“I swear with this sacred oath: I shall protect the city of Baldur's Gate, and ensure his safety. I shall die for Baldur's Gate, knowing I have done my duty. I serve for the loyalty and not for the rank. I will remain impartial, unbiased, and respectful to all my fellow guardsmen alike. I swear to obey all commands given to me by my superiors without failure. Should I ever fail at any of my duties that I have sworn to, I will accept my fate of punishment.”
The Flaming Fist oath probably was not the most poetic out there but quite thorough. And the way priest of Helm in Flaming Fist uniform watched every recruit, making sure none of them is trying to avoid swearing - you half expected to seal it with blood. It did not happen, of course, but guardsmen in this city obviously were taking themselves very seriously.
Two days passed between the day you were informed that you indeed managed to impress (bribe, outsmart) recruiter and made it to the ranks of city guards (Flaming Fists - never forget!) and the moment you were finally allowed to get in, marched to the barracks, given the uniform and standard weapon, and now got sworn into the service.
You were not the only recruits in the hall but four of you were taken aside from the start. Sergeant Zanek (you learned his name before) - middle aged man with intent gaze and ever skeptical face expression - looked up and down each of you, nodding approvingly at the human man, doubtfully at red haired human girl, and even more so at gnomish lass. With keknu he could not help it but raze both eyebrows. After a minute of silence he pointed at the half-orc, standing with others:
"You, yes, you - will go with them. Unit can use some muscle when out on the streets." He looked a bit closer, checked something in the papers, "some guide too. They say you are not the first time in the city."
"Well, that will have to do," sergeant looked a touch more satisfied, "now listen your first order. You have to get out there and find Captain Zodge. A tall man, long black hair, a leather eye patch - you will know when you see him. Should be at the Basilisk Gate." "He is expecting you by noon and not a minute later. If you are hungry," for some reason he looked at miniature kenku at that, "you can eat, then go - if I were you, I would not keep Captain waiting for long. Messhall this way. Dismissed".
And he turned his attention to other recruits, evidently confident in your ability to handle the rest.
Thus, strangers just a minute before, you were expected to work as a unit, no less, while all you probably knew about each other is the name and even this is if you paid any attention during head count before the oath. You had about 3 hours before meeting with yet unknown Captain Zodge.
The kenku looked at the other recruits curiously, then selected a few phrases from the Sergeant's orders, repeated in the Sergeant's own voice. "Hungry. Eat, then go. Mess hall this way."
She tilted her head questioningly at the others.
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Edeleth Treesong (Aldalire) WoodElf Druid lvl 8 Talaveroth Sub 2 Last Tree StandingTabaxi Ranger, Chef and Hoardsperson lvl 5, Company of the Dragon Team 1 Choir Kenku Cleric, Tempest Domain, lvl 11, Descent Into Avernus Test Drive Poinki Goblin Paladin, Redemption, lvl 5, Tales from Talaveroth Lyrika Nyx Satyr Bard lvl 1, The Six Kingdoms of Talia
You don't hafta ask me twice. Never pass up a free feed, eh? says the half-orc to the kenku with a chuckle. Then turning to the other strangers, he adds: Me name's Ordrag, but if we gonna be crewmates, then call me 'Nibs'. Dunno why he want me to be guide - me never been much past the docks, but I know this Gate. We'll be 'right, eh? And he leads off in the direction of the mess hall.
(The way he says 'Nibs' almost sounds like Nubs. Also his voice is not as deep and gruff as you might expect from a half-orc)
Picking up a few words from Nibs, the Kenku bobs happily after him. "Me name's--" She opens her beak and the sound of a holy choir singing fills the hall. "Choir," she adds, in the clipped, somewhat arrogant tones of a male high elf. (The temple choirmaster had not been very friendly, but she had always loved his accent.)
