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The accordion-playing bard finishes up his stormy song with a flourish, then begins playing much softer, letting the conversations of the bar overtake his music. He moves over to the table the new arrival sat at, thinking to himself, Now this man seems to have a level head. Perhaps he can help us with this mystery... Jordon, trying to look casual despite the unwieldy accordion slung around his neck, says to the man while leaning against one of the seats (but not taking a seat yet), "Pshaw, the rain still that bad out there? Seems ol' Gozreh's havin' herself a fit tonight." He absently picks at his teeth with one gloved hand, trying to remove a dark green piece of an earlier meal.
Jordon is still playing music in the background; for now he has moved onto what sounds like a calmed-down sea shanty. He glances warily to the old hag who hasn't stopped cackling since she walked into the place; since journeying here Jordon has gotten an appreciation for how diverse the people of the River Kingdoms can be. Not quite as diverse as Absalom, of course, but still up there in the number of wierdos. He keeps up the base notes with one hand as he momentarily picks up his fruity drink and sips from it, then sets it back down to continue playing.
Jordon smiles at Kevkas; he likes the cut of this guy's jib. "So, you want some dramatic music to accompany a sinister speech? I'll admit the accordion isn't the best instrument for that type of music, but I know a few songs. I accept your request; I do so love people with a discerning eye for dramatic presentation."
Jordon, seeing that his conversation partner has apparently been subject to a hold person spell, shrugs and begins playing some peaceful background music.
Jordon says to Steelwing, "This right here," pointing at the map, "is where a certain fledgling settlement is being constructed. Haven't seen it myself, but it's nothing more than a few buildings and some sharp sticks at the moment. The group running that one's called... Oh what was it, something about the Eighth Veil. I met one of them before; the way he described his group it seemed like a bunch of bookish recluses, so I'm not sure what their goal is in claiming land. Maybe they're wizards setting up in an area with a particular reagent or somesuch." Jordon shifts to lean far over the map and point to another location. "There's another right there, a group known as Pax. That's Azlanti for peace, dontcha know, though from what I've heard of them they're as much a force to be reckoned with as any other group out here. They've apparently got a rather ruthless military outfit which employs necromancers to raise their fallen enemies as servants. Grim stuff, eh?" Now motioning closer to the Crusader Road, Jordon continues, "And there's some hoity toity local religious group setting up too. About right... there. They're known as the Empyrean Order, and they sound like a bunch of Iomedaeans. That is, they're always concerned with making sure every knows they're doing the right thing, even when they're murdering and conquering with the best of 'em." Jordon takes a pause now, allowing Steelwing to make notes and ask questions.
Jordon considers, then tells Steelwing, "Yes, but of course; we can go over some of the smaller powers. The first..." Jordon is cut off by the arrival of Grickin into the conversation; he waits for that man to settle down and gets ready to speak again. Unfortunately for him, before he can get his mouth open yet another interloper comes to the table and interrupts in a most peculiar fashion. By now a little peeved, Jordon responds to Zael, "Are you paying for a song or something?" holding the coins in the air for emphasis.
Jordon considers a moment, then begins. "Well, I'm sure I don't need to tell someone like you about the more widespread powers. Hellknights, Pathfinders, big religion, yadda yadda. The kind of people who are all over the place and boringly consistent wherever you see them. They do pull strings around here, just like they do in every other corner of the Inner Sea, so you'll need to watch out for them. Luckily the people of these lands tend to avoid joining such organizations and they don't have as much a stranglehold here as in other places." After a short sip of his drink, he continues, "The local powers are mostly groups of thugs and charismatic self-made nobles. The town of Thornkeep of to the east of here is probably the biggest local power. It's led by a certain Baron Blackshield, and is mostly a pigsty for brigands to congregate at. 'Sides that there isn't a whole lot. This area was completely wild just a short while ago, and people are just getting their heels dug in to claim their power. Excitin' stuff, eh?" After making sure that Steelwing is current in his notes, Jordan says, "So, where do we go from there? We can talk about one of the groups in particular, or maybe a specific area. I could detail some of the smaller organizations. Choices, choices..." He seems to be enjoying the chat, and is giving the information quite readily.
Jordon nods appreciatively to Mrs. Steelwing as she reveals the kind of information she wants. Though he hasn't been in the area long Jordon does have a knack for quickly learning the local scene wherever he goes, and he seems proud that someone would single him out as knowledgeable in such matters. Jordon, though interested in the meaning behind Ezekiel's pause, nonetheless replies as he shakes the offered hand, "Pleasure to make your acquaintance. I am Jordon Narciso, formerly of the popular band Squealy Nord out of Absalom. What would you like to start with?" He seems at ease, as if in his element when supplying minor details about the locality.
Jordon gulps, clearly caught off guard by her sudden advance, and says, "Uhm... What kind of information are you looking for? And really, carrots are okay, I like them. Honest." Jordon's face seems to be expressing conflicting emotions at the moment as enjoyment, nervousness, and mild disappointment play in equal parts across his face.
Jordon's reply to Steelwing is cut short by the dramatic entrance of an exotic figure; Jordon simply watches her silently as she moves to Steelwing and the two go about some mysterious business; when she turns her back Jordon hastily straightens up, brushing his hair out of his face with one hand while straightening his colorful shirt with the other hand. He leans against the bar, trying to look casual when he catches her looking his way again. He says to Steelwing, "Thanks but I'm alright. I try to not let myself get carried away in these parts." Instead he orders a plate of steamed carrots from the waitress. He glances toward both Steelwing and the new arrival, his curious mind trying to pull any clues from their actions to unravel their mysterious ways. He seems much more focused now than he was before.
