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You enter a lovely Tavern in the town of Heldren.The air is full of the songs from a small halfling bard in the corner, her red hair dancing as she sings and strums her harp. Sitting next to her on the floor is a bald monk, clapping like an idiot along to the melody, making strange noises. The bar is mostly empty, but the barkeep and bar maidens are keeping those few happy.
The pale human enters the tavern and looks around appraisingly. Although wearing no winter clothing, he doesn't seem unduly bothered by the cold. He wears long sleeves and keeps his hood up, but a careful observer will note his face is covered in painful-looking welts. Quite hideous, actually. After a minute of looking around, he snaps his fingers at the closest barmaid. "A glass of the finest wine you have in this dump."
She looks over at him, her hand on her hip. "Hmmph! And who are you to... OH! Oh my! Whats wrong with your-- I'll get your drink..." She scurries away and a few moments later there is a glass of wine on the bar. The maid whispers something into the bartenders ear and the bartender nods.
An exquisite Tian woman opens the door. Taller than most men, she wears red and white silken robes with heavy brocade cut low enough to hint at everything but reveal nothing. Her hands are held together in a white fox fur muff near her narrow waist. Her long black hair flows like a river of night down her back, held back from her face with jade combs. Her face is angular -- almost sharp -- but achingly beautiful and her green eyes are almost hypnotic in their intensity. In short, she looks like she is dripping in money and good breeding.
Gliding up to the bar, she speaks, "Many pardons, good sir, may I have some of your wine -- for the chill -- and some of your advice? I am . . . recent to your town. What should I know of Heldren." Her Common is thickly accented by the lilting tones of Tian Xia, but her tremulous smile and her voice are lovely.
The bartender looks up at you and smiles. Her voice is sweet and forgiving as she pours you a glass. "You are new? Interesting. We are a small village, nothing too impressive, but we take care of ouselves pretty well." She smiles and goes back to polishing her glasses, her silver hair flowing down her back.
Karyne steps into the tavern, her gait reveling in all the nobility that she possesses. Despite being outside of Whitethrone and away from her family, she holds herself as if she is one of the Jadwiga, which is obvious by her white skin with a blueish hue and her stark white hair. The wind had blown her hood down to reveal said hair, plaited tightly in an elaborate braid. Her eyes are a bit more almond than most of the eyes of the Irrisen, which is saying something, but they stand out further as they are in a bright amber.
Her red silks seems to be be in heavy layers, both for protection from the cold and from anything else that might come her way.
Looking about with a bit of a sigh, "I suppose dis will have to do." She looks about to see if there is someone to take her cloak and sighs again when she realizes there is not.
The bartender looks up at Karyne and giggles. "I'm sorry we couldn't be more hospitable, but we do have booze! Wine for you, too? Seems to be the special!" Her lighthearted laugh joins the music played by the redheaded bard. "So many pretty ladies! You, me, and that Tian lady!" She laughs again, her amber eyes flaring.
"Indeed..." instead of dropping her cloak, she pulls it tighter, as if she is still cold in this room.
"I believe somezing with a bit more...bite...would be preferable, young lady," her eyes flare as she raises her eyebrows and then looks for a place to sit, finding a barstool to be adequate, she slides onto it with the grace of a proper noble.
The bartender nods and smiles, heading into another room. She brings out a bottle of Fire Whiskey. "This got enough bite?" She giggles as she pours, the liquid steaming as it enters the mug.
Bundled in a fur-lined coat and hat, a freckled young woman walks into the tavern, the slight tap of the simple stave held in one hand announcing her presence. She glances around and pauses when her eyes take in the white-haired woman, flinching slightly before relaxing. She heads over to an empty table, putting down her backpack and taking her seat.
Removed of her burdens and leaning her stave against the edge of the table, she pulls off her hat, showing a head of auburn hair tied in a messy braid that spills down her back. She opens up her coat next, the shimmer of chain catching the light from the shirt underneath.
When a barmaid finally comes close to her table, she gestures to her, checking her coin purse with a sorrowful expression. "Ale, please and thank you." She asks, taking a silver piece out and figuring that would be more than enough to buy herself a meager meal at least - if she didn't make a little money soon, her journey north would soon be cut short.
