"Six? Oh, oh, yeah, six, maybe even seven," Elirious whispers, mostly to himself staying hidden for the moment.
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"Don't borrow it then? Do you want to use it Autumn?" Elirious says with a shrug, "I would dig, but I don't want to, or am allergic to farming, and, or radishes, am a conscientious objector - take your pick." He moves off to tend for his own mount and those of any others who wish it and then hides himself to watch for kobolds, or other threats.
Elirious pulls an unenthusiastic face, but produces his any tool and transforms it into a shovel which he then offers to Titian and Autumn, "It might be easier with this. I don't think I would be very good at digging, so I will keep a watch with Mister Drazen. I can see to the horses to if you like, don't want any equine radish thieves." He looks about for a handy tree and secures the horses, of thise who allow him to, where they can feed and be out of the way of the radish harvest while still close at hand. Once this is accomplished he watches attempts to copy Drazen's look outing with limited success, mostly because he is watching the other man for cues rather than keeping watch. After a few minutes he attempts to conceal himself changing his outfit to match a nearby tree and leaning into the trunk where he blends seamlessly.
Elirious shrugs, "You can make a fair shelter with cut sod, grass, or even turf at a pinch. My Master was very good at such things, though I confess I never picked up all of his skills. But mostly I have not had the coin and opportunity to pick up a tent in the same period of time. I'll gladly share if nobody minds, its certainly less work and likely warmer." Fetching his borrowed mount he feeds it a couple of breakfast apples and scratches its muzzle, before mounting and unfurling the banner upon his spear a grand thing depicting a blue dragon, that might also be a winding river, coiling about a golden egg. "Ready when you are to ride into the unknown, seeking adventure..." He glances at Svetlana and smiles, "and berries? Radishes? Whatever the basket is for"
"I usually just make a shelter from branches, spend the last few years knocking about in the Riverlands without a roof more often than not. But, well yes, if there is a tent available when it is raining I would be angling for an invite. But worst comes to the worst sleeping against your horse with your cloak and hammock over your head keeps you dryish, especially with a prestidigitation here and there."
"Nah, I like horses, it isn't work if you like it, it just kinda a subspecies of doing what you want," Elirious replies to Autumn before heading off to tend his newly borrowed equine. The next morning he wakes and prestidigitates himself clean before slouching over to gratefully accept a plate of scrambled eggs, "Thank you kindly M'am, you will forever have a place in my heart." Yawning he moves over to the group giving a tired little wave as he stretches, takes a seat and realizes he has no cutlery, with a shrug he summons a piccolo and uses it to push scrambled eggs into his waiting mouth. "I usually make do without a tent, I can usually find something to hang my hammock under. Never really liked the idea of them anyway, its like being a kid under the covers, you sort of feel like you are protected, but if it comes down to it its just a thin bit of material between you and the night."
Elirious shoots Autumn a sheepish grin, "Well I didn't like to assume... But thanks, and my thanks to you to Oleg, Commander, I confess I feel better with a horse at my disposal even if it is a borrowed one. Would it be alright for me to take a look before I seek my bed? I do not mean to call into question your care, but my old Master always told me a man should tend his own mount so he only has himself or the gods to blame if anything should go wrong." All being well he heads over and does his darndest to select the best mount available, if offered a choice, and then gives the beasts a good brush down and attempts to win its favour by plucking the most succulent looking grass he can find nearby and feeding the beast. That done he returns to the common room, tells a couple more tales and after settling with Svetlana makes for the bunks.
Ah, fair enough, most people think its the rule anyway, so no biggie :) Should I roll for the diplomacy check I made previously?
Elirious gives a respectful bow, "Elirious Alothian, one of the horseless duo, pleased to make your acquaintance Master Oleg, and Commander Garess of course. I would greatly appreciate it if I could borrow a horse, and I can provide collateral should it be required, though I confess it would slightly pain me to do so. I am a storyteller by trade, though I have travelled the River Lands for long enough to be many things besides, and reputation means a lot to a man of my trade. What I am "subtly" hinting at is that I am not so much a fool as to think a horse worth offending one of the men at the heart of a new settlement I plan to frequent."
Elirious extends his lower lip and nods his head thoughtfully, that would work, I hope this Oleg is amenable. If this charter nonsense is as lucrative as it sounds I need to insert myself into it by hook or by crook! Elirious rises as Autumn leaves and quickly finds himself following her, giving a sheepish smile he raises a hand defensively, "I was just going to speak with Master Oleg." At Autumn's question he raises his brows awaiting Oleg's answer before going about introducing himself.
