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As a long brave rooster crowed at the briefest rise of the sun and you all rose from your small bed within the keep one of the first things you noticed laying on the floor in front of the doorin your very tiny private room within the compound was a folded letter.
"Welcome new blood to the Silver Shields, I know we spoke for but a brief moment after your trials yesterday and that there was quite the party for all who successfully made it through in the Chalice but opportunity knocks quickly sometimes.
We recieved several missives about offers over the night and I am sending your and some others on a delivery mission... AS its your first mission as a shield I choose something simple enough. After you get your breakfast go find Maester Braendar StoneShield in the forge along the west wall. If you have any questions about things feel free to ask him. I expect to hear nothing but great things about you and this mission.
Yours Truly,
Sir Colewin Binderbook,
Paladin of Abadar
Despite the earlyness of the morn, you could hear a low murmer already from down the stairs in the main hall that served as booth a meeting room, an assmbly area, and a dining facility. As you made your way downstairs the first thing that came to sight was a couple of the older members and officers standing in front of the large wooden board where several letters were stuck to the board.
"Im telling you Mhael, I know its a lot of gold... but look, its asking us to track down demonic in the Tanglebriar. I know its been a bit since youve been home but its suicide with just us two... Lets see if we can get Mirriam to come along with or at least the twins... they will do anything for the right about of coin eh?
A lanky human male with sandy blonde hair was talking to cloaked figure in dark leathers. He had a massive bow strung over his back of an elven make, and two quivers of arrows with several different hues of fletching feathers. He turned to follow the human male to a booth table along the opposite edge of the work board and his cloak fell back enough that his raven dark hair was obvious as were his long pointed ears. His sigh was loud but he nodded letting himself be pulled away by the human man in leathers.
"Oh there you are... Sir Colewin mentioned he had work for you already... take a seat... I'll have one of my boys bring you up a piping hot bowl of honeyporraige."
A cheerful woman in her early thirties began from behind the bar. Nice to put a face to the name. You gathered this was miss Hannah, the unofficial mother to a lot of the younger mercs here, cook, maid and part time tavern keeper. She and her two boys lived at the keep.
"Do you take Coffee, or tea this early in the morn?" She asked as she motioned to the neareast booth . . .
Amrus, tall and lanky, sits at the edge of his under-sized bed reading the letter. A deep frown sets in at the realization that there will be no rest before the first mission.
Staying out late was a bad choice... he chides himself.
It wasn't just the Silver Shields celebration party. After he'd stopped by his usual haunt: the Midnight Cafe where he and a small collection of characters meet over bowls of stew after midnight. They were friends with unspoken pasts who didn't have to answer to each other. Perhaps that was the appeal. What might seem like a dogmatic ritual was really just an overly comfortable, if very unusual routine. So, Amrus dragged himself into this private room not sixty minutes before the rooster sounded off.
Hmph! Paladin... Well, a job is a job.
Folding up the letter he pulls his pack from under the bed, refolds the note and places it in one of the outer pockets. He gets up and begrudgingly drags himself to the next place: downstairs.
Just before crossing into the common room, he runs his fingers through his hair and flashes a practice smile to nobody in a sort of token attempt to prepare hide how tired he is.
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He smiles back, weakly at the cheerful woman and trudges up to the bar to take perch on a stool. He doesn't notice that he's dragging his feet a bit.
Just coffee, miss Hannah. I must purge the blood from my coffee stream if I am to operate today accompanied by a half-hearted chuckle.
I'm sure she's heard every tired line a thousand times over.
He sips his coffee in relative silence until others assigned to his mission might arrive...
Dragging herself out of bed with a soft groan, Anduriel, for a brief moment, regrets the extent of her celebration, the night before. Noticing the note that had clearly been slipped under the door, she pads over to pick it up, wincing at the cold stone on bare feet.
Sitting on the edge of the bed, she brushes some of the mop of unruly raven-black hair out of her eyes, reading through the brief missive, as a small smile graces her full lips.
'Nice, looks like an assignment already! Would have preferred something later in the day, but I suppose beggars can't be choosers.'
Folding the note, she sits cross-legged on the bed, poring over her spellbook in consideration of what the day might hold, her mind embracing the fluid motions, gestures, sigils and steps of Spelldance, the ancient arcane elven form of magic that was her stock in trade. Once finished, she moves through a series of stretches, limbering up her supple form as she prepares her body, much as her study prepared her mind.
Her preparations complete, she quickly attends to washing up, getting dressed and donning her chain shirt, in preparation for deployment. Using the mirror she kept in her pack she brushes her hair, before buckling on her silver thornblade, and finely wrought leafblade, before heading downstair.
"Ah that sounds wonderful Miss Hannah, coffee for me please, it's way too early for anything weaker." she says with a chuckle, flashing her a winning smile.
Moving to the indicated booth, she sees it mostly empty, save a tall lanky Shield member she remembered seeing at the trials yesterday, definitely carrying a touch of the lower planes in his blood. "Morning!" she says slipping into the booth with an amiable nod.
