"Pay? Elf, I'm not sure you understand the gravity of this situation. This man is paying you nothing. As a matter of fact, it's going to take all day just to go through and retrieve the stolen goods he's already sold here in Belhaim. I'm afraid any gold he has is going straight to the banks of the people he's crossed."
The sheriff does, however, lower his blade. He eyes the group, trying to assess the situation. His eyes are piercing and keen, the eyes of a trained warrior and accomplished lawman.
"Now, I don't believe for a second the little miss here is the bandit you claim she is. She can hardly get a word out of her mouth, she's so flustered at the situation. I suggest you think twice before trying to pull one over on the strong arm of the law. The strong arm's blade doesn't need to think twice. Though...", he lifts his blade towards Kanade, "Don't ever pull your weapon in my town again."
He laughs, then returns his blade to his belt.
"Fortunately for you, I don't think you lot are all that scary. I seriously doubt a single one of you could have had much impact on ol' Silas's heists."
Sheriff Briklar turns and forces the crowd back with a wave of his hand. He motions for his men to begin the process of recovering all the sold wares - and returning the gold stolen by Silas. The process begins, amidst some grumbling and complaining from those who had felt they'd purchased treasures.
"Round 'em up boys! Keep Silas at the Garrison for now, we'll be heading out to Cassomir within the hour."
With a smug grin on his face, the Sheriff turns back to the ex-caravan guards.
"It's a long road to Cassomir, but I'll be back before the month is out. I suggest you lot are gone before then."
Briklar grunt at you, turns, and heads off to attend to Silas.
After the Sheriff went out of our sight fast, I threatened the elven lady with my two swords,and placed one of my swords at her neck.
"Ha.. this biittcchh. What should I do with him. If the Sheriff was stupid, what would have happend? Damn.. I really wanna kill him, but I should not-well I cannot do bad things like murders. I obey laws and try to be good. And I must be rational.."
Then, I talked to her
"If you do this again, I would KILL YOU. OK? Don`t think I cant. You are just a thin cissy and everyone knows that, old stupid elven ranger. God..
After this with my sword placed at the lady's neck,
"So what are we goin' to do now? Find job? Rescue Silas-well it would be exciting but I would rather not do that-what will we do?"
I slashed land in front of the elven lady with my sword on the other hand-not the sword placed in front of the elf-after I said. Because I was angry with the lady, the halo started to form after me and my armor starts to glow.
The sudden surge of violence from the small aasimar, coupled with the glistening silver armor and halo about her head, caused the crowd to gasp. Several people pointed, their eyes wide at the spectacle of holy power juxtaposed against physical harm. Children pushed to the front of the crowd to get a better look. A few shielded their eyes and averted their gaze, terrified to look upon the humanoid.
Somewhere, a young woman screamed and fainted into the arms of her husband.
The guardsmen, still trying to sort out the purchases from Silas's wagon, also turned to watch Kanade threaten Pixis.
"Great gods, what are you?"
They drew their blades, leaving the crowd to fend for themselves in a sudden panic. In a somewhat wavering voice, the lead guardsman called out to Kanade.
"Drop your blade, miss, and don't move... Kick it over here! We'll be confiscating it so long as you can't obey a simple law..."
”looking at the dwarf..
"I am not a human but aasiamr. He might have bad eyes"
drawing my long sword and I threatened the dwarf with it(placing my blade just in front of the dwarf).
"Hey, Tinkerbell, Would u shut up and go back to your fairy tale if u keep screwing up and trying to be killed by the Sheriff?",I whispered
said Panros as he was caught off guard at the woman's sudden violent outburst like a bomb exploding prematurely.
Little one's got a temper! Play with fire, get burnt. Just like Uncle RoryWhile the dwarf was prepping a well suited response to the now violent woman, the Sheriff of all people stepped in.
The sheriff watches this spectacle unfold as the caravan's guard apparently turn on each other. Silas cringes a bit, knowing that no good can come of this.
The sheriff looked from the caravan leader, slowly shaking his head, and made his way down the whole line. He was clearly not pleased.
As the townsfolk backed away, now unsure if they wanted to be involved, several other guards came up behind to support his authority. A total of five - the sheriff and four others - stood before the group.
As Kanade draws her blade, the sound of five swords being drawn in near-unison resounds from the sheriff and his men.
"I suggest you drop your blade little missy. Unless you'd like to add intent to kill to your aiding and abetting a criminal."
He then swung his blade towards the elf, who'd begun to wander away.
Little one's gotta do what he says. Law is...a relative term out here in the sticks... While usually snarky, even the Dwarf knew enough not to step in places where it wasn't right. Had the swordfighter been an ally or atleast respectful, Panros may have stood up for the woman...but this was not the case. The Tinkerer felt that those who were quick to draw lacked sufficient patience and will ultimately get their comeuppance.
What surprised the dwarf was how the sheriff handled everyone else.
"And as for you, elf. Stay still. We have business to attend to, and not the sort that involves sorting pretty flowers in your woods."
Before he could get a chuckle in, the sheriff then turned and gave an angry scowl. Thats roight, I don nuttin wrong.
