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Re: Dark's Age of Worms IC
Dismas sat up and coughed blood. His wounds were knit tight enough he didnt think he'd bleed to death, but it wasn't pretty. "I'm just thankful my new found altruism didn't end me." He stood up and the flames dissipated. "It's a shame about the cubs, but these things are generally a nuisance. Might be a mercy to send this one to its mother. Otherwise... what we sell it to some ass that puts it in a fighting pit soon as it can stand?" He looked at the bumbling cub, "Damned if that ain't adorable right now though..."
As Dismas watches the creature from across the room he notices the arm, or more specifically the tattoo, amd makes his way closer. "Bah, it's one of Vesst's. Or I guess I should say Smenk's. The bastard used to brand his miners, basically slaves, up until Smenk bought him out. Smenk is marginally better but still a right ****."
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Re: Dark's Age of Worms IC
Corinne
"I'm for selling it," Corinne said simply. "I want to get out of this town, and money's the best way to do that." The bard glanced around and avoided eye contact with the admittedly adorable creature. "We should search the place top to bottom though."
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Re: Dark's Age of Worms IC
Louise
At Corinne's suggestion to sell the owlbear, Corrine could not help but shake her head.
"No... I'm sorry, I know it would help, but no. I've lived in this town for fifteen years. All my life, if you count the time I spent at the Cairn of the Green Lady. I've seen what it does to people, what it does to animals. I'm loathe to kill a mere babe, but anything would be a kindness compared to what those ruffians would do to the poor creature."
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Re: Dark's Age of Worms IC
Simone
"I'm getting Reynauld to bed. I think we all need a few days to recover. We'll need to decide what to do with it before we head back out. I hope Alastor isn't too distressed by the delay." She frowned as she realized that was a stupid thing to worry about.
"Any more than being dead distresses him, I suppose."
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Re: Dark's Age of Worms IC
"Don't listen to them Grogon. I'll take care of you." Cordellia said sweetly to the adorable little monster. She was familiar with adorable expensive monsters being one herself. "I will pour over texts, conduct rigorous testing, and together we'll make many strides you and I." She scooped the back of the creatures head in her hand and ruffled its feathers before glancing at Corinne "If escape is all you wish, dear Vaillancourt, I will assist you in such free of charge. I can already bear a heavy burden a great distance your flights of fancy escapism are a trifle load to me. Though, if I may be so bold (Oh who am I kidding I am always so bold) you may find some glint of interest in your home. I may not have been born in Diamond Lake as some of you have but I have spent the better part of three to four decades cruising through its finer elements and you would be surprised by the cracks of hope you can discover. Perhaps just like little Grogon here, given time, polish, skill, and pressure you can turn the reality you know into the one you crave and like a diamond in the rough give back this town its ironically forsaken name."
She shrugged and stood up, finished wrapping her face once more, and donning her pointed black fashionably simple hat.
"But that's just my opinion as the kind of wizard who habitually deals with volatile and dangerous elements and commands them to do her bidding."
Moving her way to the door, Cordellia did a quick head swivel (And giggled as she watched the Owlbear cub swivel its head aswell) to check the outside door, and nodded to Simone whilst drawing her rapier.
"The boy died with his neck snapped in twain. He seemed a good enough sort about macabre situations I'm sure he'd understand our plight and even wish us to restore his family to its whole status instead of burying him by his lonesome. Regardless I'm not even sure ghosts can feel much emotion at all besides those they associated with at death, so, take that as you will. Shall we get a move on?"
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Re: Dark's Age of Worms IC
Simone
Simone paused to look back at the flamboyant elf and her new charge dubiously.
"You know, that creature could easily fetch fifteen hundred gold pieces from the right buyer, which would go a long way towards founding our temple so I do hope you plan to make a donation to our cause once all is said and done." The cleric flashed the blonde a cheeky (for her) grin and continued her task of seeing Reynauld in bed to recuperate.
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Re: Dark's Age of Worms IC
"Why if you give the sermon I'll come every week. In various states of sobriety." She quickly tacked on in the end under her breathe as she reciprocated the smile.
