[IC] Legends of the Rim

[baneofgotham14]

this sounds pretty interesting... i'm, kinda new on the site so im looking for a good rp topic. im not new to rping tho. i can do detailed but sometimes when i get tired the sentence count gets shorter although i try my best

[baneofgotham14]

this sounds interesting but is there anyone here to rp with???

[Voltus_Ventus]

(you posted in the wrong place...)

[baneofgotham14]

(i figured that out. Still trying to figure this website out :/ )

Voltus_Ventus said
(you posted in the wrong place...)

[Capra]

The wind is softly blowing eastward, transporting the sounds of the ocean. The Grey Swallow, the brigantine you are aboard, is swiftly cutting the waves of the Stone Bay, its white sails open against the sky reddened by the dusk. Small flocks of seagulls drift lazily in the sky, adding their creaking voices to that of the waves. Port, you can see the grey mountains of the Horn, the rocky promontory north of King's Stone; starport, only endless sea. Astern, the chariot of the Sun is once again crossing the horizon, and bow lies the small, rocky island upon which King's Stone is built on.

The crew of the Swallow is looking forward to the end of this smooth and uneventful journey. Relative relaxation reigns among the sailors, and the captain, whom introduced himself only as Lorenz, wearing an ornate read coat and a hat with a colorful feather, is at the helm. The crew begins to sing a song, and a gust of wind suddendly makes the ship accelerate. The Swallow is a small but well-built ship, made by the shipwrights of the Colony: from here, you can see the Imperial flag flying from its tallest mast. At the moment it carries nothing in its hold, and thus is sailing even faster than it normally does. The captain himself is a man of few words, who offered to carry you to King's Stone for a little price. You are his only passengers, and have been sleeping in the crew's quarters for this week-long journey, which is now coming to its end.

[Goldeagle1221]

The bed creaked with the ship as Gustav rolled out of bed from the sudden acceleration. WHACK! His head spun dizzily as he recovered from up of the ground.

"Goodmorning," he muttered to himself sarcastically as he wiped some dirt from his trousers. The sounds of seagulls filled his heart with joy, "land," he thought to himself, although it is land, it is The rims land. Although again, it may be the rims land it was his idea. "Damn my logic," he grumbled as he put his boots on.

Up on deck he swallowed a mouthful of the salty air and nearly choked. As much as he may not feel it, or even think it, he was glad to be back. His restless spirit wouldn't let him rest in peace back in Jahen anyways. It was for the better he had told himself constantly on the way back to the colony, and now it must be true, right? Before reaching a conclusion he thought more of what to do now. He had a place waiting for him on shore, and his old business to attend to, after all, people aren't going to kill themselves! "wait," he thought about that last statement, "no, no, even that joke is too distasteful for me." He shook his head.

[Polyphemus]

Heinrich Herzog sat alone on the lurching, salt-caked deck, anxiously eying the growing horizon. The sun felt warm. It was a welcome change.

It had grown far too hot for him around the Colony. The roads had been too well patrolled, caravans now left with armed escorts, the pretty ladies (always so eligible for ransom) had stayed at home. While he was eager to credit his own reputation for it, Heinrich knew marauding Forestlings were much more culpable for these changes. Besides, even the underworld had grown to distrust him. Too many brigands run through in shady beer cellars, too many horses missing in the night. No, it seemed best to start anew.

The scarred man grinned to himself as he thought of the opportunities that awaited him in King's Stone. New women to bed, new ales and wines to try, new caravans to rob. He figured he would lay low for a day or so, haunt the taverns and council cellars, learn what he could about the local merchants, the highways, the caravan routes. Not to mention enjoy himself, a holiday of wine and women. He had possessed the foresight to gather a purse of coins before heading out, enough for him to live comfortably for a few weeks in a new town. Long enough to learn a few necessary items. And then the people on the roads around King's Stone would meet Heinrich Herzog.

