For submission, Cabri Erratan, Synthesist Summoner.
Cabri is a mediocre support caster that can transform into a savage natural attacker by being consumed by his symbiotic (eidolon).
Cabri is a sincere young man who tries really, really hard. Really. A kind soul, not made for adventuring but with an adventurer's heart. He is very timid and very conscientious about offending people. Generally well meaning, his cheery personality seems to affect people well.
Cabri was a frail child, and his clumsy nature left him in bed recovering more than once. It didn't help that he's very timid and scared of most creatures or overly large persons. One unfortunate afternoon left him nearly dead, bleeding out, spin shattered from a large fall. It was then that Simi, a symbiotic organism merged from her hiding place and dug inside of him. Not only did she bring him back from the brink of death, she reinforced his constitution (though she couldn't do anything about his clumsiness).
His folks, while happy he was alive, weren't necessarily thrilled about the symbiotic. They also disapproved of the way Simi (Cabri picked a name) would emerge from Cabri's torso, wrap around his body, and transform him into a weird bestial form with thin black and red tendrils covering everything from his large fanged maw to his sharp claws.
He was kicked out a week later.
And so began Cabri's adventure to find out the extent of his relationship with Simi, and to accomplish his dream of making a difference, if his crippling fear doesn't stop him.
Please click the Name for stat block. No idea about the gold yet, but hoping I don't have to pick it all out for submission. Please correct me if I'm wrong. This is a level one example.
"Help! Help! Can someone-oomph!"
A young, barely in his twenties bursts into the bar carrying something in his arms. However, his foot catches against the opening of the door frame and he lands face first onto the ground. The injured seagull which he was carrying flew once more as it hit the bar counter with a distinct thud.
"Oh no!"
He looks genuinely distraught, his hands shaking slightly as he covers his mouth in horror.
"I-It dived bombed me you see, he stammered, trying to explain. "I tried bringing it to someone who could fix it up but...
He goes over to inspect the obviously dead bird, gingerly picking it up as if willing it to come back to life.
"Sorry. I honestly don't mean to throw dead birds in your establishment, I mean technically it was alive, but, oh no...."
"Um...."
Cabri slowly picks up the dead bird, moves over to the nearby trash receptacle, and gently places it inside before setting the lid back in place. He looks around, his face flush with all the odd stares and looks he getting.
He makes his way up to the bar and takes a seat, slightly slouched over to make himself as small as possible.
"You make drinks here yes?" He asks meekly.
"Could I get an apple juice?"
The party at the bar seems to be at full swing. Drinks are being slung. Live, jaunty music is being played. Everyone is singing, laughing, drinking, and having an overall good time. However, the door suddenly swings open! It slams against the wall. Everyone stops and turns to the door, some of them are reaching for their weapons.
Before you stands a young man, standing at 6'2”. He’s dressed in a masterfully crafted chain shirt, his muscles straining, along with standard roughly spun traveling clothes. His body and face are littered in scars. Some from weapons and some appear to be from wild animals. His nose appears to have been broken once. His black hair is long and wild. His deep purple eyes seem to glow with a strange power. He scans the room, a deep frown on his face, . large masterwork greataxe is sheathed on his back. His hands are clenched. Several other weapons are slung on his belt and a backpack his slung on his back. His features show mixed hints of Varisian and Shoanti heritages. He has a blue tattoo on his face. But the strangest thing is that when he steps, small sparks of electricity come from his boots. Even stranger, his forearms seem to be lightly on fire. However, the flames don't seem to be doing any sort of damage.
He walks into the bar. At his presence, most of the people go silent. Some of them don't make eye contact. Some don't look at him. A few are even shaking in their seats. The man chooses an unoccupied table and sits down. That's when a dog walks into the bar and heads for the man. It's a regular looking dog, except for the fact that it has only 3 legs. The dog sits down next to the man. He places a hand on its head and strokes it.
Quite a lot of people try to get the mood back. But, the man's presence has an obvious effect on the crowd.
Cabri was glad everyone else way paying attention to the latest entrant of the Naked Kobald. They didn't see him half fall out of his seat when the door slam caught him off guard.
Breathing heavily from the sudden surge in adrenaline, he could feel his bodily companion express the emotion of danger.
It's fine Simi, he thought. Just a very large man, with weapons, walking into a room full of very strong men and women. No need to panic. No need to come out.
He turns back around to the bar, though his second internal instinct was clawing at him to face the obvious threat.
"Could I get some peanuts with that apple juice?"
"Thanks miss!"
Capri can't help but smile at the nice gesture, and takes an eager gulp of juice. It was sweet and cold, a much preferred beverage to the alcohol he had tried that one night a few months ago.
"But don't be mistaken,"
He straightens up and tries to look as confident as possible, not noticing he accidentally spilled some juice on his shirt.
"I'm a seasoned adventurer."
I'd like to submit Rusilia, a dwarven druid (menhir savant), for consideration! At the time of this posting, I still need to adjust one of her Traits (she was initially built for a different AP), but she's otherwise ready to go.
