Seraphina has been sitting unusually quietly for a while, listening to the stories and eating.
Wow, you all have quite interesting stories about Lorrimor and yourselves. Makes my story seem quite dull in comparison. He was simply my professor at Lepidstadt. My favorite one, to be sure, and the only professor to embrace my hot headed and abrasive method to academia.
He nods in return to her statement. "I met her once. Only in passing, mind, but she well and good enough. Worried about her father, but even I could see she was itching to leave with him. Never did let her, though. 'Far too dangerous. Don't want her where I am,' he would say. He payed well enough and was amicable enough towards me despite my... Well, let's just say he didn't pry in on me, so I didn't pry in on him." He places his hand over his heart, his thumb twirling slightly.
"And now the Lady if Graves has him. But I know he was well enough that she should send him to a decent enough realm. Never talked too much on faith, he."
Seraphina has been sitting unusually quietly for a while, listening to the stories and eating.
Wow, you all have quite interesting stories about Lorrimor and yourselves. Makes my story seem quite dull in comparison. He was simply my professor at Lepidstadt. My favorite one, to be sure, and the only professor to embrace my hot headed and abrasive method to academia.
Seems like the professor though highly of you, but other teachers not so much. What type of student were you in school?
Shush hears the loud guy with the funny haircut talk of his experience with the Professor. He gets up and sits at the man's table, not waiting for an invitation.
If this fella's spent some time in the wilds, he may know where to find adventure.
Hello there, big fella. I could help but notice your mug there. I mean your flask, that is...Say, what have you heard about the Professor's untimely death?
"Oh? It was possibly our most common topic of discussion. Granted, it was more...
academic on his part." Ysmerelda replies. Eyes downcast in a far-off reminiscence, she adds. "Of course, he'd retired by the time I met him. Not so much to fear any more."
Overhearing the impressively hued young lady's comment, Ysmerelda adds. "Patience with...
difficult young women was a strong suit of his."
Seraphina has been sitting unusually quietly for a while, listening to the stories and eating.
Wow, you all have quite interesting stories about Lorrimor and yourselves. Makes my story seem quite dull in comparison. He was simply my professor at Lepidstadt. My favorite one, to be sure, and the only professor to embrace my hot headed and abrasive method to academia.
|
Bran looks at Shush and slowly puts the flask back in his backpack. It IS a nice flask. I guess I shouldn't flash it around, all these stories got me excited and it's been a while since I really looked closely at it. Usually it's just a drink. Being told I'm in the professor's will brought back all the memories I have of him. Speaking of memories, if my memory serves me correctly, I heard rumblings from some other Barbarians on my way here when I went through the Northern Fangwood. They say he was a victim of revenge. Revenge for for what? I do not know. Bran scratches his head. I never suspected the professor would be the kind to bring any injustice to anyone. He then takes a big bite of bread and asks while chewing, What do you think Shush, what have you heard?
Deivon listens carefully, noting her experiences. "Well, he was good with a whole slew of folks. Once saw him stand and take a hail of insults from some crusading types. Few hours later they were acting like he was their school teacher, hanging on to his words the way they were. Amazing man, yet so... secretive about some things. Then again, that only added to him, I suspect."
was a excellent student, but that entire place was full of old windbags who were so entrenched in old dogma that they couldn't take my questioning. But Lorrimor loved it. I only knew him as a guest lecturer for a few months when he was already retired, but apparently I made quite the impression.
Keenly attentive, Ysmerelda listens as the others share more of their recollections.
Deivon listens carefully, noting her experiences. "Well, he was good with a whole slew of folks. Once saw him stand and take a hail of insults from some crusading types. Few hours later they were acting like he was their school teacher, hanging on to his words the way they were. Amazing man, yet so... secretive about some things. Then again, that only added to him, I suspect."
Secretive how? It also seems people had mixed feelings of him, or at least that is how you make is sound. It seems like you and Bran know a lot, I could really learn something from you two.
Bartender, anything you know about the professor would be important to us.
Blik looks at Glade. "You make sound like he was murdered rather than died peacfully." Hard to tell what his emotions are behind, but it sounds more dismissive than anything.
Blik looks at Glade. "You make sound like he was murdered rather than died peacfully." Hard to tell what his emotions are behind, but it sounds more dismissive than anything.
