Darie Billown's page

"Tell you what" Darie interjected, rolling her eyes. "You carry all of this, and i give you two coppers for every time we need any of it. Five for the Lodestone"

Darie rolled her eyes "If you want to buy all that, we needn't go there - we could just sell these supplies and live happily ever after. I mean, we just see what we need, and buy anything that we are missing."

"I have a few things with my belongings. Not much, but some rope and so on." Darie replied, sighing. These were not strictly her own actually. More like an extended loan. Or less kindly words even.

"Really now, how much do you expect we need. And how to pay for it?"

Darie laughed, both because of the jest, and because a few beers do that to about anyone. "Well, let's meet up in the middle, and go with sunrise. I can sleep in, and you are not chased out of your beddings too early"

Shaking her head, Darie laughed softly "I suggested one hour before sunrise, and now its one after? Pretty soon we'll be solidly into the afternoon, with a brief stint into the cairn before retiring for the day? Come on now, you can't seriously suggest we slack off on the very first day! An hour before is a good time to start off."

Hardly believing her ears, Darie nevertheless knew a chance when she saw it "Tomorrow, an hour before sunrise, then? It gives us plenty of time for a last nights rest, and the trip."

Darie talked some more with the charismatic warrior, and started to genuinely enjoy the conversation - but she was by far not brazen enough to follow him, after he excused himself and left the inn for the night. It would have taken a different kind of girl for that, one that surely would never have worried about the propriety of raiding some long-forgotten ruin.

The whole affair had a dreamlike quality to her as it was. Things like this never really occurred to real people, only to characters from this or that epic. Sooner or later, someone was bound to sober up, announce it was all a rotten idea, and everyone would go their merry way.

Duplicate post, preserved for posterity:

Darie spend some more time amicably chatting with the large warrior, before he excused himself from the inn. Not quite brazen enough to chase him after that, she remained behind, somewhat red-cheeked.

To herself, she wondered if this was as fateful an evening as it seemed to be, but at the same time already knew it likely wouldn't be. Grand adventures never really happened to people like her. Still, it was nice to dream for a while - until the others made clear it had been a joke and a idea born of alcohol and enthusiasm, rather than a serious plan

Darie took a long sip from her tankard, and pushed it across the table towards the town priest. "I'll be taking free drinks as long as you provide them, reverent. Who knows when we'll next have the chance to be merry?"

Darie nodded, herself unaware of any particularly juicy targets.

In fact, even thinking about the expedition left her with mixed feelings. Her parents would have called it plain and simple graverobbing - but was it so easy if the "occupant" was dead for longer than anyone could remember? If there was no descendant left to remember them by. It was just treasures gathering dust in some long-forgotten cave, right?

"Errmm... it is not desecrating the dead, is it? I mean, if they have been dead long enough to be nothing but dust, with none to remember them anymore?" she decided to voice this concern.

Darie lauged as she took a sip from her third drink (thankful she only had to pay one of them), and added "Well, it seems i am the only one here who does not occasionally beat up people for fun or practice. I mean, ok, i broke Dorik Gangathers nose when he tried getting funny with me, but that is about my whole claim to brawling fame."

"I'm sure that'll be a sight to see" Darie commented, injecting herself back into the flow of conversation on purpose. "I mean, its almost like a private show for our benefit, right? I'd love to see that - slightly more even than i'd love to be in it. Ok, honestly... a lot more"

As the second round of drinks (courtesy of Zereta) arrived, Darie took a deep sip. The drink went down well, and she could not help but gift another smile to Auric. A hard days work, new friends. Maybe even a new "birth" into another life. It was a blessed occasion... Lathander might even be watching them that very moment.

"I will certainly be there to watch you, if i at all manage. Of course, if our little expedition ends up in getting us all horribly slain, i will try to spare you my presence." She chuckled, and despite the serious subject the remark came off as a joke.

