[IC] The Land Of Odesh (A fantasy Dice/Stat based rp) REBOOT

[salamimike]

The town of Thoria !
The Docks
Time-17:27- The sun is low in the sky.

As you step off the St Christopher and onto the solid wood of the dock. You breath in the fresh salty sea air and look around. You see that the dock is bustling as the cargo that was on the large boat you sailed here on is being removed. Barrels and crates, shuffled along by large muscular men who work for the docking company. They are all placed in a large stacked pile, then moved from the pile to the warehouse to the right of the dock .The warehouse looks old and run down but still provides a shelter for the goods until they are needed to travel to the next town. To the left of you is the sea. The calm splashes can be heard as it collides with the small stone wall that protects the cobble road in front of you from being covered in water. Across the road are three buildings. The one slightly left of you is called “The Red Dwarf Inn” the building looks as if abandoned. The brickwork missing a few pieces in places. But despite the look, the lights inside and the buzz of people suggest maybe the town is just not so keen on keeping appearances too tidy. Directly ahead of you is a wonderfully painted shop front. The blues compliment the look of the sea and the flowers by the door make the tavern next to it even more shoddy and run down looking. There are no lights coming from inside. Finally the building to the right of the shop is a large tower. It reaches high into the sky and peeks with a flat walled roof. Guards can be seen at the top holding longbows. You notice other guards entering and leaving the tower as their shifts begin to change. The chain mail and blue tunic that adores their bodies, blowing softly in the light breeze. As the swords by their side hang slightly on their left Looking down the street a thick fog covers what the rest of the town might have to offer.
What will you do?

[salamimike]

Zimnis
A new town, at the eve of an old day. The very reason he chose this journey, the beginning of an understanding of adventure, the first amazing sight since the endless blue of sea, finally within reach! Zimnis, giddy with excitement, nearly tripped over his own leg as he ran off of the St. Christopher, eager to explore the new town. With two hops and one great leap, the thick-bearded gnome broke free of his water-locked prison and returned to sweet land - right in the unpleasantly warm backside of a busy labourer heaving a rather heavy burden.

"Oh, pardon, I seem to have tripped," the gnome mumbled, hastily shuffling away from the labourer, hot with embarrassment and barely able to stay upright, even with the support of his stave.

After a few seconds, the gnome recovered his composure and giggled happily to himself as he reached the cold, cobbled road. It was not quite dusk, however the fog and the sea spray combined to cool off the cobbled stones quite well. Zimnis knew this immediately upon reaching the road, for he spent a long moment kissing two of the well-set stones fervently, gracious to be off the water.

Looking back to the rag-tag group of sentient creatures who shared his interest, Zimnis wiped a tear from his eye and commented, "Tis' not till you lose something that you realize how important it is!"

He then kissed the rock once more and rose to his feet, his stout stave clonking against the well-adored rock as he looked ahead, towards three distinguishable buildings. Immediately, he could identify the building which most resounded with his interests and life-long goals. Only one of the three buildings could possibly quench the overwhelming desire for land and freedom which had been so long withheld from him.

"There won't be enough ale' in all the kingdom to cap ma' gullet!" roared the gnome, a wide grin stretched across his face as he set off towards the Inn.

---

Grommak
As he stepped off the boat, Grommak considered each of the noteworthy structures within sight. Seeing that the store was likely closed, he opted to join Zimnis at the Inn, the one locale that was likely of any use at this hour. As he wandered over however, a human hurriedly bumped into him as he was running by. The meagre commoner grew pale at the sight of an orc towering over him and began apologizing profusely. Grommak simply checked his pockets and moved on.

---

Haiean
Haiean followed the others away from the ship, his body covered by the brown cloak he had ‘obtained’ minutes before boarding the St Christopher. He was going to follow the others to wherever they were going, but as he noted how both Zimnis and Grommak bumped into someone he stopped to search for another person to do the same, ready to collide with them the moment he found someone suitable. He was unsuccessful and wondered what was the point of this behaviour but dismissed it as just another oddity of this place. After all, he was told this land was full of adventures, whatever those were, with wealth being given to him by people of their own accord. So what was a little strangeness, compared to that?

Whilst he moved after the others, Haiean looked at the sky and smiled, or the closest he was physically capable off. Soon it would be night, the perfect time to obtain more things. He noticed the buildings near and, while he wanted to lay his hands on the things that were being transported and on those inside the blue painted building, he continued towards the ‘Red Dwarf’, conscious of the menacing tower near.

After Zimnis deposited his lips a few times on some rocks and commented about his loss, Haiaen noted that the gnome was the only one to do so. He knelt near the stones and touched one of them a few times with the long nail off his index finger before he stood up and turned towards one of his companions, with luck one that was close enough to listen. “I don’t understand.” He said, his voice continuously hoarse. Haiaen was accustomed to be unaware off the reason most things happened around him, and of the things he knew, being unable to explain the reason he knew so. But that didn’t meant he was willing to ignore them now that he had companions he could ask about them.

“Why did he abandon the rocks he had lost?”

---

Lindir
When Lindir had gone upon the boat named St Christopher he was not really sure what to expect being his first time in the lands of the "common folk" as his people referred them as. And frankly he was quite apaulled by the sight, smell and the people on the boat. He thought the harbour he had entered first was bad, living on that boat for an extended period of time was not something he was eager to do again. It was dark, grimy, wet, cold and the smell of people not having cleaned themselves for days were burning in his nose. Even more strange was a few more notable people that he had noticed on the boat that seemed to be going the same way that he was.

