Guards of Osteara [IC]

[Kallimakus]

The interview had gone well. Or was, perhaps a formality. By the end of it, Sergeant Calgar had risen, shaken your hand, and told you to report to duty at dawn on Toilday. This was the day. Morning mists cover the streets, the streetlamps dimming or out in the early morning, their reserves spent for the night. Wooden buildings, often two storeys tall and overhaning the streets and narrow alleys, make up the majority of the city itself. Ground floors along main streets often host small businesses. Storefronts, workshops, cafes or restaurants in the better parts of the city. Alleyways often play host to the seedier establishments, bars, brothels and the like.

The city of Osteara is built along the eastern coast of the continent, along a sheltered river delta. The nearby coasts are lined with tall cliffs, making the port of Osteara the easiest way for seaborne trade to reach the realm of Sancour. The city plays host to foreigners, traders, and troublemakers in addition to the intractable local population, made up mostly of humans, dwarves and halflings. The dwarves largely live on their own, a crafters’ district that they begrudgingly share with other races. Near the ports are great markets where the main avenues of the city meet. On small islands in the river delta live the wealthiest citizens, trade princes and shipping barons that form the local aristocracy, hired boats ferrying them to and fro from the mainland.
On the Northern side of Osteara, one finds better-off residential areas, the central district and the governor’s palace, as well as the main watchhouse. It is there you will be headed. The craftsmen’s district is also located here, and the coastal area has been claimed for a shipyard.
The Southern side is more lawless, and hosts the main port, the markets and residential areas of the less wealthy. Near the edge of the city are outright slums.

The city has been walled in its history, but it has outgrown any such barriers. Outside the city itself lie satellite villages, logging camps and roadhouses that sometimes request Watch attention. There is also a mining town, mainly dwarven, along the Northern Coast Road.

Spoiler: Introductions

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I'd like to learn a bit more about how your characters live. The watchhouse barracks is an option for any who join the watch. Housing is available on any of the districts, cheaper in the Southern side as divided by the river. I've got the city roughly mapped in my head, and hopefully translated into images in the future.

[DarkTogashi]

Rose awoke to the soft, golden rays of the morning sun streaming through the window of her cozy room at the Maiden's Hand Inn. She stretched her arms and blinked her bright green eyes sleepily, a serene smile gracing her lips. The world outside was beginning to stir, and it was a brand new day.

With a joyful spring in her step, Rose hopped out of bed and shuffled over to her small wooden dresser. She donned her attire for the day - a crisp white blouse that contrasted beautifully with her fiery red hair, a long green skirt that swayed gracefully with her every move, a crimson cloak that flowed behind her like a scarlet river, and a sturdy leather backpack slung over her shoulders.

After a quick look in the mirror to ensure her appearance was just right, Rose made her way downstairs to the inn's common area. The owner, William, was already behind the bar, polishing glasses and greeting patrons with his usual warm smile. He waved her over, and she joined him at the counter for a quick chat.

"Good morning, Rose," he said, pouring a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice for her. "You're up bright and early today."

Rose nodded with a grin. "Yes, William! I have my first shift as a guardswoman today, and I don't want to be late."

William chuckled. "You'll do great, I'm sure of it."

With a final sip of her juice, Rose bid farewell to her friend and left the inn. As she stepped out onto the cobblestone street, she spotted Todd, the half-orc brewer, on his way to work at the nearby brewery. She waved to him and received a friendly nod in return. Todd was a kind soul and always had a word of encouragement for Rose.

Turning the corner, she encountered Claire, the half-orc paladin, and Todd's wife, on her way back from patrolling the streets. Claire's strong presence and dedication to protecting the city's denizens always impressed Rose. She gave Claire a respectful nod, and Claire flashed a proud smile in return.

Rose's stomach grumbled, and she couldn't resist the delightful aroma wafting from Ms. Nim's gnome food cart. She stopped by and purchased a mouthwatering pastry, exchanging a few friendly words with the gnome before continuing on her way.

As Rose approached the river, she saw the ferry slowly making its way to the dock. She quickened her pace to catch it, the ferryman giving her a knowing smile as he extended a hand to help her on board. The gentle rocking of the boat as it crossed the river always filled Rose with a sense of tranquility.

Once on the other side, she strolled through the bustling market square, taking in the vibrant sights and sounds. Rose had always been fascinated by the various stalls and their wares. She paused briefly to admire a beautiful display of handcrafted jewelry and made a mental note to visit the vendor later.

With time to spare, Rose finally reached the watch house. She adjusted her cloak and straightened her posture, ready to begin her first shift as a guardswoman. As she entered the building, she couldn't help but feel a flutter of excitement in her heart. Today marked the beginning of a new chapter in her life, and she was determined to face it with the same happiness and innocence that had always defined her.

With a deep breath, Rose greeted her fellow guards and stepped into her role, ready to protect the city and its people with all her heart.

