Hastos awake to the smell of cooking. He stretches and reaches over to gently waken Sera. “Smells like someone’s cooking breakfast.” He says, stroking her cheek. “How about we head down?” Hastos rises and throws his legs over the side of the bed with a groan. “I think I’m getting a little old for this kind of punishment!” He laughs and throws Sera a playful wink.
Sera nods. A part wished they could stay longer but this magical mansion will soln shrinknshe belive. She give Hastos a deep lingering kiss....then another.
Getting ready she joins with Hastos.
" I hope everyone hadca...nice rest..oh. Merhas. I belive I can try remove that necklace if you really dislike it. " she adress him and raise out her hand for him if he accept.
Orr, lightly nibbling on nuts and fruit lifts their head slowly and smiles, a grin that is meant to be warm and friendly, but on the socially awkward orc, it looks strained and awkward, with a wide baring of teeth and tusks.
"In dreams I travelled far across the plains, and saw there wonders and beauty that exhilerated and baffled me. I foresaw a land of peace and prosperity, lovers united, and colors of which I have no name." With that, they return to their nibbling.
Buckeran smiles warmly, a start contrast to Orr's bizarre grin. "That's 'Orr' for yes. Have you heard the tail of how Orr the Unseen earned their name?"
Orr swallows. "I am frequently unseen."
Buckeran laughs heartily, and pats Orr on the back. "In their tribe, they were something of an outcast. Dressing their body in manners that were unconventional by orcish standards, they were difficult to discern as a male or female orc, and would sometimes blend in with the concubines, other times, blend in with the warriors, depending on their whims at the time. So, the tribe never knew where Orr was going to appear next. It didn't help that Orr was a soft-footed as any theif, and would slip in and out of groups as quietly as a spirit. The orc tribe Orr belonged to found it as annoying as it was useful that Orr was so frequently overlooked and disappeared sometimes for days at a time. But Orr's natural gift for obscurity and uncanny passability for a female made them the perfect spy for rival tribes. Orr was sent to their enemies as a 'gift' of appeasement when their tribe overstepped on the agreed upon boundaries of the hunting grounds. They were sent to, of course, assasinate the rival tribes leader. But Orr befriended the other concubines, who kept Orr's secret. The concubines spirited Orr the Unseen away, and became a travelling band of sex workers. I suppose, as your fame rose, so did Santekh's. And the concubines came to Santekh to settle, building our little settlement's first erotic dance club. Orr prefers to remain behind the curtain, shy as ever, and provides lights and music with their magic to create ambience for the dancers. Orr the Unseen has been their silent protector and support ever since. But even in a small place like Santekh, few even know Orr the Unseen exists. Though, much to my appreciation, Orr has been known to provide special care to high-paying clients."
"Buckeran is our best client." Orr the Unseen adds. "A gentle, and respectful one as well. He is a treasured friend of the Grey House."
Buckeran loads up Hastos and Sera's plate with the sweet and savory foods he cooked. Syrup coats the flapjacks and sausages in a thick, glistening blanket, and the melting butter slides around the glaze as if ice skating upon it. "Eat quickly and let's be off! Desert storms aren't unusual at night, so I wish to make as much progress as I can before nightfall."
As Sera ate Buckeran’s delicious breakfast, she listened quietly to Orr the Unseen. They — both male and female in some strange way — still puzzled her. Solamnia’s strict knightly orders never spoke of such things. Hearing Orr casually mention working as a sex worker, and Buckeran about being one of the brothel’s best customers, made Sera’s cheeks warm.
Their openness, so casual and without shame, left her flustered. Orerana, Orr, Buckeran — so many in Sanction seemed to live freely, unbothered by the rules she grew up with. Sera realized, not for the first time, that she was hopeless at flirting.
She pushed the thought aside and scooted closer to Hastos, comforted by his quiet presence and the certainty that he fancied her.
Buckeran’s voice broke her drifting thoughts, urging everyone to finish up if they wanted to reach the dragon’s cave before nightfall.
