"Madness?"
"Indeed." She seems disinclined to explain further.
Why do they always assume I am one of the bad guys?
"Hun, there is no need to make threats here, in Limbo we like to drink, instead of fight. If you want to be my enemy, then you will need to stand in line, I have many enemies. But I also have many friends. So I would think carefully on your next actions, hun."
"If you need help finding this paladin, I could help you, do you know his name?"
Lureene waves the female warrior over, "I have heard of that plane before, in my studies, You are indeed correct, why would you be there, if you don't mind me asking?
Priyya moves only so far as to take another ale from Mors and thank him, giving him a pretty smile along with a few coins. She turns to regard Lureene, coolly. "Although I don't mind you asking... my business is my own. I prefer it that way."
She turns to address the patrons, "I am looking for an Ulfen warrior woman about..." She raises her arm all the way above her 5'4" head, "this high. She is built, well, considerably larger than anyone in this room at present." She gives a quirky smile, and concludes, "Has anyone seen her?"
"Hun, there is no need to make threats here, in Limbo we like to drink, instead of fight. If you want to be my enemy, then you will need to stand in line, I have many enemies. But I also have many friends. So I would think carefully on your next actions, hun."
"Threat? I haven't made one. I am Surya-ka-Vahaak. If I felt the need to kill you. I wouldn't threaten. I would draw blade. The fact that I am standing at the bar and enjoying a drink should indicate I am not, in fact, threatening you. This would be a poor tactical location for that. BUT it sounds like you are, at least, implying that your friends may attack me. You were trying to elicit information. Don't be coy. I have no time for a coquette's games."
Lureene returns the cool look with one of her own, and also ignores the taunting reply of the warrior. These types never change, always locked into one way of thinking. This one reminds me of Rath-hun, in a strange way.
She turns to Mors and says, "I am gonna change into someting more comfortable. I will be back down in a little bit."
She turns to walk past the female warrior, and murmers, "You really should work on your manners more hun, You never know what you might learn." before continuing up the stairs, stepping over the porter, and proceeding to unlock the door to her room. Once inside, she relocks the door, and then starts to undress herself. This is such a beautiful dress! She hangs it up to at least get a decent airing out. Once she has done so, she moves to the bath area, and starts to fill the tub, with scalding water, ready for a hot bath.
Once the water has filled to the brim, she doesn't bother throwing any soap in there and she slips into the water, allowing it to cover her body, soaking in the heat, and reveling in it, allowing it to wash her cares away.
Priyya watches Lureene retreat up the stairs. Curious. By scent and behavior, her origins are clear. But the wings are atypical. So, a clever disguise or genetic irony? She chuckles to herself. Mors gives her a questioning look which she waves off. Still, emotionally chaotic but not with the usual focus of most evil... Ahhh! Where's Anneke? She'd unravel, or cut through, this mystery.
Suny watches the interaction between Lureene and Pryya, though she engages Nelliel in conversation.
At the younger elf's question, Nell gives her an appraising look and replies...
Morgaard stirs from his sleep feeling quite rested and much, much better. He quickly rises from his bed, secures his great axe to its belt mount, leaves his room locking the door behind him, and heads down stairs. At the foot of the stairs, he looks around at the changed scene in the Black Boar. It's evening and more crowded now; he scans the numerous patrons looking for familiar faces.
Seeing Alis, Laithoron, Havelock, and Ravarath; Morgaard exlaims, "Aye, I found the bath and bed needed more attending to than I thought!" and begins to walk over.
Lureene enjoys her bath, and is about to drift off into a pleasant bath induced slumber, when she hears some pounding on the door. By all the layers of the Abyss, who is that?
She gets up out of the bath, and grabs a towel, holding it in front of herself, then moves to the door. Unlocking it, she peers out, and sees...no one.
Nothing except a pile of clothing, and a note. She picks the clothing up, and glances at the note, it was brief, and simply says Wear this tonight, Lureene, this is from a parallel bar/tavern known as Hooters by its natives. Time to earn your keep.
