From down the stairs leading to the guest rooms of the inn, a young woman walks into the tavern room. Her chestnut hair that frames the slender face, is in contrast to the emerald eyes, that almost shine in the light. They and her pointed ears undoubtly mark her as a half-elf.
She wipes her hand on a piece of cloth, which she then tugs into a bag she had slung around her shoulder, as she approaches the barkeeper. She lowers her voice, whispering as she knows how these things can get out of control. "I checked on him, do not worry, he will be fine by morning again."
She straightens again, and looks around the common room, and asks in a louder voice now "While I was upstairs I heard quite the ruckus outside, what is going on?"
Turning from the Hellknight, Krajan responds to the woman. "Apparently the King is dead. More to the point, though, apparently some in this city now pursue murderers." He says the last word with a growl, looking pointedly at the Hellknight before noticing that his drink is ready. Nodding to the barkeep, he takes a large swig before returning his attention to the woman. "Join us. Apparently he's seeking information from this lady here."
"By the gods, the king has been murdered? And they're looking for his killer here?"
She quickly looks around, to see if she spots anyone who had 'murderer' spelled across his forhead, before she realises how silly that was.
Krajan snorts noisily and scratches at his beard. "Nah, he's apparently looking for some other murderer; seems to think that there's some information here. Myself, I'm just trying to see if there truly is such a thing as justice in Korvosa. Too often such things pass by the notice of those in charge." He spits noisily near Galdran's feet and takes another gulp of his drink, noisily making a sound of satisfaction as he wipes his hand across his beard. "More important in my opinion, anyways."
From down the stairs leading to the guest rooms of the inn, a young woman walks into the tavern room. Her chestnut hair that frames the slender face, is in contrast to the emerald eyes, that almost shine in the light. They and her pointed ears undoubtly mark her as a half-elf.
She wipes her hand on a piece of cloth, which she then tugs into a bag she had slung around her shoulder, as she approaches the barkeeper. She lowers her voice, whispering as she knows how these things can get out of control. "I checked on him, do not worry, he will be fine by morning again."
She straightens again, and looks around the common room, and asks in a louder voice now "While I was upstairs I heard quite the ruckus outside, what is going on?"
...
"By the gods, the king has been murdered? And they're looking for his killer here?"
She quickly looks around, to see if she spots anyone who had 'murderer' spelled across his forhead, before she realises how silly that was.
His truly impeccable timing does him his typical justice, but he can't help but whistle a bit rudely in appreciation for the beauty who walked into the room. "Now THAT'S a woman" he says to Yennry with a hearty smirk.
"OH! 'yer there'sa riot goin' on outside. Somethin' about a death, and maybe some woman being involved. I dunno' - doors boarded up though." He can't help but nod in affirmation of his statement. His ridiculously late answer almost making him seem buffoonish.
Gethric takes a strip of lemchum from the bowl that the barkeep delivered, dipping it into the lem before chewing upon it methodically. Upon the mention of Lamm his face has grown stony, though the press of people now within the bar makes him uneasy. It's as crowded as a Chelish freighter below decks.
His eyes scan the room for a side table that he might withdraw to, right hand unconsciously spinning the simple iron ring that sits upon his left hand.
Vesera exhales audibly and seems to relax a bit as well. 'Good... if his killer was in here, they'd perhaps kill all of us just to be sure they got the right one.'
"Another murderer... well as much as it saddens me, that is hardly uncommon in these parts"
She looks from the half-orc to Mitch, giving the later a bit of a smile
"But... is the king dead now or not? And why is the door boarded, even if the killer is not in here?"
"Aye, she is. And, per usual, the beauty has caused the men to forget their silly games. Perhaps we will take up said challenges at a later time." With that, he hops down and sits again on the stool. He takes a swig of ale before extending his hand to the human who remarked on Vesera's beauty. "Name's Yenrry - who're you? I could put in a good word for ya with the lass, if you'd like." he says, with a smirk.
