Almost 200 years ago, when the land that was to become Nirmathas was still a vassal of the empire of Cheliax, the northern reaches of the Fangwood were a wild and untamed place. The crusades that laid low the Whispering Tyrant to the north were a distant memory, and those who remained were intent upon keeping the orcs of Belkzen and the remaining undead from Ustalav in check. As a result, the great forest was full of danger, from marauding orcs to deadly predators, making it unsafe for merchants hoping to trade with the growing community of Skelt in the foothills of the Mindspin Mountains to the west.
Jasmine wakes up as usually and does her normal routine of stretching, exercising followed by a quick bath gets dressed and eats her breakfast.
She gets ready for work at the Seven Silvers Tavern, and begins her walk to work from her home wedged between Kassen's core and it's surrounding farms.
Greeting folks and saying "Good morning" as she passes by them to work.
Though as expected she does get a few men who ask her out on a date as she is one of the few very attractive women in Kassen, and she dislikes this attention she gets from the family's curse of beauty.
Jasmine arrives at the Seven Silvers Tavern a bit before her shift, and sees Mr Silvers, and his daughter Asina getting things ready.
She greets with a "Good Morning" them before she starts work.
Asina Silvers:
Asine greets in kind back to Jasmine
"Morning Jasmine, I hope your ready for another busy day."
Trelvar Silvers:
Mr Silvers greets back
"Good Morning, Young lady, Hope your ready for a busy day we should be getting some imported goods."
Nestled quietly along one of the less traveled roads of Kassen sits a small log-cabin that has obviously been assembled in a way to preserve its natural beauty. Its ridged exterior, having been built from naturally fallen Fir and Spruce trees, tends to blend in with the natural backdrop of the Fangwood, whose thick tree-line resides some distance off to the structure’s North. Deep within the cabin the aroma of freshly cooked eggs highlights the beginning of another day for the twins who call this wayward place home.
Dahlia, the elder of the two identical twins by sixteen minutes, stands vigilantly over a robust flame while trying to flip a pair of freshly cracked eggs. As usual her efforts have managed to save one yoke but left the second cascading along the edge of her cast iron pan. With a deep sigh, she allows the eggs to cook a while longer before sashaying them onto a nearby plate. Having finished the last of her intended preparation, she reaches over and casually douses the cooking flame. With two plates in hand she carefully walks over to a large wooden table and places the plates on the table, side by side. As customary, she lets out a yell to alert her sister that the meal is ready. She calls out while taking a seat at the table and preparing to eat.
Jasmine replies back to Mr Silvers and Asina
"So it'll be one of those days I take it....
Guessing we'll also be getting the usual crowd and drinking games tonight when new stuff comes in.
I hope you didn't order any Blackjack again as we still have a crate left of it and it takes a good while for it to go,
as a number of people doing the blackjack challenge is quite low."
Elaina shouted back. A moment later, there's a yelp followed by a drawn out "darn."
Elaina emerges from the shared bedroom dressed save for the boots and the trousers she's holding in one hand while one of the fingers of the other is in her mouth. The glint of a needle tells Dahlia what likely happened just a moment before.
"'Use a needle,' she said. 'It'll be a learning experience.' Yeah, like learning that I can't sew by bleeding myself dry," she grumbles as she sets the boots down and drapes the trousers over the back of the chair. Tyr, lying under the table, chuffs in unmistakable amusement.
"That's all well and good for you, Lazybones," Elaina tells the wolf as she sits down, "but you don't have to worry about prancing around in you undies."
She takes the plate with the egg that had a busted yolk and takes a bite to savor before hungrily devouring the rest.
"Thanks to Old Deadeye, you're a better cook than I am a seamstress. That was good!"
Her belly now filled, Elaina sits back, only to sit back upright as she gets poked by the needle.
"I really hope this isn't a sign of things to come," she groans into her hands.
