Forums » Fantasy Roleplay » An Autumn Adventure (IC, Closed)

A chill blew in from the east. It carried dead leaves that scraped against a cobblestone road which ran through the middle of the large village. A carriage was making its way down the windy dirt road that lead to the town. It was all black, even down to the wheels. If you caught a glance of it, you could see black piping, detail and trim along the paint. A black horse and a white horse pulled it, focused on their task without so much as a neigh.

The carriage slowed down, on command of the driver as it made it's way into the small community. This was the center of a bustling commercial district. There were several different markets. Some were small stalls, others rented space in two story buildings. There were all sorts of merchants, some less scrupulous than others.

This little town was called Old Heath. It was a small trading hub located along the road. It catered to the few travelers who were passing through this part of the Kingdom.

The carriage finally rolled to a stop outside of a tavern, The Rose Tavern, to be exact. It was one of the few establishments that served a late night clientele. The door opened, slowly. A dark elf stepped out, dressed in a green shirt with black trousers. Gold trim ran around his collar and the cuffs of his sleeves.

The elf tipped the driver with a greenish gold coin and pretended to tip an invisible cap. The driver grinned and bowed his head. He would be waiting out here, parked out on the cobblestone. The horses swayed and waited patiently.

Aydr opened the ornate wooden door and stepped inside of the tavern. He was supposed to meet company here. He had sent letters to several people who had come highly requested. Aydr had contacts all over the Kingdom. Some of them had interests... And deep pockets.

"Meet at the Rose Tavern this 8th of October at eight in the evening", the letter read. "Prepare for an assignment that should last two to five days and may entail danger."

The letter later expanded on the mission itself. "Our goal will be the retrieval of an artifact deemed culturally important to the citizens of Upper Drowlandia." Here is where things got good for the adventurers. "Your pay will be no less than two thousand and four hundred droles.

A drole was one of those greenish-gold dark elf coins that Aydr tipped his driver with. It was a currency that held well. It was quite a generous amount, which makes one wonder...What was the catch? Of course danger was mentioned. The letter was cryptic and was meant to be. The exact information didn't need to be on record.

Aydr sat at a round table. The pub wasn't especially crowded, but there were people grouped around.

"Meet the dark elf with the gold collars to confirm and accept this assignment."

He glanced around the room with its wooden walls. The elf stood out like a sore thumb in this little town. He felt a few dirty looks from some of the locals. But Aydr was focused on spotting his crew. He was a little early. There should be enough room for everyone in the crew at this little table.

The Hanged Man wasn't accustomed to receiving letters, so when a windworn rider had finally tracked him down to deliver one, the wanderer had stared at it in confusion. By the time he snapped out of it, the rider was gone, and the Hanged Man was left with a letter he could barely read. He tried to as he walked towards the nearest settlement, but what snippets he understood were mysterious.

The Hanged Man finally passed a merchant on the road who read it for him. As the merchant's wagon trundled off, he continued staring at the paper. Someone wanted to hire him? His coin was running low. Hardy though he was, he still needed supplies ... mainly wine and brandy.

Old Heath wasn't too far, so the Hanged Man altered his usual westward trajectory towards the south and began to walk.

***

Old Heath was like any other trading town the Hanged Man had been to, but he didn't doubt that complexity brewed right underneath the surface.

"The Rose Tavern," he muttered to himself. Thankfully he didn't need to read any signs, for after asking a couple of drunks shambling home, he was pointed in the right direction. Above the door was a painted wooden sign depicting a rose. There were candles lit in the windows and a fireglow coming from the hearth within. A carriage, so dark it blended into the night, awaited its rider, though one of the horses stood out as pale as a ghost. The Hanged Man pushed open the door and stepped inside--as he did, a pure white crow landed on the carriage roof.

If any of the patrons were to look at him, they'd see a figure mostly hidden by a billowing dust-colored mantle, bearing a massive shield upon his back, its device covered in burlap. Clearly he was armed and armored as well. His face almost looked too young to be so weathered, with its soft, boyish curves now somewhat hardened by his long quest.

It didn't take him long to spot the man with the golden collars. The swordsman ambled over and rested his gloved hands on the back of a chair. Sunken green eyes gave Aydr a cursory inspection. Without saying anything, he pulled out the letter and laid it on the table between them.

(i'm going to have to post later. got a busy week.)

