Kazz offers a slight bow, "Apologies, my name is Kazz."
He gestures to the small shadowy figure beside him, "My campanion is known as Ammanas."
The small figure of Ammanas shifts slightly but makes no other move at the introduction.
Kazz returns his gaze to Josef, taking a sip of his ale, "I was recruited for this expedition by the Swordlords. It was felt my diverse skillset might be of use. Some problems simply cannot by solved with a dueling sword, no matter how skillfully wielded."
Spying his cousin and overhearing the interactions, nodded in turn when acknowledged. He keeps moving the cards as he works on his hand. Seemed his cousin had similar instructions to himself, yet the young man had none of his patience or subtly. Many things had to be considered and observed, such was the difference in their manner. Fitting it matched their own way of fighting as well.
Overhearing Kazz's statement for his presence he could not help but chuckle. He doubted that a Swordlord would come right out and admit that directly, at least none he had met.
Josef enjoys the suggestion that a blade might not be enough. "But of course other skills are required! A swordsman tends to make very poor wine, not many can sing as well as a bard, and so on." He grins as the reaction from his comment starts to manifest. "I was raised in a family that tries to solve everything with words. I know the sword is a tool, a choice. It is a choice of passion, though. It is a way to express yourself in a way that leaves no room for hesitation or doubt. Of course there are many other skills that prove useful. But they tend to be less impassioned."
A tall young Taldane man enters the room and folds his outer-coat over his arm. For a moment, he looks to one of the servers as if he expected her to take it from him. But his hesitation is only momentary and he makes his way to the bar and places his coat over the back of a stool.
The young man wears a very formal suit of protective armor that some of you might recognize as Taldane military dress. A rapier hangs from a sheath at his belt. His dark brown hair has escaped its tie at the back and become somewhat unruly from his travels. A day's growth is just beginning to shadow his face. Despite the signs of travel he smiles pleasantly and introduces himself to the hostess with a bow and a kiss to her hand. The gesture is quite genuine and looks to be a very natural act on his behalf.
Kazz smiles, "You were raised by among the very wise, Josef. Words are often the most versatile tool of all. Well suited to passion or restraint. Of course they do fail on occasion, in those times the sword..."
He reaches an ashen hand to tap the long ebony bow across his back, "Or arrow make for rather capable replacements."
He inclines his mug toward the duelist, "To the right tool for every task..."
After exchanging brief pleasantries with Svetlana, Gareth accepts a drink from Oleg with a thanks and then looks about the room as if searching for someone. When he sights the group of unusual-looking patrons he approaches and introduces himself.
"Greetings ladies and gentlemen, I am Gareth" he says with a bright smile. "Are you all here to celebrate the good fortune of the trapper, Bailey?"
The kayal inclines his head to the newcomer, "Kazz. Like many here, just passing through. It is simply our good fortune to share in his."
As the sun will soon set. a small eagle soars over the trading post. eventually landing on a hitching post outside the tavern.
shortly after a man walks in guiding his horse. the horse is laden with furs of varying types and sizes. The man is dressed in simple clothes obviously made of the furs and skins he currently is hauling.
He is of a strong build, his skin has an ever so slight reddish tint as though he spends all of his days in the sun. his hands and arms indicate one who is accustomed to work and life in the wilds.
his headpiece is adorned with two eagle feathers. and he wears a beaded necklace with a tiny leather pouch attached. on his left hand and forearm is a heavy padded leather gauntlet, a few straps attached to it.
he is carrying no weapons but attached to the horse is a spear its tip bloodied from the hunt.
The eagle looks in his direction as he approaches. with a screech the eagle flies toward the man as he extends his gloved hand. the eagle lands on it and the man feeds the eagle a treat he pulled from a pouch tied to his waist.
stay out of trouble, These Ulfen will cook you without hesitation.
The eagle screeches and circles around landing on the roof of the tavern just over the door.