Dahlia watches her sister as she fiddles with the needle and considers, for a moment, if she should help or not. After determining that the moment is more a test of domestic fortitude than a true crisis, she diverts her attention back to her eggs. “Tomorrow is the day we were invited to participate in that town ritual thing. I’m thinking we should consider the offer. Mom and dad would have wanted us to try and be closer with the community. Besides, it might provide an opportunity to learn more about the woodcutters and their plans to expand. I would love another opportunity to foul up their tree murdering efforts.” Dahlia giggles slightly after considering the last time her and her sister threw the proverbial wrench into the woodcutter’s plans to expand. It took them almost six months to unravel the cobweb of mayhem that the two caused.
“Perhaps we should head into town today and see if we can learn more about the ritual and maybe bit about who else is going to participate. I heard that everyone is close to our age and I must admit that I’m a bit curious.”
Trelvar Silvers:
Mr Silvers replies
"Don't worry, I didn't order anymore of it, hoping some of the new stuff sells well."
Asina Silvers:
Asine quiries her father
"What new stuff, dad?"
Jasmine adds
"I'm a bit curious myself?"
Dahlia watches her sister as she fiddles with the needle and considers, for a moment, if she should help or not. After determining that the moment is more a test of domestic fortitude than a true crisis, she diverts her attention back to her eggs. “Tomorrow is the day we were invited to participate in that town ritual thing. I’m thinking we should consider the offer. Mom and dad would have wanted us to try and be closer with the community. Besides, it might provide an opportunity to learn more about the woodcutters and their plans to expand. I would love another opportunity to foul up their tree murdering efforts.” Dahlia giggles slightly after considering the last time her and her sister threw the proverbial wrench into the woodcutter’s plans to expand. It took them almost six months to unravel the cobweb of mayhem that the two caused.
“Perhaps we should head into town today and see if we can learn more about the ritual and maybe bit about who else is going to participate. I heard that everyone is close to our age and I must admit that I’m a bit curious.”
Elaina does cheer up and chuckle after the reminder of the mayhem they'd caused a particularly surly group of lumberjacks.
"We should, just let me finished getting dressed first," she agrees.
It takes about another hour before Elaina is ready. With the magically mended breeches on, she's already feeling better about the day.
"C'mon Tyr, we've got people to meet," she calls out to the wolf as she and Dahlia are walking out of the door. The wolf, nearly as large as twins, trots out and gives a shake of his fur before bumping into both of the girls' legs to exhort some petting.
"So, where to first," Elaina asks as the three of them make their way to town.
Durst rises as morning breaks in Kassen and helps his mother, Gale, with the morning chores. He wakes his siblings, Gwen, Connor, and little Paisley, and helps them to get dressed. The little house on the edge of town is a bustle through breakfast. ”Connor, you can’t wear your sister’s dress!” and sounds of other antics carry out into the street.
After breakfast, Durst heads to Braggar Ironhame’s blacksmith shop. Durst has been working for Braggar for over a year after witnessing the young man burst into a fit of rage over a customer pushing young Gwen out of his way. To be honest, Durst hadn’t been very good at the blacksmithing, but the lessons on controlling his anger have been doing a lot of good. Most mornings, however, started with cleaning up the shop and repairing anything Braggar broke in an evening’s rage.
”Mornin’ Braggar. What’s on for today?” He yells as he enters the shop.
Braggar Ironhame:
Braggar Ironhame replies with a smile
"What have we got today, is a order for replacement spear heads and longswords for the town guard,
since some of the new recruits don't know how to properly maintain their weapons."
after a slight pause
"Looks like we'll be busy for a good while with this order,
How was your time at the Silver Silver's Tavern last night?
Same old same old, or did you try something new.
I wouldn't mind taking on Mr Quartzflare in a drinking contest using their strongest stuff and see who gets drunk as a fish first."
Heading out the door after Elaina, Dahlia grabs her sword and longbow, which had been resting against the cabin's door-frame. After securing out the door, Dahlia carefully considers her sisters question. “Well I guess the best place for gossip has always been the local tavern. Besides I heard something about one of their younger employees being a possible candidate for the ritual. Emm….” Dahlia stops just before saying something. “Well I can’t remember her name, but I believe it’s one of the girls who works at the Seven Silvers. We'll pass by the woodcutter’s guild-house on the way to the tavern, so heading to the Seven Silvers should kill two cutters with one stone, so to speak.” Dahlia giggles at what she believes was a funny spin on an old saying.