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Edeleth Treesong (Aldalire) WoodElf Druid lvl 8 Talaveroth Sub 2 Last Tree StandingTabaxi Ranger, Chef and Hoardsperson lvl 5, Company of the Dragon Team 1 Choir Kenku Cleric, Tempest Domain, lvl 11, Descent Into Avernus Test Drive Poinki Goblin Paladin, Redemption, lvl 5, Tales from Talaveroth Lyrika Nyx Satyr Bard lvl 1, The Six Kingdoms of Talia
The little greenish gnome just stare at them, <Great, I’m stuck with a bunch of uneducated morons> she think. In a cheery, overly optimistic voice she say “Hiii, so I’m Polly and this is Owis. We’ll be counting on you to show us the way Nibs.” And she follow the orcs lead. On her shoulder a peculiar looking mouse sit and look over at you.
A curt saluten is given to the sergeant by placing his fist by his heart. He hadn't thought he'd be taking the guards oath after being a mercenary for so long but such is life. Turning to the orc and kenku, he he brushes a hand through his dark hair before he says, "Well met, names Adray Pridesun. I go by Adray. And food sounds good but let's not dawdle an assignment is an assignment."
"Aye!" Fran would snap out of her daze when the sound of the choir would sing out. She'd look around to the lot in front of her and kind of scratch the back of her head. She'd start to follow everyone out to the messhall. "Name's Fran. Some call me Ruby. Your choice." Her hair short and fiery red. "I'm famished!"
Mess hall was quite an ordinary place - long tall room, with several long tables and benches. If you saw one - you saw them all. Food was equally simple - bred, porridge with fish, bins, small beer - but nourishing, and most importantly - it was a free food. You were sent here (or allowed to come) obviously not for the sake of architectural amusement. Most likely wise sergeant was giving you the time to get used to each other and to surroundings (and probably to feed you as well - refugees outside the city were on their own, after all, and food was scarce).
Nevertheless, the visit could prove useful: groups of your new fellow guardsmen were talking, exchanging news, jokes, or simple greetings, and from all of this you could make one conclusion - the "law" in Baldur's Gate was interpreted in a very broad meaning. Some of the mercenaries (since that was an official status of Flaming Fist - mercenaries on the service of the city, or, better say, nobility) actually saw the badge and the weapons, provided to them, as tools-of-the-trade, meant to help them to go by, while official salary was a nice bonus. There was nothing shocking in it for you - you heard as much before and experienced first hands as well when you were trying to get in to the city. It was the way of things here, clear and simple.
No one paid any attention to the rookies, you were free to get some food or leave when you needed to go.
Yum, fish porridge! Choir gets a heaping bowl and sits at a table, waiting for her companions to join her before scarfing it down. As she sits, she listens for any interesting bits of information or gossip being passed around in the mess hall.
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Edeleth Treesong (Aldalire) WoodElf Druid lvl 8 Talaveroth Sub 2 Last Tree StandingTabaxi Ranger, Chef and Hoardsperson lvl 5, Company of the Dragon Team 1 Choir Kenku Cleric, Tempest Domain, lvl 11, Descent Into Avernus Test Drive Poinki Goblin Paladin, Redemption, lvl 5, Tales from Talaveroth Lyrika Nyx Satyr Bard lvl 1, The Six Kingdoms of Talia
Polly isn't very impressed with the hall or what was served. The acadamy had had much better food and the sights where a whole of a lot better. But she hadn't had very much food on the outside and took a large serving (for a gnome girl) and started to eat it. It tasted as good as it looked, and the beer was bland. With a stroke of her hand, her food start to glitter and smell much better. Then she conjered a purple ghosty hand which she used to reach the bread.
"Sooo," she say with a go happy attitude. "how did you guys end up in this situation? Was it out of your own volition or were you forced in to it?" She ask with her mouth full of bread and looks around the room at all the rough looking men.
Choir opens her beak, and a female voice of stunning power and beauty begins speaking. "Little kenku, your earnest prayers have been heard, and your service to my temple noted. Your kind has been censured from the skies, and that is not a ban to lift lightly. However, know this: if they become strong and wise enough, clerics who follow the path of Tempest may take flight at will. Be brave and adventurous, remain strong in your faith, and follow the storm, and one day, you will fly." Choir bounces happily a few times, then more soberly repeats a few more phrases. "What the heck happened? Elturel is just...gone!" in the voice of a bewildered halfling. "There is another temple to Akadi in Baldur's Gate," in the voice of a human priestess. The bitter voice of a dwarf saying, "They're not letting anyone into the city!" And a hard sounding soldier's voice, "You may be small, but you can swing that warhammer like a pro. Howja like to join the Flaming Fist?"
