As Grimold walks through the crowd of wizards, he hunches down and sticks close to the wall to minimize himself out of habit. He moves quickly, trying to get through as fast as he can without jostling or making a scene. He'd never been comfortable around people with power, and the concentration of money and magic in close proximity was enough to make him sweat.
Finding Dazen's door unlocked, he wastes no time slipping in to seek refuge.
Characters: Grimold
Rolando slips into the office and finds himself face to face with...well, he's not sure what. Theodric, the mopey dark-haired boy, is seated across from Dazen with an orb of purple smoke crackling with electricity in his hands. At the sound of the door shutting behind him, he startles and looks over at Grimold, the ball letting out a small "pop" and disappearing.
"Aah!" The boy lets out a small shout and jumps in surprise, blinking furiously at Rolando.
The exclamation brings the dwarf out from a side room, rubbing at his beard and frowning. "What's all this noise now, Theo?..Ah, Hello..Gimwald, was it?"
Characters: Kassara, Daen
”Sophia uh-uhm..just look for the girl with the bright red hair! She loves her hair, always keeps it long and its really, really bright! Like an Ulfen!”
Snatching the silver coin from Kassie's hand, the girl sticks her tongue out at Daen. ”You were pretty fast, but your friend isn't. Thank you for not turning me...over to the guard. I won't never need any help, but I'll remember you nice lady! ...And your elf friend!” She turns, darting around your legs and sliding along the rooftops, leaping from a peak into a cart of hay and seemingly vanishing into a crowd of hooded Irori monks.
The two scrubs slowly extricate themselves from the rooftop, clambering down a nearby stack of barrels to the streets below. They find themselves in a side street not too far from the main marketplace. The Tower of Scholae rears over the tops, directing anyone nearby back to the sounds, smells and sights of one of Vigil's many markets. As they return to the crowd to work their way north toward the Bonewatch, Daen realizes he hasn't lost any money...simply his spell component pouch.
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About a hundred different feelings play inside Zohruk at once, chief among them disappointment. That said, he does his level best to not let anything out. All that time in Urgir, how many times did you fight back the urge to stab fat old Rhoumok right in the throat? And he had it coming! You *just* got done telling Lukyan you weren't going to start anything; don't go making a liar of yourself over someone who's supposed to be on your side...
Zohruk manages a tight smile. "Well then. I look forward to changing your opinion of me." He turns and nods to Ardis. "Nice to see you again, Ardis." Zohruk turns and rapidly walks off to find someplace else to be, his facial expression a lie of tranquility.
"Aah!" Grimold yelps in kind, equally startled. He bows quickly as Dazen shuffles out. "Gr-Grimold, sir," he stammers nervously. Taking a quick breath to steel himself, he says, "I had some questions about magical beasts."
Checking his pouches again, Daen notices the mistake the pickpocket made, and Kassie too. "I'm fine with returning, there wasn't much in the pouch the boy took, I think he might be pretty disappointed when he opens it up. On the way back, why don't you tell me about what you found out about the rats, perhaps?" Being alone with Kassie made him a bit sweaty, but he might be able to pass that off on the running and climbing he recently did.
He tried changing the subject, but then started to get genuinely concerned, especially due to the trouble they'd had lately. "Have you seen Elyssa?"
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Eilidh looks at the half-orc through hooded eyes, staring at him until he's gone. "And stay away from my sister!" She shouts, long after he seems to be out of earshot, before whirling around, her cloak flying, grabbing Ardis's hand, and dragging him away behind her. "Listen, y-you c-can't t-trust...you can't trust him, or h-his k-kind. My m-mother and her mother and s-so on all fought against his r-relatives, he's j-just trying to l-learn our weaknesses s-so he c-can take them back to B-belkzen."
"The rats? Yeah, I asked Padraic, the one from chart two, not the one who stole your magic stuff. He said that it was just Flint who was catching them. Something to do with working with
Magister Dazen.”
Characters: Eilidh, Zohruk
Ardis looks surprised at the vehemence expressed by Allie. His own hesitation sharpened to suspicion at her own. "D-do you really think he's a spy? I...I didn't think..think they-they'd let someone like that i-into the Bonewatch." He looks after Zohruk's retreating form, letting himself get pulled along. His ears colour red as he realizes Allie's hand clutching his and he pays more attention to her.
"I-I'll have to keep an eye on him..h-he's in our cohort, you know?"
Characters: Daen, Kassara
Daen's concern for their errant companion seems warranted. Back in the marketplace, Elyssa has stirred up a crowd. She stands on a small wooden box pointing to people and asking them questions in a loud, enhanced voice. It seems more than a few are irritated at her distracting the crowd and over-shouting the merchants selling wares. The two are just in time to drag her away from a pair of angry ham-sellers who can't be heard over her shouts.
Characters: Grimold
Theodric stares at Grimold, eyes wide. "Why'd you just walk in?!"[/b[] he asks in a shrill voice.
The Magister frowns at the boy and shakes his head. [b]"Mind your manners in my office, please, Theodric. I simply forgot to lock it. I always have an open-door policy, as you well know. Or you wouldn't be here."
Chastised, he falls quiet, his eyes not leaving Grimold, glaring slightly.
"What sort of magical beasts and tell me this isn't because you have gotten into a problem with one."
Zohruk eventually works his way to a training floor. Going to the weapon racks, he picks up two wooden training swords that roughly match the size of his swords, and begins working out, both with some forms and in practicing strikes against wooden dummies. The strikes show some proficiency with wielding two weapons, but nothing terribly advanced.
Thok! Thok! Th-thok!
Fire and thunder, Zoh. Why'd you bother spending all that gold on instruction at the Sharpened Axe if you can't even keep yourself in something basic like Inner Sphere Stance? Kovuk would laugh himself stupider than usual watching you like this. Still, the time helps Zohruk clear his head and think about things.
Thok!
The gods know I've pissed off my fair share of women in my time. Couple guys' shares, I'd wager. Zohruk smiles at the thought of the incident at Floodmeet the year before last, when he and Haazek had to pull a screaming Yhrrilka off that girl from the Bonehammers who'd had the misfortune to speak to Zohruk when Ril was watching. Hard to see how our reputation among the other tribes got so strained. So yeah, from what I know about pissed-off women, when you get *that* mad *that* quickly at someone you just met, it isn't about that person.
