"My day? MY DAY? My day is plenty bright, pal. It's my life in general that seems to be the problem. DO you think this interplanar armpit of a pub is going to brighten my life. Lately this is where all the trouble starts. I need to find a nice quiet beach on a backwards plane where the walls of reality are not riven by power crazed psychopaths.
Oh, Odin, Odin... I need a new job."
<Thunk, head back on the table. Eir grinds her teeth while Vik sits there with his dumb smile.>
"You finished, Mr Smiles?"
"Would you like a drink?"
<Eir lifts her throbbing skull back off the table and looks into VIk's eyes.>
"You have brain damage, don't you."
<Eir glances at the duelists.>
"No, people are all stupid, aren't they."
"We all have our foibles."
"I was speaking rhetorically."
"Bring it b*tch" KArrin snarls,
Joachim smiles
"As you wish .. "
Joachim slashes at Karrin again
Joachim's two weapons cut nothing but air as the nimble Tiefling girl evades every thrust and slash
Combat:
"Point," Karrin laughs, "point for me."
Her face becomes deadly serious as she remembers she's supposed to be fighting someone.
Joachim nods to acknowledge the score
"You are quite good with your weapon Karrin" Joachim says, panting slightly.
COMBAT:
Joachim's two weapons seek Karrin's flesh, but the nimble Tiefling evades their reach again and again.
Oh, Odin, Odin... I need a new job."
Renkar overhears the moan from Eir as he watches his companion Karrin duel. Intrigued, he wanders over to her table.
"Excuse me miss, I couldn't help but overhear you were thinking of a new job. Have you any experience in mercenary work?"
<Eir stares at the bearded man long and hard.>
"Before I make the extraordinary effort of dragging my sorry, hungover self over there, do you mind my asking if you plan to pay me?"
Renkar grins
"Dear lady, I pay all my employees well. Room and board is included. Revival attempts within reason are included as well."
Renkar fishes in his robe and produces a small cotton sack. He drops it on Eir's table, and it makes a sweet clinking sound
"Call it good faith money. Interested?"
<Looks at the bag suspiciously, peeks inside.>
"Okay, I'm in."
Joachim nods to acknowledge the score
"You are quite good with your weapon Karrin" Joachim says, panting slightly.
COMBAT:
** spoiler omitted **Joachim's two weapons seek Karrin's flesh, but the nimble Tiefling evades their reach again and again.
"Ya, I love smashin' things!" Karrin suddenly shifts, anticipating Joachim's movement and sends her axe to greet him:
"Point," Karrin smiles, "my boy friend used to use light little blades like those, he used to be able to hit me two or three times to my one, but when I got him I got em' good!"
Renkar smiles at Eir, showing off a surprising number of straight white teeth for someone so advanced in age
"Excellent. Welcome to the Silver Rose Company."
Renkar hands Eir a silver brooch fashioned to resemble a rose.
"Now I think it is time to see if perhaps Miss Kind would like to join us. I am headed to the fighting pits. Would you like to accompany me?"
Renkar extends his hand to Eir
Joachim winces from the axe blow
"Indeed. It seems my blades miss the desert air. Either that or living at this inn has dulled my reflexes."
Once again Joachim fails to land a blow on the elusive Miss Kind.
"Now I think it is time to see if perhaps Miss Kind would like to join us. I am headed to the fighting pits. Would you like to accompany me?"Renkar extends his hand to Eir
"No thanks, I think I'm going to drive a nail into my skull. No offense, but the noise over there is killing me."
<Looks at his bracelet, which has strange symbols displayed on it. He touches it and it makes a noise.>
"Well Miss Eir, and Mr. Renkar, I am afraid I must step out for a few minutes. Please excuse me. I believe Sharinda will bring something disgusting for me, tell her I'll be just a moment."
<Vik hurries into the back.>
Renkar calls after Vik
"Not a problem friend. I think we will just sit here until Karrin ends her match in deference to Eir's delicate condition."
Sharinda chooses this moment to arrive out of the kitchens, carrying a large platter. The platter is covered with chitin-covered tentacles that are still feebly twitching, a greenish-sauce smokes on the reddish shells.
