Nari blushes. "I don't like whips," she mutters. "Why be an adventurer? Well, because I needed a job. I need to stay in Sigil, to be near my teacher. The Bleakers were kind enough to take him in and care for him. He has the forgetting sickness. I need to stay close so I can help care for him. He took such good care of me when I needed it. I owe him that much."
"Any reason why you're scared?" she pauses as she realises she might be getting into very unpleasant territory "Although you don't have to tell me if it makes you to uncomfortable."
"Thank ya Isaac!" Karrin beams as she tastes the strange beer, "nice!""There is a possibility that our target is still alive though," Karrin quickly points out, "I mean we didn't see a body right? I think tomorrow we'd better somehow figure out what our target was researching and if it's in anyway related to these murders . . ."
"Right. Toranna didn't strike me as the trustworthy type and she was downright snappish when I suggested she might have the wrong person. What kind of nickname is 'Barmy Eli' anyways? Half the berks in Sigil would be 'Barmy Whatshisface' if we went in for that sodding nonsense. She thought us for a bunch of leatherheads, I'd reckon."
Isaac takes a long sip of his beer and looks at his companions with an appraising eye.
"Of course, that's all business for tomorrow. The way I see it, we have some other business tonight. I bought the bub and I gave the toast. And since we're all new to each other's company, I'd like to hear about you bloods. Which Prime worlds are you from? Why've you thrown in with the Rose? What are you looking for out here on the Wheel?"
]
"Any reason why you're scared?" she pauses as she realises she might be getting into very unpleasant territory "Although you don't have to tell me if it makes you to uncomfortable."
"There are a lot of reasons to be scared." She looks down at the table. "I was a slave. My master was a wizard. I wasn't treated well. I ran away and lived alone in the wild for some time before my teacher rescued me. I understand fear better than most. It is my constant companion. And my strongest weapon."
"I'm from Oerth," Karrin says, "and I just sort of stumbled into the World Serpent Inn a bunch of months ago. I worked as a mercenary back on my prime world so when the golden lord sent out feelers and started hiring it was an easy fit for me. But then after a couple of jobs he sort of forgot about me, then Renkar, who was an agent of Spiral Hal'oigt at the time, decided to start his own company and he hooked Eir and me right out from under him! So I guess Eir and I have been here on the ground floor so to speak, not that he didn't have a lot of work done before he started hiring, he's a careful planner that one. Always thinking."
Bethany looks around the table at the others.
"I am a Noble Scion of Mighty House Vex Archaise of the Glorious Nation of Harmonia on the world of Conchord."
She pauses so the others can bask in her status and accord her her proper tributes. When none are forthcoming, she frowns and then continues.
"I was involved in an experiment between the Auralis Harmonium, the Bardic College I attended, and my own House's Wizard School, the Aeranis Academae. Something went wrong and some kind of Sound Elemental was summoned and went crazy, killing a bunch of students and teachers and grabbing me. I passed out and when I woke up I was laying in an alley in this foul City. After poking around for a couple of days and realizing that it was going to be difficult to find my way home again, I attempted to find employment. Renkar and Hanali were kind enough to give me a chance, even though I am quite new at this sort of thing, so here I am."
"There are a lot of reasons to be scared." She looks down at the table. "I was a slave. My master was a wizard. I wasn't treated well. I ran away and lived alone in the wild for some time before my teacher rescued me. I understand fear better than most. It is my constant companion. And my strongest weapon."
"I'm really sorry to hear that. So uh what is it you do as an adventurer?" Merle seems to be trying to draw the conversation into less troublesome waters but at the same time an idea was forming in her head.
The bar is filling and several acts go on while the group discusses strategy over drinks. A call goes out:
"Lady Bethany to the stage!"
There seem to be a lot of fiendish folk here, mostly of the tiefling variety. Karrin is in the odd situation of being ogled at by quite a few of them, something relatively new to her experience.
Karrin (if succesfull):
Justin (if sucessfull)
Bethany hears her name called and puts down her drink, casually licking the stray drops from her lips. She reaches into her pack and pulls out a finely crafted Bronzewood and Bone Lyre that is quite obviously larger than should be able to fit inside the small bag.