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Edeleth Treesong (Aldalire) WoodElf Druid lvl 8 Talaveroth Sub 2 Last Tree StandingTabaxi Ranger, Chef and Hoardsperson lvl 5, Company of the Dragon Team 1 Choir Kenku Cleric, Tempest Domain, lvl 11, Descent Into Avernus Test Drive Poinki Goblin Paladin, Redemption, lvl 5, Tales from Talaveroth Lyrika Nyx Satyr Bard lvl 1, The Six Kingdoms of Talia
Ordrag pauses with his spoon halfway to mouth, porridge dripping back into the bowl, as he stares at the kenku rattling off its dizzying repetoire of voices, trying his best to follow along.
That'll take some gettin used to, no doubt. So yous one of them refugees eh? Not me. Me was mindin me own business in the pub with me crewmates, but some fellas wanted to punch on, and was me ended up in the slammer. Gettin full in there so they lets some of us out, those who knows how to swing a sword, if we agree to sign on with the Fist for a few months. Tough break, but what can ya do, eh?
And he shrugs and returns to his food.
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How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
Adray guessed a bit with his food. He wasn't much of a fish guy but food was food and he was hungry enough not to be too picky. Still staring into the bowl he says, "My story is pretty simple. I worked with another outfit in Elturel. Was out on assignment when it went puff... Along with most everyone I knew in the area. Came here and signed up as it seemed closest to what I did and maybe I could find some info. As to what happened, no one seems to know, just that there a big hole there now... No wreckage or anything... just a hole."
Choir returned Polly's confused look. Trick? What trick? Had she done something interesting without knowing it?
But they are also from Elturel, so she agrees with Adray and confirms his story, repeating, "Abig hole there now" in the human's voice.
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Edeleth Treesong (Aldalire) WoodElf Druid lvl 8 Talaveroth Sub 2 Last Tree StandingTabaxi Ranger, Chef and Hoardsperson lvl 5, Company of the Dragon Team 1 Choir Kenku Cleric, Tempest Domain, lvl 11, Descent Into Avernus Test Drive Poinki Goblin Paladin, Redemption, lvl 5, Tales from Talaveroth Lyrika Nyx Satyr Bard lvl 1, The Six Kingdoms of Talia
Polly snaps out of her thoughts when Choir reply with yet another voice. “Yeah, the thing you do with your vioce! That mimic of voices!” Maybe this group wasn’t so bad after all.
Oooooh, that. Choir searches her memory for a way to explain it. She remembers one of the priestesses at the temple saying something about it to another acolyte, and repeats it to Polly in the Priestess's own voice. "The thing about using a Kenku as a messenger is they have no words of their own to mix up with your message. They repeat exactly what they hear. So be certain to phrase the message you want to send carefully, because if you say 'Tell that old blowhard to go to hell, but in a nice way' that is exactly what the recipient of the message will hear."
Edeleth Treesong (Aldalire) WoodElf Druid lvl 8 Talaveroth Sub 2 Last Tree StandingTabaxi Ranger, Chef and Hoardsperson lvl 5, Company of the Dragon Team 1 Choir Kenku Cleric, Tempest Domain, lvl 11, Descent Into Avernus Test Drive Poinki Goblin Paladin, Redemption, lvl 5, Tales from Talaveroth Lyrika Nyx Satyr Bard lvl 1, The Six Kingdoms of Talia
Fran couldn't help but a little bit from Choir's explanation. It really was informative. All of them all seemed to have a story of their own to tell. Fran had already devoured all of the food on her tray and had pushed it aside, with the exception of the utensils. She'd hang on to those. With a wink and a smile she'd just say "I signed up."
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just an unstable unicorn.
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“I swear with this sacred oath: I shall protect the city of Baldur's Gate, and ensure his safety. I shall die for Baldur's Gate, knowing I have done my duty. I serve for the loyalty and not for the rank. I will remain impartial, unbiased, and respectful to all my fellow guardsmen alike. I swear to obey all commands given to me by my superiors without failure. Should I ever fail at any of my duties that I have sworn to, I will accept my fate of punishment.”
