In a small seaside town known as Brookhurst, one of the many port towns to pepper the Black Dragon Coast. For such a tiny town it brings in strong trade, ample fish, and fine food. It's uniqueness come from its proximity to a large rib bone that juts out of the sand. A towering, white colossus that hangs a shadow over this town. A dark relic from a time long ago. Despite that the people don't let its looming presence dampen their spirits. In fact the town right now seems to be in the middle of a festival. Bright yellow and purple streamers cover the town as people crowd around stalls in the streets, there are vendors calling out their wares, and children race through the street laughing loudly. Brightly colored tents are set up along the edge of the town, the remnant of what seems to have been a carnival that has already preformed its act and now it worker are winding down and enjoying the festivities as well. Here is where our heroes, though they do not know that they are yet, are pulled together. As the sun makes its way to the highest point in the sky, a large trading vessel pulls into dock. Arriving after two week out at sea, returning from its two week expedition to the continent of Aquaria and the Island of Kigahara, carrying with it a collection of exotic wines, fruits and grains, as well few of our intrepid adventurers. People rush from the docks and help with the securing of heavy ropes to the bollards on the pier. A plank in laid down and people begin stepping off of the ship, carrying numerous crates and sacks as they make their way to their destination. The town is bustling today, full of energy.
The Kenku stood from his perch in a tree near the edge of town, ragged journal clutched limply. He had watched enough he thought, taken enough notes. The meaty ones were particular about their customs, and he had to make sure he had them down pat; anything that would help minimize their hostilities to him. He shoved the journal into his pack while practicing his Human; saying the appropriate greeting he had heard. "Hello!" he cawed out in a soft voice that belonged to a child. "HELLO!?" he demanded in the gruff voice that belonged to a trader. "H-hello..." he moaned in the timid voice of a simple farmer.
'That should do it...' he thought, nodding to himself before climbing down the tree, old leathers flapping about from the sudden gain in speed. His bone staff lay where he left it, resting against the tree, and as he leaned over to retrieve it, he quickly pulled his hood over his feathery scalp; though the hood did little to hide his rather obtrusive beak. What remained of the old coat had long since stopped covering the Kenkus lower half, leaving almost bare if not for the tight wrappings around his legs. The kenku made one final effort to steel his nerves before he began towards the city of Brookhurst.
The midday sun shone brightly on his Blue-Black feathers, giving them an almost iridescent hue-- but even through the combined efforts of the sun and his old leathers, he shivered as though he were in the dead of winter. He shivered with every step that brought him closer to the walls; the men who protected them, and ones safely enjoying the carnival behind them. Using his staff he inched closer and closer to the imposing men standing in front of the heavy gate, as the festivities inside grew louder and louder.
He approached the less upsetting of the two, and cocked his head to the side to better view the man with one of his Storm Cloud colored eyes, and weighed his options.
"WRRRRAAAAAK.... H-hello?" he said through the timid voice of a farmer.
Perry absently traces a meaty finger along the scar on his face before pulling his hood up, hefting his pack, and heading to the plank. He is eager to get off the ship. Sea voyages can be an adventure, but most of the time it was just sitting and waiting. Sitting and waiting is not something the big man does well. He spent most of the time watching the wind fill the sails or searching the skies for birds and day dreaming. He even cleaned and oiled the links of his armor, something he never seems to have time to do. Yes, he is eager to get his boots on solid ground and get moving again.
"I know yer ready too, Zephyr." The man says to his tiny burrowing owl companion who immediately takes wing and flies off to do whatever magical burrowing owls do. This doesn't bother Perry. He knows his friend will appear if needed.
He smiles as he watches the diminutive bird fly out of sight, thinking about how great it is to fly and all the times he shared the sensation with his familiar. He lets out what seems to be a series of breathy sighs and touches his right hand to his forehead before moving to look for someone in charge of the carnival.
The breathy sighs were Auran, a dialect of the Primordial language.
The two guards stare down at the small figure of the kenku as it draws closer. Both guards are garbed in simple chain shirts and carry spears. They both look equally imposing to the small figure. The one on the left, an older looking, grey haired male with a large scar running down one side of his face, raises his hand up to the bird person stopping him a few feet from the open gates.
"Halt, you there, state your name and business within the city." The grey haired man calls out to the newcomer, his tone stern. The other guard peers curiously at kenku from under his helm, in contrast with the other guard this one is a much younger man with dirty red hair and freckles.