She leaves the bag with Isaac, but still continues to wear her Quiver up on stage. Glancing at the assembled crowd as she makes her way up, she flaps her wings to land perched on the stool put there for performers.
Strumming the Lyre in a test, she launches into a bawdy tune about a lovesick Jilarhii and the comical ways in which he tries to woo his intended mate.
O, Cassus was a lovesick chap,
his love for June made his wings flap,
when'er she flew in his vicinity,
he thought about her sister and him in a trinity!
But when he told her of his plans,
she slapped his face with both her hands.
He said he meant no disrespect,
just wanted not to be hen pecked.
This revelation made her fume,
that's when he sang a lovely tune,
about a love which was so grand,
it made her want to hold his hand.
But once again he made an error,
when he tickled her nipple with a feather,
plucked from 'neath his loin cloth clothes,
'twas then she punched him in the nose.
But never one to be deterred,
he still continued, though now he slurred,
he said he'd like to make amends,
by letting her bring along some friends.
She screamed at him "you are a fool",
as he began to cry and drool,
her blow you see had done some harm,
for she was stong of will and arm.
'Twas at this stage he though it best,
to leave her with a firm behest,
that she should visit him on the 'morrow,
so he could ease her of her sorrow.
'Twas at this point that he did fall,
and slide his way down wooden wall,
to fall into a passed out sleep,
for as she'd learned he was a creep.
Sense Motive Check to get a feel for the crowd. (1d20=19)
Perform (Sing) Check. (1d20+9=26)
Perform (String Instruments) using her Magical Lyre. (1d20+10+3=17)
"I'm really sorry to hear that. So uh what is it you do as an adventurer?" Merle seems to be trying to draw the conversation into less troublesome waters but at the same time an idea was forming in her head.
"I am a kineticist. I can in certain limited ways use the power of my mind to temporarily alter reality. I can make things move, or make someone afraid, or detect the presence of persons intent on harm, among other things."
She is blushing furiously, obviously embarrassed about having to admit her capabilities.
"I'm really sorry to hear that. So uh what is it you do as an adventurer?" Merle seems to be trying to draw the conversation into less troublesome waters but at the same time an idea was forming in her head.
"I am a kineticist. I can in certain limited ways use the power of my mind to temporarily alter reality. I can make things move, or make someone afraid, or detect the presence of persons intent on harm, among other things."
She is blushing furiously, obviously embarrassed about having to admit her capabilities.
Merle's tone takes on a boastful edge "Well I'm a powerful sorcerer and Swift is......" She pauses for a minute as she thinks of the best way to describe swifts role
"She's a scout and trap springer. Hey uh you cant read people's thoughts or anything like that can you?"
Merle's tone takes on a boastful edge "Well I'm a powerful sorcerer and Swift is......" She pauses for a minute as she thinks of the best way to describe swifts role
"She's a scout and trap springer. Hey uh you cant read people's thoughts or anything like that can you?"
She smiles tentatively. "No, that would take a telepath. Not really my area of expertise."
Isaac returns delicately balancing a tray with a large pitcher of dark beer and several chipped tankards,...
"First drink for courage, a second drink for luck, a third drink for folly. To new comrades, new friends and the Ascension!"
Plopping himself down, he takes a long sip.
Justin raises his mug un response to the toast, but remains silent as he sips in companionable silence as the Dustman group sat up on the tiny stage.
"Justin, old son, you're a trig cutter to be sure and those sound like theories to investigate, but I do think that Karrin has a point: we'll do more good doing legwork and keeping an ear to the street than trying to pass ourselves as barmies. For all we know, whoever's up to this is looking for their addled minds. I think doing some talking to Collectors, almshouses and other places the barmies call kip would be a good first start. Of course, Renkar's got our patron coming in tomorrow, so mayhap he'll have something. For now, though, let's try to enjoy the music such as it is, eh?"
"Thanks, I think." Justin smirks to Isaac as from the corner of his eye he watches Drazek approach his smoking drink with the attitude of a cat with a caged canary.