Krajan snorts loudly once more and interjects himself back into the conversation. "The king is dead now, and I think the mob outside is disturbing the barkeep here. Fortunately," he strokes his axe and gives a disturbing grin. "Some of us aren't as worried about such things."
She looks from the half-orc to Mitch, giving the later a bit of a smile "But... is the king dead now or not? And why is the door boarded, even if the killer is not in here?"
Vyshael tips his wine goblet in the Vesera's direction, "For our own protection, it seems, due to the rioting out there. And before you worry, it was the barkeep and not the Hellknight that did it.", he says, making the title sound like a curse.
As he sees the young lass come down the stairs and start conversing, Demetri will invite her to sit down. "Have a seat, a drink will do you some good. We're having a rousing conversation about this cesspool of a city." He will order a drink for Vesera, something not too strong, but enough to have a bite to it.
The young half-elf jerks up at the mention of a Hellknight, remembering just too well her own encounter with them, not 10 years ago. She had hoped to never see one of them again!
"A hellknight?! Where? What do they want here?" she looks around frantically trying to spot him.
At the offer of a seat and drink, she just nods and sits down, but then remembers her manners and smiles at Demitri "Thank you dear"
At the offer of a seat and drink, she just nods and sits down, but then remembers her manners and smiles at Demitri "Thank you dear"
Vyshael points at the Hellknight with his goblet, "Yonder. Best to ignore him and hope he goes away." As the young lady takes a seat, he smiles and says, "Do join us, it would be nice to have conversation about something other than gossip and low-life criminal scum."
"No problem. Another pretty girl at the table never hurts." Is said with a smile.
"Aye, she is. And, per usual, the beauty has caused the men to forget their silly games. Perhaps we will take up said challenges at a later time." With that, he hops down and sits again on the stool. He takes a swig of ale before extending his hand to the human who remarked on Vesera's beauty. "Name's Yenrry - who're you? I could put in a good word for ya with the lass, if you'd like." he says, with a smirk.
He sets his tankard down for the first time and shakes the little guys' hand. "Name's Mitch... Mitch McHale. Ya'self?"
He moves his hand over his signet ring that's on his finger in hopes that no one has seen it, turning it around so the signet faces inside his palm after the handshake.
Her eyes follow where Vyshael points, and she spots the hellknight, glad he's far away. Not glad that it's not far enough.
"Yes, best ignore him."
She smiles again at the compliment "Oh, you flatter me, I'm not that pretty." She really didn't think she was, she had seen far more beautiful girls, and even her clothes were dirty and torn in places and nothing like the elegant gowns she had worn as a little girl.
She looks around to everyone else at the table and nods "Hello. I'm Vesera..." She seems to cut off a bit too abruplty, as if she was biting off something she was going to say.
Her eyes follow where Vyshael points, and she spots the hellknight, glad he's far away. Not glad that it's not far enough.
"Yes, best ignore him."
She smiles again at the compliment "Oh, you flatter me, I'm not that pretty." She really didn't think she was, she had seen far more beautiful girls, and even her clothes were dirty and torn in places and nothing like the elegant gowns she had worn as a little girl.She looks around to everyone else at the table and nods "Hello. I'm Vesera..." She seems to cut off a bit too abruplty, as if she was biting off something she was going to say.
"You're prettier than you give yourself credit for atleast. The elven blood helps I think. Name's Demitri. Drink up, you'll feel better."
Vyshael sets down his goblet to give the newcomer his full attention. He turns his steel-grey eyes on her and say, "Pleased to meet you. I am Vyshael....", cutting off his own introduction in a remarkably similar way.
"You're prettier than you give yourself credit for atleast. The elven blood helps I think. Name's Demitri. Drink up, you'll feel better."
Vyshael laughs and adds, "I'm suddenly very glad you joined us, Vesera.", brushing his hair aside to reveal a pointed ear.
"Good choice on the food Gethric. Can't say I've ever had it in my time in Korvosa. But good. This is quite the crowd. At least some of them are peeling off to the table."
