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The World of Athema (IC)
CHAPTER 1:
No Good Deed
The community of Threshold is welcoming you. The quiet town, nestled on the shores of Lake Windrush, seems quite inviting. The people you’ve met as you’ve made your way through town have greeted you with either a smile or a nod of the head, acknowledging your presence in their town.
It would seem that these simple folk take a great measure of pride in their town. You’ve noticed it to be neat, free of ‘trash’ and the cobblestone streets are quite smooth and even, unlike some places you have been.
When you entered the town, two guardsmen dressed in leather jackets met you. Your keen eyes noticed silvery rings sewn onto the leather for added protection. They each wore wide-brimmed steel helmets that block the setting sun from their eyes.
They didn’t challenge anyone entering the town, but they did keep a watchful eye upon those who were openly wearing weapons.
“Welcome to Threshold. If you’re staying, then the Old Boot is the place for you. A fine performer we have tonight. Biggest building on main street, can’t miss it!” One or the other guardsmen would say occasionally as the travelers passed by.
It is near the end of the day when you entered town. Your keen ears pick out the sound of mothers calling out the names of their children, announcing that it was time for their young ones to wash for supper.
The guards were most certainly right. The Old Boot was by far the largest building on the main road through town. It was a large, three-story behemoth of a building. It almost seemed out of place for such a town…almost.
A large wooden door provides your entrance. Flanking the door are two large, sectioned windows made from glass. The owner must be doing well, if he can afford such a luxury as glass windows.
As large as The Old Boot appeares on the outside, it was that and perhaps more on the inside. Numerous wooden tables and matching chairs fill the inside of the common room. A small performing stage takes up part of the northern wall. There is a large table with several chairs in front of the northeastern window. A matching table and chairs occupies the southeastern corner. A five-foot high wall provides a measure of privacy for anyone who sits in this area.
Directly across from the entrance is one of the largest, most beautifully crafted bars you’ve ever seen. The wood is a deep red in color, and polished to a bright sheen. Engraved upon the front of the bar are scenes of hunters chasing various animals through the woods. The detail put into the engraving is amazing. The top of the bar is not wood, but a sheet of black stone with flecks of white and grey inhabiting the stone. It is very smooth and very polished.
Upon the wall behind the bar is a large set of shelves, crafted from the same deep red wood of the bar. Upon it are numerous bottles of what you could only guess to be alcohol. The liquids within them seem to span the spectrum of the rainbow.
A young man stands behind the bar, casually drying a copper mug. He has short black hair. An equally dark goatee frames his mouth. He catches your eye as you enter, and welcomes you with a warm smile.
The common room is well lit. Globes of softly glowing magical light occupy brass sconces at regular intervals along the four walls.
There are a number of patrons occupying the tables. Most look like simple folk: farmers enjoying a drink after a hard day of work, a merchant or two partaking of a dinner after closing shop. Three young women--a blonde, a red head, and a girl with raven hair-- flit around the common room, taking drink orders and delivering food. They get along quite well with the patrons, it would seem, laughing and joking with them as they carry out their serving duties.
But there is someone else, you notice, noticing you. In the far back corner is a small table, and upon it is what looks to be a chess board laid out and ready to play.
No, you look again.
It’s a regular sized table, but the man seated at it is enormously large. A mop of dark brown hair crowns his massive head. Broad, swooping shoulders end in massive arms as thick as a tree trunk. The man’s hands are just as enormous as the rest of him. From the looks of it, each hand could encompass a man’s head, and with the strength of his arms—well, it wasn’t a pleasant thought.
He smiles at you, though—a warm, welcoming smile.
“Have a seat, anywhere you please, dear.” Says the red headed waitress as she passes by. “We’ll be with you in just a few.”
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Re: The World of Athema (IC)
Trillick "Sage" Jurel
Sage enters the doors and gives a pleasant smile as the waitress passes by. He stands before the door for a few moments, taking in the beautiful building with an obviously impressed expression. He thinks to himself, "Shame a spark in the wrong spot would probably blow the whole place up... This place needs a gnome's touch!"
After taking a moment to take in the scenery, Sage begins looking for a table, preferably a gnome-sized one, near the stage and the bar. Failing that, he'll simply climb into a chair in the same area and wait for a waitress to take his order.
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Re: The World of Athema (IC)
It is just a matter of moments before the young blonde woman scoots over to your table.
"Good eve to you, sir! What a fine night for a bite!" she says, with genuine...joy...in her tone. She is of average height for a human female. Her blond hair is curled slightly, and hangs down to her shoulders. She has pretty blue eyes, that sparkle like sapphires. She wears a pleated dark-grey skirt, which descends slightly past her knees. Her blouse is a simple white, and tied over top is a dark brown apron.
"We've two specials for dinner, if you are interested. A venison steak paired with potatos and fresh tomatoes. Or, you can have some fresh caught fish from the lake. The misses makes it with a wonderful crust, and the vegetables she serves it with...!" she makes an "mmm ummmm" sound, smacking her lips together.
