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Post by SigniferLux on Aug 15, 2013 0:43:53 GMT
Once in a small while Anna-Erica Heavenseal would go to one of the local inns at the city of Volkenheim to visit her uncle, Dalgeor. While there and after drinking a bit she usually gathered the children, who always seemed to remember when she was coming, and tell them stories by the fireplace. If the weather was too hot she may even take them to the river which runs through the city, only 150 feet away from the inn.She also liked to listen to other people stories with great interest, and then write them and keep them all in a big book she kept at her uncle's. So, it was one of those days when she decided to gather the children and tell them a story her great-grandmother told her once, when An-Ei lived with her for a short time. A father and his son were walking in the mountains. Suddenly, the son falls, hurts himself and screams in pain.
To his surprise, he hears the voice repeating, somewhere in the mountain.
Curious, he yells: "Who are you?".
He receives the answer: "Who are you?".
Angered at the response, he screams: "Coward!".
He receives the answer: "Coward!".
He looks to his father and asks: "What's going on?".
The father smiles and says: "My son, pay attention." And then he yells to the mountain: "I admire you!".
The voice answers: "I admire you!".
Again the man yells: "You are a champion!".
The voice answers: "You are a champion!".
The boy is surprised, but does not understand.
Then the father explains: "People call this echo, but really this is life. It gives you back everything you do. Our life is simply a reflection of our actions. If you want more love in the world, create more love in your heart. If you want more competence in your team, improve your competence. This relationship applies to everything, in all aspects of life; life will give you back everything you have given to it.".The children did not seem to understand at first but An-Ei tried to explain to them. What you give to the world, it gives you back. Remember when you play tag? Life is the same thing. When you touch someone he will try and touch you back. Your life is not a coincidence, it is a reflection of you.
And with these, she smiled, gave them the sweets she bought, promised them more if they came to listen to her story the next time and went back to the bar of the inn to drink some ale.
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Aegoth
Calidorian
"Just trying to make an honest living"-Aegoth
Posts: 44
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Post by Aegoth on Aug 15, 2013 23:54:17 GMT
Aegoth had been drinking quite a few ales at the bar while he listened in on the local gossip being spewed in the tavern. He was quite thankful that it wasn’t as much rubbish as that animal skin merchant the previous day. He heard rumors that a supply of spice was found near the North Volkun mountains. He heard of trouble brewing far north with hobgoblins. However, at present he was listening to a young cloaked woman enchant a group of children with a fable.
- What you give to the world, it gives you back. Remember when you play tag? Life is the same thing. When you touch someone he will try and touch you back. Your life is not a coincidence, it is a reflection of you.
“What a convoluted and senseless tale,” he thought and gulped down half of his third mug of the day. “You get what you give, Hah, I don’t even know how that makes sense. One man’s loss is another’s gain after all…..”
Still watching the children listen to the storyteller with such intent. Looking through their young faces, he saw a reflection of his own. A younger one, that had a look of sadness on its face. One that mocked him. Mocked him for what he was.
Aegoth looked away and gulped down the rest of his mug, immediately focusing his mind on the topic of the rumor of a spice mine and how it might affect that one merchant who had several large unguarded windows on the back of his house….
As he finished his mug, he noticed the storyteller begin moving towards the bar. Looking closer she was a pretty young human with the fair skin of aristocrat. The fact that she was in this inn speaking to children was enough to disqualify her as an aristocrat. However, she couldn't be an average city woman. City women were always worn out by years of continuous labor. This could only mean that she wasn't from the city itself. Sensing another opportunity for more infomation Aegoth got up from his chair and spoke.
“That was a fine tale you told those lads!” he spoke cheerfully. “I always appreciate a fine tale." He looked at the bartender and spoke," Hey, whatever she needs put it on my tab!"
Aegoth turned towards the woman and bowed,” Oh where are my manners, my name is Eratus I am but a simple traveler.” He then gestured towards an open seat next to his, "May this humble traveler have the pleasure of your acquaintance miss? "
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Post by SigniferLux on Aug 16, 2013 0:39:15 GMT
An-Ei looked surprised with the man who spoke to her. He seemed eager to speak, cheerful in tone but also gentle in the choice of his words. The naive part of herself took over her and, taking off her hood she smiled, bowed her head slightly in response to his words and pronounced her name as lordly as she could.