The rocking of the ship bothered him little, he had spent a great deal of time on his family's vessels. Standing up, he strolled with little difficulty along the deck. His eyes lit on a soldierly type. The kind of man with a purse full of back pay and every intention of spending it. A potential drinking buddy, or perhaps even a target. Heinrich's pale blue eyes looked over the man before joining him at the railing with a smile. "Don't quite have your sea legs yet, do you?" he said with a sympathetic laugh.

[Voltus_Ventus]

A light sea breeze blew through the small window tussling the hair of the sleeping Katya, bringing with it the distant and near sounds of gulls. She woke up with a silent yawn, stretched her arms above her elaborately to rid herself of locked up joints, smacking her lips she got up from the hay floor and brushed Danger Zone's mane with her hand, separating stray straw from it. 'speaking of straw' she thought herself, as she rumedged through her saddle bags for a brush, she gripped it's handle and pulled it out, planting it on her long hair and dragging it down, pulling the loose buts of hay from it, placing the brush back in the saddle bag she began to turn her long draping hair into a tight bun, turning the hair constantly at the back of her head until it was rock hard. Slipping on her head wrap she patted the drowsy donkey and went upstairs to the kitchen in search of breakfast, she found it in the form of a stale loaf of bread. Munching on the bread she walked across the deck and past to men till she reached the ships bow, looking out across the water and grinned to herself.
"New life here I come," she murmured to herself

[Goldeagle1221]

Gustav looked over towards welcome conversation. The mans eyes were wide open, as if he was overly concerned or surprised, perhaps a war veteran, some disturbed veterens take the battle with them wherever they go. No, not a veteran, or at least not a frontlinesman, he was too well dressed.

The man posed a question and Gustav smiled politely, "There was a reason I avoided the navy," he paused looking at the man and shot out his hand, "I'm Gustav Theindorf ."

Gustav eyes met the mans with sincere salutation, after all, imperials have to stick together in these rough times.

[The Narrator]

The watchful eyes of Rattlebones gazed into the water in the bowl in front of him. His hand did a swift movement and his lips whispered a few words. "Spirits of the water, ghosts of fate, show me what I have to see.", he spoke and the water fulfilled his wish. The Reflection in the water shifted, showing a town and a ship. A Swallow flew through the image and one could clearly see the imperial flag. Rattlebones studied the image till it disappeared and the reflection of his skull mask was the only thing still visible in the water.

"What did you see old man?", asked a young forestling standing behind Rattlebones. "Tell us Rattlebones!", said another. Rattlebones stood up slowly and looked at each and every one of the tribe. They would do nearly everything he said he knew that. They all were talented warriors who raided countless caravans of the empire, they pillaged and imperial citys and murdered imperial soldiers. "We go to King´s Stone.", said Rattlebones after a while, slowly and quietly...

[Voltus_Ventus]

She turned back to face the deck and sat down, her back to the railing, from a small bag at her side she pulled out a piece of cloth. It was a plain square white piece of fabric and she wanted to do something to it, pulling a needle from her tool belt she threaded it with an adept hand and started to work her magic on the cloth, pushing and pulling the needle through in smooth actions, forming an image of a dolphin on it in gold thread (not real gold of course, she didn't have enough money for that stuff). Pleased with her work she pulled a little brass tack from one of her belt pouches and pushed it through the embroidered cloth, she then pinned the piece of work to the rail. Over years she'd developed a habit of making little embroideries and pinning them to places in the hope that someone would find it and it would lighten up their day but so far she had no clue whether it worked or not, sighing she stood up then tripped.

[Capra]

As the mountains of the Horn seem to slide benath you, the small isle of King's Stone keeps getting closer and closer. Lorenz sighs. His plan is delicate, and timing is absolutely essential. He turns to his quartermaster. "Take the helm." the captain says, before adjusting his feathered hat and walking towards his cabin. On the way, he sees a few of his passenger. The captain sighs again, frowning. A highwayman who looked far too sure of himself, a war veteran who had clear problems with sea-faring, and a seamstress who had a strange obsession with a donkey. It was not exactly what the captain hoped for.