The gnome first of all reminded him slightly about the familiars or fairies that he had came to know in his homeland. At first he had payed little attention and even ignored him if he was approached. His overly happy and friendly attitude was almost a bit to much to be considered sane in Lindirs own opinion. But immediately he could recognize a fellow mage and even tho his puppetry did little to impress, Lindir was a bit curious about this little beings magical prowess. Eventually he would have one or two conversations with him if the gnome was persistent in wanting to converse with him but Lindir always kept an observant eye on the figure.

Then there was the big green beast that he first thought was either a captive or a barbarian wanting to kill them all. Never did he think an orc such as him could be an adventurer let alone be in the presence of humans without starting a riot. Lots of questions came to mind about this individual but mainly what he was doing alone on a boat like this as to Lindir knowledge orcs prefers to stay among their own. Lindir would stay away for the most part and keep an eye on him but did not go out of his way to avoid the beast. Later he found out the creature actually had a name from perhaps a discussion with the gnome or maybe he overheard someone else speak with him. He did at least seem civilized enough but the stench and the rather unpleasant appearance usually kept Lindir at bay.

Then there was the third, dark and mysterious figure. Constantly cloaked and hidden from sight Lindir felt there was something amiss with this person. Maybe a theif or a beggar that had sneaked up on the boat hoping nobody would notice perhaps, he thought at first. But the more he would study him if from afar Lindirs keen eyes could perhaps pick up on more things he found peculiar. He would sometimes approach the person tho not directly and he was sure to stay just outside a swords range from the person but that was as close as he would get. The smell was the first that struck him, he thought the orc was bad this was like something had crawled up and died under that cloak of his, quite literally. His curiosity was not enough to get him closer than that however but he would study him more than the others as he felt there was just something not right.

When it was decided that the four of them were to travel together Lindir was very, very skeptical... To travel around with the three most strange people he had met so far was not something he would accept very easily. But perhaps through a very long and annoying discussion with the gnome, maybe the feeling he had when he decided to spontaneously jump on this boat in the first place or perhaps through divine intervention... The proud elf would end up accepting to tag along, if only for a brief period of time.

Then as the boat finally reached its destination Lindir was last to step off the boat among the group. His clothes surprisingly clean without a single spec of dirt on it and he would smell like the forest island he came from. Having made sure to stay clean during his trip. With his glowing jewelry, the green strands of light that gleam on his clothing and the highlights in his hair, small firefly like orbs of light dancing around him, appearing and disappearing his grace and elegance would surely draw attention of many. The ease and grace of his steps down to the docks would make it seem he was floating just above the ground and with his slightly gleaming eyes and his calm aura one could almost think he was a magical being and not just an elven mage.

Holding his back straight and his chin high he would observe his three new companions walk ahead of him and sighed quietly to himself when both the gnome and the orc would bump in to the people passing them by. Looking at the Zimnis with an distasteful expression seeing the gnome kissing the ground he would not mind much for what he said. But instead hoped that he would not catch something in fear of getting the same thing by being in his company. "I really hope there is a better inn around here...This place looks...Inhabitable..." He spoke more or less to himself as Zimnis rushed away towards the Red dwarf inn. The harbor was not much better than the one before and he longed for the opportunity to leave this town. None the less he still followed the orc and the gnome towards the inn where he would stop beside his third companion, who was now kneeling down and tapping at the stones the gnome had just cherished. Hearing Heiaens voice for the first time he would look down on him with a very analysing expression. Not answering his question but instead looking down at his hand touching the rock.

(Rolls with Perception)
(Gets a 3)
(Rolls with Knowledge)
(Gets a 6)

The hand was only seen for a moment, but from the few seconds Lindir had seen it, he noticed the fingers looked unhealthy, maybe even slightly blackened, as if the cloaked figure had gangrene or some other disease. The figure seemed sickly, from the slightly gritty way he talked, to the odd way he seemed to move, as if he did not have full control over certain body parts. His breathing seemed forced, as if he truly didn’t even need to breath as much as he did. Lindir remembers reading books with such injuries, and he could tell that the man should be dead, and that powerful magic was keeping him alive. He wasn’t certain how it could be possible, but as this was all speculation. He decided to get back to it on a later date but kep his eye on the odd, sickly fellow.

"...That is a question you have to ask our tiny friend..." He then responded as he would then pass him and head towards the inn once more. Being now even more curious to their cloaked friends origin

---

Elan: Next, we go to the tavern.
Roy: Why? I need adventurers, not a drink. Well, not JUST a drink.
Elan: That's where adventurers are hired, silly!
Roy: Why? It's not like they're looking for jobs on the wait staff.
Elan: I dunno, it's just tradition.
— The Order of the Stick: On the Origins of PCs

The Tavern
As the adventurers walk into the tavern they are hit by a wave of warmth, light and noise. Despite the night barely beginning the place was already filling in. Most of the patrons where human but a dwarf or gnome could be seen here and there. A band bearing a manner of instruments played in one of the corners as the bar maid delicately swooped about delivering drinks and food to other patrons. The atmosphere of the place seemed alive with conversation but the music and banter where quiet enough to talk to someone if you where close. The bartender moved behind the bar. Serving drinks from a fancy tap made of some kind of bone as he chattered with the many familiars.