“Yes,” Sera agreed quickly, grateful for the change of subject — away from the free talk of lovers and bedmates. “Let’s be on our way… before more storms find us.”
Hastos quietly took the story in. The circumstances and situation of Orr was so alien to him he couldn’t quite form opinions on anything. So he sat and listened. Sera sitting next to him made him smile.
”We are honored to have you with us, Orr.” He said casually.
Merkas pats Barkly before heading to the table. “Flapjacks you say?” Eying up the food as he climbs to a seat. “Smells great, and Barkly enjoys the sausage too”
By the time Sera and Hastos get to the table Merkas is finishing off a second plate and reaching for a third. There’s a sound from him that might have been ‘good morning’ but it’s hard to tell through the mouthful of food he has.
Bucky retells Orr’s history as the other two settle in and start their meal, Merkas listens intently and grabs another sausage too throw to Barkly (23- Sleight of hand), once it’s polite to do so he leans to Sera, “If you don’t mind, dreaming of rats that talk funny isn’t really my thing, but you think I could still wear it when I need to, like hunting with Barkly? Or will it get stuck on me again?”
Sera looked at Merkas with real sympathy. A cursed necklace whispering in his mind… she could only imagine how maddening that must be. At least her armor didn’t talk — misbehave, yes, but not speak.
“I believe it’ll just stick itself right back on if you try to put it back,” she murmured, stepping closer to him.
She closed her hands together, fists pressed lightly at her chest as she bowed her head.
“Great Platinum Dragon… end this item’s cursed hold over my friend.”
A soft, warm light bloomed in her palms as she reached up. With a slow, careful motion, she lifted the cursed necklace from Merkas’s neck. It came away cleanly, the glow fading as the magic settled.
When the light vanished completely, Sera stood still for a moment, the necklace dangling harmlessly from her fingers. She exhaled in relief.
“Here…” she said gently, offering it out to him—though certainly not suggesting he wear it again
Hastos quietly took the story in. The circumstances and situation of Orr was so alien to him he couldn’t quite form opinions on anything. So he sat and listened. Sera sitting next to him made him smile.
”We are honored to have you with us, Orr.” He said casually.
Orr tips their cup to Hastos and takes another sip. With their fruit and nuts finished, they focus on finishing their tea quickly so they may be off.
Sera looked at Merkas with real sympathy. A cursed necklace whispering in his mind… she could only imagine how maddening that must be. At least her armor didn’t talk — misbehave, yes, but not speak.
“I believe it’ll just stick itself right back on if you try to put it back,” she murmured, stepping closer to him.
She closed her hands together, fists pressed lightly at her chest as she bowed her head.
“Great Platinum Dragon… end this item’s cursed hold over my friend.”
A soft, warm light bloomed in her palms as she reached up. With a slow, careful motion, she lifted the cursed necklace from Merkas’s neck. It came away cleanly, the glow fading as the magic settled.
When the light vanished completely, Sera stood still for a moment, the necklace dangling harmlessly from her fingers. She exhaled in relief.
“Here…” she said gently, offering it out to him—though certainly not suggesting he wear it again
Buckeran observes the magical casting with wonder. "Excellent! If you don't mind, I'd be glad to take that off your hands for a fair price. It appears to be a kind of device that was meant to allow its wearer to speak with animals... but it only seems to be meant to speak with rats." He puts on his monocle and examines it more closely.
"Ah... it's damaged though. Time and magic poisoning have taken its toll. That would explain why you can't control it."
Buckeran wipes off their monocle and puts it away. "I can offer you 50 Steel for it."
While the price is fair, Merkas senses that Buckeran is bidding a bit low. It makes sense. He is funding this entire expedition, and has put a fair amount of his own money into the guild. So, it's likely he's getting a bit tighter with his purse. He slides back to the kitchen, and puts a handful of sausages into a satchel, then brings it over to Merkas. "Six sausages for Barkly! Snack on the road, in case we find no food for her to hunt."
