Areanna shrugs. "Hopefully those at the wedding will appreciate my talents even more. I must say, I do have a marvelous body and I am quite proud of it. But good looks and talent aren't enough. I need some adventure! Something exciting upon which will feed my restless spirit. The daunting challenge of the stage is one I have already become familiar with but my bow is crying out for a greater challenge." Areanna turns to address others who are at the bar. "Tell me, what adventures have the lot of you had? I am anxious to hear stories that will fan the flames of my ambition." Areanna looks around waiting for someone to respond.
Bregan nods at Kieran's tale. While normally patient, he finds himself a bit impatient at the details as they mostly revolve around the feelings of the young Varisian and a girl he was fond of.Overhearing Ravens' toast to love lost, he frowns at his empty cup but comments as Kieran finishes.
"Love lost, a common ailment for any man." Bregan briefly thinks of Genna but forces it out of his mind and doesn't speak as if he shares the same pains.
Noticing that Kieran's eyes already stray after the elf, he nods assent. "Don't dally with me, go introduce yourself."
Good man, love lost is an opportunity to find the right one! You have to be open to the fact that maybe she wasn't right... and maybe THAT one is! Kieran's smile is genuine as he excuses himself.
Approaching Areanna after her song, he smiles, Nerves, young elf-lass. Do not let them take you where you do not intend to go. Rein them in and ride the surge to give the performance I know that you can.
Kieran throws her a wink and turns to the crowd, Perhaps a livelier tune, lass, one I can dance to!
Charisma check
Valesa sighs as Kieran goes into his story. "To love lost," she whispers at the end of his tale, with a slight raising of her mug.
Valeska chuckles with Tiomir's question, answering, "I don't know if it's 'practice the arcane arts' as much as it's 'get told what to do by Tzerny here.' But otherwise, yes, I suppose I do. I can--Hey!"
Tzerny nips and twists the pointed tip of Valeska's ear. "She can tell your fortune," Tzerny responds. "Or, if you like, I'll blindfold her and I'll tell you your fortune."
Rufus peers at the raven curiously, his golden eyes judging the bird with a strange chill. Tiomir glances at the woman with a smile. "A Harrower, then? I prefer not knowing what the morrow brings - it keeps the blade of knowledge sharp, so that when the experience steps on the great stage, its cut is swift and brutal ... and quick to heal once the blood has dried. Or so my father used to say."
"How... morose. How unlike your father." Rufus grunts. Tiomir lets out a soft laugh.
"Tzerny... what a peculiar name. Pray, do you know its meaning?"
Areanna looks at the young man Kieran. "Another performance you say? Very well I shall endeavor to provide a lovely and lively tune for all to hear." Areanna moves to the stage again to sing yet another ballad, one more lively.
Perform(sing):
Alas it would seem her melodies were not well received by the audience. Annoyed by the lack of attention, Areanna claps her hands at the band to play a uplifting melody. She will then dance her best to the rhythm.
Preform(Dance)
Areanna's performances again have failed to capture the audience and now she was more frustrated then before. Clearly humiliated, she made her way back to the bar. "Give me a drink sir." She fumed. She dropped a few silver onto the counter. "Make it a strong one." Once she has her drink she will down it in one quick gulp. "This is why I am better suited as an adventurer. I would never miss the mark with my bow the way I have with my performance here tonight." She began to brood on her failure.
After the dance, Kieran approaches Areanna. Take a break, have a seat with us.
The young Varisian introduces her to Valeska, and Ser Bregan, then realizing that he did not introduce himself to Ser Bregan properly!
A thousand pardons my good man, I never introduced myself to you! The name is Kieran, Kieran Tyelekki.
Bregan nodded to Kieran as he returned with Areanna.
It seems the young Varisian was successful in his fishing.
"Ah. They call me Bregan."
The knight left his title and bastard's name out of his introduction. No need to bring either of those things up. Common-folk always behaved differently around a knight. And while he didn't feel particularly knightly just yet, he figured he might as well enjoy as many evenings as he could before the burdens of responsibility set in.