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Re: Dark's Age of Worms IC
Louise
At Cordellia's declaration of intent to keep the owlbear cub for her own, Louise opened her mouth, stopped, then rubbed her chin thoughtfully.
"If you are truly serious about this, and are willing to take the cub on... far better that it live with someone actually invested in its well-being."
She then nodded at the wizard's invitation to move on.
"Let us follow the wagon tracks for as long as we can. If those peter out, we can always investigate the mine boss corresponding to the... well, arm."
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Re: Dark's Age of Worms IC
With a grunt of pain, Reynauld got to his feet.
"If we are out of magical healing this day... I fear I am in no fit shape to continue our adventures. Good Dismas seems likewise quite in need of recuperation, and Miss Cordellia was adversely affected by the ghost of young Land. Miss Louise, if you think you can follow those wagon tracks safely on your own, or at least without the support of those of us so injured, be my guest, but a warrior must know when to retreat, recover, and live to fight another day."
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Re: Dark's Age of Worms IC
Louise
Louise slapped herself in the head for her carelessness.
"Right, right... Well, at the very least the wagon wheels do appear to be headed back in the direction of town. We could follow them for as long as they do not diverge and then hurry back so that we may deal with everyone's wounds in a proper capacity. Would that be acceptable?"
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Re: Dark's Age of Worms IC
Falling into a tight marching order, the party begins to follow the tracks of the mysterious grave robbers. The stains of mud and muck soon join those of blood and sweat, as the furrows of the offending wheelbarrow disappear into the chaotic pattern of coming and goings leading into Diamond Lake. Before long, the first buildings at the edge of town come into view, soon followed by the heavy smell of the mines. A woman steps from her cabin and unleashes a chamber pot into the street, heedless of your path through the filth. The cacophony of the Vein's central square fills your ears with voices bawdy and profane as it looms ahead, and for all your trials you seem of little interest to your neighbors.
Welcome home.
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Re: Dark's Age of Worms IC
Wrapping Grogon up in her backpack, Cordellia hefted the baby owlbear all the way back to town, and awkwardly stumbled about whilst trying to appease the cub in her debilitated state. Closing her sack she waved her hand playfully to the others before turning about histrionically "I'll see you all in the morrow. For now I've much to speak with my master about. You're more than welcome to accompany me of course but if not you know how to retrieve me."
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Re: Dark's Age of Worms IC
Louise
Louise nodded.
"For tonight, I think we should all get some rest, then reunite tomorrow to get those who need it patched up and try and do some investigative legwork."
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Re: Dark's Age of Worms IC
Days of quiet rest pass, as wounds close and spirits are revitalized even in the noisome cradle of Diamond Lake. With the added blessing of Pelor's touch, the ravages of owlbear's claw fade quickly into scars, and the party reunites none the worse for wear at Allustan's cottage. The mysteries of the Whispering Cairn have grown beyond the limits of that deadly ruin, and many questions remain unanswered. Armed with a clue connecting the recent grave robberies to a gang loyal to Balabar Smenk, the party disperses in search of further leads, returning to Allustan's cottage when the sun begins to set.
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Re: Dark's Age of Worms IC
Louise
Reuiniting with the others, Louise eased herself into a chair and began to speak.
"So, it took a several hours, buuut I did manage to track down some information. I shared a rough sketch of the incriminating tattoo around town, and several of the local drunks identified it as the mark of Kullen's Gang. Kullen is an enormous albino half-orc, but more importantly, he's one of Balabar Smenk's enforcers and a regular at the Feral Dog tavern. He and his crew typically arrive around eight in the evening to get plastered and engage in gods-know-what other forms of impropriety."
"So, who's up for a little trip over to the bar to do some strategic eavesdropping and/or possibly some interviewing?"
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Re: Dark's Age of Worms IC
"Again with these mine managers... what the devil would Smenk need with exhumed corpses? Replacing workers with zombies? Pelor frowns upon such vile necromancy regardless; I'd be inclined to show these grave robbers what-for even absent Land's request.
I'm ready as always. Ever stalwart!"
Reynauld donned his helm and gave it a reaffirming tap with gauntleted knuckles.
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Re: Dark's Age of Worms IC
Simone
The Cleric regarded her bodyguard with unmasked admiration and no little surprise.