Behind the bartender a menu is painted onto a large block of wood.
On the wood is written:
Menu -

Drinks-
Water -1 gold
Stout - 1 gold.
Ale– 2 gold.
Mead– 2 gold
Liquid star whiskey (Tavern Special) - 3 gold.

Food-
Meat pie – 2 gold
Bread – 1 gold
Fresh apple – 1 gold
Ham slices with gravy and vegetables. – 3 gold

What will you do?

[salamimike]

"This is the life of The Bartender: he pours a round and just quietly listens and observes the setting" - TvTropes, The Bartender


Zimnis gleefully hobbled through the narrow street, making his way towards the tavern without interruption. In all of his years, his many years, living in the world, "I swear I never loved steady ground so dearly," he mumbled under his breath. Although the sun was sinking closer to the horizon faster than he had hoped, the tinker gnome felt content to spend the remainder of his day in the tavern. The town did not look very pleasant on the outside, and the foggy's thick enough to burn! He chuckled to himself at the thought and, using his staff to reach, pried the door open. Due to the lack of maintenance, one of the hinges was slightly loose, making the door lean against its frame heavily. All the same, the door relented under the new-found strength of the gnome, regained after weeks of unending tossing at sea.

The gnome practically threw the door to the side and rushed on in to the tavern, taking a deep breath as he stepped, attempting to absorb the thick scent of ale, mead, and meat pie right out of the air. He felt unsuccessful, as he could still balance without leaning heavily on his stave, however he was sure that his predicament would fix itself soon enough. With a broad, almost elated smile on his face, the gnome weaved past a few wenches and directed himself towards the bar, fancily vaulting himself onto a vacated stool with the assistance of his trusty stave. He kept a tight hold of his stave after landing, then used it to wave for the attention of the bar-tender.

After the standard greeting and salutations, the gnome cheerfully asked, "Hallow, noble sir! My companions and I have come from a loooooooong and far away land, across the sea and over many, many hills to reach this town. As such - we need ale!" He then chuckled heartily and, before the bar-keep could move to grant his request, he quickly added, "but before the ale, I have a proposition to make!" As the fairly short gnome continued talking, he stood up in his chair, hoping to attract the attention of anyone willing to look


(Rolls with Charisma Stat )
(Gets a 4 )
A few patrons began to look in the direction of the Gnome, those in deep conversation however continued to talk

"You see, from the land which I hail from, we gnomes have a certain tradition when it comes to newcomers. If anyone in any group can create a spectacle so incredible that none can protest it's spectacularitiness, the whole group gets drink on the house." The gnome then leaned in towards the barkeep and extended his right hand with an honest smile and sparkling eyes as he continued, "what say ye?"

(Rolls with Barter Stat )
(Gets a 4 )
The muscular Bartender looked the gnome up and down.
“I will accept your terms, but if you fail to wow, you and your friends have to buy a round

---

After entering the tavern, Grommak would scan the room for someone that didn't look too busy or inebriated and approach them.
The man Grommak approached looked at the Orc peculiarly, it wasn’t often to see an Orc in human territory, but here one was coming to talk to him.

"Is there river nearby?" He asked in partially broken common.

”Not that I know of, there is a river past the walls, but the gates are closed until morning.”

Grommak nodded in thanks then stood aside near the entrance, ready to observe Zimnis until he finished whatever he was upto.

---

As Lindir would enter the tavern, shortly after the cheerful gnome and the silent orc he would look around for brief second scanning the area. Quite surprised that it looked so much better on the inside rather than the outside. He just hoped that the rooms would be of at least adequate standard. Walking through the room he moved with the same type of grace and elegance like before, the glowing lines of magic on his clothes and his aura not being the slightest dimmer even if it was still relatively bright in the room. Stepping up to the counter he would meet the bartenders eyes with his sharp gaze and would then speak. "I'd like to have a room...How much to spend the night?" He asked while looking at the man with a serious yet calm expression.


“3 Gold pieces a night, that gives you the protection of no-one pinching your coins in your sleep. The rooms are small but have two beds and are better then sleeping on the street corner. Especially due to the recent rat problem at the old warehouse across the street.” The man cleaned a glass in his hand “If you want to earn some coin, the town has a message board in front of the town hall just left of the Phorus statue up the street.” He put the glass down

---

"Wa-what," Bamgardo muttered. He was in his bunk on the ship when he suddenly heard a commotion. He hopped out of the hammock and headed to the deck of the ship. "Blimey!" he exclaimed. He had slept through the landing! He hoped out of bed and grabbed his things, then quickly headed to the main deck. After making it to his destination, he quickly addressed a member of the crew and was relieved to find they hadn't been in dock. After he hurriedly left the ship and looked around
Bam sees nothing more than what has already been written above. The fog too thick to see anything else.
Bam wanted to find something to show to everyone in the tavern. The gnome really wanted to get his name known, and how better than showing off his skills. Sadly Bam saw nothing of interest and so headed to the Tavern, taking a seat next to where Grommak was standing.

---

Haiaen was the last of the group to enter the tavern, or so he thought as he entered the place a few moments after Lindir, still able to see a faint light trace that probably had emanated from the elf. Near the entrance, he stopped and looked around in an attempt to mark anything of possible interest that was happening and where all members of the group were.

