To Hanali: "Looks like Karrin has a new friend."
Hanali looks to Prince Willas.
"Your Grace you have had no further luck with recruitment?"
The young prince looks downcast.
"Unfortunately not. There are some who would fight, but I am dealing with the possibility of a long-term struggle. I need experienced captains to come to my kingdom and train the populace in secret. The problem is that there are many in the Cage who seek just such captains for their causes. The competition for good mercenaries is fierce. Every day I delay is another day that Tormdall tightens his hold on my people."
Merle finishes her drink and scans the crowd nonchalantly. Chaser is talking with an older female catfolk, who Merle guesses is Snarl and Leap, his matron. Snarl is a grizzled female, and sports two very ripped ears. This lady likes to fight.
After a while, Chaser comes back over to Merle.
Feline:
Merle:
Swift looks over the wellmade leather armour with a small purr before focusing on the man that greets Mercutio with a small smile.
Draconic:
She speaks with an amused tone before looking down at poor Swiftfang.
The man smiles at Swift and gives her a courteous bow.
Draconic:
Mercutio squeeks and flies around the newcomer
The dark man frowns at Mercutio and growls in a sour tone:
Draconic:
The man, Dmitri, looks at Swift again and addresses her in Common.
"I fear you have the advantage over me, Miss ... ?"
Swiftfang rubs closer to Swift, looking Dmitri over with his large orange eyes.
Pausing breifly to appraise Greep that she is leaving, Merle accompanies Chaser back to his pridemates.
Snarl and Leap is flanked by two toung males of Chaser's age. Chaser introduces them as Tree Scratcher and Pungent Mark. Snarl nods respectfully when Chaser introduces Merle to her.
Feline:
The five catfolk all walk back to the Waterhole Inn in the Forest District. The night crowds of bubbers, jinkskirts and knights of the post cast a peery eye on the five dangerous-looking felines and give them ample space on the road. Chaser occupies Merle with tales of North Mark Tree.
Eventually they reach their destination. The inn is large, and built along the comfort lines of felines. The hearth is stoked high, and the floor is strewn with fine sand. The common room is pilled with structural pillars covered in a bark-like wrapping. Claw marks line the bark where patrons have sharpened their natural weapons.
Catfolk, awakened felines, werecats, panthermen and many other felinoids throng the bar, drinking alcohol and yowling raucously amongst each other. A waitress brings a table a bowl of large rodents which the patrons there immediately set free on the sand to chase and devour. The smell of burning catnip fills the air as several patrons inhale smoke arising from bowls on their tables.
Chaser bids farewell to his pridemates and brings Merle to the back of the common room. A door there opens to a short covered walkway which brings the two to a large tiered amplitheater with a canvas roof. The amplitheater can seat hundreds, and it looks to be doing a good job of filling itself.
Felinoids throng the benches, as do Cagers of a less exotic sort. The center of the amplitheater is covered in sand as well, with a few suspicious blotches on it. Beings in the seats talk excitedly, passing gold and silver coins among themselves. A portly figure, most likely a catfolk male, waddles out to the center of the amplitheater and cries out.
"Gentlebeings our next match pits one of the Waterhole's favorites against an up and comer. I give you, the Lion of Sigil .....
Balthazar!"
The crowd goes wild as a centaur-like being with a lion's body and a human-like torso enters the amplitheater.
"Against him, a new face in the sacred pit .... The Gehennan Gnasher!
A flurry of boos and catcalls greet a large goblinoid figure that strides into the amplitheater, swinging a large chain with wicked spikes upon it.
"May the Great Hunter look upon your actions with delight!" The portly catfolk male intones.
"Now fight!"
Karrin looks tempted for a moment then she shakes her head.
"Na, I better not," she says, "I got friends here and they might start wondering where I am, and I'm here working for my boss as well. He's very kind and generous, kinda like your boss I think, and I don't want to let him down. So I guess I got to get back to the party . . . but, would it be ok if I stayed here a little longer? I don't want to return just yet."
Draconic:
A warm feline smile spreads across her features as she speaks, her hand idly travelling to Fang's head, giving him a small, calming scritch behind the ears.
"It's a rarity anyone calls me 'miss'. I'm Swift" She introduces herself happily, extending her free hand to him.