Thok-thok-thok-th-thok!
So good news, it probably isn't anything I did. Bad news, since it isn't anything I did, it's a little harder to predict what she might do about it next. And by "a little harder", I mean "you have to treat this girl like she's capable of anything."
Thok! Thok!
When you went to Urgir, your best defense was to keep a low profile. But I think this time, you have to go the other way, be all the way out in the open and aboveboard. And the best way I can think of to do that might also have the side effect of creating a truly priceless look on Allie's face...!
Th-th-thok! <whoosh!> Zohruk's last move is to throw a weapon at another training dummy ten feet away. Not properly balanced for that, the weapon tumbles badly before clattering to the floor. Honestly, if you'd just bundled those coins up and thrown them into a volcano, it would have been better spent.
After cleaning up the workout area, Zohruk does his best to make himself presentable, then finds the first authority figure he can get a hold of. "I beg your pardon, I'm a new recruit. On the road in, Sir Lukyan talked some about swearing an Oath. Who do I speak to about terms and such...?"
Daen frowned at the mention of Magister Dazen. It was likely that he might have a hand in this theft. Rats that were terribly strong might be some kind of magical beast, but not one that he'd heard of as of yet. It would also explain their ability to bypass the wards. It was probably time to mention something to his employer.
Finding Elyssa making a bit of a scene, he called out to her. "We've got some information, we'll have to follow up on it later, come on."
"Is...is he? W-well, we'll j-just have t-to be c-careful. I g-guess it'll b-be impossible t-to avoid him, b-but th-think about what you're t-telling him." After a few moments, Eilidh realizes she's got Ardis's hand as well and quickly drops it, flushing her own shade of red. "I'm g-going to get s-some food. You c-can c-come with, if you w-want."
Grimold chuckles nervously at the suggestion. "No sir, not except in your classroom." He glances sideways at Theodric, sensing that he's interrupted something. Dazen didn't seem to mind, but it might be worth apologizing to the other boy later on. A part of his brain was still stuck on the image of the purple ball of smoke and lightning. "Everyone says that you're the expert on magical beasts, and that you have a whole zoo of creatures. I thought... well, maybe that you could show me? It's just that... I only know about these things from stories, and that maybe some personal experience would serve better than bard's tales, especially if we're going to be fighting them in class."
Characters: Daen, Kassara[/b]
Its not difficult to extract her from her soapbox and Elyssa hops down, following after them. "What'd we find out? You two dashed off after those two kids and all that running just looked..like a lot of work." Sometimes, its a wonder that Elyssa made it into the Bonewatch in the first place.
Character: Zohruk
It isn't hard to find someone. The only other distinctly non-human Zohruk's seen is leaning against a pillar watching his practice. She makes no disparaging comments as his thrown weapon falls to the ground. Her alien, wide eyes and long, tapered ears. She is wearing black leather armor with a tabard bearing the Knight of Ozem's crest across the front. He approaches her and poses the question to the tall elf, receiving an an arched shapely brow in response. "Oaths are sworn before members of the Tribune. It would be best to seek them on the morrow, for they may not be open any longer."
Characters: Eilidh
Ardis seems more than eager to get food with Allie and even takes the time to help go over notes for their next class with Comell while they eat.
Characters: Grimold
Theodric doesn't speak, simply sitting in the chair with a look reminiscent of a scolded cat. Dazen, on the other hand, seems more than happy to answer the questions.
"Ah, I see...certain magical beasts of course. I would be pleased to show you a recent acquisition to the bestiary. It is best if we discuss them first, however."
The Magister introduces Grimold to several articles on darkmantles. These creatures hang from the ceilings of dark places pretending to be rock formations before plunging down upon unsuspecting victims below, wrapping clawed tentacles about them. They are very similar to octopi or squids, except aerial and underground. While they are small creatures, they are unnaturally strong and are difficult to escape from once grappling a target. They are also magical, making use of darkness spells to hinder opponents. A darkmantles senses use sonar, which can be disrupted with spells and abilities that create zones of silence.
When he shows you the magical cages holding the creatures, Dazen also points out a small section that appear darker and seem to stay with themselves. "Not all darkmantles are the same. They die and birth quickly, in only a few years, producing remarkable rates of evolution. That segment there was found beneath Ustalav. They've inherited some of the traits of vampires, being able to heal from the blood of their enemies. They also seem to be invisible to the eyes of the undead."
Embarrassment quickly passes across Zohruk's face, not so much self-consciousness at being watched making that terrible throw as surprise he didn't notice the elf, but does his best to regain composure. "The Tribune, okay. Thank you, Madam. If I may ask where I might look for them come tomorrow...?" Assuming she answers that follow-up question, he continues. "By the way, my name is Zohruk, in case word of the 'monster from Belkzen' hadn't yet reached you." The last is said with a smile, as Zoh tries to make light of his situation. He makes a throwing motion with his hand. "And don't worry about that, that was just... You know when you're on a roll, you try something hard, just to see if it'll work. But that does raise a question I've been thinking about. Do the Knights do their own smithing, or is that usually handled by tradesmen in town? I'd like to look over some other options for weapons. Sir Lukyan mentioned a 'Valor's Hilt' but that sounded like more of a general supply store to hear him tell it."
Characters: Zohruk
Snorting and stepping away from the pillar, the rather short elf strides around Zohruk, appraising him in much the same way he had been at Castle Everstand. "A servant could show you the way. Simply ask a page or servant to bring you there on the morrrow."
She doesn't answer the rest of his comments, at least not in a quick manner. Zohruk has no experience with elves, but he's heard stories about them. Exotic, pale-skinned and alien. Always thinking longer term with their incredibly years. When she speaks, the tone is neutral. Sato is neither friendly nor directly critical of Zohruk's presence.
"I know your name. I heard of your arrival when a groom was complaining about it. Your presence is unexpected...at least for me."