Hastos awake to the smell of cooking. He stretches and reaches over to gently waken Sera. “Smells like someone’s cooking breakfast.” He says, stroking her cheek. “How about we head down?” Hastos rises and throws his legs over the side of the bed with a groan. “I think I’m getting a little old for this kind of punishment!” He laughs and throws Sera a playful wink.
Character: Hastos, Ibahalii Vriwhulth, the Reaper of Glory v2: IC Thread
Sera nods. A part wished they could stay longer but this magical mansion will soln shrinknshe belive. She give Hastos a deep lingering kiss....then another.
Getting ready she joins with Hastos.
" I hope everyone hadca...nice rest..oh. Merhas. I belive I can try remove that necklace if you really dislike it. " she adress him and raise out her hand for him if he accept.
( will cast Remove curse if he accepts)
Hastos makes complaining whimpers as he dons his armor and equips his weapons.
Dressed, he and Sera descend to the main room. The smell of breakfast is almost overwhelming.
Sera offers help to Merkas with his amulet, an Hastos joins Orr at the table. “Sleep well?” He asks Orr as he tends to his plate.
Character: Hastos, Ibahalii Vriwhulth, the Reaper of Glory v2: IC Thread
Orr, lightly nibbling on nuts and fruit lifts their head slowly and smiles, a grin that is meant to be warm and friendly, but on the socially awkward orc, it looks strained and awkward, with a wide baring of teeth and tusks.
"In dreams I travelled far across the plains, and saw there wonders and beauty that exhilerated and baffled me. I foresaw a land of peace and prosperity, lovers united, and colors of which I have no name." With that, they return to their nibbling.
Buckeran smiles warmly, a start contrast to Orr's bizarre grin. "That's 'Orr' for yes. Have you heard the tail of how Orr the Unseen earned their name?"
Orr swallows. "I am frequently unseen."
Buckeran laughs heartily, and pats Orr on the back. "In their tribe, they were something of an outcast. Dressing their body in manners that were unconventional by orcish standards, they were difficult to discern as a male or female orc, and would sometimes blend in with the concubines, other times, blend in with the warriors, depending on their whims at the time. So, the tribe never knew where Orr was going to appear next. It didn't help that Orr was a soft-footed as any theif, and would slip in and out of groups as quietly as a spirit. The orc tribe Orr belonged to found it as annoying as it was useful that Orr was so frequently overlooked and disappeared sometimes for days at a time. But Orr's natural gift for obscurity and uncanny passability for a female made them the perfect spy for rival tribes. Orr was sent to their enemies as a 'gift' of appeasement when their tribe overstepped on the agreed upon boundaries of the hunting grounds. They were sent to, of course, assasinate the rival tribes leader. But Orr befriended the other concubines, who kept Orr's secret. The concubines spirited Orr the Unseen away, and became a travelling band of sex workers. I suppose, as your fame rose, so did Santekh's. And the concubines came to Santekh to settle, building our little settlement's first erotic dance club. Orr prefers to remain behind the curtain, shy as ever, and provides lights and music with their magic to create ambience for the dancers. Orr the Unseen has been their silent protector and support ever since. But even in a small place like Santekh, few even know Orr the Unseen exists. Though, much to my appreciation, Orr has been known to provide special care to high-paying clients."
"Buckeran is our best client." Orr the Unseen adds. "A gentle, and respectful one as well. He is a treasured friend of the Grey House."
Buckeran loads up Hastos and Sera's plate with the sweet and savory foods he cooked. Syrup coats the flapjacks and sausages in a thick, glistening blanket, and the melting butter slides around the glaze as if ice skating upon it. "Eat quickly and let's be off! Desert storms aren't unusual at night, so I wish to make as much progress as I can before nightfall."
She/her, DM and Player.
My DM Registry
My Campaigns:
Ibahalii Vriwhulth, the Reaper of Glory v2: IC Thread (PbP); Secrets of the Island (On Discord)
My Characters:
Krik-tul, Thri-kreen monk
As Sera ate Buckeran’s delicious breakfast, she listened quietly to Orr the Unseen. They — both male and female in some strange way — still puzzled her. Solamnia’s strict knightly orders never spoke of such things. Hearing Orr casually mention working as a sex worker, and Buckeran about being one of the brothel’s best customers, made Sera’s cheeks warm.