"That's a brilliant motive, actually Reynauld. Let's get in and settled before their group arrives. The first round's on me."
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Re: Dark's Age of Worms IC
Corinne
"I'm in, but if Cordellia gets drunk and starts singing again, someone else can babysit her!"
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Re: Dark's Age of Worms IC
”You speak so impetuously for someone so recently indebted. I don’t recall much of what you speak of but Louise has always been a truer caretaker. Wherefore art thou so inclined to view the world through such dreary spectacles hmm?” She folded her leg one over the other, gingerly sipping on her flask “An undead task force would prove easy enough to cover in a town like this I suppose. The smells the sights and the sounds of the shuffling dead are little different than his current peons especially so deep underground. Poor souls. What bothers me is who he could have possibly recruited to animate the bodies. That kind of magic is no small feat. Perhaps one of us should stay outside in case of the most dire of circumstances?”
She leveled her catty gaze at the simpleton Dwarf.
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Re: Dark's Age of Worms IC
Intent on taking the lay of the land at the Feral Dog, the party makes its way down to the Vein's central square in the early afternoon. With many of the town's inhabitants toiling underground until sundown, the din of the square has quieted to a low murmur, punctuated now and again when an open door into the church of Saint Cuthbert unleashes enthusiastic hymns. Situated between the church and Lazare's House, the Feral Dog is a squat and ramshackle hall, its wooden exterior stained by generations of blood, ale, and less savory things. A weathered sign depicting two starving mongrels locked in struggle hangs on rusty chains over the door, which squeals open to reveal the most preeminent of Diamond Lake's squalid taprooms. Stretching in a broad rectangle eighty feet wide and forty deep, the room is a tangle of battered wooden tables and chairs, bordered by the entertainments of the house. The bar sits in the north, overseen by a grim-looking man who shoots a distrustful glare at anyone arriving so early in the day. A ten foot diameter pit surrounded by low benches dominates the southwest corner, the site of the tavern's infamous dog fights. On the east wall hangs a thick slab of oak carved with a bullseye, a well-worn dagger stuck dramatically at its center. Only a few insensate drunks and old men clutter the room, leaving you the choice of perch with which to observe the business of the day.
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Re: Dark's Age of Worms IC
Reynauld entered the tavern, ahead of Simone if not everyone else, and gazed with distaste around the establishment. Clad in his shining chainmail, his armaments clearly visible strapped to his barrel-chested frame, he returned the barkeep's hostile stare as if to dare him to try and tell them off.
"I suppose we find a table and wait for Kullen and his gang to show up? I've little interest in a place such as this. Hardly a place for a crusader of Pelor to spend his coin."
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Re: Dark's Age of Worms IC
Walking over to the dagger, Cordellia slowly pried it free, took several steps back, and began to practice her dart skills whilst dramatically waving to the bartender with her free hand.
”I’ve a thirst to quench. Drinks for me and these fine folks here.”
She gave Reynauld a glouring pout and batted her long golden eyelashes as if to plead he play nice.
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Re: Dark's Age of Worms IC
Simone
Simone's wrinkled nose echoed Reynauld distaste for the establishment they found themselves in but she was determined to do the job set before her.
"Please, we need to stay alert which means remaining conscious. Just keep that in mind, ok Cordellia?" She raised an eyebrow at the elf before leading the others over to a table that afforded a good view of the rest of the room in anticipation of their quarry's arrival.
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Re: Dark's Age of Worms IC
Corinne
"You can sit next to me, Dismas," Corinne told the dwarf quietly. She was hardly in the mood for alcohol, but her stomach was complaining. "Maybe we shouldn't all sit together?"
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Re: Dark's Age of Worms IC
Louise
"One group might look suspicious, but we should still be somewhat close to each other. Two groups might work." She looked back at Cordellia. "I'll go sit with her. Make sure she has backup if, well..."
Louise left the rest unspoken, going and standing next to where Cordellia was tossing darts and trying to remain mostly in the elf-woman's shadow. It might be necessary to their mission, but she did not like being in here at all. Hopefully their quarry would come soon and they could get the info they needed before skedaddling.