The man ties up his horse to the post and walks in the tavern. a quick scan he sees his intended customer.
approaching Oleg. I have more furs, from the Plains. good bison hides. should sell for good price. what will you trade? same as before?
The man appears to have conducted business here before, but he has been away for awhile.
"Pleased to meet you, Kazz."[b] Gareth appears about to say something else when the musicians begin to play a rowdy tune. His eyes light up and he addresses the women at the table[b]"Would one of you ladies do me the great honor of sharing a dance?"
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"Dance? Why yes. I love to dance. My third one tonight. Just don't pull my ears like all the other human men here tonight. Must be something in the ale." Hithil walks with Gareth to the center and bows, then starts dancing to the rhythm of the music.
"By the way, my name is Hithil. I'm here celebrating my first adventure. What brings you here?"
"I am here to meet a friend and set off for an adventure myself. And I would never pull on your ears." Gareth seems a bit surprised at the idea of yanking ears but makes no more mention of it. He returns Hithil's bow and takes her hand. He is a very skilled dancer.
"And what was your adventure, Lady Hithil?" he asks between steps.
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"Well, my first task was to find the best dancer in town. I've already accomplished that." Hithil laughs a bit at her own joke. "Oh, and the easier task is to help secure the stolen lands for the noble house of Lodovka. They're expanding beyond the sea you know? I grew up in Northern Brevoy by the water, but not everything is in the sea, right? You can't dance like this on a ship in the ocean! Well, maybe YOU can."
Raven catches herself smiling at the men and women in the room sharing not only a dance on the floor,but with words as well. It intrigues her long enough to listen in, but not enough to join in just yet. She knows that there will plenty of time for getting to know one another on the road.
Only a few times did she hear the word 'bandit' come up, but so far, it hasn't involved her. The less they know...
Out loud she exclaims,"I hope you folks get plenty of rest tonight, we leave bright and early on the morrow..."
"Do we? Really? And where are we going?" The young man works his way to the woman. "I don't know the first thing about what I'll be doing tomorrow, yet. You have some recommendation?"
Natalya shakes Hunter's hand firmly and gladly takes the proferred glass. She raises it with his and offers a toast "May Deadeye bless your bow" then nods at him after taking a large gulp.
"So, an Undine no less? I've not met your kind before, but you are welcome at our table. Are you here on your own to answer the swordlord's crusade? If you're not already part of a team we are looking for another bow or blade to join our group" she indicates Miyuki.
As Gareth approaches the table and asks the ladies there to dance, anyone watching might see a flicker of annoyance and distaste flit across Natalya's face as the well-mannered and bedecked man displays his good manners and charms. She turns her attention to the fire and ignores him as he swoops in to take Hithil's hand and marches to the dance floor.
As Valkus approaches the trading post, a lopsided grin grows over his face. He'd felt it in his bones since he'd woken up this morning, the sense of impending adventure. But as the trading post on the edge of the wilderness comes into sight, it rises anew, the tingling sensation blooming in his gut before spreading into his chest and throughout the rest of his body. The commotion inside is apparent even from several hundred paces away, and by the time he reaches the door, his blood is humming with excitement.
Pushing his way through the door, Valkus gazes around, taking it all in. The busy tavern, the rustic trading post, the pelts and trophies hanging on the wall, it was all somehow even better than he had imagined it! He barely has time to shrug off his coat before a bowl of stew and a mug of ale are pressed into his hands and he finds himself ushered into the nearest chair. Inhaling deeply, he sighs with satisfaction at the perfection of the moment. He eats heartily, taken in by all the excitement, and he stomps his foot in time to the music as he slurps down his stew. He makes idle chatter between mouthfuls, but as soon as he's finished eating, stands up and pulls out his lyre to play an accompaniment to the whistle, leaning one foot on the seat of the chair.
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@Kazz D'avore. Svetlana seems to more than willing to wait on Kazz she bends low as she offers him supper.