Seph watching Swift introduce Herself to the new arrival attempts to copy her gesture by raising his paw as if offering a handshake.
The diminutive leprechaun waves his hand airily.
"Sure an' yer welcome, jes' try not ta spill yer food on the faurniture. Me boss is a good egg as they go, but he does hate a mess."
Finbar stands up, swaying a bit
"I do believe 'tis time fer me to be goin' home though."
Finbar doffs his hat to Karrin.
"I hope the rest of yer evenin' goes a wee bit better, lass. Good to make yer acquaintence."
The small green-clad fey jams his hat back on and swaggers towards the hearth. As he heads towards the flames he shrinks in size until he becomes the size of a mouse. By the side of the hearth is a brick of a golden color set in the darker burgundy ones that comprise the fireplace. Finbar strolls up to it and walks straight through it, as if it was insubstantial.
Dmitri bows over Swifts hand. Mercutio alights on his shoulder, furling his black and orange wings and curling a pearl-iridescent tail around Dmitri's shoulder.
"A pleasure to make your acquaintence, Swift."
He then notcies Seph extending his paw. He extends his hand and gently grips it.
"I do not speak the cat tounge. I assume this is your familiar Swift? What is his name?"
Dmitri gives an open hand to Swiftfang to inspect.
"Or is this your familiar? They both seem intellegent."
Swiftfang rumbles
Feline:
Swift can kind of notice that as well. There is a dry spicy scent that Mercutio exudes, and Dmitri has a touch of that as well.
Dmitri smiles at the four.
"What brings you to the Great Bazaar?"
The fight between the lion-centaur Balthazar and the Goblinoid challenger is quite a fierce and bloody one. The iron tang of blood scents the air as both contestants battle. In the end, Balthazar forces the Gehennan Gnasher to his knees with a blow of his huge flail. Balthazar is declared the winner and a quick intermission with a troupe of acrobats begins. Chaser had been following the action avidly, yowling and calling for Balthazar. He now turns to Merle and purrs smugly.
Feline:
Karrin finishes eating then carefully makes sure that any crumbs are swept up and put back on the plate. Karrin makes sure her hands are clean before leaving the library to return to the party. Karrin makes sure that the library door is closed. She wouldn't want the drunken Fey to get into trouble because someone else wandered into the library.
Karrin slowly makes her way back to the party. She ties her best to avoid anyone she knows . . . she feels slightly embarrassed about her behavior thus far on the night. She does swing back to the buffet table though. Free food are Karrin's two favorite words . . . and they're best when used together!
Swift gives a warm smile to Dmitri, a small purr settling in her throat as he bows. "This is Seph" She introduces the cat on her shoulder "He's a familiar, but not mine, he is bonded to a co-worker" She explains gently "And this one.." Her hand caresses Fang once more "Is Swiftfang, he is the companion of.. a friend.. who currently can't be with him"
She gives a sad little smile and a shrug "As much as I would love a familiar or a companion of somesort I'm afrai I don't have a magical bone in my body!"
As Fang rowls she gives his head another scratch and grins before purring a response.
Feline:
"We're just here to have some fun, all of us, save lucky Mercutio here have had some stresses of late and sometimes it's good to just take a little time to forget it all and be free before refocusing"
Karrin emerges from the library and sees that Eir, Hanali and the prince are still engaged in conversation. She wanders to the buffet table to refill.
A cornucopia of grilled meats, steamed vegetables and sweets of every size and description lay displayed on groaning buffet tables. A platoon of servers slice meat and set portions of food on partygoers' plates.
A large man in a white coat expertly carves the roast Fhorge that was the centerpiece, slicing ribbon-thin strips of pork off the planar boar's flank and serving it still smoking onto the many waiting plates.
Dmitri smiles at Seph and Swiftfang.
"A pleasure to meet you both."
Mercutio sqeaks and chitters
Draconic:
Dmitri pulls an apple from his beltpouch and gives it to Mercutio. The diminutive Faerie Dragon launches off Dmitri's shoulder and settles on a hitching post, making a mess as he devours the golden fruit.
