Corti listens intently to Thaddeus' list, trying to memorize the books. She begins to tune out a little more when Thia starts to whisper, distracted, she looks around the room, watching any students who might be coming and going, and taking in the feel of the library.
She snaps back to attention as Thia blurts out Leo's full name, and nods, half in agreement and half in encouragement. "Yes, that sounds like him!" , she responds, forgetting her nerves for the moment. The mention of music also grasps her attention, and she smiles slightly, "I'm sorry, what's this about a bard?"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
I do both party and individual character commissions. PM me for info.
Corti- Warforged bard (Union!)
Hadar Jaffe- Half-elf Knowledge Domain Cleric (Nemo's Citadel of the Unsleeping Sun)
Tarian grabbed a board and a handful of nails, set the board in place, and offered the next nail to Thorbek.
“Yeah, word doesn’t travel that fast.” Tarian inspected the graffiti, and tried to parse out what the original message was. “Is this a new habit the neighbors picked up, or have you been having to deal with this for a while?” Tarian’s voice held some concern. The Hermit’s Bushel was one of the few places she felt at ease in Duskrock, and it seemed now that respite was threatened.
“I’d actually come down to ask where to track down some silver thread. A business associate of mine is assembling an expedition team, and one of the other members needs some. It seemed pretty important to her, so I thought I might track some down before we left town for a while. I’d say I was surprised to find your shop like this, but I’d guess you were a bit more surprised than I.”
Tarian looked at the hasty repairs. “I can recommend a carpenter—a hidden gem in Duskrock—who can do excellent work for a lower price than most if you want. She probably won’t be able to help you until morning at the earliest, though.”
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"On the other side of the screen, it all looks so easy." --Kevin Flynn, Tron (1982)
Out of context, also applicable to Dungeons & Dragons.
Thia would hang on if Thaddeus had something to say about Leonid Tetuski. Otherwise...
Thia would turn to Corti with a huge grin on her face and her eyes wide with excitement. Her mind was going a mile a minute, probably completely overthinking things, but filled with enthusiasm. "I'm so pumped. I think you'll like this Corti!" She'd beam, then cover her mouth in case she said that louder than she should have. She'd look back to Thaddeus apologetically for yet another outburst. Seeing his face she'd think, You're forgetting to ask something... you always forget something...Thia would look down to the pieces of papers Thaddeus gave her, reading over all the titles and sections to make sure she doesn't forget something. "Oh! Alchemy Jug." She'd go to look up at him again and her eyes would catch the clock, reminding her that time is of the essence. Damnit Thia! Knowledge is so distracting! Get going!"Sir, I hope to return at a better time to pick your brain about Alchemy Jugs or where I can learn about them... I'm sorry, I need to hurry now. But thank you, again, for this." She'd gesture to the slips of papers he handed her, hoping that they're what they're looking for, and she'd finally turn to leave the counter.
Thia would scoop her arm through Corti's to whisk her off towards the first section of books, "We'll start with Sagira Tes-Amun- Of the Human Body. Foreign research- Kalashtari Trade Republic. I think this is the one Alexis was referring too. It can be found in section ABR- CH. Then we can grab Athar Manesh- Humours, Herbalism, and Healing in the Herbalism, Shelves ARH- GRO. close by..." and she'd continue rhyming off the rest of the books and directions while she navigated them to the first section. She'd include the directions to the section she'd expect to find the Reichenplatz text as well. Finally in section ABR-CH, Thia would begin thumbing through the book spines to locate the Kalashtari text.
"I haven't seen him live yet... I'm afraid it's not really my sort of place, these Forger taverns. But the transcripts of the performance read very well, he's quite witty that one. And sorry, but Tetudski doesn't ring any bells. Though Upryamstevan was a gnome..." Thaddeus is straining to remember a Tetudski, but after a few moments slumps togehter, shaking his head "I'm sorry, but he might have been a student here, or I might be confusing something... There's many students here, not all like you." He adds the last part with a warm smile.
Unable to get more from Thaddeus, Thia runs off, Corti in tow, to collect the indicated texts.
-------------------------------
Tarian can just about make out the letters on Throbek's door, as he moves to speak to her: Traitor Scum!
"I'm afraed this ain't gunna git better soon. Tensions are growin', what with the news tha' the Khalashtari are blockin' advances on the rail project. Maeks life hella difficult fer sum o' tha traeders here, since we got ties to tha Khalashtari. Plus, people see a man like me, they start ta think I got rich offa tha war. Wit' the squalor outside and tha diseases an' whatnot, they git angry, an' when angry, they git stupid.
But let's talk of more pleasant things. I could sell ya sum silver thread, I got quite a few fer me own arcane needs. I'll sell ya 5 yards for 5 denars. An' as a friendly gesture, I have maed sum inquiries about yer locket... Ain't many people that maek tha' kinda thing, an' that looked custom made ta me, so I asked around. There's a guy, here in the Souk, says he deals in minature portraiture. Claims he's painted fer kings and magistrates. Mite be worth givin' 'im a visit, ta see what's it all about. His name's Marius Villamov, an he's got a workshop here in the Souk."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Union!- Errydha (Homebrew) Setting Embers in the Dark - Errydha (Homebrew) Setting Welcome to the Jungle- Far Realms Citadel of the Unsleeping Sun - Erathis (Grim Hollow) Setting
Yevelda the Mutt- 3rd Level Half-Orc Battlemaster Fighter- Far Realms Rehgys- 5th Level Satyr Bard of Eloquence- Far Realms
Corti grins at Thia's excitement and happily allows herself to be lead to the shelf. She's a mostly lost when it comes to the library's organization, but when she sees Thia go to the shelf she also begins looking.