"Oh, that is a pity. If you find yourself far south of here again, you must try some."
Grunyn turned to address a mug, which had rather suddenly appeared on the bar in front of him; whichever practiced member of the waitstaff had delivered the ale was long gone, tending to other duties. He shrugged, and took a deep draught, pausing a bit to maneuver the liquid around his mouth before swallowing.
"This is not half bad," he mentioned, to no one in particular. "It is almost reminding of ale from Undercroft."
Interrupting him before he could take another drink was the young man, bursting in and pleading for aid. Grunyn turned abruptly on his stool, the haft of his hammer in-hand, before he realized the child was concerned with...some sort of dead animal. Grunyn frowned, replaced his hammer on the floor beside, and turned his attention to the woman down the bar.
Opening his mouth to speak, Grunyn was interrupted once again by a newcomer; this one, however, garnered he attention from nearly every patron.
Grunyn watched the man closely, following him as he took a vacant table. Grunyn's expression grew more curious as a scraggly mutt followed the man into the tavern. His drink forgotten, Grunyn sat cockeyed on the stool, staring intently at the newcomer.
|
Seeing that his performance was being interrupted Zoso trailed off the notes he was playing and set the strings down on his chair.
He leisurely weaves between the groups of freshly re-drunk and mildly confused people. Stepping out of the low lit corners of the establishment for the first time, people new to the tavern are able to get their first good look at him. Zoso stands at 6'3", has mahogany skin and hair that match his mandolin, and eyes of orange and blue swirls. He is quite thin and lanky, reflecting his years behind strings rather than iron. His hair is long, unbound, and wavy but his clothes tell a tidier story. While they are not excessive or flashy, his garments teeter between fashion and function. He wears a blend of entertainment and exploration pieces that match oddly well and are dyed in hues of tans and browns.
At the bar he pats Grunyn on the back. "Thanks for the drink friend." He says with a genuine smile. " I hope you can get good rest tonight, with the looks of it we'll be going down here for a while." Zoso then turns and catches Cherry's eye, "Could you fill me a ewer, love?" He puts the required coins on the counter and nods down the rail at Zelda, Cabri, and Tesla. When Cherry returns Zoso thanks her, grabs a few clean mugs, and takes the beer with him to the table with the newcomer and his dog.
Placing the three items down, "I must say you've gotten everyone's attention quite well, I don't see your type of presence everyday. Mind if I have a seat?"
"Sure! Sure!"
Capri graciously accept the drink as he motions for Zoso to sit down. Then he realizes what's inside the mug.
Calm down. Adventurers drink alcohol all the time. I'm an Adventurer. I can do this. I can do this.
Cabri takes a large swig, his face contorting with a slight grimace. He sets the empty bottle down on the counter, his eyes watering.
Why do people drink this stuff? So bitter!
Still, he gave a tight smile to Zoso and the others as his throat fought against the bitter liquid trying to gurgle back up.
Grunyn nodded at the rather tall elf as he passes by, following his path as well as he took seat with the newest arrival. The angry fellow intrigued Grunyn, and he quietly observed his reaction to the new stimulus.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
"Holes...what does....oh."
Cabri's cheeks redden as he watches the tiefling make her rounds. She seemed nice enough, though she treated him like a kid more than a man. He was 20 after all.
Cool, a tail. he thinks himself before he realizes he's essentially staring at her backside. It wasn't that he was uncomfortable around women. It was that his normal bumbling speech and clumsy mistakes seemed to triple if he distracted.
He hastily turns to the other bar patrons.
"I'm Cabri," he says cheerfully. He puts on his best smile and looks at the potential friends eagerly. He holds out his hand in an earnest manner.
Soon after the burly, strangely charged and smoking individual walks in, another person walks in. Though this one can be heard before he enters the door.
"... know how... it took t'get that? 'Course yeh do, yeh were right 'dere wit'me when Ah was gettin' it!"
*BEEEAAAHHH*
Through the doors walks, at first glance, to be a thoroughly average travelling peasant. He stands only 5'10, slightly on the scrawny side, looking young but with a tanned, weatherbeaten face. He wears well-worn travelling clothes that look to have a permanent coating of dust ground into them. Most of his short, dark hair is kept hidden under a wide-brimmed leather hat.
Currently, he doesn't pay much mind to the bars inhabitants, apparently engaged in a rather heated argument with his companion: A silver-furred goat.
"Ah don't care how tasty it was! Ah had t'cut th'Witchwort on th'night o'the full moon t'test mah hypothesis! But now 'dat you decided t'have a snack, mah experiment's gotta be put on hold fer a full month! One month! Y'know how much work Ah could've gotten done in one month!?"
*BEEAAHHH! BAAA!*
"Don't give me 'dat! Ah feed yeh plenty!"
Frustrated, the young man finally stops close to the bar and looks around for an empty seat. He looks confused for a moment, glancing around as if he only now realizes where he is.