“Do you have any thoughts about the ritual?” I know you were a bit hesitant about coming back to this place. I have felt your discomfort around the locals, but I do feel that it's what mom and dad wanted.” Dahlia pauses a moment to adjust the scale mail that had been hanging somewhat loosely from her shoulders. With a quick pull she tightens one of the main straps that holds the armor tight against her form.
“I suppose even you have to admit that the ceremony adventure sounds intriguing.” Dahlia states after fiddling with her armor. Looking ahead she realizes that she has fallen behind. "Hold up. You are walking to fast." She states after hurrying her pace. "You need to wear heavier armor. I'm getting tired of keeping up with your pace.'
Something of a ne'er-do-well about town, Cassander had always managed to get by on charm and wits. As such, his insouciant attitude towards life in general meant that the some total of his earnings from entertaining magic tricks and grandiose story telling was meager... though it was enough to drink his cares away at the Seven Silvers Tavern, much to chagrin of his long suffering mother Ellyn.
Though nursing a hangover from the previous evening, Cassander had heard that sometimes the best cure was more booze. With that, he found himself waiting outside the bar, flipping a coin, trying to master a slight-of-hand. Fast approaching was one of serving maids who worked there... Jasmine? Yes, it's Jasmine. It was hard to forget that one, easy on the eyes.
With a bright smile and a nod, he quietly slipped into the bar behind her, and whistled with a feigned innocence "Sooo, open yet?" He knew damn well they weren't, but again you know, coasting on charm. Taking a seat at the bar, Cassander simply behaved as though he belonged there, because after all, the bar was like a second home to Cassander.
Glancing over at Trevlar without losing a beat, Cassander adds "I'm curious too?" Looking over at Asina and Jasmine with a wink, he whispers "Wait, what are we talking about? I think I need a drink."
Elaina spins around and grins at Dahlia as she continues to walk backwards down the path.
"Sorry, what was that? I couldn't hear you over the clinking of your armor," she teases, but the grin fades as her sister catches up and she slows down to consider the questions.
"I really don't know how I feel about it. I know Mom and Dad would have wanted it, but, I dunno. It still feels odd to live under a roof rather than in a cave or under the roots of a tree. I guess... I guess I'm excited, but also nervous. It sounds like it'll be fun, but what if they don't like us, or worse, what if they only like one of us and think the other one's weird," Elaina asks candidly. If she's showing this side of herself, even to Dahlia, she must be nervous.
Tyr, meanwhile, slinks off...
Or tries too. Neither sister misses his rustling through the bushes.
"I think he's trying to sneak up on us," Elaina whispers to Dahlia when she notices the wolf's attempt to stalk them.
Trelvar Silvers:
Mr Silvers sees Mr Elsinore and replies
"Mr Elsinore, we aren't quite open yet, and we don't server drinks until past noon.
Unless you want some Wake up juice for your hangover, or ordering Breakfast."
Taking a deep breath, Cassander sighed audibly before smiling with a shrug "Well, I tried. No wake-up juice though," pausing a moment, Cassander feigned a look that suggested he was lost in a memory "I seem to recall you gave that to me before. Fool me once, shame on me; fool me twice, um... whatever, you get idea. Breakfast it is then."
Trelvar Silvers:
Mr Silvers replies to Mr Elsinore
"Something easy on your poor stomach I take it?"
Dahlia nods in agreement with her sister's evaluation of the wolf, but then pretends not to notice his poor job at sneaking. "He needs the practice" She states while watching the wolf from the corner of her eye.
"Well give him a moment to do his thing before continuing."
Asina Silvers:
Asine puts in her 2 cents
"I'm guessing he'll be wanting scrambled eggs and some toast.
Though I believe the bakery isn't quite open yet, as they are still making the morning bread..."
”Aye, I’d like to see that! Silver’s is still pushing that Blackjack he’s got. Went for a Firerock myself last night - good, but a little light.” Durst heads over to the table where he left his gloves and tools the night before.
