Hack & Slash Em IC

[DangerClose]

Sera watched and listened as the group introduced themselves one-by-one. A plan was also taking shape, it seemed. Cambria is the knight-paladin. Alabaster is the dwarf. Izaka is the warrior-magician. And Turgon is the big man. The elf noted. There is still the other elf, and the woman who's table I had been thrust into. Last but certainly not least, there was the grey creature who had continued to remained a mystery. As the thought entered her mind, she instinctively looked up at it. And to her surprise it was staring at her again! She began to examine it more closely than she had done before. It was tall, taller than most of the people at the table. With the exception of Turgon, of course. She doubted any man or elf was taller than him. It seemed to be covered in some sort of chitinous armoured flesh. On the chest however, there was a gash, but no blood flowed forth and the creature seemed no worse for wear. Truly odd. While she was busy thinking, the other elf had returned and was reaffirming the plan with the others. Once he had finished, he introduced himself as Cael Windstrong of Silvaethien. At this time it seemed appropriate that she break her silence and introduce herself, If I must...
She cleared her throat and began in a voice that flowed like water and was as sweet as a peach, "I am Sera Aeradragil, expert archer and pleased to meet all of you."

[Miss Nikki]

A quizzical look was given to all around and then a nod to Lyra to let her know she didn't have any problems with it. "Alright so it is settled we meet up at the stables at dusk? I do have a pack mule there carrying a decent amount of rations and supplies. I am going to see a early night. I will see you all in the morning." With that she turned away from the group and headed upstairs to the bedrooms. She found hers and upon entering removed her armor and weapons. Beneath she worth a white tunic with brown leather pants, a pair of black leather boots and a medallion of Ilosh. She sat on the edge of her bed and half closed her eyes and began chanting a prayer. A golden glow began to emit from her and seek into the walls windows and door the room was warded against anything evil.

[Lucius Cypher]

Veritas looked around as more people introduced themselves. He was staring at the female elf, Sera, when she turned to look at him. For reasons he did not know, he averted his gaze quickly. He wasn't sure why he did that. Back in the forest, it didn't matter to him if his prey spotted him. Usually because no one spots one of the Homunculus unless they know you're there; you see them because they see you. So he wasn't sure why he had to advert his gaze when Sera looked at him. Trying to get his mind off of the oddness, he looked over to the others who had introduced themselves. The large human with the larger sword called himself "Turgon the mighty". An adapt description, surely. He warned to not stand in his way during a battle, and Veritas assumed it was because of his large weapon; surely, such a thing would need much space to maneuver. This was understandable. The next one was the elf man, Cael Windstrong of Silvaethien. As Turgon had said, he seemed to either be the organizer or at least the most informed about this quest they were about to participate in. Veritas had nothing to work off of to prove that Cael indeed was the originator of this quest, but seem the most informed.

After the around of introductions were made, Cambria announced that everyone were to meet at dusk at the stables, which Veritas knew as the place that had the four-legged beasts of burden. Veritas never knew how to ride one, as all where too small for him and too jumpy at the idea of the grey creature riding on them. More often then not, he simply ate them. However, Cambria also announced that she had a pack mule, which Veritas also knew; basically it was an animal that functions much like the crate on his back; used to carry a large amount of supplies and things so that no one else has to. As she said her farewells, she left to her room. All the while, Veritas followed. For a large grey creture, he was frightfully quiet and stealthy. But that was a necessity; the Darkenwood Forest would tear apart anyone who thought that being big and imposing was enough to escape it's many threats. He and his other Homunculus brothers had to be stealthy; if they weren't they would simply be prey to the forest and it's hunters. Anyways, Veritas followed Cambria a good distance away, all the way up to her room. He saw her remove her armor and weapons, sitting on her bed and quietly speaking to herself. A light radiated from her body, move to the doors and windows. The light went to him too, but he did not feel it's effects. Veritas just stood there in the doorway, staying close to Cambria as comfortably as he felt like.

[Knighthawk]

Alalbaster watched as the woman walked off followed by her gray guardian. He would have plenty of time in travel to observe the creature. It seemed all were agreed to rejoin by morning light and began to dissipate.
"I have floor space in my room if someone doesn't want to waste gold. Do I have any takers?"
In truth he had no idea the condition of the room he won from the bugbear but he figured it to at least have a bed and floor space. He pondered to purchase a wagon, it would do well for carrying goods on the way back or the wounded in need of a Trios.

[Izaka Sazaka]

As the group seemed to be splintering apart and departing, Izaka chose this moment to slip away himself, leaving the remaining occupants at the table to clear up whatever remained of the conversation. Slipping over to the door of the tavern, the halfling quickly made an exit, somewhat preferring the freshness and expanse of the night to the packed gloominess of the by now sullen tavern. People were either drunk, asleep, or heading out; the atmosphere was no longer to his immediate liking. Stepping forward into his night-time jaunt, the male produced a rather worn old book from the traveling pouch he wore at the back of his waist. The leather bindings of the time were worn smooth, but the inside pages were jagged and stuck together in some places, perhaps hinting that it had seen better days, days before it was reading during and after harsh weather.