"Well, he seemed to know a lot. That's not surprising. His benefactors were never in the picture, and some of the missions were odd. Never let me in on the bigger motives, but then again, I was simply there to protect him." He waves over to the bartender. "Excuse me, sir, but may I have some more tea, please?"
Glades emotions, you can see he is curious right now, and inspired by the people who knew him, and he is wonderfully awed by people's stories.
"Considering he traveled all the way from here to Tian Xia, I am inclined to agree that he is strange. I am impressed for his passion for his studies though. I have never seen scholars go through the amount of effort as he did."
|
|
What I know is that he was wandering around alone in the wilds of Varisia. It seemed almost as though he sought me out. As I said, he admitted that he studied me and watched me from a distance. I think more and more that while I saved his life that once, his friendship and tutelage saved mine many, many times. Bran squints his eyes with a more serious look to Deivon. It seems that more than not, the stories we hear are about him traveling and gathering knowledge and experiences. You're a brainy type, what do you think he was looking for?
A woman with mildy modest clothing walks through the door, conversing with a raven perched on her shoulder. She walked halfheartdly towards the bar as she was deeply depressed as yet another of her dear friends had left the world. She wore a veil of sorts covering her face, but her long flowing fiery red hair drew plenty of attention. Normally she would try to get a free meal at a place like this, but tonight, she felt limp, and tired.
Do you sell red wine here by chance? If so, I would verily like a glass good barkeep, and a small cup for my friend Valinder here.
She motions towards the raven when she mentions her friend.
I feel I am in need for a drink tonight, Perhaps more.
she takes a short glance around the crowd then resumes her conversation with Valinder.
Elvish
Why, why val? Why does everyone that I know and care for have to die? Am I cursed Val? All my life it seems I endure nothing but hardship, with little joy or peace in between...
The raven flutters its feathers and responds, with a surprisingly articulate and intelligent response.
No, not cursed, It is but the way of life, things live, and die. It is up to us to make it meaningful. Hardships are but one part. One day, we will have the power to keep these bad man of these things from happening.
the raven had taken an almost, mentoring and guardian role, as well as a friend over the past few weeks. It usually managed to comfort Maia, but today she was truly depressed. Quite different from her normal self.
I just don't know val, I don't know...
Borden staggers over to the table - not yet reeling - but definetely the free liquor and his steady approach to make sure he got as much of it as he could has taken a toll. Still, his tankard is filled with weak beer now, an attempt to keep him on his feet and in the party*.
A Story? Grrreat - lets be hearing it. I could always use fresh materials. He plonks himself at the tables edge.
I'm Borden Read, failed pathfinder, successful tomb robber, he takes a pull on his drink and wipes his mouth with his sleeve. Not so classy or slick as before. Again, the alcohol is affecting him but as they say 'In Booze, Truth', and his inherent roughness is coming out.
How about you two?
* double entendre for the win!
My feet are killing me… Kye limped along looking earnestly at a tree stump only a bow shot from the door of the inn, now within sight. Don’t even think about it lazy bones, you’re almost there. He stopped, finally only one step from the door, pointed his face toward the sky, closed his eyes, and breathed out a long sigh through his nose. I don’t know which I need more, a meal or a bed, but either way, I’ll be off this thorn in the flesh. Thank you for humbling me…
He set a weary hand against the door and pushed it open. Willing himself up the one step through the door, he paused briefly to close it behind him. As he lowered his hood revealing his sweaty, bald head and attractive human face, he couldn’t help but notice the variety of persons that comprised the small crowd in front of him, especially the brightly colored quaffs that reminded him instantly of his mother. No sooner had that thought crossed his mind than it was snatched away from him by the annoying tug of his hood, hung up on the upper limb of his bow. Will I ever get used to this thing? It had only been within the past few hours that he had finally managed to notice something other than it’s string wearing a groove into his chest.
His thoughts drifted again toward the odd collection of patrons filling the room before him. Not since his brief visit in Absolom had he seen such a conglomeration of… what was it? Hues… so many different hues. Kye had grown up in Ustalav, and it had been a while since he had stepped foot here, the several thousand footsteps today not withstanding, but something was different about this collection of souls. ’Souls’… my own inward voice takes the timbre of the master now.