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Re: The World of Athema (IC)
His feet hurt from the long walk and his head felt odd due to the unnatural amount of sunshine it had gotten. Bresk wasn't exactly used to the open road, since he had lived his entire life in the densely packed swamps just West of these "human" lands. Half way he had to start walking beside the road rather then on it since the hard stones had simply became to painful for his bare feet. But now that he was in town, he would have little choice in that matter. Also his shoulder had become a bit sore by the rubbing of the leather armor pressed by the weight of his knapsack. It wasn't like he was weak, no, far from it. But he simply wasn't used to travel far or to wear anything other then his loincloth.
Which was another weird thing. Many of the humans he had passed along the road seemed to be thinking it was inappropriate or something. Hell, it wasn't like he was showing it wide open now was he? But although none had dared to mention anything about it to him, he kept seeing those gazes going down at the hump. Some in a slight snicker, others in disaproval and there had even been a few ladies that actually seemed attracted by it. Not that amongst his own people size was meaningless, but what was a human woman hoping to achieve with it? These human-things were just weird... And what was it with the small ones he saw ever so now and then? He understood that beards were a sign of manliness and adultness amongst them, but it sometimes seemed as if their children were just as hairy. When he once asked one about it, he was all offended and begun claiming he was a "halfling". Was that some kind of inferior sub-breed?
Bresk had just made his way to the bar and had almost shaken off his thoughts about how odd these creatures were when his eye noticed another sub-species he had never seen before. Or at least so he thought, for the man was way bigger then any other human he had thus far encountered. And why was he staring at him like that? Did he just show his teeth? Bresk looked around to see if the man was actually non-verbally communicating with somebody else, but couldn't see anyone else that seemed to look back at the man. Again he turned his head towards the big lad in the corner and concluded that it really was looking at him. With suspicion and half squeezed eyes the large lizardman stood back up from his barseat and walked over to the man at his table.
"Exssscuzzze me. You be ssstaring at me?"
The tongue of these human-kin was still hard to control and although the shaman thought him many words already, forming sentences was still hard in this odd tongue. He had done his best to not make it sound accusing but rather questioning in an uncertain matter. Never the less, he good only guess at how it would be perceived.
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Re: The World of Athema (IC)
Edgar
Edgar studies the layout of the inn for a moment before deciding on a table near the giant's, hidden from view of the front doors and windows and conveniently near the kitchen (a handy escape route). He sits with his back to the wall and nods politely to the enormous man sitting a few seats away from him.
He checks the state of his finances, and frowns doubtfully. He has not found a well-paying job in some time, and his wallet is very thin. He doubts he can afford even the price of a meal.
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Re: The World of Athema (IC)
The red-maned dwarf with the horned helmet walks right to the bar without seeming to even notice anyone of the waitresses or the unusually large man in the corner. He climbs up a chair at the bar and slams his flat hand onto it pulling out his drinking-horn. "Gimme yer finest ale, barkeep!" Kilbain shouts to the man behind the bar in a festive tone, presenting the horn to him in anticipation to get it filled. "I really be feelin' like a good drink after that walk."
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Re: The World of Athema (IC)
Paggan
The ride for the last several days has been beautiful. As they closed in on Lake Windrush a calm seemed to come over the both of them. They passed through the gates with a friendly smile to the guard at the gate and on into the town proper. In its neat-ness and proper-ness it reminded of her home, which brought a happy smile to her face.
Paggan dismounted outside the blacksmith and asked direction to a stable of quality. She acquired stabling for Alphie for the night and brushed him thoroughly once his tack was removed, humming gently to herself. After he had been fed and watered she bid him goodnight and followed the stable keepers directions to the Old Boot. Now that she was carrying all her things, she had a much more war-like appearance.
She entered the Old Boot and removed her helmet, shaking out her bangs and loose whisps of hair like spun silver. She looked around the comfortable inn and then crossed to the bar to ask about lodging for the night, then ordering a bottle of wine which she takes to a table near the door where she can put down her things and do a bit of people-watching at the same time.
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Re: The World of Athema (IC)
Miyuki first found lodging for Rakuda, making sure to tip the stable boy for extra good care. There's more where that came from if Rakuda likes you when I come back for him.. Upon entering the common room of the inn she scans the patrons, looking to see if anyone is armed or would be a worthy test of her skills.
She goes and makes arrangements at the bar for staying the night, paying in advance and inquiring as to the whereabouts of one Dromar Forgemaster. After hearing the menu for the evening she asks for the fish and boiling water to be delivered to her table. Her business taken care of she looks for a free chair. Seeing the giant of a man staring Miyuki makes her way over, Is the game reserved for someone else or free to all who wish to play? Do you mind if I share your table for my evening meal?
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Re: The World of Athema (IC)
Bresk:
The large man opens his mouth wider, his teeth showing further.
"My my! I can't recall the last time I drew such a crowd!" the huge man chuckles, his voice and laughter deep, like rolling thunder.
"No, good sir. I am not staring. It is rude to stare. I am greeting you with a smile." he says to the lizardman.
He extends his hand to the chair next to his, inviting the lizardman to sit.
"Please, sit if you like, we can talk more about...smiling....and other things., as I engage in a battle of wits with my other new friend." he chuckles deeply. He pushes his chair backward and stands.
