[IC] Godless Ichor (Dark Fantasy/Action)

[CadenGallic]

A milky moon hung over a blackened cloud laden sky, its light barely visible beyond the black formations blanketing the heavens. Rain thundered down upon the land below, an endless torrential onslaught, flooding the paths and soaking any who were outside, turning dirt into mud and stone into ice. A flash of lightning sparked in the sky and broke the horizon beyond the hills, followed by the loud rumble of the storm breaking overhead as midnight struck and the world shuddered from the force of the strong winds of the storm. An atmosphere most fitting, when one saw what seemed to be at the epicenter of the blustering storm.

The Last Chance Inn stood alone, away from almost any civilization whatsoever, its creaking wooden form a shadow upon the landscape, only warm lighting in the cracks of the bolted up windows distinguished it from anything. The wood was old and splintered, its tiled roof rattling with many loose tiles like teeth in a jar, its sign swinging and bashing against the building slightly, depicting a blackened symbol of a flagon, full to the brim. The Last Chance Inn was well known, despite its remote location. It was a place for those at the end of their rope, a home for the world weary, the tired, the depressed and the fate less. One way or another, they all ended up here, at a place that would provide you comfort when no-one else would. And to some, it may even provide the location of the illusive kingdom of the gods, were they to inquire...

[Eklispe]

Eldarin stepped into the inn with an audible sigh of relief. Finally out of the horrendous weather, he hadn't been expecting such fierce opposition. He quickly grabbed one of the few empty tables by the fire place and ordered a meal slowly warming up. Eldarin had heard that one could learn more about this kingdom of black ichor, he would inquire about that soon. After he got some food and drink inside himself of course. He adjusted his sword and waited patiently for his meal to arrive as he surveyed the room. To be honest this inn wasn't much better than outside but it had a roof and a fire and that was more than enough for Eldarin.

[Sir Avita]

Wegnus was staying in the inn, occupying a table that was quite near to the newcomer's. The rotund lad had been drinking, but of course, he might be allowed to drink, but no, his body doesn't really allow him to. So, he takes small sips from the wine glass. Aside from the liquor, he had bought some food, in quite a lot of quantities, of course. His clothes were lightly stained with some of the spills from his food. But hey, he isn't drunk yet, which is great, and makes it possible to start a conversation with him.

He had been staying here for quite a while because he required much more information about ichor, it's forms, and where to find it. And also he really needed some sleep and maybe food and/or drinks.

[CadenGallic]

The inside of the Last Chance Inn matched the outside, wooden, ramshackle and probably held together with bent nails and horseshoes. But its atmosphere was warm, welcoming and understanding. Here your troubles meant nothing, all that mattered was your coin and how fast you could down your drink. The interior had a number of large wooden tables and mismatched chairs, some occupied but most empty. A number of barmaids stood on hand, ready to serve. The clientele tonight was sparse. There was a rugged bearded fellow in a horned helmet tending to the bar. A knight in rusted armour sat at the bar itself, drinking from his flagon. In the corner, a woman in a cloak was muttering to herself whilst peering into a leatherbound book. Leaning against a wall beside the door, a man in leather attire wearing a cap with a feather in it stood watching.

Eldarin was approached by a smiling barmaid, setting down a plate of roasted pork and a flagon of ale before him before she went away again. A barmaid approached Wegnus.
"Would you like anything else, sir?" she asked sweetly.

[Sir Avita]

" Thanks, but no thanks, " Wegnus politely turned down the offer as he took a glance at the newcomer. " H-hey, who's the new guy? " He inquired about the newcomer, maybe he could get some information about ichor, or maybe a travel buddy. Of course, he's not going to forget about the other person "in him."

He also pulled out a flask labled "wine," pouring the wine he was drinking into it.

He checked if his coin purse was still there, and if his staff was still with him, and frankly, yes, it was. Wegnus was quite tired, not having slept for around two days, but he still needed a lead.

( Am I doing it right? )

[Eklispe]

Eldarin scanned the room while sipping at his flagon of ale, wondering how he would begin acquiring information about the ichor. He'd believe that nearly any of the people here had some knowledge about it. Deciding to start at the bottom and work his way up he waved over a barmaid. "Would you happen to know if any of these patrons would know anything about the... kingdom of the gods?" He asked attempting to keep his voice low, he'd heard asking questions like that could bring trouble and he wanted none of that.

[CadenGallic]

The barmaid looked gravely at him. She glanced back to the horn helmet man at the bar who shook his head slowly. She looked back to him.
"I'm sorry sir... it's better for you if you don't ask about that place. You'll live a lot longer if you do." She left him quickly before he could ask any further. But as he sat there, the figure who had been standing beside the door moved towards him, pulled up a seat and sat across from him, a sly smile playing on his lips.
"What do you know of the kingdom of the gods?"

[Sir Avita]

Wegnus, having overheard the conversation with the newcomer, attempted to listen in into what the man by the door would say to the newcomer. He could already tell that it was about ichor, because he heard 'kingdom of the gods' in the other man's sentence. As he was trying to listen, he hid the labeled flask in his robe's left sleeve. Wegnus really didn't care about dying. It's either he gets separated from the other person in him, or death. Or maybe another, bigger problem.

[Eklispe]

"What do I know? I'm much more interested in what you know, but you did ask first after all." Eldarin replied in a friendly fashion. "I know as much as anyone does, that it is home of a chalice that gives forth black ichor. A liquid that turns men into gods... or monsters. Now its your turn, what do you know about the kingdom of the gods?" Eldarin asked eager to hear the mans response.