The barmaid nods and takes silver and goes into the back room. She comes out with an Ale and a nice helping of warm soup and chicken breast. "You seem like you need a nice warm meal." Her old, kind face smiles warmly and nods to her as she leaves, her mousy brown hair tied in a loose bun high on her head.
A frown briefly flickers over Nev's face when the Jadwiga enters. He turns his back to her and continues shipping his wine. Glancing to see the next newcomer, he notes her momentary shudder and smiles to himself. another poor soul harmed by my relatives... wonder what is her story...
A smiling Kellid enters the tavern, two skinned rabbits slung over his shoulder. "For your stewpot," he offers, "and If I might trouble you for some wine in exchange?" He is dressed appropriately for the recent weather, and also wears a battleaxe and shortbow comforably across his back and several knives at his waist. His dark, sunbronzed skin is scarred in places, but the steel grey eyes are warm and full of humor. He nods pleasantly to anyone making eye contact.
Taking up the cup, she takes a pull from the mug and smiles. "It will do, thank you, young lady." For someone of the Jadwiga, she has already shown more kindness than you hear of, thanking someone in a lower station. "Things can never have enough burn..." she says a little softer.
A nervous whinny from outside the tavern announces the arrival of another patron. The door opens wide revealing an armored Taldan. He wears and open faced helm and a well made breastplate with an inlaid crest of some type over cold weather clothes. The young man hitches his pack up on his shoulders and stomps snow from his boots before striding towards the bar. His blue eyes dart back and forth among the assembled patrons; he nods to each in turn before setting his sights on the woodsman.
Setting his pack on the ground the man removes his helm revealing youthful features and a certain naiveté that belies his knightly appearance. The young man produces a gold coin placing it on the bar. “Something warm please and keep them coming.” He says to the barkeep. Turning to face the woodsman he quietly asks “Sir, My name is Terrance Cavendish and I’m in need of work. Have you come across anyone in need of a skilled horseman?” Terrance looks hopeful but adds “That is if I’m not intruding.”
"I'm afraid not my young friend, I'm newly arrived and between work myself." He gestures to an empty seat at the table. "But sit, enjoy the wine and music and maybe Desna will gift us with some good fortune."
The bartender smiles at the rabbits. "As you wish!" she pours him some wine and passes it to him, smiling as she takes the rabbits back.
The bartender nods to the large Taldan man and pours out some whiskey into a mug, sliding it towards him. A few moments later, a warm broth soup comes out for him.
The young man deflates a little at the woodsman’s words. Apparently the prospect waiting for work didn’t suit the young man. His worried face departed when the food and drink arrived. ”My thanks.” he said to the serving girl before raising the whiskey and looking at it curiously. ”I was expecting tea.” he said under his breath as he brought the small glass to his lips and sipped. The young knight burst into a fit of coughs and banged lightly on his breastplate. When the fit subsided he tasted the broth finding it more to his liking. “Might I have your name Sir? If we are to share a table this evening.”
"My name is Dron Farwalker." He extends his hand to the young cavalier, "And yours?"
Terrance looked puzzled for a moment before grasping Dron's hand. "As I said my name is Terrance...Terrance Cavendish." looking slightly ashamed at having to introduce himself twice the young man takes his seat again and continues to eat sheepishly.
"So you did, this unusual weather has me distracted. My apology Terrance Cavendish."Dron says sheepishly. "What does it mean?"
Amber eyes watch as the men talk, it has been a while since she has seen a lot of interaction between those beneath the Jadwiga. This was fascinating and she just quietly sips her Fire Whiskey while watching.
Terrance chanced a smile intent to show that he had not been offended. "My name? I guess I've never thought about it before." Terrance took another gulp of broth and absently reached for the small glass of whiskey. After another fit of coughs he spoke through ruddy cheeks "I'm not sure about its meaning but it is my father's name. My father is Lord Cavendish of Golsifar. I realize just how far I have traveled from home when one does not recognize the name. Between you and I; I'd love to be free of the accursed name and everything that comes with it!" Terrance took another sip of his whiskey coughing much less than before.
The young woman nods in thanks for the meal she receives, spooning up some of the chicken soup, sipping it slowly so not to waste any of it. She pauses as the Kellid comes in - a real Kellid, and not one of the Shoanti that she mistook for them based on those stories. Oddly, she thought he's be taller.