(Rolls with Perception Stat )
(Gets a 8)
Despite his eyes being that of the dead, Haiaen looked across the room. Most people seemed fairly uninteresting, drinking and eating.
Two things caught his eye though. Two guards sat in one of the far corners, they where challenging people to arm wrestling and when they lost the loser would pay gold upfront. The second thing that caught his eye was a curtained off area. The curtain was a rare looking purple. Inside sat an elderly woman, some kind of crystal ball in front of her. She looked like a fortune teller of some sort.

While doing so, he mused at what kind of things could exist inside other dwarves compared to all the people, objects and noises which were inside this ‘Red Dwarf’. With the words of his elf companion still on his mind, Haiaen moved towards Zimnis and sat beside the Gnome. The locals more interested in conversation or the Gnome then to question the way in which the undead man moved.

[salamimike]

Success! The giddy gnome grinned and pointed over to the musicians, commenting, "Alright then, clear the stage and I'll start!" After the musicians finished their piece and begrudgingly shuffled out of the performance area in the corner, the gnome calmly hobbled over with his staff and moved all but one of the stools out of the way, propping up the lone stool in the back corner. He then placed his staff against the wall next to him and walked over to the front of the presentation area.

"Greetings, fair people of Thoria! Before you stands Zimmysonmekkasproketitificanster, the puppet master of the Highesthill. Tonight, you shall all witness a magnificent display of two warriors and their quest for the mythic sword named Heizorlansteir." He emphasized his words with broad gestures and subtle expressions, addressing the people of the crowd, especially the barkeep, specifically and generally as he spoke, shifting his attention from one person to groups of people. All the while, he stepped around the stage calmly, gradually starting to produce the movement which would eventually lead to the beginning of his performance.

Zimnis continued his introduction with a great clap as he said, "The story I am about to lay before you is a story of action!" He then quickly posed as if he was lunging with a sword, farcically trying to look tough, and jumped back as he swung his hand up to his face, as if shielding his eyes from the sun. He leaned forward, looking around the crowd as he added, "Adventure!" He then held up his fist and heartily shouted, "Valor!" With his fist still clenched, he hit himself in the back and squealed, "Betrayal!" Zimnis then returned to an even standing position and commented, "and, of course, it will be a story of fantastical wonders, as you have never seen!"

(Rolls with Charisma Stat )
(Gets a 6 )

Most of the crowd had stopped talking and where looking at the Gnome. They where still unsure of what to expect, but it would probably be funny either way.

The puppeteer then bowed to the crowd and pulled out his two puppets, both humanoid, featureless, wooden dolls attached to strings, which were attached to complex wooden lever-like devices which Zimnis held on to as he walked back to the stool in the corner of the room. He hopped onto his stool and grinned, shouting, "I present to you," he then paused for emphasis, summoning the magical energies to his hands as he pictured the two figures in his mind. The gnome detailed each familiar fold and crevice of both puppets, one a short, armored and armed humanoid figure with a highly detailed face, and the other a stout, hairy and roughly dressed dwarven figure with a war-hatchet and a full animal bladder, once again, with a highly detailed face.

Then, as he opened his eyes, he released all of the magical energy from his hands into the puppets, summoning the two life-sized puppets before him with a blinding flash of light and smoke.

(Rolls with Light Magic Stat )
(Gets a 4)

As the light and smoke quickly faded, Zimnis shouted loud so as to raise his voice over the commotion of the crowd and continued, "Sir Archibald, noble adventurer and warrior of his king, Zerilichi." As he spoke, he moved his left hand around in a very precise manner, causing the humanoid figure to perform a quick jig, followed by drawing his sword and raising it to the ceiling. As the humanoid's mouth opened, Zimnis announced in a very practiced and noble tone, "I am Sir Archibald, the true heir of the Heizorlansteir!"

Zimnis then continued, "and the shorter one, Marlbow the Stout." He then moved both hands and had the two puppets interact for a moment before the dwarf puppet shot straight up and turned towards the gnome, moving its mouth as Zimnis shouted in an angry, deep, and heavily accented voice, "an' if ye call me' shart unce agen," the dwarf then pointed his axe at the gnome and Zimnis shouted louder, "YA'L BE SEARCHIN' DA BO'TM O' DE SEA FIR YER LEGS!"

The crowd laughed at the telling off

Zimnis returned to his own voice and quickly apologized, then he began his story, having the two prance about the stage, interacting with illusory objects such as heavy rocks and books, running around and jumping, and even fighting a giant dragon-head puppet which Zimnis summoned on the wall and controlled by moving his staff with his left foot.

At the end of the show, the two puppets bowed professionally to the crowd, as did Zimnis.

A knowledge check was not needed, as the crowd erupted into applause.

Then, with another bright flash of light, the two life-sized puppets disappeared as the magic energy in the puppets flowed back into Zimnis's hands. The master puppeteer then placed his puppets back in their spots within the pockets of his cloak, and the gnome hopped down from his stool in the corner. After grabbing his staff, he hobbled back to the front of the stage, bowed, and called, "As Marlbow would say, 'tis time fir a drink!'" He chuckled to himself after saying this, and walked back over to the barkeep to see what he thought.