Spoiler: Spells

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Witch Spells memorized:
Level 0
-Grasp
-Message
-Stablelize

Level 1
-Command
-Charm Person

[Dakrsidder]

Having received the green light earlier in the day, Ingo spend the day at the market buying a ranged contraption and a few other things in addition to scavenging for random parts to put together an unorthodox missile with two separate mechanisms. Once he was satisfied, he made a beeline towards the alchemy shop as though he did have a bit of housing of his own, he didn’t spend much time there and it didn’t help that he didn’t own an alchemy lab of his own.

From there, he spent the whole night attempting different methods until one consistently triggered both mechanisms at once. It’s a noisy process and one he often implored, so those living nearby taken to wearing earplugs to sleep lest they be woken up by the sound of an explosion or shattered glass in the middle of the night. Once he’d finished with the missile, he hashed together a few formulae and set up a few missiles before telling Callisto, the shop owner, about his findings and grabbing a quick bite at a stall before setting out for duty.

Spoiler: Formulae

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Creating 2 Instant Foam & 1 Flash Powder while filling a bolt vial with one of each, leaving me with 1 Instant Foam

Gonna wait for more details before making any Assemblies

[Athaleon]

Garren went about his morning routine in the small flat his merchant friend Marik had set him up with. Humble dwellings, but he'd lived in much worse, and Garren wasn't the type to spend a lot of time sitting at home anyways. The place had a stout door and lock, at least, and the windows were barred against entry. There was space enough for his morning calisthenics, from which he had just finished washing up. A kettle on the small hearth boiled for his breakfast of tea and oats. He could pick up something more on his way out.

His new place was in the Southern district, but not that bad a neighborhood, considering. The building was old, and the other tenants could be raucous (though as usual, none were brave enough to give a man of Garren's size any hassle) but for Marik's purposes it was an excellent location: Just off a main street between Marik's own home and his warehouse and office, close to the main port and the city's largest market. It was a bit of a walk to get Northside though, and today that was where Garren was headed. Longer still if he skirted the Crafters' quarter, but he had to remind himself he didn't have to avoid it, much as he would have preferred to.

After he'd eaten and dressed, Garren stared a moment at his hammer and wondered whether to bring it with. He decided it couldn't hurt, especially if he was able to forego the big halberds most of the Watch usually carried. Not that he couldn't swing one with the best of them, but depending on what was required of him and how much leeway he had, he might try to avoid marking himself as a member of the Watch for anyone to see.

[Frosty]

Alexis is staying at a small, cheap room that she rents from the chirurgeon she apprentices for. It is on the edge of the south side of the city, in the slums where some violent gangs are based out of. Why live here? True it's not the nicest of places to live, but the rent is affordable. More importantly, it's in close proximity to the trouble hotspots. Hotspots that Always tries to defuse with her gift of gab.

This morning, Ms. Heartwell has a different routine. Having been reaccepted back into the watch, this morning instead of waking up early to prepare reagents and poultices, she prepares accordingly by double checking every strap and buckle. Her scale mail and shield were scrubbed and cleaned late last night, and now gleam in the morning light shining through the window. The young woman vows to make a good first impression, and is determined to make a bigger difference inside and out this time around.

Once properly prepared with her longsword sheathed at her side, she walks downstairs via the cramped stairs leading down from the attic (where her room is) to the main room. "Good morning, Mr. Puguet. Sorry I won't be continuing my apprenticeship for now. I do hope to put what you've taught me to good use, however. Wish me luck in the watch!"

Out the door she goes, walking confidently north towards where the main watch-house is!

[TankLaser007]

Aidan’s eyes fluttered open. Dawn. He felt its coolness, it was a time familiar to him, a time of natural stillness and quiet – even in a city as boisterous as Osteara. It was as if the city itself had paused to take in a breath, to find its centre, before beginning the day ahead.

Dawn. True dawn. While most knew it only as the moment of the first rays, splayed fingers ruddy and bright, awash in gold and vibrant orange scattering the blue and violet of lingering night, Aidan, a life spent a mere stone’s throw from the sea knew what all sailors knew, what the watch before eight bells longed for, that alabaster cut across the silken black of sky and sea, an ever returning scar of the sun’s blade before the wound of daybreak sent ocean and air alike awash with the bloody red of the sun’s first light – that sliver of ivory, a crack in night’s ebon armour, that was dawn.

The druid sat up as he simultaneously pivoted, rotating to face the eastern wall where a small circular “door”the size of a porthole opened to a “balcony” barely two-and-a-half hands’ span wide, more of a ledge with a guard rail – an inheritance from Aisling, his older sister, who had lived in the attic room before him.

The modest apartment brimmed with signs of Aisling’s habitation, replete with scores of additions, improvements and modifications, from his industrious sister's ingenious hands. The small table that folded on hinges into the wall, a sink fed water from a cistern on the roof that collected rain, the many cupboards and shelves made of planks scavenged from old ships and drift wood.

Yet the jewel in the crown, the envy of all his siblings was the little stove built into the south west corner – its clever exhaust and venting system ran under the bed and around the room making it not only an easy way to make a quick snack or pot of tea without having to slog down several flights of stairs to Ma’s kitchen – but a perfect heater in the cosy room when winter’s chill set in.