He glances around at the rather strange assortment of individuals, observing the more noteworthy ones. Woman with devil horns and a tail working behind the bar. Oddly articulate dwarf. Weridly pale halfling. Small, oddly dressed woman.
Weirdly, his reaction to the large, sparking, glowing man is not one of confusion, but of a brief nod of the head and a quick wave.
The one that most catches his attention, though, is the... woman?... with long purple hair, and glowing... tattoos? Scars?... covering the visible portions of her anatomy. Thaddeus squints, peering at this individual, as if trying to figure out what he's looking at.
He shakes his head, and looks for an open stool. Finding that some people have cleared up, he slides on top, putting his elbows on the counter heavily. Whichever member of the waitstaff acknowledges him first, he places some coins on the counter and makes his order."
"Whiskey, please. Two shots." He says, his confusion at the bar's inhabitants dying down, to be replaced by his former grouchiness at ruined work.
*Baaah*
"Like hell Ah'm gettin' you anythin'!"
Cabri lowers his hand after a while, growing more sheepish.
Alright. Plan 'Make a good first impression' not off to a good start. Its alright. I had a drink, sat at the counter, what else was on that list...
Cabri tried recalling his favorite childhood book. 'Adventurers: The Life of a Hero' was an old text, but when bedridden Cabri had read it so many times that the pages were falling out of the spine. And in the back of this treasured tome, was a bucket list of things to do if one was to become a true adventurer.
That's right! I need to strike up a conversation with a man that looks like he could kill me with his finger.
And so, Cabri stood up from his spot at the bar counter and promptly walked over to the large man who had made an entrance, a dog following close behind.
"Excuse me, mind if I sit here? Cabri seats himself at the table. He started taking ivnventory of all the weapons he had hung at his belt, and the numerous scars on his body.
"Sorry." It was impolite to stare. Cabri pointed to the dog, genuine interest on his face.
"Would you mind if I..."
Mutt's eyes continue to scan the crowd, glancing a bit longer at the more notable ones.
When the odd young man approaches and asks if he can pet Fetch, Mutt looks down at the dog. He shrugs. "Go right ahead." Fetch barks in agreement.
When Cherry approaches to take his order, Mutt looks at her, brow raised. "I don't drink that often. Give me what you think is the best." He looks at her tattoos. "Nice tattoos, by the way."
When Zelda address Fetch, he looks at her. He barks once before walking over to her. He sits and looks up at her, panting and tail wagging.
Mutt notices this and is about to call out when he notices the elf walking up to him and asking for a seat. He looks at the newcomer with a critical eye. He then nudges one of the empty chairs with his foot. "Go ahead. I'm not stopping you." He looks around at the now silent crowd. "I have a reputation."
It's then that Thaddeus enters. Mutt returns his nod and wave with one of his own. When Thaddeus has his drinks, the warrior slightly pushes another chair with his foot and nods to it.
|
|
Zoso's grin grows a little on the right side of his face, speaking to Mutt "Yeah, it sure seems you do." He pulls the chair Mutt nudged into place and sits down. While doing so he winks at a woman sitting at a table next to them who was staring half in horror and shock but now has her blushing face in a mug of ale.
Turning his gaze to the group at the table, "So, bird-man," Zoso says to Cabri as he pours the two mugs full of beer and takes one himself, leaving the second in the middle of the table, "aren't you curious about what that reputation might be?" Zoso appears to be enjoying himself as he watches these two contracting personalities sit uncomfortably next to each other, as he leans back in the chair he takes a sip of the beer and wonders who will take the second.
As Zoso returns his mug to his lap he studies Mutt for a moment and then clears his throat. "I once met a Varisian Wizard" he begins. "Practically dressed in tattoos, of course, along with some scarves. His birthmark was the face of a snarling wolf that covered his entire back. A beautiful thing really. The others he said were all from victories, victories over demons. He said he had traveled places beyond Golarion, for blood vengeance and in search for Vyush'baro. He told one hell of a tale, and from what he said he made a big dent in the Army of the Damned." Zoso thinks again for a moment, "You know, his whole tribe had a pretty good sense of oral tradition, I respect that in a people."
Ah, Barvo, my old friend and protector. I was looking to pick up another game, and I stumbled across this. Would you mind if I applied? If you've already got your sights set on a few people, I won't clutter up the application list.
And no, I won't apply with Merephel.
:D
Cabri looks to Zoso, his hands still scratching the dog's head.
"Reputation doesn't mean much when you sit at the same table."
He flashes him a worried smile, and eyes the receptacle he deposited the deceased avian into.
"But if you could not call me bird-man I'd appreciate it. My name is Cabri."
Unfortunately for Grunyn, the seemingly half-crazed man arguing with his goat found the area of the bar adjacent to be vacant. The dwarf turned from the thunderkicker, giving yet another rough, forced smile to Thaddeus as he received his beverage.
"I am sorry, this region is not native to me. Might I ask, why do you speak to your food?"
