RedDusk

Edea Odyssey

Not many knew enough to tell who he was. Red eyes and white hair wasn’t exactly common, but most wouldn’t immediately link him to the Klonian collective when they saw him. Klonians weren’t very fond travelling, and snowkins were notoriously territorial; nothing short of a catastrophe could make them leave their castle. But this hooded man knew, and Jagred wasn’t sure how much more he knew. That bothered him. However, he didn’t show it. Instead, he just gave hooded stranger a sleepy smile and said:

“Ah, glad to hear that. Wouldn’t want to get bored down there now, would I?”

Then again, not that it would have mattered. He wasn’t running, and his brothers weren’t chasing. He was no one. He was nothing. Just a meaningless name in their family tree. And he wouldn’t have it any other way. It was then the towering lizard came over and cut his thoughts short. The lizard demanded that they left immediately, eager to get on the trail of whoever he was chasing. Jagred simple stared up at the giant, raising one eyebrow- “Well aren’t you in a hurry.”-He turned to check the straps of his rucksack to make sure it had already been secured to his back. Because of his need for travelling light, Jagred kept all of his worldly possessions in that small rucksack, always ready to move out should the need arise. However, if it were up to him, he would have doubled down back to the Limping Sealegs and ordered himself another glass of brandy. They still had time. After all, according to the good captain, the beast was not going anywhere.

Just as Jagred turned back to the hooded man to check his reaction, he saw the little girl the man was talking to fell down in a heap. Confused, he turned to the hooded figure, waiting for a response- “So your friend is coming with or…?”-However, his question was met with nothing but silence. Seeing as it all came down to his decision, Jagred sighed softly before walking over, picking the girl up and swinging her over his shoulder. The contract called for four people, so it would probably be better if they arrived with a group of four. The guards then wouldn’t have any excuse to withdraw their reward on the grounds that they might have murdered the fourth member in order to get a large cut of the profit. It had happened to him once, so it was better to be prepared. Fortunately, the young woman was quite light, so her weight wouldn’t hinder him that much. If it came to blows, he could just drop her somewhere to enter the fray.

The short walk to their destination was uneventful, aside from the dirty glance one of the guards gave him as they passed. Apparently they thought he was a pervert kidnapping children or something along that line. They didn’t give him any trouble though, so he paid them no mind. The air in cave was blissfully cool, so Jagred let his hood down and inhaled a lungful. The humidity was stifling though, and not to mention the stench of bat droppings. He had heard about the creatures from the men who frequented the inn. Apparently, they were not very friendly, so it was in their best interest not to disturb them. His companions seemed to know the same, so he didn’t feel the need to remind them. Best not to make any noise, after all. As the lizard man walked off to investigate a splash, the hooded man urged the group to share their abilities after revealing his own. Apparently, he was a mage of some sort, claiming to have several tricks up his sleeves. Jagred nodded absentmindedly as he slowly placed his burden down, leaning her against the stone wall.

“Skills, eh? Well, I don’t carry this sword just for show, else I would’ve picked a prettier one…”-He placed a hand on the worn leather hilt- “…probably gave it an impressive name as well, like the Black Death or something. But yeah, I don't do that.”

Seeing as most of his companions were occupied with their chosen tasks, Jagred crossed his arms and turned to look around the cave, searching for nothing in particular.

-Jagred observed his surroundings-

Edea Odyssey

@Black Alice So, someone will have to lug the little girl around, right?

Also, post is gonna be up soon.

Edea Odyssey

Jagred simply blinked as the hooded man mentioned a fourth member to their little team. He scanned the crowd quickly, but found no one eager to affiliate themselves with his group. The hooded man then beckoned him, but he opted not to. A mercenary simply couldn’t be picky about his company. There would be time for proper introduction later, where they could all exchange meaningless names and stare each other down for an eternity. For now, he wished to know more about the job.

The lizardman was already standing with the captain as Jagred ambled over. He noticed that the Aahari was once again after information on whoever he was chasing, and once again, he was uninterested in the lizard’s affair, though he felt that it was a tad excessive to bring his search up every time he met a new person. The bits about the beast interested him more. It seemed that not much was known about this elusive menace, though that didn’t make it any less dangerous. The mauled guard was the testament for that. However, since they didn’t know much about what they were facing, it certainly made this job a bit harder. Hopefully the pay would be worth it. From his experience working with government officials, Jagred knew that they were prompt with payment, though the pay often was far less than what private organizations were willing to offer. Too bad the concerned party this time was some merchants or wealthy landowners. Regardless, he would take what he could get.

“Yeah, we will get to the Grotto. Late noon, at the latest.”- Jagred flashed a grin, all teeth and no humor as he took the letter before anyone else could. – “And what did I said? Quality service, sir. You can rest easy.”

With that done, he pocketed the folded letter, before turning to find the hooded man. It did not concern him whether the lizard followed, for he knew that he would. Jagred then spotted their hooded friend standing at an alley, so he made his way over. As he approached, he caught only a few sentences.

“…perhaps you also seek what lies hidden in the depths of Reef Grotto?"