She snorts at the outfit, and thinks, Mors will pay for this! She finishes drying off, and proceeds to slide the outfit on, which consists of an off white frilly, low cut blouse, a coal-black thigh-high mini-skirt, and a pair of stiletto boots, black leather with red stripes, to complete the ensemble.
She remove the hairpin, allowing her bat wings to be revealed, and then heads downstairs to do her job. she slips into the kitchen and waves at Therena, who shoots her another glare. Lureene ignores it, and grabs a hunk of cheese and a glass of wine to tide her over, before she proceeds to enter the common area, still munching on the cheese, she washes the cheese down with the wine, and gives everyone a wave. "Everyone miss me?"
"Morgaard!" Alis' face brightens like that of a child seeing a favorite uncle, long missed, come for a visit. Getting up to give the gruff warrior a hug she says, "I figured that at least thirst would wake you up soon so I ordered you a dri—"
At just that moment, the waitress reappears and places a small glass mug of a thick, black liquor before the dwarf. It smells strongly of licorice root, and a few drops from the lip raise wisps of smoking vapor from the tabletop when she sets it down.
"Good timing!" Alis says to the waitress who winks in reply.
A pained look paints Laithoron's face and he comments, "Oof, that? There's never an arms race that ends well and that is what a frost giant's battle-axe would be if you could distill a liquor from it. You haven't changed, have you old friend?"
Alis simply grins devilishly sipping on her wine, pinkie extended in exaggeration.
"Well princess," he says pushing back his chair, "I suppose if we are going to do this, it better be now before old iron-guts and more to the point me are too sodden to hold a tune. Shall we?"
As Morgaard, Rath, and Havelock all give one another questioning looks to see if anyone knows what's about to happen, Alis gives the tailor her hand and allows him to lead her to a small stage with an old harpsichord on it.
"Good of you to join us." Havelock peers at the steaming liquer served to the dwarf. "Say, what is that, if you don't mind my asking?"
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As Laithoron takes a seat at the old instrument, the princess pick up an empty, abandoned wine glass and taps it a few times to get the attention of everyone in the room. As the conversations in the crowd fall to whispers, the tailor speaks a few words of magic and a ring of glowing lights spring up around Alis moving about like merry fireflies.
Alis speaks, "This song is for my friends from a special meeting place..."
With that, Laithoron's fingers awaken the sleeping harpsichord. After a few lines of lead-in, princess Alis begins to sing with the voice of an angel...
An hour past dusk on a Starday,
The commoners shuffle in,
There's an old dwarf sitting next to me,
Embraced by his licorice drink.He says elf can you sing me of memories
Of friends dear and loves gone
About times when we dreamed to be hero lords
'fore age and attrition set in.La la la ditty da la la ditty da de dum
Spin us a tale of your bardic lore
Spin here a tale tonight
Well we all have a yearn for your melody
So sing one for us here tonightNow Mors at the bar is a gentleman
He knows when to pour, when to leave
And Lureene the server oh men d'not deserve her
But when do those lads ever change?She says 'Lis I have seen your reality
And I really do like the fine clothes
Yet the demon you see, she just gets to me
And I can't say I know how this goes.Oh la la la ditty da la la ditty da de dum
Now Suny's a Calistrian temple girl
Who never meant harm in her life
And she's pining for Ravvy, who's drinkin with Havvy,
And wonders 'bout love and its strife.And the tailor is practicing magic tricks
As the princess she feels all alone
Yes they're sharing a tale without politics
So let's drink and cheer friends welcome homeSpin us a tale of your bardic lore
Spin here a tale tonight
Well we all have a yearn for your melody
So sing one for us here tonightIt's a welcoming crowd for a Starday
And the business gnome gives me a smile
The tarrasque in the flask? Well he bites if you ask
But he sleeps every once in a whileOld Majjeff he sings like an opera star
And the bar raises toasts of good cheer
And they all clap their hands like to sing and to dance
And say, lord but I'm glad that I'm here!Oh la la la ditty da la la ditty da de dum
Spin us a tale of your bardic lore
Spin here a tale tonight
Well we all have a yearn for your melody
So sing one for us here tonight
Rath claps his ass off.