Dmitri looks at Swift
"What sort of fun were you looking for? There are many plays going on this Antipeak. I was tempted to go to the Palestra and see The Titan's Lament. The Jermaline Circus is in town, they are always good for a chuckle or two. If you like fun of a darker sort I have heard through my connections that there is to be a conjuror's duel at the Black Pentacle tavern tonight between two teams from rival wizard schools."
Dmitri looks about at the throngs surrounding the group.
"Although I prefer the open spaces, I must say that this city is never dull."
Merle tries to avoid wincing whilst watching the fight never being that big a fan of bloodsports. She turns to Chaser as he asks his question.
Feline
Karrin emerges from the library and sees that Eir, Hanali and the prince are still engaged in conversation. She wanders to the buffet table to refill.
A cornucopia of grilled meats, steamed vegetables and sweets of every size and description lay displayed on groaning buffet tables. A platoon of servers slice meat and set portions of food on partygoers' plates.
A large man in a white coat expertly carves the roast Fhorge that was the centerpiece, slicing ribbon-thin strips of pork off the planar boar's flank and serving it still smoking onto the many waiting plates.
"Everything looks so good," Karrin says to one of the chiefs, "I almost don't know what to choose!"
Karrin glances at the chief's white jacket.
"Can I ask why you wear white coats?" Karrin asks the chief, "I'd think if I was a cook I'd wear something that stains and stuff wouldn't show. It seems so weird wearing white . . . it would be like me on my job wearing something that couldn't hide blood and stuff."
Karrin glances at the chief's white jacket.
"Can I ask why you wear white coats?" Karrin asks the chief, "I'd think if I was a cook I'd wear something that stains and stuff wouldn't show. It seems so weird wearing white . . . it would be like me on my job wearing something that couldn't hide blood and stuff."
The white-coated man looks up
"It's Chef Guild policy my Lady" He replies, turning to place some roast pork on Karrin's plate. "The white coat symbolizes that we aren't dirty when we serve yeh."
Chaser gets up
Feline:
Merle can see the crowd busy exchanging coins and arguing heatedly amongst themselves. Many are devouring small live mice from tiny paper boxes.
The acrobat troupe finishes up their routine and are replaced by several laborers who work on setting up a smaller fenced-off area in the arena. Afterwards the portly announcer returns.
"For our next event we have a dog fight! A fiendish mastiff from the burning sands of Avernus versus a Arborean Shephard! The fight begins in five minutes!"
The crowd mummurs disapprovingly, perhaps hoping for more intellegent blood sporters.
"Unfortunately not. There are some who would fight, but I am dealing with the possibility of a long-term struggle. I need experienced captains to come to my kingdom and train the populace in secret. The problem is that there are many in the Cage who seek just such captains for their causes. The competition for good mercenaries is fierce. Every day I delay is another day that Tormdall tightens his hold on my people."
"Pardon my ignorance your Majesty, but wouldn't a plane of law be a more fruitful place to find fighters."
"While you might find people here, they are the sort to be recruited one by one by way of individual motivations -- your cause interests me, for example..."
<Nods at Hanali.>
"... although I am currently in the middle of a contract, of course. Or at the most small groups. -- And what you need would seem to me to be a mass mobilization. Those who can field mass numbers here, namely the lords of the cage, seem to me to be predominated by the lawless and self-interested."
Prince Willas nods gravely at Eir
"There is much to what you say, Lady Eir. In truth I had thought that perhaps the angelic bastions of Mount Celestia would be a better place to find aid. I was unfortunately disabused."
Prince Willas looks downcast.
"They consider my difficulties with Duke Tormdall more of a 'family squabble' than a traditional Good vs. Evil scenario. Those Archons I did converse with also pointed out that they cannot travel en masse to the Prime Material without divine magic or a host of summoners working from my realm."
Prince Willas pauses to sip his wine
"So I was told the easiest place to shuttle planar folk to the Prime is right here in Sigil. It is also where everything can be purchased. I am unfortunate in that I have nothing but some few jewels and the future promise of a noble land grant in my kingdom should I regain my crown. Most mercenaries want more concrete payment."
The white-coated man looks up"It's Chef Guild policy my Lady" He replies, turning to place some roast pork on Karrin's plate. "The white coat symbolizes that we aren't dirty when we serve yeh."