The Barkeep sighed, “I was sceptical at first, but I cant argue with that crowdI stick with my word. ”. With that, the man turned and began pouring out five ales. Placing them on the counter, for the adventurers to take.

---

After observing Zimnis show, Grommak approached the innkeeper.

"How much for room?" He asked

”3 Gold pieces a night” The Bartender replies.

He payed him the appropriate gold after being informed of the price. He went to his room and flopped into the bed for the night.

---

Haiaen thought of going to where the men were making all the noises as he could see the gold sporadically changing owners. But when he gave the first step to approach them he stopped, his focus now on the strange purple area he saw there was someone in. With his curiosity piqued, he tilted his head slightly to the left and changed his course. To arrive there without turning his body, he moved his left foot forward and raised the heel of his right. Haiaen then slided his left foot back and repeated the same motion, this time switching the foot he rose and slided until he reached his destination. Without delay, when he arrived there he moved his fingers on the wavering purple thing in front of him, repeating the process whenever the movement stopped.

---

How could this happen to him! He was the great BamGardo Bywater, brilliant inventor and skilled outdoorsman, the frustrated gnome couldn't understand how he couldn't use his skills to find something useful. Soon Bam found himself seated in the tavern, grumbling about his bad luck. Eventually he came to the conclusion that this attitude would get him nowhere, and in response to his epiphany, he stood up on his chair, his arms outstretched. In his loudest voice, the gnome called out to the whole tavern, "I am BamGardo Bywater, and I am here to fix all your things!"
Bam then continued by scanning the room, looking for any takers.

Most people ignored the gnome entirely, they had already had a performance and they wanted to get back to their drinks and talking. Maybe it would be best to ask around town in the morning?

He ran out of his gold on the St Christopher, the young gnome being one to find joy in gambling. He needed to earn some money fast, or risk starving.

---

Aunt Wu: Your future is full of struggle and anguish, most of it self-inflicted.
Sokka: But, you didn't read my palms or anything.
Aunt Wu: I don't need to. It's written all over your face.
— Avatar: The Last Airbender, "The Fortuneteller"

Lindir would listen to the barkeepers words and gave him a nod of approval. At least it sounded like the rooms would be alright to spend the night in.so Lindir would reach his hand in to his pack and took three gold coins which he then placed on the counter in front of the man. "That should be alright...Thank you." He would respond. He would then glance over to the gnome as he was fully occupied with his little charade in hopes of getting free drinks. But then something else caught his eye. No, it was not the rather strange movements of their cloaked companion but rather the seer that he was moving towards. Accepting the keys to his room he would pocket them somewhere on his coat before heading towards the purple drapes that Haiaen was inspecting. Tho without paying much attention to him he would brush the drapes aside and walk in.

Well within the shadows of the fortune teller's booth he would simply stand there and look down on the old woman. His green magical aura lighting up the area lightly with the small orbs still dancing around where he moved. Trying to feel out the lady and her crystal he was trying to figure out if they were magical,as well as to check if there was anything particular with the lady herself
(Rolls with Perception)
(Gets a 3)

The woman seems a typical old human female , her face and hands wrinkled and her fingers covered in jewels, the glass ball and tarot cards in front of her seem pretty normal, but some magical items need magic to detect them. (Detect Magic Spell- Cost 1 mana)

Without saying another word however he would then sit down and fold his fingers together as he would simply observe the lady closer with his sharp green eyes.

”Welcome, Welcome!” The woman would say her arms rising then falling in greeting. ”Spare a Gold piece and have your fortune foretold.?”

[salamimike]

As Lindir would cast his spell to try to make out any magical properties of her or the items she had, using just a few twirls of his fingers and mumbling the chants quietly to himself to hide his action when he could read the magical auras Lindir was shocked, almost beyond belief. The pure magical power she possessed rivaled the elders of his homeland and it baffled him as to what was she doing here simply telling the fortunes of people for a mere sum of gold. Despite his shock however he kept his face and stayed calm as he has been staying around powerfull mages all of his life and he was not going to let himself feel oppressed by the sheer power she wielded. If anything it made him more qurious than ever and that he had already found a person such as this so shortly after leaving his home was sure a stroke of luck, if not perhaps fate. But even tho he had questions he decided to wait and would play along with her little charade, placing the amount of coins she asked for on the table. "That should suffice..." He said as he would observe her closely.

”Wonderful, wonderful deary” The woman smiled,closing here eyes and lifting her hands to the glass ball in front of her. The glass that was once an icy white soon began to change in shade, oranges and reds sprang forth and lit up the dark corner of the Tavern. The colours soon settled to a deep red. The woman began chanting some magical rhyme unknown to the mystical elves ears. Her eyes opened after the chanting had finished, her frosty blue eyes burned into Lindir's “A dark power awaits you, a power that will ravage the land of all life. Leave town with your accomplices, find Blueblood and save the land of this destruction” The woman exhales and removes her hands from the ball, it becomes frosty and normal once again. Her eyes close and she slumps over, she seems drained. “Leave my curtains now” She mutters, a sickly rasp in her throat and a far more bitter attitude aswell.

