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Post by redcoat on Mar 27, 2022 12:48:02 GMT -5
Username: Opiii
The composed, but exhausted proprietor of the tavern remained at the bar counter as old and new faces alike sat, drank, and enjoyed the warmth the fireplace brought. Now locked up for the evening, he turned over his drinking glass to finish his night's watch with a clear head.
The handsome tiefling, now known only as "Johnny," had welcomed Biff and Lia into the makeshift sanctuary as if they were old friends. Bones and Verdi were treated with likewise hospitality, though the familiarity was more comfortable and genuine.
After their conversation, the party had gleaned some information about the proprietor. His accent was like Verdi's, but thicker and less carefully controlled. His weapon of choice was something rare and enigmatic- a wooden stock with a peculiarly shaped flared metal pipe and triggering mechanism. Lia knew him to be familiar with magic- and potentially capable of it.
And he was particularly interested in information.
As the fireplace crackled and the shadows grew long, Johnny went through the offered rations, taking stock. With the men healed, they needed less to eat to maintain their strength, and some of these dried fruit would please the children who took refuge. The group lapsed into comfortable silence. That is until Verdi took out their smoke pipe.
The tiefling's almost lambent green eyes turned toward the albino, one sharp brow raised. "…Having a smoke?"
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Username: Uberwulf X
Biff wanted to ask Verdi about that, the pipe and its ingredients, but he hadn't had any time to do that. And here Johnny was, speaking before he could. Ah well, he'd just sit quietly and listen; perhaps Verdi would be less annoyed answering questions from the barkeep, than from Biff.
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Username: The Red Coat
+Bones leaned back against the bar, comfortable. The Black Cat was as much her home as any place was her home… one of the good places to stay if the weather was too bad to find a good section of rooftop.
She sipped from the glass- knowing that there would not be much left of it, not for a little bit. Damn intruders and lizards and Driscol the Colossus Dick had seen to that, hadn't it?
Yet another reason she wanted to drag him, cuffed, to Norixas, preferably while holding a dossier of evidence. Speaking of….
Bones took out the journal she kept with her, as well as the reservoir pen- one of her few indulgences- and began the tedious process of documenting everything that had happened since they arrived in the city.
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Username: CautionCat
Verdi paused, the pipe clasped between their teeth as they looked to Johnny. "Nothing strong. I need something to… wind me down." A pause, before they took out a small cloth bag and some matches. "I have too many thoughts and I need them to get into a line."
Trying to sort out how to approach the topic of the Lizardfolk, the Commission actually contacted but without Verdi to actually make their report,and Bones revealing she was half elf. Not to mention the idea of undead happening faster below ground… Guardians who looked like Karn ran afoot down south… new… sub tribes? Of Lizardfolk… That Bones didn't see the value of their lives. A lot of people wouldn't. She wasn't speaking the minority, even though she repeated herself. She was speaking for the majority, especially those who lived in this city.
Verdi tucked pipeweed into the end of their pipe, eyes distant as they thought over it all.
They sighed, and struck a match with their thumb, bringing it up to their pipe and lighting it. "Do you still have that liquor you got me to like so much?" They looked to Johnny, as they took a soft puff of their pipe.
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Username: Opiii
The tiefling looked Verdi over, pausing to think and take a mental inventory. "…I believe I haf' some, yes. I'll trade you a glass for a puff or two. Fair deal?" He smiled briefly before planting his hand upon the counter. With some effort he stood and made his way back toward the kitchen and store rooms beyond.
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Username: Uberwulf X
"Ah, Verdi," Biff said as he found a chance, "what exactly do you have in your pipe there? It smells of something… familiar, yet not.. Biff can't put finger on it. And don't have anything nearly as good as the drink to offer. So what would Verdi like in exchange for a sample?"
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Username: CautionCat
Verdi would have smiled, but they had too much on their mind. They did give the other tiefling a nod. "Sounds fair to me."
