Clearly still awestruck as the group has moved through the city, Shiva takes a moment to respond as she drinks in the colors and sounds that surround the sheer verticality that is the Towers themselves.
"Oh. Ha, sure. Though I'm not very liquid right now, I spent more than most of my coin on getting that letter to Mistress as quickly as possible." She feels a shudder of darker emotions on the cusp on her mind, but she turns away from them to focus on the moment. "It's been months in demon time since I last got laid."
"Well, I do believe we may be in the right part of town for you then, Shiva dear," Astrid adds with half-hearted chuckle. The dwarf sighs as she steers Bluebell to avoid the retching gnome and proceeds the post indicated by Caio.
"I'd say that's what we're looking for." Astrid nods, reading the sign. "I agree. Let us be on our way then. I would surely like to wash the road from myself as well."
SWORDS! For Everyone! proves to be a ramschackle little hole in the wall, with a facade that appears to have been cobbled together out of a mishmash weathered wooden planks, each with its own unique grain and texture. Patches of moss and lichen fill the imperfections and cracks, growing in between the rough-hewn planks. At the entrance, a crooked wooden door sized for littlefolk greets visitors, displaying the shop's name. The uneven, jagged letters are carved into a plank beneath a hand-painted sign that crudely depicts a pair of crossed swords.
The windows of the shop are mismatched and haphazardly patched together with smaller pieces of glass that grant a murky glimpse of an eclectic assortment of weapons. Swords of various shapes and sizes, battered shields and dented armour hang from the walls. At irregular intervals, small shelves protrude from the walls, displaying smaller weapons, such as daggers and throwing knives, as if they were hung there as an afterthought.
"CONNOR!" A shrill cry can be heard yelling from within. "I've told ya a thousand times, handle those with care! You tryna ruin our entire stock?"
Shiva is offput by the dilapidated shop that is SWORDS! For Everyone!, wondering for a moment if this is a mislead or even a trap. She considers what it would mean to fight now that she knows the cost of her abilities, and eyes the ring on her finger before turning to the others. "This is weird, I'm gonna have my guard up."
Walking up to and ducking down to enter through the front door, she calls out. "Hello? We're looking for some help."
Shiva's call is met by a sudden crash and clatter from deeper inside the cramped and cluttered shop. A few moments later a copper-haired halfling women wearing a leather apron over her white tunic emerges from the back. The pushes some loose curls out of her face and clears her throat.
"Good afternoon," she greets Shiva, smoothing her apron. "How can I help you?"
Trying to remain stoic through her confusion, Shiva's tone is curt but polite. "Yes, we've come here at the direction of a friend for assistance with a very particular problem. We're looking for someone named Six?" Shiva pauses and looks to Astrid for a moment. "Brandon sent us."
"Did he, now?" The woman remarks tugging on the fingers of her leather gloves, before pulling them off of her hands and laying them on a nearby countertop. "I'm sure that that was very convenient for him. What might your names be?"
“We are the Septem Mortale.” Caio states flatly as he steps out from behind Shiva after ducking to enter the cramped store. “You are Maeve, I presume?”
"Well then," Maeve tells her guests, falling into a rickety wooden chair with a sigh, "make yourselves comfortable and you can start by explaining what exactly 'Brandon' told you, besides to find Six."
Caio remains standing but steps to one side of the room, partially into a shadow cast by one of the loaded shelves. “We are going after the Morgensterns. It will be quite a feat for us to pull off and we need every advantage we can muster. ‘Brandon’ told us that Six could be of assistance.”
Ghoul meanwhile finds a nice big sword to perch on.
“They have one of our own in their clutches.” he responds, dark eyes boring back at her. “They also have dealings with another group which I seek, the 99 Hundred. We know better than to strike before we can identify some weakness. Can Six help us or not?”
"When I've understood your motivations well enough to see past your masks," Maeve remarks in return. "'Brandon' is playing fast and loose with information that can get people hurt. I understand why, but that doesn't mean that I have to be any less careful."
Caio takes a beat and then sighs again, this time with resignation. “Fine then. Hope you’re comfortable there…” he add, nodding disdainfully to the rickety chair Maeve has plopped in. He then proceeds to tell her a tale of entanglement: the mutated vampiric experiments, encountering Clarissa at Temnitsa, her suspicious prior knowledge of the Trio Infernale, their forray into the Morgenstern’s manor, the runestone and the 99 Hundred, Elodia, Nimue, Ling… some things are omitted, both for brevity and for Caio’s own inability to understand them. He doesn’t mention the Others at all. When he’s done, he raises his hands into the air, a questioning look on his face. “Is that enough? Or shall I tell you of my early childhood as well?”
"Quite enough, thank you," Maeve tells Caio tartly, once all is said and done. "Rest assured that you are not the only ones of whom Valentine and his accursed spawn have made an enemy. I will take you to Six - this evening. I need until then to arrange the meeting. You can feel free to make yourselves comfortable here, or return at dusk."