Are all these folk destined for the wedding on the morrow? How many of them are attending out of love for the bride and groom instead of an opportunity to advance themselves?
Bregan smiled politely to Areanna, although he made no move to properly stand as a lady was seated. He did take his feet off the chair and sit up slightly.
"So, it's true what they say? The elves train their women to be sure shots with the longbow?"
Areanna went with Kieran to sit with him and Bregan. At Bregan's question she laughed. "Hah! As if that was what my family wanted. No that was something I chose to do for myself. My simply being a women should not affect anyone's judgement of me. Judge my skills, those that I have worked hard to obtain. I am a bowman because that is what I wanted. I sing and dance because that is what my mother wanted. Though I enjoy my work, nothing gives me more pleasure than knowing the vast possibilities that all my talents provide. I have you know my friend, I do not easily miss. Normally I do not have any trouble with performing either but with the wedding tomorrow, I must be getting nervous. This wedding is not only important politically, but it is a sacred union in which two young lovers make vows to spend the rest of eternity together." Areanna gains a far off dreamy look in her eyes. "It is the very thing many young maidens of our world dream of. Finding mister right and making such a sacred promise. Knowing he will always be there to protect and watch over you. My hearty flutters at the thought." Areanna has a very dreamy expression plastered onto her face. She then notices Bregan and she regains her composure. "So have you any adventure stories of your own to tell? Maybe I'll write a song about them, if their good enough that is."
Well met, Bregan! Kieran laughs, then seems side-tracked a bit as the barmaid sets down the bowls of Curried Rabbit Stew. Would you two like a bowl as well? It smells delicious! He slides the second bowl to Valeska, who seems deep in conversation with another patron, with a talking dog!
Kieran nods to the man as he begins eating the spicy stew!
"Well met, Volioker, I started as a locksmith but found sanctuary in the guiding arms of Brigh herself." He looks relieved, to both be talking work and with another dwarf no less. "Quite an assortment of guests at this here shindig. I'm surprised that you are only the second dwarf I've met, and both of you are residents." He looks around, before adding "I wonder why it took me to say something about your machine, I would have figured that gnome there should have spoken up if he had seen something was amiss." He says pointing his thumb in the direction of Tiomir and Rufus.
Shrugging he concedes, "Sure, I'll give it a go. I'm not much of a physical person, but for the sake of testing the equipment, I would be remiss to not assist you in your endeavors." He steps up to the table, grasps the lever, and prepares to give it a shot.
Vishoon's mood is mellowing after a few glasses of wine. The second bard while not as good as the previous wasn't that bad and has him thinking of different times before he was an Inquisitor.
Ah the days of sitting in a bar with friends enjoying the music of the local bard. Grateful for the trip done memory lane, he calls the barmaid over. When she stops by, Get the bard a drink on me hands her a few coins and a refill here too. When the drink is delivered, Vishoon nods at the bard, in thanks for her performance.
"The hazzards of running such an establishment, i will gladly tell you my tale when your not so pressed."
Catching on to Ameiko's sly look, her muses...
Well I could go ask her, but that's just plain boring. I need to do something to draw some attention, geet her interest building, anticipation and all that, perhaps some magic......
Seeing the need for entertainment (pure rationalization) Zadarra makes his way to the stage. He whispers something to the band members, and they start playing fairly low, building tempo and volume until the attention of the patrons is on the stage. While out of sight, he uses prestidigitation to make sure his tunic is clean and colors it a deep purple while changing the color of his cloak to bright silver.
When possible he'll use prestidigitation to color the holbrecht's shirt bright pink, cause food to move off a fork, lift Areanna's skirt, dress, or silk sashes? just high enough....
Suddenly the music stops and a dashing halfling steps to the fornt of the stage.
"On my way here this evening I meet the most interesting pair, a dwarf and an elf. They invited me to share a drink with them and I graciously accepted, so the elf walks into the bar......the dwarf was too busy laughing to keep walking."
Pausing a moment for applause, he then continues as the band plays light music along with the act.