Rath claps his ass off.
Havelock also applauds. "Good show, my dear! Good show!"
Alis glows at the praise from her friends and the rest of the crowd. With a curtsy and a bow respectively, the two elf-kin return to the table and the good company there.
After a time of drinking and conversation, as the evening wears on, Rath sighs and says, "Rajkumari Alis? You and Master Laithoron have said things to me - broken glass toast, Irori's path, other little things - that make me think either or both of you have maybe advice or opinions on what has happened. I ready to hear what you have to say, IF have anything. Could be wrong, maybe you don't have anything to say. Been wrong about many things last few days, could be wrong about this too. But, if not, speak. Tell me what you think." He sits silently waiting for any reaction from the small group of friends at the table.
"Rath, we'd have to be oblivious to not have an opinion on today's events." Havelock finishes off the last of his glass and pours another. "I say you should forgive Suny. Feel free to blame Lureene as much as you want, she should know by now that that was wrong and what effect her heritage has on people. But Suny, she didn't even know the concept of monogamy until today. Would she have jumped out a window to apologize if she thought it would hurt you in the first place?"
At the younger elf's question, Nell gives her an appraising look and replies...Elvish:"Well, I can tell from your accent that you are not from Avistan. The only time I can recall ever seeing another elf with your complexion was when sailing along the western coast of Garund with the princesses' late parents. Our ship was damaged by The Eye and we set into port on an island for repairs for two weeks. The elves who were native to that place looked and sounded like you. Many of them were quite... friendly."
Suny smiles happily at Nelliel.
"Say? D'ye think ye'd have any idea as t' whut these be?" She pulls the large conch shell form the hammock of salvaged netting and places it and its contents upon the bar.
Morgaard claps. "Excellent song, my dear! Lovely, as usual!"
Then, he points to his drink:
"In answer to your query, this, my friend, is hirschblut, which means stags's blood in common-speak. It's a mixture of distilled spirits, various exotic spices including anis root, and a tad of forest stag's blood to give it the dark color. It's best served cold, but in this region, they like it served hot. I've also heard it called Meister or the Jagers in some other areas. Some people detest it's flavor, its definately somewhat of an acquired taste. However, those who like it, love it. It's quite an indulgance when compared to the milder spirits of mead or wine. "
Morgaard winks as he drinks the hirschblut down.
"Care for some? It's on me!"
Morgaard motions for the waitress, reaching into his pouch for some coins.
"Care for some? It's on me!"
Morgaard motions for the waitress, reaching into his pouch for some coins.
"I've never been one to deny a drink. I'll give it a try."
"As for that," she says looking at the shell, "it appears to be an exceptional example of a conch. Where did you find it?"
Ok you take the conch shell out, and you notice it is not glowing like it was before. It looks like a well made conch shell, not a naturally occurring shell, in any event.
Suny listens to Nelliels' words, but the other Elf can tell Suny is distracted by the large shell she's playing with.
"Oh? I wus swimmin' in'a bay an' jus' kind'a noticed all'a this stuff lyin' there, on'a bottom." Suny shrugs, "So's I swept th' sand of'n it all and dragged it up."
Suny pouts, "Aye, an' that's odd. It were all sparkly an' glowie afore.' Still, she quickly shrugs and tips and fiddles with the shell to get all the other goodies out from inside. (^_^)
"So's, ye ever see a shell whut was made afore?" She asks Nelliel.
Nelliel can tell that they will have to clear these distractions out of the way before she can get the brown Elfs' mind back onto their previous track.
Lureene walks over to the table, her stiletto boots making a clicking sound on the tavern floor Nice boots. she walks over to the table, and peers over at Suny and Nelliel. "So this is what you found on your little swim, hun? Can I see it? " She murmers a few arcane words, and looks at the shell. "Yeah it's definitely magical."