At the time of receiving the letter via courier, Ardavan was at the nearby village of Bratton'Grove. After unfolding it to take a look, he found out it was a bounty. A bounty requesting his aid. And the coin was more than enough for the trip. At sundown, he made his way out of the village, and into Old Heath.

Fixing his collar while using his staff as a walking stick, he made his way down the road of Old Heath to find himself met with a black carriage near the Rose Tavern, the place that he's supposed to meet at. He went around the carriage and stepped through the door, and went towards the table where the others were gathered and took a seat. Taking the letter and placing it on the table. "So, you're the bountyman, correct?"

Artus strode into the tavern and glanced around. His steel plate armor shined in the light, his shield was strapped onto his back and his sword was sheathed at his hip. He held the letter he had received in his hand and saw the man he was looking for. He walked over and took a seat. "So are you the one the sent this letter?" He held the letter up in his hand and then put it away in his pack.

Talayna released a long pent up breath, the air exhaling in a puff of chill air. Leaves softly crunched under her soft leather booted feet as she along the base of a rather large hill. She felt her bones weary and her muscles begin cramping. It had been a long hard week of travel, and yet more travel.

Having been sequestered in a small cave within the craggy mountains, regaining her feel for her elven form, she had lost the sense of the real world. Hers had been a life taken away. Well, now she would reclaim it. Shoving her past to the back of her mind as she did so often these days she focused on the here and now. Her elven body felt much more her own again, her limbs moving as she wished. The gift of speech had returned much more slowly, but she felt that it was passing fair again. The sorceress had taught her a sampling of the most common tongues that were used in these parts, so she was hopeful that any communication she needed to do, was something she could handle. That wasn't to say she wouldn't try to avoid any and all communication - at least for now...

"Hmm.." she muttered to herself, as she continued her trek, her clear amber gaze upon a letter grasped in her lightly tanned hands. The sorceress had read it to her when it had mysteriously appeared within their cave. While the letter perhaps had been addressed to the sorceress herself, there was no question that the old woman herself would n'er step food off her mountain again. So, she had sent Talayna - who had been eager to go. If what the letter said was true, it would be a start to regaining her life back. And just maybe, she would find information on the King and sorcerer who had stolen her childhood. In any case. This letter spoke of adventure, and money. Both of which she needed.

Chin lifted high and eyes kindled with excitement, Talayna forgot her weariness as she at last drew near to Old Heath. The town may not have looked like much to some, but to her, mountain bred, it was quite civilized. Pulling up her hood out of habit, hoping to stay unnoticed, she slipped into town, eyes looking for what she hoped to recognize as the Rose Tavern. Her canny gaze found an out of the way building that , from the leers from the men outside it, and the racious laughter coming from within, could only have been the Tavern. She ignored any and all eyes as she pushed through the door. Her gaze went immediately to the elf who stood near a table with several others who had gathered. That could only be the sender of the letter. Gulping back her discomfort and desire to flee, she shut out the knowledge that she was inside cramped, loud quarters, and walked forward, back held straight and a small undefined smile upon her lips.

Once she reached the tall elf, she couldn't help but stare, merely because she had been sequestered so long, and seeing another elf brought back many old memories she had stuffed away. She banished those thoughts, again. "Hello, I am Talayna Sky, and I have come in answer to your letter. I wish for adventure. I am here to help." Her words may have sounded slightly forced and stilted, but her voice was soft and melodic. She fell silent, having said what needed to be said. Now there was but to wait for a reply.

Nyx entered the tavern and looked around. She was wearing a cloak with a hood, which was pulled up and concealed her face. If her face could be seen, it would be mostly elven features. She was tall as well, however there seemed to be something else present in her appearance, but something not well known at all. She held a letter in her hand and scanned the room, before finally seeing who had sent for her. She slowly walked over to the group that had formed around him, and said nothing.

The dark elf greeted each member as they made their way to the table. The first man seemed to be of few words. Aydr wasn't the type to force conversation. "Thank you for coming, relax yourself."

There was something about the drow that seemed eccentric. His accent was different from most of the local elves. Clearly he was from far away. His shirt was made of silk and his collar and sleeves were embroidered with real gold infused stitching, a tradition of drow from his community.

The next man joined the two after a few minutes. "I am indeed the bountyman. Please sit, I'm glad you made the trip."

The three sat in relative silence. There was a decent amount going on in the bar. Seeing more people come in, a bard began to stroke a stringed instrument. His beat was rhythmic and sounded natural and flowing. The drow was content to take in the scene.