But the situation quickly turned sour as several armored guards approached Silas Grigs and apprehended the man, after reciting the man's rights. Silas could be seen trying to finagle his way out of the situation, but there was no hope for the charlatan.
Kicking a loose pebble, the dwarf sighed rather loudly. ”Welp...thar goes mah gilt.”
But things continued to go south. Now even the elf was trying to sell out the other caravan guard. ”I should keep an eye on both of them...even the elf. She's become quite duplicitous.
Hey, sir. Sorry to have bothered you. We are not part of the crime, you know. In a sense, we are one of the victims. This man owes as a large sum of money, especially me, and he hasn't payed back yet. However, that white haired old lady seems to be part of the crime. She is very violent and merciless. In our way here, I think I have seen her kill some civilians for not paying her. You saw her vicious movements with her swords, right? That undoubtedly leads to the conclusion that Silas and the woman could have been cooperating in the crime. If you are going to arrest them, I would feel grateful if you had also have them pay the sum they owe me. Thank you."
And before anything could happen, things went further south. Like, darklands south.
”"If you do this again, I would KILL YOU. OK? Don`t think I cant. You are just a thin cissy and everyone knows that, old stupid elven ranger. God..
After this with my sword placed at the lady's neck,
"So what are we goin' to do now? Find job? Rescue Silas-well it would be exciting but I would rather not do that-what will we do?"
I slashed land in front of the elven lady with my sword on the other hand-not the sword placed in front of the elf-after I said. Because I was angry with the lady, the halo started to form after me and my armor starts to glow. “
In a dazzling display, the platinum haired woman drew both her weapons and it seemed for a moment a shimmering ray of light formed on her head. No wait, a halo! The sword-fighter was indeed not a normal person! Panros hadn't known the woman long enough, and there was no telling if she was on a divine crusade or mission at behest of a higher power...but she shared in that moment a similar hatred of elves which put the Tinkerer on a somewhat level headed basis.
”Dis...really appening?” was all that Panros managed to mutter while finding a good distance away from the potential fight.
- - - - -
Rolling Perception: [roll]d20+10[/roll]
Alex glances at the man and his sword.
"You can hold onto that for now. Just give it back when I leave, the monks gave it to me, it is very precious to me."
He looks back to Anagrit
"Anagrit, I'm no thief and I mean you no harm. I'm sorry for appearing like that in your basement, that must have been unsettling. What upsets me though, is that you keep referring to my home as something long gone. If its alright with you, after you are done talking to me I'd like to head over there and figure out what happened. "
[oos]Yeah, I think it would be fun for alex to have nothing but a masterwork sword and the ammy.[/oos]
The building is filled with alchemical equipment of all kinds, ranging from flasks and vials to ingredients of questionable origin. A scrape mark along the floor leads up to one of the bookcases - and ends at the trapdoor. It's quite likely that it had been on top of the door for quite some time.
"Through the swamps? Heh." Ernie laughs a bit, still fiddling with the sword. He appears quite fond of it, though you note he has practically no idea how to wield it properly. He does nod at your request to return it, but Anagrit scowls at him a he moves to return it now.
"Nobody's been out that far in the Dragonfens for years, stranger. The Monastery was abandoned over a century ago, lost to the wilderness as the swamp's denizens reclaimed it. Probably overrun with vermin by now, but you're welcome to go and die in search of your lost friends. At least it would get you out of my house."
She chuckles, taking another swig of the strange-looking liquid in her cup. She seems a bit more at ease now, though still cautious.
"Would you care for some tea? My own special blend."
After the Sheriff went out of our sight fast, I threatened the elven lady with my two swords,and placed one of my swords at her neck.
"Ha.. this biittcchh. What should I do with him. If the Sheriff was stupid, what would have happend? Damn.. I really wanna kill him, but I should not-well I cannot do bad things like murders. I obey laws and try to be good. And I must be rational.."
Then, I talked to her
"If you do this again, I would KILL YOU. OK? Don`t think I cant. You are just a thin cissy and everyone knows that, old stupid elven ranger. God..
After this with my sword placed at the lady's neck,
"So what are we goin' to do now? Find job? Rescue Silas-well it would be exciting but I would rather not do that-what will we do?"
I slashed land in front of the elven lady with my sword on the other hand-not the sword placed in front of the elf-after I said. Because I was angry with the lady, the halo started to form after me and my armor starts to glow.
I stand there confused at what just happened and how things turned out after the appearance of the sheriff.
When I regain my consciousness, I find myself pointed with a longsword by Kanade.I become super confused and violated.
Also infuriated.
and I say..
"Damn woman! What are you trying to do with those pair of swords? Trying to kill me or something? You wanna go to the jail? Don't you see the sheriff right there checking us out? DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT SHERIFFS DO? THEY ARREST PEOPLE!! You dumb ass!
"Great gods, what are you?"They drew their blades, leaving the crowd to fend for themselves in a sudden panic. In a somewhat wavering voice, the lead guardsman called out to Kanade.
"Drop your blade, miss, and don't move... Kick it over here! We'll be confiscating it so long as you can't obey a simple law..."