Waking with the cock crow, Boram rolls out of the human sized bed. He smiles to himself as he moves around the room, getting ready for the day. He'd placed his gear in his new quarters the day before, after the initiation but before the after party. Fortunatly the keep had been built by humans for humans, so by their standards the room was 'tiny' but much larger than anything he would ever need and much 'higher' than the dwarven house he'd grown up in. Picking the new 'armband' up from the night table his mind wandered to the evening before, he'd had enough ale to feel warm and friendly, and a bowl of pipe weed to finish the night off. Then wandered back here and fell quickly asleep.
As he places the armband on, he wonders if he was expected to wear it on all occasions or only when he was on official business. For a moment he considers asking someone but decides better of it. If someone saw him without it on, then he could at least say that he 'didn't know' without lying. Putting his wrist sleaves on, he adjusts them so he could quickly reach his mithril blade; Dwarven made, they were his pride and joy. Shrugging on his chain shirt, he picks his belt up from the oversized wooden chair. Not sure if he'd need 'all his gear' he shoulders his rucksack, prepared for anything.
As he turns towards the door, buckling on his belt, he notices the folded letter. Reading it quickly, smiling to himself wondering if he was supposed to report to Maester StonesShield after first breakfast or second breakfast. Still chuckling at himself, he heads downstairs towards the dining facility. Nodding politely to the human and elf standing at the wooden board, making sure he keeps from looking like he was listening to their conversation.
Moving towards the table where the tall Tiefling and dark-haired half-elf was seated, he wracked his brain to recall their names. Pausing, he looked around to see if the Human female with the braids in the form-fitting black dress from last night was there. He'd been hoping that he'd be in a group with her. Smiling to himself, he recalled her name was Elann, and these two were Anduriel and Amrus. It often helped, if he couldn't recall something immediately, that if he thought of something else, he'd remember the first bit.
As he approached the table he waived the letter, "Amrus, Anduriel, I suppose you two received one of these as well?" Nearing the table he began to pull out one of the straight-backed oaken chairs. Remembering his manners, he asks as he climbed up into the human sized chair. "You don't mind if I join you? Do you?"
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It was not late into the night that Elann celebrated. In fact, one could call it quite early. Not that she wasn't social or rejected a good ale or three, but for some unknown reason, she went to bed earlier than most.
"Hmmm?" she inquires and shuffles over sleepily to the folded letter. After picking it up, she takes it and opens it. In the dim light of day, she tries to read the foreign tongue. She has the knowledge of common, but sometimes, for a foreigner, and especially in the early morning, it is hard to get her brain to churn fast enough to read non-Osirian writings.
"A mission! So soon!" she hums in appreciation to herself. Elann looks around the room at the tiny, cramped place they housed her and she thinks back to her home on the shores of the lake, with a nice big bed once shared with Noah. This is different, and it hurts her heart, but at the same time, she is filled with purpose.
That morning, she will get dressed in full armor and weaponry. It still takes her a bit but eventually as the sun rises, she will make it downstairs. Before she does, she packs away her things, including the letter.
Striding into the meeting hall will be a young Osirion female. She has cute cheeks and big alert eyes. Over her beautiful lamellar leather armor and armored skirt is a warm-looking, grey, alpaca robe with a hood. A large pack is slung on the short human's shoulder. On it are a buckler and crossbow. She appears ready for battle and the pack itself seems exceedingly heavy for the young girl, but she manages it.
Despite looking ready for war, she is beautiful and clearly wide awake. There are eye-catching gold ribbons laced into her hair, a silver holy symbol, and a decorative tiara of Orsirion origin on her forehead--as if she herself were not eye-catching enough. Some of the few patrons in the room may even look up with jaws agape before continuing to eat. Her features are feminine, unweathered, and unscarred, which stands out among the crowd here--even if there is little to see of her features other than her face.
It takes her a moment to sort out the voices in the room from the stairs, but when she does, she hears someone talking about gold, demons, and the Tanglebriar. She observes the human and elf for a second as she makes her way further into the room. She prays their mission is a success. She isn't in this for the coin, but understands desperation. Such things are all distracting her though and she shakes the thoughts of them from her mind so that she can ready herself for what is to come.
At the offer of a welcome and coffee, she smiles brightly to Hannah.
"Thank you. And as for a drink, why, yes, it is my tradition," she answers regarding the coffee in her Osirion accent. "Coffee, please, with some sugar, milk, and cinnamon if you have it." With that, she will take her seat at last with the others.
"Good morning, my friends," she quietly exclaims as she deposits the heavy pack at her feet and sits with the direction from Hannah. Clearly their superior spoke to her to deliver the letters and to group them together this morning. The group can see her armband is proudly displayed for all to see, and Boram would not have seen her until this moment, but he got his wish; the adorably eyed, sunshine-ray-kind-of-cheery girl sits next to him and joins his party.
"I see some had rougher nights than others," she smiles slyly at the sleepy looks of some of the others at the table.
Moving to the indicated booth, she sees it mostly empty, save a tall lanky Shield member she remembered seeing at the trials yesterday, definitely carrying a touch of the lower planes in his blood. "Morning!" she says slipping into the booth with an amiable nod.