It wasn't long before another greeted them. "I sent the letter indeed, good fellow. Please join us. I'll start the briefing soon."

The next person to approach was a woman, an elf. Aydr could sense her nervousness and discomfort. He thought maybe it had to do with being in such a human environment. Aydr could relate. His people did not completely trust humans. But in business, the only thing that mattered was coinage. Besides, Aydr liked most humans.

"Sit, sit, my fair lady. Soon things will be explained."

Aydr checked his pocket timepiece, a small clock crafted by dwarves. The time was near. He felt he owed these people an explanation. He sent out over 30 letters. Many of them probably were lost or never reached their target. Some people may have outright declined to participate.

"Well, let me get started. My name is Aydr, from Upper Drowlandia. I have contacts all over. Scouts, watchmen, soldiers... Many different kinds of people. Even politicians. You may be wondering why you are here."

Another elf approached at that moment. Aydr was glad for one more arrival. He smiled, seeing the letter in her hand.

"Those contacts of mine delivered the letters. They either knew you or knew of you. We are part of a society, something underground. Everything we do is compartmentalized. That means every action is broken down and every secret is split so that only certain involved members know what is happening."

He tried to make eye contact with everyone, hoping he didn't lose anyone.

"There is something very important that I, we, must have. It's an ancient artifact from drow lore. The Phoenix Eye."

His tone got even lower.

"A great bird lost it's eye once, but was very powerful and influential. A drow village worshipped this great bird of fire. They crafted an eye out of the finest gem they could find, one from far away. It's a priceless artifact. It means so much to me."

He took a breath and leaned back in his chair.

"We will depart in the morning. I've rented out the inn next door so we can stay there tonight. In the mean time, eat, drink and feast. For as you know, a mission of such high pay surely includes danger. Speaking of pay..."

The dark elf smiled deviously. "You will receive half of your pay before we set out and half upon completion. The coins will be high value, so there are less of them. You only need make room for one small sack."

He folded his hands. "I asked my contacts to find people they trusted and that I can trust. You may ask, why didn't my society recruit within its own ranks. This is how people join. They get recommended, receive a letter and take on a mission."

Aydr paused. "I also want to keep this mission secret. If they knew I was going after the Phoenix Eye, they'd try to beat me to it. So it's a cover. All they know is I'm getting new people together and trying to recruit. Compartmentalization, ladies and gentlemen."

A waiter was walking past. Aydr flagged him down. "Please, let my compatriots order what they'd like for drinks. Prepare a meal for us as well."

"And what is everybody having?", asked the waiter.

"I am covering this", Aydr said. "Eat well. And drink up."

The portly attendant waited on the first order, glancing around the table to see who would go first.

Talayna needed no further urging to take her seat - hopefully finding one with her back to a wall so she could see the doorway - the only means of escape - should she need it. Still, she forcefully kept her calm and after giving a nod to the Elf Aydr, slid into her chair, clear amber eyes sliding about the room. The atmosphere of the tavern was busy and bustling, with laughter bubbling from merry lips as well as drunk ones. A feeling of excitement stole over her despite her anxiety - which had ebbed only slightly. After all, how long had it been since she had been indoors in any sense but a drafty cave? And how long since she'd communicated with anyone but the sorceress. She was justified in her anxiety AND her excitement.

An easy smile took shape on her lips and she slid her gaze to the waiter as he seemed to be expecting an order of some sort. Well then, lifting her voice just slightly so it could be heard over the cacophony, she offered hers. "I would like hot cider please, whatever meat you are serving today, as well as some fruit." An odd request, perhaps, but she needn't explain herself. She knew many elves did not eat meat but.. she was no longer ordinary.

Seeing no further need to speak she settled back into her chair and quietly ran her gaze once more around the odd group which had gathered. She figured she would eventually get to know them - and wasn't sure if she looked forward to the prospect or not. It also seemed, at least for the time being, that Aydr thought she had been the one to which the letter had originally been sent. Well, he was better off with her - not the sorceress who had seen better days. She would not bring this fact to light. It was her destiny now.

She hadn't missed the fact that Aydr had left out where this .. Eye.. was located now, and from whom they would be taking it. She would be looking for more information before she embarked.