@Alexio thraxas. Svetlana laughs raucously. "I'm sure i could find a place for you, but i'm afraid we're full up tonight, you may have to double up."
@White Eagle. Oleg is eager to make the trade, but he seems distracted by something. His grunt of agreement seems barely interested.
With some proper music everyone is ready to truly enjoy themselves.
We'll wrap this up tomorrow and move onto the next bit.
The drow finally gets up from her seat and walks over to the group. She did catch a glimpse of tattoos on the one female and goes to see her
"Greetings. Zartana Orlevsky. I see we follow a similar path of magic? If I am wrong, please forgive me"
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"Everyone can finally relax, Marlani has arrived!"; cheers of recognition ring out from the gathered crowd as a pretty young woman enters the room.
Dressed in well fitted leather armor, she seems to have arrived already with a tankard in her hand (although already half empty).
Marlani flashes a devastating smile at the young server (who tops her up before blushing and fleeing from the room giggling), and then begins socializing with those gathered.
She also nods at Svetlana, her gaze lingering longer than seems appropriate.
"oh no. Not her. My annoying cousin... uhg" still, even with the thoughts Zartana greets her "Good day cousin. Still flamboyant as ever I see."
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Dregan starts to feel a little uncomfortable as a rather large number people start to gather around Hithil and few friends of her's. However soon enough the group splinters into smaller conversations.
Turning to Kazz he says "Thank you I'm sure Mr Leveton would be glad to hear that. What is this main event you were talking about? I was here to congratulate Bailey on his retirement then in the morning go hunt down bandits." The last bit is said with a lot of regret.
"I haven't seen you around before, did I hear your name correctly Kazz? I'm Dregan Hirscherz." he says offering a hand. "I assume you are one of the skilled warriors I am to lead to our poor quarry?"
Miyuki would look at Marlani and Lebeda and encourage them to do a jam session. She would try to find the right words to compliment every performance, but it is clear that she has no musical education. She now holds and pets a little fox in her arms who looks around with unnatural wise eyes.
Zartana looks at Matsu. "Your fuzzy friend seems to like observing people. May I ask your name, aswell as your little friend's name. If you do not mind." the Drow gives the woman a smile
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Miyuki looks at the Drow woman. One can see that she is thinking for a moment, than she nods and says with a charming smile: "Well met, my name is Miyuki and this is Takara. Although he prefers to be called fluffy? It seems you also are of elven blood, you also have to those cute pointy ears. I should warn you, it seems some men here love to tug them. Mightly unfriendly, if you ask me, but Hithil doesn´t seem to mind, so maybe it is quite pleasant? I forgot to ask. Are you also here to challenge the dangers of the wild land?"
She looks around, her one hand glows "If they try to to pull my ears I will show them why some people fear the Drow..." the glow fades and she smiles again "My name is Zartana of the Orlovsky family. And yes. I do plan to challenge the wilds. Maybe I will find out more about myself and that of my people" she moves a hand to pet the fox "May I?"
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Miyuki nods and accepts that Zartana pets her fox. But she is guarded, especially after Zartana has admitted that she is a drow. She then asks:
"Oh you belong to the Orlovsky family. I have heard of them, but I thought it is a human noble family? Oh so you married one of them. Great! Whom of those man is your husband, Josef or Lorad? I see quite a few of your family over here. It´s always great to have family around if you travel in dangerous areas. They will do everything to keep you save!"
After gently stroking the fox, smiling, then she laughs loudly
"Married?! Goodness no. Im still way to young for that. No. I was adopted into the family. At a younger age. Those who adopted me are past now, bit I only recently reached what humans would call adulthood. So no. They are merely cousins I do not know much of." she snaps her fingers, "im silly. Here. Say hallo to Tatu." her tattoo on her neck slowly lifts itself off and began to form a 3D version of itself, a black feline. It curls around her neck. Purring
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Miyuki gently pets the cat and enjoys the other sorcerers company. She tries to find out what Zartana feels as a member of a long living race in a family of short living humans?