“Pardon my intrusion, but what else lies in the depths? Awfully lots of stuffs down there, don’t you think?”-Jagred said, looming over the hooded man’s shoulder to look at whoever he was talking to- “And who is this? Introduce us, friend.”

Edea Odyssey

Jagred turned sharply once a hooded stranger approached, his eyes narrowed as he tried to catch a glimpse of the visage under the hood. No luck though, maybe because he wore a mask or something. Regardless, this newcomer didn’t seem like much of a fighter; he was foolish enough to sneak on a man with a naked blade in his hand. Quite the elementary mistake there. The stranger then spoke, though Jagred was puzzled by his accent. His offer was as strange as his accent though. The hooded man spoke vaguely of riches and his expedition, the one that would take them through Reef Grotto. Jagred had heard of that place before, from the mouths of many sailors and adventurers alike. The path seemed easy enough to traverse, as long as you stay on the beaten trail. However, Jagred refrained from speaking up. Only a fool would take on a job with so little details, so he was waiting for the hooded man to continue. He didn’t, though.

Speaking of fools, the lizard man readily accepted the suspicious offer, though from his explanation, he might have some personal agenda. Jagred, on the other, did not. He was simply in this for the fun and profit. Some stranger’s offer would not sway him. He needed something more tangible.

“How much are you offering friend?”-He slid the blade back into its sheath with a satisfying snikt.-“I prefer half the payment upfront. ‘Riches of the depths’ is a tad too vague for my taste. Sorry.”

It was then that Lady Luck decided to grace him with her presence. Soldiers shouldered their way into the docks, and once the crowd had somewhat settled down, their captain made an announcement. It seemed the Empire was looking for some poor sods to clean up their mess. Well, something else’s mess, but he was not too concerned with the particulars. There was gold to be had.

“Quality service for a reasonable price, right here captain.”- He spoke loudly, holding a hand up-“If you would have me.”

As he spoke, Jagred glanced over the hooded man and the lizard- “Your ticket to the 'riches of the depth' as well, friend. Best not miss it.”

Edea Odyssey

Welp, sausage party for us. Yay I guess?

Edea Odyssey

@Lauder
Jagred liked his peace and quiet. However, at times like this, he knew enough to keep his mouth shut and tune to world out.

He was sitting in one of the nicer inns in town; the sign outside read ‘Limping Sealegs’. Its interior was comfortable enough, the air reasonably warm and humid. The fireplace across the room had only embers left; the innkeeper was far too busy this morning to pay it much mind, leaving the inn comfortably cool. He sat alone at the counter, nursing a glass of mainland brandy that probably cost far too much. It didn’t matter though, the liquid was cool in his throat and fire in his stomach. Just the way he preferred it. Most of the hustling and bustling in the inn was coming from groups of armed men spreading out on the worn wooden tables. They stuck to their own groups, speaking in hushed voices and constantly glancing back and front at passersby. It looked almost comical.

To be honest though, he wasn’t too different from those so-called adventurers. He too was a hunter, and Oars Rest was rich with all types of games. Jobs inland had grown stale. He yearned for something else to challenge his sword arm, and if the rumours to be believed, he might find it here. However, it was best he find a group first, for even beasts didn’t hunt alone.

The cool morning air began to recede, as the innkeeper took notice and lit the fireplace. He finished up his brandy, tossed a handful of coins on the counter, then stood up to leave. Swinging his rucksack over his shoulder, he stepped into the streets of Oars Rest. After a couple of days just hanging around the inns, he had already learnt the streets by heart. A couple of turns later, and he was standing at the docks, turning his eyes seaward. In all his years fighting other people’s battles, he knew that most expeditions start at either the inns or the docks. All that mattered now was to find an able expedition that would hire him on. Since he had little luck at the inns, it would only be prudent to try the docks now.

A couple of minutes later, the ships started docking. Not much caught his eyes, so Jagred kept to himself, leaning against a stack of crates and half-heartedly wiping an oil-soaked piece of cloth over his black sword. Most of those who came in today was obviously merchants, coming to trade and barter. He was tempted to take a look at their stocks, but then, he figured he would just waste coins on another pair of wyrmskin boots so he stopped himself. Just as he was about to return to the inn and tried his luck with the folks there, a lizard man appeared and started a ruckus with the sailors.

Jagred stood and watched in silent, then slightly straightened himself once he realized the lizard was coming his way. Despite his many years traveling, he had yet to see a creature with such appearance. It was probably one of the many reasons why once the lizard was in hearing range, Jagred whistled and flashed him a toothy grin.

“Quite the entrance, friend.”- He glanced the giant up and down, then turning his gaze to the sailors behind him – “Though make a habit of returning your debts sometimes. It simply does not do for a warrior to steal.”

Edea Odyssey

I'm thinking of putting my character in the inn, since aint nobody wants to be out in the morning sun.

Edea Odyssey

@ERodeWe're all non-adventurers in real life tho.

Edea Odyssey

It doesn't matter which team my character ended up on. He knows dealing with unsavory characters is part of the mercenary deal. Don't eat a brain in front of him though. He might get very, very paranoid. Some men like their secrets.

Edea Odyssey

@Ariamis