"Thank you all for coming here to see me, and if your not busy tomorrow, theres a wedding we could crash! "
"But seroisly folks, this is thirsty work, Excuse me miss.." Zadarra points to the halfing server that cought his attention earlier.
"A drink please, your finest ale or wine"
He will continue tellign a mixture of jokes, including some less classy ones to pander to a taverns general atmosphere. At the end of the act..."Thank you, thank you, I'll be here all week...Zadarra the Amazing at your service"
to woo the pretty halfling server
Once he's finished, he makes his way off the stage and greets the his dream wench. "Thank you for the drink, I hope you enjoyed the show" He flourishes his hand and conjures a short stemmed flower that he places in her hair. " A gift, beautiful things belong together"
edit:
The human barmaid comes to Vishoon, "...yes, sir. right away!" She casually nods respectively to the interesting looking patron.
The dwarf looks at you,Holbrecht, "Locksmithin's a good profession. Me father was a priest o' Brigh! Go figure! ha! We just gotta test ta make sure the arms don't get locked into place like 2 years ago... That poor kid almost died from exposure to tha urchin toxin!" You both get ready and set into Ol' Rusty. People are gathering around and seeing the two dwarves testing the machine. They don't care if it is a "beta" test. The crowd is cheering for both of you.
Lots of cheers and noise is being flung as you get ready to test the machine.
"MY MONIES ON THA UGLY ONE!"
"WHICH ONE IS THAT?"
The locksmith settles into place and he counts down. 3,2,1..
You rather easily beat the dwarf and he laughs aloud. The entire place is laughing. You're a bit confused at why... you won afterall... until you see your entire top of your apparel is pink! All of it! Bright pink!
You spot a halfling on stage who introduces himself and does a quick comedy routine that sends the entire crowd into a frenzy of laughter. It seems this crowd enjoys making fun of dwarven and elven stereotypes.
Zadarra, you have the whole bar's attention with those rolls! The barmaid is flattered at your performance and even more flustered at your gentlemanly nature. She smiles revealing a beautiful smile of perfect teeth. She is swooned by your approach. "Oh I agree, Zadarra the... mediocre, was it?" She chuckles."I've seen your type before Zadarra.. you'll have to be a little more amazing to swoon me."
Bregan accepts Kieran's offer of rabbit stew, and eats quietly while Areanna details her skill at archery and hope for inspiration at the wedding.
She's telling me a lot more than what I wanted to know, but she's a fetching lass, so I'll try to make myself listen.
Without much to say in agreement, the newly-knighted man allows Kieran to comment about love and all the girly stuff Areanna was talking about. Picking some stringy bits of rabbit from his teeth, Bregan shakes his head.
I'm not sure I want songs written about me - they'd likely sing about the parts I'd want people to forget. The man who was knighted for stealing from a lord and being too slow to dodge an arrow.
"No, 'fraid I haven't done much that would make a good song. Not yet at least. Maybe someday."
The knight's attention strays to the dwarves and the halfling while providing ample opportunity for the Varisian rogue to chat with the tall elf entertainer.
"If you'll excuse me, I'll give you two both some time."
Bregan stands from his table and meanders up to the bar before sitting again.
Love, love, love. I guess it's the wedding bringing out the romantics. Too bad life isn't a fairy tale.
The knight nods curtly towards Ravens, who seems to be racing himself to the bottom of his glass in search of self-induced amnesia.
Vishoon is amazed by his luck. The dwarfs...are...just being dwarfs...and that in itself he finds most humorous. And Pink Dwarfs...heh...brings a smile to his face.
The halfling's performance was spectacular. Vishoon hadn't laughed in a long time.
He gets up from his table, and walks over to the halfling Greetings short one, my name is Vishoon. I must say your performance was spectacular. Are you planning to perform more tonight? or was that just a practice performance for the wedding?
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As Ravens, the Birdmaster
Ravens looks at the upstart with a smile, a leering look of interest.
"And what do you know of unrequited love? Have you felt its sting? Have you felt the pain?"
Ravens finishes his drink and orders another.
This one is probably some noble's bastard and his only hurt is when his milkmother decided to ween him.