Laithoron winces as Morgaard downs the potent liquid and shakes his head at the mirth Alis shows as he does so. To Havelock he comments, "Friend, I'm glad I met you... otherwise it would be me having that drink!"
The tailor laughs and signals to the waitress to bring them each a shot of hirschlut. When the drinks are delivered, Alis' eyes go wide and she grits her teeth in apprehension.
Raising a glass much smaller than the one Morgaard just ended, the elf says, "Come Alissariel, the good friend gets their brother out of jail — the best friend sits beside them in the cell boasting of what landed them there!"
With that, Laithoron raises his shot to the rest of you and pronounces, "To friendship, may it be worth the headaches the morning after," and then he tosses it back. Ruefully, he notices that the waitress left a damnable green glass bottle with a stags head on it sitting right in front of the dwarf. Oh, this isn't going to end well...
The waitress arrives:
"Bring me several rounds of hirschblut for my and my friends here. Here, keep the change..."
Morgaard passes the girl a mix of coins of unseen value. He then turns to the table and engages in polite conversation with those both known and unknown amongst him. After a short time, the waitress brings back a tray of 12-15 hirschblut shots and sits it down in front of Morgaard with a smile and courtsey.
Morgaard begins handing out the shots for those who wish to partake:
"Here, have a drink on ol' Morgaard to old and new friends alike! We've fought well this day, and any fight which you walk away from is a good one!"
Morgaard turns down another shot.
"Aye, good stuff," He puts the empty glass on the table. "If you think this is bad, in Highhelm we have an ale called Dragon's Piss that gnomes use to degrease their steam contraptions with. They say Fafnyr herself brews it!"
Morgaard lets out a hearty laugh and watches the others in the party as they find out what the Meister of the Jagers is all about.
Lureene walks over to the table, her stiletto boots making a clicking sound on the tavern floor Nice boots. she walks over to the table, and peers over at Suny and Nelliel. "So this is what you found on your little swim, hun? Can I see it? " She murmurs a few arcane words, and looks at the shell. "Yeah it's definitely magical."
Suny happily pushes the shell towards Lureene so her freind can have a better view, though she continues to push a brown hand into the shells depths,
"Now, where'd all'a other stuffs get too?" Suny grumbles quietly.
Ruefully, he notices that the waitress left a damnable green glass bottle with a stags head on it sitting right in front of the dwarf.
"Oh my...refills! Thank you, my leige!"
Morgaard bows toward Laithoron.
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Lureene walks over to the table, her stiletto boots making a clicking sound on the tavern floor Nice boots. she walks over to the table, and peers over at Suny and Nelliel. "So this is what you found on your little swim, hun? Can I see it? " She murmurs a few arcane words, and looks at the shell. "Yeah it's definitely magical."Suny happily pushes the shell towards Lureene so her freind can have a better view, though she continues to push a brown hand into the shells depths,
"Now, where'd all'a other stuffs get too?" Suny grumbles quietly.
OK the scale is of some sea creature, judging by the curvature of the scale, it was a big one, perhaps big enough to swallow a human or elf whole. the wood stick, on closer examination, appears to be a map/scroll tube.
The coins are 5 coins you have never seen before, they look to be a bronze color and ceratinly are not worth anything monetarily, at least here in Golarion.
"Rath, we'd have to be oblivious to not have an opinion on today's events." Havelock finishes off the last of his glass and pours another. "I say you should forgive Suny. Feel free to blame Lureene as much as you want, she should know by now that that was wrong and what effect her heritage has on people. But Suny, she didn't even know the concept of monogamy until today. Would she have jumped out a window to apologize if she thought it would hurt you in the first place?"