"I would like to come along, assuming I would not be unwelcome? It sounds like it has story potential, and I have never met a kobold before. But I need to procure a horse, I don't suppose any of you know if anyone has one they would hire out? Would it be worth asking Madam Svetlana?" Elirious says frowning, glancing around for Svetlana as he considers what he might offer up for collateral. "I could offer up my Any Tool for collateral perhaps?"
"Mmmm, makes a better story that way, hard to see slaughter with most audiences, plus peaceful cooperation tends to pay dividends, there must be some way to expl.. to make use of the kobolds, they probably have things they want and they must have something of value to trade." Elirious says thoughtfully.
Changing to more normal attire Elirious, pouting slightly, takes a long pull from his drink content for the moment to listen and try to comprehend the situation. Mind wandering he contemplates Titian as a potential hero, need to change than name, its a bastard to rhyme; Stagson is not bad though, could even imply its literal, The Mighty son of Erastil! His gaze rolling over to the wolf he wonders is he, she? Called Frostbite because she bites off extremities? I like my toes...
Seeing Autumn Elirious waves, nodding to the wolf he waves his sleeves and is suddenly sitting in a full wolf costume, that reveals his grinning face inside a quite friendly looking canine maw. "Arooooooooh!" He howls, though he keeps it quite low, not wishing to cause much of a disturbance, as he inclines his head to the wolf.
"Pleasure to meet you M'am, can I ask about getting a bed? I confess I am far from flush with coin at the moment, so cheaper options would appeal. If you would be prepared to help a performer out I would be glad to entertainment your guests, though I will be doing so tonight in any case unless you object?" Elirious says rising and offering Svetlana a respectful bow, its hard not to be respectful to someone who decides whether you sleep outside or not. Waiting to see if the common room fills he is content to linger over his drink and when the gruff Ulfen offers a drink he accepts with a smile, "Thank you Sir, I never say no to a drink, forgive me but I did not catch your name before?"
Seems reasonable, is there a price list for Oleg's or is it just by the book prices for drinks and such?
"I am afraid I have no idea, just got here a few hours ago. Who is Svetlana?" Elirious asks taking a swig of his cider and rolling it around in his mouth.
"Well not so much, would you mind if I took a look at your charter? I have some association with the Swordlords so maybe I could get one of my own," or just forge it, "sounds like it could be potentially interesting, and a storyteller always needs new tales to tell."
Elirious continues magically switching costumes frequently, and as darkness descends casting a light spell on table and creating shadow puppets to illustrate his tale of a bold Ulfen warrior stalking a mighty Linnorm to win the hand of his Lady Love. End of the story:
"And as the beast loomed above him, his sword cast aside, an arrow shot forth and buried in its eyes! Ragni rolled aside snatching his blade, and who should he see but his longed for bride. The wind whipped her hair, the stars were her eyes, bow clasped tightly, from within his despair never had he witnessed a sight so fair.
Flagging valour risen anew, he lunged force his blade striking true, sinking deep into blood and sinew! Magga sent arrows forming a storm, while the great beast thrashed its wounded form. Mortally wounded, but vigor unspent hatred and ire on Ragni it vent, claws like scythes scales like armor, it saw the spark of love and knew to hurt Ragni it should harm her! Gathering the last of its vigor it struck toward Magga that valiant figure... Ragni was desperate, reckless and bold, had time for one strike, and knew that he needed to halt the creatures strike. Its scales were a strong as the adamantine, but no creature can ignore being struck in between, with one plunge its offspring never more to be seen. Much at the Linnorm wanted to finish its task with hole in its pole it was too much to ask. Returning triumphant with the mighty beasts head Ragni and Magga were hastily wed. They live happily still to this day, or at least that is what the unsceptical say. Magga a beautiful wise winter queen, Ragni a warrior bold as can be, less apt at ruling or issuing a decree. They have seven fine children, and live in the land where the Linnorm Kings are." "Time for a quick break my friends, let me wet my whistle and I will tell you the tale of how Blim the Bold saved his halfling village from the Necromancer known as Calamitous Vile and his horde of undead ogres!" Sweeping up the coins with his foot he fills his pockets, orders a tankard of cider if they have it, and moves over to Titian and Drazen smiling and raising his brows in question as he nods to an empty chair, "Mind if I join you? I am a nosey person and I heard something about charters? Is it alright to pry?"
@GM Water hammer is it alright for me to assume normal earning for perform? In this case it would be 1d6 gold. Also hoping it is alright for Elirious not to have charter? Basically planning for him to tagalong with the group and then gradually integrate if that will not be problematic?