"That's a good point too. I was just trying to think of how to get this,... whatever, to come to us on our terms, instead of waiting for another body and trying to play catch-up."
"There is a possibility that our target is still alive though," Karrin quickly points out, "I mean we didn't see a body right? I think tomorrow we'd better somehow figure out what our target was researching and if it's in anyway related to these murders . . ."
"I hope he's alive. If not this is going to look very bad on my resume'!" Justin replies with a smirk and a raised eyebrow to make sure that Karrin realized he was kidding.
"I thought that Renkar said that 'Eli' was working on portals or something? It's possible that he found a way to open a door to a plane with creatures so powerful that they forced their way in and chased him down. Or maybe he saw something that drove him crazy, and he simply left the door open?" Justin shrugs as he takes another sip of the dark brew. He didn't grimace as much as his taste buds became used to the flavor.
"Like I said, That's why I hate trying to come up with theories before having enough evidence. Especially when dealing with magic. Because ANYthing is possible!" He mutters to the group as the Dustmen began their first song,...
"Well, I'm from the realm of Device in the glorious land of Plaht. I am also from a proud and noble house." He gives the feathered Lady a nod. "Although I do not have a claim to as grand a title as yours. I was in attendance at my country's premier magical academy when I was,..."
He pauses just bit longer than is comfortable. "I was caught up in the working of a powerful Ritual with, several others, when a battle broke out between two of my professors."
His face grows dark. "It turns out that one of my professors,... did not have the best interest of his students at heart. I know that several of the students there were killed. I don't know about the rest. I saw the teacher who was trying to protect the students fall, and I,... When I woke up I was in a back alley in the Hive. No one here seems to have heard of my world, much less a portal to it. I'm mainly just trying to find my way back. And make a living while I'm at it." He smiles half-heartedly.
Justin raps his knuckles politely on the table as the Dustmen group finish their performance. And gives an encouraging nod to Bethany as she rises from the table. After her performance, Justin smiles and claps enthusiastically. He may not have recognized any of the races she was singing about, but some things are funny no matter what your physiology.
While Lady Bethany makes her way back from the stage, Justin takes another sip of his beer and idly looks around the room, once more amazed at the sheer variety of life-forms in this one room.
Justin starts to take another swig, but pauses in mid-gulp, staring at something across the room.
"Aw, Hades!" he swears fervently but softly. "There goes the neighborhood!"
Drazek downs his drink with the finality of a man walking into battle against insane odds and looks at Bethany as she leaves the stage.
"Heh, turns out you also got a nice set 'o pipes."
Bethany gives Drazek a withering stare as she resumes her seat and downs the remaining alcohol from her glass.
"Nice! Everything about me is decidedly better than simply nice, you uncultured barbarian." She sniffs her nose in the air and smooths her slip down over her curves, making sure the others take note of how 'nice' she actually is.
"Well, I'm from the realm of Device in the glorious land of Plaht. I am also from a proud and noble house." He gives the feathered Lady a nod. "Although I do not have a claim to as grand a title as yours. I was in attendance at my country's premier magical academy when I was,..."
He pauses just bit longer than is comfortable. "I was caught up in the working of a powerful Ritual with, several others, when a battle broke out between two of my professors."
His face grows dark. "It turns out that one of my professors,... did not have the best interest of his students at heart. I know that several of the students there were killed. I don't know about the rest. I saw the teacher who was trying to protect the students fall, and I,... When I woke up I was in a back alley in the Hive. No one here seems to have heard of my world, much less a portal to it. I'm mainly just trying to find my way back. And make a living while I'm at it." He smiles half-heartedly.
"Ah, magical accidents. Terrible way to travel."
Isaac downs the last of his beer in a long gulp and joins the applause as Lady Bethany leaves the stage."An excellent, uh, I guess the term is 'composition', right? Excellent playing, Lady Bethany. I think I knew a berk just like the fellow you were singing about. Used to see him everyday in the mirror!"
Justin starts to take another swig, but pauses in mid-gulp, staring at something across the room.
"Aw, Hades!" he swears fervently but softly. "There goes the neighborhood!"
"Eh? What's the chant, Justin?"
...performance ...