---

"What is this!" Bam cried, "I, the great BamGardo Bywater, brilliant inventor, skilled outdoors man, can't even get the pettiest of jobs because you are all so interested in those annoying puppets!" In truth, Bam was not really put off by the performance, in fact, if it hadn't inconvenienced him, he would probably be talking to the puppeteer at the moment, over enthusiastically congratulating him a performance. After a moment of standing on his chair, fuming, everyone most likely looking at him during this awkward second, he had an idea. "Here is an idea," BamGardo announced, focusing on the barkeep, "I bet that I can craft a tool that will make your bar keeping life easier. Anything you want! All I'll need are some tools and materials and I will make it! Now, Mr. Barkeep if you find the tool that I make is more impressive than that mess of sticks and wire that over-sized Gnomes calls a performance, than I get a free night's stay. If you don't, you'll never see my face in the tavern again!".

(Rolls with Charisma)
(Gets a 2)

“Maybe you should stop trying to be the hero of the town and have a drink, most people here have had a hard days work and just want to socialise.” The Bartender retorted to Bams wishes.

"What!" Bam exclaimed losing his temper, and not for the first time this night, "Well, well, I can't even speak!". After his tirade, Bam gave the other gnome a dirty look, and then headed out the door, slamming the weak frame. Once outside, Bam looks around

(Rolls with Perception)
(Gets a 5)
Despite the fog still looming, and the only light now coming from street lamps, Bam can still see the small colourful shop next door, and the guardhouse next to that. Across the street a large Factory can be seen, next to the Dock that Bam had landed on. The St Christpher still sitting in port.

Bam began to walk deeper into town, hoping to move into the wilderness. His vision was far worse as he left the light of the Tavern and guard tower and soon he walked in the darkness. He passes buildings he can not identify but soon find the gates to the outside. Unfortunately for Bam they are locked. Maybe Bam should return back to his group?

---

As the barkeep congratulated him, the masterful puppeteer vaulted onto a bar stool once more, chuckling as he steadied himself. With a wide grin, he watched the barkeep fill the first draught of ale and cheekily responded to the man's comment, "From whence I come, it is said that one never regrets a business deal with a puppet master." After his comment, he chuckled to himself and quickly accepted the free ale from the barkeep as a few strangers hobbled over to him. While he was interrupted from drinking his ale, he noticed both the drunkenness of the strangers, and the shouting gnome from the St. Christopher who had managed to hobble over to the bar. "Drink up," Zimnis cheerily commented, raising the over-sized mug to his friend before taking a big gulp.

Zimnis then put the half-drank mug down and conversed with the drunkards for a few minutes as more drama unveiled around himself. He explained what a puppet was to the drunkards, then sent them off, claiming that, "my tricks are my meals. No one wants to give away their meals, eh?" With his conversation over, he looked around the bar, trying to ignore the rambling gnome beside him as he finished off the last of his ale.

The drunkards asked for free ale, but the barkeeper swiftly told them off, as did Zimnis, who immediately felt internally guilty upon doing so(despite their persistence). The gnome looked around for the rather large and calm orc from the boat, but the green-skinned giant was nowhere to be seen! Swerving around, Zimnis grabbed another ale and, raising it towards the barkeep, claimed, "the orc won't be needin' this tonight," before trying once again to drown himself in the brilliant, frothy, golden liquid. This time, as opposed to the first, he could make out the faint taste of honey in the bitter-sweet drink. By the time the second draught was empty, he was certain that the hole which previously occupied the space of his stomach was full to the brim.

As he slammed the empty draught down beside the last, he released a rather loud belch and briefly complimented the barkeep before turning his attention to the creepy robed guy and the other gnome.

Zimnis hadn't expected the barkeep to have lost his cheerful mood so quickly, but that was how the situation played out for the loud gnome. For a moment, the puppet-master felt like hobbling over to console the gnome. Before the puppet master could make up his mind, however, the gnome sent him the glance of an impassioned, berzerking Meatwrencher and stormed out, probably to plot a gnomish scheme for revenge. As he thought to reach for the gnome's ale, realizing that BamGardo would probably not be returning for it, the blurred hand of the creepy robed guy as he stole away the ale.
(Rolls with Perception)
(Gets a 1)
Zimnis saw not only one hand, but two! The robed figure must be some kind of freaky spider man!
Zimnis soon shrugged off the accusation as the Alewas whisked away, soon forgetting about the two handed incident
Once again, before Zimnis had the reaction time to object, the rippling, robe-covered figure was rushing towards the door, small drops of ale dripping from the brimm-filled draught. The puppet-master watched in amusement as, behind the door, the robed guy spoke to someone who sounded like BamGardo, then watched as the figure returned with the empty draught in-tow. Zimnis chuckled as the figure sat nearby, then turned his attention to a few drunkards who happened to overhear the exchange and, renewed with the passion for free ale, meandered over to the bar once more.

After waving off the drunkards once again, the persistent buggers he thought, feeling less guilty about it, he looked around once more and noticed the seer's booth near the back of the tavern behind the happy, but obtrusive faces of humans and dwarves. Zimnis had to squint to identify the rather shiny, green orbules of light from his companion's clothes due to the alcohol, but the resemblance was unmistakable once his sight was focused enough to see. Turning back around, he watched the odd, robed fellow drink his ale in amusement and told the barkeeper, "I hadn't spied those fancily-purpled draperies in the back over thar before now," at this he pointed to the fortune-teller, "what can you tell me about them?"