"Right. One platter of Baatorian Rock Octopus tentacles with Carceri Bitter Habanero Chile sauce for Mr. Adventurous."
Sharinda looks around.
"Oi! Where'd he go? An' where's the little blue guy?"
Karrin continues to stalk her opponent, her heavy axe seems feather light in Karrin's sure hands, and Joachim must use every trick he knows to avoid Karrin's powerful chops.
Combat:
"Oops," Karrin mutters, "should have had the mouth pointed so it bit instead of ran . . . "
Hurrying from the kitchen area of the Inn comes a hagard-looking creature (apparently some sort of halfling/kobold crossbreed). He stands hopefully next to Rakar, literally hat-in-hand, offering an official looking scroll.
"Excuse me, sir. Miss Sharinda passed me the word you're recruiting for a mercenary company. I'd like to volunteer." -Greep- (making a croaking noise from his throart sack) "Here's a reccomendation from my previous employer."
As he eagerly hands the paper to Rakar, he adds "I'm known as Greep."
The scroll is written in Draconic and describes Greep as a capable adventurer and clerk, listing the reason for termination as "illness".It is sign "Polynesia of Sigil". (A successful K(local) or K(planes) check will tell that Polynesia is a minor merchant who specializes in astral caravans between Mat'l. planes and who has recently been in Sigil.)
Greep stands painfully straight, trying to give as good an impression as possible while wearing kitchen scrubs. He smells faintly of cleaning supplies.
Hurrying from the kitchen area of the Inn comes a hagard-looking creature (apparently some sort of halfling/kobold crossbreed). He stands hopefully next to Rakar, literally hat-in-hand, offering an official looking scroll.
"Excuse me, sir. Miss Sharinda passed me the word you're recruiting for a mercenary company. I'd like to volunteer." -Greep- (making a croaking noise from his throart sack) "Here's a reccomendation from my previous employer."
As he eagerly hands the paper to Rakar, he adds "I'm known as Greep."The scroll is written in Draconic and describes Greep as a capable adventurer and clerk, listing the reason for termination as "illness".It is sign "Polynesia of Sigil". (A successful K(local) or K(planes) check will tell that Polynesia is a minor merchant who specializes in astral caravans between Mat'l. planes and who has recently been in Sigil.)
Greep stands painfully straight, trying to give as good an impression as possible while wearing kitchen scrubs. He smells faintly of cleaning supplies.
Renkar looks down at the small lizard-like creature. he takes the scroll and scans through it briefly
"Hmm. Polynesia. I have done some business with her in the past. "
Renkar looks down at the small being
"Well, Mr. Greep, I never judge by appearances. I am in need of beings of stout heart, and I have a feeling you might just fit the bill. Welcome the the Company of the Silver Rose."
Renkar hands The Greep a silver rose brooch similar to the one he gave Eir, only slightly smaller.
"We will be moving out shortly as soon as one of your prospective co-workers finishes her workout. In the meantime can I offer you any refreshments? We have some ... err ... lovely Baatorian Rock Octopus tentacles here. If you are not that adventurous, Sharinda here can bring you some food."
Renkar settles back and relights his battered pipe.
Sharinda looks at The Greep
"Yeh got the nerve up to ask Greep! Good fer yeh!"
Sharinda gives The Greep a quick squeeze
"Would yeh like some nice fish stew to celebrate luv? I'll fetch you a mug of Mitchifer's stout as well."
Joachim eyes the fresh scoring on his leather armor
"A close blow Karrin."
Joachim scores a slight touch to Karrin, but her armor deflects the blow easily
"I need this practice by Asharra's Tail!"
Greep pales at the thought. "No, thank you." -Greep- "I was in the kitchen when they made that. It's a little too fresh for me." He looks at the still twitching meat. "I'll just go and get my gear."
"Thanks, Miss Sharinda." -Greep-
"Maybe you should drop the dagger?" Karrin says as she tries to corner her opponent, "it really hard to concentrate on two things at once . . ."
Karrin smiles as Joachim has a miss step.