Bethany's performance is received well by the crowd. She is a little disappointed by some of her chord changes, and a flat note was struck here and there, but overall her voice and the bouncy lyrics win over the crowd. She gets a stirring round of applause when she finishes
I was debating whether or not to do it. My original post went up without it, then I thought "What the Hell" and knocked it up in about half an hour. I know it's a bit hokey and probably not technically a song, but I figured it fit the type of crowd...
[/ooc]Did Polorous' Skills tonight (he is one Intimidating MoFo!). Moving on to equipment tomorrow and just some filling in of a couple of blanks on the Character Sheet to go. Should have him to you on Wednesday.[/ooc]
"Ah, magical accidents. Terrible way to travel."
Isaac downs the last of his beer in a long gulp and joins the applause as Lady Bethany leaves the stage.
"Your telling me. I still get headaches just thinking about it." Justin morosely agrees.
"An excellent, uh, I guess the term is 'composition', right? Excellent playing, Lady Bethany. I think I knew a berk just like the fellow you were singing about. Used to see him everyday in the mirror!"
"Heh. I still do." Justin murmurs as he nods to Bethany and her sharp tongue in salute, trying not to appreciate how 'nice' she actually is. Too much,...
Justin starts to take another swig, but pauses in mid-gulp, staring at something across the room.
"Aw, Hades!" he swears fervently but softly. "There goes the neighborhood!"
"Eh? What's the chant, Justin?"
"Hm? Oh, nothing, just a little bit of road-kill that keeps popping his head up when you least expect him. See that Kobold across the room there? The one in the perfectly tailored silk suit? Yeh, that's him. Name's Macaroni,... er, Marconi. He runs one of the largest territories in Sigil. Crosses several of the 'normal' boundaries. Seems the Hard-hats all know who he is, but won't touch 'em. The ones he doesn't pay don't want to catch him because he actually keeps a lot of the more violent crimes down. He likes to have happy, profitable, customers for his businesses. The gargoyle behind him in the matching suit is his bodyguard and chief enforcer. He's about as smart as the rocks he's made of, but he's loyal to Marconi like nothing I've ever seen. I wonder why Marconi is here? He usually keeps all of his business transactions in his own businesses. And I didn't think he owned this place. I don't know who the white Kobold is, or the kobold in the armored,.. wait, that's not armor,... is that a kobold golem?!?" He mutters off, staring at the figures across the room.
Karrin glances over at the kobolds and blinks, she suddenly turns back to her companions:
"That's Whitescale and Clamps," Karrin says before she lowers her voice almost to a growl, "and I sure hope they're not here doing what I think they're doing!"
Merle looks somewhat disappointed Darn so much for that plan
"So what do you think of the Silver rose so far?"
Merle looks somewhat disappointed Darn so much for that plan
"So what do you think of the Silver rose so far?"
"Did you need a telepath? Sigil is a very big place. It seems certain that there would be one somewhere."
She pauses as she realizes that she hadn't been following the rules of conversation very well. She really wasn't used to speaking so often with strangers."So far the Silver Rose has been very...overwhelming. You all seem so confident and competent. I'm not really sure what I'm doing here."
"Need a telepath? not really was just wanting to try something out but its not really that important. As for the experience don't worry you get used to it after a while."
"Okay, if you say so," she says doubtfully.
Meanwhile, the psicrystal has started a game with Seph, racing up to him then racing away, trying to incite him into chasing it.
Seph lazily looks at the psi-crystal as it moves back and forth. Waiting for it to start a run up towards him then suddenly pouncing on top of it. His actions seem a bit to well planned for a regular house cat.
The psicrstal leaps away. It pounces into his paw and then jumps off, skittering down the table before coming back to taunt him some more.
Nari laughs watching them play, forgetting for a moment to be scared. She's actually quite pretty when she isn't cowering.
Seph continues to watch the psicrystals actions and movements whilst at the same time looking at whatever items are lying around the table as if he were trying to see if there was anything he could use.
Merle watches Seph and the crystals antics with a look of concern on her face. People would start asking questions if he began acting to intelligently questions she really did not want to try and answer.