Elirious smiles looking Titian over in an obvious manner with a brow raised, "Don't mind a bit, Elirious, is me, you have the right of that, though I suppose being from the Riverlands and all I technically qualify. As for being an explorer, well, that depends how interesting it looks to be and, whether anybody is prepared to take me along. There tends to be an assumption that if your skin care regime does not look to be getting dragged through a briar, or you have not cultivated a face badger you can't be of much use." "Now normally I would gladly join you for a drink, but I find myself woefully impoverished and needs must try to earn a few coin with a tale. If you have any of your own you think worth telling save them for me, I am always in need of stories." So saying he moves to the center of the common rooms back wall flicks his sleeves and his outfit changes to an ostentatious military uniform all epillets and crisp edges. Chanting a spell a large drum appears in his hands and he sets in down giving himself a rumbling drum roll to gather the rooms attention. Another flick of his wrists and he is dressed in a suit of dark purple crushed velvet that glitters faintly in the dim light, "Gather round those who would here a tale, of a village in the wilds where dark things assail... hard working folk making life harder, things in the dark passion and ardour! Let's all take our minds to a place far a way, a long time ago, but not so different from here and today. A small start of a village, farms carved from the wild, where winters were harsh, and even summers weren't mild. A young wife fresh and fair, from child to woman daisies still braided in her hair. Her husband not her choice, older and harder, a brute of a man jealous and cruel." Pausing he strikes the drum violently and it vanishes along with the stick in his hand. "Now the girl had long loved a young man, he was softer and glibber, freer and fair, with a laugh on his lips and a gentle touch. But he was a wanderer, a peddlar by trade, and her parents thought little of his virtues displayed. When he returned and found his love had been taken, it tortured his soul his treasure had been taken. And though he was fearful of her hulking brute, he couldn't help but sneak in to continue his pursuit." "But the farmer he caught them in a lovers embrace, blackened his heart as he darkened his face. He struck down the peddlar with a mighty blow of his axe, and dragged him still bleeding out to the fields where he'd been cutting down trees expanding his yields. There beneath the tangled roots of an old apple tree he buried the peddlar for no one to see." Blood flowed forth mingling with the cold of the earth and as roots sought forth questing there was a terrible birth, all of resentment, anger and pride, fostered something terrible deep in the earth. Some say he mingled with a dryad who'd died, others says simply his soul could not abide, but whatever the matter that proves to be true The Longfingered Man rose to pursue." But trees are slower, deeper, and twelve years passed before came the reaper. The farmer had children, the village had grown, the once girl a half dozen babes of her own. Then on the night of a terrible storm, amidst lighting and thunder a dark legend was born. In the flickering shadows beneath any door five twisted shadows roots would explore, and a hideous thing half tree and half man came for the farmer and brought him despair. The found the farmer dead the next day, smelling of apples and old blood, so they say. His throat had been crumpled battered and twisted wrapped around with hard roots that still existed. Now whenever the harvest moon reaches its height something terrible moves in the night. The village years later believes in true love, for those who would take it, buy it or steal, find that monsters can be exceedingly real. Even many a bully has been given a fright, by long reaching fingers, tapping in the depths of the night, or long twisting shadows, five, even ten, reaching from somewhere, seeking for them. Some hear the echoes from a gnarled apple tree, a piteous call lamenting lost love, lost life, and all that once could be. So treasure the sweet times, and don't be a heel, or the touch of The Long Fingered Man could be the last thing you feel! An apple is sweeter when willing taken, when you make light of love dark things can awaken." Letting silence linger for a moment after Elirious claps his hands and grins, "And now for something a little bit lighter, a tale of a dragon, an arrogant blighter..."
BTW Elirious has the Flagbearer feat, which basically gives a +1 morale bonus on attack rolls, weapon damage rolls, and saving throws against fear and charm effects when he is holding it - the to hit and damage stacks with inspire courage since that is a competence bonus. Since this would probably end up being the party flag almost by default I wondered if anyone had any preferences? I vaguely had it down as a dragon coiling around a golden egg, while he sews important mementos around the rim to form a border, but anything that would fit as having been a noble symbol would be fine.
"Sure, but generally speaking some mu... body else will spend that time for you. Welp I suppose I had better try my hand at earning some coin. Hope to see you around Miss Autumn!" Glancing around he seeks out anybody who might appear to be an authority figure, a guard or some such and asks, "Excuse me Sir, I was hoping to put on a performance, is there anywhere where I can do that without being too much of a bother? I am a storyteller you see, and hope to earn a little coin and entertainment some of these hard working folks."
Elirious scrunches his face up and peers at Autumn with one eye, "I have it on pretty good authority that that is wrong. And even if its right, what about the fruits of two days labour? Honestly I don't think I want to live in a world where its right! Nice you know what you want though. I planted an apple once, but nothing happened for hours so I just went out and bought a bunch of apples. Now I am not saying there is a moral to that story, but" He leans in raising a hand to his mouth, glancing about nervously, and whispers, "they sold pears to!" Grinning mischievously he adds, "Don't get me wrong I do appreciate hard work in other people, but tragically I find it horrendously boring. Cruel fate has only enabled me to enjoy interesting and fun things, but I must soldier on with this burden. You need not weep for me..."