Rath nods. "I thank you for wisdoms, Master Havelock. I will consider. I do have some hm comments that may put things in different light that maybe make more sense after I hear what others may wish to say. But for moment, will make only one hm observance. I didn't go far when left, literally under-feet and dogging steps, heard many conversings in addition to broken glass." He smiles with real humor, "One thing NEVER heard was apology; never saw remorse; never saw regret. Saw hm self-involvement. Was called 'coward'; was blamed. Saw attempts to fawn - never saw accept of responsibility. Find it hard to believe anyone sorry when none showed. Not saying that should change your advice or opinion - just saying is what was seen and heard." He sighs, "too much talkings, will now listen more if anyone else has opinions want to share."
OK the scale is of some sea creature, judging by the curvature of the scale, it was a big one, perhaps big enough to swallow a human or elf whole. the wood stick, on closer examination, appears to be a map/scroll tube.
The coins are 5 coins you have never seen before, they look to be a bronze color and certainly are not worth anything monetarily, at least here in Golarion.
At seeing the scroll tube, Sunys' large blue eyes manage to open wider. "Ooooo..." Is all she utters softly as she gently lifts the tube up, carefully and gently trying to remove the detritus that has built up on its surface over time.
"I wun'e if there be a map inside...?" She breaths and Nelliel, even Lureene can tell that maybe word did not mean what Suny thought that word meant.
At seeing the scroll tube, Sunys' large blue eyes manage to open wider. "Ooooo..." Is all she utters softly as she gently lifts the tube up, carefully and gently trying to remove the detritus that has built up on its surface over time.
"I wun'e if there be a map inside...?" She breaths and Nelliel, even Lureene can tell that maybe word did not mean what Suny thought that word meant.
Lureene looks at the shineys that Suny found, and thinks At least she found something to keep her distracted. I wish I had found something I could treasure. All I find is hatred and mistrust, for who I am.
Laithoron winces as Morgaard downs the potent liquid and shakes his head at the mirth Alis shows as he does so. To Havelock he comments, "Friend, I'm glad I met you... otherwise it would be me having that drink!"
The tailor laughs and signals to the waitress to bring them each a shot of hirschlut. When the drinks are delivered, Alis' eyes go wide and she grits her teeth in apprehension.
Raising a glass much smaller than the one Morgaard just ended, the elf says, "Come Alissariel, the good friend gets their brother out of jail — the best friend sits beside them in the cell boasting of what landed them there!"
With that, Laithoron raises his shot to the rest of you and pronounces, "To friendship, may it be worth the headaches the morning after," and then he tosses it back. Ruefully, he notices that the waitress left a damnable green glass bottle with a stags head on it sitting right in front of the dwarf. Oh, this isn't going to end well...
Rath eyes the drink dubiously, "With respect, looks less like drink and more like goo. Will pass on drinking."
"Well, she didn't realize how hurt you were until you already left. Just give her one last chance before leaving."
Havelock downs the shot and groans. "Come on, Rath, where's your sense of adventure? Yes, it burns like pitch, but it's rather tasty otherwise."
Rath eyes the drink dubiously, "With respect, looks less like drink and more like goo. Will pass on drinking."
"To each their own, laddie! It's not for everyone, but its there if you change your mind. There is stuff out there I won't drink either; though it's been sometime since I can remember what I won't drink."
Morgaard winks and reaches for another shot:
"Hail the victorious dead! To all of our friends who have met their fate at the hands of their enemies, with this drink, I salute you!"
He's not intoxicated yet, but he's definately feeling pretty good at this point. He smacks his lips approvingly and continues to enjoy the good company in his proximity.
"Well, she didn't realize how hurt you were until you already left. Just give her one last chance before leaving."
Rath looks at Havelock earnestly, "Which one? One knew better. Best friend in bar. Knew desires. Knew all that... still made choice." he thinks a moment, "Sorry, booze here is good, not thinking well. You mean Suny. She made nice dive out window!" He laughs, "Last thing I heard I was blamed, all humans blamed... blame to Lureene for leading her into situation? Zero." He shrugs, "Will think on it. You are good friend Havelock. I appreciate."
Havelock downs the shot and groans. "Come on, Rath, where's your sense of adventure? Yes, it burns like pitch, but it's rather tasty otherwise."