Dregan look up at the dark skinned elven woman at the mention of drow Kazz, Gareth and Josef and speaks in urgent but quiet voice "You guys are the learned sort aren't you? That woman behind me, she said she was a Drow. That can't be can it? Don't they eat babies?"
She smiles. Hiding some past pain behind her pupiless eyes "it can get hard some times, but as with all things, you move on, make new friends, meet the new generation. Sometimes I feel like a grand mother, telling stories to children of when their parents were young. And not to mention answering all the questions about why I look so diffirent than everyone else. I have to admit, at younger ages it is fun teasing tje little ones about stories of how I eat babies or drag them under the bed. But the older ones like the jokes, sometimes they play along. Im like a family tradition." she laughes.
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Miyuki silently nods and thinks for a minute. Then she gently takes Zartanas arm and encourages her to meet Dregan. She looks up to the big man and then sweetly introduces herself and Zartana with a bow: "Well met. My name is Miyuki. I know she is something special, but never judge a flower by its smell." She smiles so innocently at Zartan, that she understands that it is no slight at all. Adressing Josef she asks him politly:"I guess you know her as someone who was there your whole live and never ever treating you badly, don´t you. She is family and she will for sure be a stalwart ally in the coming dangerous days." After she tried her best to take care that Zartana can smooth the waves, she dances on to inspect the lovly furs presented by Chief White Eagle. Gently stroking the soft skin she looks to the big man and bows: "Greetings great hunter. May I introduce myself, my name is Miyuki. You must have a sure bow or a strong spear to hunt such big game. On the one side it is pitty that such a strong animal must die, but we do need food and clothes to keep warm. Will you also join the great adventure into the stolen lands?"
Natalya perks up, interest piqued when Zartana mentions her experiences of being long-lived. You can see conflict in her visage as she goes to ask something, but glancing over Zartana's good-quality clothing, she seems to think better of it and clamps her mouth shut. She looks at Miyuki having a good time with a fellow student of the arcane, and leaves her friend be for a while.
She moves across the room, ignoring anyone wearing quality clothing or without wear marks on their weapons. She'll approach the lyre-playing bard if he's free to talk, or else Oleg if no-one else seems to be ready to talk. She'll enquire as to how business is, he must be happy to host such a gathering as tonight.
From time to time she looks across at Miyuki's deft social maneuvering, wearing her envy on her sleeve for a moment.
Dregan again looks uncomfortable with the attention he has received particularly from the drow "Sorry ladies I meant not offence and for reference I don't have a baby." he says in rush out. Then latching on to the one comment he feels equipped to speak on "And begging your pardon lady Miyuki, it is very wise to judge a flower by it smell, and it shape and colour too. The flower easily identify most plant including hemlock from fennel and not knowing that difference could be deadly."
Zartana looks him over. Smirking.
"He seems to believe all the same tales I use to hear"
She finally speaks up. Moving close to his ear
"What else have you heard about my kind?"
She grinned, cause as she saw it. This was going to be fun.
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Anton stayed in the crowd of new coming adventurers for a while. He noticed the Orlovsky have come in a big number... High Above... the Stolen Lands It doesn't matter to him Endurance Overcomes All he reminds himself his family motto.
He moves to the one, Josef, who has addressed him few minutes ago, but since he is talking with a grey skinned swordsman, he only nods him, and walks to the bar.
Here he noticed the strange newcomer
"May Erastil bless you, did it was a good hunt? My name is Anton Medvyed, a disciple of the Old Deadeye." he says both to Oleg and White Eagle.
"Still as cruel as ever, Zartana?" Josef tries to interpose himself and nudge Dregan away from her. "Now you are not teasing children, though. Now you are reinforcing the fears of adults with the ability to act on those fears. I should let you continue building your own lynch mob, but that would mean letting you continue to sully MY name. THAT I can't accept. Behave." The tone is generally light, but there is clearly a flash of anger behind his words.