She eventually stops stalking around him and pauses in front, crossing her arms. "Shorter than a full-blooded orc. Your skin has the wrong colour. You are a half-blood. I'm curious why you ask about our weaponry already. You are simply a scrub, not a Knight. No, not yet. If ever. I do not doubt you have it in you to find a way. The quartermaster can provide you with anything steel you would wish--although as you would expect, no one without an Oath may walk the streets armed."
The elf gestures to a wooden rack along the wall bearing many common weapons--wooden swords, blunt spears, cloth-covered axes of all sizes and polearms of all varieties. "Does our array not please you, Zohruk?" The orcish name on her elven lips sounds odd, her accent twisting the word so it sounds more like "Seur-rooc," the k softer and the z more of an s.
"If it does not, many other practice are available. Perhaps you prefer a more...familiar array. Double-axes and the like. We train in all things."
Not all half-orcs have a human and an orc parent. Just as not all half-elves have an elf and a human parent. True born half-breeds are those from two half-breeds or even a half-breed and a parent of the other side. This is not unusual and, in fact, is about as frequent as an actual half-blood.
Kassie accompanies Elyssa and Daen back towards the Bonewatch. As they walk she is generally her normal talkative self but, as they approach the walls, she quiets for a few minutes in thought. "Ok, so its pretty obvious that we need to see if we can find this Sophia girl, but given that we've already been attacked in the streets, maybe we need to be a bit circumspect? Do you think Grimold might help? We are, after all, trying to find out who killed his friends." she shudders at the memory. "You wouldn't want to have seen it. It was, well, horrible! There was so much blood!... Oh, wait! I almost forgot, but there was also this,... ash in the corner. No idea what it was from, but I managed to take some. Elyssa, If I were to give it to you do you think you might be able to work something out? You know about these things."
Grimold's lips pull back in a disgusted grimace as he looks at the creatures. The things looked more alien than he would have guessed from the written description. Bigger, too; the mouth looked like it could swallow a cat whole. He feels the hair on the back of his neck stand up as the red eyes gaze at him, the creatures' mouth-parts pulsing and quivering. As he stares into the glowing red eyes, he imagines what it would be like to be attacked by a darkmantle.
Hiking through a cave, torch in hand. Suddenly one of the stalactites above sprouts glowing red spots. The next thing you know, the light goes out and the whole cave is cast into complete darkness. You hear something above you and you're thrown to the ground as something heavy crashes into you from above. Whatever it is, it's wrapping you in what feels like leather wings and something sharp pierces your body. You pound on the the thing, kicking and scratching and biting and thrashing to get free, but it's no use. It has you, and even though you can't see anything, your vision fades into an altogether different kind of darkness as you feel the cold embrace of death closing in...
Grimold shivers violently and breaks eye contact with the unblinking abomination. What other strange horrors does he keep? He deliberately turns his back to the cage to speak with Magister Dazen. "Those things are... Kafkaesque!" The word feels strange on Grimold's tongue. He had seen it used by one of the characters in The Cloud Castle of the Storm King; he wasn't sure what it meant or if he was even pronouncing the Chelish word properly, but something about applying it to those horrible creatures felt right.
Not sure if he can stand to see anymore, he bows and thanks Dazen for his time. "Thank you, Magister. I would like to see more, though I'm not sure I can stomach it at the moment. Perhaps later this week? If you could recommend some creatures to research, I would be very grateful."
Characters: Grimold
The black grouping of darkmantles almost seems to watch Grimold. Whatever primitive brains they have seem to bristle with a desire to devour him, for their arrays of watery red eyes seem to follow him as he observes. "They are terriffying creatures in their natural habitat..."
He guides the young scrub back out to his main office, Theodric having disappeared. A scrap of parchment resting in the chair where he had been.
"I will leave you with two more pieces of advice, Grimold. The first is to become comfortable with darkness. The second is that darkmantles dislike the smell of fresh tropical fruit. They weaker of their breed will avoid it while the more powerful detest the taste, although can overcome it."
Wow, she got really creepy, really fast. Zohruk stands at attention as the elven woman inspects him, not really comfortable with it but trying not to give her the satisfaction of showing his discomfort (if she's looking to elicit that). He's at least aided in that by all the time spent with Yhrrilka and her... eccentricity.
"Yes, I am vukhrov," he says,using the orcish word for "dual-blood". "The Burning Suns, my tribe, has a lot of, um, castouts, I think it is? The... the ones who don't fit in with the other tribes. Burning Mother welcomes all whose hearts blaze true."
"Does our array not please you, Zohruk? If it does not, many others are available. Perhaps you prefer a more...familiar array. Double-axes and the like. We train in all things."
"No, it's quite impressive. That's why I ask; I want to understand all of my options. The vukolun is an impressive weapon, to be sure, but I prefer a bit more, there's no orcish word... subtlety..." a moment of relief on Zohruk's face as he remembers the word, "Than that provides. And I'm looking for a weapon that gives me flexibility. We might sometimes find our foes not quite within arm's reach, and when it's not on the training floor, I don't want to make an awful throw like that. I know I could use a dagger, but I'm just curious what other options are out there that aren't encouraged in orcish tradition. Everything is all, 'Pol kolun', 'Get an axe'," Zohruk says with an eye roll.
Characters: Kassara, Daen
Elyssa chimes in, speaking over Kassie. "They are his friends! Or..were. He should definitely help! Your sister might come along too."
When asked about the ash, she shakes her head vigorously. "I know a lot about explosions! If its anything to do with that, or alchemy, I can help. If its something more traditional, I may not prove very useful..but I can see what I can do tonight."
Characters: Zohruk
The strange elf moves to the rack, one hand delicately trailing over the training weapons. "I teach a class on ranged weaponry. We use many things and spend some time on throwing weapons..although I believe Luca, the Trainer of Cohort Two, teaches a more in-depth analysis of those things. If that is what you are interested in, he would be a good person to visit. I believe he teaches it on Moonday, after normal training is complete."
Characters: All
Eilidh and the rest of cohort one awake to the pounding of the bell. Sunday has started. There are, again, no required classes to attend. Baird's dueling class and Partington's alchemy class are also going on. Several individuals shuffle off to other locations, including Theodric, Culbert and Austyn. Jalen and Vorin are polishing dueling swords and seem ready to partake in Sir Baird's class.