Then the nobleman came in, and she instantly hated him. The shining plate, the cultured accent, the false humility even as he threw his family's name around like it meant anything up here. No doubt his coin purse was bulging and his horse had a noble lineage as well. She gulps down a few mouthfuls of her ale, setting the mug down noisily before finishing up her meal quickly.
Soon as she was done, she reached into her backpack and pulled out a leather bound book, plain and unassuming. She flipped it open and look at all of the transcribed spells. Most had been reconstructed from that burnt tome found years ago, but a few came from her own inspiration - and watching that woman perform a couple spells.
Feeling like she should add a few notes in the margins, she brought out her ink pen and vial, dipping it in before starting to scrawl the footnotes.
Himiko orders two hot, mulled ciders and takes them over to where Lex is sitting.
"Pardon," the Tian woman says with a hopeful smile. "I am new to this country. Do not yet speak this language well. If I am not interrupting, may we sit and talk? I have brought warm cider.
"I too have travelled far from home." Dron sips his wine and regards the young Taldan. "A name can be a heavy burden to carry."
The auburn haired woman glances at the Tien-Min, blowing the ink dry on the pages of her book before closing it up. She looks her over with a bit of a frown - why some fancy foreigner from beyond the northern ice bridge would want to converse with her was beyond her, but she wasn't one to pass up a free drink when offered.
"Thanks," Lex tells her, taking the mug and having a sip. "Your Taldane isn't that bad, actually. Probably better than my Skald - I didn't really immerse myself in a culture that spoke it prominently. My Varisian and Elven are top notch, though. Well, I was brought up Varisian so that makes sense, and I had to learn Elven because..." The burnt spllbook she learned magic from was written in the poetic language.
"...anyways, you're from Tien, I guess?" She asks, taking another gulp of the drink. "I guess you're heading south to Varisia then. Word of advice, you should wait to travel with a caravan. There's a lot of open wilderness between here and the largest settlement - and to be frank, you do not want to stay in Riddleport unless you're a fan of pirates."
The Tien woman listens attentive and thinks for a moment before she responds. "No. No pirates. Pirates always more trouble than they are worth. You must be scholar to speak so many tongues. I wish I spoke more. I have heard Varisian before -- quite lovely."
"You're kidding right?" Lex asks her, incredulous. She takes a moment to enjoy the flavor of the cider some more before continuing. "Varisian is by far the messiest language humans have even come up with - I was raised on it and even I think it's hard. Borrowing from half a dozen sources makes an ugly patchwork. You want a pretty one, you need to look at Elven instead - it's quite lyrical."
She shrugs her shoulders and takes another bite of her chicken before continuing. "I'm hardly a scholar. I've just been lucky enough to pick up what I need. Heading up further north, Skald is going to be more valuable for me."
Although appearing disinterested, Nev is actually listening intently to the conversation between the Tien woman and the linguist. heading further north...why would anyone want to visit my homeland?
Himiko frowns thoughtful, "Its varied nature could be its beauty. It sounds like a woman who has left her home on a long journey. Her cloak may be ragged. Her boots worn down. But there she is, continuing to walk. I do not know elven either. So much to learn."
Terrance finished his soup without answering the woodsman. When he was done he pushed the bowl away from himself and regarded Dron thoughtfully. "I'm afraid I am somewhat ignorant to all of the peoples of the Inner Sea. From where do you hail?" Terrance asked true interest edging into his words.
Lex blinks rapidly several times listening to the Tien woman before blushing. "Err...that's really flattering, I suppose..." She also supposed that the Tien-Min woman had more of an interest in her than her tongue - or maybe - she cut off that train of thought quicker than she could snap her fingers.
"Right. Anyways. Uh...okay, names! Names would in fact be good. For introductions. Which we haven't done. That thing, yeah. So, uh...right, my name? It's Lex. Well, short form. Really short form. First name Lex, last name Bishop, good to meet you, thanks for the cider by the way it's really delicious," She babbled out before bringing the mug back up to her lips, gulping down from it greedily until it was all gone, coughing a bit afterwards.
"A ways north, but still south of the Crown. It's been many years since I last saw it." Dron's voice seems to trail off and his eyes lose their warmth for a moment.