"Well, i guess anyone needs to live. It is even charming in a way - that even well-known champions like you have a human side like this." Darie's flattery was rather sincere. It really made the champion more human in her eyes. Still, it was as much smoothening the situation as anything else.

"Well, the Gnome Matchmaker was probably my one chance to get out of this town on some halfway legitimate means, and by legitimate i mean "way my parents would understand, if not condone". Seems like going on some "profitable suicide opportunity" isn't actually the worst idea. Either you strike it rich, and don't have much trouble anymore - or you don't have trouble anymore either" Darie replied, to noone in particular. Either the ale was loosening her tongue already, or else her mood was growing brighter for some other reason.

Darie nodded "Fair is fair, you can have that Cairn all for yourself. Honestly, thanks for the encouragement, though." She wasn't all that well-informed about local events, though - so the announcement that this particular old grave held treasures was a surprise to her.

She looked around her "friends" (distant acquaintances was more like it at this point), and suddenly seriously considered the option of trying their hands on some "adventuring". Things where really not all that far from the tales of minstrels... even though a businessmen rarely figured into these tales.

Darie sighed wistfully as Kessel mentioned being born into riches and comfort. It seemed all too hard to get there sometimes. But then, the rich didn't become rich without merit. Their parents and grandparents probably worked their fingers to the bone to accumulate and increase that wealth.

"Well, i for one would be willing to give pretty much anything a shot. I've spend much more time than i like to doing odd jobs for coppers."

Downing the last gulp from her ale, Darie looked Kells over quizzedly. "While i can only agree, just what would that new enterprise be? Turning this town around needs more than a peasant girl, a priest and... wait a second. A priest, a traveling bard, a blacksmiths daughter..."

She couldn't help but laugh, deep out of her belly, at this point. "That sounds like some bards tale about a foolish, but heroic band of misfits daring the world, and enjoying Lady Lucks favor."

Shrugging defensively, Darie turned her attention back from the warrior to Kessel "I don't really know. I don't think i want to stay here, the town has been going to all hells lately. But where i want to go, i don't really know yet. Maybe south, i heard there is a land where there actually are ships that sail the clouds."

"As to how to get money, its the eternal problem: If you spend more money on having a safe place to sleep and some food, you'll never get anywhere you can make more." she snorted in amusement. "Maybe i will take up adventuring. One or two dragons caves should put me up for a nice posh townhouse somewhere."

As people settle in the Happy Cow the doors are lightly flung open and Auric enters with a bright smile, looking around the taproom his smile broadens into a grin as he spots Darie and he starts to make his way over to her table. Following Auric is an elven woman who follows his gaze briefly before shaking her head and heading towards the bar.

Darie, with her usual slightly-distracted attitude gave Auric a smile and a short nod as she noticed his interest - but didn't quite catch the elven womans attention. But she minded her manners for the moment, and didn't talk to him first.

Her disheveled state was starting to annoy her, however, and she "felt" that she could change it... it wasn't hard, even. Words, a few quick motions with her left hand, and it'd be done. She knew how to do it. Yet... Auntie Merio had once explained how it was. Once you start accepting "it", you pretty soon think up all kinds of situations where you could also use it.

On the other hand, she really didn't want to become another Auntie Merio. Yet for the moment, the need wasn't really as pressing. She'd just excuse her appearance if Auric ever brought it up.

"Excuse me there Darie," Kessel say once the girl sits and settles, "why are you taking a manual labor jobs," he asks brushing some sawdust off of Darie's shoulder, "some clerical work or some shop work might be a better fit, for you and any potential employer, I don't mean to offend but not all of us are built for heavy lifting."

"Offend me? Nah... not when you're right. I've simply not found anything else, and with me not being so sure on how its going to go on, in the long run, i doubt it'll change soon."

Taking a long sip, she paused, but then decided to elaborate on that point. "You know, its not exactly a good thing for anyone who might want to hire you if they don't know if you'll still be around come a month."