Without looking up, Amrus gives a sarcastic Verily. It is indeed morning.
"Amrus, Anduriel, I suppose you two received one of these as well?" Nearing the table he began to pull out one of the straight-backed oaken chairs. Remembering his manners, he asks as he climbed up into the humanoid sized chair. "You don't mind if I join you? Do you?"
He looks around to see if there are open stools at the bar. If there is a place, I do not mind.
"I see some had rougher nights than others," she smiles slyly at the sleepy looks of some of the others at the table.
The tiefling only grunts and gulps his coffee faster. Another!
D’witt had been up early. His routine already… well, routine. He checked his pistol with a glance, having cleaned and oiled them both well and good before going to bed the night before. The sealed pouch with his extra paper cartridges was intact as well.
Holsters settled comfortably on his hips he was out the tiny room’s door with an excited grin. The letter he had found upon waking tucked into the inner pocket of his jacket as he ran across the inner courtyard. He was too excited to register the limited sleep he had gotten last night.
D’witt was on the younger side. He had applied as soon as he was allowed to. And now here he was, already about accept the challenge of his first mission. He was wondering who else he’d be traveling with.
His tail flicked back and forth in anticipation as he entered the dining hall. His leather jacket hung open to allow maximum ease of movement. He flashed Mrs Himby a boyish grin and a playful two finger salute.
“Porridge sounds great.”
He nodded.
“Black, please.”
He asked in return to the offer of coffee.
Glancing around the common room, veteran members of the Shields were scattered about. He spotted a table with a couple other new recruits getting comfortable.
”Thank you, ma’am. ”
He accepted his coffee with a smile.
The tiefling only grunts and gulps his coffee faster. Another!
D’witt glanced at the table then back at Mrs Himby again.
“You and your boys are busy, I can take it over.”He insisted.
With the extra coffee in hand he moved over to the table. Setting the coffee by Amrus he smiled.
“Here ya go.”
He gave the others the same smile.
“Fancy meeting you all again so soon. Guess we should have hit the hay earlier.”
He chuckled and grinned.
“Course, if I’d known they’d be putting me to work so soon I’m not sure I would have been able to sleep.”
"That's kind of you," Elann comments to Dwitt as he insists on helping. Upon seeing it, she will also want to get up and help, but there is nothing more to do.
When Dwitt finally moves over to the table, she nods to his words.
"I would not have slept at all either! This was a much better way of finding out." She glances to the men who were recruiting. "It seems like there is trouble all over the place."
She then pulls out her letter again and rereads the place they are to meet.
"'...Find Maester Braendar StoneShield in the forge along the west wall.' This is all of your tasks, yes?" she inquires curiously. If most nod, she will then continue. "I think I know where that is. Do we all want to travel there together as a party?" she asks brightly, as if it was their first chance to travel as a unit for real.
Watching as Elann moves towards the table, Boram notices she was dressed for business this morning. Pleased to see he wasn't the only one with a pack. Even more pleased that she pulled up a chair next to him. Smiling, he greeted her, "Good morning Elan." He chuckles at her observation about 'rougher nights' looking over at the tiefling sitting nearby at the bar, gulping down his coffee.
Beginning to make a comment about the party the night before, he notices D'witt interacting with Ms Hannah, relieving her of Amrus' coffee and taking to the tiefling sitting nearby at the bar. Raising an eyebrow when Elann compliments the pistolero on his 'kindness' he resists the urge to crack a joke about the evening before and instead simply shrugs. "I can sleep anytime anywhere." He lays a finger beside his nose, tapping it, "Comes from doing a lot of 'night work'."
Seeing Elann pull out her letter, he retrieves his from his pocket, laying it on the table. Smilng, "I would be happy to travel with you Elann." He looks towards the kitchen, furrowing his brow. "Assuming breakfast gets here before you leave."
Accepting the second coffee and smiling more genuinely he reveals his own letter, a little in resign.
Yes, as we can all guess we're here for the same reason. Delivery.
He lets the letter fall to the bartop next to his coffee.
Are we sure it's all the same delivery or we could be sent off in different directions. If it is the same job... wow five bodies. This should be some interesting cargo.
"Of course I will have to wait for breakfast. And maybe a second breakfast if we have a chance! Who knows when we will get such luxury wherever we are sent." She sighs wistfully in thought. "Maybe I will be sent to a far-off land? Maybe to one I've been to before. My father used to take us on merchant trips throughout all of Avistan and Osirion when I was little." She does her best to hide her internal pain at the thought of it
"I doubt it...," she answers Amrus. "You are right. Five of us for one delivery? No, it must be multiple...," she mocks. Then, considering the latter, if they are indeed all sent on the same mission, that changes things. In a quick announcement in a lower voice, she adds, "Although, maybe we, shouldn't talk about such things in open public places...," she considers as she looks around as her voice trails off.
"Why don't you join us here Amrus?"
Having seen him take a seat at the bar while the rest of them are at the indicated table bothered her minorly. "No need to be by yourself. Cozy up, shield-friend. You're part of our team now." She will playfully loop an armored arm over Boram and D'witt's shoulders and lightly shakes them to the left and right. She is not hard to resist as she's not overly strong.
