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Post by Cachot Maître on Aug 23, 2009 22:06:49 GMT -5
There is no escape
From the slave catcher's songs
For all of the loved ones gone
Forever's not so long Hielo. Home to the world's most massive and powerful mining companies in all of Monde. Ruled by royal blood for three generations now, the once small frozen village has grown into a massive city, and has been declared the official capital of Ijs, also known as the Frozen North. To most, this massive city seems like the perfect way to make an honest living. To few, this massive city seems like the perfect way to make an unhonest living. Despite all the Elves walking on the snow without leaving any signs of a trail behind them, dressed in their fancy silk robes, this town is still ruled by Human Line, and Dwarven Economics. Humans were once said to be the very seeds of corruption, but, they have also have been said to be the very cure to that destruction. In all honesty, Nolofwine had no idea which to believe.
There he sat, atop a large crate in the trading district of the city. He was dressed in his working clothes, rather than his Drow Finery he had tailored for certain events that required a more casual approach. His eyes, which lacked any form of color other than red, grazed across the crowd, searching for something of interest. What it was he was looking for, he had no idea. Typically when he had an assignment, he would spend time learning about his target, finding ways to kill them quickly or slowly, depending if they deserved death or not. Not today though. He didn't even have an assignment, which was very disappointing. The sheer lack of wanted men in Hielo appalled him.
Nevertheless, there he sat, with his butt freezing to the wood underneath. He had half the mind to just Fey Step onto a rooftop and dash above the crowds to reach the slums. If he was lucky, he'd find some drunk to brawl with. If he was even luckier, said drunk would have a sword, and he could practice his fencing skills. His swords seemed to cry at him from the lack of being used. They screamed due to the lack of a challenge, but, he ignored the sound of clashing steel in his head, knowing it was simply that, in his head.
Half a mind or not, he didn't, and instead, leapt down onto the snow covered ground, and assumed a casual pace through the trading district. Turning left, then right, and skipping a few streets and then turning through a few alleyways, Nolofwine found himself in the proper district. Along the street rested at least fifty inns and taverns each, scattered in random order, along one straight stretch of the road. So many checked in and out of Hielo, that the inns would be full practically every night, but, Nolofwine knew of a few that didn't get too many customers. Walking to one of them, which was located right across the street from a rather loud tavern, Nolofwine stepped inside, embracing the warmth of the lit fireplace within, glad to finally be out of the cold. The Innkeeper waved at him, and Nolofwine nodded in return, finding an empty table to sit at.
Despite him being a Drow, he was also an Eladrin, two unusual races to be mixed together, but they were still both Elves, one more fey than the other. Most in the inn would look at him with open rage, others would spit in his drink as it was brought too him. He didn't care. He knew full well what he was, and, he wasn't ashamed to be it. The first week he arrived, two Dwarves had the nerve to try and knock over his table. Both their beards met a swift end, as he removed them with a skilled slice, ruining their pride and honor on the spot, before knocking them both out with a smash on the skull with the hilts of his swords. Now, those who paid a visit to The Leopard's Guise, knew full well of the Eladrow who frequented there. The Innkeeper constantly joked about how the lack of business was to be blamed on his most recent and intimidating customer, but, Nolofwine shrugged it off, as he did all the other remarks made to him.
If was wasn't half-eladrin, he would have found himself falling asleep due to boredom. Oh, woe. Nothing exciting ever happens here anymore, not after those two Dwarves. He sighed aloud, then kicked his feet up onto the table. He could hear the clashing of steel and metal in his head again. The lust for battle, for blood. His past started to swim back into his mind, bringing painful memories of the Underdark, but he quickly shooed them away, replacing those thoughts with plans for what he was going to do next. Probably leave the city and head south. Unless something exciting happened soon.
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Post by ippo on Aug 23, 2009 22:44:33 GMT -5
Hoo-hoooo. He'd seen pictures of Hielo, and he'd seen merchants from the city pass through his town many times before, but damn. Simply standing there in the presence of those giant rows of buildings, the absolute mass of body heat in the streets, even among the freezing cold, the sounds, the lights, everything. It hit him all at once, and it was amazing. It was a flood that overwhelmed the senses, especially for one from a small town such as he.