He is truly a mountain of a man. He is well over eight feet in height, towering over both the lizardman and the foreign woman. He is a mass of muscle, his torso thick and broad.
"I am called Kreg, and it would be an honor to play you."
****
Kilbain:
"Absolutely, master dwarf!" the young man behind the bar says with enthusiasm. He grins at Kilbain "Do you want the finest human ale? Gnome ale? Dwarven ale? I won't even mention the elven ale." he says, his grin widening as he drops a wink at Kilbain. "Stupid question, I know. Dwarven ale..any dwarven ale, is the best ale." he bends over, his head going level with the bartop. In a moment he rises up with a copper mug topped with strong-smelling foam.
"Do you want that cold?" he asks, with a hint of....hope...in his voice.
"Ah, and wine for the lady. If I may recommend something, I would say that you can't go wrong with the Optio Red. Most haven't heard of it, being a small town in Allitur. Excellent grapes they grow in that area...excellent!" he says as he turns his back and grabs a dark red bottle from off the shelf. He reaches beneath the bar and produces a fine crystal goblet.
"So where do you two hail from?" he asks, uncorking the wine bottle and pouring the deep red wine into the goblet.
*****
Edgar:
The young red-headed waitress comes over to your table. She has a lovely, face and curley red hair cut short, just above her jawline. She is dressed like the other two waitresses: plain dark-grey pleated skirt, white blouse, and brown apron.
"Hello, good sir. Welcome to the Old Boot. Are you interested in food, drink, or perhaps both?" she asks in a pleasant voice.
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Re: The World of Athema (IC)
Paggan
"Well I have been traveling for quite some time now, my home is away to the east in Trillian," Paggan says as she takes the glass of wine and holds it up to the light. "Although I must say that the countryside around here certainly is out of the ordinary." She breaths in the flavor of the wine a moment and then takes a sip and is pleasantly suprised. "And I could say the same for this wine as well." She looks to the Dwarf near her and gives a half-smile.
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Re: The World of Athema (IC)
Sage
Sage grins and tips his blue, feathered hat to the waitress as she approaches. He places the small headgear on the table and runs a hand through his gray hair for a moment in thought. "I can get a steak just about anywhere... I think I'll have the fish, along with whatever ale or wine the house recommends. If you've some around, I'd like a wedge of ceddar as well, the sharper the better."
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Re: The World of Athema (IC)
Hekesh
The door to the inn opens and a billowing wind carries in an ever-so-subtle hint of a scent, of salt, cinnamon, and dryness. Through the doorway walks a dusky skinned man with loose flowing clothes in sandy colors. He carries a guisarme over his shoulder.
He walks to seat near the fireplace and rests his guisarme against the wall. He slides his pack from his back and sets it on the floor next to the guisarme.
Pulling the chair out from the table he sits.
The fire is nice. These northern lands are so cold.
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Re: The World of Athema (IC)
Miyuki bows formally before taking a seat. She glances at the lizardman next to her before beginning the game. "Thank you Kreg, I am Bayushi Miyuki."
Spoiler
Show
In case it's relevant who wins...uh intelligence check? [roll0]
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Re: The World of Athema (IC)
"Bayushi" Kreg says, with a bit of difficulty. "That is a name that I won't forget any time soon. It has a ring of being quite far from here."
He moves the pieces on the board, in counter to yours.
[roll0]
In just a few moves, you have captured his king without losing a single piece to his meager offensive.
"Well, that was certainly unexpected." he chuckles good naturedly. "A move that I have not seen before." he grins wide. "Not only does fair Bayushi have a name I won't forget, she has a chess move that will be very memorable as well." he smiles warmly. "I must ask for a rematch, or I won't be able to show my face around town once word spreads of my quick demise." He leans in closer to the chessboard. "I have a reputation to maintain, you see." he says with mock innocence.
"What brings you to our fair town of Threshold, Bayushi?" he asks, as he makes his opening move.
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Re: The World of Athema (IC)
Hekesh:
A young woman with hair the color of obsidian glides up to your table. She wears her hair in a tail, which hangs to the middle of her back. Her skin is not as dark as yours, but it appears darker than most other people you have encountered this far north. Her eyes are a sparkling green.
"What be your pleasure this evening, good sir" she says in common "We've two specials tonight: venison steak with vegetables or fresh fish from the lake with vegetables." She is dressed in a simple dark-grey pleated skirt, a white blouse, and a dark brown apron.
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Re: The World of Athema (IC)
Edgar
The monk smiled politely at the lovely young waitress. "Water, perhaps?" he suggested. "Something to wash the dust of the road from my throat."
He relaxed into his seat and watched the small gathering a few tables over, but kept to himself.
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Re: The World of Athema (IC)
Gladly sir. Tragically I am here to deliver ill tidings of a death in the family to the local smith, a Mr. Dromar Forgemaster. His distant cousin Valsun Stormforge was murdered. Valsun's brother, Heldin and I were able to avenge his death, but that alas does not bring back the dead. Let us not dwell on tragic things though. You say you have a reputation for chess? What else do you have a reputation for around these parts? I would think a man of your stature would collect tales faster than most.