A shock of red hair caught his attention again. Flowing locks of gold, white, and crimson, like my mother’s indeed. Like my own if I permitted it to live. The vibrant prism of sun-shrouded hues now turned, one by one, to fix their gaze on the silent, robed gawker now standing in front of the door. This is awkward. Did that dwarf just reach for his axe? Perhaps I should move now. An uncomfortable, tight-lipped grimace of a grin happened on his face and his right hand made an attempt at a wave that ended in the familiar adjustment of his bow string as his feet remembered to resume their painful trudge toward the bar.
It felt as though his legs were swollen kegs of mead whose newly opened taps poured their contents on the floor as he came to rest, at last, on a stool next to… Next to what? What was under that odd shaped mask? Come to think of it, the shape of the whole person was odd. Honestly, I don’t care. If it takes my life, I will die at rest. Good bar keep, many festivals have passed since I’ve been as happy to meet someone as I am you in this moment. Please forgive the imposition, but might you have some portion of beast at the ready and perhaps some warm milk? Warm milk would be… quite… a blessing, to your lame and humble servant. OH, and perhaps a good leg?
Oh hells, here - have my chair, a scruffy man says, lurching to his feet.
Innkeeper - fella wants some ale and some food here. He said Milk but thats fer kids, he bawls, ignoring or forgetting the man already tried to place an order.
He makes to give the man his seat.
Dwarf now not so lonesome.
Hotrek looks up at the Large man sitting beside him. He certainty looks like he has Giant blood of course it maybe because he was short even for a dwarf.
"Me? My friendship with the professor started long when he decided to drop in on my meditations. The thing after him didn't last too long under my axe. For a someone like him who's a professor. He sure knows how to get into trouble."Craning his neck to look at Bran, Hotrek squints as he asks his next question.
"How about you? You seem awfully big even for a human. It could be that I'm shorter than most but if you would do share with me your story."
The stories how they met the professor of those two were indeed remarkably similar. But she was curious what this dwarf, to whom she had previously paid little attention, had been writing there. She excused herself from her table and, sipping from her tankard with mead, walked casually over to the tall human warrior and the dwarf with axe and pen.
While all the way she was - or better wasn't - dressed was a single one invitation she wanted to avoid giving those to the impression. She gave the big warrior a nonchalant yet friendly nod and glanced curiously over the dwarf's shoulder to have a look at his notes - hopefully they weren't written in dwarven.
Nevertheless, she stood by close enough to show her interest in the conversation, even though she didn't speak up so she would not cut off the big warrior's reply. She just hoped it wouldn't culminate around a certain bottle and the tavern would be left standing when he spoke.
Borden, who had previously been too preoccupied with Seraphine and later too befuddled by booze, catches sight of the fey woman. His shoulders straighten in his attempt to help the man sit and he sucks his gut in.
Happy to have you join us M'lady, he says with an artful insouciance. There are clearly there are some of angelic blood here but none as heavenly as you.
Apologies that we haven't had a chance to meet earlier - I'm Borden Read. Finder of Antiquities.
He continues to try to help the newly arrived traveller sit.
Daniel takes another walk to stretch his legs.
As he moves, he notices the woman with the raven.
Not a scruffy looking bird, it's plumage looks neat actually.
He finishes his walk next to her at the bar.
"An ale please bartender."
He looks sideways; "That's a fine looking raven you have there miss. I don't see many that look as neat as this one."
He stretches his hand out carefully, opening it as a cup, gesturing the raven to hop on.
If it does, he pets it, stroking the feathers, before placing the neat bird at Maia's shoulder.
Spells-
It is one of a kind. She states, but keeps Daniel away from the raven.
Elvish-
I like him, The Raven says in elvish.
I am not sure Val, She whispers back to the raven. [/b]
She extends her hand,
Its good to meet you. My name is Maia, Maia Rose. Who might you be? If you don't mind, what brings you here? Are you a local? Oh, and why are there so many people here? I have been here a couple times before, but I haven't seen this many people...
she trails off on a small rant, then gives a faint smile,
sorry for that, I understand ones business is their own, but I am just always curious. Right val?
Shush takes note of where Bran stashes the fancy mug, just for future reference. Leaning back in his chair, I have not heard but what has been said here. Several weeks ago I received a letter from the Professor’s daughter, Kendra, requesting my attendance at his funeral here in Ravengro. Now, mind you, I only knew the Professor for about three days- but those three days were the most eye-opening of my entire short, ahem, life. She mentioned to me as well about attending the hearing of his will. Strange, this. Look around- all these folks from different lands come here for this. I wonder if they have all been mentioned in this supposed will.