She looks over at Yenrry, "No drinking games here, but if you want to try a game of darts... "
She walks over to the dartboard and gathers up a set of green and white-fletched darts, walks to the line, spins and throws.
"Not bad, not great. Must be the rum. Definitely no drinking games. Care to try your hand?"
"Good choice on the food Gethric. Can't say I've ever had it in my time in Korvosa. But good. This is quite the crowd. At least some of them are peeling off to the table."
She looks over at Yenrry, "No drinking games here, but if you want to try a game of darts... "
She walks over to the dartboard and gathers up a set of green and white-fletched darts, walks to the line, spins and throws.
1d20+2
"Not bad, not great. Must be the rum. Definitely no drinking games. Care to try your hand?"
He snags a dart from the board and returns to his seat, then flings it at the dart board from his seat before Yennry even has a chance to speak!
He can't help but smirk largely, "I wouldn't wanna embarrass ya'll."
For a moment an attentive observer would see her features darkening at the mention of the elven blood. She was well aware of her heritage, and so far it had rarely brought her any advantage. She knew that some people considered elves exotic and half-elves too by extension, but she herself never really could see why.
She downs the contents of the glass Demitri had ordered for her, recognizing the drink, in one swift gulp. "Ahh, yes, thank you"
Of course she had recognized him as half-elf even before she saw his ears, and for a moment she wondered if they might be distant relatives even.
"Nice to meet you as well Vyshael. And you maybe should not do that, dear Demitri might fall hopelessly in love with you" she laughs loudly at that joke.
However, I won't attribute the coincidence of so many of us here to some sort of divine influence... Rather, I suspect it's just further evidence of just how cancerous Lamm truly is."[/b]
...
Vyshael laughs and adds, "I'm suddenly very glad you joined us, Vesera.", brushing his hair aside to reveal a pointed ear.
Jel's eyes narrow slightly at the first comment, but his smile quickly returns. "Don't worry, Vyshael, we all still think you're pretty."
Jel walks up to Chevakala again. "What is this game?"
"Did I win?" He smiles and introduces himself to the growing crowd. "My name's Jel Camo and" his eyes twinkling, "I myself don't have any secrets."
"Well he is rather pretty.." Demitri replies jokingly. Seeing her down the drink quickly, he orders her another one, only this one a little stronger than the last.
This has been really fun to read--I'd like to throw my hat in the ring as well. I created this character to apply for a Carrion Crown game, but I can easily adjust his stats to a 15 point buy and his background to suit this game. After all, a cleric of the goddess of vengeance shouldn't have too much trouble fitting in this game. I'll post my responses to the questions in a bit as well.
"You're prettier than you give yourself credit for atleast. The elven blood helps I think. Name's Demitri. Drink up, you'll feel better."Her eyes follow where Vyshael points, and she spots the hellknight, glad he's far away. Not glad that it's not far enough.
"Yes, best ignore him."
She smiles again at the compliment "Oh, you flatter me, I'm not that pretty." She really didn't think she was, she had seen far more beautiful girls, and even her clothes were dirty and torn in places and nothing like the elegant gowns she had worn as a little girl.She looks around to everyone else at the table and nods "Hello. I'm Vesera..." She seems to cut off a bit too abruplty, as if she was biting off something she was going to say.
A tall, impeccably groomed man steps away from the bar. His face is smoothly shaved, he has not one hair out of place. His armor is polished so well that it shines in the dimmest of light. He has a shield on his back, and around his neck he wears a wooden symbol--a circular disk surrounded by three swords. He approaches Demitri.
Demetri, is it? A word or two of advice. First, let me buy you another drink. After about 3 or 4 more the girl should be suitable enough to bed. Well, for me at least. For you one more drink should suffice. Secondly, you will not do yourself any favors by calling a girl "pretty". If she desires you, you need only look at her eyes and her posture. That should tell you if the girl is interested. And from the looks of it, this one isn't...