"My name is Anna-Erica Heavenseal "the Golden Wing", daughter of a priestess of Sarenrae, Nikela Heavenseal, and Ardos Donmaker, a noble knight from the kingdom of the Order of the Rosey Cross of Truth."
She focused so much on the stranger that she lost the sense of her surroundings, which resulted to spilling her leftover ale all over the bar. Thankfully there were neither many customers at the time nor was the ale in the mug enough to cause anything serious. Her uncle looked at her from the other side before sighing and grabbing a piece of clothing to clean the spot.
When An-Ei turned to the traveler smiling, hoping the event would not seem downgrading in any way. What she noticed was that the man was wearing gloves with some weird symbols on them, symbols that tickled something in her mind but she was not sure what. She then looked back back to her uncle with an apologizing look and saying:
"I'm sorry uncle!".
Dalgeor seemed to respond with the look that one would expect to see from a father looking at his daughter. He sighed once more before going to the back of the inn to get some water to clean the bar.
Turning again towards the stranger, An-Ei said:
"I am a follower of Sarenrae, the bearer of Light. Thank you for the ale, seems mine was not so lucky after all. What brings you to this fine inn" and she paused, just to phrase her next words more cheefully like the traveler did "simple traveler?".
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Aegoth
Calidorian
"Just trying to make an honest living"-Aegoth
Posts: 44
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Post by Aegoth on Aug 16, 2013 1:06:40 GMT
-"simple traveler?".
Aegoth didn’t really pay attention to the priestess’ emphasis on the word "simple traveler" as he was too amused by her sudden act of clumsiness. He couldn’t help but smile as he responded,
”Oh, I am just stopping by this wonderful new city. In fact it is the first time that I’ve ever been to one with so much new construction going on. All the workers and laborers buzzing around the streets give it an air of vitality that I have never felt before. In fact, it has convinced me to extend my stay here for just a bit longer.”
Aegoth picked up his mug to take another gulp before realizing that it was empty and that the innkeeper was out gathering water to clean the mess on the bar.
Sighing he dropped the mug and asked the priestess,” So what about you Miss. What brings you to the city of Hammerstad?”
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Post by SigniferLux on Aug 16, 2013 1:40:18 GMT
Feeling like a great burden being taken off from her shoulders after seeing his positive reaction on the incident, An-Ei answered:
"I am actually some time here. I am a member of this town's exploration squad.".
She was proud for this and she didn't hide it. Seeing the traveler raise his mug and then putting it down with dissapointment, she hastily stood up and said:
"Oh, i'm sorry for this. Give me a moment and i will go get some more, since my uncle will most likely be busy for some time cleaning. Maybe i'll fetch something better from the basement!".
She quickly turned away and walked towards the back rooms.
...
Not more than a few seconds later she came back carrying two mugs filled with ale. She had to be careful while walking since the door for the basement was near the stairs to the upper floor and most customers were going that way to get a good night's sleep.
She happily put one mug in front of each one of them and sat down. After looking suspiciously around to be sure that no sober eyes were looking at them she took out a jug with some good old dwarven ale, a cut of cheese and a loaf of bread out of a small sack hidden inside her robes.
"These are from the good stuff that uncle keeps. He may get a bit mad, but it is worth it. It's dwarven ale!" she said looking at the jug as if it was made of gold. She then looked at the man's gloves and continued: "Like you said, first round on you. Second round on me. It's a drinking buddy's silent rule, Eratus".
After drinking some of her ale she added: "So, did you need anything from me? Mind if i take a look at those gloves of yours?".
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Aegoth
Calidorian
"Just trying to make an honest living"-Aegoth
Posts: 44
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Post by Aegoth on Aug 16, 2013 8:25:50 GMT
-Mind if i take a look at those gloves of yours?".
“Now what could she possibly want with them?" Aegoth thought and looked down at his gloves.
Nevertheless, it seemed rude to refuse her, so he took them off. He placed them on the table and said,
“Here you go Miss, don’t know what you want with them, but it would be rude of me to refuse ha ha." His eyes then drifted to the new mug of “dwarven” ale that she procured for them with curiosity and said," And thank you for the ale, your generosity will not be forgotten.”