“Ah that, some old bugger. Calls herself a fortune teller, most people pay just to amuse her. She has become quite the talk recently. Apparently we are all doomed!” The Bartender gave out a hearty laugh, and said nothing more.

---

Haiaen stopped to wave the curtains around his fingers and looked around, a sensation of dizziness within. He stood unmoving beyond a sequence of blinks for a moment, before he jumped always from the purple curtains, intent in avoid poking them again. Yet, he soon found himself with his arms extended ready to touch the cloth. He would have done so, if the word fortune hadn’t being spoken.

Immediately, Haiaen went inside past the curtains to search the meaning of the woman claim. As Lindir was already there, he waited to see what would happen. He saw the elf pick his belongings and at the unmistakable glint of gold, Haiaen lightly hopped around a few steps, he could almost feel the adventure. How much will she give him? At what happened the undead halted and moved his hands to his own eyes, scrubbing them. Were his companions instead of after adventures giving them? Had he misunderstood something again?

He would have asked, but Lindir seemed too busy to answer his questions. So Haiaen added these new queries to his list of, at the moment, two hundred and eighty four and went to explore the rest of this crowded red dwarf. He passed near a few tables and when he was going to put his money grabbing skills to use, Bam protested about puppets stealing his job or something. He would have ignored the outburst, but he saw too strong a familiarity in the reactions of some of the people seated near the gnome to those that had waved torches and pitchforks against him. He went after BamGardo, reaching the bar when the barkeep gave his answer.

After what happened, Haiaen wondered if gnomes in fact spoke with their eyes, if they didn’t know how to speak. He tried to get any meaning out of Zimnis eyes, but from the words spoken around he only understood there were free drinks to each of them. Maybe it’s something only they can do? He looked at the door Bam had just left and picked the drink that was his.”Does he even know this place? Hey, you forgot yours.” He rushed to the exit, while balancing the contents of the mug.

He thought of leaving the building, but abstained from stepping away from the entrance. If the fog outside had been thick before, now that was darker it somehow was thicker too. So much, that with his senses he was unable to see the tower he knew was near.”You forgot your ale.” The undead said, expecting some kind of response. The Gnome, isntead, walked away,ignoring the roved fellow. he looked around and, after making sure nobody was in listening range, answer in sequence, while alternating his tone of voice slightly.”Thank you comrade, but you can have it. ” “But it’s yours, I couldn’t have it.” “ No, no, I insist .” “Alright.”

After the exchange he would drink the ale and re-enter the place. He had no idea what the point of doing this was, but it was worth two gold.

He fended off the drunks from his ale, even if he had no idea why it was his. He picked it, and mimicked what the people seated were doing with theirs. Barring the texture of the liquid he felt it was equal to any other liquid he had imbibed before. As the last dropped passed by his throat, he raised a brow and looked inside the empty mug.

The undead man seemed unaffected by the alcohol, his long dead organs un-corruptible it seemed.

[salamimike]

" Haiaen slightly turned the mug in his hands to watch the few drops of ale remaining inside move. After a few seconds of doing so, he left the container on the counter and moved his hands to snatch the last untouched ale, the one that belonged to Lindir, before someone else did. While holding it with both hands to avoid dropping any of the golden liquid inside, Haiaen listened to part of Zimnis conversation with the bartender, until the gnome started to speak about some sort of good fir. Realizing he wouldn’t understand the meaning of the words, Haiaen turned to look backwards at the people around the establishment, his biggest question now on his mind.

Where were the monsters? he had heard the word many times before being attacked. In fact it had been one of the first words he had someone say, from what he could remember. But as much as he searched he couldn’t find any. As his hands tightened around the object he was holding, he kept looking at the behaviour of those around him. He couldn’t recognize anyone similar to Grommak or Lindir, but nobody seemed ready to do anything against any of them. Maybe if he found them he could understand why he was targeted and be able to stop wearing this restrictive thing over himself.

When the gnome started to pick his coins, Haiaen’s eyes were immediately brought to it and, after again seeing what possibly was an adventure being given by one of his companions to someone else he moved towards the puppeteer, while still holding the ale. Believing it to be his chance of asking what he could, he began to speak very quickly, somewhat lightening the usual hoarseness of his voice. When he finished speaking he extended his open palm.

“Hey Zimnis, Zimnis. what do I do with this? Where are the monsters? Are you and Lindir giving adventures? Why did you abandon them? Are dwarfs bigger inside? Do midgets have night vision? Can I get an adventure too? Are you listening to me?”

Haiaen listened to the answers given without moving an inch. At the mention of gold, his lips formed a small smile, almost imperceptible due to his heavy garments. As the gnome finished, Haiaen nodded a few times, glad he now understood more his companion, even if he still felt confused. Taking care to not spill the drink, he started to slowly walk in circles around the gnome, speaking in the same way as before.

“Humm, maybe we could meet this chance? Or maybe a few monsters? But, If you don’t want to see Giant Lizards… Oh I know, maybe we could get an adventure where you can be ripped by something else. Umm...”

Then he stopped to look at Zimnis. Haiaen began to ascend the stairs after the gnome, but when Zimnis closed the door he stopped. Remembering how it usually went when they were on the boat, Haiaen looked at the all the doors around before he moved to the stairs. Whilst he descended, he thought about the words spoken to him minutes before, and wondered what was Lindir doing by giving money if not an adventure, and if the elf would know how to change liquid gold into gold coins.