Without looking up, Amrus gives a sarcastic Verily. It is indeed morning.
Amrus' dry wit draws a snicker from Anduriel.
Fair enough!"
"I'd have to say, if they group us all together, it's not bad company to be in." she says with a grin, looking over her assembled breakfast companions.
While it takes a few minute before long two lads in clearly in the early teens come trudging out of the back with a large tray of food. Hot bowls of hunied porraige and a couple of loafs of steaming hot fresh bread are placed before you along with a tub of butter.
"eat up... no caravan i've ever heard of leaves before breakfast. More coffee? The compounds primary caretaker mentioned as she refilled coffee from a hot steaming kettle. Glancing to the two member of the higher order along the far war she continued.
"Dont mind those two, Mhael's been a mess since his sister wound up missing in the Tanglebriar. " As she turned to leave a somewhat loud noise so early in the morning occured along the back wall where a stairway decended from the lone tall tower on the grounds. three books made their way down the steps being awkward chased by a middle aged woman in robes.
You all had.. at least officially met the mercenary groups resident mage and cleric of Abadar. She rose to her feet and whispered a single word svelati and as you watched the books trying to scamper away from her three impish creature shimmered into view.
Initiative rolls please
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Unlike most people who drink coffee, the caffeine hits her immediately. It is possible she's slightly allergic to it and/or sensitive, but she immediately begins to talk at a faster pace. It's hardly noticeable unless you are actively paying attention to it, but by the end of her cup, her legs are shaking due to inactivity. It looks like she could go run a 10-mile.
"You are so sweet, Anduriel!" she exclaims and returns the grin.
The Osirian looks up as food finally comes. To Hannah, she returns a comment:
"Caravan? Oh...interesting! You seem to know more about our task than we do. More coffee for me, please! And more porridge and bread, when you get around to it!" she thrills as shortly after, she takes a spoonful of honey porridge and a tiny cute bite of her loaf of bread. One can almost see her happily dancing as her bread, which is smothered with butter is taken a bite out of. She even put butter in her honey porridge.
Being more alert than others helped. At the crashing sound, she yelps and drops her spoon. It, unfortunately, sinks into her porridge quickly. This causes Elann to turn to see what is happening. From what she can see, there are imps absconding with books, so she bosses the party.
"To your feet, fight!"
She will quickly get up from her booth and will even leap off the table to get to the door before these imps can. There, she will block their exit.
Amrus predictably signals for more coffee when it's offered.
It takes him several moments to focus and realize why the books he's watching are seemingly moving on their own.
Ah... imps. he thinks as he looks over to see Elann acting quickly.
D'witt raised an eyebrow at Boram's comment.
"You don't think they'd actually send us off before breakfast do you?"
He looked relieved when Elann seemed sure they'd have time before heading out. He nodded at Elann's enthusiasm.
"Interesting isn't necessarily a bad thi- Ack!"
D'witt had started to say as he pulled out his own copy of the letter when the priestess wrapped her arm around his shoulders and gave him a shake. He could match her strength, but she had caught him off balance. His ash grey tail flicked wildly as he steadied himself. He couldn't help but chuckle at her eagerness. Everyone seemed to be getting along already and he was grinning when Elann suddenly reacting. The sounds of something falling down the steps finally registering.
Chuckling at Amrus' comment about 'delivery' Boram felt the wizard was right, the gods knew Boram's talents would be wasted sitting in a wagon watching for bandits; but if Colewin Binderbook wanted to pay him to sit in a wagon, he wouldn't ask any questions. Well at least not too many questions. Shaking his head cautiously at D'witt's question, he answers a hesitantly. "I don't know any self-respecting halfling that would, so I trust Colewin Binderbook is a better Captain than that."
Smiling at Elann's comment about 'second breakfast' Boram knew there was a reason he liked this woman. He raises an eyebrow as she talks about the trips she'd taken with her father. As she spoke about the 'delivery' he wondered if maybe it was a test, but the thought was cut short as she put her arm around him and jostled him. An edge of one of the scales on the lamellar armor poked his neck above his own armor, he smiled reminding himself he'd selected a chainshirt without a hood, wanting it discrete. Poked or not, the comradery felt nice, even if it was in jest.
Nodding in agreement with Anduriel, Boram turned as Hannah appeared with the porridge. Smiling, he pushed his empty cup towards her as he began shoveling hot porridge into his mouth. Eyeing the bread as Hannah was saying something about the two fellows he'd passed. He watched Elann put butter in the porridge, considering doing the same.
As he stood on his feet to reach for the butter, he heard the racket from the steps. Forgetting about the butter when the magic revealed the three impish creatures.
As quickly as Elann is in motion, Anduriel is even quicker, her head whipping around at the sight of the books moving down the stairs.
By the time the imps become visible, she erupts into motion, her mind exerting the spark of energy needed to open the floodgates, filling her body with a torrent of pure kinetic magic in her next breath.