Demetri, is it? A word or two of advice. First, let me buy you another drink. After about 3 or 4 more the girl should be suitable enough to bed. Well, for me at least. For you one more drink should suffice. Secondly, you will not do yourself any favors by calling a girl "pretty". If she desires you, you need only look at her eyes and her posture. That should tell...
He snorts after overhearing this from the bar and chuckles, "And I thought I was the ladies man" he can't help but roll his eyes and shake his head. He nods his head towards Jel and Chavakala, "Name's Mitch, if'ya didn't hea'."
Demetri, is it? A word or two of advice. First, let me buy you another drink. After about 3 or 4 more the girl should be suitable enough to bed. Well, for me at least. For you one more drink should suffice. Secondly, you will not do yourself any favors by calling a girl "pretty". If she desires you, you need only look at her eyes and her posture. That should tell...He snorts after overhearing this from the bar and chuckles, "And I thought I was the ladies man" he can't help but roll his eyes and shake his head.
That is quite understandable. Most people grossly overestimate their own sex appeal. Do not feel bad, you are not alone.
That is quite understandable. Most people grossly overestimate their own sex appeal. Do not feel bad, you are not alone.
"Well, those of us without the looks will just have to settle for our skill at darts!"
"Well, those of us without the looks will just have to settle for our skill at darts!"
That is quite understandable. Most people grossly overestimate their own sex appeal. Do not feel bad, you are not alone.
"Well shyte! That means I can't play" he frowns and crosses his arms as if to pout. His typical smirk can't help but break through his lips and he starts laughing.
Demetri, is it? A word or two of advice. First, let me buy you another drink. After about 3 or 4 more the girl should be suitable enough to bed. Well, for me at least. For you one more drink should suffice. Secondly, you will not do yourself any favors by calling a girl "pretty". If she desires you, you need only look at her eyes and her posture. That should tell you if the girl is interested. And from the looks of it, this one isn't...
Demitri almost spits out his drink."You're one of those guys, eh? For your information, I was not trying to bed her. I was complimenting her to make her feel better. She looked nervous and unsure of herself, and I hoped some banter along with some drink would loosen her up a bit."
Demitri almost spits out his drink."You're one of those guys, eh? For your information, I was not trying to bed her. I was complimenting her to make her feel better. She looked nervous and unsure of herself, and I hoped some banter along with some drink would loosen her up a bit."
He looks over his shoulder to get a quick shout in towards the table they're at, "He knows! That's why he said it!" He begins laughing harder.
As Vesera Arkona:
"You don't want to make me drunk, do you?" she asks Demitri jokingly, laughing a bit.
That is when Gaius approaches the table "And you don't do yourself any favors talking like you're the gods' gift to womankind. Did that ever work for you so far? Because I have my doubts about that."
She turns her stern gaze on Demitri "And I am most certainly not looking unsure of myself, thank you very much"
Demitri almost spits out his drink."You're one of those guys, eh? For your information, I was not trying to bed her. I was complimenting her to make her feel better. She looked nervous and unsure of herself, and I hoped some banter along with some drink would loosen her up a bit."He looks over his shoulder to get a quick shout in towards the table they're at, "He knows! That's why he said it!" He begins laughing harder.
Exactly, good sir. The man wants to bed the woman but even HE doesn't realize it--an exercise in futility, to say the least. And the others wish to demonstrate their prowess by flinging darts at the wall, as though the women will be impressed by a man piercing a bullseye. It's quite sad, really. But I mustn't protest, lest The Lady think I mean to dissuade such actions. I just think we should all be adult enough to admit our true desires. Please, prove your manhood anyway you can, if your "manhood" isn't enough.
Also, I must ask that you all forget about finding and punishing Lamm. The despicable coward is MINE to kill, for Calistria is the only one who should dole out vengeance.
"Of course not. Unless, you want to get drunk..." He says with a smirk. "I'm sorry about assuming you were unsure of yourself. I was just trying to help." He apologizes to the half-elven girl.
As Vesera Arkona:
"You don't want to make me drunk, do you?" she asks Demitri jokingly, laughing a bit.