Darie raised her half-drunk tankard, and sighed. "Hey, ease up. I feel as if each bone in my body wants to leave it in a different direction. I earned this drink" Being both cranky and too damn tired to fight wasn't really a situation to elevate her mood.

She kept on the lookout for this "Auric Tallstag" character, though... If nothing else, it might be an entertaining evening.

Darie entered about the same time Kessel made his way to the tavern, covered in sawdust, sweat and half-dried resin. She looked very tired, but at the same time not ready to just collapse into bed and sleep. "Same goes for me... Lugging these logs took longer than i though... and damn, he was right when he said i might not have the arms for it."

Taking a chair without waiting for it to be offered, she motioned for a drink. What it was, she didn't care so much as that it came straight from the cellar, and thus was going to be cool.

"I will meet you at the Happy Cow, then. Have a good day, Reverent." I hope that's the proper mode of address for a priest... Darie curtsied, lowering her head for a moment, before heading back off into the market proper - she did need to get some work done, after all.

Shrugging, Darie tried to dispel the somewhat heavier mood with a smile and an offhanded remark "Whichever way i turn, it can end in disaster or great things. I will just have to trust the gods and my own two hands."

When the topic moved to Auric, a small glimmer of less secure positions showed up in her face. "He is an attractive man, and charming of sorts. But his companion is more than just rude, and well... believe it or not, i was not born yesterday. I know full well what some attractive men like to do. If i accept his invitation, I'll keep my head out of the clouds, and firmly grounded on this world." Spoken almost defensively - but not too much so.

Darie started to walk with the priest, and already felt this would be something else than an entirely carefree talk, but still, she felt caught with her fingers in the cookie jar. "Indeed... There have been some... events that convinced me i better seek my own path, away from home."

She paused for a moment - somehow the explanation she had privately put together in her mind seemed inadequate, but it would have to do. "Right now i am trying to make my own way, for a while. Maybe marry down the road, and move in with another family, or else take up some regular work in one of the cities businesses. Or leave altogether. I have not quite decided yet."

Darie nodded. "Sure, hopefully the day will earn me a bit of coin, so an ale or two is something i won't say no to." The idea was good, catching up on old times (as slim as they might be) was better than having next to no one to turn to.

"I just hope this Auric Tallstag won't take it personally, he invited me as well." Somehow, the admission felt a little bit... "off" to her.

Darie chuckled, and the awkwardness drained away as quickly as it appeared. "Well, i did not quite remember, but close enough. Now that you mention it, it comes back to me. I was collecting mushrooms, near the meadow, right?"

Joining into the circle, she took a look around. Now, some more of the faces were vaguely familiar, but she wouldn't make a fool out of herself by guessing blindly again. Give them a few moments, and they'd drop ample hints - that was, if they didn't introduce themselves properly.

With the open stare from the musician, and the not-so-hushed words about her, finally some recognition dawned on Daries face. "Hmm, I'm sorry but you seem oddly familiar for some reason... wait a moment, have you..." She began, but shrugged. "I know your face, but i honestly fail to place it right now. In any case, my name is Darie, and i am sorry to have disturbed you."

With a short nod, she decided to salvage as much dignity as she could, and stepped back. Still, the nagging feeling didn't quite subside, and if the mans looks where any indication, he shared that notion.

In the meantime, Darie wandered over towards the gathered old friends, trying to catch a glimpse at the bard before he departed the market. She was, despite her eagerness to get to the source of the music, seemingly oblivious to the distant acquaintance standing a few yards away from her.

Hmm, previous connections. Darie is probably not a household name in Daggerford. If anything, her family is known for its reclusive, almost hostile behavior. That said, its very possible that someone who has been in town for a while knows her face - and is probably quite surprised to find her on her own, without at least three other Billowns to keep her company.

They stay among themselves even on market day.

"Alright then. I'll see if i can be there." With another short nod, and a smile, Darie said what she expected to be the final words of that exchange.