After Johnny turned to fetch them a drink, their eyes looked to Biff. The try hard. The child who wanted approval. The one who thought Verdi was a leader… He was so green you'd mistake him for being sea sick. Those thoughts were incredibly negative, but Verdi was not in a good headspace at that very moment. They took another puff of their pipe, a longer, slower drag as the dried fibers gave off a faint glow.
"It's just pipeweed." Verdi pulled the pipe from their mouth, and handed it to Biff. "Consider it a peace offering, for you to not assume I'm the leader, or seek whatever approval from me. You're like a puppy but a lot less endearing." They snorted, actually trying not to snicker. "Just try not to get yourself killed. Don't be Leonard."
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Username: Uberwulf X
"Ah, you aren't the leader? Interesting," he said while accepting the pipe, "you have the authority of the Commission, along with Bones, right? And you're Bones' keeper, so you're higher than her. The rest of us, we're just adventurers, looking to make quick coin, yes?"
Biff took a big toke.
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Username: CautionCat
Verdi squinted, and looked to Bones. "I am not her keeper, I am her protector. If someone comes for her head, I am going to assist her to not die." They watched as Biff took way more of a sample of their pipe than they were expecting. They were trying really hard not to compare Biff to Leonard, but ever since that event, it was hard not to pick out those flaws in people.
"Don't be careless with another's smoke that's offered to you. I don't really have a whole lot of that left."
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Username: The Red Coat
"Yes, you see, if they were the leader, they would have given me commands and orders." Bones said, not looking up from her reports to watch them. Of course, Verdi had given her an order.
An order she obeyed. Like a fucking dog.
Sipping from her whiskey tumbler, she continued her work quietly.
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Post by opius on Jul 2, 2024 17:01:53 GMT -5
Username: Uberwulf X
"Ah, Biff apologize," he said as he passed the pipe back. "Biff thought Verdi had good supply of it. Maybe Biff see if there is some sort of thing Biff can give you as gift, to make up for big Biff Puff!"
He looked over at Bones for a second, a glance at her notebook. "What exactly did you do, to make you need a guard?"
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Username: CautionCat
Verdi took their pipe back, and leaned a bit on their bar stool to get a better look at the now acknowledged as half-tabaxi. Bones was upset, no one needed to look into that hard to figure it out. "You uh… you want a take? I am sorry if I have upset you. I am probably coming off as extremely selfish… I… just really enjoy my job, and I also don't want you to die." They paused, and pulled their hood back, getting up from the stool they were sitting on, and moving to the one next to Bones so it wasn't so awkward to talk around Biff.
"I'll say it here, if you have anything on your mind, don't hesitate to speak it. I am not a fan of conflict."
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Username: The Red Coat
Bones frowned, looking up to Verdi from her reports. "No. I didn't… appreciate being ordered not to retrieve Aramag's gift. But it is more the entire situation that frustrates me.
Either Norixius doesn't trust me not to betray the commission, in which case he doubts my loyalty, or he doesn't trust me to keep myself alive- something I have been doing, with some help from allies, since I was five- and that includes the journey to Port Nyanzaru, through the jungle, unaccompanied.
I am sorry. I should not be taking my frustration out on you. But you should know that I am frustrated."
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Username: CautionCat
Verdi frowned, nodding, and bitting their pipe a moment when Bones didn't take their offering of it. "I actually expected you to jump into his maw regardless what I said. I'm… Being paranoid of someone I know is more than capable of holding her own. I think the whole ordeal with the island has me on edge, on top of being told to keep you safe."
They sighed, and took a small puff, thinking. "I'd like to think they're concerned for your safety. Biff did ask what got them into such a fuss over you." They glanced over to the human.
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Username: Uberwulf X
Nod, nod.
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Username: Opiii
"It's easy to bury za' truth vit' a vell placed crossbow bolt." Johnny spoke up from beyond the kitchen. Within a moment he returned to the bar counter, a rustic brown clay jug in his hands. The bottom was round and curvaceous with a long fluted neck, corked. Several runes in draconic were imprinted in the side of the clay.