That is when Gaius approaches the table "And you don't do yourself any favors talking like you're the gods' gift to womankind. Did that ever work for you so far? Because I have my doubts about that."
She turns her stern gaze on Demitri "And I am most certainly not looking unsure of myself, thank you very much"
Not "the gods" gift, but the "goddess's" gift. The Lady in the Room puts lustful feelings in the hearts of ALL, whether or not they choose to admit it. And you no doubt have never visited her Temple, or you would not be doubting me.
Also, I must ask that you all forget about finding and punishing Lamm. The despicable coward is MINE to kill, for Calistria is the only one who should dole out vengeance.
He stops laughing, turning back to the bar and quiets down. He mumbles aloud for those near him to hear, "Yup... Definitely a clothy." He turns his tankard up, polishing off the remaining ale within. "That Lammy bastard is going to the stockades... A clothy like you should know killing is evil..." he mumbles allowed again.
Also, I must ask that you all forget about finding and punishing Lamm. The despicable coward is MINE to kill, for Calistria is the only one who should dole out vengeance.He stops laughing, turning back to the bar and quiets down. He mumbles aloud for those near him to hear, "Yup... Definitely a clothy." He turns his tankard up, polishing off the remaining ale within. "That Lammy bastard is going to the stockades... A clothy like you should know killing is evil..." he mumbles allowed again.
Have you ever lain with a woman? Have you ever sought vengeance? Then you too have prayed to Calistria, though you didn't know. And Lamm is evil. Killing the wicked is just, and exactly what that man deserves. The world is better off without him.
"You will have to find him, which is next to impossible, and then you will have to get to him, which is harder. So go ahead and bicker, let me know when you want to head into his meat-grinder, I'll follow behind and pick up the pieces.
Lamm is good at what he does, he is protected by people who are good at what they do. He is protected by the church, the guard, the Nail and the Bosses. Do you seriously think a pack of bar flies can take him down. It would take months of work to peel away his organization and while you are doing that he already has some of his killers watching you. You will never even know when he strikes.
Take right now. A group of people who hate Lamm enough to throw their lives away trying to kill him, all meet by 'chance' in the same bar. They are locked in this bar by a 'chance' riot.
Buildings burn in riots.
Does anyone smell smoke?"
All this talk of Lamm is troubling. Is it possible that he has touched so many people or have I fallen into some sort of elaborate trap? They seem genuine, but I'm not willing to trust so many. But, this may be an excellent opportunity to pick up more information on his whereabouts.
She looks over at Vesera, "Boys will be boys, eh. First it's jokes about going to the bathroom. Then they become teens and can think of nothing but Calistria. I'm not sure they ever grow out of that.
She grins, "Take Mitch here. Such an eager puppy, he does a brilliant job of putting a hole in the board. Too bad this game is about placement. Now Jel. Not a bad shot at all for a novice. But, knowing my own, one to be careful around. No hard feelings boys.
Another dart launches at the board.
Yenrry has been lost in thought for the past several moments. He listens closely to the exchange between Gaius and the others. He speaks to no one in particular as the dart hits the board. "Perhaps we should not all be so eager to claim the glory of Lamm's demise for ourselves. Many have tried - all have failed. Different characters. Same story. Maybe it's time we flip the script?" He realizes that his thoughts were spoken and he shakes his head. "Whoa, talking to myself again. The ale indeed is strong tonight." Raising his glass and smiling broadly, he says, "I'll take another."
He shrugs slightly, pushing his empty tankard away from himself and rubs the back of his neck. "Look a bit closer... That darts dead in the middle" he says without even really paying attention - obviously lost in thought.
"I'm right thea' with 'ya Yenrry... Another one bar-man?"
Jel responds to Chavakala, "Not at all, not at all." He throws another dart.
He says to no one in particular, "Chance... is not the same as Luck... be it divine providence or not."
He begins tumbling a dart in between his fingers preparing for his next throw.
The dart slips from his fingers and lands flatly on the bar top under his hand, letting out a slight sigh just as the Bartender places his new ale in front of him.
