AVB - The Fainthearted One

[Rizban]

This is a private thread for Gorgondantess and GM(s) only. If you are anyone else, PLEASE do not read it.

The interior of the Sad Flint is quite crowded. People are coming and going all over the rather large barroom. Patrons of any possible description abound, most content to drink the beers in their hands. No one bothers to turn their head when yet another patron walks in. The atmosphere of the place is slightly dingy, but comfortable.

A lone half-giant is serving as the bartender at the long bar across from the entrance. Round tables with an average of four chairs each litter the common area, although several have borrowed chairs from others nearby. More than half of them seem occupied by patrons of some description and number. A pair of armored bouncers guard a double door along the west wall.

Barmaids of many different races weave in and out of the traffic, delivering food and drinks, as well as picking up empty crockery and more than a few pick-up lines.


"Shall we find a table?"

[Gorgondantess]

Sade nods, and lets Aislin lead the way, though if given the choice will lean towards someplace (relatively) quiet and out of the way. Her stomach begins to growl even more fiercely, and she sits restlessly at their table to wait to be served.
"So, what would you advise to eat here, auntie?"

[Rizban]

"It's all good, every last thing. Just stay away from anything that sounds orcish or drow. They won't sit well with your tummy."

Looking around the table, you find a menu tucked into a little stand near the wall against which your small table sits.

[Gorgondantess]

Sade orders a leg of lamb, some roasted sweet potatoes, and a flagon of cider. She sits lightly until the food arrives, then dives into her meal with surprising alacrity. Despite being entirely non-orcish/drow, Sade ends up with something of a tummyache after the meal, eating so much and so quickly on an entirely empty stomach. Totally worth it, though.

[Rizban]

Unfortunately, the Sad Flint has no sweet potatoes this time of year. The lamb and cider, however, are quite good. Sade's meal comes to 5 gold, which her aunt pays.

"So, tell me what's been happening. It's been so long since I've seen you."

[Gorgondantess]

Spoiler

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Hm. I kindof assumed that Aislin had been told everything. In this case, I'm gonna assume that she knows that Sade is coming to town to live with her, and about her life with Slate before he disappeared. Sound good?

Sade toys with her bone for a minute before responding, uncomfortable.
"Well, I... Slate. He left on one of his adventures and... never came back. It has been five years since he left, and I have not heard from him since. I fear that he is likely... well." She shakes her head.
"Do not worry on my account though! I have... come to terms with it... but." She sinks down in her chair, despondent.
"Our fortunes were not what I thought they were. Debt collectors came, and I was forced to sell the villa. I-I am not sure what to do- with Slate, I never really had to work before, but now... I think I may seek work with Slate's brother, Flourspar. I understand he has a... business here. Do you know where an illusionist of tenuous ability such as myself might find employment?"

[Rizban]

Spoiler

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Just because she knows doesn't mean she doesn't want to hear your version of things or anything else you're willing to share. Sometimes you just need to talk to someone, and she's offering Sade the chance.

"Oh, dear, that's awful. Do you know where he went? What he was doing?

You don't really want to work with Feldspar, do you? I mean you could earn some wages, but it isn't really the kind of thing you would enjoy. Tell me, if you could do anything, and I mean anything, what would it be?"

[Gorgondantess]

She gives a wistful look, shaking her head. "No... no. Slate never told me where he was going. He said it would spoil the story. Wanted to tell it in one piece."
At Aislin's next question, Sade sighs.
"I never gave any thought to it, really. If I could do anything I... I would have just continued on as things were. With Slate. And now that he is gone... well, I need money... and Flourspar is family, after all... I-I-I guess if I could do anything..."
She looks down, blushing.
"I w-would do what Slate does. Did. H-his adventures. They sounded so... magnificent."

[Rizban]

"Well, hmm... What skills do you really have? I mean, if they're adequate, I'm sure you might be able to find some simple task here without having to look too far."

[Gorgondantess]

"Well... like I said, I am a third rate illusionist. And I know a few other spells. And, um, of course I know a thing or two about stealth and whatnot... though not as much as most members of the family.
Other than that, I am fluent in a handful of esoteric languages and know a thing or two about arcane theory. Reading is mostly all I have been doing the past few years, anyways..."

[Rizban]

"Sounds like you'd be better off finding a job at the university or getting a job entertaining children at birthday parties. Are you really sure that adventures are what you want?"

[Gorgondantess]

"Y-you're probably right. It was just a pipe dream, anyways. I'll just go looking for work at the university, then... or maybe with Flourspar as a bookkeeper." She sighs despondently, and picks at the remnants of her meal.

[Rizban]

Spoiler

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Is it Feldspar or Flourspar? You have it one way on your sheet but say it differently in character...