After things turn out to be safe for me and damned for the aasimar, I get relieved and say..
"Wo,, thanks sheriff. That was close. I almost got beheaded by this violent r-tard. I would prefer not to come into contacts with this individual anymore, so could you please take her away, or, at least, make sure she cannot attack people with no clear reasons? Thank you. Good day, sir.
After all the racket and sh*t, I walk up to the half-elf, who is still in cloud nine. I say..
"Hey, Brok, was it? So.. we were talking about getting a job here, and I found a perfect place for it. There is an inn over there by like a hundred meters, and maybe we could get employed there, perhaps. Want to accompany me? I would prefer it..
Without here the definite response from Brok, I start heading toward the inn, writing things down in my notebook.
seems like the half-elf is pretty cool.
although I don't prefer mudbloods.
planning on working in the inn with Brok.
hope the little fella dwarf and the crazy biitch aasimar won't follow us all the way to our work.
If they do, I guess they are too r-t ed to find a job for their own..
I remember to pray.
Dear lord, thank you for the day. Please don't let the whity ass biitch approach me. Amen. And god bless you. Oh yeah right, YOU are god. Sorry dude. Forgot it. anyways please save me from the aasimar. Vade retro assimara!
The guards look to one another, unsure of how to treat an elven lady-boy.
"Uh, our pleasure, ma'am."
They gestured at the smaller woman, then to one another. A guard slowly approached, cautiously, waiting for the woman to drop her blade.
You make your way across the crossroads to the door of the inn. A note says:
Be back soon! Make yourself at home!
-Talia
I looked at the crowd and the soldiers. My reason starts to come back and I realized what happened after the soldiers balmed at me. Then, by my own surprise and shame, I blushed and my eyes are widened. Then I was embarrased, so I suddenly said sorry in Celestial(my native language).I was flustered again and quickly spoke in Common again.
I bowed several times while I spoke-I was quite awkward cuz I was quite young(teenagers according to human beings) but it should have been quite cute also(?!lol).
"Oh! Sorry! Sorry!(Xseveral times)"
I dropped my two swords and kicked those to the soldiers.
"Damn, what the hell happened? What did I do? I suddenly lost my pace and reason..
As my thoughts start to come back fast, I started to realize something more.
"Why they are so surprised and the crowd seems scared.. I mean,(the dwarf's reaction bothered me most) why is the tinkerbell went hysterical?
Then I looked my body and I realized my armor was glowing.
"SHIT"
I suddenly covered my mouth because I was surprised by my own four-letter-word.
"Oh what the hell I said. So, now, I understood this damn situation. They are surpised by my glowin' armor and probably the halo might have been formed at my back(and still stay there).. What should I do with these? Should I maintain these fancies? Well, I'd better keep these to scare away the soldiers or..
However, although my armor(and also my halo perhaps-I donno actually-but anyways) was still glowing but the glow became weaker a bit.
"S..S..sorry.. You can take those and I hope you to give me those back soon. I would not do that again. I just lost my rationality.
I took a deep breath.
"But.. you'd better take away this elf's weapon also-his bow. You saw how evil is he. He lied to the Sheriff about me and tried to get me into trouble. That pissed me off make me pull out my swords and... and tha..that's why I was just about to kill him. I think this ranger would try to kill me or the dwarf or the Sheriff or the town people. I recommend you to take his bow along my swords."
Alex has been pretty calm up to this point, sitting down and listening to what they have to say. When the women mentions the monastery being gone for over a century he grows more uneasy when he realizes they really believe what they are saying. He accepts the tea and sips on it in between speaking in a worried tone.
"You mean to say the names Kanjougas and Enari don't mean anything to you?"
Alex reaches up to his head and grabs a clump of hair in his hand.
"Could it be that whatever I was supposed to do... I failed?"
Alex is growing increasingly agitated and stands up, looking down at the half empty drink.
"The only thing I can do is see for myself if what you said is true. ...No matter what the danger."
Alex notices that he stood up rudely during their generous offer of tea drinking.
"Sorry for being so rude but... I have to do this. Thanks for the tea."
Helio: "Looks like he might have some work, stranger. 'Course, there's always a farm or two looking for an extra pair of hands in the planting seasons. Surely they could help ya out, too. Though, Talia's inside the Piper there, and she might know a bit more."
"Thank you sir I will take your ideas into consideration."
Kanade: "Well.. I don`t know. This place is too small to find something to do. Maybe.. we can go to a mayor to ask for a job, I guess.. I even think there would be no mayor for this small town(whispering)"
"Anyway, I will just follow your decision.. I know nothing about this palce.. I hope we can find someone like a mayor of this small town."
”Yah we should try to find more people for bigger and better jobs. I believe this town has a sheriff not a mayor.”
Pixis: "Hey, Brok, was it? So.. we were talking about getting a job here, and I found a perfect place for it. There is an inn over there by like a hundred meters, and maybe we could get employed there, perhaps. Want to accompany me? I would prefer it..
”Yah I would love to join you on your journey but I also believe that we all should join up with the others to work together you, the dwarf, the assimar woman, and me.”