"Neat," Karrin says piling up her plate, "Never knew that. I don't think I could ever wear white all day. I get messy too easy. You don't have like a spare jacket for after you're done cooking do you?"
Karrin finishes piling up her plate and then slinks back to her table. She does her best to stay cheerful and friendly but she's feeling slightly uneasy . . . and it has nothing to do with her faux pas with the prince.
Somewhere in the subconscious of Karrin's surprisingly complex mind she's running the conversation with the devil Veria over in her mind. Parts of Karrin's mind have been sealed off, other parts are understandably curious about this, but Karrin has trained herself not to think about it. Some part of Karrin's mind is thinking that this Veria might have a clue, another part is trying is desperately trying to keep it's secrets, and another, Karrin's conscious, struggles to remain blissfully ignorant of then entire internal conflict.
For the time being Karrin remains uneasy . . . but is unsure why.
With a big concerned smile on her face... what Eir is thinking: "Does prince Linus need a blanket? Urgrek, now there was a man...."
Whilst waiting for Chaser Merle will look around at all the patrons a bit more.
Hanali, Eir and Urgrek finish talking to Prince Willas, make their farewells and wander about the party a bit. Urgrek bows to both ladies, taking his leave to rejoin his daughter Azaria at their table.
Eir sees that Karrin has reappeared at their table, busy with a new plate of food. Hanali glances at Eir and walks towards their table and Karrin.
"Karrin are you all right? I was worried when you ran off. Was meeting the prince a little much for you? I wouldn't worry too much about him, he is a prince in name only. I'd bet a pile of Ladies that he'll be working for the Takers within a cycle."
Merle takes a look around the splintery wooden seating. The crowd is a mixture of Cager types, with feline-derived beings being a large constituent.
Catfolk of all stripes yowl and yammer at each other. A group of Orcs in warpaint growls and grunt a few tiers over, their axes slung over their broad squat backs.
There is an interesting cutter taking up several rows of seats. He is a giant, but one dressed in very nice clothing. Unlike many of his slack-jawed kinfolk, this giant looks like an enlarged dandy, with silk and lace vest and breeches and a rapier that looks like a ground down greatsword. His white fur cloak is primly gathered at his side.
A Beholder and a Neogi sit together, being waited on by several shaven-headed humans all tattooed with a spider over their left eye socket. The Neogi's Umber Hulk squats quietly as its master capers on its insectile back.
A group of spiny devils argue and haggle with each other while waving sheets of parchment. They seem to be placing bets with each other about the upcoming dogfight.
The humans in the crowd are almost as exotic as the non-humans. A dark-skinned man dressed in a pure white robe sits with a bevy of scantily-clad veiled women. A group of small almond-eyed humans dressed in patterned silk robes and small caps with various animals embroidered on them argue in a musical tongue. A bunch of scowling Doomguard sit off to themselves, heavily armed and armored in rusting metal. Xaositect namers take the back rows, the sound of their babble tongue echoing through the sound of the crowd like a thread of madness.
Chaser returns, bearing a pottery crock of Raarewl for Merle.
Feline:
Hanali, Eir and Urgrek finish talking to Prince Willas, make their farewells and wander about the party a bit. Urgrek bows to both ladies, taking his leave to rejoin his daughter Azaria at their table.
Eir sees that Karrin has reappeared at their table, busy with a new plate of food. Hanali glances at Eir and walks towards their table and Karrin.
"Karrin are you all right? I was worried when you ran off. Was meeting the prince a little much for you? I wouldn't worry too much about him, he is a prince in name only. I'd bet a pile of Ladies that he'll be working for the Takers within a cycle."
Karrin slouches down a bit at Hanali's approach. Karrin still feels embarrassed at how she handled herself in front of the prince and she also knows that her behavior probably didn't reflect well on Hanali.
"Hello Hanali," Karrin says glumly, "Sorry for how I acted. I never met a prince before and I didn't want to make a fool of myself . . . but I guess I kinda did anyways. Sorry for running away but I couldn't stand to hear anyone laughing at me. Normally that doesn't bother me so much, people are always laughing at me, but I couldn't stand it this time for some reason.
"What are the Takers?" Karrin asks, worried about the prince for some reason, "we can't help him can we?"
Taking the Raawrll off him Nikki continues to look around
Feline
Oh pretty good I guess. Hey is the crowd always as errmm varied like this?