He placed the jug down, sloshing the contents. From there he retrieved several dry, hard spices from below, and an iron grater. Into a tall glass he began grating the spices- a stick of cinnamon and some nutmeg, speaking as he did.
"… If your enemy in ze flaming fist can rouse suspicion, one man might s'ink himself a hero by attacking you. Should you fall before ze truth is revealed, zat vill validate every person his lies have touched. And from z'ere… Ze tension spreads, people adopt ideas about tabaxi zat are untrue, und years of diplomacy and peace are undone." He glanced to Bones as he poured an Amber liquid into the glass.
"You are a formidable woman, Bones. But I do not s'ink you haf' dealt vit sabotage an conspiracy on zis level, surrounding you personally. Just as you vant Justice doled into ze' lizard folk, zere are some in ze town s'ink you must face it… and some are too angry to vait for ze truth." He inclined his head.
"Personally, I vould vant a partner to vatch my back. Just in case some familiar face decides to play hero for all ze wrong reasons." He pushed the glass toward Verdi, but still watched Bones.
"Vould you like some Tej as vell?"
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Username: The Red Coat
"Always. But, a small amount. I don't want to end the night under the table." She said, draining the dwarven whiskey and putting out her glass to get a refill.
"It's not a good time to be out of my senses, as you well put it." She said, obviously mulling over Johnny's words.
"To answer your question, Biff, I got very, very close to having enough evidence to arrest the head of the Flaming Fist, Boscov Driscoll, for… a lot of very bad crimes, and then in a moment, my case went up in flames. Literally. The timing was such that my family on the mainland had invited me to deal with some of my father's matters, so I took… an extended leave.
And then tabaxi invaded the port, and isn't it convenient that Bones just happens to be gone, isn't it interesting that one of- perhaps the only- tabaxi of note in the commission just happens to be away." She frowned deeply, putting aside her notebook and pulling out the tools to refill the reservoir on her pen.
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Username: CautionCat
"The commission knows you wouldn't have done anything, but racism is just as harsh here as it is on the mainland. Maybe worse." They shook their head, then nodded to Johnny. "Thank you." Before taking a sip, and passing their pipe to him.
"And on the note of being someone watching your back, that's what I am here to do. That's what I should do. Being gone and coming back to this mess… Hopefully we will have things more sorted tomorrow morning."
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Username: Opiii
Johnny took the pipe and bit down. Preparing the next drink, a smaller drink in a snifter glass, he took a drag before letting the hot smoke escape his nostrils. There was a sort of… Relief on his face as he inhaled.
He passed the amber drink toward Bones. "You'll get him." As he released the glass he hooked his head toward Verdi, his voice low and kind. "… An don't s'ink of zem as being in your way. You still do your job, inquisitor- protecting us little people like you always have. Your gut makes you good at your job, so do not lose zat nerve. Your partner is zere to support you."
The drink was pleasantly scented, sweet and fermented with notes of caramel and honey. Less cinnamon was added to the drink, but the nutmeg was present and accounted for.
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Username: Uberwulf X
"You were gone, so… everyone thinks you had something to do with the mess? Ah, Biff now see…"
He thought for a few seconds, time enough for Johnny to deliver that refill to Bones. He eventually turned his gaze to Verdi. It now made sense why Bones was being watched- in figuring all of this violence out, assign the officer a partner so there is an alibi, as well as a very competent bodyguard.
"What of you, my pale road mate, and provider of interesting things of a pipe-y and smokey nature? Why do you stay around… the danger? The wild beasts? The coin? Or can Biff have small glimpse behind the veil, to deeper things?"
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Post by opius on Jul 2, 2024 17:02:01 GMT -5
Username: Uberwulf X
"Ah, Biff apologize," he said as he passed the pipe back. "Biff thought Verdi had good supply of it. Maybe Biff see if there is some sort of thing Biff can give you as gift, to make up for big Biff Puff!"
He looked over at Bones for a second, a glance at her notebook. "What exactly did you do, to make you need a guard?"