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As Ravens, the Birdmaster
"I drank a toast to me being better for the experience. I try to learn all that I can so that I may improve my lot in life."
Ravens drinks again.
I find it interesting that one sentence he tells me not to complain, yet he complains furiously. What a confused man.
"Where have you been and why are you here...friend?" Ravens intones the last word as a question, as if asking the man's name.
"Barkeep! A drink for this one!" Ravens points to his new 'friend'. "He is stuck."
He might be stuck in a rut of his own making.
Upon Bregan's departures Areanna sighs. "Is there no one with an interesting tale in this tavern?" Areanna looks around at the happenings in the bar. A few interesting things caught her attention but none more than the halfling comedian who put on a performance that got the whole audience laughing. While it was an amusing performance. She appraoched the halfling with a modest applause. "My what a performance. I must say you've got their attention better than I could. Just curious little fellow. What is the key to your success?"
Holbrecht nods in satisfaction, "It appears to be working well, that is a good sign. If you need me to stick around during the celebrations to avoid another incident I'd be more than willing." Looking around, brows lowered in irritation, he adds "Is it always like this?... I tend to not frequent most drinking establishments... that and take my ales in quiet study... this place seems like any other... lends to my rationale" his meandering thoughts come to and end, and he once again addresses Volioker "Is it just me or is this place stuffed to the gills with either over inflated flaunters of self-worth, or sad-eyed sob story sots?" he looks around, assigning a value to each person in the bar, mumbling as he does so. "I don't think a single one has done anything to accurately display whatever real value they may provide... like all we see are the masks they hide behind... only the two of us dwarves have shown the worth of our deeds." His eyes glaze over in thought.
clutching his chest in mock pain "Ah, you wound me deeply my dear. But alas if such a lovely one such as yourself requests even more amazingness then you shall have it. May I at least know your name?"
"Why thank you green one, you may call me Zadarra. I think i'm done performing for the evening, but you bring up a good point, I wonder if the bride and groom would enjoy my act?"
As the exotic young lady in silk approaches, Zadarra bows "Thank you my dear, a little magic goes a long way. I must say your performance was unlike anything I've seen before, a shame it was wasted on this crowd. Zadarra at your service" He offers his hand to Areanna in greeting.
"Now, why dont we all find a seat somewhere, get some drinks, and you can tell me your tales. Hey, Have you heard to story about Gregor Beestinger and the lost city??? He's my great great granddad, ran into some snake people, almost died. That dwarf over there doesn't look happy, I hope he's not too upset about the pink shirt"
Valeska looks her bird over. "Tzerny is a word from the old tongue, meaning 'black'. I thought it appropriate given his..." she smirks as she pets Tzerny's ragged, sable feathers, "disposition."
Tzerny glowers at her. "Your stew's getting cold," she replies simply. Tzerny ruffles, but then walks over to the rabbit stew and eats.
"How about you, Tiomir? Or you, Rufus? Where do your names come from?"
If I had a silver stag for each complaint from these two, I'd be a lord tomorrow.
Bregan moves again, away from the bird-man and the scout, towards the dwarves.
To be fair, Bregan found dwarves to be the most solid characters in all of Brevoy. In his youth, when he was a clerk at the quarry, it was a dwarf that handed him his first ale. It was also dwarves, after the work day was done, that would sit about drinking and smoking and sharing stories and food. It gave young Bregan something to do besides return home to find his mother engaged with a "client" while he waited outside grimacing.
Approaching Holbrecht, he dusts off his dwarven and hopes to pronounce each word correctly.
"Ghul'abend freund, sind ek hier für morgen baraz?"
~ Good evening friend, are you here for tomorrow's wedding? ~
The locksmith looks to Holbrecht, "Aye! Ameiko runs a pretty popular pub fer tha folks here but this also be the night before a wedding! Tis be a special occasion! Err...I'm sorry aboot yer pink shirt an' laughin' by tha way. T'was pretty funny ye gotsta admit..."