Aidan stretched, grabbing his shirt from the bedpost he pulled it over his head, covering the intricate aqua and gold tattoos which spread from his back up his shoulders and down his arms. He washed his face, examining himself briefly in the polished brass mirror above the sink before pouring the remainder of yesterdays kettle, a spiced tea of his mother’s make, into a small flask.

He sent out to Bratóg, come and a cloak that hung next to the door slowly floated from the peg, drifting towards the halfling before settling over his shoulders. They would be going north-side today so perhaps something a bit more … flashy was in order. Another simple urge was sent, reverse, and Bratóg undulated, as the cloak turned itself inside out, revealing a rich violette coloured cloth with silver and gold embroidery. “There,” Aidan said, brushing a bit of dust from his shoulder, “now we look a bit more respectable.”

Nibble fingers tucked the flask into one of many concealed pockets as he strapped on his belt, and spats. He pried a well crafted trianglar shaped knife from one of the boards in the wall, and after a quick flip it too was swallowed by one of Aidan’s pockets.

The druid turned both his eyes and consciousness upward. There floating in the middle of room, concealed amongst the shadows was Ráthóir. The living embodiment of his oaths the seal of his covenant as an Anáilnabeatha Order Druid. He could sense the wild mind of his companion, their mind’s, in fact their very life essences, were bound together.

Ráthóir currently had only the feral cunning of any beast lacking the true intellect of a sentient being. While possessed of more agency than Bratóg, a mindless automaton, Ráthóir was not capable of truly thinking, conversing, offering council or comfort, as any companion might lend their friend, at least not yet.

The halfling extended his hand and the tiny orb, drifted down into the outstretched palm. The druid exited the small door, ducking low through the circular opening out into the brisk chill of dawn’s breath, he heard the sea’s whisper and the ever rising hum of the City. Aidan knelt on his precarious perch and opened his palms to the still black sky and the orb, comprised of some alien metal or stone, hovered before him, its two black eyes alight with flecks of fuchsia as they gazed into his own.

As one mind, they communed with the City expanding their unified thoughts and perception outward across sprawling Osteara from the bay to the docks, slithering through the shanties and slums to the great markets of south port, skipping across the islands of mansions and estates onwards through the avenues of industry, and commerce and skirting the enclaves of miners and foresters, farmers and outcasts from the outermost boundaries of Osteara to her heart at the high-seat of the governor’s palace.

Where others saw districts and borders the twin-minds of the druid and his companion saw a single entity, a living thing, the City Soul, its true essence. Just as the very life-force and consciousness of Aidan and Ráthóir were suspended between two forms yet intrinsically a singular soul, so too were all those in Osteara, stone the bone of her skeleton, the canals the veins, the rivers and water ways the blood, the wood her flesh – all one unified, inseparable being whose fate and wellbeing were sacred and intertwined.

Aidan exhaled, he could feel the cool of dawn surrendering to the warmth of day as the first sign of colour began to bleed out of the black ink of the ocean’s depth seeping from horizon to heavens. The halfling pricked his thumb on Bratóg’s clasp then swiped the bloodied digit above Ráthóir’s eyes, blessing him with the gift of intelect. A small turquoise and gold rune appeared on the orb, a lantern with a single illuminated eye held within, his magic’s mark. Each day the City Soul bestowed upon them its gifts, and each day Ráthóir was reborn anew.

Their communion finished, he sent, to the newly awakened mind through the link they shared, Enough lazin’ about, time to make tracks, hop in now Rat. The eyes of the orb narrowed in feigned insult, before the reply appeared in Aidan’s mind That’s ‘Master Rat’ to you, you Oath Bound novice!’ The orb glided towards its master before being lost in the folds beneath Bratóg. “Brat,” the halfling said aloud as he walked towards the door, “hood,” and the cloak’s cowl rose to obscure the youthful child-like face of the druid as he made his way down the stairs and out into the stirring streets of the dockside slums on his way to the Watch House beneath an ever brightening sky, under which Osteara was born anew.

Spoiler: OOC

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Prepared Urban Druid spells: Detect Magic, Guidance, Light, Charm Person and Obscuring Mist.
Spent 1 Spell Point to cast Bestow Intelligence on Bound Companion using Exceptional Ally Feat
Kunai - Concealed DC: 19
Sling & Bullets - Concealed DC: 21
Ráthóir - Concealed DC: 26
Draw Magic Count: 1 (Rat - Bestow Intelligence)

[Palanan]

Lying on doubled sacks in the cramped attic, with barely a hint of thin light before dawn, Häaben remembered the ugly dread of the morning before his first execution.

He hadn’t slept easily—had woken from comforting dreams to a chill slinking fear, curled on one side in his narrow bedroom in his master’s house, tension like twisting wire in his gut. He had endured day after long day of waiting, the date sliding inexorably closer; and when he had woken in the deepest dark of that night, he lay drawn up first on one side and then the other, the dread seeping in a cold trickle through all his body, until he pulled himself upright and retched.