”I yell out to the group and say I am down for anything that goes on as long as there is a nice reward coming my way.”
The guards look at each other, then at Kanade.
"Aye, that may be so, but his bow is still stowed. Your blades were not. Seems to me he was right."
Another nods. "Unless any of you folk feel the need to cause a ruckus in the middle of Belhaim's streets, I see no reason to confiscate anything more. We'll put these in the garrison for now - you're more than welcome to take them when you leave town."
The crowd continues to scatter, still shaken by the events that had transpired over the last half-hour.
The first guard speaks up again, passing both of Kanade's blades off to one of his associates.
"Perhaps. I'm Deputy Hodd, and while the Sheriff's out of town, I'm responsible for these folk. He'll be gone in less than an hour, so you'll have to speak to the Countess if you want them back, I'm afraid."
---------------------------
You notice a subtle but definite reaction from Anagrit when you mention the name Enari. She turns her head, averting her eyes from you. She gazes off for a brief moment, as though she wanted to say something - and then stops herself.
She stands, giving Alexander a nod. She motions to the door.
"Take a good, hard look, if that suits you. I see no reason to report you to the guard - if anything, you've just given me more space to store my supplies."
She stops, and looks to Ernie. He is off in his own little world, having a mock fight with a coat rack.
"Perhaps... maybe later. Come back after you've taken a look for yourself. I have much work to do, and my associate here will hold onto your blade."
A sudden thud came from the other room as he tumbled over the rack and ended up covered in a foul-smelling, purplish powder.
"I assure you he will not break it in your absence."
"Can I try some of your flayleaf?"
I walk down the road, proceeding to the inn.
I enter.
"Anybody here?"
After the guard went away I thought..
"SHIIT, I failed to get the elf into trouble. So, what should I do now? Well I'd better go to the inn. I might be able to find something to do there. I don't like that cissy.
I ran to follow the dwarf. And I remebered..
"And what the he1l about the countess? Is she like mad wh0re? I probably don't wanna meet her. Oh, Perhaps, it would be better if I try to find some jobs under the countess. She might have bunch of craps."
Uh.. Tinker..? I will go to the countess!-I shouted.
I found the way to the countess by asking to people around here.
Then, I went to the countess' house and knocked the door. I made my halo and armor brighter-to frighten them.
"Of Course you can try some of my amazing flayleaf, but if it continues on a regular basis it will cost you!"
I walk with him to the inn and stand at his side.
"When I walk into the Inn I sit in the far corner of the place while I wait for Pixis to come back to try some of my Flayleaf and discuss what we are going to do"
Panros hadn't seen anyone fly off the handle at such an unworthy cause. ”No telling's if one's got the hots for the other, but their steel seems to sharpen eachother. Perhaps...old comrades?” thought Panros as he struggled to understand the deep seeded hatred between the two women.
Tinkerer struggling to form words, the spectacle of blinding light and swordplay drew to a close as the female fencer came to her senses.
”Meh...I've seen a smaller furnace produce mer smoke”
Oh how his back ached under the taxing strain of the Tinkerer's alchemical supplies – a collection of memories, tools and gear that attributed to his early success as a craftsman.
”Silas gone...as well as my paycheck...(sigh)..time to see what I can do.." Thinking this it was best to leave the others to their machinations, Panros set off within Belhaim to find any sort of craftsman or smith. ”Swords...armor...there's got tew be some wun thats armin' dese...cans...”
Panros wastes no time in setting off to find something a little more dear to his heart than flower-munching elves and baby Sheriffs. It doesn't take him long before he hears the sounds of the smithy - a furnace stoked with coals and a smith's hammer heavy upon steel.
He turns down Canteclure Road, and spots his target, directly across from a stabling house. A small sign hangs from an iron post leaning into the road.
Baccus Smithy
After your spectacle in the center of town, most of the common folk about Belhaim seem to have little interest in helping you. Several of them stammer senselessly at your approach, others flee, and a good number simply stare. A single helpful individual, however, informs you that the Countess typically does not accept random strangers from the street. Her guests are either invited or request an audience with her.
To make matters worse, you have no idea where to even start to look for her estate. After a good half-hour of wandering and information-gathering, you find yourself back in the same square you left.
The note did not lie - no one answer's Pixis's call. The inn is homey, warm with the summer's heat, but not overbearingly so. Heavy oaken tables are scattered about the first floor, and an unlit hearth lay at the far end. A staircase on the far right of the room leads upstairs.
Brok wastes no time in making himself at home, heading over to one of the tables near the hearth and plopping himself down into the chair. Rufus joins him, hopping up onto one of the other chairs and laying his head upon the table.
I stayed still and my halo disappeared and my armor stopped glowing.
"umm.. How can I get my swords back? What the hell should I do? Perhaps I'd better go to the inn to collect some information and meet my 'group-I don't even no their name, though'. Or.. do I have to buy new swords? Damn..."
While I was walking to the inn, I asked almost everbody I met.
"Uh.. How can I meet the Countess? I need to meet her to get my things back."
I get a small piece of flayleaf and take it in.
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
I lose consciousness and enter cloud 9.