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Re: The World of Athema (IC)
Edgar:
The young woman nods. "Alright. Water it is. Maybe you'll have an appetite for something stronger during the show." she smiles and winks at Edgar in a playful way.
***
Bayushi:
Kreg chuckles softly. "Tis true, a man of my stature does collect certain...tales. Why, did you know that just last year I strangled a dragon to death?" he smiles. "I didn't even know that I had done that. Must have been in my sleep." he grins.
[roll0]
He moves a piece on the board, countering yours.
"Well, Master Dromar may be here tonight, depending on how much work he has. I would suggest waiting until tomorrow to tell him, though.
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Re: The World of Athema (IC)
"As cold as the mountains of the north themselves!", Kilbain says, "That's me home."
He holds up his drinking-horn "Fill it in here, lad"
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Re: The World of Athema (IC)
Kilbain:
"Great!" the young man says, positively beaming.
From somewhere beneath the bar he brings out a slender wooden stick.
He points it at the copper mug, and mutters something. A thin blue ray emanates from the tip of the stick and envelopes the tankard. The blue glow subsides, and there appears to be white frost on the outside of the mug.
"I couldn't wait to try that!" the young man beams. "Dad thought it might be good to have cold drinks for the hot months. Being spring, I wasn't sure anyone would want it, but thanks to you, I could test it!"
He puts the wand down and takes the drinking horn from Kilbain. Tipping the contents of the chilled mug into the horn, he then passes it back to Kilbain.
Paggan:
The young man simles at you. "So our master dwarf is from the northlands, and you're from Trillian. What brings you here to our sleepy little town? Are you fans of Mikel Schlessing? He's performing here tonight, you know."
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Re: The World of Athema (IC)
At first when Bresk tries to sit down, he begins a match of his own. A wrestling match with his tail and the back of his chair. Which he sadly and to his great frustration loses utterly. He looks the chair over for a moment and then decides all the humanoids are just using their chair the wrong way around, so he turns it with the back to the table and finally sits down, legs wide, tail dangling behind and using the back of the chair to lean on.
His eyes follow the movements of the pieces carefully. At first the patterns seem completely random, but then he begins to figure that both players use the same "randomness". The little guys always move straight toward the enemy, but no more then one step at a time, the towers allways move straight but in any direction and distance desired, the tall ones allways move diagonally. But the horse-like pieces still seem to make odd movements and what is this "check mate"? She just called? When the match ends, he still doesn't quiet see why the big guy just lost.
"You ssstill have rocksss left on plate, yessss? Gwhy you just lossst then?"
Bresk asks to the big man in his clumsy common tongue.
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Re: The World of Athema (IC)
Hekesh
Two specials? This place is much finer than most of the places I have stayed on this journey.
"Water first please, to clear my throat. And the fish, please. It is not often that I get to eat fish, where I am from. A glass of wine, with the fish, please. Whatever kind you feel is best with the fish."
...
From across the room, Hekesh hears a familiar name.
He looks around, and sees only one person to whom the name could belong. He is unsure, however, as the person is facing away from him, and it has been a few years. Not to mention that the person's companions are rather distracting. A very large smiling man and a human-sized and roughly human-shaped lizard. Hekesh gets up and walks over to them.
"Miyuki?"
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Re: The World of Athema (IC)
Bresk:
"The big man is my king, my...chief." Kreg explains. "If Bayushi captures my king..." he pauses momentarily as Bayushi announces check mate, again. "...like she just did, then I lose. That is how you lose the game."
He resets his pieces. "You are from the swamps, yes?" he asks the lizardman.
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Re: The World of Athema (IC)
Kilbain looks at the ale inside the horn a bit puzzled. He was never one to trust magic tricks very far.
"Well that be one interesting way ta cool yer drinks."
He glances at the barkeep and then takes a careful sip. Which in dwarven terms means, he gulps down a whole mouth full of the ale.
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Re: The World of Athema (IC)
Yesss, I am. I not have been in human-landzzz long yet. Many thingsssstill be sstrangzzze to me. Forgive me azzzkin but you be a sssubzpeciess of the humanz? You ssseem muchss bigger then mossst I have ssseen.
Bresk glances some more at the chess pieces nodding as he begins to understand the way the game works. Although it does still sem strange to him that the entire tribe falls when the chief gets captured. Normally they would just asign a new chief, wouldn't they? But then again, such things could cost some time indeed, so perhaps there was logics to it after all.
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Re: The World of Athema (IC)
Sage
Out of the corner of his eye, Sage spots a blue beam shot from the bar. Naturally curious about the light, Sage stands in his chair and sweeps his hat off the table, turning to the waitress and saying, "Many apologies, miss, but I think I shall be moving to the bar for a bit... When the food is prepared, just set it wherever I happen to be, if you don't mind." He gives her a pleasant smile before hopping to the floor and quickly walking (almost skipping?) to the bar.
Once there, he takes a moment to climb up on a barstool next to the dwarf, saying "Pardon me, barkeep." His voice strains as he struggles to climb up onto the stool. Once up, he simply stands on the seat and leans against the bar. "Mind if I inquire as to what that light I just saw was? Unless I miss my guess, it was a spell of sorts..."