The world seems to slow down a bit, Elann's call to arms hanging in the air as the graceful half elf hops up onto the table, her movements astonishingly quick to her companions, running to jump from the booth to the floor, glittering silver thornblade drawn in the same movement as she races to the bottom of the steps
With little thought Amrus sends a thrust of force at the little imp.
D’witt watched Anduriel move with supernatural speed and was impressed again. Her magic was pretty cool from what little he had seen during the trials. She and Elann were already striking out at the tiny demons even as the rest of them were just reacting. Well now, he couldn’t let himself get shown up.
With a grin D’witt pulled a pistol from his hip and leveled it at one of the imps. The tiny crack of thunder rang out when the trigger snapped.
As the three imps split up and try to find separate ways to escape, Boram looked back at his porridge longingly. Hoping the fight wouldn't take so long that his breakfast got cold, the halfling reaches for the cold iron dagger in his belt, tossing it at the nearest fleeing book thief.
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The loud retort of the pistol early in the morning certainly echoed through the hall as Elann tried to desperately stab at the imp that scampered twixt her legs unsuccessfully. the bullet however was faster than her blade and when it struck the imp it poofed in a foul black smoke.
The magical shard of force that flew from Amrus' hand uneeringly veered into the imp running for the far wall and it too popped leaving behing a small foul smelling cloud for but a moment. Borams dagger while quick and well thrown just missed the last scampering imp.
Elann will yelp a bit in shock at the sound of gunfire. As she observes the room. There is a flying dagger, a streaming spell of energy, and numerous shuffling as people seek to stop the last imp. She will have to do what she can, but is almost afraid to go after the next one. Bravery calls!
She rushes forward to lay a gentle hand on Anduriel to encourage her to go after it. At her touch, from everyone else's perspective, nothing happened except a simple silly armored girl just ran to hide behind a warrior with a sword ready to charge. From Anduriel's perspective, Elann is seen as bathed in golden light. In fact, the world seems brighter and more beautiful than before. And in that light, there is an even brighter path. The fighter Anduriel would know that if she follows it through, chances are, it will lead to great success!
She wonders at the popping destruction of these beasts. Was this normal?
Chaos erupts as her companions begin to react, taking out two of the offending little fiends. Turning her head, Anduriel sees Elann moving toward her, a beautiful golden glow enveloping her as she lays a hand on her shoulder.
The world erupts in possibility as Elann's magic flows into her, guiding her along the path of the best possible result and filling her with the assurance that she couldn't possibly miss. Dashing across the distance to chase down the fleeing imp, she neatly skewers the creature through the back of the neck.
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The last imp disapears in a now familiar smelly mist and after a few moments silence.The few members of the shields awake and in the common hall started rapping thier mugs against the tops of their table in a steady thudding salute.
"well done younglings... you saved my research. I've no doubt that damned Malfeous is responsibel for these things... 3rd time they've shown up this month.... Make sure you stop by my tower before you go. I've something for your quick action.
The cleric Allura said from atop the stairwell.Hannah hurried over with fresh coffee.. "Well done. No hurries but im sure master Braendar is waiting for you folk. I'll fetch his plate. He should be at the forge.. just take a left out the front door cant miss it."
Amrus seems a little incredulous at the sudden chaos in this place. Once it is all over, he asks
How dangerous is this "Malfeous"? Should that not be our urgent mission unless it is above our skill
A warm grin passes over the Osirion's face as their fellow Shields cheer them on. Elann is outright giddy at the attention and quickly and nervously retakes her seat; a heavy blush on her face.
"Okay, if we are sent out, we will stop by," she replies.
"Well...we certainly didn't do it for the attention, but it is nice to know we handled ourselves okay at least," she comments to her companions. Before he gets them sent to their deaths, there is a heaving sigh mixed with a chuckle of nervousness as she looks to Amrus. "I'm okay with a delivery to start..." she states weakly with worry and a cute but nervous 'haha' chuckle.
Then overcoming her nervousness, she states more lively:
"For all we know, we could be delivering a knuckle sandwich to Malfeous!"
She cutely punches the air with her cestus and then winks playfully.
"Oh, I should thank my god..."
Once seated, she closes her eyes in prayer and then comes out of it a few moments later. She then looks to Anduriel and asks, "Did you see him when I touched you?"
"I definitely saw... something...the power of your god flowing through you, I suppose. You were surrounded, by a beautiful golden glow, and when you touched me...it was incredible. I knew there was no way I could fail whatever I did next!" Anduriel says enthusiastically, enjoying the rush of recent combat as well as the adulation.
"Looks like we really do make a good team."
As the cheer went up Boram returned his attention to the hot bread on the center of the table. Nodding in agreement with the cleric Allura, Boram looks from the basket of bread towards his wayward dagger. Allure was right, Anduriel had struck well with her Thornblade, D'witt's pistol, though loud, was very effective, Amrus and Elann has seemed to use some magic; all four of them had done well. Reaching into the basket he picked up a piece of toasty bread, dipping it in his porridge as he jumped off of his chair. Taking a bite of the bread as he retrieved his cold iron dagger. His throw had not been particularly accurate, but he knew his value was not in throwing knives.