I see a clothing.
I see it extremely zoomed.
I look at it carefully.
It is a tampon.
A tampon. right, a tampon.
It smells sexy.
I know whose it is.
the tampon.
From Emma Watson.
right, Emma Watson.
Who the hell is Emma Watson?
I have no idea.
I shove it in my pocket.
I feel good.
The whole world twists.
I find myself in a room.
It is cozy.
I see Emma Stone.
Who the hell is Emma Stone?
I have no idea.
She walks toward me.
She is naked.
no she isn't.
She is wereing a t-panty.
She approaches.
I feel good.
and I..
I snap out of the situation.
I feel so disturbed. (actually good)
I write down something on my note.
Buy some flayleaf.
When I full recover, I see the half-elf man near the counter.
I walk up to him and say..
"I guess no one is here at the moment. Let's go upstairs. I think that is the only choice we've got. Have any better ideas? If not, I'll proceed to the stairs first. Follow me.
After making sure I have not missed anything important in the room,
( )
I walk up the stairs.
<if I missed sth but figured it out with my perception, please tell me>
"Man you really got twisted off your first little hit of flayleaf but yah we should try to find the dwarf and aasimar that you were argueing with they seemed to have a plan for work'
”Panros wastes no time in setting off to find something a little more dear to his heart than flower-munching elves and baby Sheriffs. It doesn't take him long before he hears the sounds of the smithy - a furnace stoked with coals and a smith's hammer heavy upon steel.
He turns down Canteclure Road, and spots his target, directly across from a stabling house. A small sign hangs from an iron post leaning into the road.
Baccus Smithy”
With little regard to any passerbyers, Panros stumbled upon what he was looking for – a smithy. Clapping his leathered hands and jumping in step, the Tinkerer felt that he had finally found respite from the hectic afternoon.
”Here's to hoping we've a friend...” he said while pushing through the heavy wooden door....
- - - -
After the scene you made in the middle of town, most of the townsfolk were in the process of scattering and returning to the daily grind. With Silas arrested, their purchases confiscated, and the excitement over, there was little else to do - except hide from the strange angelic creature.
Only one person seems capable of answering your question before shuffling off, pointing you in the direction of the inn. Supposedly, Talia is a nice enough person to even help a strange troublemaker from the heavens.
As Brok notes the dwindling supply within his snuffbox, the obvious seems to come back around to his mind - where did the other two caravan guards go? He ponders it before shrugged it off, satisfied with relaxing in relative comfort.
Pixis, however, wanders off to the upper floor of the inn. Perhaps as one might expect, a series of door line a rather short hallway. The Wise Piper apparently boasts only a few rooms, and, upon a cursory inspection, they appear to be locked.
The telltale scents of the forge assault your sense as you enter into the front room of the small smithy. Although most of the ware in the shop are tools of various shapes and sizes, a handful of blades, quivers of arrows, and at least two suits of passable armor line one wall.
A small bell on the door rings as you enter, but the hammering in the adjoining room drowns it out. In the stone-laid smithy beyond the shop, the flames of the forge caused shadows to dance upon the wall as the smith lay his hammer upon metal. The smith's toned muscles flexed as he finished his work, held it up for examination, and set it down into the cooling waters. The metal sizzled as the blade set.
The smith turned towards the door with a smile, betraying a toothy grin. His eyes were a bright hazel color, accenting his somewhat green skin. A pair of elongated ears poked out from beneath his trim black hair.
"Thank for waiting a minute, stranger. The name's Baccus. What can I do you for?"
The telltale scents of the forge assault your sense as you enter into the front room of the small smithy. Although most of the ware in the shop are tools of various shapes and sizes, a handful of blades, quivers of arrows, and at least two suits of passable armor line one wall.
A small bell on the door rings as you enter, but the hammering in the adjoining room drowns it out. In the stone-laid smithy beyond the shop, the flames of the forge caused shadows to dance upon the wall as the smith lay his hammer upon metal. The smith's toned muscles flexed as he finished his work, held it up for examination, and set it down into the cooling waters. The metal sizzled as the blade set.
The smith turned towards the door with a smile, betraying a toothy grin. His eyes were a bright hazel color, accenting his somewhat green skin. A pair of elongated ears poked out from beneath his trim black hair.
"Thank for waiting a minute, stranger. The name's Baccus. What can I do you for?"
Breathing deep, Panros' senses were assaulted within mere moments of entering the shop.
”Aye, a forge's right. Armor, weapons...finally a modicu--” said the Tinkerer until his eyes fell upon the blacksmith. "Orc. You's...an orc”
The pleasant thoughts and yearning the craft was replaced with a hate that existed long before the dwarf was a fleck of dust within Torag's striking blow.
”Ugh...why did it have to be this way...” The situation soured as Panros stood there puffing while trying to reclaim his sense. Kan't be haff bad iff deh bugger's gotten a hand in craftin” Straightening his beard and demeanor, a fellow crafter was still a learned one, and proved to be better company than the flower-munching women.
”Aye...Baccus...name's Panros Grunyar Lorearthen, Clockwork Tinkerer and Brewer from the heart of Five Kings Mountain.” Extending a hand out, he'd hope the green brute had the honor and respect a true blacksmith would have.