A number of emotions are stirred within Shiva as Caio recounts exactly how they came to stand in this small shop that may as well be on the other side of the world from Piotrgrad. She considers Ling, if she's scared right now-she wouldn't show it even if she was-if she's alright, if she's even alive. She wonders about the letter she sent to Mistress with every bit of gold she had to spare, and if she'll even care enough to send a letter in return.
She's brought back to the moment as Maeve invites them to make themselves comfortable, and a glance at the racks of weapons brings another topic to mind. "Actually, I do have need for the services of a shop like this. I recently lost a sword that had been with me for years and was very unique. Would you be able to help me replace it?"
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Clearly still awestruck as the group has moved through the city, Shiva takes a moment to respond as she drinks in the colors and sounds that surround the sheer verticality that is the Towers themselves.
"Oh. Ha, sure. Though I'm not very liquid right now, I spent more than most of my coin on getting that letter to Mistress as quickly as possible." She feels a shudder of darker emotions on the cusp on her mind, but she turns away from them to focus on the moment. "It's been months in demon time since I last got laid."
"Well, I do believe we may be in the right part of town for you then, Shiva dear," Astrid adds with half-hearted chuckle. The dwarf sighs as she steers Bluebell to avoid the retching gnome and proceeds the post indicated by Caio.
"I'd say that's what we're looking for." Astrid nods, reading the sign. "I agree. Let us be on our way then. I would surely like to wash the road from myself as well."
SWORDS! For Everyone! proves to be a ramschackle little hole in the wall, with a facade that appears to have been cobbled together out of a mishmash weathered wooden planks, each with its own unique grain and texture. Patches of moss and lichen fill the imperfections and cracks, growing in between the rough-hewn planks. At the entrance, a crooked wooden door sized for littlefolk greets visitors, displaying the shop's name. The uneven, jagged letters are carved into a plank beneath a hand-painted sign that crudely depicts a pair of crossed swords.
The windows of the shop are mismatched and haphazardly patched together with smaller pieces of glass that grant a murky glimpse of an eclectic assortment of weapons. Swords of various shapes and sizes, battered shields and dented armour hang from the walls. At irregular intervals, small shelves protrude from the walls, displaying smaller weapons, such as daggers and throwing knives, as if they were hung there as an afterthought.
"CONNOR!" A shrill cry can be heard yelling from within. "I've told ya a thousand times, handle those with care! You tryna ruin our entire stock?"
The Chronicles of Arden: Sheercleft - DM for Aiden, Bründir, Jex, Thurston, Valaith and Vark
The Chronicles of Arden: Hunters - DM for Alaris, Astrid, Caio and Shiva
Shiva is offput by the dilapidated shop that is SWORDS! For Everyone!, wondering for a moment if this is a mislead or even a trap. She considers what it would mean to fight now that she knows the cost of her abilities, and eyes the ring on her finger before turning to the others. "This is weird, I'm gonna have my guard up."
Walking up to and ducking down to enter through the front door, she calls out. "Hello? We're looking for some help."
Shiva's call is met by a sudden crash and clatter from deeper inside the cramped and cluttered shop. A few moments later a copper-haired halfling women wearing a leather apron over her white tunic emerges from the back. The pushes some loose curls out of her face and clears her throat.
"Good afternoon," she greets Shiva, smoothing her apron. "How can I help you?"
The Chronicles of Arden: Sheercleft - DM for Aiden, Bründir, Jex, Thurston, Valaith and Vark
The Chronicles of Arden: Hunters - DM for Alaris, Astrid, Caio and Shiva
Trying to remain stoic through her confusion, Shiva's tone is curt but polite. "Yes, we've come here at the direction of a friend for assistance with a very particular problem. We're looking for someone named Six?" Shiva pauses and looks to Astrid for a moment. "Brandon sent us."
"Did he, now?" The woman remarks tugging on the fingers of her leather gloves, before pulling them off of her hands and laying them on a nearby countertop. "I'm sure that that was very convenient for him. What might your names be?"
The Chronicles of Arden: Sheercleft - DM for Aiden, Bründir, Jex, Thurston, Valaith and Vark
The Chronicles of Arden: Hunters - DM for Alaris, Astrid, Caio and Shiva
“We are the Septem Mortale.” Caio states flatly as he steps out from behind Shiva after ducking to enter the cramped store. “You are Maeve, I presume?”
Chronicles of Arden: Sheercleft - Vark Galestone | Half-Orc | Storm Sorcerer
Chronicles of Arden: Hunters - Caio Cypherien | Shadar-Kai | Inquisitor Ranger
"So they tell me," Maeve quips back. "Septem Mortale? They'll like that. How long have you got?"
The Chronicles of Arden: Sheercleft - DM for Aiden, Bründir, Jex, Thurston, Valaith and Vark
The Chronicles of Arden: Hunters - DM for Alaris, Astrid, Caio and Shiva
"As long as it takes." Shiva states calmly.