Grunyn eyed the goat carefully, and stopped himself just shy of squeezing a flank. He shrugged, turning gaze back to the owner. "I am also not familiar with...witch warts?...though I have never heard of seasonings being fed to the animal while still alive. Do you find that to improve the quality of the meat?"
His eyes grew distant as he continued, "In Eto, they often flavor jerky with flowers of a common cactus. I suppose it is likely the goats eat it, as well..."
Shrugging, Grunyn waved palm-flat at the man, displaying the solid blue symbol of his faith, built onto his body. "Good evening. I am Grunyn, of the Pahmet. I do not mean to question your dining habits without proper introduction."
"Whiskey double, aye," says the tiefling bartender to Thaddeus. She pours the libations and says, "Anything for the goat?"
*Baahhh!*
Thaddeus quickly slams one shot of whiskey down, then looks down at his companion.
"She can't unnerstan'd yeh. An' even if she could, Ah just said Ah ain't gettin' yeh anythin'! Yeh wanna drink so bad, buy it yerself."
*Baaah!*
"Ah know yeh don't carry any money. 'Dat's th'point!"
He's about to turn with his other shot to join Mutt at the table, when the person he's sitting beside grabs his attention.
"I am sorry, this region is not native to me. Might I ask, why do you speak to your food?"
Thaddeus turns, looking confused. "Speak t'mah food? Huh?"
Grunyn eyed the goat carefully, and stopped himself just shy of squeezing a flank. He shrugged, turning gaze back to the owner. "I am also not familiar with...witch warts?...though I have never heard of seasonings being fed to the animal while still alive. Do you find that to improve the quality of the meat?"
Thaddeus' features go from confusion to wide-eyed shock. His lips part, as he tries to think of what to say.
His eyes grew distant as he continued, "In Eto, they often flavor jerky with flowers of a common cactus. I suppose it is likely the goats eat it, as well..."
Shrugging, Grunyn waved palm-flat at the man, displaying the solid blue symbol of his faith, built onto his body. "Good evening. I am Grunyn, of the Pahmet. I do not mean to question your dining habits without proper introduction."
*BEEAAHH!!*
Even louder and shriller than before, the goat quickly hustles, putting Thaddeus between him and the dwarf. Thaddeus continues to look a mixture of confused and horrified, until he looks down again at the goat, and a bit of realization hits him.
"Ah, right. No, this isn't mah lunch. Name's Thaddeus. Scholar, spellcaster, 'n potential applicant at th'Cyphermage's guild. Which Ah was well on my way t'gettin if SOMEBODY," he looks pointedly at the goat, "Hadn't eaten all of mah reagents!"
"Dis here's Old Horn. Mah familiar. May look like a goat, but he's quite a bit smarter 'den most. An' a hell of a lot more annoyin'. Ah swear he's also part donkey. Certainly a big enough jackass!"
*Beeh!*
"Like it 'r not, Ah'm stuck wit'im. Ah need him, 'n... well, if it weren't fer me, he'd likely be fried up, like yeh said. Annyways, since all th'stuff Ah needed fer mah research is now so much chow, Ah'm here t'drink away th'pain."
He slams back the other shot of whiskey, before sliding both glasses back over the counter. "Large mug o'mead, please. Somethin' simple."
Grunyn slides a fist down his braids as he listens to Thaddeus; his brows furrow in concentration as he works to discern the man's curious accent, being forced to lean in closer with hopes that the words will become more clear.
"Spellcaster, and familiar! Yes, with these I am experienced. My apologies, Eldest of the Horn," he pauses to give the briefest of nods to the goat, "I was not aware of your nature. I assure you, I do not intend to eat you."
As Thaddeus orders, Grunyn suddenly remembers his own mug; retrieving it, he takes a large gulp, directing Thaddeus's eye towards "Mutt" with a slight gesture.
"I noticed your familiarity with that man. Patrons here seemed wary upon his entering. I would help you to, as you say, 'drink away your pain,' would that you tell me of him. I did not expect such a reaction; little has made note of the people in quite a way as he."
Nel Shadow Touched, halfling sorcerer
Zelda Marie Lupescu, witchwolf oracle/spellslinger
Tesla Gossmar, android slayer
Grunyn the Mossless, dwarven warpriest
Cherry Razarin, tiefling rogue
Zoso Marie Lupescu, elven bard
Sos the Blade, human alchemist/magus (awaiting fluff)
Cabri Erratan, human synthesist(summoner)
Rusilia, dwarven druid (menhir savant)
Did you want a response on those rolls? I'm not quite sure what you're trying to knowledge up.
You're correct, past tense is a more natural writing style for most people but present tense is convention and I feel it's a better fit for forum roleplay.
One game is level four, one game is level five. If you're in the level five game we're going WBL which is 10,500.
OMGMEREPHELIT'SBEEN...MINUTES. Glad to see you :)
Sounds good to me, don't work about tweaking too much at this point.
The music continues to be loud, the drinks wet, and the company fairly pleasant. The range of drinks available here is quite good, a middle-class tavern in a town famed for its piracy will know it's alcohol, including many Dwarven favourites thanks to the large population of Dwarves working the gas forges.
