"Blast!"
Coiger clears this throat, which had gone expectantly dry when he discovered he was well and truly caught. "A little help here! Good spider, you don't hurt me look at how much we have in common, we both wear black, we like the calm quiet of a cool dim room, whiskers." He tilts his head to show off his mustache and to yell back at his companions .
Coiger slowly pulls his mace out of its loop.
He pronounces a Judgment of Protection upon himself.
Chellian swallowed and fussed with her hair for a moment, just at the entrance to the town hall, and hopefully not in direct view of the clerk up there looking bored. For just a moment, she wished she had tried harder to make friends back home, especially female ones. She had no clue really how to do this correctly. With a deep breath she walked into the town hall doing her best to look doe eyed and confused.
The clerk looks up when he sees Chellian enter. He appears quite glad at having something to do. He's young, maybe mid-twenties, dressed and groomed neatly, and has kind green eyes. He jumps up quickly and rushes over to greet you. Hello, miss. You look...lost? How can I help you?
The spider scuttles away from the sudden appearance of Sohar. It appears confused at suddenly having 2 enemies rather than just 1. It then seems to decide that it likes its odds better against a bound enemy and rushes Coiger. It's long, front legs grip your back and it's dripping mandibles shoot in for a bite.
The spider's fangs stop just short of Coiger's collar bone as if they've crashed against an invisible wall. The spider recoils to a defensive stance quickly.
Well not lost but certainly...hesistant.
She began with an awkward smile running one hand up and over her ear a bit nervously. He did have such pretty eyes. It took her a moment to shake it off.
My name Is Chellian Oaks, im uh.. staying in town for a bit, up at the professors you know helping get his affairs in order. Im so far away from home and not really a tavern goer... but they were talking about that old prison there, and
She paused and swallowed before offering him a slight smile.
My mother has always told me that my curiousity will get me into trouble some day, but that old place has me so curious. The barkeep Zokar said you might have some things here about the place? like Maybe who used to work there, or was locked away there? when it was built things like that?
Coiger holds his heavy mace aloft, its ghostly blue light reflecting off the spider's many black orb eyes. He brings it down fast hoping that strength and gravity are enough to get it to its mark despite the webbing holding it back.
The clerk responds to your question with a curious look. The prison? Well, I don't know much except that it burned down a long time ago. Some kind of inmate uprising or escape attempt. The only people I know that worked there are on the monument. That might be a good place to look? Then he looks back at the bookshelves. I, uh, don't really know any more than that and I'm not supposed to let outsiders use the archives. I'd lose my job. He looks back to Chellian with an expression pleading her to understand.
The spider shuffles out of harm's way as Coiger's mace drops past it's face. It's quick for its monstrous size.
As Sohar casts his hex, the spider stares blankly, slowly bobbing its head to an inaudible rhythm...
..but suddenly shudders and rejoins the fight.
In a flurry of legs, it rushes Coiger again.
Despite your hampered condition, the spider fails to penetrate your protective aura and armored coat.
Coiger's mace smashes into the spider's side and it recoils, its legs thrashing wildly at the pain.
Then it slowly settles as Sohar's hex takes effect. The spider appears somewhat more sluggish.
It comes in again at Coiger in retaliation.
This time its huge fangs sink into soft flesh and Coiger feels a fiery sensation spread from the site.
"Yeaarg!"
As the burning venom spreads from the wound, Coiger begins to feel a heaviness come over him.
The Ulfen maiden did her best to look disapointed, then again it shouldnt be too hard, she was. She bit her lip and frowned glancing back torwards the door.
Oh
She turned to go heading torwards the door before she paused for a moment.
Maybe... maybe you could look up anything involving the prison for me? Books arent really my strongpoint anyhow I would be ever so appreciative.
She added bringing her hands up like she was praying/begging him to.
Please I would be ever so grateful
Coiger's overexcited swing misses badly, but Sohar's arrow finds its mark perfectly. The shaft pierces the hard exoskeleton and thunks to a halt with only the fletching sticking out. The spider rears up high, its legs flailing madly about as it stumbles backwards toward its hollow in the webbing against the wall. In the pale lights, it's shadowed form can still be seen cowering.
The young clerk rubs his neck anxiously and bites his lip in an expression of deep conflict. Well, I mean... I guess if I were to... It might be interesting... I'm kind of curious now, too... Alright. Here's what I can do. I can't be doing this on your behalf, but if I were to look it up for myself and then, maybe, share anything I happened to learn over dinner tonight? How does that sound?
She smiled broadly grasping his hand in thanks.