"Well then," Maeve tells her guests, falling into a rickety wooden chair with a sigh, "make yourselves comfortable and you can start by explaining what exactly 'Brandon' told you, besides to find Six."
The Chronicles of Arden: Sheercleft - DM for Aiden, Bründir, Jex, Thurston, Valaith and Vark
The Chronicles of Arden: Hunters - DM for Alaris, Astrid, Caio and Shiva
Caio remains standing but steps to one side of the room, partially into a shadow cast by one of the loaded shelves. “We are going after the Morgensterns. It will be quite a feat for us to pull off and we need every advantage we can muster. ‘Brandon’ told us that Six could be of assistance.”
Ghoul meanwhile finds a nice big sword to perch on.
Chronicles of Arden: Sheercleft - Vark Galestone | Half-Orc | Storm Sorcerer
Chronicles of Arden: Hunters - Caio Cypherien | Shadar-Kai | Inquisitor Ranger
"Interesting answer," Maeve notes with a grin, cocking an eyebrow at Caio. "Define 'going after the Morgensterns'."
The Chronicles of Arden: Sheercleft - DM for Aiden, Bründir, Jex, Thurston, Valaith and Vark
The Chronicles of Arden: Hunters - DM for Alaris, Astrid, Caio and Shiva
“They have one of our own in their clutches.” he responds, dark eyes boring back at her. “They also have dealings with another group which I seek, the 99 Hundred. We know better than to strike before we can identify some weakness. Can Six help us or not?”
Chronicles of Arden: Sheercleft - Vark Galestone | Half-Orc | Storm Sorcerer
Chronicles of Arden: Hunters - Caio Cypherien | Shadar-Kai | Inquisitor Ranger
The halfling gives a blithe nod of confirmation in response to Caio's question.
"Only one?" Maeve quips as she surveys the four companions stood before her. "How did that come to pass?"
The Chronicles of Arden: Sheercleft - DM for Aiden, Bründir, Jex, Thurston, Valaith and Vark
The Chronicles of Arden: Hunters - DM for Alaris, Astrid, Caio and Shiva
“It’s complicated.” he sighs with impatience. “You ask many questions yet offer few answers. When can we talk to Six?”
Chronicles of Arden: Sheercleft - Vark Galestone | Half-Orc | Storm Sorcerer
Chronicles of Arden: Hunters - Caio Cypherien | Shadar-Kai | Inquisitor Ranger
"When I've understood your motivations well enough to see past your masks," Maeve remarks in return. "'Brandon' is playing fast and loose with information that can get people hurt. I understand why, but that doesn't mean that I have to be any less careful."
The Chronicles of Arden: Sheercleft - DM for Aiden, Bründir, Jex, Thurston, Valaith and Vark
The Chronicles of Arden: Hunters - DM for Alaris, Astrid, Caio and Shiva
Caio takes a beat and then sighs again, this time with resignation. “Fine then. Hope you’re comfortable there…” he add, nodding disdainfully to the rickety chair Maeve has plopped in. He then proceeds to tell her a tale of entanglement: the mutated vampiric experiments, encountering Clarissa at Temnitsa, her suspicious prior knowledge of the Trio Infernale, their forray into the Morgenstern’s manor, the runestone and the 99 Hundred, Elodia, Nimue, Ling… some things are omitted, both for brevity and for Caio’s own inability to understand them. He doesn’t mention the Others at all. When he’s done, he raises his hands into the air, a questioning look on his face. “Is that enough? Or shall I tell you of my early childhood as well?”
Chronicles of Arden: Sheercleft - Vark Galestone | Half-Orc | Storm Sorcerer
Chronicles of Arden: Hunters - Caio Cypherien | Shadar-Kai | Inquisitor Ranger
"Quite enough, thank you," Maeve tells Caio tartly, once all is said and done. "Rest assured that you are not the only ones of whom Valentine and his accursed spawn have made an enemy. I will take you to Six - this evening. I need until then to arrange the meeting. You can feel free to make yourselves comfortable here, or return at dusk."
The Chronicles of Arden: Sheercleft - DM for Aiden, Bründir, Jex, Thurston, Valaith and Vark
The Chronicles of Arden: Hunters - DM for Alaris, Astrid, Caio and Shiva
A number of emotions are stirred within Shiva as Caio recounts exactly how they came to stand in this small shop that may as well be on the other side of the world from Piotrgrad. She considers Ling, if she's scared right now-she wouldn't show it even if she was-if she's alright, if she's even alive. She wonders about the letter she sent to Mistress with every bit of gold she had to spare, and if she'll even care enough to send a letter in return.
She's brought back to the moment as Maeve invites them to make themselves comfortable, and a glance at the racks of weapons brings another topic to mind. "Actually, I do have need for the services of a shop like this. I recently lost a sword that had been with me for years and was very unique. Would you be able to help me replace it?"