Over the din of conversation, music, and a goat, there's a sudden strange rumbling and loud, loud clattering of every utensil in the place. Everyone in the room wearing metal feels a strange tugging sensation upwards, although not strong enough to lift anyone from the ground. It is strong enough to pull at all bits of unattended metal as forks start to soar up into the ceiling!
thunkthunkthunkthunkthunkthunkthunkthunk
Looking up, the ceiling is covered with forks, knives, spoons, the odd button, and other bits of iron and metal. Metal buttons and buckles strain against cloth as it tries to escape, to join the utensils on the ceiling. There's a moment of stunned silence.
The silverware then falls straight from the ceiling, raining down on the unfortunate patrons of the tavern! The cacophony is incredible as every bit of light, unattended metal crashes down into the room, smashing mugs, landing in food, and causing complete chaos.
Having returned to the corner, delivered the drinks to Captain Zhoron, and returned to a sentry stance beside the table, Tesla tries to process all the events taking place. She comes into focus as Mutt walks in.
"Possible threat detected... scanning... diagnosis of elemental anomalies: unknown. Target acquired. Current stats: non-hostile."
Once locked on to Mutt, Tesla continues to survey the room. She spies Thaddeus taking not of her.
"accessing database. analysis... possible biohazard. Excessive animal bacteria trace."
She leans over a whispers to Captain Zhoron, "Captain, keep a safe distance away from that one." She follows her statement with a point at Thaddeus. Captain Zhoron looks back at Tesla a bit confused. He shakes his head and stands, with an inviting motion to the ladies at the table, they follow suit. "Come my beauties. I feel lucky and I'm sure there's a game of chance waiting for me to conquer." He shakes his head a bit as he passes Tesla. "Your services are no longer needed tonight. The night is yours to do with what you will. If I may make a suggestion, perhaps you should work a bit on your social skills. Maybe stick around here and see if you can learn how to have some fun."
As Captain Zhoron passes she addresses him, "Acknowledged. I will do my best. Good luck at the tables." She keeps a close watch as he exits the tavern, oblivious to the fact that she will never see him again and the course of her life is about to make a permanent change.
[ooc]See backstory for more info about why.
Tesla takes a seat at the now empty table. Pondering her assignment to have fun, she starts singing the repeating chorus to the bard's song softly to herself, and stares at the almost empty drink that had been Captain Zhoron's.
Panting heavily, Cabri opened his eyes.
What the heck was that?
He looked up, to find himself clutched to the lower half of Zoso.
Umm..Hi there.
Capri extricated himself from Elven musician and retook his place at the table. Not the best display of his fearless adventuring skills. To make matters worse, Simi had partially extracted herself from his chest cavity, and had already covered his entire torso. Thankfully, his tunic covered the symbiotic from sight.
He turns to Cherry.
"Does that happen often? This...what'd you call it, Blot event?"
"You seem a bit too happy about all this.
However, despite his initial panic, Cabri began to enjoy the idea of staying gin a town full of anomalies. He enjoyed the adrenaline pumping through his veins, even if he hated that initial surprise that scared him out of his wits.
Mutt's brow raises at the sight of the drink. He picks up the mug and sniffs it. He then shrugs and knocks it back. He waits for a moment before looking at the tiefling. "Thank you. That was very good."
Mutt snorts as Zoso flirts with one of the female patrons. The elf has the warrior's attention as he tells the story. When he's done, Mutt's brow raises. "I see. And what, may I ask, does that have to do with me?"
Mutt nods as Cabri introduces himself. His brow then raises. "Bird-man? Why did he call you that?"
Mutt notices the odd dwarf staring at him. He narrows his eyes and flares his nostrils. "What are you looking at?"
Fetch sniffs the offered hand before receiving his pets. He pants happily at the treatment. Mutt smiles a little as he watches Fetch. However, when he's seen smiling, it immediately goes away, going back to a deep frown.
Mutt notices the odd woman staring at him. He doesn't think much of it, though. He narrows his eyes at her as well.
Mutt sees all the silverware fly up. His eyes widen considerably. When it all falls down, Mutt tries to hide Fetch under the table (getting hit on the head by mugs all the while). When it's over, Mutt just grumbles. When Cherry and Cabri discuss it, Mutt just snorts. "It's just a spot in the sky doing weird things. I don't like it. I really don't like it."
Not long after the bizarre business with the plates, mugs and utensils suddenly deciding to defy gravity and being harshly pulled back down to earth, the door to the Naked Kobold opens once again.
"Oh--there you two are. Did any of you feel an odd tug on your clothes or gear just now? My hammer just tried to jump into the sky."
Stepping through the doorway is a tall, dark-skinned & dark-haired lady dressed in form-fitting chainmail and toting a massive earthbreaker over one shoulder. She looks around the common room of the tavern, taking in the many new faces before moving to join the imposing man and the mage with his goat.