Wolf Pup emerges from the gangplank of the Banshee’s Wail and raises his gaze to look upon the large port city. He takes his first step towards shining new civilization. Oh. Oh no. He is in fact frozen in fear on the gangplank. It’s just too much! So many noises and people! It’s intimidating. It’s nothing like the quiet peace of home. Everything is so chaotic. Well, it would appear that this is how he dies. He always thought that he would die by the sword, but no, frozen in fear for the rest of time on a tiny piece of wood works too. It’s an honorable death really...
The kenkus eyes widened at the curtness of the guard, before squinting again; giving the man a quizzical look. He thought about what the man had asked of him.
A name? He never had a name, nobody had ever thought to ask. Or, perhaps it was that he had nobody to tell? It never crossed his mind before how lonely that felt, how very lonely must it be to not have friends to call your name. He thought about it for a moment... Perhaps too long, he realized; the two armored men were looking at him, expectantly. Impatient. The kenku grew anxious and began to shift his weight back and forth between his legs.
He had never heard a name before, and didn't know where to start. He had always liked the sounds that beetles made when you chew on them. The soft, satisfying crunch followed by the icky goop that filled his mouth and the aromas that filled his senses. His mind began to wander as he thought about other bugs he liked to eat. Worms were soft and chewy, but far too high in fat. Spiders tasted well enough, but they often bit back. Snails proved to be too much of an effort for too meager of a snack.... He looked up at the the man, watching him with his storm grey eye. After an uncomfortable silence that lasted far too long, he opened his mouth and chirped, mimicking the sounds of a crunching cricket.
She pulled her knapsack over her shoulder as her scarf pulled away from her hair that billowed out from underneath it and began to float up towards the sky in long tendrils. She let out a hefty sigh and tried to pull the mess that was her hair into a ponytail, failing multiple times, and ultimately giving up. Her bright eyes gazed among the common folk who stared back at her, some trying to avoid her gaze as they walked by, it wasn't every day you saw a genasi roaming the streets. So much for the disguise. She wrestled with the long crimson scarf pulling it above her forehead finally wrangling the hair down.
After years you would think that would've been my go to for hiding this wretched mess, she muttered yet again to herself as she began to walk away from the docks. Years of hiding and training with her master should've prepared her for the journey she must face, and the disguises she must wear to hide her very noticeable feature. She tucked the scarf tightly as she moved at a quick pace along the bustling streets. Must keep going, I must not stay long for these peoples sake.
Catching a whiff of freshly baked sweets stopped her in her tracks, she felt a small bump on the back of her legs and turned curiously to see a little tussle of bronze colored hair looking down and the sweet roll on the ground. Her lips pursed as she began to lower herself to the height of the small child whimpering over the loss of his sweet. "Thanks kid." she whispered as a slight breeze passed them. The small boy looked up at her as she bit into the roll that had been on the cobbled road. She could hear the wailing of the boy as she walked away and into the crowd disappearing from his sight. A slight smirk coming to her lips as she dusted the small bit of dirt on the delicious treat.
Slim and bright, an elf strides from the woods, not breaking pace at its edge. Her hair is a tangle of red and gold, messy, but not unkempt. She is dressed concisely, but in a loose garment, short boots, a diaphanous calf-length dress over an entirely practical set of bone-white knee-length pants and an intricately worked leather cuirass also marked off white. Her skin is a golden brown, her arms are bare, save a long streak of some red dye running down the length of each. Her face is wide open, with big tawny golden eyes set above a quick smile. One eye is circled with the same red dye. It might be raspberry.
A short, stabbing sword sits on her hip, and a small pack, a quiver and a bow are lashed to her back. She is a curious package of wild and kempt.
She skips a little on to the road, then marches up to the gate to Brookhurst. A man and his wife leaving town startle as she comes up silently. The woman makes a sign and edges off the road as she passes. The man looks worried, but keeps his path, shushing his wife's muttering. Both seem relieved when the fey creature does not slow or glance their way.
Stopping in front of the guards and the curious little bird man, she puts one imperious finger up to the older guard to shush him before he addresses her, and leans in close to the kenku’s face under the hood. She peers at him, closes her eyes and breathes deeply, then says quietly to him in Common, “Come, such as these do not understand such as are not... they..?” She quirks an eyebrow, then says something fluidly in a different language, and laughs quietly to herself.
Straightening and lowering her hand, she winks broadly at the young guard with a somewhat toothy grin, and turns to the older guard, stepping ever so slightly between him and the kenku. Drawing herself up to her full five and a half feet, she addresses him in her lilting, though oddly archaic Common.
“What ritual are we to perform to gain entry to this carnival? Do we name ourselves? Then you may name me Tangle, I served last at the word of the Seelie Court of Faerie, and I dream of," she glances at the massive rib stretching into the sky, "a time when this one was not so dead. How then do you name yourself, who do you serve, and whither does your dreaming soul go?”