The Flaming Fist oath probably was not the most poetic out there but quite thorough. And the way priest of Helm in Flaming Fist uniform watched every recruit, making sure none of them is trying to avoid swearing - you half expected to seal it with blood. It did not happen, of course, but guardsmen in this city obviously were taking themselves very seriously.
Two days passed between the day you were informed that you indeed managed to impress (bribe, outsmart) recruiter and made it to the ranks of city guards (Flaming Fists - never forget!) and the moment you were finally allowed to get in, marched to the barracks, given the uniform and standard weapon, and now got sworn into the service.
You were not the only recruits in the hall but four of you were taken aside from the start. Sergeant Zanek (you learned his name before) - middle aged man with intent gaze and ever skeptical face expression - looked up and down each of you, nodding approvingly at the human man, doubtfully at red haired human girl, and even more so at gnomish lass. With keknu he could not help it but raze both eyebrows. After a minute of silence he pointed at the half-orc, standing with others:
"You, yes, you - will go with them. Unit can use some muscle when out on the streets." He looked a bit closer, checked something in the papers, "some guide too. They say you are not the first time in the city."
"Well, that will have to do," sergeant looked a touch more satisfied, "now listen your first order. You have to get out there and find Captain Zodge. A tall man, long black hair, a leather eye patch - you will know when you see him. Should be at the Basilisk Gate." "He is expecting you by noon and not a minute later. If you are hungry," for some reason he looked at miniature kenku at that, "you can eat, then go - if I were you, I would not keep Captain waiting for long. Messhall this way. Dismissed".
And he turned his attention to other recruits, evidently confident in your ability to handle the rest.
Thus, strangers just a minute before, you were expected to work as a unit, no less, while all you probably knew about each other is the name and even this is if you paid any attention during head count before the oath. You had about 3 hours before meeting with yet unknown Captain Zodge.
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
The kenku looked at the other recruits curiously, then selected a few phrases from the Sergeant's orders, repeated in the Sergeant's own voice. "Hungry. Eat, then go. Mess hall this way."
She tilted her head questioningly at the others.
Edeleth Treesong (Aldalire) Wood Elf Druid lvl 8 Talaveroth Sub 2
Last Tree Standing Tabaxi Ranger, Chef and Hoardsperson lvl 5, Company of the Dragon Team 1
Choir Kenku Cleric, Tempest Domain, lvl 11, Descent Into Avernus Test Drive
Poinki Goblin Paladin, Redemption, lvl 5, Tales from Talaveroth
Lyrika Nyx Satyr Bard lvl 1, The Six Kingdoms of Talia
You don't hafta ask me twice. Never pass up a free feed, eh? says the half-orc to the kenku with a chuckle. Then turning to the other strangers, he adds: Me name's Ordrag, but if we gonna be crewmates, then call me 'Nibs'. Dunno why he want me to be guide - me never been much past the docks, but I know this Gate. We'll be 'right, eh? And he leads off in the direction of the mess hall.
(The way he says 'Nibs' almost sounds like Nubs. Also his voice is not as deep and gruff as you might expect from a half-orc)
How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
Picking up a few words from Nibs, the Kenku bobs happily after him. "Me name's--" She opens her beak and the sound of a holy choir singing fills the hall. "Choir," she adds, in the clipped, somewhat arrogant tones of a male high elf. (The temple choirmaster had not been very friendly, but she had always loved his accent.)
Edeleth Treesong (Aldalire) Wood Elf Druid lvl 8 Talaveroth Sub 2
Last Tree Standing Tabaxi Ranger, Chef and Hoardsperson lvl 5, Company of the Dragon Team 1
Choir Kenku Cleric, Tempest Domain, lvl 11, Descent Into Avernus Test Drive
Poinki Goblin Paladin, Redemption, lvl 5, Tales from Talaveroth
Lyrika Nyx Satyr Bard lvl 1, The Six Kingdoms of Talia
The little greenish gnome just stare at them, <Great, I’m stuck with a bunch of uneducated morons> she think. In a cheery, overly optimistic voice she say “Hiii, so I’m Polly and this is Owis. We’ll be counting on you to show us the way Nibs.” And she follow the orcs lead. On her shoulder a peculiar looking mouse sit and look over at you.