He had nearly fled that morning, long before dawn—the urge to escape suddenly greater than it had been since the first night his master had beaten him.

But he had seen it through, knowing that if he fled he would be pursued relentlessly, and no doubt hanged himself; and knowing also that he had been set this task by his family, to succeed at this, the only profession now open to him—to persist, to endure, to earn whatever scraps of respect he might eventually be given, and by that means take the first steps on the long, stony road to the rehabilitation of his family name.

It would be the work of lifetimes, his and his children’s and theirs after he was gone; it was all his parents had been able to hope for.

And so that morning he had not fled; he had followed his master to the wooden platform just outside the small village where they had journeyed. He had endured the stares and sly contempt from the small crowd that gathered, and had earned the right to call himself journeyman in the trade he hated above all else.

Now…he lay on rough sacks upon rough wood, in the attic of a damp boarding-house within sight of the harbour of Osteara, beyond the reach of Sancour and its unfeeling magistrates.

Now there was no dread—only a different, lighter sort of nervousness, a mildly buzzing anticipation which held both echoes of fear and a hesitant stirring of excitement.

First day in the Watch: report at dawn, he had been told—and while he half-suspected a prank on the new recruit, he would be there nonetheless. No time to find an excuse to visit Ryssi, however briefly; the apothecary wouldn’t be open for hours yet, and he needed to establish himself in a respectable position before he could dream of calling on her at her stepfather’s house.

He slipped up from the sacks, readied himself, lifted the long sword down from the roof-beam where he kept it. In its leather traveling-sheath the distinctive rounded tip went unseen, though such a blade on such a youth drew attention regardless.

He found his stomach too twisted to think of food; so he managed a quick sip of the watered wine in his flask, straightened what he could of his clothing; and Jehan stepped into the thin predawn light, making his way through damp-cobbled streets to the watch-house and a new life within.

[DarkTogashi]

Edit: Seems I was a bit quick to post this. please ignore.

[Kallimakus]

Callisto waves goodbye to Ingo, yawning. Whenever the sorcerer got absorbed by his work left him sleeping poorly, the man too proud and stubborn to wear earplugs. He lived in perpetual fear of thieves, his pride extending to not paying protection money for the Chapra crew, local gang of thieves.

On his way to the watchhouse, Ingo overhears a snippet of conversation about the dwarves trying out a new kind of exploding powder for their mining. He reaches the watchhouse in time.

---

Garren’s relationship with the crafters notwithstanding, he makes his way to the guards without problem. Marik had been very supportive since the day came up. To him, Garren’s employment in the guard was just another piece of leverage to pull his business to a higher status. His cut-short hammer gets some attention from the morning commuters, and on crossing the Silver Bridge to the north side, he comes across a fine carriage escorted by four men-at-arms, bearing short swords and wearing a crest of the black rose. Working for one of the nobles or nouveau riche, no doubt, but he can’t recall who.

The destination is more inviting despite the early hour, the light still on, illuminating the shield that marks the guardhouse.

---

Alexis makes her way through the morning streets as the Sun rises, taking hurried steps and finding herself following a big man with an equally big hammer, who enters the guardhouse a bit ahead of her.

---

Aidan feels the power of the city beneath his feet and around him in the air, in the overhanging houses along the main street already filling with farmers bringing in their wares towards the market. No doubt thanks to the work of his guildmates and his own contribution, the City Soul rose as energized as ever, vibrant and full of life.

---

Jehan makes his way to the guardhouse across cobbled streets. He comes across a pair of drunkards who avoid him upon spotting the sword on his back. He is on time, reaching the guardhouse first among the newcomers.

---

On the street, Claire gives Rose a nod as well. “Giving guarding another chance?” she asks. The half-orc had never been shy that even at best of times the city guards could not live up to the ideals she strived for, but when they were on the right path, she could be counted as their ally.

---

Rose’s morning commute finds her the last of the new crop to arrive to the watchhouse, the sun having risen. She catches a level look from sergeant Calgar, properly shaved, showing his strong jawline, though the little cleanup didn’t quite manage to conquer his perpetually shabby look.
“I believe I instructed ‘at sunrise’ rather than ‘at the crack of eight-thirty’, Alleys.”

At the watchhouse, a few dozen guards are gathered, wearing worn chainshirts or battered breastplates, some leaning on halberds, others idly spinning or swinging truncheons. They gaze upon the newcomers.

“I’m not running this outfit to look good on the parade day” sergeant Calgar says. “By grace of the Hand I’m the one that’s left. The one in charge, until the governor names a new captain of the guard.” He turns to face the new recruits. “I gathered everyone here so that you’ll know the new faces. And new fish will know the old guard.”

Rose receives a few friendly nods from those she’d been on patrol with before, or who’d been assigned as backup.

“I’ll be brief.” Calgar says, walking before the new recruits. “You will be required to take part in drills each day. Learn to work together with the rest of us, and with each other. Walking the streets, doing patrols will not be the totality of your talents. You’re green. New. But you have potential that I wish to use. The city guard needs to be more than it has been.” His eyes drift to Rose, before moving on to the others.