The Sun has already almost disappeared over the horizon, and the last rays of its light are painting the sky a dark red, while the first stars of the evening are beginning to shine. From here you can see the lights of the town, built on the top of a rocky island. There are many ships on the horizion, from the small fishing boat to the immense galleon. The bow of the Swallow cuts wave after wave, and the crew begins to sing another old shanty. One sailor approaches the two men talking, and another one the maiden who had just tripped. The message was the same, delivered in few, harsh words: "Lads! The capt'n wants ye in his cabin before we land."

[Polyphemus]

"Heinrich Hoffmann," he lied, giving the man a firm handshake. "I made some wise investments and came into some money recently, thought I would go see some of the world and have a few stories to tell before settling down." Another lie. Heinrich never intended to settle down. Not for one moment. That would be boring, and Heinrich had little patience for boring things. "You were army, eh, Herr Theindorf? When we get ashore, I'd feel honored if you let me buy you some schnapps. Always good to meet a fellow countryman," he said with a chuckle.

His expression darkened somewhat as they were interrupted by a common seaman. His father had always taught him to be respectful to such men- after all, the lowest sailor was still the backbone of the Herzog empire- but he had never seen the point of belittling himself for the sake of his inferiors. And they were his inferiors. Most people were. Still, he smiled and politely thanked the man for his missive.

"A summons from the captain, eh? How strange," he wondered aloud to Theindorf. "I suppose we may as well see what the man wants." With a shrug, he began the leisurely stroll across the rocking deck to the captain's quarters. Despite his smile and easy manner, he still gently and slowly reached into his pocket, closed his fist around the small leather bag filled with lead shot. If the captain wanted to begin something, he'd answer to Heinrich's cosh. And no doubt he'd be grateful he hadn't answered to Heinrich's sword instead.

[Goldeagle1221]

Gustav nodded, pleased with his new found conversationalist, "By all means, you buy the first round, I'll get your second," He made a squinting look as he listened to the intruding sailer, and nodded in agreement with Heinrichs ponderings.

"Perhaps it's free three course meal night and he wants to make sure we are fat and full," His optimism was clearly forced as his stomach grumbled and hi eyes glazed over in thought of some roast duck. Then he was brought back to his current situation by a squeaky plank his boots found while walking towards the captians chambers. He stood outside the door and rapped his knuckle firmly yet casually against the door a few times then stood up straight, ready for his answer.

[Voltus_Ventus]

She landed face first on to the the deck, making an embarrassing thud as her body connected with the floor, jarring her small frame. Her eyes stung with tears as she got up, a drip of blood falling from her nose to the wooden deck informing her that she bashed her nose upon the planks. Putting her hand to her nose she got up awkwardly and bumped into a sailor.
"Lass! The capt'n wants ye in his cabin before we land.", the said loudly, grabbing her by her shoulders before she fell back down and steadied her.
"Um- Uh- Tha-", she just nodded, avoiding the embarrassment of her immense stutters, shuffling past the man she scurried towards the sturn of the vessel. Pulling a handkerchief from her pocket she held it to her nose to catch the blood, while she was concentrated on blocking her nose she bumped into someone at the captains door, making her fall onto her back.

[Goldeagle1221]

"Heinrich?" Gustav called out the wrong name as someone bounced off of himself. He turned around, a confused look on his face, then he looked down and saw a seamstriss laid out before him, "there must be an awfully big tear in the captians pants for that much ambition to get in," he chuckled with a dry laugh then noticed her nose.

"Can't have that," he leaned over and embraced her hands delicately, slowly leaning her up to her feet. Gustav pulled a fresh piece of cloth out of his pocket, It had his name crudely sewn into it along with another name, the red thread faded to the point its almost uneligable. He handed her the cloth, as a replacement to her now soaked hankercief.

[Capra]

The cabin's door opens, and the captain stands for a few moments, witnessing the scene. In a cold voice, he says: "Please, come in."

The captain's cabin appears even smaller than it is. Cramped with chests of unknown content, weapon racks hosting swords of strange fashion, and exotic trinkets of all kinds. The captain's desk is covered in maps, compasses, sextants, and similar nautical items: an inkwell lies in a corner, with a fluffy pen inside, indication that the captain can write.