That would be amazing and ever so helpful you are a kind soul and I greatly appreciate it! The only place I know here is Zokar's establishment, would that be a good place to meet?
She beamed a smile before leaving. She stood at the entrance to the town hall, thinking about any other sources of information she might come by.
Coiger steps forward and lowers the boom on the spider.
[dice=The "Lowering" part]1d20+1-2[/dice]
[dice=The "BOOM!" part]1d8+1[/dice]
Coiger approaches the hiding spider and smashes it. The thorax makes a sickening cracking sound when the mace strikes and a brown ichor oozes out while the spider curls up and ceases twitching.
"Yes. I think we shall."
She wandered about the town for a bit, her mind racing trying to think of other avenues topursue to find out information...She could think of nothing however, so she returned to the good doctors and to his daughter Kendra.
I... wow this sounds silly, I have a dinner to go to tonight and I was wondering if perhaps you could help me? with my hair? and maybe you have a dress i could squeeze in or know where i can get one?
She asked miss Kendra looking well to be truthful very much lost.
Kendra smiles broadly at Chellian and grabs her hands. Ooh! Who is it?! I haven't had much time for men nor much interest from them here, probably owing to local opinion of papa. I think I can help with your hair and dress though.
Kendra helps you get all cleaned up and ready to go.
It was a lengthy process that involved bathes, washing and drying of hair, and almost an hour of rebraiding and pinning up of her hair. Instead of the single thick braid that had hung down her back Several little braid became intertwined and pulled up into a bun behind her head.
A little powder and rouge gave her cheeks some color and she frowned in the mirror at the dress. As long as she didnt have to move to fast she should be okay, It was just a little tight though. Not enough to be in danger of ripping or anything like that, Just... it was obvious it wasnt made for someone her size. Finally she was ready and nervous, leaving all her gear at home with the exception of her dagger, which she strapped about her thigh hidden under the dress.
Coiger scans the room and sees no immediate danger. The webs and small spiders stand out much more starkly now that you're senses are heightened to the threat the huge one presented, but you recognize that they are not a problem, just creepy. There is some smashed pottery in the northwest corner of the room and the sarcophagus on the dais lies partially opened from before the spider incident.
As Chellian approaches Zokar's place, a raucous noise spills out into the evening air. It's the dinner rush and there's quite a crowd. You immediately spot the handsome, young clerk leaning against a boardwalk post bearing the sign for the Laughing Demon tavern and chatting with another young man. He catches sight of you and instantly excuses himself from the conversation to rush over. He snatches his hat off of his head and bows slightly.
He grins widely and says, Gods, but you look beautiful, miss. Chellian, right? I realized after you left that I failed to introduce myself. I beg your pardon. Your request was odd enough to put me off balance. I am Varro. I am pleased that you've come. Zokar is holding our table, but I fear to test his patience on such a busy night. Shall we? He holds out his elbow expectantly.
She reached up to slide her hand over her ear to pull her hair back slightly... except of course it was done up. She colored just slightly as she realized how silly that must have looked. She was more than a bit nervous. She had never really well been asked by a boy to do anything like this.
Thanks, I dont think anyone has ever called me that before.
She said blushing for real now. She liked her lips and smiled softly.She was here for information, she kept telling herself. Though she still felt all fluttery.
My friends back home call me Chel, you can call me Chell too Varro.... can I call you Varro?"
She asked awkwardly hooking her arm into his elbow. It felt strange walking beside him like that.
Varro grins and replies, Varro is fine.
He leads Chellian inside and to a table near the crackling fireplace. After seeing Chellian into her seat, he asks what she'll have to drink and then moves off to order. A minute later, he's back with the drink and sits across from you. So, where do you come from? Tell me about yourself. It appears that he's going to hold you hostage for the information as long as possible.
Coiger hurriedly shoves the items in his pack. "Quick now! We must be away before we are discovered here."
As Coiger and Sohar reach the door of the crypt a half-orc and a woman can be seen standing at the crossroad directly in front of the crypt looking about.
---
Kitch and Cassandra, as you reach the crossroads referenced in Lorrimor's diary, you see a man and an elf step out of a crypt.
Kitch was tired on many levels, and even beneath the heavy cloak he looked it. It'd taken some time to arrive to the Professors home, and sure enough he'd missed everything, and he felt the sad journey still. Then, after finally meeting Kendra, Lorrimor had talked about her often enough whenever they'd had occasion to work together, she'd broken the shocking news of possible foul play, and the contents of the Will. This added to the emotional and mental strain experienced when one loses a friend that Kitch was already feeling. But the news likewise firmed his steps, burned the glaze away from his eyes, and gave a great sense of purpose that the half-orc seldom felt about anything anymore.