(Goddamnit, my entire post got lost e_e Sorry if this is one isn't as good)

The Hanged Man settled down in the chair when Aydr invited him to, eager to take the weight off his tired feet. A low sigh of relief escaped him. He didn't yet introduce himself to the elf, nor to the two men and two women who showed up afterwards. His eyes lingered for a time on Artus--something about the armored warrior stirred his interest--but beyond that, his eyes kept darting around the Rose Tavern's common room. They rarely settled on their host for more than a second or two, even when the drow began to explain their mission.

Then, once Aydr spoke the name of the artifact, the Hanged Man's sunken green eyes lit up like embers. He leaned forward, rested his elbow against the table. Absentmindedly he reached towards the neckline of his breastplate, behind the throat guard. An observant watcher would see that he was rubbing a bit of white cloth tucked there between thumb and forefinger. Perhaps it was just his tunic, but he seemed to touch it far too reverently for that. "The Phoenix Eye," he finally spoke, eyes a little unfocused. It didn't matter what Aydr said in the rest of the briefing. The old crow was going to find it. The location didn't matter, nor did the prize, nor the hardship. He was going. He had to go.

The arrival of the server roused him from his partial reverie. "Oh, ah--" The swordsman rummaged in his cloak, pockets, and pouches to procure three mismatched flasks, which he handed to their server. "F-fill those with aught what's str-strong," he said. "And bring a flag--flagon of mulled wine." The stutter in his voice might come as a surprise when contrasted with his grizzled exterior.

The server waited. "And you'd like naught to eat, then ... ?"

"Oh, ah--what--whatever's on the f-fine is fire. I mean ..." The Hanged Man cleared his throat. He'd hadn't been in civilization in a long time. "... you know my meaning, m-master."

Artus glanced up and took off his shield from his back. He placed it besides his chair and put his sword on the shield. "Water for me, also a steak." He sat back in his chair, he wasn't worried about the danger that the elf had spoken of. He was excited for it, Artus lived for the thrill of living and for the money.

[OOC - is there a posting order yet?]

Talayna inhaled a breath of the succulent meat which the waiter brought and set before her. Taking a long drink of her cider, she let out a quiet but happy sigh. Ahh.. she had needed that refreshment. The long journey behind her had certainly taken it's toll. Now she just needed a good sleep - which was rare these days. Her own thoughts plagged and taunted her when all's she had to look at was the back of her eyelids. Ah well, she would try anyways.

Standing up once she had finished her meal she slid her gaze around all who had remained to take repast. Giving a slight nod to Adyr, she slid from her chair. Stopping before Adyr she glanced down at the seated elf, "I shall take my leave for the night and adjourn to my room. I'm sure I will see you come morning.." She paused, then on impulse as a spark of excitement took hold of her she added, "I look forward to our task, it will bring some much needed change to may life I am sure." Then, making sure her hood was still in place over the bulk of her flaming red hair and feathers, she moved from the room, having signaled the inkeeper to show her to her room.

The drow watched over the people assembled in front of him as they ate. He knew half of them would flake out and quit. Some people just didn't have it in them. They should know that great pay comes with great risk. Most people don't have the heart to stand true and finish what they started.

Aydr would be happy to see those people off. The less people he had, the more dangerous it would be. But at least it would be cheaper. He didn't even finish his speech and already some people had left. They just wanted a free meal it seemed.

Everything doesn't come right away. The people in this town needed to learn patience. Aydr admired the fiery haired woman's motivation and readiness to depart. But she was kind of in a rush. The drow wasn't even finished with his briefing. He didn't like to be rushed. He was not into doing things in a hasty slapdash manner. That was not the drow way.

He would make sure the group was patient and thought things through by the time they got to their destination. He sighed heavily knowing a great treasure hung in the balance. Hopefully when the morning came, people would stand beside him and be ready for the mission. If not, then he'd go to another town, with another crew.

He ate his meal quickly. Nobody seemed to want to talk. They just wanted to eat and sit there. Aydr thought there would have been questions, some sort of discourse. He hoped he'd get to know something about these people, but they hadn't said two words to him.

The dark elf wondered if he should just cut his losses, get up and walk out the tavern right now. But something made him stay. The blond man seemed interested, genuinely at that. The red-haired lady was in a hurry, but she was motivated.

He took a sip from his drink, wondering if those two would be enough and hoping the others would stick around when the morning came.

"So where is everybody from?"

He made eye contact with each person at the table, his bright crimson eyes darting between each of the members.

