Nanou mutters to herself in Varisian after hearing Ethan and Jerex's exchange.
Ha! Good one! Rivers is my name, Ethan Rivers. Recently from the River Kingdom. See River Kingdom, Rivers. Gwahahaha! He goes on for a short time laughing at his own joke.
So what brings you to the city? I am here for trade myself. I am looking to trade in my old life for a new one! Again he spends a few moments slapping his leg and laughing at his own joke.
Diddya say yer name was Jerks? Strange folk abouts. I once knew a man who went by the name Flowers, big fella too.
He leans over and squints at the book Jerex's is writing in.
You a learned man Jerks? Never could see the use in it myself. What good are words? Can't fill yer cup or yer belly. He pauses to take a long pull from his mug. Now you see there! He gestures off in the the vague direction the bar. There is something worth keeping! Speaking of . . . He looks around the room until he spots a server.
Lass! Another refill here!
Not insulted but more like correcting an error, "Err... Not Jerks, Jerex. Nice to meet you Ethan" ... Jerex covers his writing then answers Ethan's question ... "Res ...." Jerex stops himself, "I live here and recently left House Derexhi in search of a new one."
Yer in search of a new House? Ethan leans back into his chair a bit.
You seem to know a thing or three about this city. Have you ever heard of a man, goes by the name Dryden? Round my height, coal black hair, young fella?
Jerex shakes his head, "Nope, never heard of the man named Dryden."
Jerex looks into Ethan's eyes and replies, Mr. Rivers, what is wrong with your eyes?
Mister he says! says Ethan with a laugh. He roughly scrubs his eyes.
Nothing wrong with them but a little trail grit. Nothing a few more ales can't cure that is. He tosses back the last of his mug.
Now are we to gab all night like old biddies or are we gambling? Who's toss it is?
Cipher-3 watches the developing game of dice and conversation as he searches for the fat, balding man. In order to not seem suspicious he pulled out his gunslinger's kit which was to outside appearances a pipe weed box, indeed the gun making tools were in a lower part of the box and the pipe and pipe weed were in the top part of the box. He pulled out the pipe weed and the smoking pipe and took forth a long draft from the pipe. He then proceeded to blow lazy smoke rings into the tavern air...
"I'll sit this game out. Don't wanna get too drunk off of all my free drinks! "
I would like to submit Gabriella Undercroft. I will make an alias if accepted and post all of my character information there.
I know that many of my fellow players like to read the other character submissions to the games they've applied. This character has a really unusual character history however, and I think it will be more fun if you let it remain seekrit.
Naturally, you can read it if you want, and I'm happy to field any questions about it or take any advice given. It's just that some things are more fun to find out in character.
Gabriella is a wolf mounted cavalier. Despite looking like a human child, she is actually a tiefling of halfling blood and is therefore size small and has horns (disguised as part of her hairband) and a tail. For more information, including her big seekrit, please see her character sheet.
Withdrawing submission.
Jerex holds up his hand and shakes his head, "No thank-you Mr. Rivers, I'll just watch you all play."
I have returned from my trip, and I will basically compile the party tonight. Thank you for showing me all that you can do.
Campbell, I haven't missed you. I need to head to class and I will be back to look at your sheet. :D
Jerex excuses himself from the bar, "Please excuse me, my curiosity is no longer on the bone pieces "game" and has drifted over to the blue goblin sitting over there." ... Jerex points to Bathus and then proceeds to where Bathus is sitting with no drinks in his hands, and sits down ... Well met blue goblin, my name is Jerex Absylon. What is yours?"
So no chance of being able to possibly apply when I get home?
Go ahead Kyle, I'm looking forward to see your character. I am not expecting many submissions, so I was just saying that the idea of the party is coming into my mind.
I absolutely don't want to penalize you for anything because I did say that the deadline was November 8th.
Bathus notices the new company in his booth and turns to greet him. Ah! Well met, tall Jerex Abyson. My name is Bathus Libretto. Rather a lively day at the Silver Dragon. What business brings you here?