...well. This looks like an odd bunch. A dwarf who looks like he's dressed more for war than a night on the town, some odd woman with tattoos I don't recognize (is she part of a Quah? I don't think so--not even the Lyrune-Quah have tattoos that glow brightly), some boy who looks rather jumpy, and the bartender looks like she's... oh, hawk's blood, something about her reminds me of Old Scratch.
Heh. If Bofur were here, he'd just about have a conniption. It's rather telling that the elf there looks like he fits in the most here.
"I hope I didn't interrupt anything."
Cherry picks up the shot glasses quick as a whistle and says, "Simple mead, you got it." She bounds back to keep filling orders.
"T'anks, milady," Thaddeus says, sliding over payment for the mead, plus a generous tip.
Grunyn slides a fist down his braids as he listens to Thaddeus; his brows furrow in concentration as he works to discern the man's curious accent, being forced to lean in closer with hopes that the words will become more clear.
"Ah. Sorry 'bout th'drawl, 'dere. Grew up in th'tiniest villiage yeh never did see, so mah speakin' habits 'r a bit unrefined, owin' t'little outsie experience."
"Spellcaster, and familiar! Yes, with these I am experienced. My apologies, Eldest of the Horn," he pauses to give the briefest of nods to the goat, "I was not aware of your nature. I assure you, I do not intend to eat you."
*SNORT*
Old Horn moves slightly from his position behind Thaddeus, but continues to look at Grunyn with obvious contempt.
As Thaddeus orders, Grunyn suddenly remembers his own mug; retrieving it, he takes a large gulp, directing Thaddeus's eye towards "Mutt" with a slight gesture.
"I noticed your familiarity with that man. Patrons here seemed wary upon his entering. I would help you to, as you say, 'drink away your pain,' would that you tell me of him. I did not expect such a reaction; little has made note of the people in quite a way as he."
"Huh? Mutt?" Thaddeus looks confused at the question. He turns around, leaning back on the bar with his elbows as he glances at Mutt, currently attracting a fair bit of attention. "Yeah, we've been workin' t'gether fer a little while now. Fought 'n bled t'gether, too... Kinda surprised Ah've had t'fight 'n bleed at all, but 'dis is a pretty dangerous town, ah guess."
"But what 'bout him? Eeeh, Ah don't pay attention t'what people 'r sayin'. Let'em say what dey want. Ah'll say dat he's a pretty imposin' figure, but he's as honest 'n loyal as 'dey come. But Ah don't intend t'speak of a man behind his back. 'R when he's lookin' right at me. Yeh wanna know 'bout him, go up 'n ask him. He's gruff, but he won't start nothin' if yeh don't."
Thaddeus looks around, as confused as everyone else when he feels some of his posessions begin to shift, as well as seeing various other items around the bar do the same.
Realizing what's going on, Thaddeus silently mouths seconds to himself, counting, until the silverware comes falling back down. Old Horn bleats and takes cover under Thaddeus' stool. Thaddeus winces as a few spoons bounce off his head. He quickly pulls some parchment and a piece of charcoal from his pouch, and begins furiously scribbling down notes, noting how long the event lasted, approximate time, weather patterns, and whatever other environmental situations he can observe.
Thaddeus folds up his notes and puts them away, before grabbing his mug. (thankfully non-metal, and so spared the weird event) He turns to Grunyn.
"Anyways, Mutt offered me a chair, 'dere, so Ah might as well take 'it. Like Ah said, yeh wanna know 'bout him, feel free t'come up 'n ask."
Thaddeus walks over to Mutt's table, carrying his mug. Old Horn follows close behind.
"Oh--there you two are. Did any of you feel an odd tug on your clothes or gear just now? My hammer just tried to jump into the sky."
"Me 'n all th' metal cutlery 'n dishes in 'dis place. An' a few less-secured weapons. Must be another one o'them weird events 'dat's been happenin' recently. Didn't see anythin' fancy outside, did'ya? 'M takin' notes."
"I hope I didn't interrupt anything."
"Can't speak fer Mutt, but Ah was just speakin' wit' Grunyn, 'dere."
Seeing the table is quite large, Thaddeus pulls out another chair, and looks over at Grunyn.
"Yours if'n yeh want it."
He pulls out another chair and offers that to Fiona. "Care t'join in? Ah was jus' drinkin' 'way the pain of a ruined experiment. Mutt saw how grouchy Ah was, 'n figured Ah needed t'get out 'n get a drink."
As he sits, Thaddeus again looks at the strange woman with the glowing marks and how... not right she is. She doesn't seem to move normally, nor look at things normally. Currently, she sits alone at the table. Thinking about what he just said about asking somebody directly if you have questions, he contemplates. Though for now, he takes his seat.
Old Horn moves under the table, giving small, annoyed bleats and snorts.
|
|
"Cabri! It's a pleasure, I'm Zoso." Then to Mutt when he is done introducing himself as well, "And your tattoo reminded me of it, you seem to have..."
