Scyntell

Torn Realms (High-Fantasy) (Mid-High Casual) [ALWAYS OPEN]

If you do please invite Lark. I'm sure he'd love the opportunity.

Torn Realms (High-Fantasy) (Mid-High Casual) [ALWAYS OPEN]

Lark up to no good as per usual.

Torn Realms (High-Fantasy) (Mid-High Casual) [ALWAYS OPEN]

"I can't wait for the Nephilim to get their hands on you one day, Sylv! Just you wait. Karma will settle everything."

At a certain pottery shop in the Lower Markets was a certain shop keep, by the name of Earl, who was a frequent target of Lark's. Earl was a spineless fellow who was all bark and no bite. In the beginning all it took was a few threatening words and a broken vase to coerce Earl into giving up his hard earned coin. While Earl had started out cooperative over the years he had begun to become more and more violent with Lark as his frequent extortions had run most of his business away. Things had yet to come to blows between the two of them, but Earl could only hold on for so long. Lark didn't mind Earl's foul diction or increasingly violent temper as the man's coin was good and he was one of his easier marks to handle. Thus Lark would often come around to extort coin from Earl whenever the mood took him.

"Oh Earl why d'ya have to be like that, eh? Best friends can't go around wishing such dreadful things on each other. Especially not when this best friend helps promote your business," Lark mused as he paced the shop with a beautifully crafted urn in hand, "Plus those Ghosts wouldn't lift a finger for a lowly commoner like you." He spat as he gently placed the urn back on the shelf.

"Promote? If you call stealing my wares to give to those nasty street rats promoting then I'm Raziel himself!" Earl stood there gripping the counter-top until his knuckles turned white and glared at the smug fiend wishing nothing more to beat him to a bloody pulp. Instead he watched as all his business sneak out the doors while some petty thief had his way with him. There was nobody that was going to help him as the Guard were useless when it came to handling Lark. The only thing he could do was glare and spew more and more profanities out of his mouth until his face turned blue.

"How about this," Lark chuckled as he walked up to the counter, "I'm feeling rather generous. I wont take half your sales today like I normally do. Instead I'll only take, oh, one hundred pieces of gold. How's that sound? Today has been oh so busy after all so I can imagine you have made quite a few sales. We commoners oh so love our trinkets and yours are quite beautiful."

Earl, close to his breaking point, slammed his hands viciously on the counter, "One hundred pieces! Why don't you just rob me blind already. You, of all people, should know just how poor business has gotten for me especially when you take nearly all the coin I earn!"

Lark frowned as he listened to the man rant and rave. It was true that he knew Earl's business was faltering, but he cared not one whit. In fact he had begun resorting to heavier extortions due to boredom. When Lark had first come to Wellborough the Lower Markets had started out as an enormous wonderland of opportunity for him. During the few years he had spent in the markets, however, Lark's appetite for thievery had not lessened one bit and instead continued to grow more. Presently Lark felt that the Lower Markets was, in fact, rather small and its prospects seemingly smaller. There was no challenge anymore for him. No sense of thrill or accomplishment when he stole. His main purpose for staying in the Lower Markets were the children abandoned much like he was when he was young. Long ago he once held a burning passion to see Raziel crushed, his hope shattered, and his soul forever dispersed. His desires for revenge were still there, but they no longer burned like the sun at its highest. Instead they smoldered inside his heart as the Lower Markers continued to turn him more and more complacent.

"Now I'll have ya listen real close, alright? All I want is ya coin not your tongue so it'd be best if ya kept it locked up in that hole of yours before I completely lose my patience with ya," Feeling annoyed Lark grabbed the man by his wool-spun tunic, "If ya don't want to hand over any coin that's fine. I can just take everything, and break whatever it is I can't carry. I'll personally carve your precious little pottery shop into pieces and watch ya starve out on the streets! Maybe you'll turn to thievery just to survive, who knows, but you and I both know just how scary I can be when I want to be."

This was the reason for why many of the merchants who've been able to set up permanent businesses in Wellborough were all willing to deal with Lark's extortions. Even if they wanted nothing more than to see him tortured in the Wellborough dungeons they all stayed their hands for it wasn't Lark they feared. His power alone meant very little. It was his deep connections he had set up in the Lower Markets they feared. If Lark wanted he could have an entire business dismantled by the end of the month by starving them of the one thing a business needed, customers. Just by spreading the word he could have any would be criminal targeting Earl's pottery shop; Accosting anyone who came in or out and causing property damages at any time of the day. The Guard is capable of stopping the criminals from completely wrecking his shop, but in the end the most painful hit would be to his reputation. People would be far too scared to even approach his shop let alone enter it. In the end Lark and his gang of thieves, muggers, and any other petty criminal in the Lower Market area would get away scotch free. With exception to any who were caught in the process.

