Last week you each received a telegram. Each simply said:
Request you attend funeral, Petros Lorrimor *STOP* Last will and testament of the deceased requires your presence *STOP* meet 7 days hence at dusk, intersection of ANCESTOR'S WALK and THE DREAMWAY, Restlands Cemetary, Ustalov. *STOP* Regards, Kendra Lorrimor.
Now standing at this very intersection you find you are not alone. There are at least 5 others, including:
a full blooded Orc,
a young girl with fire-red hair,
a female warrior in glorious armor,
a gravely arcane looking individual,
a dwarven ranger with a greatsword,
and even a rare Oread rock-man...
Are all these individuals here for your old friends' funeral too? How the hell did he know so many unique creatures and people? Perhapse it is worth these last few moments of before dusk, under Ustalov's cursed sky of perpetual grey clouds, to get to know who these other attendees are...
The young man straightens his funerary finery, making sure his ascot was straight and everything was in place for such an event of immeasurable rarity. Lorrimor was his mentor, his friend, and the closest thing to family he'd ever known.
He rubs the back of his neck, expecting the sky to open up and begin to show its sadness as well at the entire situation.
Turning, the young man looks at the others. "Here for the funeral?" he poses simply.
The man made of stone arrives on foot. He does not appear to be in a hurry or in fact sad at all. He is writing in a large leather bound journal as he walks. Every so often he stops his slow stride, looks up from his writing, only to continue his delibrate walk foward writing some more.
He walks up to the others gathered and listens to the grave young man.
What is for the funeral? he asks dead serious.
Without waiting for a reply he spots the Orc.
Ah! Now you are an Orc are you not? Now I have heard Orcs eat live human babies as a delicacy. What does a human baby taste like? The Oread looks at the Orc in anticipation of his answer ready to record it in his book.
Gilderoy speaks slowly, seeing the Oread might be a bit slow. "Are you here to attend the funeral of Lorrimor?" He wipes a hand on his jacket, waiting and hoping this whole experience will be over soon.
Master Lorrimor would never have found this sort of event his cup of tea. He'd have been laughing and then sending me to practice on the remains.
Hmmm? Oh yes I am here for the funeral. I am quite excited. This will be my first human funeral. I am saddened that I will not have the chance to debate with the professor any longer though.
"You knew the professor?" The young man seems a bit surprised that such a strange individual would be familiar with the Professor.
"Why are we standin' out in the street then? Shouldn't we be in the great hall hoistin' a mug to his memory?"
"Oh, me names Talon by the way. Talon Darkslayer at your service. Pleased to make your acquaintance."
Gilderoy shakes the short man's hand. "Gilderoy Targedew. One of the late Professor's students." He sighs at the mention of his mentor, still having trouble grasping that the man was gone.
"So strange to say that. Seems like just last week we were talking and laughing over a nice pint."
"You knew the professor?" The young man seems a bit surprised that such a strange individual would be familiar with the Professor.
Yes the professor did a lecture on the undead in a temple of Torag in the dwarven stroghold of Highhelm. HaHa Oh I don't know who was more courious about who. My first Human his first Oread!
Apologies my name is Rasgration Kantar Fichwik Zfabw Vanhred Gurmalh of the Deep. The moving rock says with a deep bow.
Apologies my name is Rasgration Kantar Fichwik Zfabw Vanhred Gurmalh of the Deep. The moving rock says with a deep bow.
"Well that's a mouthful. What do we call you when we don't have all day to get it out?" Talon asks gruffly but kindly
HaHa, I forget how impatient the young races are. That IS my short name by the way. I suppose you can call me Rasgraton.
"Well, Rasgraton, you definitely seem unique. A pleasure to meet you."
And you as well. What is it you do Mr. Gilderoy Targedew? Talon Darkslayer here seems to slay the dark correct?
Gabriela wipes a tear from her check then turns to the others the sad expression wiped like the tear to become a beaming smiling.