As the Hanged Man awaited food and drink, he began to loosen his armaments to make himself a little more comfortable. He eased his massive shield from aching shoulder and leaned it against the table, and pulled off his mantle so he could eat and drink more easily. Beneath it he wore dark armor and flowing robes, outlandish in style. His eyes followed the hasty departure of the woman and his marred brow lofted high. Attention returned to Aydr, to whom the swordsman shot a dry grin. "A loaded qu-question, friend ... it matters less where I come from, and more where I'm h-headed: the edge of the world. I seek to hold the setting sun in my hands ..."

The server brought him his flagon of steaming wine and a bowl of stew with crusty bread. The Hanged Man poured himself a glass, then pulled off his gloves to reveal his mangled hands, shaky and trembling. They had clearly befallen a horrible accident in the past and were completely covered in scars, all the way to the elbow. He cupped them around the goblet so they would absorb the drink's soothing warmth. A soft sigh left him. In that instant he seemed to be very old, but the moment soon passed--he quaffed the wine and set hungrily into his meal.

Talayna now stood staring about the room she had been shown to. After dropping her lone bag upon the floor she moved first to the window. She checked it over silently, clear amber eyes scrutinizing it to make sure it would be sufficient for a quick getaway of need be. She didn't trust this new group.. not yet.

After her perusal if the room, she eyed the bed, her body longing to throw itself down for some much needed rest. But.. something niggled at the back of her tired mind. What was she missing?
Oh blast it all.. she'd left the group before she could even hear the rest of what Aydr had planned. She sighed heavily and inwardly cursed her impetuousness. She had not regained her old ability to clearly assess things yet. At times her mind seemed to revert back to the hawklike way of single minded focus. She needed to broaden her horizons.

Well.. there was nothing for it now but to return to the group, as awkward as that would be. She needed to know more details of their plans, and, she knew it wouldn't kill her to converse with a few of the others.. at least she hoped it wouldn't. Turning, she left the room silently. Once she reached the main room again she first moved to the taverns counter to order another cider, paying for this one herself. Then, taking the steaming mug she headed toward the table where Aydr and the others were still gathered content to leave her hood down this time. Slightly tapered ears could now be seen amidst the tangle of red hair and the few brownish red feathers that remained from her past.

Maybe they hadn't noticed she was gone... she smirked to herself inwardly. Yeah right. She slid back into her chair and gave a rueful grin to Aydr, then slid her gaze around to the others. "Please excuse my tired mind.." she would offer no other explanation for taking her leave, and subsequent return. She took a sip from her cider, hoping she had not missed the rest of the plans.

Artus took off his helmet, revealing his face and set it down next to his other stuff. He took a sip of his drink and sighed. He didn't really know much about his past, either he had a terrible memory or something had happened to him. "Well I come from a small village in the middle of nowhere." That much he remembered, maybe on this little adventure he would remember something of his past. Artus then glanced around the table, there was quite the assortment of people here, this would make it even more fun.

Nyx silently took a seat, leaving her hood up so no one could see her face. She was extremely self-conscious about her mixed features, considering most people hated her for it. She also didn't like answering personal questions, so she politely shook her head and ignored the question the elf asked her. She also motioned for the server to come closer, before quietly telling him what she wanted, which wasn't much. Just some bread and water.

Talayna had settled into her seat just as a few of the others spoke. Apparently she had just missed the question which prompted the answers, and so, wasn't sure she should answer. Instead, she turned her gaze around the table, eyes sliding to the man who had divested himself moments before of some of his armor. She noted his mangled hands and scarred face and blinked before looking away for a moment. Then, curiosity drawing her clear amber hues back to him she impulsively leaned forward and spoke, her voice soft and melodic. "I didn't catch your name.. I am Talayna." She offerred her own hoping to receive a like response. She knew they would all need to get to know one another if they were to work side by side.

The Hanged Man's haunted green eyes flicked and caught Talayna's amber ones. The distinct color of them, dark gold like the plains at sunset, and the auburn shade of her hair, roused memories in his chest. His face took on a dreamy quality and he seemed to gaze through her, his shaking spoon half-lifted to his lips.

Her voice made him blink a few times, but though he was an odd man and distant at times, he wasn't unfriendly. He finished the bite of stew before answering. "I am the Hanged Man, the pale crow, the man with the scars ..." He paused to sip his steaming wine. "I've had some uglier names in the past, too: dog, oathbreaker, sword-swallower ... you're welcome to call me whatever you wish."