This was it. This is the place people go to make their dreams come true. Everyone comes to Hielo to hit it big somehow, whether in the mines or on the entertainment circuit or what have you. In a way, Josan was no different. The call to adventure had finally seized hold of him a few months ago. He had left his village with supplies and blessings from the whole town, and he promised he'd come back "with stories to tell." He wasn't about to let his folks down.
So, Joe sauntered down the snow-covered sidewalks, hands jammed into his trench coat pockets, grin on his face with extra padding to boot. Mercury rested on his hip, inside his coat. His high spirits were keeping him from freezing his nose off, noted by his exceptional hop in his step. Convention says that the easiest way for the aspiring adventurer to hit the trail with a purpose is to lounge at a tavern. Everyone goes to a tavern, so something is bound to happen sooner or later. There's no reason to wander into the rain forest without a guide and get yourself wrecked. He finally settled on a quiet little place. "The Leopard's Guise", eh? His thoughts seemed to debate among themselves. Sure, why not?
With a pivot in the snow, he skipped towards the inn, pushing the door open with a single hand, while the other came to his mouth, his breath trying to keep it warm. The orange glow was a stark constant to the blues and whites outside. The sudden wall of warmth seemed to help matters too. By Avandra, he could melt right then and there in the doorway. He almost did, too, a leg wobbling ever so slightly before he righted himself and kept his composure. The light, the warmth, the coziness. Compared to outside, this was heaven.
Throwing the door shut behind him, Joe bounded inside, still blowing into his hands with an audible "Hooooo." His eyes never bothered to take stock of those who sat present in the inn, not even the drow-looking fella in the back. All he cared for was a seat, a fire, and something warm in his belly. With a heaving sigh, he slid his satchel over his head next to a stool as he folded into the seat. Finally, a place to relax and warm up. He could take a nap right then and there. Food first, though. A fist rapped the counter top a couple times, a friendly call to the local barkeep.
"Hey, barkeep!" Joe called in his mid-range voice. "Got anything warm? Soup, stew, cocoa?" A mighty adventurer out to see the world sipping hot cocoa? Who'd have thought it?
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trist
New Member
Posts: 9 
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Post by trist on Aug 23, 2009 23:21:18 GMT -5
Kris had been living in Hielo for about three months. Her feet were starting to itch to get out of town. She had some gold in her pocket and a wanderer's soul and this town was starting to get boring. The young half-elf had done some training with the local swordmasters, brushing up on her skills and training in new techniques. The local dancers had also welcomed her into their fold, teaching her the graceful spins and dips of the traditional dances as well as the quick-footed steps of the more modern favorites. She had a great deal more to learn if she wanted to be completely proficient in any of the things she was being taught but... well, to be perfectly honest, Kris didn't want to perfect at the things she was learning. She didn't have the patience to stay in town for that long.
For the past few months, she had been living off of money earned from doing various tasks for the local people, perhaps a local farmer wanted a night guard to keep wolves or thieves out of his crop, and by dancing. Lately, jobs utilizing her sword skills had dried up, forcing her to rely mainly on doing small shows in the street in hopes of some spare change being tossed her way. So far, Kris had managed to stay out of the taverns. Some patrons had, in the past, mistaken her dancing as an invitation for something more. It was most certainly not
She had been staying at the Leopard's Guise for a few weeks now, but this was the first time she had actually sat down for a drink. She had heard rumors of an eladrin/drow mix staying there as well, but she had yet to ruin into him. But it looked like tonight was her night. She gave him a wide berth and sat near the fire, letting it melt away the cold in her bones.
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Post by Cachot Maître on Aug 23, 2009 23:32:52 GMT -5
There is no escape
From the slave catcher's songs
For all of the loved ones gone
Forever's not so long Nolofwine was met with the unfamiliar sound of a customer. Now, a customer wasn't all that of a rare thing in these parts, but, a new customer in The Leopard's Guise was something totally different. He was sure the barkeep, felt the same way. Nolofwine had been there long enough to know that his name was Richard. Not too fancy, but, not all that common in these parts. Nolofwine also knew how much he hated having his tavern mistaken for a bar, but, it was a common term, barkeep, and with a new customer, he would have to swallow his pride and serve him that steaming cup of cocoa.