"I think you should do whatever you want. Look for a job here if that's what you want. You might even find one you like."

[Gorgondantess]

Spoiler

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*facepalm*
I'm sorry, it's Feldspar. I'm just not very bright.
Anyways, OOC break here:
You seem to be pushing for me to look for a job at the Sad Flint- but didn't you say that that's kindof a last resort for quests and whatnot? Meanwhile I'm trying to direct things towards working with Feldspar or Aislin- who operate out of the Market and Temple districts, respectively, areas you said you wanted to cover- and yet you seem to be rebuking those attempts. Couldn't a seedy and ruthless merchant find work for a mage- one who specializes in subtle tricks no less? Wouldn't any stealthy type want an illusionist at their side? Sure, Sade is selling herself short, but Aislin should know that.
Just trying to gauge which direction you're pushing me is all.

[Rizban]

Spoiler

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If you notice, she's essentially contradicted everything Sade has said she wanted to do from the moment she said it. She's pushing you in whatever direction you seem to not be going in... As soon as you change directions, she'll change again. Based on her character, I felt like she would do that deliberately to make it harder on Sade to make a decision, forcing her "out of her shell" a bit by making the simple act of deciding as difficult as possible. If nothing else, it's giving her a better idea of what Sade's personality and character have become since her husband's disappearance.

[Gorgondantess]

Sade groans, going on despairingly. "Should I? I am not so sure, auntie. I am not so sure about anything. You keep telling me all these different things, and I just thought I would live at the villa with Slate forever, but now Slate's dead and the villa is gone and..."
She collapses into her folded arms on the table, sighing. "I am sorry, auntie. I think I may have had too much cider."

[Rizban]

Auntie reaches across the table and pats Sade on the head.

"Well, you'll need to make a decision soon. You can sleep that cider off tonight and decide in the morning if you want, or you can decide now. It's your call."

[Gorgondantess]

Sade nods her head, though the effect might be lost on Aislin considering that her face is in her arms.
"Nnnh... getting some sleep first sounds good. I can do something later... in the morning."

[Rizban]

"You're in really bad shape, aren't you? Not used to something that strong? Good thing we're at an inn. I'll get you a room for the night and just let you sleep it off here. I'll be back by the time you wake up."

[Gorgondantess]

Aislin was dismayed at this turn of events. She didn't like staying at strange inns, and especially not strange noisy inns. She didn't like staying at suspiciously quiet inns either, for that matter.
Actually, she just didn't like staying at inns at all.
Even more than all this, though, she didn't want to refuse Aislin's generous offer of hospitality.
"Oh, um, th-thank you auntie. Y-y-you are too kind."

[Rizban]

Your aunt steps away for a few minutes to reserve a room. When she comes back she leads you upstairs and sends you to bed.

[Gorgondantess]

Sade heads on into the room and settles down for the night. She's not totally comfortable in this unfamiliar place, but the cider helps with that. In the morning she waits in the inn's common area for Aislin.

[Rizban]

You spend the night in a 10 x 15 room. There is a bed, a chest of drawers, and a large wooden chest that doubles as a nightstand. There's a rug on the floor and a single small window that lets in light.



The breakfast being served consists of kippers, curds, sharp cheese, blackberries, and coarse rye bread. It's 1gp if Sade is hungry.

You see no sign of Aislin. She probably assumed you would sleep in, nursing a hangover.

[Gorgondantess]

Sade wakes up from a fitful sleep and decides to partake in breakfast, nibbling on some blackberries as she waits in the inn's common area for Aislin.

[Rizban]

Moments later, a halfling bursts into the tavern and runs up to the bar in a rush. The bartender points to you, and he makes his way quickly to your table.

"Are you Sade?"

[Gorgondantess]

Sade starts as the halfling man approaches.
"Um, well, you see, I..."
She cringes.
"...Yes?"

[Rizban]

"Thank Auron I found you! Your uncle has been murdered! Your aunt Aislin sent me to fetch you immediately. Please, we need to go."

[Gorgondantess]

Sade covers her mouth, horrified.
"Oh no... Feldspar... I never even got to meet him..."
She stands uselessly for a few moments before nodding.
"Y-yes... let us go."

[Rizban]

Seeing how unsteady she is, he places a hand warmly on her shoulder. When she regains herself a bit, he grabs her by the hand and leads her out as quickly as possible.

Once back outside, he leads you across the Plaza and northeast. Ducking onto a side road, he says, "This way. We want to stay off the main streets in case they're looking for you."

[Gorgondantess]

Sade toddles after the unnamed halfling, following blindly. However, when he speaks she stops.
"M-me!? Why would anyone be looking for me? I have not done anything wrong! And for that matter, who are you?"