She steps back
"okay okay. Wasnt my intention. But it looked so promising to tease the man."
She puts out her hand
"Zartana of the Orlovsky family"
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Seeing that Anton is talking to Chief White Eagle she apologizes for not asking about the wellbeing of his oh so beautiful mother and then tries to merely listen to Antons and Chief White Eagles conversation, nodding politly.
Perhaps it was his manner or it was simply her own judgement of noble types, but this Josef was Odd, but interesting. Especially after listening to him scold his cousin(?) in such an eloquent manner.
"Well, unless I am mistaken, the lot of you are here to explore the Stolen Lands for the Lords of Brevoy. While a good bit of revelry is always in favor, the lands won't explore themselves. I just want to make sure everyone is ready because," she pauses, looking at him in the eyes. "I'm your guide."
As he plays, Valkus takes the opportunity to scan the room and take in the sights. The place was filled with all sorts of colorful characters; nobles and commoners mingle, along with elves, undines, and even... Is that a drow elf?! He keeps an even expression, but he looks around the room for the best way to position himself to keep his back to a wall and the drow in his peripheral vision. He notes Gareth dancing with the ladies and sends him a smile and a nod when their gazes cross, and when Marlani makes her grand entrance he lets out a good-natured cheer along with some of the others in the tavern. What is she doing out here at the edge of Rostland?
As the third song starts to wind down, Valkus notices a deathly pale woman angling toward him. When he's plucked the last note, he gives her a sly smile and jerks his head, beckoning to her to follow him a short way to a corner near the wall. It's only a little less crowded and not much quieter, but it serves his purposes well enough. He takes a seat and gestures for her to sit as well. "Hail and good tidings to you, pallid pilgrim! I am Valkus."
Kazz is content to stay back and listen to the others fret over Zartana's parentage, glad for once that his own is not the topic of conversation.
He turns his gaze to Raven as she speaks up, "Indeed? You know these lands well then?"
She looks at the one who said she will be their guide
"Raven is it? I look forward to see what these lands have to offer."
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Hithil grows weary of dancing. With some sweat on her brow from dancing so much, it's time to take a seat and listen to the conversations of the other adventurers. I hope they don't ask me to dance again, I'd hate to turn anyone down, but I'm tired. I hope I didn't miss any good conversations and learn more about what it's like as an adventurer.
She sits down and drinks some water. Ale dulls the mind of the prepared.
Though she had seen many things in her life up here, the one calling himself Kazz was different.
Smiling her half smile, Raven gives a curt bow to Kazz. "Well enough to know where I'm going and how to get back. I was asked to make my knowledge available to all of you, perhaps going so far as to travel with you to help update the map." She nods towards a rolled up piece of parchment near her gear.
Kazz returns the bow, a slight smile on his face, "Very good, it seems we have a wealth of guides to these lands. They intend to keep us from getting lost in the Narlmashes at the very least."
He raises his ale, "You should avail yourself to a drink. Are you a local to these lands or merely a frequent traveler?"
"At the very least," she agrees. Dismissively, Raven puts a hand up at the offered drink. "I've lived in and around these parts for a few summers. High time I get to know them better, don't you think?"
The raucous singing begins to pick up as Marlani (now standing on a table) leads a number of the enthusiastic patrons in a drinking song.
You strain to identify the tune, but now you're sure no one is singing the same thing.
Kazz nods, "That does seem to be the prevailing theory."
At her refusal of the drink he looks at his mug regretfully, "I know, it is rather pedestrian isn't it? I'm sure Svetlana could locate something for the more discerning pallet?"
Gareth thanks Hithil for favoring him with a dance and accompanies her back to her seat. On the way he spots Valkus and returns his nod and smile. For a moment he seems about to approach him but he sees that he is speaking with the pale woman and decides not to intrude. Instead, he takes his seat and listens to the conversation at the table.