That is what Stark Marr'veil had told Fenchurch the first time he had been assigned this duty. At the time, it seemed fair, and easy. Little did Fenchurch know that it took literal hours to pick up every lost streamer that hit the ground or...other things during the time that Marr'veil's Marvelous Marvels were in town, and that Stark only added a new member on rare occasion. This is how Fenchurch found himself with a worm's eye view of Brookhurst at the end of another successful carnival, hoping to finish his task before all the leftover snacks were sold or tossed away, and wishing that he had learned a spell to expedite this task before his "accident" had led to his being fired from the Silverthread Academy. Still, cleaning up fabric here was still better than washing out privies for overpaid wizards and their overconfident apprentices, and the canival here HAD been successful. Mollymook's advice about adding a glamour to his cloak had been spot on. The dancing stars on it had drawn in over 30 people to seek the fortune telling skills of "Fenchurch the Farseer", and along with some mechanically derived shaking tables had ensured that everyone got their money's worth, and Fenchurch got enough money to keep him in food, drink, and the chasing of spells for a little while longer. All in all, not bad for a gnome without job or prospects 18 months ago. Stark had promised Fenchurch board, good friends, and a chance to see the Black Dragon Coast. He had kept those promises, and Fenchurch was grateful. Now all that was left was to find a snack and pack up his tent.
Fenchurch grabbed what he thought was the last lost streamer. When he looked up, he saw a woman in the distance with her hair standing straight up on end, eating a roll as a boy next to her sobbed. Suddenly, a snack didn't seem that necessary.
The guards look at the elf that has marched up to them in the middle of conversation. The red haired one's face is twisted in mild confusion as he looks back between the bird person and the sudden elven woman. The grey haired man only sighs and mutters something quietly under his breath.
"Alright, you," He points to the Kenku," If you want into the city then there's some rules you gotta follow, first no weapons in the streets. You can keep 'em but you gotta keep them sheathed while you're here. And rule number two, no magic unless you've got a permit from the mayor. Already had to deal with that carnival causing a stir when they first showed up, don't need any more trouble." His attention turns to Tangle.
"And you, miss, if you're looking for the carnival it's over there." He points to a set of colored tents a little ways away from town. You can see that there is one large red tent, and two smaller blue tents set up on the outskirts of the stone wall that surrounds the town. The younger of the two quickly pipes up to Bug Crunch.
"If your looking for food, you should head for the Mermaid's Tears, Olivia there makes the best meat pies." He gets a dreamy look to his face, you're unsure if its about Olivia, herself, or her meat pies. The older one just rolls his eyes.
Tangle turns slowly to the young guard as he launches into his soliloquy, tipping her head curiously as he goes on, her fingers lilting along with his cadence, until he slips into reverie at the thought of Olivia/meat pies, when her hands trail off and she glances over at the older one. She says something again in her musical language and shrugs, then ticks off the rules in Common, "No blades, no sticks, no warping of the weave, no names..." she cocks an eyebrow, waiting for more.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he). Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. Here's my D&D stuff. I love it so.
[OOC: I'm going to assume the investigation check was to find the carnival manager or someone else in charge and that Perry has failed. Going back in time a bit too...]
In his eagerness to get off the ship, Perry almost doesn't see the half-orc blocking the way and just about plows into him. He has to extend a hand to the man's shoulder lest they both go for an untimely swim. "Oh... uhm... 'scu... 'scuse me please." He says, embarrassed, and quickly removes his hand. "Gang planks not likely to 'old me 'n' some'n' else too." He gives an awkward chuckle at his own self deprecating joke.
Wolf pup, standing frozen on the middle of the plank you are eventually pushed off of it and onto the docks by th other people waiting to get off.
Perry, searching around the docks you find no one who looks like they belong to a carnival. People tell you about the wonderful show they had put on a few days ago, but can’t seem to point out anyone in town. Your best chance to find someone would be to head outside of the city to where the tents of the carnival are.
OOC > Wait, the tents of the carnival are outside of the city? Is the gate where Tangle and Bug Crunch are to gain entry to "outside the city" or are there festival tents inside the city, too? I'm a little confused.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he). Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. Here's my D&D stuff. I love it so.
[OOC: I'm going to assume the investigation check was to find the carnival manager or someone else in charge and that Perry has failed. Going back in time a bit too...]
In his eagerness to get off the ship, Perry almost doesn't see the half-orc blocking the way and just about plows into him. He has to extend a hand to the man's shoulder lest they both go for an untimely swim. "Oh... uhm... 'scu... 'scuse me please." He says, embarrassed, and quickly removes his hand. "Gang planks not likely to 'old me 'n' some'n' else too." He gives an awkward chuckle at his own self deprecating joke.