"Reichenplatz? I certainly recognize the name. Why do you ask?"
I'm going ahead and assuming that Corti would have heard of Reichenplatz at least a little if he were making a name for himself.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
I do both party and individual character commissions. PM me for info.
Corti- Warforged bard (Union!)
Hadar Jaffe- Half-elf Knowledge Domain Cleric (Nemo's Citadel of the Unsleeping Sun)
"Thaddeus says he's an anonymous bard who released a recent addition. He said it's an in depth study of the burgeoning slammer culture in the Forge - Aha!" Thia's eyes would of continued scanning the spines she touched as she conversed with Corti, right at the end of her sentence, she spotted the text she was looking for and would pull it out: Sagira Tes-Amun- Of the Human Body. Foreign research- Kalashtari Trade Republic. She'd inspect the cover and give it a little hug before putting it in her bag, Please be the one..."He said it was a good read." She'd smile to Corti, "Would you be interested in checking it out?" Thia would then move on to the next section of books.
While navigating to the new section ARH-GRO, Thia would fill any silence with explaining to Corti how books in the library are catalogued in alphabetical sections. She'd point out the way-finding signage, that's very easy to miss, and the codes on the spine of the books. She'd even babble on a little about her preferred method of scanning spines efficiently when they'd finally stumble upon the second book: Athar Manesh- Humours, Herbalism, and Healing.
She'd try to keep them moving at a faster than usual pace. Feeling comfortable in her element, Thia would even catch herself with a little skip in her step navigating down the longer sections. With Corti's help, they're able to find the remainder of the books in a fair amount of time: Amemu Lepidus- Sight rot and Other Afflictions. Common Medicine, Desticia Symphorian- A Guide to Brelish Herbs and their Healing Properties. Herbalism and Theopropides Varus- The Corphyran Encyclopaedia of Ills and Ailments. General Medicinal Arts, Rubad Asan- Chronicle of Khalashtani Medical History. History of Corphyra and Theopropides Varus- The Corphyran Encyclopaedia of Ills and Ailments. General Medicinal Art. Corti was even able to beat Thia in finding the last text on the list: Reichenplatz.
Feeling the weight of all these books, Thia would blush a little with embarrassment while she'd offer some to Corti, asking if she would be willing to help carry the ridiculous load of texts.
Five yards, five denars, eh? That’s about double the distance from the toe line to the dartboard, but I don’t know if that’s not enough or too much. I don’t even know if that’s a good price or not. I trust Thorbek, though, so I assume that’s fair. But magecraft, eh? I suppose that’s one way he could be making the extra income.
“I’ll take the thread, five denars. You’ll probably need the cash on hand for proper repairs.”
The pair made quick work of patching over the broken window and Thorbek invited Tarian inside to fetch the silver thread. As they went in, Tarian sneered at the writing on the door. “This” Tarian thumbed the graffiti, “isn’t ‘git stupid,’ this is being stupid. ‘Traitor’ is a stupid word and I hate it. I never told you how m’ da got famous back home, did I?” Tarian sat at her favorite seat as Thorbek went to fetch the thread.
“Well, y’see, I come from a horsing town, yeh? So, this was back during the war, but some military-types come into town, start demanding our horses ‘fer the war effort.’ Ain’t that a traitor act? Takin’ away the livelihood of yer own countrymen? But, no, they say we’re the traitors for denyin’ ‘em.” As Tarian grew more heated, her accent grew thicker. “They come hyurre fer th’ fleetest hooves wi’ th’ strongest backs, an’ me da’s not havin’ it. So he pehrsonally leads a charge, yeh? Drives ‘em off. Next few months we fehce a siege, or somethin’ leyke it. ‘Sanctions,’ they call it. An’ from nohwhehre one day we get a messenger what says it’s done, we’re not traitors anymore. ‘Improper requisitions,’ or some rubbish answer. Me da an’ ma don’ believe it t’ this day, say somethin’ else’s what done that problem out.” Tarian measured a controlled breath, realizing she’d gotten heated.
“So, yeh, I don’t like the word traitor. We were never traitors. We’re good people. I know you’re good people, too, Thorbek. Khalashtari, Brelish, Zhivarg, Garronian, Cyran—I don’t care who you have ties to. I don’t even care if you did make money off the war. You’ve done right by me, that’s all I care about.”
Tarian pulled five gold from her ever-lightening coin purse, and felt the locket growing ever lonelier. “I’ll check in with Marius Villamov in the morning. I need to see if I can get this thread to the one who can use it before I head to bed.” Tarian exchanged the coins for the thread and the information about Villamov. “I’ll see if Elise can do those repairs for you in the morning. Don’t know what she’ll charge, but she does good work.”
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"On the other side of the screen, it all looks so easy." --Kevin Flynn, Tron (1982)
Out of context, also applicable to Dungeons & Dragons.
Corti listens to Thia's description of Reichenplatz, "He sounds fascinating!"
She happily nods in response to Thia's offer to check out the book, then continues following Thia through the library. Corti does her best to keep up with Thia's run down of the library system, doing her best to pick up everything that was happening. She notices Thia's excitement and light attitude as they walk, and can't help but feel giddy as she gets caught up in the moment. She begins to get the hang of the scanning towards the end, and when she spots Reichenplatz's book she scoops it up, copying the small hug Thia had given the Kalashtari book.
She begins to head towards a nearby table before noticing Thia struggling, "Ah! I'm sorry!" Corti takes up about half the books Thia had, and stacks them on top of Reichenplatz in her arms. "Okay! Do you have a favorite study spot?"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
I do both party and individual character commissions. PM me for info.