"Here comes the pain," she snarls, her axe swinging low, and sharply up towards Joachim's belly,
Combat:
"Ow, that looked like it hurt, you ok Joachim?" Karrin asks, clearly trying to hide a smile, "I think I win this round."
"Right. One platter of Baatorian Rock Octopus tentacles with Carceri Bitter Habanero Chile sauce for Mr. Adventurous."
Sharinda looks around.
"Oi! Where'd he go? An' where's the little blue guy?"
"Sorry about that my dear. Had a little appointment."
<Vik takes his seat again and digs into the tentacles, which are clinging both to the plate and the cutlery. Vik drags the plate around the table make crying sounds rather dramatically.>
"Excellent, Sharinda, thank you!."
"Oh by the gods."
<Eir turns pale and dashes out to vomit for the second time this evening.>
Strangely, I've eaten live octopus tentacles and don't find them that adventurous anymore....
"Ow, that looked like it hurt, you ok Joachim?" Karrin asks, clearly trying to hide a smile, "I think I win this round."
Joachim winces as the big axe blade bites into his abdomen.
Gods! By Ssendrith's forked pizzle!"
Joachim looks at the deceptively innocent-looking Karrin.
"Aye, lady, I think you have won the match. Any more combat and my armor will be in shreds, it doesn't get the benefit of supernatural healing like we do."
Joachim guestures to the several rents Karrin has put in his leathers.
"Would you mind if we stopped for a while and got a refreshment? I am feeling thirsty and I would like to let my wounds seal up properly."
"Sure thing Joachim," Karrin says, trying hard not to smile, "you're not bad, really fast and stuff, but you need work on the technique."
Karrin is pleased that she won the fight but trying not to show it. The fight was pretty much guaranteed to be hers, she'd made sure of that when she'd seen Joachim's weapons and thought up the rules, there was almost no way for the finesse fighter to hurt her in this place and it seemed unlikely that he could avoid her four minutes, but she never could have thought that she would win so decisively.
"You'll do better next time Joachim," Karrin says with a slight Machiavellian glint to her eye, "if you're havin a drink I got half a pitcher of Grog back at the table."
Renkar looks up from his pipe as Karrin and Joachim return.
"Ah! I see your little workout is over. Excellent axe-work Karrin."
Renkar motions her over.
"I have had news from Sigil, and I plan to return there soon. I was wondering if since Lord Spiral seems to be in abeyance if you would like to join my new mercenary company instead."
Renkar shows Karrin a silver brooch shaped like a rose.
"I call it the Company of the Silver Rose, and we will be working out of Sigil itself. Lord Spiral is so busy lately that I have decided to contract out for some of the smaller jobs he doesn't want to handle. Your room and board will be included, reasonable burial/revival expenses covered and loot options. Interested?"
Renkar motions her over."I have had news from Sigil, and I plan to return there soon. I was wondering if since Lord Spiral seems to be in abeyance if you would like to join my new mercenary company instead."
Renkar shows Karrin a silver brooch shaped like a rose.
"I call it the Company of the Silver Rose, and we will be working out of Sigil itself. Lord Spiral is so busy lately that I have decided to contract out for some of the smaller jobs he doesn't want to handle. Your room and board will be included, reasonable burial/revival expenses covered and loot options. Interested?"
"Wow, that sounds neat, although I hope I don't have to take you up om the burial/revival stuff! But I'm not sure how this Lord Spiral guy will take me vanishing on him . . . it has been a while though, and you're the only one I've met sense he told us to wait here . . . tell you what, you handle Lord Spiral guy and I'll come work for you.
"Besides I like you better Renkar, never met Lord Spiral, but he seems a bit like a jerk . . . making me wait all this time . . . not that it's been horrible, I met all sorts of neat people here, but I'm not doing any good sitting around here, and I'm not making any money. So I'd like to get back in the field . . . learn a bit about these planes . . . and maybe find a way to get home . . . at least for a bit. I'm sure my father is worried sick about me."
A completely revised Greep returns from the kitchen. Gone is the woe-begone figure from before. Now, his newly colored blue skin gleams, as does his freshly polished leather body-glove. The trim on his bag matches his buffed feet and his head is held as high as his 36" frame allows.