...
"Hello Hanali," Karrin says glumly, "Sorry for how I acted. I never met a prince before and I didn't want to make a fool of myself . . . but I guess I kinda did anyways. Sorry for running away but I couldn't stand to hear anyone laughing at me. Normally that doesn't bother me so much, people are always laughing at me, but I couldn't stand it this time for some reason.
"What are the Takers?" Karrin asks, worried about the prince for some reason, "we can't help him can we?"
Hanali smiles at the young Tiefling
"Don't worry Karrin. It's not easy as a newcomer to the Cage to become accustomed to meeting strange and powerful folk. Just remember that a prince without a country is just a well-dressed beggar. Sigil is stocked with them, they always come here to find an army to regain whatever patch of Prime they lost."
Hanali smiles at Karrin's question
"The Takers are the faction that handles Sigil's taxes. Disenfranchised nobility seem to gravitate towards them, they can be very snobby about noble blood and all. Their factol is here tonight, he's a duke from that Prime world Toril. My guess is that when his royal jewels run out the prince will find a job sorting through property bills in some small corner of the Hall of Records, growing old and bitter thinking on his lost kingdom."
Hanali pauses to sip her wine
"You need to believe in yourself Karrin. You are a good warrior, and a beautiful young girl. Both things are well respected here. Believe me you will command more respect in the Cage once we establish the name of our company than Prince Willas could ever dream of attaining. If he had any stones he would be out on the planes forging alliances and gaining henchman by force of arms, not attending parties and begging boons of Mercanes and mercenaries. Even if he regains his Prime kingdom he will rule it in name only. His backers will carve his land up to suit their own needs."
The three chat a bit then a rich contrallo voice sings out.
"Eir! Darling, I didn't know you would be attending this soiree tonight!"
Eir looks up and sees Iarn. Her mentor is dressed in a stunning low-cut yellow silk number that reveals more than it hides. An elaborate necklace with a wasp pendant snugs into her cleavage. Three younger acolytes follow her, also done up in skimpy silk dresses.
Taking the Raawrll off him Nikki continues to look around
Chaser looks about and meeps
Feline:
The portly announcer reappears, crying out.
"Gentlefolk! The fight between our two canine champions begins now! Place your bets!"
The crowd starts getting louder as two large canines are led into the ring. One looks like a huge black Rottweiler with massive fangs and small horns jutting from its skull, another like a German Shephard enlarged to pony size. Their handlers, two large catfolk, curse and yank at their leashes. The crowd begins to cheer and wave as the two dogs are put in the penned area and then released from their chain restraints.
Taking the Raawrll off him Nikki continues to look around
Merle unlike most of the crowd keeps quiet not being a huge fan of watching two animals tearing each other apart.
The dog fight is quick and bloody. A victor is declared and the loser limps away with its handler. Chaser notes Merle's quietness.
Feline:
Feline
Chaser purrs
Feline:
Merle Perks up at the mention of this
Feline
Hanali pauses to sip her wine"You need to believe in yourself Karrin. You are a good warrior, and a beautiful young girl. Both things are well respected here. Believe me you will command more respect in the Cage once we establish the name of our company than Prince Willas could ever dream of attaining. If he had any stones he would be out on the planes forging alliances and gaining henchman by force of arms, not attending parties and begging boons of Mercanes and mercenaries. Even if he regains his Prime kingdom he will rule it in name only. His backers will carve his land up to suit their own needs."
"Oh I totally believe in myself," Karrin says, looking up at Hanali with a steely gaze, "but what you don't realize is you've grown up here in Sigil, or the cage, and you've had the benefits of a good education. My family of monks did right by me as far as learning goes, I probably know more about theology then most young priests, but they were monks and sort of social outcasts, and so I know all about the eleven tenets and the difference between deliberate, intentional, and unintentional sin, but I don't know how to greet a prince or which fork to eat salad with. I don't know what dress to wear for what occasion. I don't know how to put on makeup. I don't know anything about music or literature or whatever lords and ladies like to talk about here. I was completely unprepared to meet a prince. It would have been like giving a raw recruit a sword and pitting him against a lion."
"Eir! Darling, I didn't know you would be attending this soiree tonight!"