Himiko smiles demurely, looking at Lex through long black lashes. "Thank you for the gift of your name. I am called Himiko. I am of the Ojimi. It makes my heart glad that the cider found favor with you."
She raises a pale hand to signal a barmaid to bring another round. When she comes back with the cider, Himiko asks for another two bowls of that delicious looking soup for her and Lex.
"You're 'of' the Omiji - sorry, Ojimi?" Lex asks, finishing off the rest of her soup swiftly and trying not to look uncomfortable. Considering her lack of funds - she just had to spend the bulk of her savings on a chain shirt, didn't she? - she would put up with the flirting if it gained her some free wining and dining.
"So is that like a clan or a noble house of some kind? I'm guessing noble house - you're dressed way too pretty to be some barbarian - not that you're pretty or a barbarian - no, I mean, not that you're a barbarian, you are pretty - well, pretty in a completely aesthetic sense, not in a..." She blather before a bit before breathing sharply.
"...so, anyways, what are you doing here? I mean, away from your continent? It's not exactly a quick journey over the polar ice, as I've heard. All sorts of dangerous things through there. Heard last year a caravan from Sandpoint made the journey, don't know what happened to them on the other side."
Quietly, she sips her whiskey before setting aside an empty cup and smiling to the bartender, "If you have anything stronger, I would not complain, but if not...another would be lovely." She then turns to the two men who are talking, looking to the Taldan. "If you seek to free yourself of your father's name, it can easily be done in Irrisen, however, it might be wise to cease using it at all. Seeking freedom while holding on to ze chains you wish to break is a fool's errand," her voice is smooth and quiet, the tones of someone who has spoken with nobles quite a bit, but her accent is so very different than what he is used to.
Brusque.
Carl shoves open the door to the tavern and stomps in. At the bar he plucks an unlit cigar out of his mouth and says, Beer. Darkest ya 'ave, Lass!" He puts the cigar back in his mouth chewing it while he fishes a few copper from a pouch on his belt. When the stein arrives, he takes a sniff, and then... he pauses, turns slowly to the room, raises his mug and shouts, "To the End! He then pounds down the beer, some spilling out and down his violently orange beard and over his ragged looking animal hide shirt. It is obvious that the dwarf has spilled more than his fair share on himself. Turning back to the bar he lays a few more copper down and bellows, "Again!" Seeing the girls shocked look he grins, just for her, winks and says in a loud whisper, "No worries, Lass, I'll b'have in yer tavern."
With a new stein in hand he moves over to the table with the gentelemen, well, the gentleman and the savage. Mind if'n I join ya? I figure we men o' war be in Heldren for the same reason and should know one a'nother. Carl Ironeater is mah name." Every word comes through clenched teeth and that unlit cigar.
Brusque.
Terrance was mulling over the hunter's reaction to his question when the pale and lovely woman addressed him. For a moment the young man was at a loss for words whether he was put off guard by her beauty or her statement was impossible to tell. A long moment of silence passed before he responded "The freedom I seek is for those who cannot take it for themselves." he said with conviction then with less confidence he said "You may be right; it only brings me pain. I could stop using the name..." Terrance looked down at the table a moment before he finally said "...but only my death will free me from it."
He sat there sullen for a few moments then the doors opened revealing a dwarf who seemed in a word brusque. When he approached the table Terrance gestured to an open chair "I welcome the company as long as Dron doesn't mind." Then looking at the maiden he smiled "You as well; Miss..."
The door opens one more time,and, in a gust of wind, a tall Ulfen all dressed in furs walks in. His most striking feature his is androgyny, it is hard to tell whether the ulfen is a woman or a man. Blond almost white hair and eyes of and eldricht deep blue definitely give the person an air of unnatural feminine beauty to the person. However, his gait says otherwise, there is no femininity at all there.
The man salutes a few locals before heading to the bar. As he sees the Jadwiga, the stern look on his face transforms to an expression of surprise followed by hatred.
Drawing his sword the man shouts in Skald: "Jadwiga, Hvis du har kommet til min far, er det for sent. Bu Jeg er her og jeg skal kjempe til min siste pust."
Raising a heavy cuff to her lips, Himiko laughs softly.
"Nobles? Not in traditional sense, though we possess great inner nobility." Her laughter sounds like chimes in the breeze.