As he returned to the table, he finished the piece of bread and climbed back up into his chair. Having heard that Braendar was waiting, he began to quickly shovel the porridge into his mouth. Nodding in agreement with Elann as she told Allura that they would stop by, and hoped along with Amrus that they would be sent after 'Malfeous.' If the fellow was willing to steal from Allura, who knows what else he may have in his possession worth burgling. Smiling at Elann's 'knuckle sandwich' comment he nodded in agreement with Anduriel, they really do make a good team.
His godfather had told him to find a group of his own, and it looked like he had. As he swallowed the last of his porridge he added. "Anduriels right, we do make a good team."
Standing up on his chair, he reaches towards the basket of toasted bread and started putting pieces in his jacket's pockets, "You don't think Hannah will mind do you? In case we don't make it back for second breakfast?"
Even as the imp he shot dissolved D’witt was already turning, drawing his other pistol. His eyes snapped to the wisp of smoke that had been Amrus’ target. Continuing his turn he caught Elann bless Anduriel and the last imp exploded into a puff on the tip of the spell dancer’s blade.
D’witt relaxed, glancing around just in case as he holsters the unused pistol. Grinning he gives the gathered patrons a quick two finger salute before turning back to his fellow new Shields.
”Well, that’s one was to start the morning. Blackpowder and coffee.”
Even as he spoke his hands moved automatically. His tail reaching into his belt pouch and pulling out a piece of cloth that his hand took and began to clean the expended pistol before reloading it.
”Like shooting rats back home around the forge.”
D’witt chuckled, facing Allura and giving a nod of respect.
”You’re too kind ma’am. We’ll be happy to intrude on your hospitality.”
The tiefling gave her a wide grin.
Returning to the table with the others he thanks Hannah for the coffee and gives Elann a friendly nudge.
”Nothing wrong with making deliveries. Use to make them for mom all the time.”
He grins at her lively display.
”That’s the spirit.”
D’witt nodded in agreement with Anduriel.
”And I bet we’ll get even better in time.”
When Boram started grabbing more bread D’witt grabbed a few pieces as well and chuckled.
”I doubt she’ll be mad. If she is, we’ll just blame Armus.”
He grins, nodding towards his fellow tiefling before starting to eat his breakfast. The sooner they were on their way to the forge the sooner their first mission would truly start.
Elann seems curious that Anduriel didn't see her god.
"That is strange that I could see him blessing you, but you could not see him yourself. In any case, if you wish, you can give thanks to Bes. He is my god, a god of community and luck. He aids in bringing safe births of children and many other good things. He has been very kind to me and has chosen to bless our party now too!"
"No," she laughs as she answers Boram, who is currently stuffing his pockets with things. "And if you have to dive for something, that bread will act as a nice cushion," With D'Witt and him grabbing the bread, there probably isn't enough for her to do the same, but she will try to be quick on the draw before it's all gone and will stuff one good chunk of it into her satchel.
"Okay. I prayed. I'm fed and stuffed. I didn't die. Yep! I think I'm ready for the morning. Shall we, friends?"
When they are ready, she will move to get up and will hold the door open for them to pass by her. No doubt there were probably others outside who wondered why there was a shot inside the inn, but she pays them no mind. She heads toward the forge, letting the others lead the way.
The armory was silent this early in the morning, though a young skinny maiden was in it already three swords laid out in front of her. She was running a polishing rag over a fourth blade in her hand.
"Go ahead lass and get some breakfast, ye can finish your chores afterwards."
A deep dwarven lilted voice told the girl who scampered off. He paused and frowned pulling a breastplate off a table and setting it on the wooden floor. He unrolled a map of the lands and waited for you all to gather round.
This'n is a simple mission, lads and lasses, but important. The lifeblood of Druma is trade, coin has to flow in, coin has to flow out. Merchants ere in town are sending up special looms to be used at the Feast of Fate."
He pulled out a pouch of leather and pulled some dark leaf and stuck a large wad of it in his lips. He offered the pouch out to those gathered.
"The caravan will take ye to Ebbernant, a large town in the northeast of Druma close to the borders of Ishgar. I recken you folk can take a day or two and enjoy the festival and then head back. Watch for bandits near any woods along the path. Bastards show up e'er now and then. Any questions?"
Amrus grimaces and declines the pouch of dark-leaf.
So, we're to transport and protect these looms as they make their way to Ebbernant? Is it well-known that they make this journey, or that our caravan will likely hold them?
Tapping his finger to his chin, he thinks some more.
Tell us more about this caravan. Who runs it and what other staff ride along with it? Do any of them have interesting stock besides the looms?
"Run of the mill bandits?" Anduriel asks, politely declining the offer of leaf.
She will gladly scoot up next to the dwarven man and look at his map. Following is her half pointing at it and recalling numerous locations she's been to in silence as he speaks. It is like she's reacquainting herself with where she's been in the past while learning the route.
"Two from me," she replies to his inquiry on who has questions. "I think we can protect them from thievery well enough, but fire, if their intent is to destroy, is another. Can we ask for a canvas to help cover the load? It might help should that be any bandit's desire." She shrugs and then remarks, "You never know..."