With his right hand he reached out for the mug and took a swig out of its contents. As he tasted the liquor his eyes widened as he thought,
“Great Spirits, tastes like something from the table of Cayden the Drunken God,” he thought and gulped down a few more sips.
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Post by SigniferLux on Aug 16, 2013 14:26:04 GMT
An-Ei took the gloves and examined them thoroughly. Some old memory was poking her mind, but she was not still sure what or why. As she tried to remember the answer of the stranger to her ale offering shred some light to her thoughts.
-of Cayden the Drunken God-
"Yes!" she said, smiling and feeling happy for her memory not failing her "Cayden Cailean's animal friend, Little Thunder.".
She raised her head to look towards the stranger. His rather curious facial expression only encouraged her to keep talking: "See this -m- or -in- could resemble the strike from the paw of Little Thunder, the animal companion of Caiden Cailean and demigod of thunder. Of course if may be a similarity or just my imagination, but it surely resembles the symbol closely.".
She paused for a moment, taking a sip from her ale to quench her thirst, looking as if it was not the first time she drunk that kind of ale, or any kind of strong ale and then continued: "These bring good luck. Since i am also studying to become a magic items crafter" she paused for a second just to show to the traveler how proud she was once more and then continued: "I would like, one day when i will have learned the proper skills, to enchant those if you wouldn't mind. Legends say that enchantments of the electricity element are stronger when they are crafted upon gloves with that mark.".
Taking a look around and seeing as the moon was slowly but steadily taking the place of the sun and not many people were still there so the place was growing silent she realized that she was speaking too much, so she looked at Aegoth and added: "But i think i'm talking too much and you are kind enough to not interrupt me and listen patiently." before drinking a good ammount of the ale she brought with a single raise of the mug.
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Aegoth
Calidorian
"Just trying to make an honest living"-Aegoth
Posts: 44
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Post by Aegoth on Aug 17, 2013 1:24:46 GMT
"Oh no you haven't been rambling at all Miss."Aegoth replied and he eyed his gloves again.
"To think those symbols had represented Thunder! And I always thought it was random gibberish," he said and took a bite out of a piece of bread. He washed it down with a mug of ale and continued,
"However, speaking of magic, you wouldn't be familiar with the Mage Constantine would you? I hear he took over as warden of the city and since he oversees the exploration groups I figured you might know something of him."
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Post by SigniferLux on Aug 17, 2013 1:50:28 GMT
"I actually do know a few things." An-Ei said before she started laughing happily. Taking a look around and seeing as she woke up one of the drunk customers, probably the lightly-sleeping one, who immediately stood up and tried to walk towards the stairs of the inn.
An-Ei stood up and, after saying "Excuse me for a moment." to the traveler, she helped the drunk man go upstairs. After returning and sitting at the bar again, she continued "Sorry for all the sudden interruptions, i try to help my uncle whenever i can. So, as i was saying..." she paused to finish the ale in her mug and while refilling it she continued "... he is a brave man. A few days ago we were fighting to gain control of a spice mine and two owlbears have made their nest there. To tell the truth, i was hesitant about doing them harm, they seemed rather peaceful. But the group's choice was made, and i there was nothing i would gain by not helping them, other than the death of more creatures.".
She sighed and paused for a bit, looking like she was thinking about it. One could easily see the thoughts -why couldn't we be friends- show up on her forehead. But quickly, a smile came back to her face before saying "But the fight, if there would be someone else to see it, would seem hilarious.".
She tried not to burst in laughs again by coughing and continued: "There is a reason we were calling Constantine the bear-hugged. For some reason, one of the owlbears made it's life purpose to hug, pin down and eat our leader. At that moment i was scared. Now, just thinking of it, and the title we gave him after the fight just makes me want to laugh.".
Again, she drunk a little bit of her ale and said: "But why are you asking? Is he a friend of yours?".
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Post by Effigy on Aug 17, 2013 2:08:08 GMT
Effigy burst through the doors to the in. As expected eyes turned his direction. Perhaps I need a more subtle way of moving around. Effigy thought to himself as he went further into the inn. He saw Anna down at a table and looked around at the two bartenders. Lucky Otto was working, he motioned Otto to bring over a few pints.