”I suppose we should get started,”Durst says reluctantly. Spearheads and longswords and, well, weapons in general, were not his forte. But then again, the way most of the guard treated their weapons, these would need to be replaced before they’d see battle. Then, as if to delay, he says, ”You know, if Brignond won’t take you on tonight, I will. There’s no wisdom in taking on a dwarf in a drinking contest, but it’d sure be fun to try.”
Brig slides his feet out from under his blanket and onto the cold stone floor. The young dwarf curses the early hours to himself and creeps out of the modest home he and his mother share. Linyetta Quartzflare wil not be awake for at least another two hours. She never wakes before the sun, claiming that dwarves “did not fight their way out of the ground just to take the sun for granted.”
Brig wrapsa stale biscuit and some smoked sausage in an old scrap of linen. He shoves the package in his pocket and steps outside into the early morning air. Kassen is not awake yet and Brig has always enjoyed the feeling that Kassen was his town while everyone else slept. He made exceptions for the occasional drunkard that might be wandering home after a night of debauchery.
With Brolhost’s passing, Brig’s father had left the family smithy in Brig’s hands and, unfortunately, it had seen a steady decline. The smithy was already often forgotten when the townspeople mentioned services to travellers but now, well, now Quartzflare’s Smithy was a few short days from being closed forever. Carpentry nails and horseshoes did not bring in enough coin to justify owning the business. Brig had already been forced to sell off several tools, but he refused to sell the tools his father had brought from Janderhoff. At least, not until he absolutely had to sell them.
Brig takes a short break after bringing the forge to temp and eats his meager breakfast. He watches as the glow from Braggar Ironhame’s forge blooms over the houses and sighs. I’m playing catch-up to that grouch meanwhile neither him nor Renet even see us as competition, Brig thinks to himself. ”Who am I kidding?” the dwarf says to no one, ”I’m not competition.”
Once the last of his orders is complete (a half dozen door hinges, two shovels, and one pickaxe), Brig starts the process of shutting down the smithy for the day. Waiting around for possible customers stopped being a viable use of Brig’s time months ago and he has since allotted more and more of his day to training with Captain Gregor Wisslo.
A short while later, Brig is leaving his home once again, this time with a family heirloom slung over one shoulder and more bounce in his step. The young dwarf tracks down the guard captain and gives the older man a quick wave, ”Morning, sir.”
Braggar Ironhame:
Braggar Ironhame replies with a smile
"That Blackjack is strong stuff, strong enough to knock even the most stoutest of dwarves to their knees.
Shame it comes from that devil liking city of Korvosa, but then again it is named after their local hero.
Blackjack is the best for a quick contest of holding your liquor and strength of will."
after a moments pause as he works the furnace for the right amount of heat
"Though now I do recall hearing of a lass who managed to drink a number of bottles of it and lived.
And from what I heard, she was a pretty human lass and a priestess.
Imagine that a human lass beating a dwarf in holding their liquor by a mile....
She must of been blessed by the Drunken Hero to be able to drink that much and live."
after checking the furnace's heat and the temperature of the water for cooling adds
"If you want a stronger drink when you go next time, I'd recommend either; Dragon's Ale, or Dwarven Fire Wine.
Though I'd recommend you eat a little something first as it can kick the gut hard your first time trying them."
Captain Gregor Wisslo:
Gregor sees Brignond and greets back
"Good Morning, Mr Quartzflare.
What a fine morning it is..."
[Dice=Perception]1d20+6
Dahlia nods in agreement with her sister's evaluation of the wolf, but then pretends not to notice his poor job at sneaking. "He needs the practice" She states while watching the wolf from the corner of her eye.
"Well give him a moment to do his thing before continuing."
Elaina winces as she hears several twigs snap in rapid succession.
"Yes, yes to both of those," she whispers back to her sister.
After a few minutes of this stalking game, Tyr leaps out of the underbrush and tackles Elaina to the ground. The young druidess squeals and laughs as she's subjected to a most gruesome fate, death by licking!