As Wolf Pup and Perry are moved off the gangplank, Wolf Pup takes the time to apologize while bowing his head a little, “My sincerest regrets. I am... a little overwhelmed at the city. There is so much of it, and so many people, and I froze. I hope I did not delay you.”
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DM - Elustran Days ~ Fate/False Revelation
Rex'aliha - Hoard of the Dragon Queen ~ Mozu of Worms- The Stormpoint Mountains ~ Muireach Maon- Shepherd’s Crossing ~ Crownsguard - Storm King’s Thunder ~ Gunnar Wayland -Boats, Rocks, and Ruffians ~ POUF!- Ex-Ravens ~ Pascal LaRoux - Long Road Dragon Heist
OOC: In my earlier post i said they were at the edge of town, I apologize if this was confusing, it was meant to imply it was outside of the town. The large tents are outside the city, about a twenty minute walk from the town gate, there are no tents inside the city.
The streamer, banners and other decoration inside the city are for the festival that is taking place.
For anybody who takes the time to ask around for interesting places within the city, here is a list of locations.
1. The Open Market- On the eastern side of town, just past the town gate, a few streets where numerous stalls are set up.
2. The Town Square- At the center of town.
3. The Mermaid's Tears- A tavern/Inn on the southern side of town. (It apparently has good meat pies.)
4. The Shipyard- the western edge of town is a series of wooden docks and piers where several ships are moored.
5. The Temple of Wee Jas- a temple dedicated to the goddess,Wee Jas. It is located on the northern side of town, at the end of one of the main roads connected to the town square.
6. General Goode's General Goods- a general goods store located next to the Magic Conch.
7. The Magic Conch- a magic shop. When asked where it is, people just point to a large spiraling, purple tower that stands out among all the other buildings.
8. Mr. and Mrs. Smith- A smith shop located next to the docks.
9. The Carnival- Located outside of town are the remnants of a carnival.
"Oh, no. Nothin' ta 'pologize for. Really my fault. My mind was..." Perry waggles his fingers by his temple and moves his hand up and away to indicate his mind was flying off somewhere. He hesitates a long moment before continuing. "I don' like cities much either... but they're where the work is... Know anyone ta talk to 'bout that carnival? Thinkin' they might need 'nother pair o' hands." He looks at his hands and then puts them down at his sides, then crosses them, them folds them behind his back before leaving them at his sides again.
Our stories begins...
In a small seaside town known as Brookhurst, one of the many port towns to pepper the Black Dragon Coast. For such a tiny town it brings in strong trade, ample fish, and fine food. It's uniqueness come from its proximity to a large rib bone that juts out of the sand. A towering, white colossus that hangs a shadow over this town. A dark relic from a time long ago. Despite that the people don't let its looming presence dampen their spirits.
In fact the town right now seems to be in the middle of a festival. Bright yellow and purple streamers cover the town as people crowd around stalls in the streets, there are vendors calling out their wares, and children race through the street laughing loudly. Brightly colored tents are set up along the edge of the town, the remnant of what seems to have been a carnival that has already preformed its act and now it worker are winding down and enjoying the festivities as well. Here is where our heroes, though they do not know that they are yet, are pulled together.
As the sun makes its way to the highest point in the sky, a large trading vessel pulls into dock. Arriving after two week out at sea, returning from its two week expedition to the continent of Aquaria and the Island of Kigahara, carrying with it a collection of exotic wines, fruits and grains, as well few of our intrepid adventurers. People rush from the docks and help with the securing of heavy ropes to the bollards on the pier. A plank in laid down and people begin stepping off of the ship, carrying numerous crates and sacks as they make their way to their destination. The town is bustling today, full of energy.
(Please take this time to introduce yourselves.)
Avery Highdale-Halfling Rogue(Thief) Lv.3
Penelope Skyshatter-Dragonborn Sorcerer(Draconic Bloodline) Lv.2
Red Skies in Mourning: DM
Volqelli Ryxu- Drow Wizard(Conjuration School)/Rogue Lv. 13
The Kenku stood from his perch in a tree near the edge of town, ragged journal clutched limply. He had watched enough he thought, taken enough notes. The meaty ones were particular about their customs, and he had to make sure he had them down pat; anything that would help minimize their hostilities to him. He shoved the journal into his pack while practicing his Human; saying the appropriate greeting he had heard. "Hello!" he cawed out in a soft voice that belonged to a child. "HELLO!?" he demanded in the gruff voice that belonged to a trader. "H-hello..." he moaned in the timid voice of a simple farmer.
