other souls to be had. The rub is in what you acquired in exchange.
Raises and eye ridge as he listens to Kiley. "Life is a gauntlet. How far we go, is up to ourselves." Gerald blinks at the woman's last comment. "I'll be honest. She's a goddess for valiant and strong warriors, someone selling thier soul would be...Weak. Selling ones soul to demons or devils shouldn't be ever considered, not even as a last resort." He takes a long look at Kiley before hesitantly asking. "Why such a question, Kiley?"
Xôc Xôc looks around the room, followng Jack's gaze. "Which one Variety? He be good help to make the smokey smoke all gone? Many strange big men here. Smokey smoke all gone soon. Talky Man and Xôc Xôc make sure of that." He catches a brows furrowed glimpse from the creature at his feet. "And Xahara too."
Jack replies, "The variety is all of us. Some are similar, but no two are alike."
Jack turns to the despondent woman and says, "Usually one is much better off simply selling their skills with their weapons than their souls."
Ciaran raises an eyebrow at the barbarian's display of misplaced compasssion. He thinks he helped the pitiful thing, but he only made her a target for envy of other street urchins. Plus I bet she would prefer money over food, to buy the 'fairy dust' or whatever people here use to escape their troubles. He urged the man with him.
If you're seeking to battle the fog, you should come with me. This city has seen its share of your kindness for today. I've heard from the locals that some foreigner named Rufus is gathering an expedition against the fog. It is likely that this 'Choomate' of yours has joined or tried to join his cause. Come.
Ndugu nods to the half-elf. "Perhaps this gathering is the help my Seer was talking about. If you know where to find them, I will follow you."
Kiley looks at Gerald with a humorless half-smile on her face.
"Guess ye coulda called 'em devils."
She continues her voice much softer, barely audible in the tavern.
"Guild caught me givin' money I stole outta their backers' pockets to tha church that wasn't in their's. Caught two li'l kids that 'ad followed me from their 'ome, too. Told me ta join 'em or watch tha kids get second smiles. So, I sold me soul to save two li'l ones. I worked for 'em, an' I hated it, hated meself, an' hated 'em most o' all."
She takes a long, deep pull of her drink.
"I fought back, but I couldn't do much. A li'l here, a li'l there. I 'ad to be quiet 'bout it. Raise too much o' a fuss an' the Guild made others suffer. Me last stand was 'gainst the richest noble in the city, tha biggest one o' tha scumbags. Wound up gettin' caught an' runnin' here."
Having finished his tea, Doctor Iiwo looks into the bottom of the cup at the dregs. He begins to study them carefully, losing himself in contemplation. His breathing slows to just a few respirations per minute, and his eyes lose their focus. Left unmolested, he remains in this state for precisely one hour.
Ahhs, he nods, running his fingers through his hair as he thinks before replying. "Well, you saved others, sacrificing yourself for them. That in itself has saved your soul." He takes another bite out if his cooling chicken, swallows, then downs some mead. "You're away from now, with good chances to redeem yourself by helping more folks. Like with this fog business, if your capable, Kiley." He smiles slightly. "Theres always chance for redemption."
Kiley seems to brighten a little at Gerald's words.
"Guess, yer right. As fer me skill, ever seen a fly nailed to a tree by 'is wings at hunnerd yards?"
A mischievous grin spreads across her face and her eyes sparkle just a bit.
The slender half-elf and his mighty human companion arrive at the tavern. Ciaran smells the air and grimaces - disgusting smell of charred meat and cheap ale fills the air. There is a familiar note of a herbal infusion though. Seeing a colorful and noisy gathering of various people, some of them armed, Ciaran slowly advanced towards them ,and spoke in a cold tone:
"I have come seeking one Rufus, who looks for people to fight the dark fog. Ndugu here looks for a holy man named akin to 'Choomate', for the same purpose. Does anybody know where they can be found?"
Gerald smiles back. "I'm sure I will here soon. We'll be needing all the help we can muster against this evil in the jungle." He says, his gaze crossing the room, at the occupants.
"'Ello there, we don't bite, promise!" Kiley smiles at the newcomers.
"I don't this Rufus fellow, or anyone named 'Choomate' sadly, but someone 'ere might know. I'm glad ta 'elp 'owever I can."
Jack replies, "The variety is all of us. Some are similar, but no two are alike."
Xôc Xôc thinks on this for a little, when Jack turns to talk to the gruff woman. When Jack turns back, Xôc Xôc says "so variety is all people. Big ones and small ones. Xôc Xôc is Xôc Xôc and Talky Man is talky Man and others are others and all are variety. Variety is good. Yes. Xôc Xôc likes variety." A big smile lights his face as he gives Jack a thumbs up sign.
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The slender half-elf and his mighty human companion arrive at the tavern. Ciaran smells the air and grimaces - disgusting smell of charred meat and cheap ale fills the air. There is a familiar note of a herbal infusion though. Seeing a colorful and noisy gathering of various people, some of them armed, Ciaran slowly advanced towards them ,and spoke in a cold tone:
"I have come seeking one Rufus, who looks for people to fight the dark fog. Ndugu here looks for a holy man named akin to 'Choomate', for the same purpose. Does anybody know where they can be found?"
Good sir, I believe you may mean Chumwaite, as in Lord Rufus Chumwaite III, as in the person with whom you are now speaking. (approaches the two men and addresses them courteously)
And it appears our goals align if you also seek to remove the cloud that, quite literally, descends upon us. Come and sit with us, and I will brew another kettle so we may discuss how best to approach this challenge!
(casts create water into his kettle as he gestures for the men to sit with the others)
Color drains from Kiley's face upon hearing Rufus make his declaration. She turns to Gerald with a look somewhere between fear and just plain shock on her face.
"Gerald, isn't there a goddess o' luck or fate or sumthin' like that? 'Cause I think I may 'ave pissed 'er off at some point in me life."
Looks over at the two who just enter. "Name doesn't ring a bell." he then nods towards Chumwaite as he introduces himself. "Ahh...looks like help against the fog is quickly gathering." Gerald looks at Kiley. "There are gods of good and bad luck. But for your answer,you'll need to speak them thier priest. I only know of my own goddess. Now come lets see what this group has to offer." He smiles at he.
Ndugu scans the room and gets a look of recognition when he sees Lord Rufus Chumwaite. "Yes. You visited my people 2 moons ago and now our Seer has seen a Geat Evil approaching and sent me here to help. I sought you as you are only one in this 'civilization' that I would know....'til now"
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Ndugu scans the room and gets a look of recognition when he sees Lord Rufus Chumwaite. "Yes. You visited my people 2 moons ago and now our Seer has seen a Geat Evil approaching and sent me here to help. I sought you as you are only one in this 'civilization' that I would know....'til now"
That is the beauty of civilization, my good friend, is that from the convergence of many we are able to accomplish great things. Even simple folk like yourself can be of value when brought into the fold of the empire.
Just a few moments ago this bar was a just a simple alehouse. Now it has become the headquarters of a great expedition united to challenge and vanquish a deadly foe.
It is fortunate that your "seer" saw the wisdom in my lessons and has sent you here so that we may fight valiantly for the glory of the empire. I willingly accept your call to be your leader. Consider me the major, nay, general...nay major general of this operation!