There is a delightful chuckle and then she recalls her second question, "Oh..and...are there any gifts you want us to bring back with us that you yourself desire from the Festival? Some special Ebberantian ale perhaps?"
The metal master will find no deceit in her eyes. No intent to butter him up or cutely weave her way into his good graces. She's just a sweet, innocent person.
Smiling as D'witt and Elann also save a little toasted bread for later, Boram reminds himself of an old proverb, 'The whole world wishes they were halflings.' Nodding in agreement with Elann, he jumps off the chair, keeping from underfoot as they head toward the armory.
Watching the skinny maiden head towards the dining area, Boram move near the table. Standing on his tippy-toes, he's unable to see the top of the table. Seeing a three-legged stool in the corner he quickly fetches it, moving it to the table on the other side of Elann and climbing on top; with just enough time to shake his head no at the offered moist leaf. Elbowing Elann, gently he whispers, "Show off." As Stoneshield continued with the assignment Boram pulls out his pipe, listening as the others ask their questions.
Using his penknife, he cleans the bowl as Amrus asks about the particulars of the caravan and Anduriel ask for more information about the bandits. As Elann considers how to protect the wagons from fire he taps the bowl out on the table. Smiling at the thought of bringing the dwarf something from the Festival, he considers the festival itself. He'd never traveled to Ebbernant, but celebrating the 'Feast of Fate' there should be enjoyable; especially trying the different foods, celebrations were the best time to eat.
Feeling that his companions had asked all the relevant questions, he holds his pipe up and asks, "Do you mind if I smoke my pipe in your forge?" Realizing he may need to stock up on food and tobac, he adds "and when do we leave?"
When Boram gathers the three-legged stool, Elann will kindly help Boram stabilize it while he climbs up on top of it, since it didn't particularly look like the most stable of stools.
Upon taking a light jab with an elbow, she will briefly look down to the halfling somewhat confused as to not only what he wants with his cute halfling smile, but also not understanding what he means.
"'Show off?' Show off what?"
Her brain then switches to phrase-mode, as common isn't her first tongue. She begins to wrap her mind around the fact it must be a quip given his face and then she recalls having heard it before. It only takes her a second, but her response to Boram isn't a sly smile indicating he is on the mark, in fact, quite the opposite. The cleric gives a little shake of her head no that he is wrong. From the look in her cheery eyes fading to minor disappointment at the thought of being a brown-noser, he can tell she acted naturally and this playful accusation was all a shock to her. She must truly enjoy chew and had said what she said to kindly greet the dwarf master instead of trying to impress him. From the shock on her face, he can assume this is the first she's considering his take on things, even if joking. Regardless, her smile returns and she returns to listening, clearly not offended by the little halfling's quip against her.
"smoke away lad... nothing to be harmed with it in here.."
He said to Boram as he made a motion with his hand pointing out the smelters fire and the stonework everywhere.. He settle leaning back against a solid table. and began to answer the questions posed.
"Church folk run the caravan, i've met them once... they arent too pushy with their dogma, they just dont want their magical artifacts damaged or destroyed. They are pretty expensive, but i dont think they are well.. a target to steal... too unique and special.They will probably carry other goods used in the process of tailoring and as for bandits.. well this trade season has seen an unuasual amount of banditry... bad year for crops, folk are in a bad way.. usually leads to more banditry. any specific group to be wary of?"
He just shrugs at the question.He turned to the perfect dwarven dialect speaking human with a raised brow.
"Interesting.. we will have to have a sit down some time.. but no lass nothing i need from...." He paused and his deep brown eyes lit up. "Actually... My cousin... Bergher has a shop there... just buy anything with his mark... I'd appreciate it."
He paused again and took a deep breath.
"I will send you with a letter into Macridi... shouldnt be too hard to find the caravan. SHow em the seal and follow their directions and everything should be good to go. I dont think they are leaving until tomorrow, but I would head into town today and see whats up and then see what you may need for this trip."
"At this festival they make this special tapestry to some minor goddess or something sposedly they weave this thing and it provides forsight in the year to come. Seem's kinda hokey to me eh boy. E'er year they raft these big ol looms here in Macridi with special woods sposedly grown in some sort of faeriegrove in the woods About the town and then they take these looms up to the festival.
Bandits have been growing something like a bad wart in the lands, and they need to make sure they get there so they hired up to insure they get there. These looms are so big they will be mounted on the wagons pratically, so its really just a matter of making sure the wagons arent destroyed or nothing on the way there."
D’witt nodded, listening as Braendar spoke. When the dwarf offered the pouch he smiled but raised a hand to decline politely. He grinned when Braendar suggested taking some time to enjoy the festival. Nodding again as the subject of bandits came up.
Bandits are a common problem when it comes to travel and D’witt had many stories of his mother dealing with them as a child. Some might find the idea of caravan guarding as too simple for real sellswords, but it was how his mother had started and if it was good enough for her it was good enough for him.
