Aware that the filthy sewers await him below, Auron concentrates on keeping the beam between his legs and continues on.
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With his heavy armour the prospect of balancing across the beam isn't too inviting. Auron hesitates, looking at the obstacle, letting the more dexterous go on ahead. Sensibly he stows away his weapons and drops before starting to shimmy across, beam between his legs.
I'se a'ways wanted one o'this beauties. Auron fondles one of the crossbows before stowing it with his other gear, loaded. The quiver of bolts also finds itself onto his possession. I'se lead the way. Keep behin' me shield an' keep firin' t'keep t'heads down. Jhaik's gonna get 'em riled, but 'es gonna stay at t'back.
Eh? Me thanks.
They's havin' sum gud gear. Pity t'chuck 'em in the muck. Gimme a tick an' I'se strip 'em till dey's wearin' 'em b'day suits.
Chuck 'em in the sewers? Yeah. Suits 'em. Le'see wha' on 'em tho'. Auron frisks through the thug's belongings seeing for anything of worth, before dragging them, laying them side by side.
Expecting the tripped thug to try to regain his feet, Auron lances his sword towards the torso. He continues his attacks, withdrawing and thrusting again.
With the blocked and the thugs cowering behind their shields, Auron swings his sword at the legs, attempting to trip his foe.
Jhaik lunges in with jaws eager for flesh...
And tries again, once the thug takes his time to find his footing.
Auron barrels through the doorway, to where Kua is at, assessing the situation, although Kua's filthy form tells him the goblins are playing dirty.
No need to strain yourself, take it easy.
Ye cowardly mutt, come back 'ere. Auron swings his sword wildly in the air in a threatening manner.
Auron continues his assault on the thug outside, confident on bringing him down early. He watches his hound nip and the ice woman lunge and the cavalier edges into the thug's blind spot, leading the attack with a lunging thrust.
Jhaik, go get 'em. Auron barks a command to his mutt, whilst drawing his longsword, testing its cold iron edge. Shield on the other arm, he closes in on the thugs going hostile.
Auron crouches and pats Jhaik's back. Wolfing down another chunk of meat, the hound tails Svetlana as his master hangs back with Oren surveying the scene from a distance.
Seeing Kua and Mara skulk silently ahead, Auron stays behind, as not to hinder the two scout's progress. He casually loiters around the two new members of the group and watches the icy beauty make small talk with Chen. He instead kneels down and pets Jhaik, handling the dog a morsel of dried meat he takes from his pack. Pinching off a small chunk, he starts chewing a small portion, before casually offering Oren a piece.
Auron pats his warhammer, before keeping it free on on his belt. You dwarves got it right, learnin' t'use 'ammers fo' war and work. 'ever needs 'ny love. But does w'at's needed jus' t'same. Auron leaves the hovel, joining the rest of the party, heading to the underbridge's south east corner.
Auron gives the slummer a hard stare at his one remaining eye, looking for a sign of betrayal. Watch fo' w'at y'wish, Me mutt's ne'er misses a meal. B'sure y'ave mo' meat on ye when 'e turns up. As if on queue, Jhaik raises his hind legs and marks Fenster's doorway.
Auron's precariously contained rage boils over, with a strained voice he hefts his warhammer and sunders the flimsy door to splinters. I'se gots sumthin' t'focus y'memory jus' right. It works wit' almos' anythin', rotten doors, bad memory too. See I'se fix y'door an' y'get a gud one wit' t'gold on t'platter.
A vein throbs at Auron's right temple. Almost driven to barge in, mailed boot first, Kua intervenes first, depositing more gold into the plate. Auron watches on, barely containing his rage. Why we's wastin' gold on scum? hisses Auron. If the wretch still says no.: Boiling rage wells within Auron, seeing the filthy scum spit at his feet and turn his back at the group. The cavalier lifts his chain boot and gives a hefty kick at the hovel's barely hanging door, and barges in.
His faithful hound accompanies his master as Auron tries to grasp the filthy man and lift him clear off the ground. I'se ain't 'ere fo' ye health, 'astard. Speak, are y'Fenster?
We'se find out w'en we'se slummin' the streets. We'se goin' to ask Fenster w'at 'e knows an' the res' is as gud as your bes' guess. Fully memorising the names on the board, Auron leads the way out of the barracks, sniffing again the streets of Magnimar.
Auron nods his thanks and peruses the board while waiting for the party to conclude their business.
We'se goin' to keep an eye out fo' 'ny other stuff out on t'streets. Where's t'bounty list y'been talkin' 'bout?