Corti- Warforged bard (Union!)
Hadar Jaffe- Half-elf Knowledge Domain Cleric (Nemo's Citadel of the Unsleeping Sun)
Relieved to feel the load lighten, Thia would pack what books she could in her bag. She'd kind of chuckle when Corti would ask what her favourite study spot was. "Depends on what I'm studying! Here. Naturally, of course." She'd gesture to some spots in the library as they walked through it, "Usually quiet corners for research, when it's something intense that I'm trying to grasp. My desk in my dorm is great for tinkering, planning, experimenting. Trial and error." She'd smile, "When I need inspiration though, there's nothing better than being out in the field, treating people or apprenticing under others to learn things you never knew you needed to know." Thia would lift her sleeve to gesture to the Veiled Valour crest. "Which is where we need to go for this study. We need to meet up with Alexis and Wilfred back at headquarters now that we have the texts and my equipment." She'd nibble her lip a little, "Wilfred originally brought me there as a test. It was to be just another routine visit... But for Alexis to come track me down with this news... it's become more than that. For Wilfred and Alexis to be stumped worries me. And if they suspect a disease or infection, time is crucial. We'd have to head to the Eastern Fields Ward. Their headquarters is a church in that area."
Meanwhile, having arrived back at home and returned to his room/workshop, Arcius was already back at work. Further tinkering with the portable turret as well as drawing up a number of different designs for numerous artificial limbs. He was keeping himself busy with his work, all the better since he knew that, much like his father, his Uncle would need some time to cool down before he was willing to overlook or just forget about the incident in the tavern. Regardless, it wasn't all bad, and he possibly acquired a likeminded craftsman....woman, to assist with his current endeavor. Not to mention overhear a fair bit of info regarding some of the ongoing events in the city.
As he adjusts a screw on one of the turret's stabilizers, he monologues, "I wonder what they're doing right now.....hopefully they don't get themselves killed. They seemed like interesting company.....save for maybe that Brandt fellow. He was rude." The silence of his room, broken only by the small noises of his own work, is the only response to his words.
Corti smiles as Thia details her favorite areas, making small comments or noises at pauses in Thia's speech. As Thia finishes, Corti says, "Sounds good." She would continue following Thia (presumably out of the library?) and speaks up again after a moment,"I'm sure it will be alright! Maybe a fresh perspective is what they need."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
I do both party and individual character commissions. PM me for info.
Corti- Warforged bard (Union!)
Hadar Jaffe- Half-elf Knowledge Domain Cleric (Nemo's Citadel of the Unsleeping Sun)
Cheering up a little from Corti's encouragement, Thia would nod. "Absolutely! I believe you're right, that's exactly what they need. And exactly why I'm excited to have you along." She'd smile.
As they made their way out of the library and down the steps, Thia would look around to get her bearings. She hasn't been to the Eastern Fields Ward often, and she's only been to the Veiled Valour headquarters once, but she is confident she remembers the way. "And... this way..." Thia would point in the direction of the church. This was more to direct herself than actually to direct Corti.
After some time of walking, Thia finally pipes up after spending too much time overthinking in her head. "Kay. So... I don't know if it's coincidence, Thaddeus' 'ramblings', or all these chats we've been having lately... Tell me if you think I'm wayyy off the mark... but..." She'd just look up to the sky and pat her nose as she ponders "Leo's a bard. Leo's a slammer. Carlos, he's a bard too?" She'd look to Corti, then move her hand away from her face "and they have interest in the culture in the forge?" She'd pause before thinking her question out loud, "What if one of them, or both of them, were this anonymous Reichenplatz?" Thia would shrug, feeling a like a conspiracy theorist. "Have you heard them play?"
Corti starts at Thia's suggestion, "That..." she pauses, mulling it over for a moment, "is a fascinating theory, Thia!" She picks up speed as she talks, "I've never heard either of them play, but when I first met Carlos he was very invested in my performance. He certainly had some experience with music, and he seemed to know his way around musicians' culture. I would love to see him perform, I wonder how he manages to stay anonymous? It seems like it would be difficult... Perhaps reading his book would give us a clue," At this, Corti looks down at the books in her hands, then up again, smiling. "There's so much we need to learn!"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
I do both party and individual character commissions. PM me for info.
Corti- Warforged bard (Union!)