Meanwhile, Zedarra is attempting at charming the beautiful halfling waitress/barmaid. She gives you her name "Bethana. Bethana Corwen..." She gets interrupted as the tall half-orc approaches and introduces himself. Following the half-orc, from the opposite side, the gorgeous Elf singer you say perform earlier comes over to meet you too. You make a glance for Bethana, but she seems to have vanished into the crowds of the still bustling tavern/inn.
Leithbridge Gravenhurst - Human Fighter(Aspiring Swordlord) - Drayen
Tiomir - Gnome Summoner(kooky old professor and hot soup aficionado) - Patcher
Sergei Malov - Human Rogue(Scout) - TheJeff
Valeska - Half-Elf Witch(Raven witch with a half-elf familiar) - InVinoVeritas
Durgin - Dwarf Fighter(Bodyguard, long bearded, and tight-lipped.) - PrinceOfDarkness
Ravens, the Birdmaster - Human Druid(What is love? Baby don't hurt me...) - Painlord
Holbrecht Bastionne - Dwarf Cleric (Master of third bilateral cogs) - Troy
Areanna Delante - Elven Bard(Its not my fault you only listen to mainstream garbage!)-Shanosuke
Ser Bregan Stone - Human Cavalier(The New Knight of the Wedding Night) - wakedown
Darel - Human Ranger (Late to the party)- NoDice
Zadarra The Amazing - Halfling Sorcerer(Quite the jokester) - MundinIronHand
Vishoon - Half-Orc Inquisitor of Lamashtu (Your avatar terrifies me!) - valliss
TBD - TBD Possible Ranger(Shapeshifter) - mathpro18
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Ravens, the Birdmaster
Ravens sees the proliferate wildlife in the bar and remembers why he likes his place so much.
No chance of seeing Gregor in here, the prissy jerk.
Ravens considers approaching the talking dog (and its master), but then remembers that dogs can't talk...at least not talky-talk and instead stares at that bit of strangeness.
But the bird! A Raven no less! A new friend of mine and maybe and interesting tale from this master.
@Valeska: Ravens approaches, his face asmile as he appreciates the beauty of the raven, Tzerny.
"Aww....what's its name? (S)he's a real beauty."
Jasper moved into the common room of the bar, weary from the road.
Only a days travel they said. A quick job they said. Sure'n they were lying to this poor Sczarni lad.
Looking around at this strange crew Jasper wondered which to attach himself to.
I've a job to do at this wedding, but how to complete my cover? The invitation is in my pocket, courtesy of my mystery employers.
Moving to the bar
"An ale if you please."
Get in to the wedding, steal the deed when nobody is looking, and out again. No problem.
Looking at Ravens
"Say, that's a nice bird you got there."
Hopefully I'm not too late with this one. Jasper Lind is a Sczarni Burglar, employed to steal a deed (or other small item at your discretion), and sneak out again. He cares nothing for the political unrest and has an invite to the wedding provided by his employers.
His motivation for staying if the job fails would be a chance to escape the Sczarni and make a new life for himself. This far from home, if he sees a chance to make a bigger name for himself than being a small time crook in Varisia, he'll take it.
Areanna smiled at the halfling and sat down at the table with him. "I am Areanna Dalante, the Beautiful, dignified, and arrogant, performer of Brevoy. But you already knew that I am sure." Areanna straightened up and focused her attention on Zadarra. "Now you probably already know everything about me as my life is no secret. I am very interested in yours. You seem to have a story. I like writing songs about the stories of others. Though I would like to have my own stories someday.
Areanna waits patiently to hear Zadarra's story.
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"Say, that's a nice bird you got there."
"Oh no, she ain't mine. I was just admiring her too. She's a beaut...I figure she's one of them fancy Northern Taciturn Ravens known for their long wings, airspeed, and brains. We use their kind when we can breed them for delivering messages."
Ravens nods his head in appreciation as if he a yokel admiring a fine lady.
Looking at the man who had spoken to him, Ravens asks, "What do know of birds? And I didn't catch your name. I'm Ravens."
"Lind, Jasper Lind. Pleasure to meet you. A Northern Taciturn Raven you say. Now, I always heard that the Southern Loquacious Raven was a superior messenger bird on account of it's increased transport capacity."