"You know me, always popping up unexpectedly. I see you've outdone yourself this evening."
<Eir looks Iarn up and down slowly.>
"So I'm here with Renkar's new crew rubbing elbows with the posh and self important, what brings you here, Iarn?"
Hanali sips her wine and listens to Karrin. A faint line creases her brow as Karrin finishes her speech.
"Now I wouldn't put it that harshly Karrin. This is not life or death, and Eir and I came here to lend you support. If we had tarted you up and dropped you off at the door that would be one thing, but this is a casual soiree. Cagers are a lot less wrapped up in polite forms than you Primes. Think of it like you are a raw recruit on field patrol with some more experienced folks. The best advice I can give you is the same advice you'd get in the field from an experienced officer: Keep your ears open and your mouth closed. Drink in the experience and learn from it. No one expects you to be perfect anymore than your weapon trainer expected you to swing an axe perfectly the first time you picked it up."
Hanali sips her wine
"If you feel too uncomfortable I can arrainge for our men at arms to escort you back to the Copper Cauldron."
Iarn smirks
"Oh I always go where the action is Eir. Guarsimo is such a doll, and he was kind enough to invite me and the girls here. He is a contributor to our new temple's construction, did you know? I am considering him for the male role in the inaugural Dance of the Three Stings when the temple opens officially two days from now."
Iarn pauses
"I hope you will be there as well, Eir?"
"Oh I wouldn't miss it for the world. I haven't used my whip in ages."
Iarn smiles
"Fantastic! Perhaps we can find you a spot on the dias with the others. You have such nice form .."
Iarn pauses momentarily and smiles enigmatically
" ... with your whip."
Chaser waits for Merle to finish her Raarewl, then they depart for the Lower Ward.
The cheers and hollers from the arena fade quickly into the fog as they travel towards the Great Bazaar. The Antipeak market is thronged with fierce-looking humans and denizens of the Lower Planes. Creatures that defy description haggle with each other at stalls heaped with arcane oddments.
A pair of giant earthworm-looking creatures dressed in strange shimmery robes face each other, their circular toothed maws inches apart. Small tentacles ringing the two mouths twist and grip each other in a strange complex dance.
A drunken ogre weaves through the crowd singing loudly off key:
A tinker a soldier a sailor and me
All wandered and wandered on down to the sea
The tinker was thirsty and called for some wine
The soldier was tired and lay down in the pines
The sailor was feisty and wanted to fight
But me I was hungry and ate them all night!
A group of Harmonium troopers tackle him and club him into submission.
Chaser and Merle thread their way through the throngs of stalls, ending up on Copperman Way. The wide avenue is packed, as it usually is, with palanquins, carraiges, carts, wagons and beasts all fighting for room. Merle is accosted by a troop of small urchins:
"Green for a poor lad miss?"
"Cross me palm with a Green and I'll chase these lot off miss!"
"Tiger lady give me copper!"
Chaser snarls and the urchins run off.
They make their way back into the Lady's Ward and the Nobles District. The streets still throng with revelers from several dozen parties.
The pair walk through the silent Court District, their only company some scowling Hardhead beat patrols. The silent buildings of the Court District fade into the ornate churches of the Temple District, their roofs soaring into the dark foggy night. The two have to pause as a river of goblins pours forth from a large rusty iron-clad temple, carrying several bodies on kindling pallets. The procession circles a small plaza in front of the iron temple, then the pallets and corpses are heaped in the center and flame applied. The pair decide to hurry on as the screams and wails of the goblin mob rise up to the sky.
After the unsettling display, the two catfolk reach the end of the Temple District. The temples go from wonderous buildings clad in marble and gold to rude shacks constructed of cast-off refuse. Hunched and ragged worshippers listen to crazy-eyed priests harranguing them for their sins.
The two enter the Lower Ward and make their way to the Foundry District. The tall smoke stacks belch acrid smoke into the sky, no matter the late hour. The clang and din of hundreds of hammers striking anvils wars with the hiss of molten steel being poured from vast crucibles heated to incendiary temperatures. Chaser leads Merle down a broad avenue lined with what seems to be dozens of taverns.