”Kuldn't halp the notice you're werkin on a small set up. Per chance, need 'an hand in crafin, Half Orc?”
Baccus readily extends his hand, accepting your handshake with a firm grim and a steady smile, despite having at least two feet on your rather short stature. You note that his hands are hard, calloused. The hands of a working man. The hands of a smith.
"That's quite the title you've got there, Panros Lorearthen. Hope you don't mind if I just call you by your first name." He chuckles a bit, gesturing towards the shop part of the store. A pair of oaken chairs sit next to a rather small table, but enough for a pair to sit and have a chat comfortably. "They sometimes call me the Big Bull Baccus. Not quite sure why, though."
The towering man took a seat at the table - his seated height still equal to your own.
"But aye - I'm of orcish blood, it's true. A bit of a long story, that. Good things, bad things. In the past, and before my time. But Belhaim's been kind to me and my kin. Training in the forge, I am. And I hope to pass the trade on to my son and daughter as well."
He stops, then off-handedly remembers your inquiry.
"Oh, so do you have much experience with smithing? I've heard tales of the best dwarven steel..."
As I see the hallway up in the second floor of the inn, I start feeling a bit confused and worried.
I think,
"Why isn't there anyone here? This is supposed to be the only and the biggest inn of the town.. Something must be wrong...
I see if I feel something wrong coming, and I go into a stealth mode, since there could be things dangerous.
I sneak around the hall, trying to see if I can hear any voices.
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Panros was taken aback by the firm grip of the smith.
"Aye, though Baccus is green like dem orcs, he's got the meddle of a true smith...an thats sumthin I kan get behin." Slowly wiping away his ill hatred, he was suprised at the smith's interest in the dwarf. Sensing that the giant of a man shared a love with crafting, Panros would have to overcome any ancient racism should a relationship bloom with his new colleague. Attempting to show some respect, Panros motioned over to where Baccus sat and hung his backpack on a nearby hook. Enjoying the newfound freedom, he slumpt into the chair nearby and gazed upon the Smith's wares before joining the conversation.
"Aye...not bad...even for...an orc."
"But aye - I'm of orcish blood, it's true. A bit of a long story, that. Good things, bad things. In the past, and before my time. But Belhaim's been kind to me and my kin. Training in the forge, I am. And I hope to pass the trade on to my son and daughter as well."
"Ours...is a troubled history aye, goes back farther than I can remember. Much of my kin have died in glorious combat against the Orcs and their ilk..." Though the Tinkerer lacked social ettiquete, he had to reason that Baccus didn't choose to be of Orc Blood. One thing that struck Panros was that Baccus not only honed his craft, but wanted to pass it onto his offspring...which wasn't that much different than Panros' mission. "Offspring, eh? Yous and I ain't much different. To save you a long lecture, I aim to learn the mysteries of Black Powder and help usher in another Golden Age for mah kin." Reaching over to his nearby pack, the Dwarf released his light crossbow from its sling and placed it on the table near Baccus. "As fer mah kraft, Imma Clockwork Tinkerer! Imagine a whole bunch of tiny parts - skrews, nuts and gears working as yer personal army to augment the mundane into sumthing
You creep down the hallway and approach the third door on the left, the second to last room. You could hear a noise from the far side...
You lean close and put your ear to the door.
Snoring. Someone is inside, snoring. Past midday, at that! You test the door, just to be sure it's not evil snoring, but the door is locked.
Baccus nods as you explain your great plans, and brief history of the dwarves' history with orcs. He looks on with an expression somewhere between wonder and disbelief.
"Fascinating stuff, it sounds like. Far more complex than anything I'd ever care to work with, I tell you what. These hands would crush any time gears as I'd tried to put it all together!" He laughs, then looks on with inquisitive eyes. "But black powder? Never hearda' that. Some kind of legendary metal?"
"Oh thank you very much. I appreciate your help."
After I asked her name and I also asked her where does she live-I also told her about me(even my race). Then, I said I will visit her someday.
"Eventually!! I found this damn inn. I must visit her and thank her again someday.
I walked into the inn...
"Uh.. anyone here? Tinker? Or owner please?"
"Fascinating stuff, it sounds like. Far more complex than anything I'd ever care to work with, I tell you what. These hands would crush any time gears as I'd tried to put it all together!" He laughs, then looks on with inquisitive eyes. "But black powder? Never hearda' that. Some kind of legendary metal?"
Ofkarse he vouldn't like gears. Dem big ole hands ain nuttin but good fer raping, smithing and strangling...opfully not in dat order, ha!
" Panros thought to himself, struggling to kept racist remarks within his brilliant mind.Had it been another time, Panros may have just walked to the forge and begun crafting like in his earlier days amongst his kin. Having been the runt of his litter - a family with 14 offspring meant that there was plenty of competition and support from his brothers and sisters. Of the family, only a handful had actually become accomplished blacksmiths - often grabbing Panros to help them with their projects.
Coming back to reality, Panros scratched at his beard and further indulged Baccus the Bull's curiousity.