Jerex smiles at the form of acceptance, "Well met Mr. Bathus Libretto and indeed this is a lively place today. I am here to meet with the House Caedmon recruiter Mr. Samuel Caedmon. He told me to meet him here for he had a few matters to resolve." ... Jerex forces himself to converse before asking more "research" questions ... [b]"Um, what about you? What business do you have?
Aha, hmm... Interesting indeed. I was contacted and told to meet here as well, though I am not entirely certain by whom. Bathus' eyes sweep the room, his face clearly in thought. A smile tugs his cheek, spreading spidery wrinkles across his face. We are definitely the collection of misfits. If it is House Caedmon that has summoned us all here, what could they be up to? He raises his hand to his face and rubs his small chin, then takes a drink of his hot beverage. His eyes dart across the table, bright and inquisitive.
Karson Kolinder was adopted into a traveling tradesmen family, after being offered to the family in hopes that the child would live a better life on the road than what was already there, a life of peasantry and servitude. His adoptive mother couldn't resist as she was a very kind hearted soul, despite his adoptive father's reluctance as they already had a child. As life went on, he would end up having 4 more siblings. His father was a bow crafter, and Karson took naturally to the bow early on while his mother was a seamstress, and his siblings ended up developing other trades. After almost being discovered by a local clergyman when he was young, his parents revealed to him about his origins and that he had to be quiet so that he didn't get taken away. In attempt to keep himself hidden, he took it upon his own self to steal the evidence and papers that the clergyman had collected on Karson. Being successful in the attempt, he remained hidden to his knowledge as his family left the town the next day. Soon after, when Karson's family had begun traveling with a few other families for protection in a larger group, the camp was destroyed by a large group of bandits. With only a few families escaping the raid, he decided that not only to protect himself, but the family that saved him, he had to learn skills.
He started to train himself while on the road via his own trial and error in combination with people he met on the way in the ways of becoming a ranger. Of the few families that escaped, only his and 3 others stuck together, and he grew close to the daughter of one of the families, a half elf named Kieyanna. Eventually becoming romantically involved with her, she was taken away from him as the families decided to go separate ways. She had given him the choice to just run away with her as she had believed in his ability to keep them safe, but he felt too dutiful to his family and regretfully declined the opportunity. As he finally grew up though, he started to build a reputation of being a guide and armed escort and started taking side jobs when his family would stay in a town for a length of time.
Karson still travels with his family, however his own side jobs have become to last longer than when his family is slated to stay in one place. So he performs the job and then meets back with his family in the town that they'll be at next. He still stays cautious at times when encountering any local nobility, in order to keep his birth origins secret, and still harbors lost feelings for Kieyanna despite having developed a few other relationships over time. He tends to take jobs that pay high enough to support his family while not being what he would consider as being too dangerous to highly risk his chance to ever see Kieyanna again or worse, never see his family again.
Jerex looks up and looks around, "We sure are! Very insightful! I am not sure if this is planned or it just came to be?" ... Jerex curiosity is getting to him, and can not go any longer without asking ... "How come you are blue and not like other Goblins? ... Jerex has a serious straight face and obviously very curious.
The party is almost set. I think everyone who has expressed interest has created their character, so I am closing recruitment and the party list will be out tomorrow!
Bathus chuckles. Why do you have glowing eyes? Apparently there are entire tribes that are blue, though I haven't ever seen any others. Somehow, goblins like me are magically touched, much like you are, I believe.
Earlier that morning... "Karson! We've only been in Magnimar a day and you've already got work. I swear son, you're gonna end up working for your own self one day and leave us behind." and elderly gentleman says with a chuckle. Karson finishes replacing the twine on his bow as he grabs the letter and replies "Don't worry father, I'm not leaving you guys any time soon. Besides, Eliza would cry her little eyes out and mother would be destroyed if I said I wasn't going to return. And even you can't argue that the side earnings help out, considering my last trip helped replace one of the wheels that snapped, despite how much Aaron kept trying to say it'd hold." Karson's father laughed at the response and gave his, "I'm sure Aaron will learn to make a more quality wheel as time goes on. Just make sure you let us know if you take a job or not. I don't plan on being in Magnimar more than a weeks time. Oh, and speaking of the little demon also known as your baby sister, Eliza was looking for you." "Alright father, don't worry. I'll go speak with her soon, just let me read this and figure it out." His father nodded before walking out of Karson's somewhat small tent, which was really just big enough for him, his supplies, and another person if the room was needed. Karson sat his bow to the side and opened the letter, taking a read to it.