Hadar Jaffe- Half-elf Knowledge Domain Cleric (Nemo's Citadel of the Unsleeping Sun)
Thorbek happily accepts the coins and the offer for a good craftsman. Tarian gets the impression that he charged her more for the information than the silver thread itself, but after all, he did provide her with a lead, and five denars was a reasonable investment into further avenues and contacts. Not wanting to keep Thorbek from his repairs any longer, Tarian headed out of the Souk and headed towards Thia's dorm. She had never been there, so she was going only by approximate directions overheard in their conversation. Eventually, after almost an hour of getting lost several times in winding alleys, Tarian finds herself in front of what seems like the right building for student accommodation in the Uptown Ward. From down at street level however, she had no means of knowing, which of the rooms was hers, and if it was one of the few still being alight, or if she had already gone to sleep.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Union!- Errydha (Homebrew) Setting Embers in the Dark - Errydha (Homebrew) Setting Welcome to the Jungle- Far Realms Citadel of the Unsleeping Sun - Erathis (Grim Hollow) Setting
Yevelda the Mutt- 3rd Level Half-Orc Battlemaster Fighter- Far Realms Rehgys- 5th Level Satyr Bard of Eloquence- Far Realms
Colette shoots Brandt another smile, and then says: "Now go, don't let it be said that I kept you from an exiting life of adventure... I'll be here waiting for you, I promise. Not like I'm planning to get married in the next week or so. For now though, I have to be off. If I'm to keep you interested, I need to vary up my wardrobe and repertoire..." And with that, Colette left their room, and headed to her private chambers in the rear area of the Velvet Glove, past two brawny and mostly mute mountain-dwarf bouncers. Their mohawks and golden earrings marked them as part of the Shieldbiters, a Thranish clan renowned for their tough mercenaries. For him, it was a clear signal to either head downstairs or leave the establishment.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Union!- Errydha (Homebrew) Setting Embers in the Dark - Errydha (Homebrew) Setting Welcome to the Jungle- Far Realms Citadel of the Unsleeping Sun - Erathis (Grim Hollow) Setting
Yevelda the Mutt- 3rd Level Half-Orc Battlemaster Fighter- Far Realms Rehgys- 5th Level Satyr Bard of Eloquence- Far Realms
Brandt takes those last few moments to watch Colette as she walks into her chambers and out of his view. He decides to head downstairs and get some breakfast, since those dwarves aren't going to be as pleasant company as Colette was. Once he is finished his breakfast, he exits the Velvet Glove and heads out towards the address that Tarian left him.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
Brandt leaves the Velvet Glove, and makes for the Uptown ward, in the hopes of reaching the Golden Rooster Inn and be able to speak with Sparks before he heads out for the day. He winds his way through the different streets and alleys, and after a while finds himself turned around in a dead end. As he turns, he's faced with two sailors or dockhands. The stench of grog on their breath covering easily the fifteen feet between them, the taller of the two, a spindly half-elf slurrs something incomprehensible, before repeating in a voice heavy from drink and racous singing, and with a thick accent says: "Ye been maekin' trubble fer th' boss? 'e knoes ye talked wit' the mongrel... Watch yer step, less ye wanna be dragged into tha' whole mess up north. An' he'd hate ta see yer pretty lass all slashed-up like, Dockers-style, ye catch? Ain't gunna be no problem if ye jus' do what he axed from ye tho- he'll even give ya free pickin's for the parts ye want. But the boss ain't someone who likes ta repeat hisself..." His wide grin reveals rows of cracked and broken teeth, some yellowed and rotten. During the whole exchange, his thumb repeatedly stroked over the chipped edge of a handaxe stock in his waistband. With his trained eyes, Brandt can also mae out a dagger kept inside the half- elf's boot, strapped to his right ankle. Meanwhile, the second of the two, a bulky dwarf with short straw bushels of hair and a forked beard simply glared at Brandt, one eye milky and dead from an old scar. His hand rested on the handle of a heavy hardwood cudgel for the etirety of the exchange.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Union!- Errydha (Homebrew) Setting Embers in the Dark - Errydha (Homebrew) Setting Welcome to the Jungle- Far Realms Citadel of the Unsleeping Sun - Erathis (Grim Hollow) Setting
Yevelda the Mutt- 3rd Level Half-Orc Battlemaster Fighter- Far Realms Rehgys- 5th Level Satyr Bard of Eloquence- Far Realms
"Can you be a bit more specific here? I've spoken to a lot of people in the last three days, I'm not a huge fan of all this vagueness while I'm being threatened."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
Thia would smile with Corti's enthusiasm to learn, "There always is! I suppose we should add that to our list of things to do." She'd chuckle a little.
As they walked along a little longer, after a couple pauses for Thia to recognize familiar markers, she'd take a sudden sharp corner and stumble upon the familiar old church of the sacred flame. It's roof half collapsed and the heavy oaken doors sporting the double chevron and line of the Veiled Valour, Thia would walk up to it "We're here." She'd look to Corti before putting her hand on the handle and opening the door for her to escort her in "Welcome to the Veiled Valour headquarters."
The heavy doors creak open, and Thia and Corti head into the crumbling church. Thia is taken aback by how different it now looks- almost any spare inch of the pews is filled with stretchers or straw mats, covered with writhing sick, comatose or already dead bodies. Among them, like lonely trees in a swamp, the few members of the Veiled Valour walking among them, administering treatments and care where possible and necessary. Thia can spot at a glance that the wast majority of the patients are Cyreans, and virtually all are so poor as to be either from the Forger slums or from the Outer ward. Among the members that provide care, she can spot Alexis and Wilfred. Further to the back, a young girl wearing a black veil helps by washing some of the elder patients, and dragging the dead outside to be burried in the nearby crypt. Upon hearing Thia enter, Wilfred lifts his head and looks in her direction, his face gaunt from exhaustion, his eyes a black pool near endless in their depth, but alight with an intense fire, like burning coals. Thia almost shrinks back, before his voice, barely louder than a whisper, says: "Thia, you're more than welcome! I know it's unreasonable and perhaps even unfair to ask so much of a new initiate, but as you can see, we are in dire straits here. Most of them" with a nod to the patients still writhing in pain and moaning through their numbing droughts "we took in during the last two days. The more advanced cases were about five or six days hence. So far, none survived for longer than a week. We've been lucky though, and as of yet none of us show any symptoms. Your books and equipment are crucial now, if we want to find the cause of this, and eventually the cure!"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Union!- Errydha (Homebrew) Setting Embers in the Dark - Errydha (Homebrew) Setting Welcome to the Jungle- Far Realms Citadel of the Unsleeping Sun - Erathis (Grim Hollow) Setting
Yevelda the Mutt- 3rd Level Half-Orc Battlemaster Fighter- Far Realms Rehgys- 5th Level Satyr Bard of Eloquence- Far Realms
To post a comment, please login or register a new account.
Corti listens intently to Thaddeus' list, trying to memorize the books. She begins to tune out a little more when Thia starts to whisper, distracted, she looks around the room, watching any students who might be coming and going, and taking in the feel of the library.