Kassie snuggles into her warm bed, reticent to let the bell drag her from its comfort. Eventually, however, unable to stay asleep with all the other scrubs up and getting ready, she pulls herself awake and hauls her legs off the bed, stretching her arms and arching her back as she releases a loud yawn and looks around the room. Although she takes her time getting ready with a quick wash and a change of clothes,... I think that new corset today. Its not really the best for training but it does look good!
Strapping her rapier to her waist she glances around and seeing Jalen and Voren all ready to go, she saunters over to them as she pulls her hair back into a messy ponytail. "Looking forward to Baird's class today? I really want to try out that stance he told us about. You have to be flexible, but I think i might just be able to do it. What do you think? Oh, wait, what about Daen? DAEN," she calls over the other scrub. "Are you coming to class, or should we wait?"
The first couple hours he was there, he kept busy, trying to finish whatever tasks the professor had left for him, and when he was done, he approached him with a question that might help unlock some of the mystery. "I've been trying to figure out what's happened with your research, and I came upon two strange occurrences. First, there are rats in the library eating books that have to do with your line of study, and Arazni isn't mentioned in our religion class, even when he should be. Have you ever encountered opposition amongst the faculty when it came to the subject of your research?"
Sunday
With his head still spinning from the puzzle laid before him, Daen didn't sleep well the night previous. He knew something big was behind it, he just didn't know what it was as of yet. In the morning, he was dreaming of books eating rats until they were pressed between their bloody pages like flowers when he heard his name shouted by a familiar voice.
He awoke suddenly, and jumped out of bed. Class was soon, and Kassie... Good gods! What was she wearing? Turning a bit pink from the thoughts running through his head, and embarrassment from oversleeping, he grabbed his gear quickly and approached the crew. "I'm coming, thanks for waiting."
Eilidh awakens slowly, looking around the room to see the group heading to the swordplay class. She looks Kassie in the eye, shaking her head at her, and walks over. "You're g-going to wear that for fencing? I d-don't think it'll bend right, and it looks like it could p-pinch too if you lunge too fast. Hey, listen." She drops her voice to nearly a whisper. [smaller]"You saw the b-brute they let in, right? I'm s-sure he's a spy, or secretly here t-to assassinate knights, or something. I'm g-going to the chapel to t-talk with the other S-Sarenraeites about w-what to d-do, but in the m-meantime, you s-stay safe, and away f-from him. I d-don't trust him."
Strapping on her own sword and armor, she grabs her roll of parchment and a pen, just in case Estella's there, and heads through the streets. She remembers her walk home from the watch-post, but when she looks around she only sees threats instead of the poor, and she's too nervous to stop and help them. After what seems like an eternity, she arrives at the Chapel of the Luminescent Dawnflower, opening the door quickly and slipping inside. Only then does she breathe a sigh of relief, visibly relaxing.
Still here. Could be worse, I guess. Zohruk wakes up to find he's still in his upended circumstances. Before anything else, Zohruk (shirtless) goes to a window that faces the sunrise, and takes a moment, clutching his medallion.
Mother, that I may serve the strong, defend the weak, lift up the fallen, and vanquish the wicked, give me strength.
And also, don't let this place drive me completely insane.
He looks down at the couatl tattooed on his chest, and quietly says, "Shall we?"
Zoh heads back to his bunk, puts his shirt on. He sees Allie's sister talking to Jalen and Vorin. His mixed feelings about causing any trouble are swung by the simple desire to talk to someone in his own tongue, and he walks over to the group of them.
"Drav, Kassie ekke Sekken, Jalen, Vorin, Daen" with a nod and a smile to each in turn. Noting their weapons, he continues, "Polunkraahl?"
Characters: Zohruk, Daen, Kassara
It has been a week since the group visited the Dueling Courtyard, as Vorin calls it. Vorin flirts idly with Kassara on the way over while Jalen quizzes Daen about the ambush the other night.The garden has come to be in full bloom with the scent of flowers overpowering the smell of olives. Several servants stand on ladders gathering olives from the plants while Leo, Septima and a few members of cohorts three and four stretch. It seems Baird is not yet present.
As cohort one steps into the area, Leo snorts and moves toward them. ”Daen! Care for a practice match while we wait for our dear instructor to show up?” Leo's tone, as usual, is cheerful, although his smile never seems to reach his eyes when its directed at his cousin. Septima stands with her hands folded over her chest, glaring at Kassara and eying the corset with some envy.
Characters: Zohruk
Characters: Eilidh
Jalen seems to agree with Allie's opinion, shaking his head a bit. ”Your sister seems to have her own ideas of appropriate garb.”
Vorin wraps an arm over the former number one's shoulders and slaps him on the arm. ”Don't complain. Kassara, you look amazing! Doesn't she, Daen?”
Later on, at the Chapel, Eilidh finds Estella once again cleaning the floors with a mop. The Luminescent Dawnflower is always spotless—likely due to the diligent halfling's dedication. Priestess Maria doesn't seem to be present. Despite being deaf, some supernatural sense seems to alert Estella to the presence of the door opening. Or perhaps it was the sudden wash of sunlight. She turns around and smiles, waving.
Starday, The Training Floor
"Those both sound quite interesting. If you'll have me, I'll be happy to go." Zohruk takes a moment to run down the days of the week in his head. Moonday, got it. "And when and where do I have to be for your own course on the topic...?"
Characters: Daen
The history teacher's office is wreck. At first, Daen is concerned someone may have ransacked the place—then he notices his professor moving stacks of books around and grumbling quietly to himself. He waves the boy in and directs him to finish his previous scribing, Comell having moved him along to help prepare ink for magic scrolls. When approached, the somewhat frazzled veteran slumps in his chair frowning.
”...rats. We've been seeing too many of those. Sir Sato was looking into the wards, but I haven't spoken to her about it. I believe Trainer Lucious had Burrich purchase some more rat dogs to hunt them down..this is worrying, I fear there may be a leak somewhere in the Bonewatch and I do not know..” He trails off, his brow furrowing.
Comell seems concerned that there may be a spy in the Bonewatch, but doesn't feel comfortable speaking the words.
”Thank you for bringing this to my attention, Daen. As for Arazni..why have you been looking into her? Astrata tends to avoid mentioning her in hopes we can keep certain things...a bit more secretive.”