Rolls:
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Re: The World of Athema (IC)
(sorry, pp)
The girl nods at you, and walks back to a door, which must lead to the kitchen.
The young man behind the bar nods emphatically at you. "Aye, my dad had some gnome wizard frind of his make this for him. All it does is cool stuff down, a bit. Like I was telling these two fine folks, we thought that with the upcoming summer months, it'd be nice to offer cold drinks to folks that come in. Saves money on trying to find ice." he chuckles.
Spoiler
Show
It's a ray with similar properties to the cantrip Ray of Frost, but it really wouldn't have any combat applications, as it doesn't seem to lower the temperature of the target significantly enough to do damage.
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Re: The World of Athema (IC)
Momentarily distracted from the game Miyuki turns back and looks up, switching into Mu, she exclaims "Hekesh! What are you doing this far north? It has been a while since we fought the slavers together, no? I see you are looking well! Come sit with us!." She switches back into common, not knowing the local dialects, "Kreg, this is Hekesh, a more talented spellsword you'd be hard pressed to find." she gestures at the table and says with a wry grin, her eyes lighting up beneath her maskand this fine gentlemen is Kreg, he strangled a dragon with his bear hands you know? gesturing to lizardman, I'm afraid I did not catch your name good sir?
Spoiler
Show
Forgot to roll for the last game, though with Kreg's dismal luck I couldn't have rolled lower than him. In case it's needed, heres another: [roll0]
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Re: The World of Athema (IC)
"My name is Bresk" Well, at least that one came out pretty fluent, he thought to himself. Not that it was pretty surprising since it was the very first sentence his shaman had thought him. "It be pleaszure to meat you"
He extended his hand with the palm facing upward, the standard greeting method among his kin.
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Re: The World of Athema (IC)
Miyuki puts her hands together and gives a small bow, the standard greeting method, among her kin.
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Re: The World of Athema (IC)
Hekesh
Hekesh grasps Bresk's forearm, in such a way that his forearm is also in the lizardman's hand.
Interesting. I did not expect his scales to be so warm.
"Greetings, sirs."
Realeasing his grasp, he turns to his former comrade.
"Miyuki, I'm afraid I have grave news, which is what has brought me this far. Khaldun has been taken. I am trying to find him."
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Re: The World of Athema (IC)
Sage
The gnome's voice rises nearly a full octive as he peers at the wand curiously and says, "Faaascinating..." He pauses for a moment in thought and continues, his words coming so fast that they nearly run together. "I never thought about how the taverns back home chilled their drinks, but now that I do, there are a lot of ways to approach it. Simple ice is the easiest solution, but it only lasts so long and waters down the drink in the process. If a wand like that can be made cheaply, it would provide a much better solution in every way, but most wands run out of charges far to quickly to be used like this. A wand that can use the spell infinitely would probably be quite expensive; even if the power needed to cast the spell is small, the energy has to come from somewhere so it'd have to have some way to recharge, and that would be quite costly in any conceivable method I can think of." At this point, his face is beginning to turn a shade somewhat similar to his blue tunic, and he pauses to take a deep breath. He seems to still be deep in thought as he shrugs off his haversack and sets it on the stool next to him. He opens it up, and immediately on top is a vial of a blue substance that glows gently. "Hrm..." He gazes at the flask contemplatively and puts his index finger against the treated glass.
Spoiler
Show
Naturally, the flask on the top is his single dose of Alchemist's Ice. Questions to answer--
Does any of the ice's coolness come through the glass?
How long will Alchemist's Ice stay cold under standard conditions?
What will happen if it's immersed in a liquid?
It should be painfully obvious what Sage is thinking here. Checks to what he knows follows (I'm assuming a Craft check would be relevant for determining the properties of relivant creations):
Knowledge: Arcana (1d20+11=12) (FSCK!)
Craft (Alchemy): (1d20+11=13)(
FSCK!!)
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Re: The World of Athema (IC)
Sage:
The young barkeep stands, slack jawed, at the rapid-fire logic that Sage puts forth.
"Um...well..." is all he manages. He looks at Kilbain and Paggan, as if confused as to what to say. "I...suppose...." he adds.
The Alchemists' Ice vial does not feel any different than a normal vial. Sage's training in it's construction reminds him that its activation requires two things: violent motion and exposure to air. The icy effects are quite instantaneous, with no lingering side effects that he recalls.
It's unclear to Sage how someone could accomplish such a feat as crafting a wand that didn't do much.
But then it comes to him. Prestidigitation! The lowliest of cantrips. That must be it! Somehow this wand is emulating a prestidigitation effect.
*****
Miyuki, Bresk, Hekesh:
"Well met, Hekesh." Kreg says, welcoming the newcomer with the informal warrior greeting.
The look on Kreg's face is one of surprise, and concern. "Well now, fate must have brought you together for some purpose. I, for one, do not believe in mere chance."
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Re: The World of Athema (IC)
Switching back into Mu, she batters Hekesh with questions, Taken?! When? How? Where?