"Well, Black Powder tecknikally aint no legendary metal, but almost forgotten by h'story. Its an explosive like the world asn't seen. Step aside Alchemist's Fire, Black Powder is teh way of the future. Take dis crossbow ere, simple tool, point and shoot and something dies. Simple, no?"
Like a salesman, Panros became like a child and described in great detail about his plans with Black Powder.
"Now, mind you I've read much about Dwarven h'story and records state that Black Powder was paramount in the Great War, but banned mostly because its applications...offen left the user with no arms, ha!"
Sensing that the Smith was losing interest, Panros went back to talking about the light crossbow.
"So, imagine packing a small canister...like a jar with blackpowder, load it with all sorts of metal fragments and baubles and attach it to a device like dis crossbow ere. Light the fuse or mechanism and . Now...thats one application...albeit crude and simple enough dat a pansy elf can use it. My real aim here is to take said Powder and find a way to stabilize the powder and help power...well crafting. Tink like, instead of teams of hardy men picking away sections of a mountain at a snails pace, set several charges of dis ere explosive and , diamonds, ore veins and even a passageway to previous unnaccessible areas and thar you ave it!"
The dwarf exhibited great excitement. Finally someone shown an interest in his crazed hypothesis and cared enough to listen. But...the moment was short lived as Panros felt it was necessary to share a truth with his new friend.
"All of dis sounds great n' dandy, but finding this stuff...is difficult. Most folks dare not to mess with the powder and its why I ended up ere. Opfully someone ere in Taldor knows where I can procure it."
- - - -
"Ok, I'll leave it in your good hands."
Alexander opens the door and takes his first look at the town. Everything looks familiar, but in another sense completely new. Starting to doubt himself, he wonders.
"What if that lady was right, what if I was asleep for a very long time."
"No!" He gasps out loud. He takes both his hands and slaps his face to shake off the mental doubt that plagued him.
"I should take a look around town to grab my bearings before visiting the monastery."
No one answers your call, but you do see the strange half-elven fellow from the town square sitting in a chair near the inn's hearth.
The smith nods and smiles as he listens to your tale of black powder.
"Aye, sounds like it'd made life a bit easier in them mountains. Wouldn't mind taking a look at it myself - 'cept, sounds a little more dangerous than I care for. I don't just live in Belhaim because the Countess is kind enough to have us, after all."
He laughs, then stands and stretches.
"Well Panros, I wish ya the best of luck on your search. If you don't mind, I've got to return to work now - blade ought to be plenty cool by now. It's been quite a pleasure to speak to ya."
Baccus gives the dwarf a nod, then heads back to the forge. He grabs hold of a tankard, takes a swig, then sets to work on the next piece of steel.
The town does look vaguely familiar - but something about it is off. The farmstead across from the cottage you awoke in looks familiar, but only a fraction of the size you recalled. The trees surrounding it were larger, too. Quite a bit larger than you remembered.
You wander vaguely in the direction you remember, noting each structure as you go. A weavery. A dyer. Smithy. Tavern. Yet none of them seemed familiar, except in a vague sense.
Without any direction, you shrug and begin to head south on the main road. After a few minutes, you arrive at what seems to be something like a town square. Several folk milled about the small field, talking and laughing. A couple of children were playing some kind of game scribbled into the dirt. A pair of bored-looking guardsmen stood next to a rough stone structure near the bridge.
"Well Panros, I wish ya the best of luck on your search. If you don't mind, I've got to return to work now - blade ought to be plenty cool by now. It's been quite a pleasure to speak to ya."
At Baccus' farewell, the Tinkerer retrieved his backpack and motioned towards the door. Panros recognizing a craftsman when he saw one and Baccus was indeed a new friend and colleague. Pushing through the threshold, the Tinkerer called out over his shoulder. "Its been a pleasure Baccus. I'll see you soon."
"A fine half-orc if a've seen one before."
Back outside in the summer's heat, the Dwarf contemplated his options.
"Belhaim's like no true town a've ad the pleasure of visitin. Craftsman aside, I don know wut else this po-dunk shanty wuld ave fer the likes of me. Perhaps securin a room before my "esteemed" companions outbook me. Though, shant be too bad. I'll also need to find a space to practice my alchemy. Extracts and Mutagens need to be ready if that firebrand of a lady decides to hold an inquisition on dear ole, Panros"
It isn't hard to find the inn - you backtrack a bit, and head across the town square. You wander on into the inn and see the strange woman walking around somewhat confused, having just walked in and having little idea of what to do.
Alex wanders around town for a bit, taking in the strange sights. Finally, he comes across a grizzled dwarf who walked with purpose. Seemed like to be the perfect person to ask for directions.
"Hello... uh... Mr. Dwarf? I seem to be a bit lost, can ya help me?"
For a brief while, the Dwarf noticed a man that had been following him. Simple clothes, an unusual sword dangling and the man...seemed different. This went on for several minutes.