Character: Zohruk
Within a moment, a bow finds its way in Sato's hands and she passes it to Zohruk. "Wealday for learning the art of a bow and crossbow in all ways. We cover a little bit about javelins but..if you wish to learn the more exotic weapons you must wait for Fisk to being exotic weapons training or listen to Luca. If the human side of you craves more than rage and combat, I also show the art of calligraphy on Oathday...all things are art and writing is a skill useful to many."
Daen nods at the half orc he remembered from the night before. He never did catch his name, nor did he catch half of what he just said. But with the names he used, he figured it was a greeting and just nodded in response. It was plenty plain on his face that he was interested in their swords, as they might seem a bit exotic to someone from this area, but Daen suspected that he was just there to talk to Kassie.
The half elf was quiet on the trip over, doing his best to not stare at anyone in particular, focusing on his mystery as a mental exercise to avoid noting how tight anyone's clothing happened to be.
He'd hoped that he wouldn't but of course, once they'd arrived, Leo was there with backup. It wasn't as if he didn't need the practice, he just distrusted his cousin to every extent that he had no intention of giving him anything he wanted.
"That's quite the compliment you just gave me. You could have been sparring with anyone else just to kill time, but you decided to wait for your fellow countryman. I'm actually very surprised considering what you've said in the past."
---------------------------
"In order for me to be of assistance to you, I figured any information I could gather would be of use. I didn't know that one needed to be careful about learning from history, rather that we should learn from it, lest it be repeated. If you'd rather I didn't look into this, I can stop. But I feel like I'd be doing you a disservice." Of course, Daen was desperately curious. Most hidden things had power, and he longed for it, simply to move forward because of the opposition he had.
"On a related note, I questioned the staff, and Theoderic Prentice was seen in the corridors the day your research went missing. I questioned the staff."
Eilidh takes a few more breaths, sitting in one of the pews, and waves slowly at the deaf halfling girl. Pulling out her parchment and pen, she begins scribbling away, concentrating on her message.
"Hi Estella. How have things been since I was here last? Listen Look, I need to speak with the Priestess. Or with some other priest. Do you know where she is, or if there's a guest here I could talk to?"
Turning the parchment so Estella can see it, she waits for a response.
Characters: Daen, Kassara
A laugh bubbles from Comell's large lips, his prodigious form shaking slightly. ”History should always be learned from! It was not my decision, simply her preference for several reasons. Arazni was once the herald of Aroden, you know. It's a terribly sad story and if you wish to know, I shall tell you. However, keep in mind there are...important things moving around the Bonewatch in regards to Arazni. There are secrets there that are, in many ways, best kept secret.”
”...Theodric. The mopey one? Hmn, I will look into it.”
The sound of steel sliding against leather is loud as Leo unsheathes his gloriously decorated dueling saber. The edge has been honed to be razor sharp. ”Why would I do that when I have a chance to show up my bastard cousin?” Leo's smile is cutting and yet strangely friendly, as is the norm with him. Daen has never been able to figure out how, or why, his cousin seems intent on targeting him out.
In addition to normal actions, each participant of a duel may use a number of special immediate actions, only available while participating in a duel. They may take dueling counters (spell duels only), dueling dodges, dueling parries, or dueling resolve actions.
Dueling Dodge When targeted by a melee, ranged, supernatural ability, spell or spell-like ability, the targeted character may declare a dueling dodge as an immediate action. This grants a +4 circumstance bonus to AC and reflex saves against the triggering attack. This effect only works against a single attack and all subsequent attacks are resolved as normal. The immediate action should b e declared before an attack is resolved, [u]but due to how play-by-post works this can be disregarded.[/u] Once the attack is resolved, the dodging creature takes a -2 penalty to AC and Reflex saving throws until the start of his next turn.
Dueling Parry Whenever a character is the target of a melee or ranged attack, she can declare a parry as an immediate action. She must make an attack roll with whatever weapon she is currently wielding but with a -5 penalty. If this attack is equal to or greater than the attack roll being made, the attack is parried and considered a miss. If the duelist possesses the parry class feature or the Opportune Parry and Riposte class feature, she can attempt a dueling parry once per round without spending an immediate action if she is also using the parry class feature. Parry only applies to a single attack.
Dueling Resolve When failing a fort or will save, the duelist can attempt another saving throw using the same bonus as an immediate action. If the second save is a success, the spell does not take effect until the end of his next turn. If he is reduced to 0 or less hit points, he does not fall unconscious or gain the staggered condition (if spending an immediate action), and can act normally until the end of his next turn.
If using performance combat at the same time, a performance combat check can be made as a free action when a dueling dodge or dueling resolve is made. Doing so requires a character to spend a victory point to make the check. Duels only use the performance rules when part of a tournament or other event.
Twirling his blade a few times and assuming the stance Baird has taught the group, Leo smirks. ”Let us fight to be the first to strike twice?” He glances over his shoulder. ”Sir Baird should have a curative wand in case we accidentally strike too hard.”
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Starday, the Training Floor
"Thank you, Madam; I'll be sure to use it well. I never thought of myself as having a 'human side', or an 'orc side' either for that matter. But my Zohruk side is intrigued. I will be there."
Characters: Eilidh
The halfling abandons her cleaning and approaches, bouncing slightly on her feet. She slides into the pew next to Eilidh with a smile, signing even as she speaks slowly, taking care to enunciate each word as she has no idea how she actually sounds. ”Quiet, mostly. The Iomedean festival coming up will be a fun change!” She pauses, reading the rest of the words and nods once. ”She is practicing her sermon. I will go get her!”
The red-head bounds off the pew and moves swiftly across the tiled floor, pushing open a well-hidden wooden door disguised by the Chapel's wall panels. Allie can hear her small voice calling for the Priestess before the two return. Estella picks back up with her cleaning while the much taller woman approaches Eilidh.
”Allie Tilernos. A pleasure to see you again. Estella says you are having trouble with something and need to speak with a priest? Do you wish to speak privately?”