Chaser rowls
Feline
Chaser brings Merle towrds a building painted flat black, featureless except for a lurid red pentacle painted on its face. A crowd of young robed beings congregate around the entrance. A brine-dripping monsterous being that looks like a bipedal lobster guards the door. Chaser approaches it.
"Two Ladies cover, each." The lobsteriod burbles at Chaser. He pays and the two enter.
The two enter a large common room that is decorated in a wizardy fashion. The patrons drink strangely-colored drinks and laugh and argue amongst themselves. A tray of drinks passes by the two, seemingly by itself. Several tables are having impromptu glammer duels, creating minor phantasms for their friend's amusement.
Chaser finds them a small table. A human female dressed in a skimpy rendition of a wizard's robes approaches:
"What'll you two like fer bub?"
"Oh just some water for me please. Tell me when is the next mage duel going to be?"
Merle sounds a lot more enthusiastic now that she's in her area of expertise.
Iarn smiles
"Fantastic! Perhaps we can find you a spot on the dias with the others. You have such nice form .."
Iarn pauses momentarily and smiles enigmatically
" ... with your whip."
"I'll pull out the leathers."
"Now I wouldn't put it that harshly Karrin. This is not life or death, and Eir and I came here to lend you support. If we had tarted you up and dropped you off at the door that would be one thing, but this is a casual soiree. Cagers are a lot less wrapped up in polite forms than you Primes. Think of it like you are a raw recruit on field patrol with some more experienced folks. The best advice I can give you is the same advice you'd get in the field from an experienced officer: Keep your ears open and your mouth closed. Drink in the experience and learn from it. No one expects you to be perfect anymore than your weapon trainer expected you to swing an axe perfectly the first time you picked it up."Hanali sips her wine
"If you feel too uncomfortable I can arrainge for our men at arms to escort you back to the Copper Cauldron."
"I was only telling you how I feel," Karrin says glumly, "I can't help how I feel. I know you're trying to help and I appreciate that, and for the most part I've enjoyed myself, but I'm new at this and death isn't always physical you know."
When Eir's mother arrives Karrin says nothing but watches and tries to figure out what's going on. When the subject of whips pops up Karrin shrinks away. Something wicked is being discussed and Karrin wants no part in it.
"Oh just some water for me please. Tell me when is the next mage duel going to be?"
Merle sounds a lot more enthusiastic now that she's in her area of expertise.
The server looks over at Merle
"Should be one in 'bout 10 minutes or so. I think they have a conjur fight coming up."
The server jerks her hand to the back. There is a large entranceway with several beings going to and fro.
"I'll bring yer water right up."
Karrin sits glumly at the table. Hanali notes her moody air and tries to cheer her up.
"Karrin, since you don't know a lot about greeting high ups, would you like to run through a few? There are plenty of people to practice on. Just remember, titles in the Cage are worth about a bent Green. You had no trouble talking to Guarsimo when we arrived and he can buy and sell Prince Willas for pocket change. Look I'll explain some of the basics so you wont feel so adrift."
Hanali starts indicating different people in the crowd.
"That fellow is Fredorm Kar'Lashgar. His family's trade is fine lumber. You would greet him with a simple Ser, he doesn't have a title.
"The praying mantis with the sand-colored shell is Krish-Click-Nar-Tok, and he is a member of something called the Tertiary Clutch. His proper title is Tok-Click-Pak, which translates into Gatherer-of-Meat of all things.
"The stout lady there is the Lady Greta, Marichoness Nymerion. A simple 'Lady' is her title.
"Just remember that most human nobles will accept a 'Lady' or 'Ser' as a greeting among strangers. If you should cross paths with a duke,prince or king 'Your Grace' or 'Your Excellency' would be appropriate. Most non-humans will usually be kind enough to announce their title to you if they feel they must be addressed by it."
Hanali drains her wine. A server approaches and carries off her glass.
"Would you like to try again Karrin? It's very simple once you get the hang of it. If you feel out of your element just whisper to me and I will get you out of the encounter."
"I'll pull out the leathers."
Iarn smiles.
"I look forward to it."
She dips low to brush Eir's cheek with her lips.
"Darling, I have to get on and mingle. There are so many possible penitents at this party! See you the Peak after next!"
Iarn turns and saunters off into the crowd, her young acolytes trailing her like a flock of gaily-colored birds.