Regardless, the book was rather strange. In addition to the various letters which formed the sentences and paragraphs that obviously granted the reader instruction (for it was a book of the educational variety), they were followed and adjoined with strange symbols, some small and some large. The binding was by and large a book of spells and incantations, some advanced, but for the most part incredibly simple. Pausing, the adventurer took a moment to remember with fondness the day he'd received it.

A fresh faced youth stood in the center of a ragged bookstore, eyes slowly skimming the spines of the volumes, picking up this and that book or novel, only to set them back down again. He was young, perhaps having left his town only a year or so earlier and was therefore still quite inept in the ways and arts of adventuring. Finally selecting a book to his liking, he attempted to sound out some of the lines verbally, although most simply ended up in gobbly-gook.

The store owner, having little else to do, watched him without much interest until he realized just which book he'd picked up. "It's no use boy, it's a book of magic, only those certain few have an aptitude for it." With a wave of his hand he dismissed the entire affair. "Best to pick another one." Still, the youthful halfling persisted, sounding out each word individually, until he was sure he had it all in his head. Following what appeared to be some sort of diagram in the center of the page, he held the book close to his chest, lifting his free hand and directing it toward and empty corner of the shop. Speaking the words mentally, a sudden rush shot forth from his chest, filling his arm with a crazy, wild, unimaginable energy.

Along the tips of his fingers blue sparks flew, forming quickly into the shape of a bolt which was released toward the back end of the shop, releasing a resounding 'crack!' as it did so. The bolt did little damage, simply scorching one of the wooden panels which composed the wall, but it left both the boy and the shopkeeper astounded. ". . . guess I was wrong." Although the keeper put on an outward appearance of surprise, he was inwardly terrified! All he wanted now was the kid out of his shop, and out now, before he tried any other spells. "Tell you what, take the book, free of charge; just promise you won't come back here!"

Turning, Izaka chose a freshly cut stump, which seemed to be located on the outskirts of the settlement, (for it appeared he'd walked more of a distance than he intended). Settling down here, he once again turned his eyes to the arcane volume, engorged in its contents.

[jimi]

Cael quietly slips away from the table again as everyone heads to their rooms. He finds an empty table near the large stone fireplace at the eastern wall of the tavern. A warm blaze crackles and roars from within its confines. The elf takes a seat, letting out a heavy sigh of relief. He unravels the map onto the tabletop and leans over it with his elbows resting on the table's edge. The red-haired barmaid appears and sets down another fresh plate of spiced potatoes, along with some ale. "Oh," Cael says with a slightly surprised look, "thank you." He reaches for a couple of gold coins, but the girl politely interjects, "This one is on the house." A friendly smile plays across her face.
Cael returns his elbow to the table's edge and smiles as well. "Thank you, ma'am." He takes a sip of the cool, refreshing ale. "My pleasure, handsome," she says with a faint giggle as she gazes over the elf's slender physique. Then, her eyes shift to the map laid out across the table. "So, you're going after those hobgoblins, I hear." Cael swallows a bite of warm spiced potato and runs the palm of his hand across the map, flattening it out. "Yes. I was across the plains, in the small village of Haven, when I heard about them." The young barmaid awkwardly tries to find an absurd question to keep the conversation going, "Ah, so you must travel around alot?" Cael lets out a faint laugh, "Yeah, you could say that. I've been from here, all the way to Westgate and as far north as Middleton." He gestures to a crudely drawn picture of a mountain range on the map, "Haven't been over the Kron Mountains yet."
The barmaid leans over the map and examines it with curiosity. "It must have taken you a long time to map all of this out." Cael lets out another short laugh, "No. I actually acquired this map from a kender in Westgate. They are experts when it comes to mapping things out." The barmaid expresses a look of confusion, "Kender?" A sarcastic smile plays across the elf's face, "Ah, you've never met a kender, I see." He takes another swig of ale, "count yourself lucky then." The barmaid's look of confusion transforms to one of curiosity. "What are they?" Cael rests his elbows on the table's edge again, "A race of small people, usually only about three or four feet in height. They are exceptionally well, as I said, at mapping things out. But they are annoying as all hell and they have a consistent habit of...borrowing," he makes a quote-on-quote gesture with his fingers, "your belongings without returning them." The barmaid lets out a playful giggle. Cael admires her glowing skin, reflecting the soft light of the nearby fire. Her long red hair hangs down in curls over her shoulders. A pair of lush, green eyes shine with the aura of her sweet innocence. Her face is smooth and inviting.
"So," the elf switches direction with the conversation, "What is your name?" The barmaid looks up from the map but struggles to make eye contact. "Oh, umm," her face turns a light shade of red as she is caught off guard by the sudden unexpected question. "Kaela," she stammers, "Kaela Weylan." Cael smiles, "Kaela. Such a beautiful name."