Nibs looks a bit taken aback at this unexpected reply, but he shrugs and says: Choir, eh? Sweet as.
Then turning back to the others as he walks, he asks: What about you lot? You got names too?
(Oops, a little slow in posting there, sorry. The above can be before Polly)
How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
A curt saluten is given to the sergeant by placing his fist by his heart. He hadn't thought he'd be taking the guards oath after being a mercenary for so long but such is life. Turning to the orc and kenku, he he brushes a hand through his dark hair before he says, "Well met, names Adray Pridesun. I go by Adray. And food sounds good but let's not dawdle an assignment is an assignment."
"Aye!" Fran would snap out of her daze when the sound of the choir would sing out. She'd look around to the lot in front of her and kind of scratch the back of her head. She'd start to follow everyone out to the messhall. "Name's Fran. Some call me Ruby. Your choice." Her hair short and fiery red. "I'm famished!"
just an unstable unicorn.
Mess hall was quite an ordinary place - long tall room, with several long tables and benches. If you saw one - you saw them all. Food was equally simple - bred, porridge with fish, bins, small beer - but nourishing, and most importantly - it was a free food. You were sent here (or allowed to come) obviously not for the sake of architectural amusement. Most likely wise sergeant was giving you the time to get used to each other and to surroundings (and probably to feed you as well - refugees outside the city were on their own, after all, and food was scarce).
Nevertheless, the visit could prove useful: groups of your new fellow guardsmen were talking, exchanging news, jokes, or simple greetings, and from all of this you could make one conclusion - the "law" in Baldur's Gate was interpreted in a very broad meaning. Some of the mercenaries (since that was an official status of Flaming Fist - mercenaries on the service of the city, or, better say, nobility) actually saw the badge and the weapons, provided to them, as tools-of-the-trade, meant to help them to go by, while official salary was a nice bonus. There was nothing shocking in it for you - you heard as much before and experienced first hands as well when you were trying to get in to the city. It was the way of things here, clear and simple.
No one paid any attention to the rookies, you were free to get some food or leave when you needed to go.
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
Yum, fish porridge! Choir gets a heaping bowl and sits at a table, waiting for her companions to join her before scarfing it down. As she sits, she listens for any interesting bits of information or gossip being passed around in the mess hall.
Edeleth Treesong (Aldalire) Wood Elf Druid lvl 8 Talaveroth Sub 2
Last Tree Standing Tabaxi Ranger, Chef and Hoardsperson lvl 5, Company of the Dragon Team 1
Choir Kenku Cleric, Tempest Domain, lvl 11, Descent Into Avernus Test Drive
Poinki Goblin Paladin, Redemption, lvl 5, Tales from Talaveroth
Lyrika Nyx Satyr Bard lvl 1, The Six Kingdoms of Talia
Polly isn't very impressed with the hall or what was served. The acadamy had had much better food and the sights where a whole of a lot better. But she hadn't had very much food on the outside and took a large serving (for a gnome girl) and started to eat it. It tasted as good as it looked, and the beer was bland. With a stroke of her hand, her food start to glitter and smell much better. Then she conjered a purple ghosty hand which she used to reach the bread.
"Sooo," she say with a go happy attitude. "how did you guys end up in this situation? Was it out of your own volition or were you forced in to it?" She ask with her mouth full of bread and looks around the room at all the rough looking men.
Choir opens her beak, and a female voice of stunning power and beauty begins speaking. "Little kenku, your earnest prayers have been heard, and your service to my temple noted. Your kind has been censured from the skies, and that is not a ban to lift lightly. However, know this: if they become strong and wise enough, clerics who follow the path of Tempest may take flight at will. Be brave and adventurous, remain strong in your faith, and follow the storm, and one day, you will fly." Choir bounces happily a few times, then more soberly repeats a few more phrases. "What the heck happened? Elturel is just...gone!" in the voice of a bewildered halfling. "There is another temple to Akadi in Baldur's Gate," in the voice of a human priestess. The bitter voice of a dwarf saying, "They're not letting anyone into the city!" And a hard sounding soldier's voice, "You may be small, but you can swing that warhammer like a pro. Howja like to join the Flaming Fist?"