"Feels good to get back. I needed one of these" Effigy lifted his glass as thoughts went back to the owlbears. Such an unnecessary loss.
"So what do you think of our great nation?"
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Post by A. Joe on Aug 17, 2013 4:24:11 GMT
Hal had just returned from the expedition and walks in to the Hasty Weasel's Inn through the.....broken door? ( .__.)a Funny, I don't remember the door being in this sorry state. And then, the Inn's repairman came with his tool grumbling and muttering. "I swear this is the umphteenth time he broke this door. Can he just turn the door handle instead of kicking, pushing or slamming it?"
Hal looked at the repairman as he fix the door back before he realize that some of his teammates already at the inn. (o__o ) There's that eerily beautiful lady Anna Erica talking with....the ordinary traveler, Mr. Eratus. (-__-) Effigy, our resident barbarian, chugging down ale and being loud as usual.
Hal sat down and order some lunch. Nothing beats smoked sausage with meat gravy and a mug of ale after work.
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Aegoth
Calidorian
"Just trying to make an honest living"-Aegoth
Posts: 44
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Post by Aegoth on Aug 17, 2013 5:06:27 GMT
"But why are you asking? Is he a friend of yours?".
Oh he isn't really a friend of mine. I am just curious about wizards and the magical world in general, personally I find it quite a fascinating subject.
He sipped a bit on his mug before continuing," It provides the ability of creation and destruction, to enchant a simple glove with the cosmological power of luck, it really makes me wonder how it all works you know? Thus by extension I can't help but ask about anyone who can wield such power," He then chuckled, "It is the first time I have heard a wizard sired as "the bear hug-
Aegoth's attention and talk was immediately stalled by the sound and appearance of a rather large half-orc into the inn.
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Post by SigniferLux on Aug 17, 2013 16:55:08 GMT
An-Ei, hearing a strong noise coming from the door, looked towards there scared at first but relaxed when she saw it was her comrade, the orc. She quickly stood up, looked at Eratus and told him:
"Seems like my comrades are here. Since Otto is fixing the door and Dalgeor is trying to clean up my mess and the whole tavern for it to be clean in the morning, i will go make us something to eat.".
Turning towards Effigy and Hal, An-Ei said "Please, do not wake up the customers. Most of them are travelers and traders, they had a rough day!" she paused to take a look below the bar from the side of the innkeeper, to see what she could serve. Since her uncle was cleaning the place there was nothing of interest in there.
"Serve yourselves from the jug gentlemen." An-Ei added before continueing "I will go make something to eat. It won't take time, uncle has made some prefried food, or something like that. Won't be much, but don't expect more this time of... Night." and walked towards the back room.
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Aegoth
Calidorian
"Just trying to make an honest living"-Aegoth
Posts: 44
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Post by Aegoth on Aug 17, 2013 18:57:22 GMT
Aegoth watched the priestess go to the newcomers. He turned around to finish off the bread and cheese. Aegoth chewed slowly with a slight frown on his face.
"I should probably move, it wouldn't do well to be seen so commonly by that Wizard's lackey" he muttered under his breath and shot a glance at the half-orc. He then whispered to himself,
"Looks like the bratty looking half-elf and that fine looking priestess are in league with the wizard as well. I'll have to do well to avoid them from now on. Such a shame this tavern is so homely. But it is best not to be recognized by anyone related to authority".
Then he absentmindedly moved his hands to rub a small scar on his arm. He took another large gulp finishing off the contents of his mug.
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Post by Effigy on Aug 17, 2013 19:19:48 GMT
The full blooded orc, Effigy, looked at Anna's companion. "He haven't I seen you before?" He remembered back to when Constantine was questioning someone earlier. "Perhaps not, many people in the city. You smell familiar though." Effigy raised his glass. "Welcome anyways. Lets toast to the dead and those I've yet to kill"
Effigy proudly wore his new insignia on this chest piece. It indicated he was the new holder of shields. "After we are all rested I plan to head out southwest along the river and will be looking to take with me a small expedition party." He looked from The commoner to Hal, "I would like if you two considered coming a long."
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