'That should do it...' he thought, nodding to himself before climbing down the tree, old leathers flapping about from the sudden gain in speed. His bone staff lay where he left it, resting against the tree, and as he leaned over to retrieve it, he quickly pulled his hood over his feathery scalp; though the hood did little to hide his rather obtrusive beak. What remained of the old coat had long since stopped covering the Kenkus lower half, leaving almost bare if not for the tight wrappings around his legs. The kenku made one final effort to steel his nerves before he began towards the city of Brookhurst.
The midday sun shone brightly on his Blue-Black feathers, giving them an almost iridescent hue-- but even through the combined efforts of the sun and his old leathers, he shivered as though he were in the dead of winter. He shivered with every step that brought him closer to the walls; the men who protected them, and ones safely enjoying the carnival behind them. Using his staff he inched closer and closer to the imposing men standing in front of the heavy gate, as the festivities inside grew louder and louder.
He approached the less upsetting of the two, and cocked his head to the side to better view the man with one of his Storm Cloud colored eyes, and weighed his options.
"WRRRRAAAAAK.... H-hello?" he said through the timid voice of a farmer.
EDIT: Grammar and formatting
Perry absently traces a meaty finger along the scar on his face before pulling his hood up, hefting his pack, and heading to the plank. He is eager to get off the ship. Sea voyages can be an adventure, but most of the time it was just sitting and waiting. Sitting and waiting is not something the big man does well. He spent most of the time watching the wind fill the sails or searching the skies for birds and day dreaming. He even cleaned and oiled the links of his armor, something he never seems to have time to do. Yes, he is eager to get his boots on solid ground and get moving again.
"I know yer ready too, Zephyr." The man says to his tiny burrowing owl companion who immediately takes wing and flies off to do whatever magical burrowing owls do. This doesn't bother Perry. He knows his friend will appear if needed.
He smiles as he watches the diminutive bird fly out of sight, thinking about how great it is to fly and all the times he shared the sensation with his familiar. He lets out what seems to be a series of breathy sighs and touches his right hand to his forehead before moving to look for someone in charge of the carnival.
The breathy sighs were Auran, a dialect of the Primordial language.
"Grant me your guidance, Rider of Winds."
Oscar "Oz" Diggs, Human Technomancer Wizard (10)/Rogue (1) - Fate/False Revelation, PbP
DM, Kaden Tolgalen
The two guards stare down at the small figure of the kenku as it draws closer. Both guards are garbed in simple chain shirts and carry spears. They both look equally imposing to the small figure. The one on the left, an older looking, grey haired male with a large scar running down one side of his face, raises his hand up to the bird person stopping him a few feet from the open gates.
"Halt, you there, state your name and business within the city." The grey haired man calls out to the newcomer, his tone stern. The other guard peers curiously at kenku from under his helm, in contrast with the other guard this one is a much younger man with dirty red hair and freckles.
Avery Highdale-Halfling Rogue(Thief) Lv.3
Penelope Skyshatter-Dragonborn Sorcerer(Draconic Bloodline) Lv.2
Red Skies in Mourning: DM
Volqelli Ryxu- Drow Wizard(Conjuration School)/Rogue Lv. 13
Perry make an investigation check.
Avery Highdale-Halfling Rogue(Thief) Lv.3
Penelope Skyshatter-Dragonborn Sorcerer(Draconic Bloodline) Lv.2
Red Skies in Mourning: DM
Volqelli Ryxu- Drow Wizard(Conjuration School)/Rogue Lv. 13
Investigation: 2+3.
Oscar "Oz" Diggs, Human Technomancer Wizard (10)/Rogue (1) - Fate/False Revelation, PbP
DM, Kaden Tolgalen
Wolf Pup emerges from the gangplank of the Banshee’s Wail and raises his gaze to look upon the large port city. He takes his first step towards shining new civilization. Oh. Oh no. He is in fact frozen in fear on the gangplank. It’s just too much! So many noises and people! It’s intimidating. It’s nothing like the quiet peace of home. Everything is so chaotic. Well, it would appear that this is how he dies. He always thought that he would die by the sword, but no, frozen in fear for the rest of time on a tiny piece of wood works too. It’s an honorable death really...
DM - Elustran Days ~ Fate/False Revelation
Rex'aliha - Hoard of the Dragon Queen ~ Mozu of Worms - The Stormpoint Mountains ~ Muireach Maon - Shepherd’s Crossing ~ Crownsguard - Storm King’s Thunder ~ Gunnar Wayland - Boats, Rocks, and Ruffians ~ POUF! - Ex-Ravens ~ Pascal LaRoux - Long Road Dragon Heist
The kenkus eyes widened at the curtness of the guard, before squinting again; giving the man a quizzical look. He thought about what the man had asked of him.