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Re: The World of Athema (IC)
Sage continues gently tapping the glass of the flask gently, stroking his goatee thoughtfully for a moment. Finally, he grins and says, at a normal speed and as his normal tenor, "There are possibilities here that I might solve with alchemy. Another one for the list!" He grins as he closes the pack, before giving it a short pat and opening it again. This time, on the top is a small, black contraption with a gold clip and open sheet of parchment with the word "Ideas" in a large, hasty scrawl at the top. Immediately under that is "alchemical poison ivy treatment" and a line that has been scratched out--it's difficult to tell, but looking closely, one would be able to make out the words "cheese" and "turnips" in the scratched out message. He presses the black device to the parchment, placing his hand behind the sheet to give it a solid surface to press against. He writes down, "Alchemical self-cooling ale." He closes his pack and mutters, "Just a few weeks and already two good things to investigate! So many good ideas to find about the world..." At last he looks up and sees the confused expression on the barkeep's face. "Oh... is something wrong?"
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Re: The World of Athema (IC)
Edgar
Edgar's ears perked up, as if despite him, at the conversation going on a table away. Ferretting out the secrets of heretics had been his trade (such as it was) for much of his adult life, and it seems some habits are hard to break, even if there was no longer any need or purpose to it.
His mother had always told him that his curiosity would be the end of him one day. Maybe she was on to something. Who can say?
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Re: The World of Athema (IC)
Hekesh
Still speaking in common, Hekesh says "Perhaps we should go to my table to discuss these matters without disturbing these gentlemen."
He gives a slight, polite bow to Kreg and Bresk. "I apologize for disrupting your game. Please excuse us."
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Re: The World of Athema (IC)
Switching back into common, Miyuki stops Hekesh, Perhaps they can help? They might have seen someone like him, or have leads? Kreg here seems like a man with his ear to the ground, despite it being so high the air She flashes the giant man her most winning smile.I have heard tales of the skill the lizardfolk have in tracking, perhaps we could obtain his services?
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Re: The World of Athema (IC)
Miyaki/Bresk/Hekesh
"I am always willing to lend a hand when possible." Kreg says. "When I'm not working, of course."
***
Sage:
"Well, it's just...I don't really know...any thing at all...about magic, and...stuff. Drinks? Well, I doubt there is anyone more in the know than I am. My dad makes sure we get the good stuff whenever possible." the young man says with a shrug.
About that time, the young waitress brings your plate of fish. Upon a white plate rests a large portion of fish fillet. It appears crusted with...something, you aren't sure what. Accompanying it are a few stalks of asparagus. It's a surprising presentation, given the "small" town.
http://www.aboutseafood.com/assets/i...sh_piccata.jpg
The young lady drums her fingers on the top of the bar, and says "Sometimes I swear your brains must drain out of your mouth, Roderick. You forgot this gentleman's wine." she scolds him playfully.
The young man's (Roderick you now know) jaw drops slightly. "Oh hells.." he mutters, and then produces a crystal goblet from beneath the bar. He pours a glass of red wine for Sage. "I'm sure you'll enjoy that, sorry I didn't get it sooner."
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Re: The World of Athema (IC)
Sage's eyes widen a bit as the food is placed before him. "My, but that looks good..." As Roderick fills his wine glass he shrugs and chuckles a bit. "Think nothing of it, friend; I doubt I would have noticed it either way. I tend to get caught up in a new idea and I tend to think out loud, as I'm sure you've figured out by now." He pauses a moment to take a bit of the fish.
Spoiler
Show
If silverware is provided, Sage'll use those naturally. If not, he'll ask if they have any problems with him using his dagger to eat.
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Re: The World of Athema (IC)
yes, there's silverware
The fish is delicious. It's flaky and the outside is a mixture of some type of seasoned breading...and a hint of cheese.
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Re: The World of Athema (IC)
Mr. Kreg, are you working now? Perhaps we could help you with your work, to speed things along so that you could help us sooner?
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Re: The World of Athema (IC)
Kilbain, who has swashed down the rest of the ale gives the horn back to the barkeep "Gimme another one, lad.", he then turns to Sage as if he had just finished speaking out his idea.
"Ye can't do that!" he shouts stretching out his arms with indignation. "Ye really wanna ruin a perfectly good ale with yer magic alchemy smooshy wooshy?! That be jus' wrong! There be sometin' special ta an ale! Ta ev'ry ale! You'd be jus' like those maniacs who raise th' bodies of th' dead! It be wrong! Wrong I tell ya! Ye'd corrupt th' very soul of the ale!!"
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Re: The World of Athema (IC)
Sage doesn't seem to hear much of Kilbain's rantings as he digs into his meal. Between bites he grunts out, "This is... delicious!" He goes for the fish all at once, pausing to take an occasional sip of wine.
Once he's annihilated about half of the meal, he slows down a bit to answer the dwarf. His tone is guardedly polite as he says, "Firstly, I do not appreciate being compared to a necromancer. Secondly, your fear of change here is irrational, and you speak without knowledge on the subject I suspect. Pray tell, what do you know of alchemy and its workings?"
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Re: The World of Athema (IC)
Hekesh
Hekesh looks a little disconcerted.
Miyuki has spent more time in these northlands than I, she probably knows the ways of the people better. If she feels we can trust these two, than I will trust her judgment.