"I'm so glad that I'm not alone. Kendra is going to devistated, I don't know if I'll be able to cheer her up by myself. I'm Gabbi..." Glancing at Rasgraton her corrects "I mean Gabriela Szabo, its a pleasure to meet you all." Oh her ponytail an unnaturally brightly coloured bird chirps "Oh Lissala says hi too."
Turning to the side she whispers to the bird "Why couldn't you tell them yourself?
"Ay lad, I slay the dark when it needs slayin'. You can call me Talon." Turning to Gabriela, "Who's Kendra lass?"
"Pleasure to meet you as well, Gabbi."
In response to Rasgraton's long schpeal, Gilderoy shakes his head. "Just Gilderoy is fine. I dabble in the arcane arts. You could say it's in my blood, as it were. The Professor was a bit of a mentor to me, really."
When he speaks of dabbling, he raises his hands, the color of his right glove turns from white to a deep crimson and then back again, while the other glove remains the same color.
"That's a nice trick 'Just Gilderoy'" Talon says with a twinkle in his eye. "Does anyone know what we're to do next?"
"Not a clue. Just got a message and was told to meet here." the thin man shrugs as he answers.
As those words escape Gilderoy's mouth you hear the blow of a bagpipe in the distance. Through the gloom, coming up the hill from the Southwest, is a small funeral procession - just 4 people! Two villagers in tattered black suits (their Sunday best for sure) struggle to carry a coffin designed to be borne by at least 4. Another villager plays mournfully on the pipes. And the precession is led by an elegant and attractive raven haired women in full Victorian attire (not an ounce of skin below her collar is showing). As you watch, one of the two paul-bearers stumbles, nearly dropping the coffin...
Oh please, please be careful my friends! My poor father's bones must be carried with as much honor as possible! I'm so sorry I couldn't find more family friends to help us!
"I'd lend a hand lass, but they're carrying his bones a bit high for my reach." Talon says respectfully.
'Toni', as she preferred to be called, wordlessly watches the assembled guests, dressed in her "work-wear". The greatsword clatters against her chain mail as she quickly rushes to help bear the late Professor's coffin.
"I'll lend a hand, Mister Darkslayer," she says, with a impartial glance at the dwarf.
Dusk falls. Kendra does not see you all standing in the at the intersection in the cemetary. But Seeing Toni step in to help, Kendra appears relieved.
Thank you, kind warrior! I am sorry you must witness such a rag-tag affair this evening. My father Petros was a great great man! He did much for this town. But now not a single wretched soul has come out to see him buried! I even sent invitations by telegram to his 'friends' all over Varisia and Ustalov, but no one as answered the call to attend:(
"Dusk is not a favored time for a funeral," Toni grunts, adjusting the burden. "Especially in Ustalav."
Gilderoy shakes his head. "I'd help carry him," the thin man says as he approaches the women. "but I'm horribly weak in the physical arenas."
Indeed Kendra says looking Gilderoy up and down, you look physically good to me -- for the job I mean! She blushes with embarrassment, but quickly composes herself. Will you please help me sir? I know it is asking a lot to bear the coffin of a man you don't know
Suddenly potting the rest of you all Kendra is surprised.
What are you all doing here? Do I know any of you?
"I am Toni Kettler," the fighter says. "I met your father by chance once."
"I can't say I had the honor of being your fathers friend but he did me a great favor once. I got your telegram lass, and here I am."
"I'm actually a former protege of the professor. My name is Gilderoy Targedew. Glad to know I meet approval." The thin man winks at the woman, taking his place to help with the coffin.
Ras steps forward to help with the coffin. 18 str should handle it.
Rasgraton, ma'am. I would be pleased to help carry this load. I was a student and colleague of your father. I have just so many questions when you have the time.
Ras notices the bird while carrying the coffin and quite casually says.
How unusual to have a bird ride on your head. What kind of bird is that? Toni is that a normal name for a female where you are from? Did you take that name as you are a warrior?