The psicrystal continues to skitter along just out of seph's reach, before skittering up an empty mug, tipping it over, and rolling it towards the familiar.
Merle watches Seph and the crystals antics with a look of concern on her face.
"It won't do anything to hurt him. It just wants to play. I think it likes him. It's a little like a familiar."
Seph uses the his front paws to stop the rolling mug then using a paw to hold it on each side lifts it up and try's to trap the crystal under it.
Seeing Seph's actions with the mug. Merle begins to worriedly check the rest of the room to see if anyone else is watching.
The crystal runs back and forth, trying to escape the mug, but at the last minute seph catches it just so and it is caught inside.
Nari reaches out and touches Merle's arm. "Calm yourself. No one would think this behavior is odd for a familiar. I do not know what sort of people there are in the place you come from, but even in my short time in Sigil I've seen plenty of strangeness. No one even seems to notice. I certainly couldn't allow my psicrystal to play so in the world I come from. But it seems safe enough here."
Karrin glances over at the kobolds and blinks, she suddenly turns back to her companions:
"That's Whitescale and Clamps," Karrin says before she lowers her voice almost to a growl, "and I sure hope they're not here doing what I think they're doing!"
"OK, 'Whitescale' I can see. But who, or what, is 'Clamps'? And what IS it that you think they're doing?" Justin asks, taking a longer look at the group around the well-dressed crime boss.
"All I know for sure is, if Marconi's involved, then there's money involved. Lots of money. And it's probably illegal. Or something legal that's been so twisted around to take advantage of some legal loophole that would otherwise be illegal."
He looks at his table-mates. "Overall, he's not a very nice lizard. But he does have a code of honor. Of sorts. I've never heard of him breaking his word. But like making a deal with a devil, be VERY careful what you agree to."
Seph seems strangely pleased at having caught the crystal Mewing happily. This stops when he sees the state he has gotten Merle into and he begins to guiltily look at his paws
Feline
Merle blinks a second at Naridre's comment apparently confused for a moment.
"Familiar wha...... Oh yes of course that's normal behaviour for a familiar"
Nari lifts the mug and her crystal climbs onto her hand sulky at having lost the game.
"So what is it you aren't telling me? Or would you rather not tell me? I understand. We just met. You aren't sure you can trust me. That makes sense."
Drazek grins at Bethany's rebuke, taking note of her movements and the figure they display. Catching Justin's eye he winks.
Well the cats out of the bag now Merle thinks to herself. She could lie or just not tell Naridre Anything but he elf looked trustworthy enough and Merle kind of felt sorry for her as well. Coming to a desicion Merle begins to explain.
"Well you see Seph isn't my familiar he's my brother."
Karrin glances over at the kobolds and blinks, she suddenly turns back to her companions:
"That's Whitescale and Clamps," Karrin says before she lowers her voice almost to a growl, "and I sure hope they're not here doing what I think they're doing!"
"OK, 'Whitescale' I can see. But who, or what, is 'Clamps'? And what IS it that you think they're doing?" Justin asks, taking a longer look at the group around the well-dressed crime boss.
"All I know for sure is, if Marconi's involved, then there's money involved. Lots of money. And it's probably illegal. Or something legal that's been so twisted around to take advantage of some legal loophole that would otherwise be illegal."
He looks at his table-mates. "Overall, he's not a very nice lizard. But he does have a code of honor. Of sorts. I've never heard of him breaking his word. But like making a deal with a devil, be VERY careful what you agree to."
"Are you expecting a dust-up with this cross-trader? I'd advise against doing it here. I've only heard rumors about berks picking a fight around Lorne. Not one of 'em pretty."
Justin rolls his eyes at Drazek's actions, but his smirk is firmly in place.
"Are you expecting a dust-up with this cross-trader? I'd advise against doing it here. I've only heard rumors about berks picking a fight around Lorne. Not one of 'em pretty."
"No, I don't plan on starting anything." The mage answers Isaac, taking another pull on his beer.
"The few times I've had,... intense discussions, with any of Marconi's crew, I've always managed to come out ahead. But only barely, usually with a little dumb luck and always with a lot of help. He doesn't skimp on anything. Not even the hired help." The wizard grumbles into his mug.