"I'm ready for travel, boss." he says as he attaches his Silver Rose to his dull, stud-covered jacket beside what appears to be a badge depicting a quill. -Greep- "You've got yourself the makin's of a good crew. Karrin swings a great Axe and the dark lady's a real people person- strict as new boots and quick with a come-hither look." He hops atop an empty chair, standing upright and leaning against the chairback so that he is eye-to-eye with his tablemates.
"You got a job picked out yet, or are ya still collecting 'bashers'?" Not pausing in his speech for an answer, he adds "Just so you know- When I give my allegiance, I mean it. My people understand feuding and I treat my team-mates like groupkin. Now that I'm in, I'm all in." -greep- He turns to look at the kitchen, "Sharinda's going to bring out a pot of travel tea if we've got time. She gave me a great meal in the kitchen as I said my farewells, but the tea's an old tradition in my family. You have one cup straight so's the bitter heightens the leaving and one cup with honey so the road begins sweet." -greep- "Sort of a metaphor for life."
Wow, that sounds neat, although I hope I don't have to take you up om the burial/revival stuff! But I'm not sure how this Lord Spiral guy will take me vanishing on him . . . it has been a while though, and you're the only one I've met sense he told us to wait here . . . tell you what, you handle Lord Spiral guy and I'll come work for you.
"Besides I like you better Renkar, never met Lord Spiral, but he seems a bit like a jerk . . . making me wait all this time . . . not that it's been horrible, I met all sorts of neat people here, but I'm not doing any good sitting around here, and I'm not making any money. So I'd like to get back in the field . . . learn a bit about these planes . . . and maybe find a way to get home . . . at least for a bit. I'm sure my father is worried sick about me."
Renkar puffs on his pipe a bit as Karrin accepts his offer. When she does he hands her the rose brooch.
"Do not think so badly of Lord Spiral Karrin, he is a man who has many responsibilities the reach out over the Great Wheel. While I had thought we would all be working for him, the news I received just makes for a slight change of plans. More than likely we will run into him at some later date. As for getting home, I'm sure if a portal can be located, it will be in Sigil."
A completely revised Greep returns from the kitchen. Gone is the woe-begone figure from before. Now, his newly colored blue skin gleams, as does his freshly polished leather body-glove. The trim on his bag matches his buffed feet and his head is held as high as his 36" frame allows.
"I'm ready for travel, boss." he says as he attaches his Silver Rose to his dull, stud-covered jacket beside what appears to be a badge depicting a quill. -Greep- "You've got yourself the makin's of a good crew. Karrin swings a great Axe and the dark lady's a real people person- strict as new boots and quick with a come-hither look." He hops atop an empty chair, standing upright and leaning against the chairback so that he is eye-to-eye with his tablemates.
"You got a job picked out yet, or are ya still collecting 'bashers'?" Not pausing in his speech for an answer, he adds "Just so you know- When I give my allegiance, I mean it. My people understand feuding and I treat my team-mates like groupkin. Now that I'm in, I'm all in." -greep- He turns to look at the kitchen, "Sharinda's going to bring out a pot of travel tea if we've got time. She gave me a great meal in the kitchen as I said my farewells, but the tea's an old tradition in my family. You have one cup straight so's the bitter heightens the leaving and one cup with honey so the road begins sweet." -greep- "Sort of a metaphor for life."
Renkar looks the transformed Robbit up and down.
"I am glad to see you are ready to move out Mr. Greep, I appreciate a being with initiative."
Renkar puffs meditatively on his battered pipe.
" As for a job, there are several I am entertaining at the moment. I want to get our entire team together in Sigil before I discuss them, and I think Ms. Haakonen will need some of that tea you mentioned before we head out."
Renkar guestures to the hangdog Eir.
"I will be happy to drink some of your travel tea as well Mr. Greep. I propose we drink a toast to success in our future endeavors."
Sharinda bustles out to the table with a tray laden with a large silver teapot, half a dozen mugs, and a plate of small square cookies.