She snaps back to attention as Thia blurts out Leo's full name, and nods, half in agreement and half in encouragement. "Yes, that sounds like him!" , she responds, forgetting her nerves for the moment. The mention of music also grasps her attention, and she smiles slightly, "I'm sorry, what's this about a bard?"
I do both party and individual character commissions. PM me for info.
Corti- Warforged bard (Union!)
Hadar Jaffe- Half-elf Knowledge Domain Cleric (Nemo's Citadel of the Unsleeping Sun)
Tarian grabbed a board and a handful of nails, set the board in place, and offered the next nail to Thorbek.
“Yeah, word doesn’t travel that fast.” Tarian inspected the graffiti, and tried to parse out what the original message was. “Is this a new habit the neighbors picked up, or have you been having to deal with this for a while?” Tarian’s voice held some concern. The Hermit’s Bushel was one of the few places she felt at ease in Duskrock, and it seemed now that respite was threatened.
“I’d actually come down to ask where to track down some silver thread. A business associate of mine is assembling an expedition team, and one of the other members needs some. It seemed pretty important to her, so I thought I might track some down before we left town for a while. I’d say I was surprised to find your shop like this, but I’d guess you were a bit more surprised than I.”
Tarian looked at the hasty repairs. “I can recommend a carpenter—a hidden gem in Duskrock—who can do excellent work for a lower price than most if you want. She probably won’t be able to help you until morning at the earliest, though.”
"On the other side of the screen, it all looks so easy." --Kevin Flynn, Tron (1982)
Out of context, also applicable to Dungeons & Dragons.
Thia would hang on if Thaddeus had something to say about Leonid Tetuski. Otherwise...
Thia would turn to Corti with a huge grin on her face and her eyes wide with excitement. Her mind was going a mile a minute, probably completely overthinking things, but filled with enthusiasm. "I'm so pumped. I think you'll like this Corti!" She'd beam, then cover her mouth in case she said that louder than she should have. She'd look back to Thaddeus apologetically for yet another outburst. Seeing his face she'd think, You're forgetting to ask something... you always forget something... Thia would look down to the pieces of papers Thaddeus gave her, reading over all the titles and sections to make sure she doesn't forget something. "Oh! Alchemy Jug." She'd go to look up at him again and her eyes would catch the clock, reminding her that time is of the essence. Damnit Thia! Knowledge is so distracting! Get going! "Sir, I hope to return at a better time to pick your brain about Alchemy Jugs or where I can learn about them... I'm sorry, I need to hurry now. But thank you, again, for this." She'd gesture to the slips of papers he handed her, hoping that they're what they're looking for, and she'd finally turn to leave the counter.
Thia would scoop her arm through Corti's to whisk her off towards the first section of books, "We'll start with Sagira Tes-Amun- Of the Human Body. Foreign research- Kalashtari Trade Republic. I think this is the one Alexis was referring too. It can be found in section ABR- CH. Then we can grab Athar Manesh- Humours, Herbalism, and Healing in the Herbalism, Shelves ARH- GRO. close by..." and she'd continue rhyming off the rest of the books and directions while she navigated them to the first section. She'd include the directions to the section she'd expect to find the Reichenplatz text as well. Finally in section ABR-CH, Thia would begin thumbing through the book spines to locate the Kalashtari text.
"Corti have you ever heard of Reichenplatz?"
just an unstable unicorn.
"I haven't seen him live yet... I'm afraid it's not really my sort of place, these Forger taverns. But the transcripts of the performance read very well, he's quite witty that one. And sorry, but Tetudski doesn't ring any bells. Though Upryamstevan was a gnome..." Thaddeus is straining to remember a Tetudski, but after a few moments slumps togehter, shaking his head "I'm sorry, but he might have been a student here, or I might be confusing something... There's many students here, not all like you." He adds the last part with a warm smile.
Unable to get more from Thaddeus, Thia runs off, Corti in tow, to collect the indicated texts.
-------------------------------
Tarian can just about make out the letters on Throbek's door, as he moves to speak to her: Traitor Scum!
"I'm afraed this ain't gunna git better soon. Tensions are growin', what with the news tha' the Khalashtari are blockin' advances on the rail project. Maeks life hella difficult fer sum o' tha traeders here, since we got ties to tha Khalashtari. Plus, people see a man like me, they start ta think I got rich offa tha war. Wit' the squalor outside and tha diseases an' whatnot, they git angry, an' when angry, they git stupid.
But let's talk of more pleasant things. I could sell ya sum silver thread, I got quite a few fer me own arcane needs. I'll sell ya 5 yards for 5 denars. An' as a friendly gesture, I have maed sum inquiries about yer locket... Ain't many people that maek tha' kinda thing, an' that looked custom made ta me, so I asked around. There's a guy, here in the Souk, says he deals in minature portraiture. Claims he's painted fer kings and magistrates. Mite be worth givin' 'im a visit, ta see what's it all about. His name's Marius Villamov, an he's got a workshop here in the Souk."
Union!- Errydha (Homebrew) Setting
Embers in the Dark - Errydha (Homebrew) Setting
Welcome to the Jungle- Far Realms
Citadel of the Unsleeping Sun - Erathis (Grim Hollow) Setting
Yevelda the Mutt- 3rd Level Half-Orc Battlemaster Fighter- Far Realms
Rehgys- 5th Level Satyr Bard of Eloquence- Far Realms
Corti grins at Thia's excitement and happily allows herself to be lead to the shelf. She's a mostly lost when it comes to the library's organization, but when she sees Thia go to the shelf she also begins looking.