Surely many of these fine folks are merely here to see an old friend off. He’s obviously made friends around the world. He had that way about him- with me he was in and out, quick and efficient, yet his impression changed my life.
I shall never forget that. It makes one wonder if the tales of the Silver Mount are true- and if they are, whether or not movements of celestial bodies could have altered the course of whatever came down many years ago; not to mention Earthfall. A little nudge by some gigantic floating monstrosity in the void of space, a small gravitational push or tug here or there, could have sent either object away from us, except this did not happen.
I liken this to my situation- the Professor’s power came close to me those few days, and the power of his presence ever so slightly nudged me on a different course.
Which is I’m here.
Shush leans over to Glade. Young man, your curiosity is admirable. Are from around here? Maybe you could stand a better chance than any one of us on trying to find something out?
Shush hears Borden mention “Finder of Antiquities” and his ears perk up. He leans closer his direction to hear the conversation.
Borden is pretty much riveted on the Sylph but continues to try to help the newcomer to sit - its as if part of his brain hasn't caught up yet.
You won't mind there Master Dwarf, will you?, he asks absently.
Torak eyes the woman with the raven warily. A familiar? It doesn't have the look of a trained pet and...it's looking over here! Torak suddenly become intent on scratching his finger across a dent in the table, his eyes averted.
What sort of people did Lorimmor associate with? The man was courageous or a fool to brave the depths of the Graidmere for a look at the standing stones. But there was talk of demons and devils, pale men with scarves at their neck (NEVER a good sign in Ustalav), and just WHAT was that thing in the mask by the bar?
In stark contrast to her previous demeanour, Narah gives Borden only a brief smile, avoids eye contact and holds her arms crossed in a position that might have been coy, if it wasn't for the silken dress she wore. "Thanks, that's kind of you." she returns as Borden puts out a chair for her. Moving her eyes between Maia and Borden, she nodds to Maia and raises an eyebrow as though she was asking a question.
"To the professor!" she speaks out loud, raises her tankard and drinks from it, joining the toast the dwarf announced.
Narah shoves her chair a bit closer to the dwarf and fixates him with her bright blue eyes. In her husky, breathy voice she addresses him: "I am sorry about the indiscretion, good sir. Well, primarilly that I've been caught, to be perfectly honest. I thought I was a bit more subtle than that." She grins openly and disarmingly. "Narah, prostitute and priestess of Calistria. Howdoyoudo." She doesn't seem to feel the slightest shame describing herself as prostitute - on the contrary, she seems proud of it.
She pauses briefly and continues more calmly: "Are you working on a biography for the good Professor Lorrimer? I can tell you a lot more details - in private. If you promise not to mention my name. Though..." She arches her head a little weighing things she can and can't talk about. "... less of the Professor Lorrimer himself than the events that lead me to get to know him. Erm, just to avoid misunderstandings that might wear on the late professor's reputation, as many petty people would see it - I was his client, not the other way around, as I've already mentioned."
Kye lifts his head to see find the scruffy looking man speaking to him, presumably, while his attention is fixed on the wispy slip of a... most beautiful of creations surely these eyes have| Wicked flesh! Snapping his head back to his new friend. Be content with your merciful perch and warm milk. Please say there's warm milk.
Um... my thanks to you kind (and somewhat attentive) sir, but my lower extremities seem to have adhered themselves to this most pleasant bench, and you may still have need of your own. He reaches out a hand to steady the overeager emcee. I assure you, my friend, the calf's liqueur is all the intoxication I seek this evening. Nodding again to the barkeep. Or that of the kid, if you please my good friend.
Thud!
Dull sound came from the entrance. Hooded figure was entering tavern but some long object wrapped in the blanket and resting on his shoulders was too long to fit the doorway. Man slowly turned his head to look at one side, then to the other. Noticing the problem he tilted the bundle so it slid down and hit the porch. He grabbed on the top end of the package and walk forward, dragging the thing across the floor, making rhythmic sounds as it hit every plank of the uneven floor. Melchior sat at the bar, resting parcel to the nearby wall.
- Mead or sweetest ale you have. And whatever dwarf will order. - he gestured in the direction of Hotrek, tilting his head slightly and put bunch of silver coins on the bar. His eyes were still obscured by the hood, but their red reflection could be seen in the well-polished breastplate.
A talking bird...a familiar?