The man sits on the ornate chair behind his desk. He looks like a man in his early fifties, with a short, well trimmed grey beard on his chin and moustaches of a similar colour. His gloved hands rest on the desk as he begins to speak. "Gentlemen, I would like to have a word with you. As you know, I am captain Lorenz von Meiland." The captain seems to think for a moment, making his light brown eyes gaze upon his guests. Gustav Theindorf, veteran of the civil war and known mercenary. Heinrich Herzog, highwayman and bandit, a true master of the blade. And Katyna Moscova, a famous diplomat whose mellifluous toungue could soothe the fiercest opponent. In theory, the perfect people for such a delicate mission. In practice, the captain was already starting to fear for his life.

"I would like to advance...a proposal." The captain speaks with a calm, cold voice, carefully measuring his words. "Tomorrow, my ship will sail from King's Stone. I have been hired for a simple...acquisition. Now, we need not to delve into unnecessary detail: what you should know is that the Sea Serpent, a caravel, has been unlawfully stolen. And would like your assistance to retrieve it. For this job, a certain kind of skill and great secrecy is required, and my crew possesses neither. You three will be given time to discuss, but I'd like an answer before we land in King's Stone. You won't be alone: another has been chosen for this mission, and is already waiting in King's Stone. About the pay, trust me, it shall be most..." the captain interrupts himself, and with both hands reaches for something under his desk. He puts the item, a small but seemingly heavy chest, on the desk and opens it, revealing its content: the chest is packed with gold and jewels. "...generous."

[Goldeagle1221]

As a soldier of fortune, Gustav was quite used to these pitches, just with less pay. As a professional in this line of work he knew not to show optimistic emotion as he thought it over, a yes! already buzzing in his mind well before he even rubbed his chin in thought.

"Well, my dear captian, thats an awfully big chest," he commented, knowing not to questionthe job, just the pay, "if we were to splitit four ways, I'd like to say I'm in, however I'm no rookie in this trade," he paused, resting his own eyes on the captains.

"You seem honest enough not to trick me I assume, But you also seem literate, and i happen to be unknowing of how much is actually in that chest, so out of courtasy, I'd like to know my number in the stakes before I gladly shake your hand."

Gustav fell silent and gave his best friendly smile, trying not to sound so greedy. Although he questioned how much he would recieve, he knew very well that the loss of the ship they were after could have easilier and probably wouldve been much cheaper to just solve it by buying a new one, therefore, Gustav deducted, this ship was very special.

[The Narrator]

The Forestlings were moving towards King´s Stone normally they avoided big settlements since the empire usually had large numbers of men stationed there. The Forestlings could already see the smoke coming up from the chimneys of the city. Rattlebones himself did not like large towns either. Forestlings lived in harmony with the land and it spirits, the humans just forced there will on this place, cutting down dozens and dozens of trees to build their houses and ripping open the earth for shining metals.

Now the horde stopped. Still they were out of sight range, hidden behind the trees, waiting for the old witchdoctor to give his signal...

[Voltus_Ventus]

Katya felt ridiculously uncomfortable as the man reached down and held her hand pulling her up gently, he then slipped her bloody cloth through her fingers and replaced it with a fresh one, a badly embroidered one at that she noticed as the door opened revieling the captian, a sharply dressed man with a face that could make any man pale, Katya was certainly pale.
He ushered them into the room and they followed, Katya clutching the rag the other man gave her as sone kind of mental support. In the captians quarters she found herself surround by strange trinkets and threatening weapons that didn't make her at all feel welcome, instead as the captain and the other two talked she inspected the mans handkerchief and decided it would be best to do some minor repairs, so she moved to a corner of the cramped room where no one could see her and began work fixing the embroidery.
"Gustav, huh?" she grumbled to herself as she went over the name in fresh black thread, making it stand out further from it's faded disrepair. by the time she was done it was Gustav's time to talk and she deftly slipped the cloth back into his pocket, deciding to join the talk as they started to talk about money.