Mmm... cocoa... Nolofwine gave it a moment of thought, then stood up, casually strode over to the newcomer and Richard, and sat down on one of the stools next to the blond haired human. "I'll have the same, Richard. Put his on my tab." Rolling his neck to fight back a rather persistent kink, Nolofwine removed a few silver coins from his coin purse, and laid them neatly on the wooden counter with a slide of his hand. Without much of a warning, he opened his mouth to speak, directed to the blond haired human. "What brings you to Hielo, human? From the looks of you... you don't seem like you're from around here." He took a light sip from his steamy cocoa, which was placed in front of him by the cheerful Richard, happy to collect any money from the mooching Eladrow. "You here for business, or something else?"
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Post by ippo on Aug 23, 2009 23:47:58 GMT -5
Joe couldn't help but jerk his head back slightly at the sound of someone saying "I'll pay your tab." Were people really this generous out in the wild like this? It was rather surprising, honestly, so much so that he couldn't bring himself to raise his head to look at the benefactor. He stared down at his cup of cocoa, hiding an embarrassed smile, even as the fella took a seat next to him. He chuckled to himself.
"Thanks," Joe spoke to the cup. "I'd say I owe ya." The benefactor's voice was rather eloquent. He expected something a bit surlier and heavier from a taverngoer. He grinned at the guy's question, eventually bothering to raise his head and look at him halfway through his answer. "Naw, I'm from out of town. I'm just passing through, looking fo-fo-fo-fo-wo-wo-whoa-whoa-whooooooa." He froze, subconsciously tilting his upper body back and away from the drow in front of him. His face was frozen in that deer-in-the-headlights looked, the thought dawning on him. It's them. It's one of them. A finger came up, almost accusatory, and pointed itself at the white-haired, black-skinned guy across from him. "Y-you're a...d-d-dr-dr-dr-drow...ain'tcha?"
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Post by Cachot Maître on Aug 24, 2009 0:00:30 GMT -5
There is no escape
From the slave catcher's songs
For all of the loved ones gone
Forever's not so long Nolofwine blinked at the sudden terrified gawking. Was it that hard to believe that he was one of those very cousins to the elves, who torture and kill all those that are unfortunate enough to run into them? Nolofwine shrugged off the question, before taking another sip of his cocoa. "Indeed, I am. half-drow, but, a drow all the same." He stared down at his cup for a moment, then turned his head violently and quickly to stare at the blond haired human, eyes wide and pure red, lacking any other form of color, pupil, and sclera. The action was to intimidate the poor kid, and maybe scare him out of his seat. Nolofwine just loved doing that to all the newcomers. He had no idea why, but, he enjoyed watching the other races run around wetting themselves because of his presence.
After he was amused enough with the sudden stare, he chuckled lightly, then returned to his cup of cocoa. "You were saying something about looking for a...?" He seemed unphased by the human's actions and his own. Like the others of his race, the eladrin, he was rather detached to past events, feeling like thinking about the past would do nothing to benefit him. Though, like a drow, he constantly plotted about new ways to empower himself, and gain more skill with the sword. He strove towards the future at all times, and rarely thought about the present.
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Post by ippo on Aug 24, 2009 0:10:58 GMT -5
Joe's brow furrowed, and his pointing finger wilted. Wait a tic. Half-drow? Who would even mate with a drow in the first place, considering the stories? His breath caught up to him, his chest heaving slightly as he slowly but surely righted himself.
At least, until the half-drow glowered at him with those blood red eyes of his. Joe freaked and lost his sense of balance for two seconds. He flailed miserably to keep his butt on his seat, to no avail. "Whoa! Jeez--" WHUMP. Joe had lost his seating on the stool and had flopped onto the wood floor next to it. There he laid on his back for two seconds. He could've sworn he heard a chuckle from him. His brow knitted again as he slowly pulled himself to his feet.