Now... "The Silver Dragon huh? Well this does seem to be the place, as far as I can tell." Karson thought to himself. Walking inside, he took notice of the fair amount of people that were already in the establishment, noting it's somewhat more elegant sense of feel. While walking towards the bar, he kept a lookout for who ever sent the letter as who he was to meet wasn't specified. It wasn't the first time he got a letter like this, but given the appearance of this place, he couldn't help but wonder if someone tracked him down after all these years. Walking past a group of people playing dice, his attention peaks at the mention of House Caedmon. He glances over to the goblin and human talking about the same letter, which sounded very close to the one he received. Walking over, he pulled the letter from his pocket and approached them. "I'm terribly sorry for interrupting your conversation, but what is this letter from House Caedmon you're referring to? If I'm not mistaken, I believe that I have the same in my hand..." as he holds the letter up for them to see.
So it is. You've struck the question of the hour, traveller. Best have a seat, maybe get a drink. The food is excellent here. I am Bathus Libretto, and this is my new friend Jarex Absylon. Bathus politely waves a server over, and orders another of his exotic cocktails, which turns out to be hot chocolate. He graciously overpays. What's your name? What service do you hope to provide in Magnimar?
Karson looks at the goblin with some intrigue. "I have to say, you're easily the most seemingly educated goblin I've ever encountered, or even met for that matter. It's certainly interesting to make you acquaintance Mr. Libretto, as well as yourself Mr. Absylon. I'm Karson, and I'm here in town with my family. However, I did receive this letter, as you did also apparently," taking a seat from a chair he pulls over, "so I suppose that would make what I asked the question of the hour."
Well then let me have the pleasure of being the first oddity to welcome you to the city of monuments, sir Karson! Bathus checks himself. He doesn't get out much, let alone do much socializing, and he is clearly somewhat embarrassed to discover a gregarious nature. No doubt a side effect of his performing days. He blushes, but discreetly recovers himself with a clearing of his throat. Your family? Quite odd to hear of a sellsword speak of that. By the six, boy, are you planning on staying long?
Party decisions were very difficult. I think I've expanded the party as much as I can (seven players) and anything else would be stretching it too much. I'll make a more detailed post when I get back home, but I just wanted to give you guys the list. For those that made it, please check into the discussion thread. There will be no combat for the first few days so you can get to know each other, so this is the time when you should finalize characters.
Gabriella Undercroft
Jerex Absylon
Eran Orantul
Ethan Rivers
Balthus Libretto
Khundragar
Karson Kolinder
I just wanted to say that there were many excellent characters that didn't make it, and that is why I closed recruitment, because the decisions was already going to be super tough without any additional applicants.
Jerex nods to Karson, "Well met Mr. Karson and yes, welcome to the City of Monuments. In addition, please do take an available seat?" ... Jerex notates Karson's name in his journal to write about him then turns his attention back to Bathus ... "You are close Mr. Bathus, I am not an ars magica practitioner but an ars cerebralist bellicae practicioner." ... Trying something new such as proper social skills, he turns his attention to Karson and whispers to Karson, "By the way Karson, do you know what the hairy creatures with tusks are called and do they usually have only two ranges of emotions, good nature or bad attitude?" ... Then Jerex gets ready to write down Karson's response.
Yay! I finally get to play! Thanks for the update!
Jerex looks up to see Mr. Samuel walking through the door with a small team of recruiting assistants, "Mr Bathus and Mr. Karson, House Caedmon recruiter, Mr. Samuel, has arrived with some friends."
Now is actually a good point to pause the scene, just as the recruiter is arriving. I will be starting the gameplay thread at this point shortly.
Congratulations to everyone who made it in the game.