A name? He never had a name, nobody had ever thought to ask. Or, perhaps it was that he had nobody to tell? It never crossed his mind before how lonely that felt, how very lonely must it be to not have friends to call your name. He thought about it for a moment... Perhaps too long, he realized; the two armored men were looking at him, expectantly. Impatient. The kenku grew anxious and began to shift his weight back and forth between his legs.
He had never heard a name before, and didn't know where to start. He had always liked the sounds that beetles made when you chew on them. The soft, satisfying crunch followed by the icky goop that filled his mouth and the aromas that filled his senses. His mind began to wander as he thought about other bugs he liked to eat. Worms were soft and chewy, but far too high in fat. Spiders tasted well enough, but they often bit back. Snails proved to be too much of an effort for too meager of a snack.... He looked up at the the man, watching him with his storm grey eye. After an uncomfortable silence that lasted far too long, he opened his mouth and chirped, mimicking the sounds of a crunching cricket.
"Wraaah, name... Wraaah, Bug Crunch. City.... food!?"
EDIT: Grammar/Spelling
She pulled her knapsack over her shoulder as her scarf pulled away from her hair that billowed out from underneath it and began to float up towards the sky in long tendrils. She let out a hefty sigh and tried to pull the mess that was her hair into a ponytail, failing multiple times, and ultimately giving up. Her bright eyes gazed among the common folk who stared back at her, some trying to avoid her gaze as they walked by, it wasn't every day you saw a genasi roaming the streets. So much for the disguise. She wrestled with the long crimson scarf pulling it above her forehead finally wrangling the hair down.
After years you would think that would've been my go to for hiding this wretched mess, she muttered yet again to herself as she began to walk away from the docks. Years of hiding and training with her master should've prepared her for the journey she must face, and the disguises she must wear to hide her very noticeable feature. She tucked the scarf tightly as she moved at a quick pace along the bustling streets. Must keep going, I must not stay long for these peoples sake.
Catching a whiff of freshly baked sweets stopped her in her tracks, she felt a small bump on the back of her legs and turned curiously to see a little tussle of bronze colored hair looking down and the sweet roll on the ground. Her lips pursed as she began to lower herself to the height of the small child whimpering over the loss of his sweet. "Thanks kid." she whispered as a slight breeze passed them. The small boy looked up at her as she bit into the roll that had been on the cobbled road. She could hear the wailing of the boy as she walked away and into the crowd disappearing from his sight. A slight smirk coming to her lips as she dusted the small bit of dirt on the delicious treat.
Dirt don't hurt.
Slim and bright, an elf strides from the woods, not breaking pace at its edge. Her hair is a tangle of red and gold, messy, but not unkempt. She is dressed concisely, but in a loose garment, short boots, a diaphanous calf-length dress over an entirely practical set of bone-white knee-length pants and an intricately worked leather cuirass also marked off white. Her skin is a golden brown, her arms are bare, save a long streak of some red dye running down the length of each. Her face is wide open, with big tawny golden eyes set above a quick smile. One eye is circled with the same red dye. It might be raspberry.
A short, stabbing sword sits on her hip, and a small pack, a quiver and a bow are lashed to her back. She is a curious package of wild and kempt.
She skips a little on to the road, then marches up to the gate to Brookhurst. A man and his wife leaving town startle as she comes up silently. The woman makes a sign and edges off the road as she passes. The man looks worried, but keeps his path, shushing his wife's muttering. Both seem relieved when the fey creature does not slow or glance their way.
Stopping in front of the guards and the curious little bird man, she puts one imperious finger up to the older guard to shush him before he addresses her, and leans in close to the kenku’s face under the hood. She peers at him, closes her eyes and breathes deeply, then says quietly to him in Common, “Come, such as these do not understand such as are not... they..?” She quirks an eyebrow, then says something fluidly in a different language, and laughs quietly to herself.
Straightening and lowering her hand, she winks broadly at the young guard with a somewhat toothy grin, and turns to the older guard, stepping ever so slightly between him and the kenku. Drawing herself up to her full five and a half feet, she addresses him in her lilting, though oddly archaic Common.
“What ritual are we to perform to gain entry to this carnival? Do we name ourselves? Then you may name me Tangle, I served last at the word of the Seelie Court of Faerie, and I dream of," she glances at the massive rib stretching into the sky, "a time when this one was not so dead. How then do you name yourself, who do you serve, and whither does your dreaming soul go?”
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he).
Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. Here's my D&D stuff. I love it so.