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Re: Dark's Age of Worms IC
The only reply to Cordellia's order is a slurred grumble as the bartender fills six earthenware mugs from the spigot of an unseen barrel. Stacked upon a splintery tray, the ale is weak and lukewarm, but the images of better drinks it conjures is enough to pass the time. Surprising all with her restraint, Cordellia restrains herself to a light buzz as she tries (and fails) for a bullseye at the dagger range. Hours pass without incident, but eventually the light through the grimy windows begins to dim and the usual assortments of drunkards, layabouts, and thrillseekers stumbles in. And while none bear the mark from the owlbear's victim, one catches the eye.
Standing out from the sordid crowd of regulars is an elven woman with a wicked smile. Clad in leather armor and a blue cloak, she is immediately recognizable as one of the adventurers in town to explore the Stirgenest Cairn. Thick auburn hair falling down her back in a loose braid, she saunters up to the dagger range with a confidence borne of victory. Watching Cordellia make another ill-judged toss, she places a hand on her shoulder with a smile.
"Would you like some pointers, dear? You're going to run out of wall at this point."
Though her tone is clear of malice, there are chuckles from the surrounding throng at the perceived difference in skill between the two women. It ripples through the bar, only to die at the open door. Standing in the burning sunset is an albino half-orc, his head nearly brushing the doorframe. Behind him lurks an assortment of smug toughs, each dripping with a bully's confidence. As Kullen steps inside, the crowd opens a path for him towards the bar, and soon he and his gang are holding court at the edge of the dog fighting pit.
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Re: Dark's Age of Worms IC
<"Peasents,"> She huffed scornfully in Elven to the peanut gallery of jokers and second rate criminals before focusing her attention on the lovely elf <"Nothing would bring me greater pleasure, my Moon and Stars. Do you want to give a demonstration or, perhaps, a more hands on approach?"> She rotated her body just so, bounced her hair semi-evocatively enough to reveal the scar on her neck, and unfastened a single button on her long coat. She sauntered over to the dagger and pulled it free, holding the handle playfully out to the elf, and almost teasing her to take it from her hand.
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Re: Dark's Age of Worms IC
The mysterious elf's eyebrows **** at Cordellia's display, while the surrounding patrons hoot in expectation. Hips swaying, she approached the outstretched dagger, and suddenly it was in her hand before the wizard could pull away.
"Save the foreplay for the bedroom, love. The Dog's only fit for a different kind of tussle."
She returns to the rough carving of a guide line on the floor and dances the dagger across her knuckles. As it comes to a stop between thumb and forefinger her arm whips towards the target, and with a flash of dull metal the dagger embeds itself in the target's inner ring.
"What do you say, care for a game?"
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Re: Dark's Age of Worms IC
Louise
Louise surreptitiously inched backwards from where the elf was challenging Cordellia (although not completely out of the vicinity entirely), not wanting to get caught up in melee range if something ridiculous happened.
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Re: Dark's Age of Worms IC
Surrounded by the enthusiastic patrons, Cordellia begins her contest with the elven stranger. The wizard's first throw barely manages to land inside the target, only for the strangers to effortlessly strike the bullseye. A wave of drunken derision washes over Cordellia, only slightly offset by her competition's encouraging smile, and almost in defiance of their jeers her dagger finds its mark at the center of the target. The jeers quiet as the competing throw strikes home as well, expectations suddenly rising as the contestants begin the third round. Cordellia's dagger strikes home a second time, and just as luck favors her it abandons the stranger, her dagger narrowly missing the bullseye.
The crowd around the dagger range is caught in a breathless silence for a long heartbeat, before bursting into raucous applause. Cordellia is subject to a barrage of slaps and friendly punches, ale-soaked breathe assaulting her nostrils as she is congratulated for conquering the unconquerable. Every man in their audience, it seems, has lost money to the elf woman from Greyhawk. For her part, the stranger seems more bemused than broken by the loss, producing a golden orb from her purse with a practiced motion.
"That was a fine game, friend. You really found yourself at the end there."
She dances the coin between her fingers.
"I've not seen you around before - the name's Tirra. Care to go double or nothing?"