The other guards offer a salute to the new recruits, and the brief gathering ends. Those ending their night shift head to rest, and those beginning theirs start dividing up.

“We’ll get you sorted. Badges, uniforms, arms and armour.” sergeant Calgar says. “And then you’ll need to take the oath. Do you have any questions before that?”

[DarkTogashi]

Rose hurriedly made her way through the bustling corridors of the watch house, her red hair bouncing with every step. She had lost track of time while preparing her spell components this morning, and now she was running late for the briefing. Her heart pounded in her chest as she finally reached the room where Sergeant Calgar was already addressing the other guards.

She cleared her throat nervously and approached the stern-looking sergeant. "I'm terribly sorry for being late, Sergeant Calgar," Rose said, her voice barely above a whisper. "It won't happen again." Rose quickly moved to find an empty spot among the other guards, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. She had always been punctual, and being late on her first day as a new recruit was not how she had envisioned starting her career as a witch guardswoman.

After the briefing concluded, Rose's shy nature didn't prevent her from waving at the guards she recognized, those familiar faces that had crossed her path during her as an auxiliary guard in the city. She offered them a small smile, feeling a bit more at ease knowing that there were friendly faces among her colleagues.

As Sergeant Calgar began organizing the new recruits into formation, Rose fell in line with the others. She was determined to make the most of this opportunity, to learn and grow as a witch guardswoman, and to prove herself despite her initial hiccup of tardiness. With her green eyes bright and full of determination, she looked forward to whatever challenges the day might bring and hoped to find her place within the ranks of the city's protectors.

[Frosty]

Alexis had a feeling that the large hammer man in front of her might be a fellow recruit. She wonders what kind of that he is, and she hopes that he will do credit to the watch. When she arrives at the watchhouse, she stops momentarily to take it all in again. When she was last here, the captain was insufferable, arrogant, and mean. The young woman hopes that captain has been assigned elsewhere or fired. Walking in, she takes in some familiar sights. A dozen guards wearing worn chainshirts or battered breastplates are around. Some she recognize, and others she doesn’t but she can tell how tired they are all the same.

As the new recruits gather in front of sergeant Calgar, Alexis also notices the red-haired beauty next to her. “Hmm, she’s not the usual sort to join the watch. The situation in the city must be getting more desperate by the day. We must turn things around…” thinks Alexis as she brushes her blonde hair above her ear.

“Sergeant Calgar, it is good to see you again. I don’t see the ehh…good…captain around anymore. I can’t say that I’ll miss him, but I do promise I’ll support you as best I can. How have you been?" says Alexis to the sergeant. She also nods and gives small waves to the guards that she recognizes. “Do you still have my old uniform? I’ve gotten better armor since then, but I kind of miss the uniform itself.”

The young woman of 22 years looks confident and comfortable. Let’s hope it is more than just a front.

[Dakrsidder]

Hearing the mention of new exploding powder piqued Ingo’s interest as he’d been considering curating an explosive for a while. Unfortunately, even he came to the conclusion it wasn’t a good idea at least for time being, as even he wasn’t crazy enough try experimenting with them in his current circumstances. However, it was still something nice to think about as he walked through town.

When he reached the tower, he simply went in and stood in line where he was told and went through the notions, speaking or nodding as necessary, but otherwise was fairly quiet as he simply scanned the unfamiliar room. However, once some person came in tardy, Ingo noticed they were accompanied by a cat and mindlessly stared at said cat without a word.

As the sorting was about to happen, Ingo snapped back into focus and shook his head before taking what was necessary to get the process going.

[Frosty]

Alexis takes another look at the redhead. "Wait...is that..."

"Hey Rose, is that you? I didn't recognize you with the new hairdo! It's been a month or two since we last met up hasn't it? How did it go with clearing the cellar of dire rats? I hope your cat here had a good time with that."

[DarkTogashi]

Colas started to rub himself on Alexis's legs and meow.

"Um...Alexis? Right?" Rose said. "It's... It's good to see you. I didn't expect to see you so...um.. soon. Or as part of the...um...Watch. I was running so late I...um... forgot to put my hair up"

Rose tucked a loose strand up behind one of her ears. Rose always kinda looked up to Alexis. She seemed so confident and sure of what she's doing. "Yeah...um...Lily and I cleared it out without...um...to much damage. How about yourself? I didn't think you...um...liked the watch."

[Frosty]

Colas started to rub himself on Alexis's legs and meow.

"Um...Alexis? Right?" Rose said. "It's... It's good to see you. I didn't expect to see you so...um.. soon. Or as part of the...um...Watch. I was running so late I...um... forgot to put my hair up"

Rose tucked a loose strand up behind one of her ears. Rose always kinda looked up to Alexis. She seemed so confident and sure of what she's doing. "Yeah...um...Lily and I cleared it out without...um...to much damage. How about yourself? I didn't think you...um...liked the watch."