[CadenGallic]

The man chuckled lightly.
"You've enough to go on then... i'm willing to cut a deal with you, since I feel particularly charitable today." He leaned a gloved hand onto the table and tapped it a few times.
"You buy me another drink and i'll tell you what I know..." his gaze shifted over to the eavesdropping youth nearby. "Same goes for you, friend. If you're going to listen, just come and sit with us."

[Sir Avita]

" Well, if you say so... " Wegnus said as he sloppily walked over to the table, knowing this was a lead-- and possible companions. " ... Wait, does that mean I have to buy you a drink or is he going to? " He hesitatingly said, hoping that he wasn't to pay anything. Well, if he needed to, he does have a flask of wine in hand.

After saying that, he checks if his staff is still there, and there it was, strapped loosely to his back.

[Eklispe]

Eldarin waved away the, somewhat awkward man's question, "I'll get his drink," he said as he waved over a barmaid and ordered another drink for the man with the hat. "So, just what exactly is this deal of yours?" Eldarin inquired, curious to see what this man knew. Obviously this man was very capable, especially since he had noticed the man with a staff listening in. This should be an interesting conversation.

[CadenGallic]

The barmaid brought over the drink and the cap wearing fellow took a long drink, sighing happily as he set it back down, his familiar smirk returning to his lips shortly afterward.
"Let's do introductions first. Name's Curtis. Traveller, cartographer by trade, drinker of good mead." He jested, briefly flipping his cap off in a gesture of greeting. "First thing I can tell you is, that chalice was destroyed a long time ago. But that ichor, still very much exists. From what i've heard, that black ichor is flowing through the river of the kingdom itself. Nasty stuff to have going around, I assure you." He took another sip, letting the information sink in. "Now, one bit of information deserves another. So why're you looking into the kingdom of the gods? Do you plan on going there?"

[Eklispe]

Eldarin nodded, "My name is Eldarin, I'm a bit of a handyman, odd jobs here and there, did some merc work for a bit. I plan on traveling to the kingdom of the gods and see what there is to see. Maybe loot what there is to loot. Now since you're both a cartographer and seem to have some knowledge of the place would I be correct in assuming that you have a map that might be for sale?" Eldarin asked hopefully. He wondered what the young robed boy was doing here. Perhaps the same thing as himself?

[Sir Avita]

" Ugh, so we're doing introductions now? I'm-- " Wegnus stopped for two seconds straight, then continued. " Wegnus. I came here seeking for... Various things, " he said in a pretty awkward manner, then continuing. " I seek the Kingdom of the Gods, also. "

He then waved over the the barmaid, asking for some milk. Yes, milk. Wegnus loves him some milk.

[CadenGallic]

The barmaid gave him an odd look but returned with his white glistening beverage. Curtis smirked and dug a hand into his satchel, rummaging around before taking out a battered old scroll, wrapped up with leather cord.
"You assume right. This is just a map of this local area... but on it, you'll find the directions to the kingdom. And since you were kind enough to buy me a drink, i'll drop the price to say... 75 gold?" It was an obvious rip off, a map would never cost that much around here.

[Eklispe]

Eldarin internally winced at the price tag, making sure to keep his outside demeanor demure. "Friend, I wasn't born yesterday. Odds are a little persuading could get someone around here to divulge the location, at the very least at a cheaper price. If that didn't work I could wander around and perhaps find it, after all I've got nothing better to do. And even if I couldn't find it for all I know you're selling me a fake. I'm afraid whatever you're selling it'll have to be a little cheaper and a little more convincing." He'd met plenty of cheapskates before and seen many a man fooled by empty promises. He had a feelings jobs would be few and far in between whilst looking for the ichor, and while he could afford the price he'd prefer to save his coins.

[CadenGallic]

Curtis flicked a coin in his fingers, smirking some more.
"You'd be wrong there... lips are tight and coin will not loosen theirs as it will mine." But as he spoke, his gaze softened somewhat. "But... I suppose it is a high price. We'll go for 50 then. And as a guarantee..." he removed his cap and slid it across the table, revealing a his brown locks beneath. "You can keep this. I shan't steer you wrong so long as you have a valuable possession of mine." His smirk faded as his look became a little more genuine.

[Sir Avita]

Wegnus was pretty convinced, looks like Curtis' charm won him over. After drinking the whole glass of his glistening beverage, he spoke. " So, 50 gold and a hat? Could we... Go a little lower? " Wegnus was trying to haggle the price at least a bit. " I suppose that you'd... Erm... Come with us, or with him, at the very least, as a... Let's say... A guide of some sort? " He added, because he really did want some company whilst traveling.

He examined the hat Curtis slid across the table.

[Eklispe]

Eldarin sighed, 50 gold coins was still more than he wanted to part with but if the man was right this could be his only shot at this. Luckily merc work paid well and he had always been a frugal spender. "Alright, you've got a deal." Eldarin said somewhat reluctantly pulling out his coin purse and counting out the appropriate amount, covering it with his cloak to prevent prying eyes from seeing it. He passed over the gold and placed them man's hat on his own head, "So do we leave tonight or wait for better weather?" Eldarin asked. In hindsight perhaps he should've made Wegnus pay for it in part, next time they had to pay for something if the lad was still travelling with them he would make him pay it.