"Reichenplatz? I certainly recognize the name. Why do you ask?"
I'm going ahead and assuming that Corti would have heard of Reichenplatz at least a little if he were making a name for himself.
I do both party and individual character commissions. PM me for info.
Corti- Warforged bard (Union!)
Hadar Jaffe- Half-elf Knowledge Domain Cleric (Nemo's Citadel of the Unsleeping Sun)
"Thaddeus says he's an anonymous bard who released a recent addition. He said it's an in depth study of the burgeoning slammer culture in the Forge - Aha!" Thia's eyes would of continued scanning the spines she touched as she conversed with Corti, right at the end of her sentence, she spotted the text she was looking for and would pull it out: Sagira Tes-Amun- Of the Human Body. Foreign research- Kalashtari Trade Republic. She'd inspect the cover and give it a little hug before putting it in her bag, Please be the one... "He said it was a good read." She'd smile to Corti, "Would you be interested in checking it out?" Thia would then move on to the next section of books.
While navigating to the new section ARH-GRO, Thia would fill any silence with explaining to Corti how books in the library are catalogued in alphabetical sections. She'd point out the way-finding signage, that's very easy to miss, and the codes on the spine of the books. She'd even babble on a little about her preferred method of scanning spines efficiently when they'd finally stumble upon the second book: Athar Manesh- Humours, Herbalism, and Healing.
She'd try to keep them moving at a faster than usual pace. Feeling comfortable in her element, Thia would even catch herself with a little skip in her step navigating down the longer sections. With Corti's help, they're able to find the remainder of the books in a fair amount of time: Amemu Lepidus- Sight rot and Other Afflictions. Common Medicine, Desticia Symphorian- A Guide to Brelish Herbs and their Healing Properties. Herbalism and Theopropides Varus- The Corphyran Encyclopaedia of Ills and Ailments. General Medicinal Arts, Rubad Asan- Chronicle of Khalashtani Medical History. History of Corphyra and Theopropides Varus- The Corphyran Encyclopaedia of Ills and Ailments. General Medicinal Art. Corti was even able to beat Thia in finding the last text on the list: Reichenplatz.
Feeling the weight of all these books, Thia would blush a little with embarrassment while she'd offer some to Corti, asking if she would be willing to help carry the ridiculous load of texts.
just an unstable unicorn.
Five yards, five denars, eh? That’s about double the distance from the toe line to the dartboard, but I don’t know if that’s not enough or too much. I don’t even know if that’s a good price or not. I trust Thorbek, though, so I assume that’s fair. But magecraft, eh? I suppose that’s one way he could be making the extra income.
“I’ll take the thread, five denars. You’ll probably need the cash on hand for proper repairs.”
The pair made quick work of patching over the broken window and Thorbek invited Tarian inside to fetch the silver thread. As they went in, Tarian sneered at the writing on the door. “This” Tarian thumbed the graffiti, “isn’t ‘git stupid,’ this is being stupid. ‘Traitor’ is a stupid word and I hate it. I never told you how m’ da got famous back home, did I?” Tarian sat at her favorite seat as Thorbek went to fetch the thread.
“Well, y’see, I come from a horsing town, yeh? So, this was back during the war, but some military-types come into town, start demanding our horses ‘fer the war effort.’ Ain’t that a traitor act? Takin’ away the livelihood of yer own countrymen? But, no, they say we’re the traitors for denyin’ ‘em.” As Tarian grew more heated, her accent grew thicker. “They come hyurre fer th’ fleetest hooves wi’ th’ strongest backs, an’ me da’s not havin’ it. So he pehrsonally leads a charge, yeh? Drives ‘em off. Next few months we fehce a siege, or somethin’ leyke it. ‘Sanctions,’ they call it. An’ from nohwhehre one day we get a messenger what says it’s done, we’re not traitors anymore. ‘Improper requisitions,’ or some rubbish answer. Me da an’ ma don’ believe it t’ this day, say somethin’ else’s what done that problem out.” Tarian measured a controlled breath, realizing she’d gotten heated.
“So, yeh, I don’t like the word traitor. We were never traitors. We’re good people. I know you’re good people, too, Thorbek. Khalashtari, Brelish, Zhivarg, Garronian, Cyran—I don’t care who you have ties to. I don’t even care if you did make money off the war. You’ve done right by me, that’s all I care about.”
Tarian pulled five gold from her ever-lightening coin purse, and felt the locket growing ever lonelier. “I’ll check in with Marius Villamov in the morning. I need to see if I can get this thread to the one who can use it before I head to bed.” Tarian exchanged the coins for the thread and the information about Villamov. “I’ll see if Elise can do those repairs for you in the morning. Don’t know what she’ll charge, but she does good work.”
"On the other side of the screen, it all looks so easy." --Kevin Flynn, Tron (1982)
Out of context, also applicable to Dungeons & Dragons.
Corti listens to Thia's description of Reichenplatz, "He sounds fascinating!"
She happily nods in response to Thia's offer to check out the book, then continues following Thia through the library. Corti does her best to keep up with Thia's run down of the library system, doing her best to pick up everything that was happening. She notices Thia's excitement and light attitude as they walk, and can't help but feel giddy as she gets caught up in the moment. She begins to get the hang of the scanning towards the end, and when she spots Reichenplatz's book she scoops it up, copying the small hug Thia had given the Kalashtari book.
She begins to head towards a nearby table before noticing Thia struggling, "Ah! I'm sorry!" Corti takes up about half the books Thia had, and stacks them on top of Reichenplatz in her arms. "Okay! Do you have a favorite study spot?"
I do both party and individual character commissions. PM me for info.
Corti- Warforged bard (Union!)