"Work? Alas Sir, though I have tried long and hard," Elirious says, the momentary crinkling of his nose at the W word lending the lie to his words, "nobody seems prepared to take a chance on one as young and untested as myself. You see my Master, a bard of some small repute, passed away only a few weeks ago and without him I find myself rather lost." Elirious says, voice quavering slightly, "If you have one yourself then I am sure you can tell the Lady here how useful it can be? Unless the two of you are joined at the hip it would surely be worth more than its weight in gold." "The truth is I see myself as more of an adventurer than a worker, and for that I really need a horse. How else is an aspiring bard meant to travel experiencing danger, hardship, and valour to distill into thrilling tales to inspire and entertain the people?" His eyes brighten seeing , "Perhaps you could pass your own down to your lad there? A gift useful throughout his life that will always warm his heart and remind him of his dear old Father?" To Autumn's words he nods, "Well it can never hurt to talk in my experience, though I'm not really interested in any line of employment where one could be described as a "hand", a spear perhaps. Oh, and forgive me, I am..." Eh, no reason to lie, I'll either move on or, I'll forget the alias "Elirious. If the gentleman is sure he doesn't wish to pass on a treasured heirloom to his boy I'll happily go and find this Curly for you."
Yeah, I normally spend an age looking, gotten to the point where I select an avatar and then write up appearance, which isn't great really.
I have a bad habit of just thinking of the avatars for appearance, so my descriptions tend to tally with them as much as possible. Its a good idea to have a link when the image does not quite tally.
Just like in real life, demi-gods get all the breaks ;)
Ah, excellent, thanks Autumn, that helps :)Been mucking about with Elirious's age a bit since I would like him to be the youngest by an appreciable margin, going for 17.
Can I ask how old Autumn and Drazen appear to be?
Intent:
I am hoping for a fun slightly unusual intro, not to swindle another PC! I believe one of the part has a Traveler's Any Tool and thus should have an idea of the price. I am rolling diplomacy, etc., to give an idea of how persuasive Elirious is being (not very), not because I expect to use it in a "rules" fashion. Seeing the exchange Elirious perks up instantly, having been somewhat down on his luck without his master's expertise to backing up his schemes. Sizing up the woman's attire, he decides that flashy probably is not the way to go and with a flick of his wrists alters his clothing to a set of well made, but worn practical attire in earth tones, such as might be worm by a prosperous, but hard working farmer. He is a handsome youth, clearly only in his mid to late teens, with a mane of dark touseled hair that hides his ears, and a lean, but muscular build. Upon his back is a pole, the top of which is wrapped up in cloth and tied, likely a banner or flag. Taking a breath he moves forward and addresses her his tone ringing with embarrassment, eyes wide and pleading, "Excuse me Ma'am, I am terribly sorry to bother you, but I find myself embarrassingly impoverished, and could not help, but notice you coming into some coin... Ummm, could you possibly, please consider purchasing a magic item from me? If it is something you could use coin would be extremely helpful to me..." Grimacing as if pained he produces a 12-inch iron bar lined with small plates and spikes, "I am told it slices, dices, hammers, levers, levens, and more, and indeed I have used it for that and more myself. It is called a Traveler's Any Tool. I purchased it for 400gp, but given that I could badly use funds for a horse, and somewhere to sleep tonight I would be willing to take..." He swallows and bites his lip, "300gp for it?"
LOL, we need a cook off.
We just need to come up with an iconic trademark able dish. Moon radish soup sounds a little blend though, maybe some kind of slightly spicy cake? Like a carrot cake, but with a bit more zing?
LOL, being allergic to Moonradishes feels like it would be preemptively unpatriotic :)
Hello everybody, Elirious Alothian flag bearing support bard reporting in :) Elirious is a young man who has just lost his mentor and is traveling as an entertainer come scam artist, though he generally only cheats bullies, rude people, or the obnoxiously wealthy. @GM Waterhammer just let me know when and where a suitable insertion point is and I will set Elirious up there if that suits?
Great, thanks for having me :)
Okay, Elirious should be complete, added personality and appearance sections, and a third trait. If I get in I will likely twiddle with skill selections as per party need if that is permitted - I can always change the favoured class bonus to skill points instead of bardic music rounds. Also very willing to change the image of the flag since with it giving bonuses it probably makes sense for it to end up as the groups emblem.
Backstory added :)
Here is the crunch for my shot at the skilled character. I would probably be shooting for the Grand Diplomat and General roles. I am still working on his background, but essentially he is young, inexperienced, but brash and perhaps over confident in his own abilities. I am basically going for a support bard. |