Rath laughs, "Drank something like it in early Monk training... was test of 'dedication'. Never again! I'll stick with Port."
Priyya sits at the bar observing the goings-on. The level of serious conversation is perplexing, very un-tavern-like. For the twentieth time, she debates whether she should wait longer or just step through the door and see what happens. She laughs with delight, Momentum is all that matters sometimes. Anneke will have to catch up. She bows to the mature Elven woman and heads out the door.
Suny looks to Nelliel and Lureene,
"We's got's t' find some one who be int'a fiddly things t' open this up right" She whispers the words, as if afraid whatever is inside might be damaged or destroyed by even being thought of roughly. She blinks at them both. "Now, back home, I'd now pretty much perzactly who t' skip over to t' get their help...but here? Does either of ye know some one who's intrigued by fiddly things?" She asks, looking at them both expectantly. With care she sets the case down and picks up the scale.
"Now this...." And Sunys' voice trails off as her imagination runs off thinking about what sort of creature could be so big.
Suny looks to Nelliel and Lureene,
"We's got's t' find some one who be int'a fiddly things t' open this up right" She whispers the words, as if afraid whatever is inside might be damaged or destroyed by even being thought of roughly. She blinks at them both. "Now, back home, I'd now pretty much perzactly who t' skip over to t' get their help...but here? Does either of ye know some one who's intrigued by fiddly things?" She asks, looking at them both expectantly. With care she sets the case down and picks up the scale.
"Now this...." And Sunys' voice trails off as her imagination runs off thinking about what sort of creature could be so big.
Lureene barely glances at the warriors exit, not at all sorry to see her leave, then glances at Nelliel and thinks, My father is a powerful wizard, but I know he is not on Golarion, if Majjeff is right on this.
"Sorry, hun, I am no wizard, but isn't Alexis studying to be a wizard, or something like that? Or, since you are royalty, you should have quite a few wizards working for you, correct? I think Alis would also be familiar with this as well, I think."
"Morgaard, have question. Where did you find that... that... behemoth gladiator?" He smiles owlishly, clearly the drinks are catching up to him. "Had dwarf friend once, dead now, would'a called that a hm bloody good punch-up! It was too. That was fun except the part where Rajkumari got slashed. That part angered me."
Rath watches Havelock pour more of the goo liquor in a glass, and answers an unasked question "OK, Havvy! I'll have some too!"
"Sorry, hun, I am no wizard, but isn't Alexis studying to be a wizard, or something like that? Or, since you are royalty, you should have quite a few wizards working for you, correct? I think Alis would also be familiar with this as well, I think."
Suny shurgs, "Meh, this be just a scale o'...somethin'...Now this!" And she excitedly points at the scroll tube again, "This is somat we wants t' open soon." And both women can hear the excitement again in Sunys' voice.
"Oh, an' whut d' folks make o' th' coins o' brass, then?" She throws in absently. "y one got a clue as t' their nature?" Suny picks one up and twiddles it around in her fingers, looking at the marking and pictures on both its faces.
Suny does take some time to at least show she's noticed the new woman walking out,
*Waves to the departing lass*
"Sorry, hun, I am no wizard, but isn't Alexis studying to be a wizard, or something like that? Or, since you are royalty, you should have quite a few wizards working for you, correct? I think Alis would also be familiar with this as well, I think."Suny shurgs, "Meh, this be just a scale o'...somethin'...Now this!" And she excitedly points at the scroll tube again, "This is somat we wants t' open soon." And both women can hear the excitement again in Sunys' voice.
"Oh, an' whut d' folks make o' th' coins o' brass, then?" She throws in absently. "y one got a clue as t' their nature?" Suny picks one up and twiddles it around in her fingers, looking at the marking and pictures on both its faces.
Lureene takes one of the bronze coins in her fingers, and examines it closely, but if there were any markings the time underwater has erased them. "And, you found these where? At the bottom of the harbor floor? Hmmm. Were there any remains next to this stuff?" "So it could have been dropped from a ship, or maybe another aquatic species lost the items there? What do you think Nelliel?"