Campaign links for Game Log access because DDB has abandoned the forum dice roller, apparently.
Radiant Citadel by cbaer8 ~•~ Stormwreck Isle by Rforrest14 ~•~ Wildspace by Rhanloi ~•~ Rise of Tiamat by SteveThaiBinh ~•~ The Long Road currently by me
"The new guy always cleans the streamers."
That is what Stark Marr'veil had told Fenchurch the first time he had been assigned this duty. At the time, it seemed fair, and easy. Little did Fenchurch know that it took literal hours to pick up every lost streamer that hit the ground or...other things during the time that Marr'veil's Marvelous Marvels were in town, and that Stark only added a new member on rare occasion. This is how Fenchurch found himself with a worm's eye view of Brookhurst at the end of another successful carnival, hoping to finish his task before all the leftover snacks were sold or tossed away, and wishing that he had learned a spell to expedite this task before his "accident" had led to his being fired from the Silverthread Academy. Still, cleaning up fabric here was still better than washing out privies for overpaid wizards and their overconfident apprentices, and the canival here HAD been successful. Mollymook's advice about adding a glamour to his cloak had been spot on. The dancing stars on it had drawn in over 30 people to seek the fortune telling skills of "Fenchurch the Farseer", and along with some mechanically derived shaking tables had ensured that everyone got their money's worth, and Fenchurch got enough money to keep him in food, drink, and the chasing of spells for a little while longer. All in all, not bad for a gnome without job or prospects 18 months ago. Stark had promised Fenchurch board, good friends, and a chance to see the Black Dragon Coast. He had kept those promises, and Fenchurch was grateful. Now all that was left was to find a snack and pack up his tent.
Fenchurch grabbed what he thought was the last lost streamer. When he looked up, he saw a woman in the distance with her hair standing straight up on end, eating a roll as a boy next to her sobbed. Suddenly, a snack didn't seem that necessary.
Fenchurch, Gnome Wizard, Red Skies in Mourning
The guards look at the elf that has marched up to them in the middle of conversation. The red haired one's face is twisted in mild confusion as he looks back between the bird person and the sudden elven woman. The grey haired man only sighs and mutters something quietly under his breath.
"Alright, you," He points to the Kenku," If you want into the city then there's some rules you gotta follow, first no weapons in the streets. You can keep 'em but you gotta keep them sheathed while you're here. And rule number two, no magic unless you've got a permit from the mayor. Already had to deal with that carnival causing a stir when they first showed up, don't need any more trouble." His attention turns to Tangle.
"And you, miss, if you're looking for the carnival it's over there." He points to a set of colored tents a little ways away from town. You can see that there is one large red tent, and two smaller blue tents set up on the outskirts of the stone wall that surrounds the town. The younger of the two quickly pipes up to Bug Crunch.
"If your looking for food, you should head for the Mermaid's Tears, Olivia there makes the best meat pies." He gets a dreamy look to his face, you're unsure if its about Olivia, herself, or her meat pies. The older one just rolls his eyes.
Avery Highdale-Halfling Rogue(Thief) Lv.3
Penelope Skyshatter-Dragonborn Sorcerer(Draconic Bloodline) Lv.2
Red Skies in Mourning: DM
Volqelli Ryxu- Drow Wizard(Conjuration School)/Rogue Lv. 13
Tangle turns slowly to the young guard as he launches into his soliloquy, tipping her head curiously as he goes on, her fingers lilting along with his cadence, until he slips into reverie at the thought of Olivia/meat pies, when her hands trail off and she glances over at the older one. She says something again in her musical language and shrugs, then ticks off the rules in Common, "No blades, no sticks, no warping of the weave, no names..." she cocks an eyebrow, waiting for more.
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he).
Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. Here's my D&D stuff. I love it so.
Campaign links for Game Log access because DDB has abandoned the forum dice roller, apparently.
Radiant Citadel by cbaer8 ~•~ Stormwreck Isle by Rforrest14 ~•~ Wildspace by Rhanloi ~•~ Rise of Tiamat by SteveThaiBinh ~•~ The Long Road currently by me
[OOC: I'm going to assume the investigation check was to find the carnival manager or someone else in charge and that Perry has failed. Going back in time a bit too...]
In his eagerness to get off the ship, Perry almost doesn't see the half-orc blocking the way and just about plows into him. He has to extend a hand to the man's shoulder lest they both go for an untimely swim. "Oh... uhm... 'scu... 'scuse me please." He says, embarrassed, and quickly removes his hand. "Gang planks not likely to 'old me 'n' some'n' else too." He gives an awkward chuckle at his own self deprecating joke.