"Yeah it's Alexis. I wasn't expecting to see you join the guards either. As for liking the guard..."

Alexis snorts. "I hated it so much last time I quit. But, this time I think there's a chance it can be changed for the better. At least the nasty captain is gone..."

[DarkTogashi]

"Yeah it's Alexis. I wasn't expecting to see you join the guards either. As for liking the guard..."

Alexis snorts. "I hated it so much last time I quit. But, this time I think there's a chance it can be changed for the better. At least the nasty captain is gone..."

Rose takes off her green witches hat and starts playing with the brim. "The...um...last Captain recruited me. He seemed...um...very excited to have me as an...um...guard. But he...um...kept saying weirds things about...um...wanting us to install carpet and that he...um...wanted to touch my cat and a whole bunch of...um...other weird things." A look of minor confusion crosses Rose's beautiful features. She really doesn't understand why men keep saying such weird things to her. "After hearing...um...about what he did I;m not...um... sad to see him gone. It did leave me an...um...auxiliary member of the watch...um...until now."

[TankLaser007]

Aidan had a bemused look on his face, although it was doubtful any could see it, enshrouded as it was in the cavernous cowl of Bratóg. His eyes flicked quickly over the newcomers, those who would likely be in his patrol. They were all fairly easy to spot, lacking the uniforms of the watch, yet more so lacking the uniformity of well acquainted comrades.

You could always spot family, not by, the sprinkle of freckles or the the shape of the face, nor the crook of the nose or the colour of hair or eyes but by the ephemeral invisible ties of memories, experiences and a life shared. No, this lot he was now part of they were indeed green.

Green. He looked at the wide brimmed green hat in the hands of one of the women talking to … was that Alicia, Alex? He had seen the blond haired women before, in the company of a halfling woman, a member of the watch – and was that Rose? Lilly’s sister? It had been some time since he had seen Lilly, she used to frequent his uncle’s parlour quite a bit.

The halfling smiled to himself. The City Provides he thought, remembering the old adage. So himself, Rose, Alexis, that was her name, an Elf, and a pair of men. Foreign looking. Aidan tilted his head as he looked at them, absent mindedly he rubbed his chin, he would have remembered seeing them before, especially the one with the broken hammer. Why were humans so bloody big. There was a movement which caught his attention from the corner of his eye, it was a cat weaving between the legs of Rose.

Aidan began to crouch down to call the cat when his train of thought was interrupted – More Oaths... Ráthóir intruded, playfully.

Perhaps I’ll get another feral ball in the bargin. the druid replied a smile on his face.

You would be so lucky, the resonant metallic voice replied in his mind.

Stop yer gob, Rat, I’ve work here, there was a mental sigh, like a psychic intake of breath before speech and then a defiant huff of assent.

Aidan approached the two talking women kneeling by the cat and extending his palm to the feline as he reached out towards it with feelings of friendship.

“I’m Aidan,” he said as much to the cat as the two women eyes still on the small furred beast. Your sister Lilly, she knows my uncle, he owns a tattoo palour down on the docks, I may have met you once, the halfling’s hood seem to slowly lower itself down unto his shoulders as he looked up at the two women, “and your Mistress Alexis? I think I’ve seen you around before with Miss Gracie. I heard you quit the watch...”

Spoiler: OOC

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Wild Empathy - (1d20+1)[10] +5 (Cha+Druid Level) -4 Magical Beast

[DarkTogashi]

It takes a moment for Rose to recognize Aiden. It's been a almost been a year since she had met him. "Um...It's Good to see you again...um...Aiden. it's...um...been a while. Are you...um...still at you your...um...uncles? Lilly would like to know if he's well.""

Rose opens her fans and starts to fan herself. An decent observer would notice the fans metal frame. A good one would notice the blade on the tips of each strut. A great one would notice her ease with it.

[Kallimakus]

Sergeant Calgar gives them a moment to catch up before calling them to attention. He walks at an easy pace to the back, to the armory. A set of keys unlocks the door, and inside are sets of chainmail and chainshirts, and surcoats in several sizes.
"I see some of you have come equipped." he says, nodding approvingly at Rosa, Jehan, Alexis and Garren. "Most of you conforming to the rules." he adds, looking at Jehan in particular. "Your position as members of the city guard offers you priviledges to use weapons, including lethal force if the circumstances call for it. I would prefer the watch not be run as a pack of roving murder squads as under captain Conrad, so try to keep that to a minimum."

He gives them some time to pick any gear they prefer.

"Some of you have talents better suited for more covert operations." he says, picking out six bronze shields from a display case, badges for the new recruits. "Things the guard has dabbled in rather too well, if you ask me."
A not so subtle reference to the corruption that has been rife within the watch. "Remember your oath and keep to it." he says, raising his hand, making a fist and placing it over his heart.