"Here yeh go my pet, just how yeh wanted it"
Sharinda beams at the newly-transformed Greep.
"We're gonna miss yeh around here, don't be a stranger."
Sharinda glances over at Vik.
"How's yer octopus? Good? Anything esle for the table?"
Sharinda looks around at the assembly
"How's yer octopus? Good? Anything esle for the table?"
"I'm all filled up Sharinda but why don't you have a drink or two on me," Karrin says handing the cherubic gnome a silver piece, "I got to get my run on (I like to do at least a mile), and then it's 40 push ups, 40 chin ups, 80 sit ups, and then some light aerobics. I'll be back later though, foods good here, and it's real friendly. Plus I can really smash things without fear of hurting anyone!"
--- Time Passes ---
Karrin, Zigel, and Geep (plus anyone else who wants to join in) are having a conversation in the World Serpent Inn because the food is on the house and Karrin eats like one
This is at geep reposted from the other thread
Zigel lights his pipe" A berk is a fool who shod'a known better a leatherhead is a dolt a dullard an idiot. a faction well know my clueless litter basher are the high ups the run the cage." he takes a drags and blows rings of smoke into the air" know ya bashers listen up and ya listen well if ya wanna keep out of the dead books, i'll give ya the chant on the factions" zigel seats back and strokes his goatee
"Let's start with the lost,the defilers ,there the athar.See the thing is basher them berks think all the powers are false and in fact there are no true powers.they make kip in the shattered temple in the lower ward.Next we have the gods men, the believers in the source.they think every thing is godly and any berk can be a power with enuff time and the right path.they make there kip in the foundry ya cant miss it churning out smoke and all.the next we have the bleakers the black cabal cherry bunch of barmies they are .they think there is no point to anything just give up." he takes another puff and smoke rolls out his nose into the air around him spinning off into curls "humm lets see next we have the doomguard them cutters think every thing brakes down,dies or decays so why not speed it up they run the armory in the cage.,then the dust men barmies think evey one is dead and just dont know it always looking to true death..bunch of hinjack if ya ask me in the cage they run the mortuary.them theres the fated.bashers think your fate is your own if ya want it take it and if ya can keep it it's yours they run the hall of records ." he takes a moment to collect his thoughts ,puffs on his pipe and resumes speaking"now the law my little clueless basher is ran by 3 factions in the cage. the hardheads,the guvners and the red death. the harmonim thinks there always right peace and harmony is there goal and if they got to fight for it so be it..not called hardheads for nothing basher.they make the arrest and enforce the law in the cage.
the guvners they think there is laws for every thing there just not all known yet and if a cutter can master them he masters everything.they run the courts here .and the mercy killers they think justice is everything they run the prisons and such in the cage." stokes his goatee in thought" then we have lets see, the signers think there each the center of the multivers.bunch of addle-cove barmies,ciphers act frist dont think..when ya know what to do without thinking your one with the multiverse.hump "rolls his eyes" then sensates belive a sod has the experience things to be and whats better then new experiences i ask ya basher? that leaves us with the last 3 the indeps are to independent to even thin there a faction.the anarchists what to over throw all laws and rules only then can a basher be free..always starting stuff they are.
and the choasmen that bunch are real barmies they think every thing is choas and they want to become one with choas..get enuff of em in one place odd things happen." he puffs the last few puffs of his pipe empty it and turns to the lizard/halfling" any thing else else I can help ya with basher ya let me know wouldn't want ya to get your bonebox cut out or get put in the deadbook over being an leatherhead clueless if I can help it"
"I can't understand, these are groups? Which one do we belong too?"
zigel pours himself some wine and tosses kratos a bread roll "well lass, none a cutter has to join a faction there not just groups but a philosophy a basher lives by. When one joins a faction one does so with everything in ya soul its a way of life not just a bunch of bashers sharing a kip ."
zigel pours himself some wine and tosses kratos a bread roll "well lass, none a cutter has to join a faction there not just groups but a philosophy a basher lives by. When one joins a faction one does so with everything in ya soul its a way of life not just a bunch of bashers sharing a kip ."