"My story is a strange one, Rasgraton Kantar Fichwik Zfabw Vanhred Gurmalh of the Deep," Toni says. "It is a name of my choosing, not the name I was necessarily given."
Gabbi smiles when the others rush to help carry the coffin. It's always nice to have a few strong muscly types around. That Toni girl is cute too; I'll have to keep my eye on her. And Targedew is kind of sweet if not strong and he is totally a flirt. He could do Kendra some good, unless of course she already has a boyfriend, of course she doesn't otherwise he'd be here. Well I'll just have to set them then for Kendra's sake.
Grinning at her own generousity she starts to move toward Kendra when the stoneman asks a question. "Oh thats Lissala, she's a bit shy right now otherwise I'm sure she would have said hi her self."
Interesting. is all the Oread says.
"I am not shy!" Says the bird indignantly, "I'm sorry Mr Rasgraton Kantar Fichwik Zfabw Vanhred Gurmalh of the Deep. Miss Szabo tiny brain thinks that the only reason to keep ones beak closed is shyness. I was keeping quiet out of wish not reveal my true nature to strangers, but now that we seem all to be friends of the professor that isn't so important."
"Oh hush, you are being rude, one moment you won't say a think and the next you are shouting. Have some respect for poor Kendra, the professor was a great man and have some respect for him too." remembering her original plan she turn back to Rasgraton "Please forgive me, I want to quick go express my condolences to Ms Lorrimor."
Toni cocks her head to the side. "Perhaps you all, save Mister Darkslayer, by his own admission, were friends of the professor, but I do not know why I was called here. I did merely what any capable person would have done in that situation."
"And what situation was that lass?"
Moving over to Kendra she puts an arm around her and says "I'm so sorry for your loss, the professor was a great man, the best I've known. I know how hard it hit me learning of his death from your telegram but I can't imagine how much worse it must be for you as his daughter. If there is anything I can do to help please let me know. Maybe I could take everyone out for a drink, you know a wake after this. A little alcohol often loosens one up in times like this I find.
Lissala shakes her head in disgust at Gabriela and flys back to the conversation behind and land on the pummel of Antoni's greatsword.
Talon visibly perks up, "That's the ticket Gabriela! A proper wake is just what we're needin'!"
"Professor Lorrimor was exploring parts northern Ustalav a few years ago, when he and his party had run afoul of some savage orcs," Toni explains, careful to differentiate the orc present from those found in the wilderness. "I happened to be in the area and lent a hand in slaying them. It was nothing, really."
"Not to the professor apparently. Neither man nor dwarf names someone in their will for nothing, really." Talon answers with a snort.
"I am aware of that, Mister Darkslayer. Personally, I don't see how fighting off some murderous savages warrants a place in his will. He looked well-traveled and I don't see many of us here..."
Toni glances at the bird and manages a half-grin.
"I mean, I could not have been the only person who managed to save his life at one time or another."
From her perch on the pummel "He traveled a lot, He took Miss Szabo and I up north last summer to dig up some old buildings. It was all rather boring but the Miss and the Professor seemed to find it exciting. Oh, he wasn't defenseless, he looked after the Miss when the wolf attacked and hired guards a portion of the trip which I assume was more dangerous."
"I suppose you can't always prepare for everything," Toni says, with a careful shrug. "Still...all of you have more right than I to be here."
For the first time in weeks a smile breaks Kendra's face. I am so happy you are all here! Perhapse My father will have the burial he deserves after all!
@Gaby: A Wake! Yes, a wake is in order! And I shall be purchasing all the festivities tonight from my own funds...@Rasgraton: You ask strange questions, sir, but I would too If I were such an ancient and magnificent being from so far away! Thank you for coming! @Antoni: You certainly have done more than you know. And it will all be revealed in due time!
Now come my friends! Let us bury our old professor and father!
She slaps Talon on the back, rather uncharacteristic of a victorian lady. A dwarven token of friendship. [ooc] it takes no motive check to realize There is more Kendra than meets the eye.