"Hm...could be a cutpurse. Better watch him" thought the dwarf. Turning a sharp right into the Bellhaim's main square, Panros looked back quickly and saw the man was still on his trail. "Can't shack em. Lets --" The Tinkerer's thoughts paused as he saw the firebrand fencer from earlier wandering aimless by the Inn's threshold. "Great...just great..."
Preparing for the worse, Panros skipped a step ahead and quickly turned about only to be surprised at the strange man's interjection.
"Hello... uh... Mr. Dwarf? I seem to be a bit lost, can ya help me?"
"Buhh..you're not lost. You've been following me for the last minute! Out with it "boy". Are you a cutpurse, cad or whatever they call you folks these days?"
"Hm...boy's lost and I'm too. Meh, lets entertain 'em"
"Buh, forget it! Local, no. But this right ere is an Inn. Best place to look..." said the Tinkerer as his ire defused.
I walked into the inn and tried to talk to the only person in the inn.
[b]"Uhh.. Sir? Excuse me? Are you the owner of the inn? May I ask your name?"
I open the door and creep in.
I check who is sleeping and if there are other people or things inside the room.
You don't notice anything out of the ordinary about the fellow you're looking at - he looks like an average man, if a little out of place.
Your attempts to unlock the door fail, but you're fairly certain you were pretty quiet about it - the individual inside, at least, is still snoring.
This time, you manage to find the right pin on the small lock keeping the door sealed. You slide it up and out of the way with your tool, then carefully push the door open a crack. You look back down the hall, waiting to see if anyone has heard you - and despite hearing voices, none of them seem interested in coming up the stairs.
With a breath of relief, you look through the crack and into the room. You can't see much, but it looks to be a standard room like any inn you've ever seen.
I close the door after coming in.
I wonder around the room very carefully, trying to find the source of the sound.
I feel pretty stealthy.
The source of the sound is fairly obvious once you push the door open enough to get inside. A surprising amount of noise is coming out of a small youngish-looking woman on the bed.
You creep up and observe her as you peek over the edge of the bed.
Looks to be half-elven?
I slowly examine her body under the blanket.
I take off her
After realizing you've walked in on a sleeping woman, you creep back out of the room and quietly close the door. You wait a moment, take a deep breath, and knock on the door like a civilized person.
You can hear the person within stir, and the snoring quiets down - but no one comes to answer your knocking.
When I was looking around the inn's first floor, I realized there's a sign, which says that the innkeeper is not here, and there's a stairs to the second floor. Then I walked up to the second floor.
"Uh.. anyone there?"
Panros grows disgruntled as he's quite certain that the other two individuals from earlier in the day roamed within the Inn. Sensing no danger from the odd man that had been following the him earlier, the Tinkerer decided to introduce himself.
"Figured to get this over wit..."
"Oy Outlander, tho the statement's more or less aimed at me, I'm Panros Grunyar Lorearthen. Tinkerer, Alemaster and Best Clockwork Engineer this side of the Five Kings Mountain. And you are..?"
While introducing himself, the Dwarf roared within the lobby of the Inn.
An unmistakably dwarven voice resounds itself through the inn. Everyone - from Alexander, who had the misfortune to be standing next to the source, to Pixis and Kanade, who had begun to make their way up the stairs, now knows of the presence of Panros Grunyar Lorearthen, etc..
No one - except for the dwarf downstairs - answers your call, but you do see the half-male elf knocking on one of the doors down the hallway.
You suspect that the dwarf's voice may have awakened the sleeper within - and as you grit your teeth in anger and look towards the stairs, you see that same strange and violent girl from the caravan climbing up. You are fairly certain she sees you.
Brok shifts in his seat, a sudden disturbance pulling him from his near zen-like state as he examined the fascinating spirals and rings in the woodwork.
Trees that had once been in the wild, a part of nature, reduced to nothing more than flooring. And yet, despite this, they kept some of the natural beauty. Each spiral told a story, of a season or a storm, a beast of the forest or an intruder of the woods. It was truly a marvel - and he could feel each and every fiber of the former tree's essence - screaming as it was cut down, but... pleased, was it? Yes - it seemed to enjoy the company of man, despite its untimely demise.
A strange tree.
He shook his head, remembering what had stirred his reverie in the first place. He called over, unwilling to drag himself from his chair. It was comfy.
"For all that's good in the world, man - keep it down... Some of us are trying to think! The name's Brok, though. Of the... uh, whatever?" He wasn't sure what he was supposed to add. Panros Guggenheim Lorberltharn guy of the Third Brewer's Mountain... Man, that guy had a long name.
He paused for a moment, then added, "My friends usually call me Brok. I'll call you Panros. Deal?"
Alex notices a bunch of people, including the dwarf he happened on a moment ago, introducing themselves. He decides that it would be in his best interests to introduce himself while they are all equally unaware of each other. Then maybe he could find out directions to the monastery. He had an idea of how to get there, but with everything changed he was unsure of himself.
"Yo, I'm Alex. Are you guys new around here? I'm looking for a monastery that is supposed to be near here."
Alex intends to socialize with these characters to try and get potential allies or information. Assuming no one knows where the monastery is, he also introduces himself to other people like the tavern owner and anyone else who looks important, asking them if they know anything about the monastery.
Diplomacy