Hadar Jaffe- Half-elf Knowledge Domain Cleric (Nemo's Citadel of the Unsleeping Sun)
Relieved to feel the load lighten, Thia would pack what books she could in her bag. She'd kind of chuckle when Corti would ask what her favourite study spot was. "Depends on what I'm studying! Here. Naturally, of course." She'd gesture to some spots in the library as they walked through it, "Usually quiet corners for research, when it's something intense that I'm trying to grasp. My desk in my dorm is great for tinkering, planning, experimenting. Trial and error." She'd smile, "When I need inspiration though, there's nothing better than being out in the field, treating people or apprenticing under others to learn things you never knew you needed to know." Thia would lift her sleeve to gesture to the Veiled Valour crest. "Which is where we need to go for this study. We need to meet up with Alexis and Wilfred back at headquarters now that we have the texts and my equipment." She'd nibble her lip a little, "Wilfred originally brought me there as a test. It was to be just another routine visit... But for Alexis to come track me down with this news... it's become more than that. For Wilfred and Alexis to be stumped worries me. And if they suspect a disease or infection, time is crucial. We'd have to head to the Eastern Fields Ward. Their headquarters is a church in that area."
just an unstable unicorn.
Meanwhile, having arrived back at home and returned to his room/workshop, Arcius was already back at work. Further tinkering with the portable turret as well as drawing up a number of different designs for numerous artificial limbs. He was keeping himself busy with his work, all the better since he knew that, much like his father, his Uncle would need some time to cool down before he was willing to overlook or just forget about the incident in the tavern. Regardless, it wasn't all bad, and he possibly acquired a likeminded craftsman....woman, to assist with his current endeavor. Not to mention overhear a fair bit of info regarding some of the ongoing events in the city.
As he adjusts a screw on one of the turret's stabilizers, he monologues, "I wonder what they're doing right now.....hopefully they don't get themselves killed. They seemed like interesting company.....save for maybe that Brandt fellow. He was rude." The silence of his room, broken only by the small noises of his own work, is the only response to his words.
Corti smiles as Thia details her favorite areas, making small comments or noises at pauses in Thia's speech. As Thia finishes, Corti says, "Sounds good." She would continue following Thia (presumably out of the library?) and speaks up again after a moment, "I'm sure it will be alright! Maybe a fresh perspective is what they need."
I do both party and individual character commissions. PM me for info.
Corti- Warforged bard (Union!)
Hadar Jaffe- Half-elf Knowledge Domain Cleric (Nemo's Citadel of the Unsleeping Sun)
Cheering up a little from Corti's encouragement, Thia would nod. "Absolutely! I believe you're right, that's exactly what they need. And exactly why I'm excited to have you along." She'd smile.
As they made their way out of the library and down the steps, Thia would look around to get her bearings. She hasn't been to the Eastern Fields Ward often, and she's only been to the Veiled Valour headquarters once, but she is confident she remembers the way. "And... this way..." Thia would point in the direction of the church. This was more to direct herself than actually to direct Corti.
After some time of walking, Thia finally pipes up after spending too much time overthinking in her head. "Kay. So... I don't know if it's coincidence, Thaddeus' 'ramblings', or all these chats we've been having lately... Tell me if you think I'm wayyy off the mark... but..." She'd just look up to the sky and pat her nose as she ponders "Leo's a bard. Leo's a slammer. Carlos, he's a bard too?" She'd look to Corti, then move her hand away from her face "and they have interest in the culture in the forge?" She'd pause before thinking her question out loud, "What if one of them, or both of them, were this anonymous Reichenplatz?" Thia would shrug, feeling a like a conspiracy theorist. "Have you heard them play?"
just an unstable unicorn.
Corti starts at Thia's suggestion, "That..." she pauses, mulling it over for a moment, "is a fascinating theory, Thia!" She picks up speed as she talks, "I've never heard either of them play, but when I first met Carlos he was very invested in my performance. He certainly had some experience with music, and he seemed to know his way around musicians' culture. I would love to see him perform, I wonder how he manages to stay anonymous? It seems like it would be difficult... Perhaps reading his book would give us a clue," At this, Corti looks down at the books in her hands, then up again, smiling. "There's so much we need to learn!"
I do both party and individual character commissions. PM me for info.
Corti- Warforged bard (Union!)
Hadar Jaffe- Half-elf Knowledge Domain Cleric (Nemo's Citadel of the Unsleeping Sun)
Thorbek happily accepts the coins and the offer for a good craftsman. Tarian gets the impression that he charged her more for the information than the silver thread itself, but after all, he did provide her with a lead, and five denars was a reasonable investment into further avenues and contacts. Not wanting to keep Thorbek from his repairs any longer, Tarian headed out of the Souk and headed towards Thia's dorm. She had never been there, so she was going only by approximate directions overheard in their conversation. Eventually, after almost an hour of getting lost several times in winding alleys, Tarian finds herself in front of what seems like the right building for student accommodation in the Uptown Ward. From down at street level however, she had no means of knowing, which of the rooms was hers, and if it was one of the few still being alight, or if she had already gone to sleep.
Union!- Errydha (Homebrew) Setting
Embers in the Dark - Errydha (Homebrew) Setting
Welcome to the Jungle- Far Realms
Citadel of the Unsleeping Sun - Erathis (Grim Hollow) Setting
Yevelda the Mutt- 3rd Level Half-Orc Battlemaster Fighter- Far Realms
Rehgys- 5th Level Satyr Bard of Eloquence- Far Realms
Colette shoots Brandt another smile, and then says: "Now go, don't let it be said that I kept you from an exiting life of adventure... I'll be here waiting for you, I promise. Not like I'm planning to get married in the next week or so. For now though, I have to be off. If I'm to keep you interested, I need to vary up my wardrobe and repertoire..." And with that, Colette left their room, and headed to her private chambers in the rear area of the Velvet Glove, past two brawny and mostly mute mountain-dwarf bouncers. Their mohawks and golden earrings marked them as part of the Shieldbiters, a Thranish clan renowned for their tough mercenaries. For him, it was a clear signal to either head downstairs or leave the establishment.