The Blot Event interrupts him, when it is through, 'What a marvelous sound! The raining of a thousand bells, I need to find how to reproduce that... and the finale, the thundering upstairs of all that poor Dwarf's stuff. Just beautiful! I hope he doesn't find too much of a mess..' Zoso is mesmerized with a massive smile on his face. He barely notices Cabri crouching under him, "Uh, yes it's...fine" he says while pulling a fork from his arm, flicking a spoon out of his drink, and dusting ash off his cloak along with the ashtray. The whole while looking at the ceiling and then outside the foggy windows with wide, joyful eyes.
When Thaddeus sits down Zoso hears him mention 'taking notes.'
"No, not at all." Zoso smiles at Fiona. He then speaks to both her and Thaddeus,"My name is Zoso and I've just returned to Riddleport a few days ago from an extended absence, would you mind filling me in on what a 'Blot Event' is? I mean, I noticed the looming presence outside, but is there anything we really know about it?" Zoso notices the goat under the table eyeing a turkey leg that had lost it's plate during the event. While he crosses his legs he nudges the drumstick towards the creature. "I much agree with the beautiful Tiefling, it is all very...inspiring." Zoso catches Cherry's eye and nods her over.
"Ah. Sorry 'bout th'drawl, 'dere. Grew up in th'tiniest villiage yeh never did see, so mah speakin' habits 'r a bit unrefined, owin' t'little outsie experience."
"Who you are is of no fault, Thaddeus. Had I gift of tongue, I am certain your speech would be well, but this language of the Lion Empire is new and still strange to me."
Mutt notices the odd dwarf staring at him. He narrows his eyes and flares his nostrils. "What are you looking at?"
As Thaddeus continues discussing his friend, Grunyn catches Mutt's eye, and his focus on Thaddeus's words drifts as the bloodrager addresses him. He continues to stare impolitely at Mutt, barely catching the final bit of advice from the witch.
"(...)Yeh wanna know 'bout him, go up 'n ask him. He's gruff, but he won't start nothin' if yeh don't."
With no acknowledgement, Grunyn slides from his stool; a look of confusion passes his face as the fall seems less abrupt than normal. His puzzlement grows as his longhammer quivers, beginning a slow ascent. He swiftly snags the haft, gripping the heavy weapon in two hands as he turns his attention to Thaddeus, self-proclaimed spellcaster and possible cause of the strange events, his confusion swiftly shifting to anger.
Fortunately, the clattering of dining ware is hard to miss, and Grunyn looks to the ceiling in perfect time to be drenched in his ale; the savvy bar staff, knowing Dwarves prefer their ale with the tang of metal, had served Grunyn a stout iron mug. Beverage dripping through his beard, Grunyn casts a glance around the tavern, noting the general casualness of the patrons, save one lad, huddled under a table and clutching mightily at the bard. He nearly laughs at the young man, his face just beginning to break into smile as the anomaly ends; his moment of pleasantness abruptly ended when his tankard strikes him atop his head.
Grunyn grimaces, finally relinquishing his iron grip on his weapon to rub the tender wound, sure to bruise come morning, and to wipe the remains of ale from about his face. He turns back to the bar, only to find his kahve had finally brewed, and was upturned on the counter, the steaming liquid rapidly spreading through shards of its cup and the heavy spoon which sundered it. Looking about for a rag, and spotting none, Grunyn casts his eyes downward, removing a few-odd silvers and placing them amidst the mess.
Seeing the table is quite large, Thaddeus pulls out another chair, and looks over at Grunyn.
"Yours if'n yeh want it."
Grunyn was advancing on the table even as Thaddeus offered him a seat. He pauses mid-stride, blinking obviously a few times before letting loose a string of profanities in an odd amalgam of Osiriani and traditional Dwarven. Shaking his head with a sigh, he places boot to the ground to take the offered chair.
"I had that room very tidy..."
With yet another forced smile, several nods to those gathered, and an opened-palm wave (the apparent limits of his social skills), Grunyn greets those at table.
"Good evening. I am Grunyn, of the Pahmet."
He allows for any reciprocal introductions before turning to Mutt to address him directly, and provide answer to his long-ago asked question.
"You. I am sorry, I am certain I was obvious. There was great reaction to your entrance, and I was puzzled." He gestures at the tattoo on Mutt's face. "In Janderhoff, I came to know many with similar markings. You are of the Show-an-tea? I did not believe your kin were welcome in most places; the fact was impressed upon me greatly. I had believed this was the reason for the quiet when you came, though the whispers of the bar seemed to note otherwise."
Grunyn holds his arms outstretched; were it not for the distance, and the awkwardness that inevitably would ensue, it looks like he's trying to give Mutt a hug.
"You are angry. This much is obvious to all who can see. I understand anger. It can be a powerful tool. Yet I sense you are but the tool, and have let anger be the hand that guides. It is my honor to help you to change that."
He retracts the curious gesture to fold his hands, bowing his head over them for a pause, before resuming a more natural position. He looks around the table as he speaks, particularly at those who had been discussing the Blot.