Their openness, so casual and without shame, left her flustered. Orerana, Orr, Buckeran — so many in Sanction seemed to live freely, unbothered by the rules she grew up with. Sera realized, not for the first time, that she was hopeless at flirting.
She pushed the thought aside and scooted closer to Hastos, comforted by his quiet presence and the certainty that he fancied her.
Buckeran’s voice broke her drifting thoughts, urging everyone to finish up if they wanted to reach the dragon’s cave before nightfall.
“Yes,” Sera agreed quickly, grateful for the change of subject — away from the free talk of lovers and bedmates. “Let’s be on our way… before more storms find us.”
Hastos quietly took the story in. The circumstances and situation of Orr was so alien to him he couldn’t quite form opinions on anything. So he sat and listened. Sera sitting next to him made him smile.
”We are honored to have you with us, Orr.” He said casually.
Character: Hastos, Ibahalii Vriwhulth, the Reaper of Glory v2: IC Thread
Merkas pats Barkly before heading to the table. “Flapjacks you say?” Eying up the food as he climbs to a seat. “Smells great, and Barkly enjoys the sausage too”
By the time Sera and Hastos get to the table Merkas is finishing off a second plate and reaching for a third. There’s a sound from him that might have been ‘good morning’ but it’s hard to tell through the mouthful of food he has.
Bucky retells Orr’s history as the other two settle in and start their meal, Merkas listens intently and grabs another sausage too throw to Barkly (23- Sleight of hand), once it’s polite to do so he leans to Sera, “If you don’t mind, dreaming of rats that talk funny isn’t really my thing, but you think I could still wear it when I need to, like hunting with Barkly? Or will it get stuck on me again?”
Loyalty Begets Honour
Sera looked at Merkas with real sympathy. A cursed necklace whispering in his mind… she could only imagine how maddening that must be. At least her armor didn’t talk — misbehave, yes, but not speak.
“I believe it’ll just stick itself right back on if you try to put it back,” she murmured, stepping closer to him.
She closed her hands together, fists pressed lightly at her chest as she bowed her head.
“Great Platinum Dragon… end this item’s cursed hold over my friend.”
A soft, warm light bloomed in her palms as she reached up. With a slow, careful motion, she lifted the cursed necklace from Merkas’s neck. It came away cleanly, the glow fading as the magic settled.
When the light vanished completely, Sera stood still for a moment, the necklace dangling harmlessly from her fingers. She exhaled in relief.
“Here…” she said gently, offering it out to him—though certainly not suggesting he wear it again
Orr tips their cup to Hastos and takes another sip. With their fruit and nuts finished, they focus on finishing their tea quickly so they may be off.
Buckeran observes the magical casting with wonder. "Excellent! If you don't mind, I'd be glad to take that off your hands for a fair price. It appears to be a kind of device that was meant to allow its wearer to speak with animals... but it only seems to be meant to speak with rats." He puts on his monocle and examines it more closely.
"Ah... it's damaged though. Time and magic poisoning have taken its toll. That would explain why you can't control it."
Buckeran wipes off their monocle and puts it away. "I can offer you 50 Steel for it."
While the price is fair, Merkas senses that Buckeran is bidding a bit low. It makes sense. He is funding this entire expedition, and has put a fair amount of his own money into the guild. So, it's likely he's getting a bit tighter with his purse. He slides back to the kitchen, and puts a handful of sausages into a satchel, then brings it over to Merkas. "Six sausages for Barkly! Snack on the road, in case we find no food for her to hunt."
She/her, DM and Player.
My DM Registry
My Campaigns:
Ibahalii Vriwhulth, the Reaper of Glory v2: IC Thread (PbP); Secrets of the Island (On Discord)
My Characters:
Krik-tul, Thri-kreen monk