Karrin scratches her head.
"Which one does the god Rao belong too then?"
zigel pours himself some wine and tosses kratos a bread roll "well lass, none a cutter has to join a faction there not just groups but a philosophy a basher lives by. When one joins a faction one does so with everything in ya soul its a way of life not just a bunch of bashers sharing a kip ."Karrin scratches her head.
"Which one does the god Rao belong too then?"
zigel takes another puff from is pipe then chuckles" Ah my clueless friend powers belong to any all and no faction all at once.powers and factions are like lovers and friends. sometimes you can have both at in the same cutter, or having them be two different bashers or both at one time" he chuckles to himself"Or more can be fun. My point is cutter there two dirrent parts of a bashers life trying to make all sence out of em would drive a guvner barmie " smoke rolls from his pipe to fill the air " so lass ya have'ta find a balance between powers and factions if ya ever get there."
zigel takes another puff from is pipe then chuckles" Ah my clueless friend powers belong to any all and no faction all at once.powers and factions are like lovers and friends. sometimes you can have both at in the same cutter, or having them be two different bashers or both at one time" he chuckles to himself"Or more can be fun. My point is cutter there two dirrent parts of a bashers life trying to make all sence out of em would drive a guvner barmie " smoke rolls from his pipe to fill the air " so lass ya have'ta find a balance between powers and factions if ya ever get there."
"Oh for sure," Karrin says, pretending to understand, "balance is very important. If you over reach you leave yourself open for attack, and if you lean too far one way you fall over or find yourself only able to go the one way. That's never good. Being balanced gives you more options.
"Hears a hypothetical for you, let's say you were a god of forgiveness and mercy, and you wanted your followers to join a faction, which faction do you think you'd go for . . . hypothetically. Keeping in mind that he/ you, really likes rules and order, and for his . . . er, your followers to do good."
Karrin grabs a plate full of nachos and quickly pops a good third into her mouth.
"M'oh, keepming im mind mat miss ims um," Karrin swallows (painfully you'd guess from her expression: corn chips do have pointy bits), "Keeping in mind that this is a completely unrelated question to my previous question, because I fully understood your answer to that one."
zigel puffs out rings of smoke ans smailes "sure lass " he chuckles" well I can only think of four that might fit nicely cutter.The godsmen think every thing is a test and try to improve them selves so they can move to the next stage..might'a fit there " he reaches out to grab a few chips takeing the time to savorer there flavors"the guvners are all about rules and law...berks always have there robes up there darkends if ya ask me" he likes the cheese off his fingers gives a few to kratos and puffs a few times on his pipe "the indeps are a good fit for bashers that like to belong to something with out really being a proper fraction and all, safety in numbers cutter. and then ther's ciphers they train there bodys to act first and think 2nd they may fit as well or they my not . fractions tend to draw in folks that are like minded weather they know it or not."
"I understand completely," Karrin nods, "and how would one go about contacting these factions? And do they have trial memberships? And if not do you know where a woman could get some fake IDs and some disguises?"
Karrin leans in and whispers: "I can't tell you why."
"How's yer octopus? Good? Anything esle for the table?"
Sharinda looks around at the assembly
"Great my darling thank you kindly for your hospitality."
Vik settles his tab.
"Afraid I've got to step out for a few thousand years, see you soon."
"Eir, Karrin, Smu[b][/b]rf, Renkar, I bid you adieu until next time."
Makes his exit.
"I understand completely," Karrin nods, "and how would one go about contacting these factions? And do they have trial memberships? And if not do you know where a woman could get some fake IDs and some disguises?"
Karrin leans in and whispers: "I can't tell you why."
"Ya hit there kips of course,"godsmen are the foundry ,lower ward,guvners are the city courts in The Ladys ward.Indeps run around the great bazaar in the market ward and the ciphers are the great gymnasium in the guild hall ward" storks his goatee "I just might cutter I just might at that"
After thinking it over for a bit "well not much need for ID papers in the cage lass,but the disguise kits I know someone to get ya all fixed up.Names Veria" zigel smiles "a visit to her places do ya plenty of shine cutter"