"And, you found these where? At the bottom of the harbor floor? Hmmm. Were there any remains next to this stuff?"[/b] "So it could have been dropped from a ship, or maybe another aquatic species lost the items there? What do you think Nelliel?"
At Lureenes' words Suny thinks back to the 'how' of the items shes' found.
"Hmmm...I could be wrong, not bein' some one who spends a lot o' time huntin', but I'd be thinking they wus all part o' one package whut got dropped. Now, as t' them bein' dropped over board? Or dropped carryin'? That I rilly coun't say. Asides, if'n there were some one carryin' th' stuffs? They'd be 'et an' long gobbled by now." As she speaks Sunys' head tilts in thught and she rubs one bare foot against the back of her other leg absently.
"Morgaard, have question. Where did you find that... that... behemoth gladiator?" He smiles owlishly, clearly the drinks are catching up to him. "Had dwarf friend once, dead now, would'a called that a hm bloody good punch-up! It was too. That was fun except the part where Rajkumari got slashed. That part angered me."
Rath watches Havelock pour more of the goo liquor in a glass, and answers an unasked question "OK, Havvy! I'll have some too!"
"Morgaard, have question. Where did you find that... that... behemoth gladiator?" He smiles owlishly, clearly the drinks are catching up to him. "Had dwarf friend once, dead now, would'a called that a hm bloody good punch-up! It was too. That was fun except the part where Rajkumari got slashed. That part angered me."
Rath watches Havelock pour more of the goo liquor in a glass, and answers an unasked question "OK, Havvy! I'll have some too!"
Morgaard smiles at Rath's decision to partake in drink with them, then answers the question:
"I met Krixus, if that is even his real name, while on campaign five or so odd years ago after I had worked for the Kirmoons. He was a champion amongst his people then, being more ogre than man. He was notorius for not only his violent tendancies, but his deflowering of women and selling of unwilling captives he did not torture to death into slavery - pretty typical of his barbaric, uncivilized sort. Theres no honor in the whole lot of his tribe. Some of these captives were close friends of mine from outlying village bordering the lands of Krixus' tribe, taken and sold to the salt mines or worse..."
Morgaard sips from his glass, then continues...
"On a patrol, we came along Krixus in a village partaking in his normal hobbies of rape, pillage, and kidnapping. Catching him by suprise, we managed to subdue him to chains. Rather than kill him, I sold him to the barrister of a ludus for sizable coin; a price fetched by his sheer brute size; and as a bit of reciprocity for his past history. I had hoped the cur would have met his fate in the arena or mines by now, but it seems his luck has been better than I had assumed. I had all but forgotten him until this morning, I'd though him long dead. Looking back, I should have opened his throat while I had the chance. Any road, I am sorry he came to trouble you this this day; but he'll think better of doing such in the future, if he's even capable of recovering from his wounds. Bah!"
Morgaard then looks to Ravarath and Havelock, refilling their glasses from the dark green bottle:
"You two were definately quite handy in disposing of that problem today. Anyone aiding a Kirmoon from harm is a friend of mine. I salute you both!"
"Rajkumari Alis? You and Master Laithoron have said things to me - broken glass toast, Irori's path, other little things - that make me think either or both of you have maybe advice or opinions on what has happened."
"Well..." Laithoron begins, "while I must admit that you have good taste in women as far as their looks go, I think you need to consider the path you would follow versus the path that others would follow. Training, discipline, a structure to your thoughts... these are all things that have given you strength and purpose unattainable by many others. With these tools, you have built yourself up like a mountain or tower."
"However, what of the paths that those two women would follow? The succubus did not seem to be evil, but she is still a creature of desire incarnate. While I do not know her goals, let us say for a moment that she wishes to be someone other than who she is. Consider two glasses of water: one frozen, one room temperature. Which would you start with to boil water for your tea in the shortest time?"