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Username: CautionCat
Verdi took their pipe back, and leaned a bit on their bar stool to get a better look at the now acknowledged as half-tabaxi. Bones was upset, no one needed to look into that hard to figure it out. "You uh… you want a take? I am sorry if I have upset you. I am probably coming off as extremely selfish… I… just really enjoy my job, and I also don't want you to die." They paused, and pulled their hood back, getting up from the stool they were sitting on, and moving to the one next to Bones so it wasn't so awkward to talk around Biff.
"I'll say it here, if you have anything on your mind, don't hesitate to speak it. I am not a fan of conflict."
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Username: The Red Coat
Bones frowned, looking up to Verdi from her reports. "No. I didn't… appreciate being ordered not to retrieve Aramag's gift. But it is more the entire situation that frustrates me.
Either Norixius doesn't trust me not to betray the commission, in which case he doubts my loyalty, or he doesn't trust me to keep myself alive- something I have been doing, with some help from allies, since I was five- and that includes the journey to Port Nyanzaru, through the jungle, unaccompanied.
I am sorry. I should not be taking my frustration out on you. But you should know that I am frustrated."
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Username: CautionCat
Verdi frowned, nodding, and bitting their pipe a moment when Bones didn't take their offering of it. "I actually expected you to jump into his maw regardless what I said. I'm… Being paranoid of someone I know is more than capable of holding her own. I think the whole ordeal with the island has me on edge, on top of being told to keep you safe."
They sighed, and took a small puff, thinking. "I'd like to think they're concerned for your safety. Biff did ask what got them into such a fuss over you." They glanced over to the human.
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Username: Uberwulf X
Nod, nod.
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Username: Opiii
"It's easy to bury za' truth vit' a vell placed crossbow bolt." Johnny spoke up from beyond the kitchen. Within a moment he returned to the bar counter, a rustic brown clay jug in his hands. The bottom was round and curvaceous with a long fluted neck, corked. Several runes in draconic were imprinted in the side of the clay.
He placed the jug down, sloshing the contents. From there he retrieved several dry, hard spices from below, and an iron grater. Into a tall glass he began grating the spices- a stick of cinnamon and some nutmeg, speaking as he did.
"… If your enemy in ze flaming fist can rouse suspicion, one man might s'ink himself a hero by attacking you. Should you fall before ze truth is revealed, zat vill validate every person his lies have touched. And from z'ere… Ze tension spreads, people adopt ideas about tabaxi zat are untrue, und years of diplomacy and peace are undone." He glanced to Bones as he poured an Amber liquid into the glass.
"You are a formidable woman, Bones. But I do not s'ink you haf' dealt vit sabotage an conspiracy on zis level, surrounding you personally. Just as you vant Justice doled into ze' lizard folk, zere are some in ze town s'ink you must face it… and some are too angry to vait for ze truth." He inclined his head.
"Personally, I vould vant a partner to vatch my back. Just in case some familiar face decides to play hero for all ze wrong reasons." He pushed the glass toward Verdi, but still watched Bones.
"Vould you like some Tej as vell?"
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Username: The Red Coat
"Always. But, a small amount. I don't want to end the night under the table." She said, draining the dwarven whiskey and putting out her glass to get a refill.
"It's not a good time to be out of my senses, as you well put it." She said, obviously mulling over Johnny's words.
"To answer your question, Biff, I got very, very close to having enough evidence to arrest the head of the Flaming Fist, Boscov Driscoll, for… a lot of very bad crimes, and then in a moment, my case went up in flames. Literally. The timing was such that my family on the mainland had invited me to deal with some of my father's matters, so I took… an extended leave.
And then tabaxi invaded the port, and isn't it convenient that Bones just happens to be gone, isn't it interesting that one of- perhaps the only- tabaxi of note in the commission just happens to be away." She frowned deeply, putting aside her notebook and pulling out the tools to refill the reservoir on her pen.
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Username: CautionCat
"The commission knows you wouldn't have done anything, but racism is just as harsh here as it is on the mainland. Maybe worse." They shook their head, then nodded to Johnny. "Thank you." Before taking a sip, and passing their pipe to him.