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Allie:
Kassie turns to her sister and grins. "Brute? Oh, you mean the half-orc? Yeah, I met him at breakfast yesterday. I don't think he's a spy or anything though, I mean,... Well he's not exactly disguised. He's from the Aghash Rukon - The Burning Sun tribe. You never did learn any orcish did you.. mother always said it'd be useful, but i don't think she thought we'd be training with one. The knights know what they're doing Al. But if you think he is then I'll keep an eye on him."
When Jalen comments on her outfit, Kassie rolls her eyes but grins at Vorin's compliment. Why thank you good sir." she says with a laugh, executing a little pirouette to show off her outfit. "Allie's just like mother. She never likes anything I wear."
When Allie turns to go and prepare for her lessons, she pauses in thought, but is drawn from her revere as the subject of their talk approaches,...
.
.
.
Zohruk
"Drav, Zohruk ekke Aghash Rukon. Polunkraahl yur vraal, um... yur vraal grolden? ek Baird. Grollen vor ek Jalen, Vorin yar Daen. Var ek grolden polunkraal?"
Greetings Zohruk of the Burning Sun. There's a sword umm,.. learning? with Baird. Jalen, Vorin, Daen and I learn together. You will come to sword learning?
.
.
.
At the duelling courtyard.
On the way over Kassie meets Vorin's flirtation with a little of her own, slightly put out by Daen's lack of response to her outfit, but enjoying the attention of the others at least. When Leo approaches she stands casually to one side watching the exchange, her hands resting casually on her hips and enjoying Septima's ill-disguised jealousy. At Leo's challenge she arches an eyebrow. "I wouldn't worry too much Daen," she says, her eyes not leaving the arrogant noble. "he's not nearly as good as he thinks he is."
Kassie's forwardness actually curled the corner of his mouth into somewhat of a smile. It felt very good to have someone on his side for once. If that's what it meant to be a knight of Ozem, he may not ever return to Brevoy. "Here again you go with this insistence that we're related. If you had a bastard cousin, I'm sure he wouldn't mind you showing him up from time to time. Is that why you keep bothering me? Do I resemble this cousin you once had?" Daen actually enjoyed bringing it up that Leo was being a bit rebellious against the king's decree. Not only did it make Leo out to be the bad guy, but it wasn't even underhanded, so he didn't really stoop to his level.
Gesturing to the attractively dressed comrade who spoke up, he continued. "I'm not interested in your efforts to show up your nonexistent cousin, nor do I feel it necessary to defend my pride against you since the day on the stairs. Shouldn't you be more concerned with the fact that Kassie beat you in a duel not too long ago? At least that was in public. My suggestion is that you care more for building up your own reputation than tearing someone else's down. It will serve you better in the long run."
"I understand the need for secrets in a military operation. If you believe that I would, under coercion, reveal them in a detrimental manner that would cost lives, then I agree I should not be told. But I do wish to learn as much as I can that I might be a greater asset to this place."
Kassie
Zohruk's face breaks into an admiring grin, and he points at Kassie. "Hah-ha! You're good. You got that accent, can't do anything about that without a proper mouthful of fangs, but you got the little things. Like where humans say things like 'swordplay' or 'swordfighting', to orcs, it's all about axes." Zohruk pauses, realizing something. "Then again, in this case, it really is swords.". He shrugs and waves his hand. "Great thing about Orcish is, no one's going to get into a big thing over your grammar. You can tell your mother she spent her money on your lessons well."
"A dueling class sounds great, Mother knows I can use the practice. I swear, the amount of money I wasted at the Polunzatokh seems to be staggering. But I already made plans for the alchemy class with, what's her name, the sooty girl, Elyssa? And I have a thing or two to do before then. Hopefully I'll be able to catch next week's class. Which reminds me, where do I find the 'Tribune?' I want to look into taking my Oath. Oh, and that reminds me one more question: there's an instructor, an elven lady," Zoh looks around before saying in a low voice, "A little bit scary, 'tween us? I had a whole conversation with her and never got her name. Got away with it, but I don't want to have to ask her name; I'd rather not come across as any more of an idiot than I have to," Zohruk says with what he hopes is a self-effacing smile.
"P-privately?" Eilidh glances around the room. Empty, except for Estella and the Priestess. "I think this w-will b-be private enough.
I'm j-just so scared. It's not like w-when Kassie was s-scared of the cat-thing. I almost d-died two days ago, and D-Daen did something, but he w-won't say what, and one of m-my...one of my friends died in t-training, and I g-guess I n-never realized how m-most of the city-folk live, and I just want to make things better b-but they keep g-getting worse." Eilidh wipes at a tear, taking a few deep breaths, and starts again. "W-we got attacked by the Sczarni, I th-think. One of them s-stabbed me, and D-Daen did something, b-but it's not like a n-normal curing s-spell. C-could you t-take a look and s-see?" She unbuckles her armor and pulls up her shirt, exposing the wound. "The s-scar doesn't look r-right, but I c-can't tell what's w-wrong with it."
When the priestess is done examining it, Eilidh continues. "L-last week, one of our c-cohort died in t-training. I l-liked him, b-but mother said it c-could happen. I g-guess I didn't think it'd h-happen so quick. And j-just a week ago, I f-found two street-people d-dead in a prison cell, and f-for a bit I w-was s-seeing how badly-off everyone who's n-not a noble is, b-but now I just see hundreds and hundreds of p-people who want to kill me. And n-now, the Bonewatch has replaced Eckart with a m-monster. My m-mother and her m-mother, and back and back and back, have b-been fighting to k-keep the orcs out of L-Lastwall for centuries, and th-the knights just i-invite one in."
Eilidh pauses for a minute before finishing up. "H-have you heard about the 'Burning Mother'? It d-doesn't sound l-like a proper a-aspect of the D-Dawnflower to me."
Which reminds me, where do I find the 'Tribune?' I want to look into taking my Oath.
The half elf spoke up because they were talking in a language he could understand. That and he didn't mind being helpful to someone willing to take the oath. "I just got my shield mark a few days ago. I'll take you there myself if you want to meet back here after classes. This place is pretty big and it's easy to get lost in here."
Whether he was a spy, enemy or potential ally, it would be easier to get a read on him if he didn't avoid him. Besides, there was no need to treat him poorly, even if he was a half breed. That would be a bit more than hypocritical, something he'd rather not be. It reminded him a bit much of his Surtovan side.