Jordon makes a face like this and says in what he hopes is a knowledgeable sounding tone, "Ah, then you are no ordinary footsoldier."
Jordon turns his body toward Steelwing, seemingly glad that he didn't take offense. He offers, "Ah, you do a lot of travelling too? I myself come from Absalom, so, y'know, I've done a bit myself." He takes a sip from his girlish drink, his black lipstick not leaving any marks. If Steelwing is knowledgeable in illusions he might recognize Jordon's makeup as only a glamer, which leads to the question of what he really looks like under the magic.
Steelwing catches Jordon glancing over his shoulder curiously at the small journal; when caught Jordon looks quickly the other way and sniffs, apparently trying to cover up his indiscretion and doing a poor job of it. He glances out of the corner of his eye back at Steelwing to gauge how offended he is.
Jordon finishes his current set of songs and swivels the accordion onto his back, apparently content to leave it at that for now. He moves to the bar and takes a seat near Steelwing, trying to be discreet in appraising the man's military manner as he orders a fruity beverage. He says nothing directly to Steelwing yet.
Whilst others are going about their business, Jordon plays a quiet, bouncy, ambient song on his accordion, closing his eyes and gently swaying with the beat.
Jordon, accepting the gnome's split and patting him on the shoulder before he walks away, moves back to the bar, ordering another drink. This time he seems much less depressive, chatting a little with a nondescript logger also there. Once or twice Jordan glances to Steelwing, but he says nothing to him.
Jordan grins widely at the gnome at the close of their furious duet, wiping his hand across his forehead to swipe away the building sweat there. Jordon snaps his fingers loudly, and his makeup and clothes right themselves, as if he just woke up . He brushes the hair from his face, gives a smile and wave to the gnome, and then looks about the tavern at the gathered people, taking in whatever applause is being offered.
Jordan, picking up his pace to match the gnome's furious tune, hammers out on the buttons on either end of the accordion and sweeps it in and out in a furious billowing motion. He keeps pace, backing up the gnome's crazy melody with a steady and bouncing harmony which is complementary instead of stealing the spotlight. A smile even shows on his face as he pounds out his accordion tune.
Jordon ponders the gnome's question for just a moment, then puts his hands in place. He begins to play a traditional Varisian tune, starting with a flourish and really getting into it after a few seconds. The worry and sadness written on Jordon's face before slowly melt and are replaced with concentration and a quiet confidence. He comes out of his reverie in a few moments and motions with his eyebrows toward the gnome, inviting him to join in on his fiddle as Jordan takes up a simple background cadence on the accordion.
Jordon turns to the one who addressed him, looking the gnome up and down. With his hand on either side of his face, Jordon says, "Oh, look at you! You remind me of... of a friend I once had." He once more looks quite glum. Jordon swipes his arm underneath his pointy nose, sniffing quite loudly, then says to the gnome in a friendly voice "Are you ready to rock?" as he swings his accordion around and readies it for a song. Apparently Jordan isn't going to wait for the barkeep's consent, now that he has a buddy to play with.
Jordon receives his small glass of absinthe and takes a gulp. He reels from it; apparently he's not one who's used to strong drinks. However, he recovers after a few moments and continues to sip on it more cautiously. A dozen minutes later Jordon is in a peacefully buzzed state of mind with his second glass in hand; he says to the barkeep with a soft and sad voice, "Hey, you think I could play some music, for old times sake?" as he motions to an accordion on his back. It's a little bit of an odd request, given that this is Jordon's first time at the Talking Head.
Into the bar walks a most peculiar fellow; pale skin and a long mop of black hair with a rather dazzlingly colorful outfit; he must either be an entertainer or else colorblind. The man's cheery dress, however, does not match his attitude. His white face makeup is streaked and it looks like he was crying; for now, his face is merely downcast and forlorn. He slumps against the bar, scarcely looking to his sides as he orders a strong drink.
Sorry that I'm doing this sort of suddenly, but I'm going to withdraw from this game. I'm feeling like my Pbp's are a chore, and I'm not really having fun anymore. Best of luck to you.
"Yes, he seems a bit out of it though." Jordon looks carefully at the zombie, waiting for the switch in her head to click.
"Nope. Maybe she'll like his new look?"
Jordon takes as much of the valuables as he can easily carry, then says, "Hopefully the dame's husband was not among the already zombified. I suppose we should look for any who are still living, yeah?"
Jordon says, "Well, if we're all done here, I'd vote for a change of venue. But first..." Jordon goes over to the corpse of the disgusting mohrg, glancing over it for valuables without touching it.
Jordon shrugs and looks to Victor or Rekkstuff for guidance in that field of knowledge.
'Nother CLW at the mohrg from the wand.
Jordon draws his wand of CLW and attacks the mohrg with it.
Jordon takes a move action Godless Healing now for the amount I already rolled. (unless you would like a reroll) Jordon will then cast cure moderate wounds defensively.
However, the bizarre and disgusting tongue being stuck in his face is very distracting, and he breaks concentration to avoid it.
As he's being pulled over, Jordon attempts to reach for the biggest bead on his necklace. If he can grab it, He drops it at his feet.
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