Earl, completely scared out of his wits, quickly snatched a wooden box from under his counter, "Fine! Fine I'll pay, I'll play! Just, please, don't send those murderers after me. I beg of you just take this coin and leave me be!" Thrusting the box at Lark, Earl backed away from the counter ashen faced and trembling. With a frown Lark opened up the box and pulled out an assortment of coins that added up to one hundred pieces of gold leaving behind a meager amount of coins and some dust. "I am a man of my word, you know, and as such I will only be taking one hundred pieces of gold." With that Lark strode from the shop leaving the frightened Earl behind with a feeling of distaste in his mouth.

"Tch, that was far too easy. These useless, spineless, scumbags are all too easy to push around. At least there are still some interesting marks out there, but how long will it be before I've exhausted them all?" Lark thought to himself as he strode through the markets ignoring the many looks of scorn and fear aimed his way. Suddenly a thought came to mind that brought a smile to his face.

"Oh I know! I'll go visit Mink and the other little ones. See if I can't get any information out of 'em." Visiting the children always put a smile on his face and Lark immediately sped up his pace.

At the eastern border of the clearing of the Lower Markets was what was essentially a "Lawless Zone." Here crime was at its highest, and the presence of the Guard was nearly non-existent with exception of the few who stayed in disguise. It wasn't just common thieves who called this place a haven. From bandits, looking to spend their plundered coin, to murderers looking to take advantage of the lack of guards to hide. There rest an old, dilapidated building that was once a great tavern before the Silver Swan was built and promptly ran them out of business. They weren't the only ones, however, and thus the building was completely abandoned to nature as nobody cared enough to take up business in such a remote and dangerous region of the markets. It was here that many orphaned children called their home along with other criminals who populated these lawless lands. Here they set up their own tavern where they could all eat, drink, and be merry away from the prying eyes of the Guard. The Rogues' Gallery; Home to anyone willing to call it such.

"Uncle Lark! Uncle Lark!" Cried many of the children as Lark walked into the Rogues' Gallery, "What have you brought this time? Any gifts, any gifts?" Smiling, Lark made his way over to a table and sat down on a creaky chair as he looked over the children. "Of course I have gifts! How could I not bring any to my favorite group of troublemakers?" Lark chuckled as he hefted a bag off the ground and opened it up. Inside were many various objects he had picked up on his way to the tavern. There were small pieces of jewelry such as bracelets and necklaces as well as balls and wooden figures for the children to play with. The children's eyes all began to glow as they scrambled forward to accept Lark's gifts each one trying their best to be the first.

"Easy, easy! One at a time ya lot! Don't go makin' me angry now else I'll take these all back," he chided at the children as they apologized and lined up, "Hey where's Mink?" Lark asked as he gave the last child in the line an amethyst which shone with a deep purple light. "'Unno. He left this mornin' and hasn't come back yet." With a sigh Lark shook his head and tossed the empty bag aside.

"Now, kiddos, I have deal for you all. For every piece of interesting information you tell me I'll give you one piece of gold. Sound interesting?" He didn't even need to confirm their interest as each child immediately began to vomit out anything and everything they could to earn that piece of gold. It may not represent much in general, but to them it meant being able to eat when Lark wasn't around. Much of the information was useless bits of gossip such as rowdy drunks being tossed out of the Silver Swan or whatever queer races entered through the gates of Wellborough. This sort of information was all old news as far as he was concerned. Despite all the useless gossip there were a few things that stood out to Lark. He was far more interested in the report of a Nephilim, or 'Ghosts' as they're called behind their backs, sighting in Wellborough. These was even rumors of a monstrous creature that had attempted to sneak into the city, but was thwarted by the anti-magic structures and was self howling and screeching in the road. Giving out coins to the children who had provided him with important information he was about to stand head back out when suddenly the door crashed open letting bright sunlight illuminate the world inside the tavern.

"Lark! Lark! Terrible news!" Shouted a voice as a small weasely child ran at Lark eyes full of terror. Getting up from his chair and rushing to Mink Lark tried his best to calm the frantic child down, "Mink what has gotten into ya, calm down. Grab some booze and take a seat." Snapping his fingers at one of the tavern wenches Lark had her run off to grab a dusty bottle of some unknown alcohol that was kept in stock.