I just got my shield mark a few days ago. I'll take you there myself if you want to meet back here after classes. This place is pretty big and it's easy to get lost in here.
The quiet fellow from the other night spoke up, and Zohruk noticed he was also vukhrov, just the "other kind."
"Oh, so it's not a whole big ordeal? In that case, if it won't conflict with the alchemy class, how about I just come with you guys?" Nodding at Kassie, Zoh tries to joke with Daen. "This must be a good class; she's so eager to go she forgot the rest of her outfit, eh? Your name is... Um, is it 'Dane'? I'm Zohruk," he says as he extends a hand. "Sorry you didn't have my full attention the other night, but someone was whomping my head in at Siege," he says with mock outrage toward Vorin.
"So, 'shield-mark', is this gonna mess up my look?" Zohruk looks down at his tattooed forearms. "I just got these, Yhrrilka'll get mad if they ink over her work..."
Characters: Daen, Kassara, Zohruk
As they start walking, Vorin holds his own hand out toward Zohruk and shows off the blue-black mark on his right palm. ”Unless you have tattoos on your palm, you’ll be alright. And you really should try to learn some more of our games. I hear Siege is all the rage in the Knights’ lounges above.”
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Septima laughs at Kassie’s response. Leo looks over his shoulder at her and scowls, turning back around and giving a mocking bow to Kassara. ”Ah, of course, the fair Tilernos defeated me once before. Simply further reason I throw myself hectically into practice.” Daen’s response seems to sour the false smile and poor show at friendliness.
”It’s true, our King saw fit to cast you out of the house. Perhaps it is simply the memory of a weak bookworm that you inspire that makes me want to consistently test it. You managed to work your way to be first place in your cohort--and yet Kassara and Jalen both are within it. I’ve matched steel with each and was found wanting.”
He spits to the side, his face turning slightly red and his blade slashing at strands of grass nearby. ”Septima has only beaten me once, and consistently loses. I need better practice partners than my own cohort provides.” At his words, Septima lets out a wordless cry and steps forward. ”You ass! I beat you more than that! At least three times..” She puts a hand on her own weapon and starts to approach him.
Vorin lifts his hands up and whistles, muttering quietly so only those near him can hear. ”That f!*%in’ cohort has more drama than an incestuous goblin band.” Jalen simply shakes his head and steps forward, putting a hand on Daen’s shoulder.
”Leo, if you have a problem with our cohort, please take it up with your Trainer. This incessant arguing is pointless. If you desire a training partner, I will be happy to show you where you are lacking. Until then, please desist from insulting both your own cohort members and those in mine. It is not the kind of behavior expected of a Knight of Ozem.”
Kassie grins at Septima's laugh, raising an eyebrow in surprise that the other girl would enjoy Leo's embarrassment so much. As the other girl steps forward towards Leo, Kassie lets Vorin speak, but when he finishes she steps forward to flank him on Daen's other side and speaks up.
"Perhaps your cohort would be doing better if you learnt how to act as a unit. We're all here to train as knights and one day we could,.. we probably will, find ourselves fighting with each other in defence of these lands. Whether we're good at duelling or not will mean very little in a real battle. My mother always says that, in war, an individual soldier is only as good as his unit, and a unit's only as good as its leader, whoever she is."
Characters: Eilidh
The Priestess smiles and lets out a small chuckle at Eilidh’s question, nodding her head faintly for the girl to continue. She leans forward intently as Allie speaks, nodding her head and patting the noble’s leg. ”I would be happy to take a look.”
Eilidh’s skin shows a faint pinkish mark. Maria traces a fingernail over it, brow furrowed and she shakes her head. ”I...do not know, Eilidh. It does not look like anything to be concerned about. However, I am not that experienced with magic. I would not worry about it, if this..Daen, you said? If he is a friend of yours, I doubt he would do something to harm you.”
She pauses, allowing the sobbing, worried girl to continue. As the tale unfolds, she remains smiling worriedly, hand patting the leg. While she seems concerned, she doesn’t allow any surprise to show on her face. That is, until the last words Eilidh speaks which cause both eyebrows to raise. ”You have been through many things, my dear. You are training to be one of the greatest warriors of Lastwall and have experienced many terrible things. These are Sarenrae’s challenges, tempering your blade for yet greater events. As for...this monster..You say the Knights invited an orc within? That doesn’t sound like them..the orcs are our enemies. I do not see any good reason for them to do such a thing, unless it is some peculiar challenge for you and your cohort. Be wary..I..the Burning Mother you said? That is an old term, my dear. Very old. Once the great Sun was called the Burning Mother. Some still do so, many of the Shoanti included. It is no aspect of Sarenrae I have heard of in recent years. It must be an ancient reference.”
Characters: Daen
”No, I find the idea foolish. Arazni is a core part of the Knights of Ozem’s history..of Vigil’s history...and of the dark tragedy that Iomedae saved us from.”
Gesturing toward a pair of chairs near a bookshelf, Comell moves his hefty bulk into the seat and lets out a sigh. His eyes acquire a slightly glazed look as he starts the story of Arazni, the Harlot Queen.
”Long ago, when Aroden was still alive...his herald was Arazni. Arazni’s history is shrouded in myth, but you have the fortune of speaking to a preeminent scholar from the Bonewatch! The Knights of Ozem once worshiped Arazni...she was our patron saint. And as such, there is more information in the Bonewatch than there is to be found elsewhere. Keep in mind these records are ancient..nearly eight hundred years old. Arazni was once a human, a demigod who gained her status through...well the records are unclear on that. Some claim she was a powerful wizard who defeated an army of dragons single-handedly and grew from it. Others that she drank from a well connected to the very essence of this world bathing her in power.”
Comell reaches toward the bookshelf and pulls out a book--revealing a hidden shelf behind it containing several bottles. He pulls one out and pours a small amount of liquid into two glasses, handing one to Daen. ”She was glorious, or so the stories say. In one of the highest citadels we still have scraps of tapestries and three paintings depicting her. She had hair of silver. Not just the color, claims one historian, but actual silver. The Knights of Ozem were once scattered warriors. The original members are lost in history. Ozem could have been the name of a place, or a person. No one is sure. A great battle occurred where many people died. Some say the fight was against orcs swarming up from beneath the ground. I believe it was demons, for legend puts the original battle now deep in the Abyss--having been sucked into a portal to to that terrible realm.”