"Sonuvakobold, don't DO that. Sheesh." He dusted himself off, still shooting the stinkeye at the half-drow for that trick. Slowly and cautiously, he eased himself into his seat. This drow obviously appeared more civil than he expected. Still, to see one out of the Underdark is surprising. His mouth wrung to one side, grabbing his cup. "Yeah, you might say I'm looking for work." He took a sip of the warm cocoa. It still hit the spot like it should, but that scare still left him unsettled. The drink helped, though.
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trist
New Member
Posts: 9
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Post by trist on Aug 24, 2009 0:50:17 GMT -5
Kris had been watching the exchange with little concealed amusement. The human's reaction to the drow was very amusing to say the least. The little tumble he did out of the chair nearly sent Kris on a tumble of her own, she was laughing so hard. Really, in a city this big surely the human had seen things just as shocking? To fall out of his chair at the site of red eyes.... Oh, gracious, it was too much!
She pressed her hand over her mouth to keep from attracting too much attention to herself. Though, they had surely heard her outburst. It wasn't like she could help it if the human's reaction nearly had tears of laughter in her eyes.
Once she got control of herself, she glanced over at them and coughed awkwardly. "Excuse me..." She muttered, fighting a wide grin that threatened, still, to spread across her face.
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Post by Cachot Maître on Aug 24, 2009 1:02:50 GMT -5
There is no escape
From the slave catcher's songs
For all of the loved ones gone
Forever's not so long "Hm?" With a quick turn of the head, Nolofwine looked over at the giggling half-elf. How did he know she was a half-elf? Because she was too beautiful to be a human, but not beautiful enough to be an elf. If, he enjoyed the appearances of elves, that is. His gaze shot back to the human, who had replied to his earlier question. "You'd be lucky if you found any work around here. Contrary to popular belief, the mining guilds aren't hiring, in fact, they're dismissing people because they have so many looking to get dirty. If you have some skill in pottery or something dull like that, you could try to open a shop, if you have the gold to buy one of the few non occupied buildings."
Looking back over to the half-elf, Nolofwine smirked, shaking his head like one would at a child. "If you have something to say, then say it. It's rude to laugh at someone else's misfortune." He looked serious for about a full second, then burst into laughter, much louder than the faint chuckle earlier. His laugh was slightly deep, and a little twisted at the sound of it. "Oh, by Lloth and Corellon, I'm starting to sound like one of those pompous cousin elves." He grinned, the sort of grin that could only be formed by a liking to dark humor, then waved at the half-elf to join them. "Richard, I'll pay for hers as well. Hope you enjoy cocoa, miss. It's one of the few cheap things here." Slapping more silver on the table, Nolofwine orders a round of refills for his own mug, and the human's if it was empty.
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Post by ippo on Aug 24, 2009 1:10:03 GMT -5
Eyes glanced back at the tittering woman behind the two as he finished off his drink. Sheesh, laugh it up, why don'tcha? Man, some adventurer HE was turning out to be. At the prospect of no work, he grumbled with a huff. It's not like he was looking for a part-time job at the mines, though. He needed an excuse to get out and about. That's why he showed up here in the first place. Someone should know something. His lips folded into each other, eyes staring into an empty cup as he wracked his brain for a thought. The thought of conversing with an actual drow was surprising enough, let alone a civil drow, if those stories at the tavern were anything to go by.
"I wasn't hoping to get work at the mines," Josan said down into his cup. "I was hoping for some sort of...well, mercenary work, actually. Something that'll get me out and around. The last thing I want is getting tied down right now."
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trist
New Member
Posts: 9
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Post by trist on Aug 24, 2009 20:45:45 GMT -5
Kris slid over with a smile. She took the cocoa gratefully and toasted her benefactor with it. "Thank you very much. That is kind of you. Don't worry, I was only just relieved that it wasn't me doing the falling out of chairs," this last was directed at Josan, trying to sooth his battered ego. She certainly hadn't meant to make him feel ridiculed or embarrassed. It was just a funny circumstance that could have happened to nearly anyone. It wasn't his fault that it was so hilarious.
"You're a mercenary, really? I've been looking myself. Work has been rather thin around here as of late. It's surprising, really, especially in a city of this size. I've been thinking of moving on, as soon as I amass the funds to do so."