Daniel smiles at the question.
"No problem miss. As to your questions let me be as quick in answering as i hear them;
I am Daniel. What brings me here is the news of the late professor, to whom unlike many of the others, i was not personally aquainted. Paying my respects to the man whom indirectly saved my life through his lecture at my college. No, i'm not local, but i reckon most of the people here aren't either. Those people being here would be they all are connected to the late professor in some way."
Seeing no need to state the bird is most likely capable of understanding him, "Then, well met, Val the Raven."
Hotrek shakes his head. Incling his head further to Borden.
"No I woudn't mind at all. I remember being a dwarfling myself though it be a long time ago."His eyes twinkle but they hold no malice. Grey eyes look expectant from beneath snowy white bushy eyebrows, his quill poised to write.
"There is nothing to be ashamed of. The good professor mde sure of that didn't he? Look around you, we come from all walks of life and we're all here because of one man. Him. The good Professor Lorrimer." Here he pauses to clear his throat.
"I write in memory of him, I shall omit the source if you so wish it. Though knowing Lorrimer, it's not a far stretch he would want the true story told and not hidden."
"I am by no means ashamed", she returned a bit surprised, wondering what might have given him the idea. Probably the way she avoided Broden, but that was she didn't want to interfere with another woman's game... especially when a much more promising man was nearby.
The dwarf and neither given her his name nor answered to the question whether he was writing a biography, but still he asked for the story in full detail without holding back. Narah had the reputation of being naive and foolish among other Calistrians, but she knew the game well enough to be careful now.
"You may be right on the professor's wishes. Hmmm..." She swayed her hair back and began to talk, telling her own story and what happened to her*. But she left out several details - that it happened in Numeria and that the clergy of Desna was involved. She described the rebels as a band of independant people in the wilderness and didn't mention that the cultists were probably sponsored by the government. She becomes a bit vague with the exact means the cultists used to break her will as well.
Then she came to talk about the professor himself. How methodically investigated all the traces of devillish influence on her and helped her remove them. How she felt she started to heal after that. How he would counsel him understanding the nature of the demons and helped her get over the illogical guilt she felt over what happened. She was a bit more careful when talking about how should would counsel him in turn, regarding his family, his love life and his behavior to women in general. She leaves no doubt, however, that she considered him to be a friend she deeply respected him.
"That's pretty much it. She finished. I got the letter from his daughter and I came here... may I know what you collect all this for?" she looks attentive at the dwarf, trying to catch every hint from his mimics while she plays seemingly casually with her long, light white hair, which flows like dust in the wind between her fingers and it seems a bit unclear whether the individual strains are actually solid.
---
* see the "Subject of Study" section in her profile: Narah
Oh, I see, so you are all here for the professor as well? He was a dear friend to me and my teacher. one of the few who...
She trails off and grows quiet. Then suddenly remember she was mid conversation. She looks up and continues on.
He was just a good friend, I was on my way to see him when This letter reached me and Val...
The Raven speaks to her in elvish.
Val says well met, incase you cannot understand the Elvish. He seems to have taken a liking to you.
You can't quite tell if she is happy, or a bit unnerved with her last statement.
Noticing the bird talking, hooded man turned his head and spoke in elven:
- Nice feathers there, buddy - he said as creepy smile stretched across his face.
Maia casts a glance up at hooded man.
Hello, who might you be sir?
She asks, turning towards the new arrival, as always suspicious at first.
I never could afford one so high in the Unquenchable Flames service M'lady though you are a splendid example of why this is the case, Borden says without shame.
To the Professor indeed! M'lady
He looks at the water and responds to the renewed request for milk with a frown of distaste. Never could work out why people came to a tavern to NOT drink alcohol... still it IS Lorrimors Wake, sorta, he concedes. You gotta be where you gotta be.
His vacant eyes turn to the curious bird and back to the elf.
"Thank you.
Yes, despite my interest, i haven't had the opportunity to study the elven language to the point of learning it."
He looks sideways at the hooded figure,
and sees "a creepy smile across his face".
A slip of the tongue though makes him say part of his line in a different tongue.
".... quite a nasty smile he's putting up there."
Infernal
That is
Though i've seen worse. Damn i've got to watch my tongue. That place gets to you.
Maia's eyes widen and look back towards Daniel.
Infernal
.....coming out here is just full of surprises.
He lowered his voice.
"I've come from hell...."