Edeleth Treesong (Aldalire) Wood Elf Druid lvl 8 Talaveroth Sub 2
Last Tree Standing Tabaxi Ranger, Chef and Hoardsperson lvl 5, Company of the Dragon Team 1
Choir Kenku Cleric, Tempest Domain, lvl 11, Descent Into Avernus Test Drive
Poinki Goblin Paladin, Redemption, lvl 5, Tales from Talaveroth
Lyrika Nyx Satyr Bard lvl 1, The Six Kingdoms of Talia
Ordrag pauses with his spoon halfway to mouth, porridge dripping back into the bowl, as he stares at the kenku rattling off its dizzying repetoire of voices, trying his best to follow along.
That'll take some gettin used to, no doubt. So yous one of them refugees eh? Not me. Me was mindin me own business in the pub with me crewmates, but some fellas wanted to punch on, and was me ended up in the slammer. Gettin full in there so they lets some of us out, those who knows how to swing a sword, if we agree to sign on with the Fist for a few months. Tough break, but what can ya do, eh?
And he shrugs and returns to his food.
How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
Polly looks confused at the bird. “That is a neat trick you got there. How do you do it?” She ask Choir curious.
She looks over at Ordrag, “I’m also one of ‘them refuges’, speaking of which, do any of you know what happen to Elturel?”
As she speaks, the little mouse climb of her shoulder and on to the table and grabs a pice of bread.
Adray guessed a bit with his food. He wasn't much of a fish guy but food was food and he was hungry enough not to be too picky. Still staring into the bowl he says, "My story is pretty simple. I worked with another outfit in Elturel. Was out on assignment when it went puff... Along with most everyone I knew in the area. Came here and signed up as it seemed closest to what I did and maybe I could find some info. As to what happened, no one seems to know, just that there a big hole there now... No wreckage or anything... just a hole."
“Wow, what a mystery! I’d love to know how it happened some day!” She drifts away into her thoughts for a moment.
Choir returned Polly's confused look. Trick? What trick? Had she done something interesting without knowing it?
But they are also from Elturel, so she agrees with Adray and confirms his story, repeating, "A big hole there now" in the human's voice.
Edeleth Treesong (Aldalire) Wood Elf Druid lvl 8 Talaveroth Sub 2
Last Tree Standing Tabaxi Ranger, Chef and Hoardsperson lvl 5, Company of the Dragon Team 1
Choir Kenku Cleric, Tempest Domain, lvl 11, Descent Into Avernus Test Drive
Poinki Goblin Paladin, Redemption, lvl 5, Tales from Talaveroth
Lyrika Nyx Satyr Bard lvl 1, The Six Kingdoms of Talia
Polly snaps out of her thoughts when Choir reply with yet another voice. “Yeah, the thing you do with your vioce! That mimic of voices!” Maybe this group wasn’t so bad after all.
Oooooh, that. Choir searches her memory for a way to explain it. She remembers one of the priestesses at the temple saying something about it to another acolyte, and repeats it to Polly in the Priestess's own voice. "The thing about using a Kenku as a messenger is they have no words of their own to mix up with your message. They repeat exactly what they hear. So be certain to phrase the message you want to send carefully, because if you say 'Tell that old blowhard to go to hell, but in a nice way' that is exactly what the recipient of the message will hear."
Edeleth Treesong (Aldalire) Wood Elf Druid lvl 8 Talaveroth Sub 2
Last Tree Standing Tabaxi Ranger, Chef and Hoardsperson lvl 5, Company of the Dragon Team 1
Choir Kenku Cleric, Tempest Domain, lvl 11, Descent Into Avernus Test Drive
Poinki Goblin Paladin, Redemption, lvl 5, Tales from Talaveroth
Lyrika Nyx Satyr Bard lvl 1, The Six Kingdoms of Talia
Fran couldn't help but a little bit from Choir's explanation. It really was informative. All of them all seemed to have a story of their own to tell. Fran had already devoured all of the food on her tray and had pushed it aside, with the exception of the utensils. She'd hang on to those. With a wink and a smile she'd just say "I signed up."
just an unstable unicorn.