"And on the note of being someone watching your back, that's what I am here to do. That's what I should do. Being gone and coming back to this mess… Hopefully we will have things more sorted tomorrow morning."
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Username: Opiii
Johnny took the pipe and bit down. Preparing the next drink, a smaller drink in a snifter glass, he took a drag before letting the hot smoke escape his nostrils. There was a sort of… Relief on his face as he inhaled.
He passed the amber drink toward Bones. "You'll get him." As he released the glass he hooked his head toward Verdi, his voice low and kind. "… An don't s'ink of zem as being in your way. You still do your job, inquisitor- protecting us little people like you always have. Your gut makes you good at your job, so do not lose zat nerve. Your partner is zere to support you."
The drink was pleasantly scented, sweet and fermented with notes of caramel and honey. Less cinnamon was added to the drink, but the nutmeg was present and accounted for.
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Username: Uberwulf X
"You were gone, so… everyone thinks you had something to do with the mess? Ah, Biff now see…"
He thought for a few seconds, time enough for Johnny to deliver that refill to Bones. He eventually turned his gaze to Verdi. It now made sense why Bones was being watched- in figuring all of this violence out, assign the officer a partner so there is an alibi, as well as a very competent bodyguard.
"What of you, my pale road mate, and provider of interesting things of a pipe-y and smokey nature? Why do you stay around… the danger? The wild beasts? The coin? Or can Biff have small glimpse behind the veil, to deeper things?"
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Post by opius on Jul 2, 2024 17:02:23 GMT -5
Username: Opiii
"No rest for the vicked." He gave Bones a knowing look, chuckling. As Biff spoke, he nodded and cupped his mouth in thought.
"These are strange times… An al'zough strange s'ings happen here all the time, it is not often so… Chaotic. Not often so…" He quirked his jaw, tight lipped.
"All-at-once. Ja?" He looked toward Verdi, trusting in their approximate understanding of the comings and goings of the jungle.
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Username: CautionCat
Verdi also lifted their cup, nodding to Bones. After a sip, he listened and nodded to Johnny. "Yeah, Jaggi are too far north, nesting, new Lizardfolk from the deep, unexplored south… Undead turning quicker when they're underground… Something is going on down that way, and I need to get to the bottom of it."
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Username: The Red Coat
Bones lifted her head and held up a hand, frowning deeply as she listened for the noise.
Yes, she was hearing it. Footsteps, moving quietly. Leather-gear- the sound was muted but still definitely there in the eerie silence that had taken the streets.
"Perhaps you should grab your gun again, Johnny." She whispered, looking from tiefling to tiefling to human.
"Someone is at your door."
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Username: Opiii
The blue skinned tiefling's expression darkened, immediately sobering up at Bones' words. He turned his attention towards the door, placing one hand on the stock of his firearm.
He glanced then at the fireplace, and with a quick flick of his other hand, the flames snuffed themselves. The Black Cat Tavern went dark, though not completely black. Several candle wicks flickered with small flames, darting the walls and countertop. Dim light kept the party just barely visible to one another.
Johnny waited, holding a finger to his lips. Several seconds passed.
Knock.
The dull, deep thump echoed across the stone tile floor and walls.
Knock… Knock…
The tiefling looked back across his newfound allies before shifting slowly to his feet.
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Username: CautionCat
"…"
Verdi flicked their ears and stood slowly, hand reaching for their throwing axe. What if it was one of their allies? Though, it could have been anyone. Bones made the situation more paranoid, and it was late, and Verdi needed to rest.
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Username: Uberwulf X
Biff lifted his head and brows, turning to the door, before shifting that raised brow to Bones. Maybe that's why she was being quiet, she was tracking noise. He turned back to the door, standing after another swig of his drink.
"Is probably someone injured or hurt, probably no need for your weapons. Still, let BIff go open the door, and see who is there." With that, he moved to the door and leaned on it to speak through the crack.
"Who comes at this hour?"