"While you may be able to increase the temperature of the ice faster than you can increase the temperature of the other water, in order to boil it, it must still pass thru the same temperature the other one was already at. In otherwords, unlike you or I, the succubus did not start out as a cup of water but as a cup of ice. While she may have chosen to step out of the cold and into the warmth, it may be some time before her heart melts and can begin to even move towards boiling as you already have."
"As for the other one, she is like a squirrel or a warm breeze. In fact, I would say she is more like a fey than an elf, morality and ethics as we might know them are foreign concepts to her. That is not to say that she is wicked or immoral, but like a squirrel or a warm breeze, such morality or ethics play no part in how they live because they do no affect them. The breeze will blow where air currents take it never lingering. The squirrel will do what instinct tells it: climb, gather nuts, mate, raise its young, and hide from hawks."
"She is beautiful for certain, but wind only erodes the mountain and when water gets in its cracks and freezes, it breaks it down even faster. My advice then is to enjoy the warm breeze while it lasts but realize you cannot bottle it. Take amusement from the squirrel but realize you will not tame it, feed it and it may eat from your hand, but anything that happens around it and it becomes distracted and will heed its instincts."
Amber slowly comes to wakefulness. She blinks into the dim light of the room, content to lie comfortably within the folds of the mattress, sheets, blankets and pillows. She feels the edges of hunger, but for some one whom has felt the bite of starvation gnawing at her senses, the small pangs at the edge of her awareness are as nothing.
She sighs contentedly, becoming aware of other things. The warm weight upon her body where a dark furred shape also slumbers. reaching out to gently stroke its fur, she is rewarded by the soft rumble buzz of purring as the large black cat responds to her ministrations.
Gently shifting the shape Amber sits up, sheets and blankets tumbling from her as she does so. First, Amber set brush and comb to hair. Next she sets herself sitting upon the edge of the mattress with the large black cat snuggled against one leg and her pistol lying upon her other. With eyes closed, the lady Amber again relaxes and mediates, one hand stroking the fur of the large black cat, her other hand gently stroking the metal and form of her gun. The cat responds with slightly louder purring, while the weapon responds with a faint eldritch glow of its own in return.
After an hour or so of such meditation Amber rises properly and moves into the bathroom, thee to thoroughly enjoy a long, hot, herb scented bath.
Once cleaned, refreshed and atired in a lihgter amount of clothing than that in which she entered Moe's wonderous establishment, Amber heads down stairs to see about vanquishing her hunger.
"Well, she didn't realize how hurt you were until you already left. Just give her one last chance before leaving."
Looking somewhat conflicted by the differences in assessment between Laithoron and Havelock, she sets aside her wine and gives the shot of Hirschblut before her a dubious look. When Morgaard raises his toast, she steels herself and downs hers along with Havelock and Laithoron but cringes and gives a slight shudder as it goes down. "No wonder you are so tough, old man. You know, there's a term for people who actually enjoy pain..."
"Speaking of pain, I don't think that either of them meant to hurt you, Rath. Like Laith says, one of them is a succubus, and the other... well..." she sighs, "Suny was a Calistrian 'temple girl' back where she came from. Now while that doesn't exactly sit well with me, I know for certain she didn't mean you or anyone else any harm even if that was the result. Where she comes from, they don't reserve physical intimacy for just a single lover like we do. In fact, even when I spoke to her in Elvish it was pretty clear that she doesn't understand the difference between good friends an lovers. Actually I take that back. In her mind there is no difference. Had I been the one in the dressing room instead of Lureene, I have no reason to doubt that she wouldn't have tried to start 'playing' with me. If you had been in the dressing room, she would most assuredly have."
"Now I know it's a lousy situation and I kind of regret helping Lureene to hook up you and Suny, but I could see the way you looked at her. I thought maybe some time with her would refill your wine glass, if I'd known it would break..."
She eyes the shots on the table and with a sigh and a cough chokes down another. "I'm sorry Rath..."