All this talk of Lamm is troubling. Is it possible that he has touched so many people or have I fallen into some sort of elaborate trap? They seem genuine, but I'm not willing to trust so many. But, this may be an excellent opportunity to pick up more information on his whereabouts.
She looks over at Vesera, "Boys will be boys, eh. First it's jokes about going to the bathroom. Then they become teens and can think of nothing but Calistria. I'm not sure they ever grow out of that.
She grins, "Take Mitch here. Such an eager puppy, he does a brilliant job of putting a hole in the board. Too bad this game is about placement. Now Jel. Not a bad shot at all for a novice. But, knowing my own, one to be careful around. No hard feelings boys.
Another dart launches at the board.
1d20+2
"None taken. I was just sitting here, having some drinks, talking to people I haven't met before."
Gethric takes his food, drink and knife roll from the bar and looks for a side table to sit at.
|
Rising from the table a man dressed in the robes of the cathedral, long flowing purple and blue, around his neck a chain holds a vial of water, held in wooden swirl painted white. He watches the others, wondering who will be called before his gods and take the trip to the Boneyard first. Some will not survive, it maybe the lady calls me to her side. "You speak of this Lamm, so we seem to have much in common, although I would speak with him. He has something that belongs elsewhere, I shall find it. "
He takes the bread left on the table, the crusty crumbs crunch in his mouth. The remnants of his dark brown stew are wiped from his mouth, with a sweep on the back of his hand. He takes the red pottery mug from the table, drinking it to its end. "Good, now that's better, to face the rest of the day with a full stomach, now I am ready."
That is when Gaius approaches the table "And you don't do yourself any favors talking like you're the gods' gift to womankind. Did that ever work for you so far? Because I have my doubts about that."
Vyshael begins to laugh again, pleased to find some merriment with all the darkness out there and in his own mind, but says nothing.
She turns her stern gaze on Demitri "And I am most certainly not looking unsure of myself, thank you very much"
Vyshael nods and offers, "Not to mention that they're discussing you as if you're not even here."
Exactly, good sir. The man wants to bed the woman but even HE doesn't realize it--an exercise in futility, to say the least. And the others wish to demonstrate their prowess by flinging darts at the wall, as though the women will be impressed by a man piercing a bullseye. It's quite sad, really. But I mustn't protest, lest The Lady think I mean to dissuade such actions. I just think we should all be adult enough to admit our true desires. Please, prove your manhood anyway you can, if your "manhood" isn't enough."
What sort of loudmouthed, loutish brute have we here? Ah, yes, a 'servant' of the gods. That explains much... Vyshael begins to turn toward Vesera, saying "I hope the lout does not offend. Despite his protestations, some of us are able to rise above baser instincts and do not seek to bed anything in a skirt."
Also, I must ask that you all forget about finding and punishing Lamm. The despicable coward is MINE to kill, for Calistria is the only one who should dole out vengeance.
Enough!
Vyshael stands, looks over at the loudmouth and says, "If that is so, then let her appear and have done with it. If not, the task is left to mortal hands -- and there seem to be many sets of hands in this room willing to undertake such a task... some of which are connected to brains less addled about how vengeance is their divine right."
He then sinks back into his chair... The goblet is empty again? Is there a hole in it? and motions to the barkeep. "Mulled, if you would. I missed the spice in that last cup."
Downing most of the ale in one large gulp, he says, "I suppose I should give this little dexterity test a chance, no?:/b] Yenrry says, grabbing the dart on the bar and leaping down from his stool. Taking the dart from the kindly individual, he feigns intensity as he stares at the board, switching the dart between his left and right hand, tests the weight and aligns his eye with the point and makes an offhand comment of, [b}"This doesn't appear to be regulation weight. Ah well." With a flick of the wrist he throws the dart at the board.
He's unable to match the best throw of the night, but is quite pleased and surprised with himself. "Huh. Not bad at all. Perhaps I should write myself into my next epic?"