He raised an eyebrow at Elann when she spoke. He was impressed with her fluent speech, but he had to hold back the chuckle at Boram’s teasing. When she asks about the possibility of fire, D’witt leans back and looks thoughtful.
”If fire is a concern, a properly treated canvas would help. If they don’t have something in storage I could probably find the chemicals needed to…”
He half mumbles when Braendar puases, arms crossed and looking thoughtfully at some vague spot on the wall. He trails off before he seems to snap out of some train of thought and glance around. He looks embarrassed for a moment and chuckles.
”Sorry.”
He apologizes to Braendar with a sheepish grin and remains silent until the dwarf finishes.
Amrus relaxed as the caravan's situation was explained. For a moment it felt urgent to look into "Malfeous," but he is himself a merchant by trade and so perhaps this job would supply ample opportunity. His attentiveness carried a business-like demeanor.
I wonder if the church's caravan would have some room on the way back, in case I find some interesting items for my inventory along the way or at our destination. Anyway, thank you for giving us the run-down Braendar. We will look out for your cousin!
He turns to the rest of the party. Should we stop off at any equipment suppliers? Anyone in need of rations.
He turns back to the dwarf.
Say, do you know if they supply meals on the caravan?
"I suppose after we get to Macridi, we'll have a better idea of anything we might need." Anduriel replies to Amrus.
She listens to Braendar, attentively, yet there was a feeling of being eager to be in motion, coming from her, not one specific thing so much as a series of subtle hints and cues.
Being that Braendar is speaking to a literal oraclar prophetess and cleric of Bes, as well as others, she tries to not take offense to his antireligious words. She is truly angellic to take such abuse when she literally has seen the gods. Also, the fact it is done without knowledge also is excused by her. She bears it with patience, just grins, and nods to his words, trying to gain a picture in her mind of what they are likely to see.
"Thank you for the opportunity of this first assignment, sir. We will do as you ask."
At the end of their dialogue, Elann will have to inquire more about the mark and what type of shop Braendar's cousin owns so they can actually find it, and then will offer that she can carry a letter for him if Braendar wishes to say greetings to his cousin and his family there. She will even write it in dwarven if he wishes, as she does have some education in scribing words in beautiful penmanship. In preparation for the letter, she will script out what he says on her chalkboard, then will flip over the board onto the back of it and will use it as a portable table for using her ink and papers.
"As for us," she speaks to the party now that their business there is concluded, "We should stop by Allura's tower. We might find out more about Malfeous and what he's up to...which is something to keep our eyes on...as well as receive whatever this mysterious gift is of hers. Then, I say we head to Macridi."
Nodding to the dwarf as Braendar gave him permission to smoke, Boram realized he'd seemed to disappoint his new friend. As the blacksmith began answering questions about the mission, Boram packed a little tobac in his pipe, leaning in close to Elann, "Thanks for the help with the stool. my godfather is dwarvish, I was teasing about how well you spoke the language, I didn't mean to offend." Pulling a match from his jacket pocket, he strikes it against the table, lighting his pipe.
As the conversation turned to 'meals on the caravan' Boram stopped blowing smoke rings and started to pay better attention. He nods in agreement with Anduriel, it only made sense to speak with their new employer about what food and drink they would provide before they stocked up.
As the conversation changed to what they should do after their meeting with Braendar, Boram nodded in agreement with Elann. If they were to head to Allura's tower to accept the 'mysterious gift' they could pass by the dining area and see if Hannah was serving second breakfast. Pipe between his teeth, Boram jumps off the three-legged stool, "That's a fine idea Elann!" Turning to make sure the tall folk were coming he adds, "Along with asking Macridi about food and such, we should find out if he's providing mounts."
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Allura's tower was a tall stone structure built alongside the Binderbook compound. one of the entrances was up a stairwell that lead to a landing a in the very common room they had just eaten breakfast in. The three doors there were helpfully labeled "commanders office" "Mage tower" and "barracks" The magesdoor was unlocked though there was a sign that read Entering the lower study apprentices may be at work. Do try and be quiet with your inquiries
The very first room you came to (after entering a hallway about six feet long) seemed much larger than the tower looked from the outside. The steady Scritch Scritching of pen on parchment hung in the air and a relative young (for a dwarf of course) maid sat at a desk with an old looking book propped up as she worked on transcribing it to a much newer tome. to her right was an open doorway with a single key carved above it.
After a few more scritches the dwarven maid said . . .
ooooooooo my head.... the dwarf maiden groans, setting down the quill. Short, even for being a dwarf, her feet dangle just above the foot rung upon the stool she sits upon. Her hair is frost blue, with white highlights, and her pale skin holds a tint of blue as well. Elbows slam hard into the desk and her unusually scarred hands prop up her head as she drops it into her palms.
ooo if youre someone here who can kill me, please do so quietly. I think i consumed a third of the shield's total booze, and my head is pounding. And then, some idiot had- ooo she cuts off in a strangled groan of pain.
some one, any one, either kill me, or bring me a barrel of coffee. Now! pleasseeee
the dwarf slumps onto the desk with another long, sorrowful groan.
and some biscuits!