"I comma bracket bracket recruit's name end bracket comma do solemnly swear by bracket recruit's deity of choice end bracket to uphold the Laws and Ordinances of the city of Osteara comma serve the public trust comma and defend the subjects of His slash Her bracket delete whichever is inappropriate end bracket Highness bracket name of reigning governor end bracket without fear comma favor comma or thought of personal safety semicolon to pursue evil-doers and protect the innocent comma laying down my life if necessary in the cause of said duty comma so help me bracket aforesaid deity end bracket period Hand Save the Governor period"

Spoiler: Apologies

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I could not resist. With punctuation not spelled out

I, [recruit's name], do solemnly swear by [recruit's deity of choice] to uphold the Laws and Ordinances of the city of Ankh-Morpork, serve the public trust, and defend the subjects of His/Her [delete whichever is inappropriate] Majesty [name of reigning monarch] without fear, favor, or thought of personal safety; to pursue evil-doers and protect the innocent, laying down my life if necessary in the cause of said duty, so help me [aforesaid deity]. Gods Save the King/Queen [delete which is inappropriate].

Spoiler: Gear

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You will be provided with a masterwork halberd, and either a suit of chainmail or a chainshirt. Besides this, you are also provided with a surcoat displaying the blue and white of Osteara.

[DarkTogashi]

Rose remove her hat, stands straight and put her hand over her heart and repeats after the Sargent.

"I comma bracket recruit's name end bracket comma do solemnly swear by bracket recruit's deity of choice end bracket to uphold the Laws and Ordinances of the city of Osteara comma serve the public trust comma and defend the subjects of His slash Her bracket delete whichever is inappropriate end bracket Highness bracket name of reigning governor end bracket without fear comma favor comma or thought of personal safety semicolon to pursue evil-doers and protect the innocent comma laying down my life if necessary in the cause of said duty comma so help me bracket aforesaid deity end bracket period Hand Save the Governor period"

She hears drunken meowing coming from her feet. Looking down she could swear Colast had a paw over his heart as well.

[TankLaser007]

Seemed simple enough the druid thought to himself, as oaths went this was pretty straight forward, leaving enough to interpretation without sacrificing the 'heart of duty' and they didn’t conflict with the binding of his Anáilnabeathan Oaths. Providing, that is, he didn’t have to don those ridiculous metal shirts or comically unwieldy halberds.

He took a breath, placed a fist over his chest in imitation of Sergeant Calgar and recited the oath, “I, Aidan, do solemnly swear by Anamna-Cathrach to uphold the Laws and Ordinances of the City of Osteara, serve the public trust, and defend the subjects of the Governor, without fear, favour, or thought of personal safety; to pursue evil-doers and protect the innocent, laying down my life, if necessary, in the cause of said duty, so help me Anamna-Cathrach. Hand Save the Governor.”

Aidan eyed the badges with curiosity, waiting until a moment another of the candidates were taking their oath he quickly, and quietly as possible, muttered the words of a simple spell while his free hand moved adroitly beneath the cover of his cloak companion. With the spell complete he examined the badges and surcoats for traces of any enchantments.

Spoiler: OOC

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Cast Detect Magic and check the badges and surcoats for magic (and the immediate surroundings.)

[Dakrsidder]

Wanting to get over the boring stuff, Ingo took a surcoat and put a hand over his heart before repeats with with the Sergeant, ”I, Ingo, do solemnly swear by the many divine pantheons to uphold the Laws and Ordinances of the city of Ankh-Morpork, serve the public trust, and defend the subjects of the Governor without fear, favor, or thought of personal safety; to pursue evil-doers and protect the innocent, laying down my life if necessary in the cause of said duty, so help me deities. Hand Save the Governor.”

[Athaleon]

Garren eyed one of the groups with curiosity. Something caught his ear, one of the women who said she'd been part of the Watch in the past. Other comments about a "nasty old Captain", and the Sergeant's own words about the Watch's desperately-needed reforms filled in some more for him. Before he could introduce himself to find out more, they all were called to collect their equipment and swear their oath, and Garren fell in with the rest.

"I, Garren Iverson, do solemnly swear by... by Gorum to uphold the Laws and Ordinances of the city of Osteara, serve the public trust, and defend the subjects of the Governor without fear, favor, or thought of personal safety; to pursue evil-doers and protect the innocent, laying down my life if necessary in the cause of said duty, so help me Gorum. Hand Save the Governor."

It felt very strange to swear such an oath by Gorum, the god of battle. The very thought had made him pause mid-oath. Garren had been a fighting man his whole adult life, and while he'd never been religious, it had seemed to make sense to invoke Gorum to see him victorious through a scrap. Less so with each passing year though: Gorum, help me beat down these wretches I've robbed, before they kill and rob me. It had begun to ring hollow with the sheer absurdity of it. Yet he'd been put on the spot, and had scarcely spoken the name of any other deity in his life, let alone invoked one for aid or sworn an oath in their name.

He picked out his badge, a surcoat, and a chain shirt, the latter two being the largest they had on hand. After a moment's consideration, he declined the halberd. Not that he couldn't use one, but it would announce to all who could see him that he was with the Watch, and that may not always suit him—or his erstwhile friends. Those civilians who'd been permitted to wear weapons longer than the Armsreach Law allowed typically went for something handier than a polearm, something still usable indoors. The chain shirt was generic enough, and could in any case be hidden under clothing, as could his badge. The surcoat could always be left at home.