"There's no time for drinking you stupid Klepto! I spotted the Grey Wolf in Lower Market!" Cried Mink as he shook his head and dragged on Lark's sleeve.

"Gellert? That old sellsword? So what if he's in Lower Market. He's probably just come back after killin' some fool outside the city." It was at this point the woman returned with bottle in hand setting it down on the table with a scowl as Lark paid her.

"You don't get it at all! He's not here to shop he's here for you. The Grey Wolf's been asking around for you. He wanted me to tell him where you were, but there's no way I'd talk. The bastard would have to kill me first." Mink said with a proud look in his eyes and he continued to urge Lark to leave, "You have to go. Get out of here, Lark. That Grey Wolf is sure to come by here eventually."

Lark frowned as he slowly sat back down in his chair. He, like most others in Wellborough, was well versed in the stories that surrounded the Grey Wolf. Each one described him in an even bloodier tone not a single one left Lark feeling confident about his well being. Ripping out the cork in the bottle and taking a deep swig of the foul liquid inside Lark repressed his nervousness and smiled at Mink and the others, "Oh please as if there was a soul alive that could even hope to catch me here. Let him come. If he wants a chase then he's going to get one. I'll show you all that the rumors surrounding this Grey Wolf are just that, rumors."

Torn Realms (High-Fantasy) (Mid-High Casual) [ALWAYS OPEN]

Been enjoying my day off too much, lol. Haven't been working on a new post. I shall remedy this!

Torn Realms (High-Fantasy) (Mid-High Casual) [ALWAYS OPEN]

According to the description of Wellborough on the first post it's the runic structures that block all magic

Torn Realms (High-Fantasy) (Mid-High Casual) [ALWAYS OPEN]

How interesting Gellert is on the case in the Lower Markets. Poor Lark is going v to have to play every trick he has haha.

Torn Realms (High-Fantasy) (Mid-High Casual) [ALWAYS OPEN]

Hah, and I was just wondering about that given your Fae's magical music affinity.

Torn Realms (High-Fantasy) (Mid-High Casual) [ALWAYS OPEN]

I can't imagine they'd know each other personally although that really depends on how long she has been staying within Wellborough. Lark's infamy is generally focused around the Lower Market and hasn't really spread that far outside of it among the citizens. The Guard know of him, but that's their job. Who knows if the Council even cares, haha. Lark has spent about four years in the main part of the capital his previous fifteen in the farmlands on the outskirts.

Lark is very friendly towards children and animals but treats other adults with disdain and disrepect, generally, despite being an adult himself haha.

So, if it makes sense then I wont object to them knowing each other.

Torn Realms (High-Fantasy) (Mid-High Casual) [ALWAYS OPEN]

There we go! A post of, uh, arguable quality!

Torn Realms (High-Fantasy) (Mid-High Casual) [ALWAYS OPEN]

"Ah, it is such a beautiful day out."

Wellborough was the forest capital through and through. A vast, winding city that went on as far as the eye could see with buildings that fully integrated themselves among the trees. Winding up and around the trunks of the massive trees that dotted the land. Even burrowing inside creating intricate winding passages that lead higher into the canopies. The lands outside constantly bustling with hundreds of Humani rushing to and fro taking care of whatever business they have on hand. In one section of a city was a large swath of land completely devoid of trees. Here you could find a complicated mess of buildings that appeared to have no order to it whatsoever almost as if they were just dumped there. To add to the mess Humani swarmed the Lower Markets--like insects--going from one building, stall, and shack to the next. Here Lark could be found strolling through the crowds with a self-complacent look on his face like he was some lord strolling through his own backyard.

"Say, these are some tasty apples ya got here," He said as he plucked an apple from a basket and proceeded to eat it gleefully in front of the vendor. "In fact I think I ought to have another." Lark glanced at the vendor as he casually leaned over to take another apple. The vendor--already staring at Lark with bloodshot eyes full of anger--stood up angrily and grabbed Lark's arm.

"Who do you think you are, huh? The lord of Wellborough himself," The vendor shouted, "If you ain't going to pay then you ought to fuck right off before I call the guards! In fact I think I should hold you here 'till they get here instead." A crowd had begun to gather around this particular stall. Some looked on with interest while others watched indifferently like it was something that happened far too often. Many even begun to whisper to each other with amusement while making bets. The Guard had already noticed the commotion, and some were already making their way through the crowd to resolve the situation whether or not the vendor called for them. The Lower Markets was an area with one of the highest levels of crime in all of Wellborough and as such the Guard were stationed all over to protect the merchants and citizens from thieves and muggers alike.