"Fortunately, you don't always get what you paid for,..." Justin murmurs, rubbing his shoulder as if at a memory. He shakes his head.
"No, I'm not gonna start anything." He repeats. "But I DO wonder what he's up too."
Karrin motions for her companions to lean in so she can give her companions the story without it drifting too far:
"Ok here's the deal," Karrin practically whispers, "our last big job was securing a salt supply for a concerned party. See these goblin types were undercutting the competition, and worse still, as we continued our investigation we discovered that they were kidnapping kobolds and scaled folk to work as slaves. I despise slavers you know. Anyways when we found this out we put out some feelers into the kobold community to see if we could rustle up some support. Whitescale over their stepped up and offered his assistance. Anyways, long story short, we found this source, took out most of the goblins, freed the slaves, and we let Whitescale and his crew sit on the supply as long as he promised not to bring it back into Sigil. Maybe he's here on other business, I sure hope that's the case, but if he's selling salt then that means he's gone back on his word and then we might have to do something about it. I hope that's not the case, he seemed a fairly decent basher, but if we got to take him out he'll have only himself to blame."
Bethany takes note of the admiring looks she is getting and seems pleased, as a smirk appears on her face.
She listens to the exchange about the Kobolds and and finally pipes in after Karrin explains her part.
"So does that mean we're now doing three jobs? Finding Crazy... sorry Barmie Eli, finding out who is killing these Barmies and going after these Kobolds."
She pauses. "And to think. On my world Kobolds are nothing but annoying nuisances, although I've never actually seen a White one before, just the Green ones and that other one is strange looking as well."
Having been entranced by the desire to bat at the skittering crystal herself Swift had missed most of the conversation around her until she heard Merle's confession.
Scratching Seph behind the ears she looks up at the catfolk with a small supportive smile.
Bethany takes note of the admiring looks she is getting and seems pleased, as a smirk appears on her face.
She listens to the exchange about the Kobolds and and finally pipes in after Karrin explains her part.
"So does that mean we're now doing three jobs? Finding Crazy... sorry Barmie Eli, finding out who is killing these Barmies and going after these Kobolds."
She pauses. "And to think. On my world Kobolds are nothing but annoying nuisances, although I've never actually seen a White one before, just the Green ones and that other one is strange looking as well."
"I'm bettin' they bleed same as the ones in your neck o' the woods."
Caritas features some strange acts, from a pair of Fensir trolls who sing dirges to a Spinagon devil belting out showtunes. Lorne sips a day-glo colored drink at his table. When Bethany finished her number, he raised his glass to her and smiled.
Well the cats out of the bag now Merle thinks to herself. She could lie or just not tell Naridre Anything but he elf looked trustworthy enough and Merle kind of felt sorry for her as well. Coming to a desicion Merle begins to explain.
"Well you see Seph isn't my familiar he's my brother."
Nari looks back and forth between Merle and Seph. "I take it he isn't supposed to be a cat? He's supposed to look like you"
She still felt a little wary around the two girls, but Seph was definitely on the not-scary list. She looked him in the eyes."If there's anything that I can do to help, just ask. Well, get Merle to ask. I'm sorry, but I don't know how to speak cat. I'm trying to teach my crystal to speak telepathically, but it hasn't quite caught on yet. Once it does it will be able to speak to you and tell me what you're saying. Telepathy is handy that way."
She looks up at Merle. She still found the girl a little overwhelming, but she also felt sorry for her. She was so miserable about her brother's condition.
"It's alright, Merle. I'll keep it secret if you want. And I meant what I told Seph. I'll help any way I can."
She still felt a little wary around the two girls, but Seph was definitely on the not-scary list. She looked him in the eyes.
"If there's anything that I can do to help, just ask. Well, get Merle to ask. I'm sorry, but I don't know how to speak cat. I'm trying to teach my crystal to speak telepathically, but it hasn't quite caught on yet. Once it does it will be able to speak to you and tell me what you're saying. Telepathy is handy that way."
Not being able to tell her directly Seph answers her in the only way he can by climbing onto her lap and meowing happily.