Glancing to the side once more, he stole another look at the dark haired woman pacing him, wondering again at her reasons for being here. Further impressed that she'd brave the night to walk to a crypt alongside an ugly half-orc such as he, a small grin couldn't help but creep upon his twisted mouth. He faced forward just in time to see the two figures step out of the crypt and he stopped abruptly, careful to leave his hands at his sides and in plain view. While he could see them well enough, long experience had taught him that others could not see so well in the darkness. Slowly he raised one hand high in greeting an called out "Ho there, will that be the Mr.'s Melaiz and Ko-Chav whom Miss Lorrimor's done directed us?" His voice is rough and scratched, but not nearly as deep as one might expect from a half-orc, the effect is not altogether pleasant, as if a puzzle were missing several pieces and so was clearly not quite right. Combine that with his relatively short stature at 5',8", and his scarred face with the twisted mouth (one of his fangs appears to be missing -setting his mouth slightly off kilter) it became clear nature and circumstance had done this hooded half-orc no favors.
Before exiting, Coiger turns to Sohar.
"Pay them no heed and walk as if you belong here." At which point he looks the elf up and down again disapprovingly. "If they ask; it's 'official church business.'"
"Ho there, will that be the Mr.'s Melaiz and Ko-Chav whom Miss Lorrimor's done directed us?"
"Blast." Coiger stops short, obviously displeased And it's Melaiz. Do his vestments mean nothing to these people?!
He spins round sharply to face the stranger.
"You have me at a disadvantage sir, may I know the name of the one who addresses me so- informally? And your lady friend as well?" He adds with a sideways glance.
Oh Gods... Nobleman, or worse maybe -a Religious. Kitch can feel his heart sink as the human turns to face him, both looking and sounding entitled and stuffed with his own importance. Well, it wasn't the first time he'd had to deal with such folk, and it wouldn't be the last. Habitually, his mind was already altering his speech and mode of address to fit the situation. Physically, he pulled himself a little smaller, shifting his weight to one side to suggest unease, and tilting his neck forward in a contrite and deferential manner as some of these humans seemed to like. Contrition could diffuse an angry man fairly quickly, turn flying fists into flying mud or refuse, which was easier to recover from. Humans... he thinks with an internal sigh as he answers.
"Beggin' your pardon m'lord, I'm no 'sir'. Kurkorikt's me name, Kitch if ya please. An' this here's Lady Blackmore. We've both recently arrived tardy for Lo-- for the Professors burying." He chides himself for acting too familiar with the professor, it always made the nobles annoyed when those beneath them in station starting acting 'uppity'. He pressed on, "We've just been from Lady Kendra Lorrimor, as we'd like to be seein' if we can be of some assistance to yourselves."
Kendra of course. The poor bibliophobe will be the death of her father's investigation. "Here. Take this." Coiger tosses Kitch the pack. "If anyone asks; 'it's church business.'"
He starts walking past the new arrivals in the direction of the Lorrimor house, when he stops suddenly, turns toward them and remembers how much he hates repeating himself, before saying:
"You're coming with us, aren't you."
|
Sohar sighs slightly at Coiger's curtness. While he was getting the sense that the priest didn't mean anything by it, the impatience with people was bound to rub people the wrong way. Putting a smile on his face, he greets the new pair. "Master Kitch, Lady Blackmore, just Sohar is fine. You sayin' Miss Kendra sent you?"
Kitch watches the pack sail through the air towards him and lifts his arms as if to grab it, but allows the pack to brush past his hands and land on the ground with a heavy thud. "Oh dear, so sorry m'lord sir. Clumsy clumsy of me." and scoops the pack up, slinging it over his shoulder, brushing ineffectually at the newly applied dirt.
Before answering Coiger's words he turns to Sohar with a twisted grin, "Just Kitch, if it please ya Sohar. I'd say we sent ourselves mor'n anything, as it took proddin afore Miss Kendra telled us the tale. Poor lady's all tore up inside, small wonder. But we's offered to help and M'lord here," he inclines his head to indicate Coiger, "seems as he might be amicable to the idea."
He asks Sohar, as he seems to be the more friendly of the two, "Anything interesting yer finding, Good Sohar? What'll be this in the bag then?" he asks. Kitch lifts the pack slightly and gives it a gentle shake, listening with a keen ear for that telltale jingle.