Oscar "Oz" Diggs, Human Technomancer Wizard (10)/Rogue (1) - Fate/False Revelation, PbP
DM, Kaden Tolgalen
Wolf pup, standing frozen on the middle of the plank you are eventually pushed off of it and onto the docks by th other people waiting to get off.
Perry, searching around the docks you find no one who looks like they belong to a carnival. People tell you about the wonderful show they had put on a few days ago, but can’t seem to point out anyone in town. Your best chance to find someone would be to head outside of the city to where the tents of the carnival are.
Edit: (Curse my slow work internet speed.)
Avery Highdale-Halfling Rogue(Thief) Lv.3
Penelope Skyshatter-Dragonborn Sorcerer(Draconic Bloodline) Lv.2
Red Skies in Mourning: DM
Volqelli Ryxu- Drow Wizard(Conjuration School)/Rogue Lv. 13
OOC > Wait, the tents of the carnival are outside of the city? Is the gate where Tangle and Bug Crunch are to gain entry to "outside the city" or are there festival tents inside the city, too? I'm a little confused.
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he).
Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. Here's my D&D stuff. I love it so.
Campaign links for Game Log access because DDB has abandoned the forum dice roller, apparently.
Radiant Citadel by cbaer8 ~•~ Stormwreck Isle by Rforrest14 ~•~ Wildspace by Rhanloi ~•~ Rise of Tiamat by SteveThaiBinh ~•~ The Long Road currently by me
As Wolf Pup and Perry are moved off the gangplank, Wolf Pup takes the time to apologize while bowing his head a little, “My sincerest regrets. I am... a little overwhelmed at the city. There is so much of it, and so many people, and I froze. I hope I did not delay you.”
DM - Elustran Days ~ Fate/False Revelation
Rex'aliha - Hoard of the Dragon Queen ~ Mozu of Worms - The Stormpoint Mountains ~ Muireach Maon - Shepherd’s Crossing ~ Crownsguard - Storm King’s Thunder ~ Gunnar Wayland - Boats, Rocks, and Ruffians ~ POUF! - Ex-Ravens ~ Pascal LaRoux - Long Road Dragon Heist
OOC: In my earlier post i said they were at the edge of town, I apologize if this was confusing, it was meant to imply it was outside of the town. The large tents are outside the city, about a twenty minute walk from the town gate, there are no tents inside the city.
The streamer, banners and other decoration inside the city are for the festival that is taking place.
For anybody who takes the time to ask around for interesting places within the city, here is a list of locations.
1. The Open Market- On the eastern side of town, just past the town gate, a few streets where numerous stalls are set up.
2. The Town Square- At the center of town.
3. The Mermaid's Tears- A tavern/Inn on the southern side of town. (It apparently has good meat pies.)
4. The Shipyard- the western edge of town is a series of wooden docks and piers where several ships are moored.
5. The Temple of Wee Jas- a temple dedicated to the goddess,Wee Jas. It is located on the northern side of town, at the end of one of the main roads connected to the town square.
6. General Goode's General Goods- a general goods store located next to the Magic Conch.
7. The Magic Conch- a magic shop. When asked where it is, people just point to a large spiraling, purple tower that stands out among all the other buildings.
8. Mr. and Mrs. Smith- A smith shop located next to the docks.
9. The Carnival- Located outside of town are the remnants of a carnival.
Avery Highdale-Halfling Rogue(Thief) Lv.3
Penelope Skyshatter-Dragonborn Sorcerer(Draconic Bloodline) Lv.2
Red Skies in Mourning: DM
Volqelli Ryxu- Drow Wizard(Conjuration School)/Rogue Lv. 13
OOC > Got it!
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he).
Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. Here's my D&D stuff. I love it so.
Campaign links for Game Log access because DDB has abandoned the forum dice roller, apparently.
Radiant Citadel by cbaer8 ~•~ Stormwreck Isle by Rforrest14 ~•~ Wildspace by Rhanloi ~•~ Rise of Tiamat by SteveThaiBinh ~•~ The Long Road currently by me
"Oh, no. Nothin' ta 'pologize for. Really my fault. My mind was..." Perry waggles his fingers by his temple and moves his hand up and away to indicate his mind was flying off somewhere. He hesitates a long moment before continuing. "I don' like cities much either... but they're where the work is... Know anyone ta talk to 'bout that carnival? Thinkin' they might need 'nother pair o' hands." He looks at his hands and then puts them down at his sides, then crosses them, them folds them behind his back before leaving them at his sides again.
Oscar "Oz" Diggs, Human Technomancer Wizard (10)/Rogue (1) - Fate/False Revelation, PbP
DM, Kaden Tolgalen