Garren held his new mail and tabard rolled up under one thickly muscled arm, and awaited the next step in their initiation.

[Frosty]

Alexis bends down to pet Colas. Whenever he is around, it brightens Alexis's day. "Who's a good kitty? You are..." She shows off her more unguarded side when around cute fuzzy animals. Still, she straightens back up quickly enough as it is her turn to say the oath. Having done this before, this is old hat for Ms. Heartwell.

"I, Alexis Hepolamus Heartwell, do solemnly swear by Sarenrae to uphold the Laws and Ordinances of the City of Osteara, serve the public trust, and defend the subjects of the Governor, without fear, favour, or thought of personal safety; to pursue evil-doers and protect the innocent, laying down my life, if necessary, in the cause of said duty, so help me Sarenrae. Goddess Save the Governor.” She puts her hand back down, and then begins to look at the armor. The chain mail seems sturdier than the scale mail she has, so she requisitions one of those. The halberd is not her preferred weapon, but she'll take one as a backup in case her primary weapon is unavailable. The badge is of course a given.

"I do like the colors of the surcoat. The armor I'll need to scrub the rust off of."

[DarkTogashi]

Rose pick up a surcoat and a badge. The armor interfered with her magic and she'd probably hurt herself if she tried to use the weapon. "Not really my...um...colors but we're here to...um...fight crime not to look...um...good."

[Kallimakus]

Calgar nods approvingly as he listens to the oaths, making note of the deities of those that stated them. His tough exterior cracks a bit watching Rose's pet Colast also vocalize on taking the oath. He smiles as the last oath is spoken, and hands out the badges. "You are now sworn guardsmen." he declares. "And you have that right, Alleys. Getting the job done comes first. Stopping crime. Catching criminals. Keeping the citizens safe."

Aidan spots no magic on the badges, nor on the sergeant, but there is an enchantment somewhere among the stored gear. A bit of focus allows him to hone in on one of the surcoats. The aura is not strong, but it's there.

Next, he hands each recruit a small book, marked on the cover with the symbol of a hand, each of the five fingers bearing a holy symbol. "As guards, you are empowered to carry and wield weapons without bowing to Armsreach, and employ magic the same. You are empowered to catch criminals, and pass summary judgement on minor crimes. For lesser crimes and above, we have-"

His words are interrupted by the sound of a distant whistle. A frown creases his brow, followed by a smile. "Looks like you'll be getting to work sooner than though." he says, as another whistle sounds, then a third. "Get yourselves equipped. A badge at least."

[DarkTogashi]

Rose quickly dons her surcoat and attaches her badge to it. She puts her hair up in a messy bun so it can't be used against her in a fight. She wakens her drunk cat makes sure her spells are ready. With her fighting fan closed in one hand she turn to the Sargent. "Ready Sargent. What are...uh...our orders?"

[TankLaser007]

Well, isn’t that interesting …

Aidan took the surcoat that seemed to have the slight glimmer of magic lingering upon it, along with a badge, taking the book almost as an afterthought he stored it in a pocket for latter examination. "Brat, off.", he said lifting the cloak with one hand and letting it float on its own off to the side as he put on the blue and white guard’s coat with the other.

Once done he fastened the badge to the talbard and stepped next to Bratóg, "On.", he ordered stepping towards and into his cloak. It was then the sound of the whistle trilled and it was apparent they would be going out on their first official work as watchmen. Better to let the bigger folk take the lead, he thought moving to near to the large man, Garren, he had said during the oath. He looked like the type who could take care of himself and in whose “shadow” Aidan could easily go unnoticed.

Let’s see if you know what you do. he thought brushing his hand across the surcoat, as he whispered a quick prayer and traced a pattern of awakening upon the cloth. A sigil appeared on the cloth, a glowing turquoise icon of an eye in a lantern.

”So Sir… Sur. I’ll call you Sir Sur. What kind of magic is on you? Do you know what you do?” he asked the newly sentient cloth in halfling, as he prepared to follow the rest out to uncover the reason for the alarm.

Spoiler: OOC

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Spend 1 Spell Point to Cast Bestow Intelligence on the magical surcoat. Languages granted: Common & Halfling
Spell Points: 3 / 5
Draw Magic Count: 2 (Rat - Bestow Intelligence, Sir Sur - Bestow Intelligence)

[Frosty]

The armor Alexis picked up will have to wait. For now, she just affixes the badge to herself. "I am ready. What type of trouble are we expecting, sir?"

She watches with interest as the cloak comes to life. The other recruits sure are diverse and wondrous!

[Dakrsidder]

Ingo throws on a surcoat over his hide shirt and attaches a badge to it. He also picks up his crossbow and checks it briefly before strapping it onto his back. Finally, he looks over his missiles in his quiver and attaches it to his side. When finished, he listens for more information as to whatever it was they’d be doing, although he eyes the new scene with curiosity in the meantime.