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Username: Opiii
A startled, but relieved voice called back after Biff, his voice light but masculine, though he spoke in a language that trilled and rolled. Bones and Lia would recognize the language immediately as Elven. "Selune be, thank the moon…"
He cleared his throat, voice pleasant and polite with a touch of refinement, though there was still that slight worry and desperation- uncertainty. In common he pleaded, "Thank goodness, someone lives. I've been searching for someone- anyone. I'd begun to think the worst!" He paused, getting ahead of himself.
"I followed the whisps from the chimney and saw the light from beneath the windowsill. May I come in? It's… Rather worrisome how silent it is out here."
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Username: Uberwulf X
Biff turned his head to the bartender for permission. If this was indeed another drifter looking for shelter, then Johnny would be the one caring for him as he was for the present members of the Commission, and the man had the right to reject service.
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Username: The Red Coat
Bones frowned deeply, looking to Johnny. With a shrug, she stood and hopped over the bar, sitting on the floor behind it.
"Illyrian. Sounds genuine enough, and Selune- I think a goddess of Light?" She shrugged her shoulders, preparing her hand crossbow, just in case.
Probably not needed, but just in case.
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Username: Opiii
He glanced to Bones, nodding, though his face had become a very hard read. With brows furrowed, Johnny looked back to Biff. Very quietly he spoke up over the silence, half whispering.
"… Does he have a name?"
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Post by opius on Jul 2, 2024 17:02:37 GMT -5
Username: Uberwulf X
"Oi, traveler, you've a name? Dangerous times," Biff called through the door, "need to make sure you're an actual person and maybe not a vampire seeking entry. Or just not someone I owe money to."
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Username: CautionCat
Verdi pursed their lips, and stayed looking towards the door, but did not hide like Bones did.
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Username: Opiii
Biff heard something almost like a chuckle at the mention of a Vampire. That name nervous voice turned away from the door. "You have a strange sense of humor, friend. But you sound human- so that.. that's good."
The voice turned again toward the door, Biff could sense it's owner was pressed to the door. "I am Gaelin Kranar. I'm a ranger. And as much as I enjoy sleeping under the stars, this is not a safe place for me to do so this evening."
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Username: Uberwulf X
"Gaelin Kranar, is it?"
Biff looked to the others, seeing if they had any objections or the name brought up some kind of reaction. If the others didn't hold any objections, Biff would open the door– a little slowly at first, to see the man(?) at the door and get a look at the area behind him, then fully if all seemed clear.
"Come in, then, out of the night."
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Username: CautionCat
"Gaelin?" Verdi whispered but loud enough for Johnny and Bones to hear. "Probably stopped here after his mission and didn't know what happened…" They took a sip of their drink, and got up from the bar stool.
"Gaelin. You weren't around, so I'm going to assume you were on a hunt, yeah?"
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Username: Opiii
Biff unlocked and opened the door, discovering a figure backing away to give him space. As dark as it was, Biff could only scarcely make out the creature's face beneath his dark green hood. His chin was angular
"Thank you, thank you." He planted a leather gloved hand onto Biff's shoulder, stepping inside. It was still dim inside without the fireplace lit, though he moved in and toward the middle of the room without issue.
As Verdi spoke he dusted off and double checked his fastenings, belts, and the like. "On assignment for the last few months, actually. There were Kobold sightings near the Wyrmheart mines, to the West. Investigating took some time… I ran across refugees on my way back to the city. They filled me in about what happened and I rushed here as quickly as I could. You can't imagine how glad I was to see this place survived the attack."
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Username: Uberwulf X
Verdi spoke with some familiarity, suggesting a hunt the person may have been on, so Biff relaxed a bit as he closed the door behind Gaelin. He hadn't seen where Bones ducked off to, so quietly and casually looked around to see if she'd come out or if she was hiding away for the night.
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Username: Opiii
Johnny remained standing and gradually pulled the firearm toward his side of the counter. One glance to Bones on his side if the counter reminded him to remain vigilant. This ranger could have run across anyone- even someone spreading dangerous misinformation. He turned to glance at fireplace, preparing to light it from afar.