"The Ojimi are my people. My clan?" She stumbles over the unfamiliar word. "Mother was great traveller, like Varisia. She brought the Ojimi here through southern seas, but we have all been scattered. I thought to return to Tian Xia by northern passage. Tell me of your people. Tell me of the Bishops."
Nev turns around to see the commotion. ah, just your typical oafish Dwarf... He's returning to his wine when the newest entrant - an Ulfen starts threatening the Jadwiga. hmm...things are beginning to get interesting... He checks to make sure his longspear is close at hand but otherwise does nothing but watch.
A second passes and Grimkell starts thinking.
I am still alive, good, yet surprising. No a really powerful witch. Oh, she is wearing red clothes, doesn't sound so witchy to me. Ah, she must be in exile, what an irony.
In a deep yet clear voice he says, in perfect Taldan:It's okay, do not worry, I mistook her for someone else.
Grimkell's body relaxes as he sheaths his sword. He eyes the woman for a while longer and walks off toward the table where two men and a dwarf are sitting. During the whole time he keeps his eyes on Karyne.
The suddenly changing mood he says, in a loud voice:A group of heroes in the bud, you look like a strong bunch, do you have any great stories that I might transform into songs? As he speaks, he sits down (without giving a thought that he might be interrupting, and puts his hands on the shoulders of the dwarf and the kellid warrior.
Nev relaxes as it becomes apparent that nobody's going to die - at least at the moment. to challenge a Jadwiga to her face...is he brave or deranged?...or perhaps both...but he's still alive...a Jadwiga unlike any I've met before...they both bear watching...
Barking laughter, "Songs? Depends. Will ye sing 'em to the stone-headed dwarves in the bowels o' tha mountain? Carl's words are punctuated when he removes his cigar and spits on the floor. "Besides, Lad, why'd ya come in here bellowing like a hound? Who d'ya think ya saw?" The dwarf replaces his stogie and looks at the young ulfen, I hope yer a lad! Mehby I should call ya laddie, closer to lady anywise? The smirk is unmistakable.
Turning to look at Grimkell, she simply shakes her head.
"If you believe that I after someone, I beseech you to realize...I arrived before you. I am here for my own reasons. If my cousins zeek your father for zome reason, I know not. What I do know is I was having a nice drink...and you should as well." She waves her hand at the empty seat by her side and nods to the bartender. "Another one for this...arrival, please."
As if the entire event was simply not something that needed to be discussed anymore, she turns back to the Taldan. "You may ezcape your father's name with a new one. Your name iz your own...make it such and the past will not matter. We can be who we wish despite where we come from." Is she speaking from personal experience? Perhaps, but you could not be sure.
Once again the door opened, and entered a tall but young figure with the hood of their coat up. Dressed in a mix of the colors of blues, grays and whites. Two scarfs seemed to be wrapped the neck, one blue with a white pattern and a solid white one. A pair of worn in brown boots grace the feet of the individual. Pulling the hood down, white hair held back by two clips and very feminine features are revealed. A smile on her face and in her eyes as she looks around the room. Before skipping over to the bar.
"Something warm to eat and a glass of wine, good sir."
The bartender looks at her strange, wondering why everyone thinks she is a man. "I'm just as pretty as her..." "Coming right up!" She smiles, her silver hair flowing behind her as she walks. A few moments later she returns with a bowl of rabbit stew and a glass of wine. She puts it down in front of the woman. "There you are!"
The redheaded bard takes a break when the other bard enters, the monk by her side following her to the bar where they wave their hands at each other.
She smiled, "Thanks. Smells delicious!" Taking a hearty bite, all she seem to do was make a happy noise eating. 'I love rabbit so much!' As she continued to eat she took some time to look around the room at some of the others there. "Seems to be getting lively in here."
Approaching the door, Martin takes his boots off stepping barefoot in the snow. Awkwardly holding a small, white bundle of fur in one hand, he tries to clean his boots with the other. Once satisfied that most of the snow is gone, he replaces his boots and walks inside.
He keeps his hood pulled up as he enters, revealing just a small portion of his face so as not to be suspicious. After seeing the fireplace, he heads directly over and holds the small ball of fur near while rubbing some warmth back into the poor little creature. He tries his best to go unnoticed, while trying not to appear as a shady individual as well.