Union!- Errydha (Homebrew) Setting
Embers in the Dark - Errydha (Homebrew) Setting
Welcome to the Jungle- Far Realms
Citadel of the Unsleeping Sun - Erathis (Grim Hollow) Setting
Yevelda the Mutt- 3rd Level Half-Orc Battlemaster Fighter- Far Realms
Rehgys- 5th Level Satyr Bard of Eloquence- Far Realms
Brandt takes those last few moments to watch Colette as she walks into her chambers and out of his view. He decides to head downstairs and get some breakfast, since those dwarves aren't going to be as pleasant company as Colette was. Once he is finished his breakfast, he exits the Velvet Glove and heads out towards the address that Tarian left him.
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
More
Brandt leaves the Velvet Glove, and makes for the Uptown ward, in the hopes of reaching the Golden Rooster Inn and be able to speak with Sparks before he heads out for the day. He winds his way through the different streets and alleys, and after a while finds himself turned around in a dead end. As he turns, he's faced with two sailors or dockhands. The stench of grog on their breath covering easily the fifteen feet between them, the taller of the two, a spindly half-elf slurrs something incomprehensible, before repeating in a voice heavy from drink and racous singing, and with a thick accent says: "Ye been maekin' trubble fer th' boss? 'e knoes ye talked wit' the mongrel... Watch yer step, less ye wanna be dragged into tha' whole mess up north. An' he'd hate ta see yer pretty lass all slashed-up like, Dockers-style, ye catch? Ain't gunna be no problem if ye jus' do what he axed from ye tho- he'll even give ya free pickin's for the parts ye want. But the boss ain't someone who likes ta repeat hisself..." His wide grin reveals rows of cracked and broken teeth, some yellowed and rotten. During the whole exchange, his thumb repeatedly stroked over the chipped edge of a handaxe stock in his waistband. With his trained eyes, Brandt can also mae out a dagger kept inside the half- elf's boot, strapped to his right ankle. Meanwhile, the second of the two, a bulky dwarf with short straw bushels of hair and a forked beard simply glared at Brandt, one eye milky and dead from an old scar. His hand rested on the handle of a heavy hardwood cudgel for the etirety of the exchange.
Union!- Errydha (Homebrew) Setting
Embers in the Dark - Errydha (Homebrew) Setting
Welcome to the Jungle- Far Realms
Citadel of the Unsleeping Sun - Erathis (Grim Hollow) Setting
Yevelda the Mutt- 3rd Level Half-Orc Battlemaster Fighter- Far Realms
Rehgys- 5th Level Satyr Bard of Eloquence- Far Realms
"Can you be a bit more specific here? I've spoken to a lot of people in the last three days, I'm not a huge fan of all this vagueness while I'm being threatened."
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
More
Thia would smile with Corti's enthusiasm to learn, "There always is! I suppose we should add that to our list of things to do." She'd chuckle a little.
As they walked along a little longer, after a couple pauses for Thia to recognize familiar markers, she'd take a sudden sharp corner and stumble upon the familiar old church of the sacred flame. It's roof half collapsed and the heavy oaken doors sporting the double chevron and line of the Veiled Valour, Thia would walk up to it "We're here." She'd look to Corti before putting her hand on the handle and opening the door for her to escort her in "Welcome to the Veiled Valour headquarters."
And she'd lead them towards Wilfred's quarters.
just an unstable unicorn.
The heavy doors creak open, and Thia and Corti head into the crumbling church. Thia is taken aback by how different it now looks- almost any spare inch of the pews is filled with stretchers or straw mats, covered with writhing sick, comatose or already dead bodies. Among them, like lonely trees in a swamp, the few members of the Veiled Valour walking among them, administering treatments and care where possible and necessary. Thia can spot at a glance that the wast majority of the patients are Cyreans, and virtually all are so poor as to be either from the Forger slums or from the Outer ward. Among the members that provide care, she can spot Alexis and Wilfred. Further to the back, a young girl wearing a black veil helps by washing some of the elder patients, and dragging the dead outside to be burried in the nearby crypt. Upon hearing Thia enter, Wilfred lifts his head and looks in her direction, his face gaunt from exhaustion, his eyes a black pool near endless in their depth, but alight with an intense fire, like burning coals. Thia almost shrinks back, before his voice, barely louder than a whisper, says: "Thia, you're more than welcome! I know it's unreasonable and perhaps even unfair to ask so much of a new initiate, but as you can see, we are in dire straits here. Most of them" with a nod to the patients still writhing in pain and moaning through their numbing droughts "we took in during the last two days. The more advanced cases were about five or six days hence. So far, none survived for longer than a week. We've been lucky though, and as of yet none of us show any symptoms. Your books and equipment are crucial now, if we want to find the cause of this, and eventually the cure!"
Union!- Errydha (Homebrew) Setting
Embers in the Dark - Errydha (Homebrew) Setting
Welcome to the Jungle- Far Realms
Citadel of the Unsleeping Sun - Erathis (Grim Hollow) Setting
Yevelda the Mutt- 3rd Level Half-Orc Battlemaster Fighter- Far Realms
Rehgys- 5th Level Satyr Bard of Eloquence- Far Realms