The drink is natural looking, a dark red-golden appearance that can be seen through. It has a rich smell of oak and dark chocolate. ”Arazni, however, helped give us purpose. She gave us a sign to fight behind, a goal. We worshiped her much as we do Iomedae now. Arazni was more than just Aroden’s herald and our saint, she was our vision and our devotion--an unbeatable force that inspired us to pursue evil.”
He pauses again, trailing off and shaking his head sadly. ”Then, hundreds of years ago during the Shining Crusade we united Taldor and the dwarves of Kraggodan to stand against the great Whispering Tyrant and bring freedom to the lands of Ustalav. We forced the Tyrant back to his fortress, Gallowspire, and began the siege. The siege lasted for years. To break the stalemate, we called upon Arazni to aid us...and she did so. Even with her help, the siege continued for another five years. We were forced away from the citadel and driven back even with her help. We finally united our forces for one final push, aimed to take down the lich himself. Arazni led the fight, her sword gleaming with light bright enough to blind any undead and yet leaving the Knights of ozem empowered with strength. And yet, as she battled with the tyrant he struck her down.”
The taste starts with a rich burst of soft honey and the instant, strong, burn of alcohol extending into a long and surprisingly sweet, toffee taste. It’s a rich tasting whiskey, and strong. Likely aged for many years in an oak cask. Comell takes a long drink and savors it. ”With Arazni dead, the Knights of Ozem were almost destroyed. One person held them together..Iomedae, at the time one of our greatest. Possibly the leader...we do not know. She led the fight and continued the war, driving the Whispering Tyrant back into Gallowspire. We retrieved Arazni’s corpse and four years later the lich was imprisoned.”
”With Arazni dead, the Knights chose to dedicate themselves to making sure the Tyrant would never plague the world again.”
Comell’s long-winded speeches were a thing of story among the scrubs of Cohorts one, two, three and four. Among the squires above them they’d heard similar tales. Of spiels covering the whole of military history. Many speculate he used to bore the undead to death with his droning. ”And yet the story does not end there! Daen, Arazni was our beacon and she was dead. We interred her there, within the Bonewatch itself.” He gestures out a window to the walls of the Bonewatch.
”But the Knights were foolish and sought another great conquest. Commander Barronmor led a crusade against Geb, which failed in many ways. Geb slayed those who came befoe him and raised them as graveknights. He sent them back to break into the Bonewatch, leaving a trail of bodies in their wake. They stole Arazni’s remains..” Shaking his head, Comell looks up. ”Have you ever heard of Geb and his Harlot Queen? The Queen is Arazni...he corrupted her. Bringing her back as an undead monstrosity. It is the greatest failure of the Knights of Ozem and one we seek to redress. With one Bloodstone and the others--” The professor blanches and coughs, taking a drink and finishing the glass.
”And any more is more than you should learn...although you have discovered worrying things that reflect upon it. This is a complex matter, Daen. And one you should not meddle in.”
Eilidh listens to Priestess Maria, drying her tears on her sleeve. After she's certain the Priestess is done, she thinks for a moment. "If I...if I b-brought the monster here, c-could you t-talk to it and figure out w-what it thinks it's w-worshipping? M-maybe t-try to fix it? I'm n-not even sure the B-Burning M-Mother means S-Sarenrae."
Characters: Grimold
Its apparently impossible to pass a message to someone in the Bonewatch through illegal means. This could be a good thing, or a bad thing. However, it is not likely Grimold perceives this is a good thing at the moment.
This morning, Rolando left the Bonewatch to speak to Ducas about meeting with the Sczarni. On his way, he was surprised while moving down an alley. A black bag was roughly shoved onto his head and an unknown assailant slugged him in the stomach. ”To see the Scorpion, you’ll come with us. Even if’n you don’t like it.”
The Boss. The Scorpion. Jorge used to speak of the Sczarni leader in Vigil with fear and amazement. He always did so in a hushed tone, as if afraid speaking too loudly would bring him out of hiding. The Scorpion’s face is unknown by anyone Jorge had ever spoken too. He, or she, apparently spoke from behind a curtain using a spokesperson whom received handed pieces of paper. Rumor says only the three individuals who have acted as spokesperson, called the Scorpion’s Mouth, have ever seen the true face of their leader.
Scorpions are notorious for being fickle and the Sczarni leader has a well-earned reputation amongst the small time criminals. Due to the prowess of Vigil’s Watchguard, they keep to small crimes, running a few low-profile brothels, dealing in secretive gambling dens and controlling the roofrunners and other petty criminals. Jorge and his band of ruffians had fallen into this category, although Grimold wasn’t sure how.
The hour is passed on a hard wooden bench, hands tied behind his back. There is something soft under his boots--probably carpet He hopes its carpet. Mud would bode ill for his situation. The air smells musty, old and slightly damp. Somewhere he can hear the trickle of water. Finally, the hood is pulled off. The bright light blinds Rolando for a few moments. As his vision adjusts, he sees grey stone walls all around. He is in a windowless room with a fountain nearby. He can only see a single door off to his left. Seated before him is a tall woman with her hair pulled back into a ponytail, her features distinctly Varisian; a tattoo of a crow on her left cheek, eyes brilliant green, lips curved into a disdainful frown. Behind her is an elaborate silk curtain and further back the shadowed form of a person--the Boss.
”Hello Grimold of the Knights of Ozem, scrub of the first cohort. You are in the audience of the Scorpion. It seems we have quite a bit to speak about. You are to address me as you would the Scorpion. I am simply the Mouth, nothing else.” The lady turns and extends a hand into the silk, pulling out a sheaf of paper and looking it over.
”The Sczarni have no desire for violence with the Bonewatch. It is not a situation we would win, nor would we seek to draw the Knights from far more important duties. The ambushes that occurred on your scrubs were unfortunate and those who planned and participated in those actions have been dealt with. We granted this audience to you to bring a message to your superiors. That message is thus: “We wish no further conflict.’