Darie had half a mind to actually follow up on the invitation - free drinks, and maybe even a free meal in the tavern, but then again... "going out" with someone for that reason didn't sit too well with her. She'd have to wait and see. If there was a job to be done, that clearly had priority.

I guess with no ranks in spot and a dismal wisdom score, I'll wait for Zereta to speak to her, rather than stepping forward.

Darie nodded at the man, satisfied with the apology-by-proxy. "No harm done, i suppose. At least he keeps good company." That being a compliment (of sorts), she blushed a bit, immediately decided she had better things to do than fawn over some traveling adventurer. After all, they did have the reputation of being dangerous.

"So, i guess i better get back to looking for work. It was nice making the acquaintance." Honestly, she hadn't really done so - he hadn't introduced himself, only his friend. And neither had she. "Oh, almost forgot - my name is Darie Billown"

"I'm not hurt, except for pride." Darie replied to the foreign man, her families trademark reservation nearly getting the better of her as she just briefly met his gaze.

Yet for some reason (maybe the charming face), she decided to add a little less hostile words to these. "Its just that offending a wizard is an even worse idea than offending just about anyone else in my current position."

Keeping a string of profanities bottled up for the moment, Darie limited herself to a scathing look at his back. Pompous city-folk.

Straightening her skirt and moving away from the market stall she had just avoided disrupting, she took the last few bites from her sweets, moving back into the flow of people on the market. They couldn't be all arrogant wizards, could they?

Darie jumped back instinctively as the man seemed to not notice her at all. She hadn't quite seen him coming, and her reaction nearly would have knocked her into another market visitor.

"I'm sorry, i didn't meant to..." she tried to excuse herself - although in all honesty, he was probably the one who should do some apologizing.

Darie moved over the market square carefully, not wishing to confront any members of her extended family - she had been "gone" for slightly over a week now, and did not wish to rip open their or her own wounds quite so soon.

She was a sight to see, alright. Despite being worn for a bit longer than it really should be, her simple peasants dress nevertheless suited her, the few spots of color giving it a more cheerful outlook than its cheap make would otherwise allow for. Her friendly, open face (framed by brown hair, slightly longer than her shoulders, tied back into a practical knot) turned curiously from place to place - and if that had not been enough, the fact that she was easily one of the largest woman around ensured at least a passing glance.

As she moved between the stalls, she privately once again marveled how complex city life was in some ways. Everyone seemed to chase the silver piece with religious fervor... even those selling religious items. Or maybe, them more than anyone else. And in the middle of it all, herself. Also chasing down money.

She hoped one of the merchants had some odd job to do. Help loading up, or unloading, or any other ability to earn a bit of coin. The money she had "borrowed" from her parents was not going to last forever - and the suggestion to work as a barmaid had not stuck too well with her... and that was nothing compared to the strange gnome who had asked her flat out if she was interested in marrying a foreign man. At least he had taken "no" for an answer.

After receiving yet another rejection, she couldn't help herself - the smell of the sweetmeats where too enticing. Sure, she'd rue the money later, but right then sinking her teeth into the treat made up for a lot.

I'm good to go. :)

Ok, what do i bring to the table:

* Arcane Spells
* Knowledge: History
* Can feed chickens and milk cow
* Lawful character, as good as her word
* Knows how to phrase said word to mean something other than what you think she meant. (Bluff)

Huh, no comments at all? Is she that unremarkable? Well, anyway... after thinking things over, i guess i won't go too much deeper into "backstory mode" for now - always leave some wiggling room to define as needed ;)

So unless anyone has something to add, i'll remove the "WIP" notice from my profile tonight.

Ok, written up the backstory in semi-proper format. Still WIP, any constructive criticism is welcome - and if you want to throw something in my direction to hook me into the story a little better, i'll gladly incorporate it.

Ok, first background draft is on my profile page - its still in telegram style and without massaging it too tightly into the Daggerford region or cross-checking with other players - but this should be the rough starting point.

Ok, working on a sheet now