Well, t'is Fenster's gonna 'ave a chat wit' us. Jus' anothe' thin' w'ats wit' talk 'bout slavers in the city eh? The watch got anythin' to go by on?
I don't mind either way, going on side treks should have its rewards though.
Eh? I'se a'ways has a civic mind if t'bounty's to be found. If we's has a chancy meetin' we's send 'em right back t'you. Jus' names an' mugs an' job's done. Auron catches Svetlana's eye and gives a knowing wink..
Auron gets up and strolls over to the sergeant, listening in to the conversation. He tips his hand in salute, courteously giving a small bow. G'day, ma'am. Me t'inks y'could 'ammer two birdies wit' a stone 'ere. 'em Tower Girls givin' the Law any problems? We's could giv' a han' sortin' things out, while we pays them Gals a look see. Jus' offerin'
Hurumph! Snotty wash rag, good thing we're in the barracks or he'd be the one sitting, for a month! Auron sits grumpily and feeds Jhaik a dried meat morsel to keep him well behaved. The flashy armour of the icy woman catches the Chelaxian's eye as he focuses on her alluring antics and his mind starts to wander off, thinking of tigers and rakshahas.
Auron saunters over to the desk and waits in line patiently for his turn. Putting on a concerned face he addresses the desk officer when his turn comes up. G'day, I'se new to t'city an' wan' t'say somethin' 'bout t'is ha'lot of a local gange' who tho't she'd get stickin' me up in t'alley 'bout fou' days 'go. I'se a min' t' go wit' t'law 'bout it an' wanna see if y'got 'er lock'd up sum'w'ere, 'cos I'se can't find her anywh'er. She telled 'er name. Natalya Vancas'erkin or sumthin'.
Auron stands nearby watching Sister Mara begin polite diplomacy with the staff present. Watching the public airing out complaints, Auron thinks of a different tack as he stands nearby the front desk, eavesdropping on the conversation.
An ea'ly payday then.
Smart t'check wit' t'law. Saves a lot o'time, an' we's get paid faste'. Better t'go together. We's Kaer Magans might get lost. Auron gets up from his chair and checks out his equipment. Looking at Heidmarch he approaches and lends out a chainmailed hand. Reckons its 'bout time we got 'eady. I'se shake me 'and on a deal an' gets t'pocket money while doin' it.
Eh? Colo'ful names these S'zarni gangers got.
'em leads y'given us, we's look 'em up. I'se ain't from roun' 'ere. But t'amazin' Zog wha'eva's solid. I'se a min' to shake 'im up a bit. I'se 'ear any thoughts f'om t'rest o'ye. Anythin'? The burly cavalier looks around at his fellow compatriots for any further suggestions.
Seems gud 'nough fo' jus' listenin'. Y'could 'and ove' the shiny bits t'me. I'se make sure every 'un gets a share. Auron looks satisfies his dwindling money problem solved and dog fed. Scrathing Jhaik's head he waits for the others to conclude. But then he thoughtfully asks Heidmarch a question. I'se tracked people 'fore, always found somethin' for Jhaik t'sniff at makes it easy like. Got anythin' of Nata'ya stuff me mutt could use?
'nother quiet like job eh? 'ell if wha's you 'ear o' t'job we 'ad in Kae' Maga, it ain't f'om me lips 'en. So you cou'd trus' us t'keep our mouths shut. The hound master seems to be considering the but almost as if for show. Me mutt's 'andy wit' smellin' an' rattin' things out, an' squeezin' truth out o'low lifes is w'at I'se does bes'. I'se fit y'job snug like. Acting out his avarice Auron finally nods and continues. I'se 'eard w'at t'say an' I'se like the offe'. Hows t'signin' on fee fo' t'trip f'om Kae' Maga's comin' on?
'ellion and the angel eh? I'se like Svet-la-na 'stead. T'is ain't an arena an' Svet-la-na 'olls off t'toungue nice'. Auron pronounces the lady's name carefully and continues. Pardons, Auron's me name and Jhaik 'ere's me mutt. Useful 'e is, but 'e needin' time t'warm up t'people. I'se could use a littl' bit of funny afte' the journey 'ere an' even 'etter if I'se sees t'gold. Jus' coolin' me feet off an' we's see.
Auron seats himself comfortably, taking in the manor's interior casually as he watches the two new additions to the group assembled awaiting the arrival of their newest employer. Jhaik settles at his masters feet but stares unflinchingly at the otherworldly beauty. A low rumble purrs within the hound's throat but non-threateningly as Auron pays his companion no heed. Eh? Didn't apply fo' anythin'. Sumthin' 'bout riches an' easy gold jus' fo' comin' to 'ear what this Heidmarch 'as to say. With most of his armaments at its place, Auron looks every bit armed to the teeth and perhaps overly much so for a visit to a calm manor such as the one current. Pausing to reassuringly pat his hound, Auron adds on. Nah, no brawler, but if Hiedmarch talks 'nough o' gold then why not?