[Cerius]

"My name, I think some of you might know it. If not, oh well." So said Lyra with a dismissive smile, as everyone then left to go about their businesses until dusk. She turned and left, also. As she was nearing the staircase, on her way up to her room, a rusty, slurred voice called from somewhere to the right, behind her. "Hey, you there, sweetcheeks!" Lyra rolled her eyes exasperately, and turned her head to the side. "What'sh a pretty girl like you doing, walking around wearing next to nothing? You should come over here and let me have a grope of that sweet assh!" There was hearty laughter from his friend; both men were clearly intoxicated beyond civilised talk. Lyra grimaced. 'How disgusting.' She turned around, and put on a husky grin. She walked, hips swaying, towards the table until she loomed over the seated speaker. The man who had spoken raised an eyebrow, and looked over Lyra, from head to toe. "Sir, you should know that these kind of things don't come for free." Lyra spoke, in a honeyed voice. The eager, drunken man quickly got the message. "Oh, of coursh, wench. If you'd give me a minute." Reaching to his side, he fumbled on his belt, taking off his money pouch. Just as he did, a lean fist wrapped in black leather swung and connected with the man's left cheekbone, with a sickening crunch. Lyra immediately followed up by slicing open the man's cheek with a quick swing of a knife from her leg. All in the space of a second. The man doubled over and groaned. His friend, who was even more drunk, swore and swung at Lyra clumsily. She lazily sidestepped the haymaker, and he fell on top of his groaning, bleeding friend, passing out. Lyra smirked and swiped the money pouch from the man's hand. "Pleasure doing business with you, sir." Lyra patted the groaning man on the head, and turned towards the staircase, all eyes on her.

When she got to her room, she closed her door and quickly checked outside the window. Evening was approaching. Lyra sat on the rough bed and bent down to grab her blades out from under. She clipped them in a cross fashion on her back, making sure they were secure so she could move and perform practised parkour and acrobatics freely, which is mostly what enabled her to be nigh on untouchable in a fight, without fear of them falling off. She then reached over to the pile of items on the floor, picked up her book, Cold Fate, and opened it to a random page.

'Death, is the only absolute. Death completes us. Without Death, we are nothing but shimmering shells, without purpose, without end. Life would never cease to release its hold on us. We would be bound to a fate that does not exist, perversing a journey that has no destination, chasing a dream that has no promise. Death gives us a choice where we have none. Death is our saviour.'

Lyra shut the book. 'What garbage is this?' She thought with a sneer, and tossed the book onto the floor. She shifted, and stood up, leaving the room, intent on getting something to eat.

[DangerClose]

Sera gave a nod to confirm she understood the plan. The group split up, Izaka went outside, she noted, and Cael went to go chat up a barmaid, or maybe the barmaid went to go chat up him. The grey creature followed Cambria up to the second floor, she noted as well. I should probably go and buy myself a room- as she thought this and turned to walk to the bar, Alabaster offered to let someone sleep in his room on the floor. Sera turned to answer him and spoke in her silky voice, "That's very kind of you Alabaster. I believe I will take you up on that offer." Just then there was a large noise. The elf turned in its direction to find the other woman patting a fallen drunkard on his head before turning about face and disappearing up the staircase. Trouble seems to find her, or maybe she creates trouble. I can't decide which.

[Knighthawk]

"That's very kind of you Alabaster. I believe I will take you up on that offer."
He looks up to her with a smile, the elf being fine company for the evening as she has the look of stories around her and a sight better to have to look at than others gathered. He was about to reply when he heard the crash and looked to see slumped sirs and a sauntering she slipping up the stairs.

"She's a painful promise, like a jeweled viper, sparking and shinny to draw in prey then *snap* its over. Its venom is euphoric and hallucinating so that you have never been more happy to die. The ones of Kron live near rivers where the water polishes stones smooth or in rock quarries and mines where others have dug. I knew a ranger who had one for a companion and would milk its venom for sale."

[Syd]

As they all went their seperate ways Turgon glanced Lyra walking off from the corner of his eye. The debacle that ensued was hilarious. He showed it with a hearty bellow of laughter. After being doubled over for a couple of seconds he wiped the tear from his eye and sighed happily "She's a northwall woman alright. Now, ladies and gentlemen, if you will excuse me, I have been away from my home for some time and would be happy to hear what scant news I can of it." He saluted the rest and walked over to the bar to ask the barman which room Lyra was staying in. The barman had a puzzled look on his face for a moment, then a look of horror "Listen mate, I don't care where you hide the salami but please, I've just had this place done up. I can't afford to do it again." Turgon smiled and shook his head. "I'm not asking for that reason. By the trees and the suns, I swear that's all you southerner's think of." He nodded to him and walked up. He reached the room and stopped for a second, hoping the woman wouldn't think he was the drunkard who had said lecherous things to her. Best to knock. After a quick rap he enquired "May I enter?"