"Very well. Let me get my things and tell the waitress I have changed tables, then I will tell the tale."
He walks back across the room, grabs his guisarme and haversack, and seeks out the waitress that had taken his order.
"Excuse me miss, but I have found an old friend, and if it's not too much trouble, would like to be served at that table in the corner."
He points over at the table where his friend and the two strangers sat.
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Re: The World of Athema (IC)
"Well" Kreg says, eyeing the door. "As fate would have it, I am just starting work. It would seem our entertainment has shown up for the evening, and as such, duty calls." he rises from the chair.
"But I will certainly make myself available to you after the crowd has thinned. Until then, you'll have to excuse me."
You turn, and see that the common room has become quite full in the time that you've been talking with Kreg. All the tables are occupied with farmers, merchants, and some obvious traveling folk.
Stepping through the door is a very handsome man, by most any standards. He is dressed in fine leather clothing, though his long brown hair is somewhat unkept. He has a slight stubble on his face, but on him, it actually enhances his looks.
He is accompanied by four people--two men and two ladies. They are dressed in nice, though plain, clothing---apparently so as to not detract from the presence of the man.
"Martin Schlessinger, I presume." you hear Kreg say as he makes his way over to the man.
The man bows with a dramatic flourish. "At your service, my good man!" he says, in a surprisingly un-accented voice.
In the noise of the room, you don't hear much else, but you do see Kreg point to the stage in front of the fireplace. The other man nods, and turns to his companions, who bring with them cases in the shape of different instruments.
As the man turns, you see strapped across his back a beautiful, gold-inlaid mandolin.
The performers take up residence upon the stage, getting out their instruments. You see hand drums, a fiddle, a flute, and even a 'squeeze box' as some would call it.
Kreg walks over to a door near the bar and knocks on it. He opens it, and puts his head inside momentarily.
Then he walks across the common room and stands by the entrance door, stretching himself to his full height.
Emerging from the door he knocked on is a man with a greying beard and somewhat bald head. He is dressed in very nice, though somewhat plain, clothes.
He closes the door behind him and takes the stage.
"My friends" he booms with a loud and strong voice. "Welcome once again to The Old Boot!" the people in the crowd applaud enthusiastically.
"I have brought here, for your pleasure, the famed"
He is interrupted by the lead performer, who places a hand on the man's shoulder and announces loudly "Infamous!"
The crowd roars with laughter.
The older man continues "...the infamous...Martin Schlessinger!"
"Thank you for that kind introduction, Dominic!" he says. He turns his back briefly, and you see his head bob up and down slightly, possibly counting a beat for the players.
They play a number of different songs throughout the evening. Most are light hearted tales of heroics and adventure. A few are heart wrenching ballads. Martin is apparently quite a linguist, as he also sings a couple Dwarven dirges, and even a couple of powerful Masinyane work (i.e. slave) songs that speak of freedom.
Example Song
Example song 2
All the while, Kreg keeps a close eye upon the crowd. It is a rare occurance that he need move from his spot. But when someone does seem to be getting a bit too spirited, a firm hand on the shoulder from Kreg is all it takes to put the would-be troublemaker on better behavior.
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Re: The World of Athema (IC)
"I dun need ta know how that fancy alchemy stuff of yers be workin'. But I know enough about a good ale ta say that this be daft! It wouldn't be tha same. It wouldn't be ale anymore! It'd be jus' some kinda alchemical wutsit.", Kilbain briefly looks over to the barkeep to see where his next drink is before he continues: "See, I be not meddlin' inta yer alchemy bis'ness and I be not sayin' it be gen'rally bad or anythin'. But me ale be somethin' holy an' pure. An' that it should stay."
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Re: The World of Athema (IC)
As the music starts up, Miyuki pulls out a chair Hekesh next to her so that they will be able to speak to each other over the various songs. She enjoys the music, but doesn't let it distract her from Hekesh's tale.
"Perhaps the bard knows something? He seems to be a traveler of sorts. We might be able to get him to speak with us later this evening."
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Re: The World of Athema (IC)
Sage bobs his head to the beat of the music during more upbeat tunes, and continues his meal. "Ah, friend dwarf," he says between bites with a smile. "I see your concern now; I fear you've misunderstood me. If a man ever tells you the products of his alchemical research are safe for consumption, you should probably stop trusting him. I'm sure there are exceptions, but by and large alchemical concotions are not for drinking. No, I meant something that would cool ale made by normal means, my friend! Ice that lasts forever and doesn't melt, for example."
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Re: The World of Athema (IC)
The dwarf suddenly visibly lightens up.
"Ah! I guess I hafta apologize lad. That'd be no bad idea!"
Taking back his refilled horn from the barkeep he says: "Prepare another one fer me and me friend o'er there!"
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Re: The World of Athema (IC)
Hekesh
Hekesh keeps his eyes on the stage, but his head is tilted towards Miyuki so she can hear him clearly.
"It began a few months ago. We'd been pulling off a lot of good raids against the slavers. Freed quite a few people. I guess one of the slaver chiefs got smart, set a trap for us. They us back to the tribe and attacked. They killed a lot of us, but we managed to get the women and children out. It wasn't till later, when we went back to give our fallen a proper funeral, that we realized that a few people were missing altogether. Khaldun was one of them."