"Gaelin, right? V'hat's the vord on the outside? Have you run into many refugees out there?"
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Username: CautionCat
Verdi quirked a brow, watching the elf. "Kobolds again?" And they took a sip of their drink. "Yes, what did you hear of happening here?"
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Username: The Red Coat
+Bones frowned deeply, setting her crossbow to the side, but still hiding behind the bar near Johnny's feet. She didn't know Gaelin, though it appeared Verdi did. But….
The others were right- there was no telling whether or not someone had already made their mind up about her before arriving at the bar.+
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Post by opius on Jul 2, 2024 17:03:02 GMT -5
Username: Opiii
"Kobolds only get rambunctious if their warrens are disturbed, or if something new is emboldening them. And with the mines being so geologically active, the Commission thought it best to ensure nothing new had taken residence among the mountains." Gaelin reached to undo his cloak, finding a seat near the table where Lia sat.
As he approached the group, those with darkvision could see his face when he pulled his hood back. Elven with dark skin, his features were fine and smooth. His cheekbones were pronounced as all elves tended to be, and his chin was likewise pointed in that familiar spade-like shape. He was less androgynous than most, however, with a slight ruggedness to his mouth and almond-shaped eyes. Almost… boyish? His brows were sharp and angular, a darker blonde than the pale wheat colored hair atop his head.
However, as he turned, to sit across from Lia at her own table, the left side of his face painted a… Less handsome picture. The fair and natural skin was marred with smooth, streaking scars which ran from just above his forehead toward his left eye, across his cheek and jaw and through his lip. His left eye was still intact, though the skin of the eyelid was drooping, without eyelashes, and the eye itself was clouded.
"Unfortunately their suspicions were founded. I had intended to deliver that information to the guild hall when I discovered all of… this… had happened." He rolled his shoulders. "…Between some unknown tribe of Tabaxi attacking the town and Lizard men somehow banding together to occupy it, it seems that my report will need to wait a while longer."
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Username: Opiii
As the group settled and… welcomed this person in, Johnny pored through his own mental notes. Ranks, rumors, drink preference. Gaelin wasn't a regular- rangers seldom were, save for a handful. He knew the name, and recognized the face. Or so he thought, until Gaelin turned. At the note of geological activity and suspicions about the Kobolds, the details made sense. It wasn't like an Elf to parade their personal woes and injuries. He could respect that, and chose not to draw attention to the scars.
Pointing again to the fireplace, the tiefling's pupils flickered red with emberlight. The fireplace began to crackle before it again quietly roared to life, illuminating and warming the room. "Troubling times, friend. We have drinks, and thanks to these folks, food enough to spare. We have room as well."
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Username: CautionCat
Verdi watched without a reaction to Gaelin's face. Nodding, thinking. "We got in contact with the commission. The tabaxi have long been gone, and these lizardfolk are from the south we have yet to explore. They're… Different. Bigger than the ones we're familiar with. A dragon hiding himself as their new leader brought them up here, and now they're displaced. I plan on finding some kind of habitat for them, but I need to wait and see what the commission thinks."
They frowned, and leaned to the direction of the elf ranger, taking their seat back and crossing their legs. "Aramag was being challenged, but we intervened." They gestured to Lia. "She disrupted the spell Blightfang was keeping on himself. I don't know why a dragon is here, and challenging natives, but something is brewing where we haven't explored."
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Username: Opiii
"Something is always brewing in Te'Kaal. The weave is warped and the dead rise, it's madness." He waved a hand somewhat dismissively while resting one elbow on the table. With his right hand relaxed, he began fiddling with a copper piece, balancing it between the fingertips in a practiced manner. He was dexterous, it seemed.
"I've heard of the lizardfolk, and their larger, leathery clan. Though it's good to know they're from the south. Perhaps we can forcibly escort them home. They must have charted a safe path there, a path that would be invaluable to people studying this place." He only speculated, tone aloof and noncommittal.