"Oi, oi, let go of my arm would ya," Lark cried out, "It's my favorite one and I can't replace it if you break it!" He attempted to push the vendor away weakly multiple times as the crowd watched on. "I'll leave like ya wanted, alright? So let me go!" Lark pulled with his restrained arm and rammed himself into the vendor sending the both of them toppling to the ground. A short scuffle ensued as both parties scrambled to get back on their feet. Rolling away from the vendor Lark got back up and gave the vendor one last look before scampering off clutching the previously restrained arm with the Guard running past the produce stand shortly after.

"That's right you better run! Run on out of Wellborough while you're at it, too. Give us all a great breath of relief. Can't even peddle my wares with you lot trying to cause trouble all the time. The Guard is dead useless too! Can't even catch one little rat, hmph." The vendor ranted as he watched Lark run off with a curious pleased look on his face that confused the produce vendor. Scowling he sat back down and grumbled to himself for a moment before freezing over as if he had been struck by ice. Shooting back up to his feet the vendor patted himself down while looking around frantically before looking back in the direction Lark had run off to.

"That little shit stole my money!"

Much further away in a small gap between buildings was Lark who was currently feeling very pleased with himself. Having just outran the Guard once more and hiding himself away he lifted his hand to view his ill gotten gains. Swinging in his hand was his latest gift from the produce vendor. A small woolen pouch from which a satisfying clinking sound could be heard as Lark shook the bag.

"Hah, what a freakin' moron. Who'd be scared of a damned produce vendor anyways? That's what he gets for thinkin' he can just do whatever he wants grabbin' me like that," He thought to himself as he opened up the pouch and dumped the coins into his hand, "Bah, and he was poor too! No wonder he was sellin' fruit. What a worthless find." Lark sighed as he slipped the coin into his own pouch tossing the empty one aside as he wandered back onto the busy dirt path. Looking side to side Lark debated internally where to go next as the day was his and there were no responsibilities he had to fulfill. He was a free man able to do whatever he wished whenever he wished. Not even the Guard were able to stop him as Lark was far too crafty on the run. If they had access to magic then it would have been a far different story, but thanks to the Nephilim the entire city was on complete magic lock down.

"Hey! Hey Sylv! Over 'ere ya stupid klepto!" A voice called out through the crowd. Looking in the direction the voice came from one would have difficulties spotting the source. There stood a child with features that'd remind one of a weasel dressed in nothing but rags. The child was so dirty he nearly blended in with the ground beneath him as he scampered his way over to Lark.

"I saw wha'cha did to that stupid vendor over there, Lark. Nice catch on the goods." The child laughed as he looked up at Lark with bright eyes, "You saw that, eh? Can't hide anythin' from ya, Mink," Lark said as he gave the child a pat on the head and held an apple in front of him, "I know ya saw me snag this, too, else ya'd never have come over. Ya can have it, but don't expect any more from me alright? Gotta learn to get your own grub. Now get outta here before the Guard spots me ya little shit." With a grin Lark dropped the apple into Mink's greedy little hands and watched as the child slinked back into the crowd. Every time Lark came upon some food Mink would always be around to mooch off of Lark, and Lark--Having a soft spot in his heart for children--would always give him some of whatever he found. Lark was popular with the Wellborough urchins as he would often gift them with coin and food whenever he could. They were all like brothers and sisters to him, and they treated him like a parent himself. Despite having already reached manhood himself Lark often scorns and distrusts other adults especially ones that he has seen looking down upon the little urchins as if they were nothing but the dirt beneath their feet.

Donning his self-content grin once more Lark set out once more through the Lower Markets eyeing the various wares for sale and ignoring the numerous venomous looks from those who knew him or those who had dealt with him in the past. Lark's name was well known for his kleptomanic ways and even more well known for his constant interactions with the Guard. In fact, in the past four years since his escape from the Farmlands he has had the most interactions with the Guard than anyone else in the city asides from Council themselves. It has gotten to the point where guards wont even bother chasing him on sight like they would do with any other wanted criminal. It was better to just let Lark brazenly draw the Guard to himself and surround him than to chase him through the crowds of the Lower Markets.