He takes a sip of his wine. (I'm assuming he's gotten served by now :smallwink:)
"In time, we managed to track them down, and rescue most of our people. Khaldun had already been sold. The slavers we questioned didn't know who had bought them. Just remembered some comments about him looking like a fighter and being taken north. I've been traveling since then."
He leans in close and whispers.
"I've heard rumors that there is an illegal combat arena in this town. I'm hoping he might have been taken there." He sighs. "I promised Zahrah I'd bring him home."
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Re: The World of Athema (IC)
(yes, sorry, everyone that ordered got their food/drink as requested...man, it's been awhile...bear with me :smalltongue: )
Paggan/Kilbain/Sage:
During the performance, a young guardsman comes in and stands near the bar where Kilbain, Sage, and Paggan are. He is a fairly good looking young man, about the same age as Paggan. He has sandy blonde hair and soft blue eyes.
He accidentally bumps into Paggan as he slides an arm out of his ring mail jerkin.
"I'm sorry miss, I didn't mean to disturb you." he apologizes.
"Don't be hassling the customers, Daniel!" a feminine voice chides from behind him. The blonde waitress that you have seen delivering food in the common room stands behind him, a playful look on her face.
You notice that they are quite similar in looks. If you had to venture a guess, they would be brother and sister, quite possibly twins.
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Re: The World of Athema (IC)
Miyuki
Miyuki glances at the new comers and the mild disturbance at the bar as she leans over to talk with Hekesh, "Khaldun was a fine a warrior, so perhaps he was brought here. Regardless the Mu'Min Ghazi stand out up here so those who travel and move in such circles may have news of such a man. All that notwithstanding we will need to speak with some of the northerners. I have spent time further north of here in Hyperborea but the locals will still know far more than us.
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Re: The World of Athema (IC)
Sage seems oblivious to the approach of the guardsman, turning to smile at the dwarf as he finishes the last of his fish and begins to work on the vegetables. "My thanks. I've many nicknames, but everyone who's not another gnome just calls me Sage." He gives a slight bow of his head to the dwarf.
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Re: The World of Athema (IC)
Kilbain grabs the gnome's right forearm and shakes roughly but it with a firm grip: "Nice ta meet ye, sage! Me name be Kilbain Lorginsson. Or son of Lorgin as they say in th' tongue of tha traders."
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Re: The World of Athema (IC)
Edgar
Edgar listens in to Hekesh's tale, before realizing that it has naught to do with him and turns his attention elsewhere. He picked up chatter of interest to farmers and no one else, before the lutenist and his companions began playing. For the rest of the evening, Edgar gave his attention to the entertainers.
To Edgar's untrained ear, Schlessinger and his band seemed quite good. He'd rarely heard better, and it was an enjoyable respite for him, before he would have to find a place to sleep for the night where the lack of ready coin was not a problem.
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Re: The World of Athema (IC)
Hekesh
Hekesh nods in response to Miyuki, but does not speak.
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Re: The World of Athema (IC)
Paggan
Paggan eats the lovely fish dish with a smirk of contentment as she listens to the exchange between the dwarf and the gnome, interjecting at the very end of the exchange. "The two of you could teach world leaders a thing or two," she says with a smile. "A little explanation and tolerance averted a whole lot of potentially unpleasant things. Although," she says with a wink to the man who had bumped into her, "if this was universal, you and I might have to find other lines of work, eh?" She finishes the last mouthful and motions to Roderick. "After his round, the next one is on me." She then turns her attention to the wonderful music.
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Re: The World of Athema (IC)
Sage does his best to conduct himself with dignity as the dwarf shakes his hand, but the time the dwarf is done the wizard looks visibly rattled. He shakes his head for a moment to clear it and returns a sheepish smile to the dwarf. As the woman on the other side of the dwarf speaks, Sage chuckles a bit and says, "Is the world truly so tumultuous beyond Gnomehome's borders? I fear I was so focused on my studies there that I've become rather out of touch with the wider world; another reason behind my travels."
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Re: The World of Athema (IC)
The young guardsman is about Paggan's age. As she speaks to him, his eyes grow a bit wider.
"I...um....I....uh...." he stammers at first.
The blonde woman behind him grins as she elbows him in the ribs. She leans in close and whispers something in his ear, and then winks at Paggan, giggling a bit.
She turns, and scoots off to tend to her tables.
"I...yes...indeed...it would..um..be nice to not be...needed...like...that." he says, agreeing with Paggan.
"I am...Daniel." he adds, looking a slight bit sheepish.
****
Edgar:
While you sit enjoying the music, you see the man introduced as Dominic conversing with some merchants at a nearby table.
You overhear him saying something about lost wagons, and the merchants being concerned about lost goods. A man, apparently a farmer, comes over to the table and you hear him say something about not having enough seed if the wagons don't come. Dominic assures the men that he is going to look into it, and then stands up.
He makes his way over to your table "Good evening, sir! I hope that you are enjoying the show, and enjoying Threshold!" he extends his hand out to you "Dominic Kjeldoran, mayor of Threshold and owner of The Old Boot."