'ell, next time we's sees a tiger I'se kno' which part t'take fo' meself! Auron hushes down as they approach the Shoanti's caravan and peers through the cages at the animals within. As the Chelaxian starts to approach the stocky caravan master, Jhaik gives out a loud greeting bark, prompting Auron to greet his fellow delvers with an exchange of current news, learning the pathfinder's invitation in Magnimar.
Auron steely eye catches sight of Stone's-Bargain post and points it out to his lumbering comrade. D'ye see wha' I'se see wit' me littl' eye? I'se expected mor' trips down off t'Magnima' but we's take wha's on t'plate. Auron spends a little more time perusing junk messages and queries Yang on efficacy of Tian herbs with regards to the messages.
Jus' me, Jhaik and yerself. Mebbe t'others at t'ossuary got 'un too? We's see den. Would be goodd t'see them. Gots some loose ends f'om t'ossuary t'talk 'bout. But that's fer la'er, a ride t'Magnima' is wat's we after.
Nah, 'ever been dere meself. I'se ain't much time fo' readin' travelin' notes and what nots. Da last 'un I 'ad Jhaik chomped a good bit befor' I'se takin' a look. Jus' hav' ta' see when we's get dere. Yer books and what nots, read anythin' yerself? Cocking his head at the Meeting Pole before them, Auron scans the numerous calls for caravan guards heading to Magnimar, shortlisting the ones with fair pay and relative safety. Safety in 'umbers is a smart thin' to do. Why else we's lookin' at all these posts 'ere.
Auron scrutinizes the the folded note held in Yang's pudgy fingers. The flowery script and quality of paper is similar but something is off putting about his copy of the note. 'ang on, lemme dig out me copy and le'ssee. Meanwhile the passersby give the pair a wide berth, with Jhaik trotting in a circle, excited at the smells of the market but at the same time giving his master much needed space. Finally Auron pulls out his many times folded note and the name of the invitee proves similar as Sheila Heidmarch, save for a set of grubby ale stained finger prints on Auron's copy. You goin' to Magnima' too? We's could go together. It's an away's journey, Magnima' an' we's could use a proven frien' on the way. Pointing to the general direction of the Meeting Post Auron comments. We's aheadin' to the 'otem wit' the notes on it. If we's lucky we's find a ride to Magnima' and gets coin on the way.
Auron stands amidst the parked caravans, wagons and temporary pavilions of assorted nationalities before he purposely strides towards the local meeting post. He rubs shoulders with strangers, sometimes shoving hard, in an effort to deter cut-purses and pickpockets roaming the area. Jhaik barks a quick yip, giving Auron a heads up before a familiar Tian assented voice hails him from behind. He turns round to find his sight filled with the girth of a broad Tian clean shaven man dressed to travel. Auron watches as Jhaik wags his tail in a friendly manner and starts conversation as the unfamiliar foreign name escapes recall. 'Eh, Jhaik 'ever forgets a face. Useful mutt, 'e is. Life treatin' you well? I'm sure 'e did. F'om what we made 'hat time in the 'ssuary, we's be eatin' well. Auron hands out a hand in greeting, just as the foreign name jumps onto his tongue. We's off to Magnima'. Gots me an' Jhaik a job offa'. Wha's up wit' you Chen?
Kua ain't that bad with a greataxe either, feel free to get stuck in the front lines if the arrows run out.
A crash and a table splinters at the far end of the tavern, signaling the beginnings of the umpteenth brawl for the day. Auron barely glances over as he downs his watered ale and scratches Jhaik's ear. It came with the territory as the right place to dry if you're hiring out as muscle, so Auron heard. Maybe he heard wrong, a fortnight and still no offers. His brow furrows as he fishes his pouch for a silver and gets up, ready to leave. Noticing the state of his dwindling coin pouch has the cavalier considering new avenues. As he palmed the bartender the stained piece, he finds a letter pressed into his hands and Auron takes a moment to consider the option within. Pathfindr's pay 'etter den the Pharasmans mebbe. A quick short whistle and Jhaik is at his master's heels as they make their way to the Downmarket, surveying a caravan that would take him to Magnimar.
If these make dm-ing simpler I would definitely be okay. Auron would be a frontliner with poor perception, relying on his mutt to sniff out danger. How would animal companions be handled by the way? I wouldn't mind if they were under the gm's control.
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