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Post by Cachot Maître on Aug 24, 2009 20:58:09 GMT -5
There is no escape
From the slave catcher's songs
For all of the loved ones gone
Forever's not so long Both of them, mercenaries? They certainly didn't look it. On his left, there was the blond haired human who couldn't even sit in a chair, let alone hold a sword. To his right, there was the half-elf that he knew absolutely nothing about. Both had swords, but, did they know how to use them? He silently scolded himself to be quick to judge, then laughed in his head, remarking to himself about how he was acting like an elf again. "Mercenaries, eh? Well, you're right about work being very thin." He nodded towards the half-elf, then looked back at the human.
"I don't want to sound insulting when I say this, but, I have to. You look more suited to cleaning stables, than fighting with steel, human." He shrugged, then turned towards the half-elf. "And you, you seem like the type of person who will never get any jobs, from running around all the time. I know how your people hate staying in one place for so long. You'll never gain a reputation that way." He took a moment to sip at his cocoa, then scratched behind his head. "Although..."
He paused for a moment, then looked up at Richard. "Is the back open?" To which Richard replied with a nod, and Nolofwine got up from his seat, strode towards the backdoor, then turned to face his two aquantinces. "Well, what're you waiting for? Come on." Not offering any sign of waiting, or allowing no for an answer, Nolofwine opened the backdoor and exited from the tavern, leaving it ajar for the human and halfie.
The door lead to an alleyway, which was roofed off, preventing snow from falling on the dark street. Lanterns followed the long, winding alleyway in and out, lit and illuminating the street enough so one could see where they were going. At the sight of the human exiting from the inn, Nolofwine placed hands on both of his hilts, then removed them from their sheathes, twirling them skillfully before gripping them with a quick and fancy flourish. "I hate going first, so, by all means... show me what you've got. You too, girl. Join up with him, or, sit it out if you feel like it."
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Post by ippo on Aug 24, 2009 21:10:17 GMT -5
Josan couldn't help but arch an eyebrow at the drow's snarky comments. So what if he looked like a farmhand? So what if he was a farmhand? He shook his head as he turned down to his drink, taking a sip. At the prospect of possibly finding work, though, he perked up and looked at the tavernkeeper behind the bar, nodding to a back door. The drow had gotten up and wrapped around to the back door before calling back to him and the half-elf next to him to follow. He shot her a quick glance before suddenly downing the rest of his cocoa (nice and hot!). He leaned over and slid his satchel over his head before shuffling out into the back alley. For a hidden walkway, it was rather well-lit. Surprising.
He stopped in his tracks just barely outside the doorway, as the drow had pulled a sudden about-face and looked him dead in the eye, hands on both hilts of his blades. Drawing them, Joe's brow furrowed, concerned but slightly confused. At the call of a challenge, he remained standing in the doorway, seemingly frozen in place. At least before he poked his head forward like a walking chicken, his face still visibly confused.
"Huh?"
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trist
New Member
Posts: 9
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Post by trist on Aug 24, 2009 21:58:22 GMT -5
"Like this, he means," Kris pulled her sword from its sheath in a long fluid movement. She stepped out in front of the two men and started to go through a series of slow, controlled movements. Each movement flowed into the next with precision and grace that gave away both her dancer's background as well as her elven heritage. When she completed the set, she was breathing a little heavier, but no more than was to be expected.
"Like so," she said, smiling widely. "Show us your style, your moves?"
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Post by ippo on Aug 24, 2009 22:07:09 GMT -5
Joe's brow remained knitted, the gaze only fixated at the half-elf this time. Why she chose to break out into a full set. Was she just showing off? Still, he shook his head as he looked back at the drow, standing with both blades drawn and menacing. A half-grin crossed his lips.
"Show you my moves, eh?" he asked, seemingly rhetorically. His head tilted, the satchel coming off his shoulder and sitting next to the doorway. Now unburdened, he adjusted his gloves with a couple tugs before taking a couple steps forward, his right hand reaching towards his left hip underneath his trench coat. Slowly and methodically, he drew a modest, though finely-crafted rapier from his hip. With a whip, it snapped to attention at his right side. It didn't have the ornateness as any elven rapier, but it still looked nice.
"I think I can manage that much."
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