"Word of this...phe-nom-enon...has spread even to Janderhoff. It is what drew me to the city. I was very near to the Runelord Incident of last year, and what has already become legend caused me great fear. I worry, we are not far from where they once ruled."
Mutt nods as Cabri introduces himself. His brow then raises. "Bird-man? Why did he call you that?"
"U-Uh well. there was this thing where a bird attacked me, but it got hurt and I felt bad about it, so I tried to get help and well....there was a door frame, also a floor, I hurt my nose, sorry I'm rambling."
Cabri took a drink of a nearby glass to clear his throat and then immediately spits out whatever was inside. He runs to the bar to grab his apple juice and returns to the table of Mutt and Zoso.
"Anyway, the bird's not really important."
If it was still alive, that would have made three animals in the bar. He glanced at the odd man yelling at his goat in a weird accent.
Can he actually understand it? I wonder if I can learn that magic.
A slim, blonde dwarven lady, dressed mostly in leather, comes bounding down the stairs and looks around, a big grin on her face and a shine in her eyes to match the developing red spot on her forehead. "That was a krad oxovd*, yes? Yes! I figured that was why the plate cracked my skull." She bounces on her toes, then slides down the balustrade by mainly force of will than any type of grace, landing close to the bar. "Irphsil i ri** what happened, please!"
"My name is Zoso..."
Heavy metal balloons come to mind. Thaddeus has no idea why.
"... and I've just returned to Riddleport a few days ago from an extended absence, would you mind filling me in on what a 'Blot Event' is? I mean, I noticed the looming presence outside, but is there anything we really know about it?"
"'Dat's th'big question. Nobody knows what 'dat thing is. But lately, 'dere's been a buncha weird things goin' on. Last big event was a buncha seagulls flyin' out in formation 'n crashin' into th'gate, killin' 'demselves. Ah've heard metal objects have been shiftin' 'round at times, but never anythin' this big. So weird events happenin' fer no known reason are called Blot Events."
Zoso notices the goat under the table eyeing a turkey leg that had lost it's plate during the event. While he crosses his legs he nudges the drumstick towards the creature.
Old Horn moves towards the offered drumstick, sniffing it. He gives it an experimental lick, then starts bleating in obvious disgust, turning away from the meat.
Thaddeus either doesn't see the event, or takes no notice of it.
"You are angry. This much is obvious to all who can see. I understand anger. It can be a powerful tool. Yet I sense you are but the tool, and have let anger be the hand that guides. It is my honor to help you to change that."
Thaddeus raises an eyebrow, looking askew at the verbose dwarf and his sudden declaration of helping Mutt control his anger. Or whatever he said. He considers warning the dwarf, but decides that some lessons are better learned in practice. Besides, he said Mutt won't start anything, not that Mutt won't get angry.
Thaddeus wonders if different people might have different criteria for what 'starting something' entails.
A slim, blonde dwarven lady, dressed mostly in leather, comes bounding down the stairs and looks around, a big grin on her face and a shine in her eyes to match the developing red spot on her forehead. "That was a krad oxovd, yes? Yes! I figured that was why the plate cracked my skull." She bounces on her toes, then slides down the balustrade by mainly force of will than any type of grace, landing close to the bar. "Irphsil i ri what happened, please!"
"Why'dya switch 'tween three languages, 'dere? People often have a hard 'nuff time unnerstandin' jus' one."
"As t'yer question, everythin' metal rose upward, an' den came crashin' back down. Ah've heard dat some people are reportin' metal actin' all funny o'er th'last few months, but don't think it's ever been anythin' a'this size 'fore."
"A mystery!"
The young man stood up, a tattered book under his arm
It is an old first edition publishing of "Adventurer: Life of a Hero" a critical How-to book to inspire younglings. You can also see it has been signed by the author on the cover.
Number 13 way to start a new adventure in Gabriel the Great's List of starting your adventuring career, solve a mystery!
Cabri quickly left the building. It would be a few minutes before he realized he had left both his handy haversack on the table, and his drinks unpaid.
Fortunately, Cabri returned not long later, his head and clothing covered in what appeared to be bird s!$#. He approached the bar once more.
"Um...Sorry for forgetting to pay. I'd be happy to, now that I've remembered, but would you have some somewhere I could wash off. A bucket and spicket maybe?"
Vicious creatures. he thought to himself as he gave the trash can a small kick which sent it tumbling over. Cabri, beat red at this point, hurriedly started to grab the bits of trash (and dead seagull) and hastily stuff it back into the container.
|
|
"You've been working too hard! Rest your legs and have a seat. I noticed how delighted you were to witness the event, what do you have to say about it all?"
Zoso asks Cherry in a smooth tone while he tries to lure her from her serving. After cleaning the debris off he was easily able to resume his relaxed lounging and now he didn't even try to hide his enjoyment of watching Cherry's tail swish. Typical musicians, his eyes were calm but still much too sharp for the alcohol to have made him sloppy...
Take 10 on Diplomacy, with Versatile Performance, for a 20