"T-tyr! HAHA S-stop it! That tickles!"
The rest of the trip to town goes without incident, thankfully. Elaina walks close to Tyr's side as some of the townsfolk still gave the battle scarred wolf odd or even dangerous looks as he passed them. Tyr, Erastil bless his simple heart, didn't pay them any heed. He only got aggressive when someone seemed to be threatening one or both of the twins. So far, though, no major incidents have occurred. Well, except for that one time with Ms. Petalina's petticoats.
Approaching the Seven Silvers tavern, Elaina grew more reserved and her smile disappeared. Crowds made her nervous and she wasn't so sure that this was a good idea now.
"Which one of us goes first," she asked Dahlia.
"Which one of us goes first," she asked Dahlia.
"I think we should both go in together." Dahlia states as she pulls the tavern door open and steps inside. After quickly locating an unoccupied table, she takes a seat and begins to quietly observe the the patrons.
After getting over the comfortableness of the place, Dahlia realizes that her sister is still standing in the tavern's entrance with an uncomfortable look on her face. In order to not raise to much attention, Dahlia slides one of the chairs out from under the table and then beacons her sister to come and sit next to her.
It's still a bit early at the Tavern, with only a people inside.
"Oh?" Brig leans the longaxe against a wall and rolls his shoulder. Though lugging the weapon around used to be enough to tire the dwarf, months and months of training to wield the weapon effectively had taught Brig's muscles to bear the weight.
Brig grins and begins to slip into the training armor. Years of use marked the hard wood with various dents and gouges.
"Something special happening today?" Brig asks. "Finally pull that rod out of your rear?" Brig immediately regrets the jest and prays to his ancestors to protect him from Wisslo's ire. "Sorry, sir. It's not been a good morning for us all."
Captain Gregor Wisslo:
Gregor replies back
"No, nothing special today, but tomorrow is special.
And we all have a bad morning or two.
I'd recommend not going into a contest of Blackjack with Mr Ironhame or
you might be too hungover tomorrow..."
Durst lets out a deep laugh at Braggar’s tale. ”I bet that guy will never hear the end of it.” He pauses for a moment thinking about the situation with a smirk on his face. ”Well, best get to it.”
Durst slips on his gloves, lights his forge, and begins gathering materials to make spearheads. His mind is lost in thought about the the upcoming ceremony.
”Braggar,” Durst begins more seriously than before. “How long is this going to take? The expedition, I mean. Not the spearheads.”
Braggar Ironhame:
Braggar Ironhame replies with a laugh and smile
"Oh I bet every dwarf in town would never hear the end of it....
I'd even like to challenge the lass myself and see if the rumors were true..."
He slides a chuck of metal into the furnace with his tongs before answering Durst's question.
"I figure about 2 days there, 2 days back, and say 2 to 3 days in the crypt, so figure about 7 days."
Elaina makes her way in after a nudge from Tyr when Dahlia starts beckoning her over. She looks about at the patrons before sitting down and giving her sister an uneasy look.
"Okay, now what? Do we just watch or..."
"Okay, now what? Do we just watch or..."
"I don't know. I think we just wait until someone comes over to take our order for food, or something like that. Look..." She says while pointing at a couple of the workers who are prepping for the days up coming business.
Dahlia giggles slightly and then continues. "Besides, its a bit fun to watch the people do what they do."
Nodding at Asina's offer, Cassander smiles slyly "Eggs, yes that sounds good, I'll have that." Casually observing the tavern, Cassander leans back and yawns while stretching... it's quite here.
Suddenly his interest is peak as two identical twins enter the bar and take a seat. Hello, what's this now? Glancing back towards the kitchen area, Cassander calls out "Asina, I think you might need some more eggs in the pan." Hopping out of his seat, Cassander makes his way over to the twins with a pleasant smile and a hop in his step. "Morning ladies? Care for some breakfast?"
Elaina looks at Dahlia and shrugs.
"What have you got cooking?"
Asina Silvers:
Asine replies to Cassander's order from the kitchen
"Oh don't think you can sweet talk me, Mr Elsinore..."