So he wants to play that game. Well, I may not know birds but I can work my way around the back end of a bull.
Are you suggesting coconuts migrate?
"North. Far to the North, which must explain my confusion about Southern birds. Are you from this area?"
The profile is a little off, I reworked him from a 25 point CC game, so I'll need to double check things tonight when I'm home.
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"Ah. From my understanding, southern ravens have shorter feathers to accommodate the warmer climate. They tend to be quicker and smaller, unlike this lil fella here..." Ravens turns his attention back to the raven at hand and resists the urge to pet it.
"Oh yeah, born and raised here. Orphan...but don't worry about it. I've made a name for myself. Grew up right."
"You say you're from the North? What brings you down here? The festival?"
"An orphan, I'm sorry to hear that. I come from a very large family, I can't imagine what it must be like."
Hah, I could only wish my family would forget about me.
"I am here for the wedding of Gregan and Syra, and it seems I am not alone in this. Are you here for this as well? Does this raven play some part in the ceremony? I admit to feeling a little out of place here."
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Ravens face wilts at bit at the mentioning of the name of Gregan and his beloved Syra.
"Yeah...the wedding. Stupid affair." Ravens snarls.
She's making a mistake. Syra loves me. I think.
"I work for the Aldoris as a Birdmaster. I will be helping tomorrow. This raven belons to that one there," pointing to Valeska.
Ravens finishes his drink. Turning it over, he says, "I need another drink or two before I can talk more about it."
Ravens makes his excuses and makes for the bar.
I'll need a few more drinks before I stop thinking of her.
The raven ruffles his feathers and regards the approaching pair.
"My name is Tzerny. And you are clearly a humanoid of decent taste, thank you. Although my stock is... rather complicated."
"How about you, Tiomir? Or you, Rufus? Where do your names come from?"
"Black... yes, I can see the meaning. A gorgeous shade, though, if I may say so." Tiomir nods in thanks as he glances around at all the commotion of the festivities. "My, I was expecting there to be life, but to some degree I ponder if I wouldn't prefer the peace and quiet of a lit candle and a tome of lore right now..."
"That is the meaning of my name," he adds. "Tiomir. Peace and quiet. I was born with illness, one that almost robbed my life - and it did. I have never ventured beyond the walls of Magnimar in the eighty-eight years I have lived - until this year. My father gave me the name, to bless me with a calm life so that my body would not cave in. And so my life has been - calm, and without danger or worry."
"Rufus... I named him for the colour of his fur. Crimson, royal, darker than the evening sky when the sun sets. Yes, there's gold," he adds with a tad of irritation - Rufus is frowning, clearly annoyed at the mention of his only colour being red, "But it was appropriate, I thought. It means 'of the red' in some ancient tongue. I cannot remember which."
When others arrive to converse with Valeska, Tiomir withdraws to his meal, clearly uncomfortable with the prospect of interrupting others. Strangely at odds with his declared position as a teacher..
Tzerny lets out a deep, throaty chuckle. "Corn? I've got rabbit right now. I also have this lovely elf-girl to get me more. Perhaps you've got a need for something more involved than messages?"
Valeska, pointedly ignoring her familiar for the moment, continues her conversation with Tiomir. "Red, then? Red and black. Sounds like an interesting combination."
"Ah, my apologies, I see I have brought up something painful."
To Tzerny: "You...you talk? How...useful."
Truly the wonders these Southern barbarians have. Of course if I had a talking raven to do all my work I'd be fat and lazy as well.
"Red, then? Red and black. Sounds like an interesting combination."
"If you mean your raven and my companion, it would be... but it is the shade of his fur that leads to his name." Tiomir gestures for Rufus to rise, and the Eidolon does so with a huff. The fur is nothing short of exquisite, in dark red, white under the chin, with golden lines drawn from the tip of his snout to the end of his long tail, with detours down to the muscular legs. The belly is clearly all gold.
"Thank you for giving an old gnome like me some company tonight, Valeska. You don't have to trouble yourself with me 'lest you wish to."