He glanced at Lia, looking the elf over briefly. "… Revealing a Dragon's true identity. That sounds like powerful magic indeed." He spoke quietly with respectful nod toward her, and the ring see wore. Nobility… Interesting.
He looked then toward Verdi and the larger, more tanned fellow. "Interesting that you got word to the Commission. I'd been told that something was interfering with long range messaging magics. How did you come about a solution? And what's their plan?"
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Username: *Shuffled Glassware*
Lia shrugged, "Less advanced than a fireball spell. Smaller spells have interesting niche applications sometimes."
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Username: Uberwulf X
Biff nodded to the visitor, meeting his eyes. No words were said about the scarring, as there didn't need to be more than the silent understanding that this ranger was battle-tested. The coin in his fingers spoke to his dexterity, and Verdi continued to speak cooly so right now, this one didn't seem a threat.
"We have charted something of a path here, a path the Commission will take to bring backup."
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Username: Opiii
Johnny nodded toward the others as they took the conversation. He began to clean the glasses on the table, those which were empty. His pointed ears occasionally twitched as he took in the conversation passively. Truth be told, he was pleased to have some more people in the bar. Still, he couldn't completely let his guard down, the cat behind the counter was a reminder of that.
Gaelin nodded toward Biff, slowly shifting his attention toward the Elf, then the other Ranger. He continued to flip the coin, causing the copper token to occasionally 'click-clack' against the silver band around his ring finger. Lia would likely pick up on the jewelry first, herself in possession of a similar ring. Status of his house, or perhaps a signal that he was taken. "So then there is a plan to take back the town. That is good news. How robust is this form of communication? Do you think they'll have enough men?"
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Username: Uberwulf X
"Not know how 'robust' this communication is, was not there when communication happened, but Commission seems fine enough to send more than enough people to take back town. Not imagine it will be hard either, with Blightfang taken out of power here. Not want to underestimate the lizardfolk, but Biff believe that with head removed, a lot of fight may be removed too. Still, there is issue of getting them to relocate to a place that does not annoy town citizens; if lizardfolk are willing to fight and die to move here, then…"
Biff shrugged, considering mentioning their captive, though he ultimately decided not to.
"Verdi is interested in cultures here, and Biff is willing to help Verdi find a place for these dislocated groups, and the larger troubles behind their migration."
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Username: Opiii
"So you believe you've chased off their leader for good then? My, you green horns are something else…" Gaelin smiled and brought a hand to his chin. He glanced at the elf, then back toward Biff.
"Did they say they were traveling on foot, or how long it might be? Or how many? I'm curious to see what resources we can expect to deal with, once they arrive."
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Username: CautionCat
Verdi frowned, listening as everyone spoke. "No idea. It will be days before they arrive."
They leaned forward some, glancing the elf ranger over.
"Hit some trouble somewhere? That mark is new." As they referred to the scar on his face.
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Post by opius on Jul 2, 2024 17:03:11 GMT -5
Username: Opiii
The elf tilted his head briefly, looking Verdi over. He slowly nodded, a mirthless smile on his face. "…Yes, the unfortunate result of my investigation. My partner was not so lucky. Though frankly, after all I have heard, I am just glad that there are survivors in Nyanzaru."
He lifted a hand, gesturing toward the barkeep. "And heroes who would free it from this menace. Rebuild it. It would have done old man Rhogar proud, may the Raven Queen watch him."
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Username: Opiii
Johnny remained silent, moving to clean another glass. He occasionally glanced at the scarred elf, listening to the man speak while the others apprised him to the situation.
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Username: Uberwulf X
Biff started looking around from where he stood, trying to see if he could figure out where Bones had disappeared to. It was fine if she felt like ghosting, but she could have at least notified them!
"Do you mean to help us," he asked the elf. "Or will you be moving on?"
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Username: Opiii
The elf raised his brows at Biff's question caught him seemingly by surprise. His lips turned into a grin, the kind of arrogant, confident grin one expected from an elf. He swiped his hand and caught the coin in his palm.
"Why, I fully intend to be there to meet them when they storm this place. I wouldn't miss it for the world."
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