---

Doomed, eh?" Zimnis said to himself, staring off at the curtains with a drunk stupor as he continued, "I dun't mind bad omens, to tell no lie. They force ye' ta think twice before ye' take a step, and give ye' the mind to defy them good-fir nothin' gods..." He paused after thinking about what he just said, but was distracted by thought tangents while doing so. After a long pause, he turned back around and chuckled, leaning in towards the bartender as he commented, "y'know, it couldn't hurt to sleep in security tonight. I'll take a room, two gold pieces, was it?"
(Rolls with Barter Stat )
(Gets a 2 )
“Three, you have already squeezed a free round of drinks from me” The bartender noted.

Zimnis then reached into his gold pouch, disappointed at its lack of fullness, and pulled out the required sum. Immediately, he flinched from the sudden presence of the cloaked, stinky individual and turned his attention momentarily to the fellow. Zimnis could barely pay attention to the bombardment of questions due to his drunkness, but managed to store a few in his short-term memory well enough to remember them by the time the fellow was done. With a mixed expression, suspicion and curiosity hidden beneath a bubbly, warm smile, Zimnis commented, "my oh my, I never thought anyone'd be cu'rious enough to 'nquire to me abut life's subtleties. Now, y'see, that right there, [he points to the ale] that's what the more cheerful sorta' dwarves call 'liquid gold.' Because it's refined enough in flavour an' cheeriness ta' be worth its weight in gold!"

Zimnis then paused, took the key from the barkeep, and thought hard for a second, trying to remember another question from the fellow. He then remembered, and his expression lit up again as he chuckled softly, looking back over to Haiaen as he continued to speak. "As fir' Lindir an' I, we aren't givin' adventures. No sir. We 'll 'unly just got here! But ye' can be dam'ed well assured that we'll be on hot on de' trail of the first noble quest we chance upon." He chuckled once more, more heartily, after his words, then quickly shot up from his seat and steadied himself with his staff before rightly toppling over. "Whed'r or not that quest involves munsters, as ye' said, is entirely up te' chance. I'd like te' avoid gettin' my arse ripped off and upchucked at me by a giant lizard, if at all possible."

Zimnis attempted to spin around to face the robed figure as he spoke, often stumbling due to his own drunkenness. Before the figure finished talking, Zimnis felt the need to stop spinning due to his drunkenness, and started walking towards the staircase on the other side of the room, speaking as he went. "Ahh, speaking of pain, I'm far m're tired than I thought I was. My apologies, friendome, but I'd best continue this speakidoo tomorrow." He then mumbled to himself various things such as, "curse the dan' boat," and "missed the third button" as he continued towards the stairs.

He then hobbled up the stairs and over to the door to his room. The Gnome checked both ways before unlocking the padlocked door, then waltzed in, locked the door behind himself, and unloaded his baggage, ready for a secure and thief-free night of rest. As he lay his head down on the luxurious down-filled pillow, he almost instantly fell asleep. After a minute, all that moved in the room was his beard hair, which was animated by his breath, much like his puppets.

---

Lindir would stare at the old lady as she muttered her chants and gazed at the orb as it shifted in color and he continued to try and sense the magical properties that her spell was using in order to perhaps make out its purpose.
(Rolls with Knowledge)
(Gets a 3)
Lindir was unable to trace the spell, the magic seemingly escaping his range of thought.

And hearing her words he would remember them carefully. Being quite shocked by what he heard but he did not show it. Staring back in to those icy blue eyes of hers he would then place his hands down on the table and gave her a slight scoff as she asked him to leave. "...You might be able to fool the lowlife humans on the other side of these curtains, old woman. But you can not fool my eyes...No mere human could posses the magical power you wield and as a seeker of knowledge and a fellow Arcanist I must ask what a being of such power like yours is actually doing here...Telling the fortunes of mere humans for simple coin...What are you and where did you find such terrifying power?..." He said with a low voice not wanting to have anyone else hear his words. Patiently waiting for her reply as he slowly tapped his fingers on the table.

“I would advise you to stop your questioning and leave my curtains, you do not know what you are saying” The woman said in a raspy whisper.

[salamimike]

Lindir would dart a glare at her when he was yet again denied an answer but then decided to go for a different approach. "If you really do see the future that you speak of you should be well aware I am part of what is to stop this power that will ravage this land of all life as you said...So I suggest you help me by sharing your knowledge in order for me to be prepared to stop it..."

"You talk as if i care for this town" The woman smiled "..and you have begun to annoy me..." The curtains behind Lindr close suddenly and the sound from the tavern becomes silent.

(Rolls with Reflex)
(Gets a 8)

The woman hurls a bolt of lightning but the elf uses his keen reflexes to dodge the blast.

(Rolls with Dark Magic)
(Gets a 3)

The magic fizzles harmlessly beside the elf as the woman begins conjuring, before Lindr has time to react the woman has dissapeared, along with her curtains and crystal ball. Before the elf has time to sit up he slowly loses conciosness.

---

The next day the sun began to rise at six o clock, birds chirp in the sky as the men and women of the town start their daily routines. The group begins to wake from their slumbers. The Orc and Gnome in their beds, whilst the Zombie and Elf spent the night on the floor of the tavern. The tavern is closed and the bartender can not be seen behind his counter.