Babe in the Woods (IC)

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SJ_the_Bartender

SJ_the_Bartender

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Somewhere in the Kingdom of Namwick

Its late summer (August 7th for those of you who keep track of such things), and the morning sun greets you warmly as you prepare to face the day. However, this day promises to be more unusual than the rest.

For as you dress, you hear a faint 'Poof' and sitting at your feet is a rolled up scroll, which seems to have materialized out of thin air. As you bend over to pick up the scroll, you get a whiff of what smells strangely like grape jelly. You quickly realize that the smell is coming from the scroll, and that it only enhances the feeling that this morning has taken a rather odd turn. Not that magical items appearing and disappearing is odd, given how many wizards there are roaming around and making a muckery of things, but rarely do these things fall at your feet.

The scroll reads as follows. Oh, and when I say Read, i mean it actually starts speaking out loud the following words.

"Greetings! Your assistance is requested in the hamlet of Garrick outside Hrothgar's Forest. The matter at hand is important, and the rewards are great! Please come to the BlackDog Tavern at noon tomorrow. Ask for Shaeffer Burrfoot."

As the scroll finishes the message, it disappears with another 'poof' right out of your hands.

As you consider this strange development, you realize that you know where Garrick is and that you can get there within time, if you hurry. The question is whether you will answer the summons or not.

{OOC: When you post, please remember to put your character's name in bold at the top of your post. Thank you.}
 
Phaeder

The kingdom of Namwick had provided adequate lodgings for the previous night and as the morning glaze of the sun fell upon his face, he wondered what the day would bring only to notice the appearance of the scroll and become assaulted by the aroma it exuded. Easily curious, he began to hear the scroll's contents and began to debate whether such a summon was something he needed to answer to. The intrigue was obvious as whoever wanted to summon him must deem the reason for it rather important to do it so extravagantly. For this reason, he made sure he didn't forget anything and settled out with haste.

He would be well on his way to Hrothgar's Forest, fully prepared for the day ahead though this turn of events allowed some room for some uncertainties. Had he been the only one summoned? As he made his way toward the forest, he hoped the reasoning behind this summon was worth this trek. False advertisement was something he truly abhorred.
 
Serenity

Nightmares had befit her the previous eve, and as such she awoke in a mood fouler than normal. Deciding that food might dissipate these feelings, she had ultimately decided to find a bakery and enjoy something with jam. Perhaps scones of some sort with hot butter and cinnamon. The mental picture itself caused her stomach to rumble in an answer to her own question.

It wasn't until she was actually on her way to the market that she had become surprised by the presence of an object suddenly appearing in her path. Serenity wasn't the type to be caught off guard, and her sudden instinct was that she was being followed by a trickster of a wizard. Aside from her dearly departed father, she loathed people of magic. She thought that those who played with magic only did so because they lacked combat skills. Because a single person could do battle with another by simply 'waiving their arms from a distance' only brought her to the factual conclusion that every magic-doer was nothing more than a coward.

She hated cowards.

After taking a long moment to listen, to judge for another's presence around her...to find this trickster of a coward, she temporarily decided that no one was following her. Temporarily, meaning that she wouldn't drop her guard though she wasn't as acutely presumptuous as she had been only a moment ago.

After looking to the scroll and making a point not to touch it, she decided that it was best left alone. Who knew what skin-to-scroll contact would bring. Some sort of flesh burn? As she passed the scroll she was suddenly overwhelmed with the sweet smell of...grape jelly? At that moment she stopped and turned. Had the bakery been in-tune to her desires as of this morning? Was the store run by someone who could even know of such things? Perhaps they had sent her a scroll for free bakery items? Turning to the scroll, she lifted it cautiously, felt her stomach rumble once more before reading the protest of her wants. It was not a croissant. It was not something that she was remotely interested in.

Unless...

A hundred options rampaged through her mind until the chance of circumstance began to excite her. She had personally been sought out, otherwise the scroll would not have landed at her feet. Did this person at this tavern know of what she wanted? Did they know of the person that she hunted? At the chance of having a lead in her search, she'd made the decision that she would meet this person, but not without caution. As the scroll disappeared from her hand she'd come to the conclusion that whatever this help was that was needed, it better either offer her the reward of information about her brother...

...or a scone covered in butter and cinnamon.
 
Ashina
Ashina awoke with a start. The dingy room she had spent the previous night in wasn't safe and well she knew it. Especially considering she wasn't prepared or willing to pay the fee. Quickly gathering her things, she cautiously watched the door, careful lest the landlord should appear and demand payment. With quiet effeciency, she grabbed her backpack and crammed her meager possessions within.

Suddenly, the scroll appeared, commanding and demanding. The smell was enough to cause her belly to rumble in protest and she shrugged as the scroll disappeared. Well, wasn't that something? A scroll that smelled like jelly and could talk might come in handy. Too bad she was too startled to grab it before it disappeared.

She grunted to herself and then quietly opened the door to her room. Peeking around the other side she slipped into the hallway and casually but quietly walked past the doors of the other occupants, an occassional snore or male grunt reaching her ears. Without further ado, she came to the front door.Move Silent Check. (1d20+9=25)

With a quick glance around the empty taproom, she pushed the door open and walked out into the light of the morning. She hadn't made up her mind if she was actually going to do as the scroll commanded. Her first thought was for breakfast. Of course, it could be something important, but, magic was just something she couldn't quite bring herself to trust completely. Magicians, illusionists, whatever they were often played cruel tricks and being a halfling and a thief by nature and trade, it was always better to be cautious.

Another grunt. Oh well. She'd go, but she wouldn't just barge into the situation. When she got to the tavern, whoever summoned her there would have to present him or herself before Ashina would even think of presenting herself to the visible world. It was her job to be invisible and people rarely noticed a little halfling. If nothing else, perhaps she would "find" a few purses lying around or maybe someone would "drop" a strawberry scone.

She whistled a slight tune as she changed directions, realizing she had been wandering aimlessly as she made up her mind, now heading in the direction of the Blackdog Tavern. Regardless, she made it a point to keep her left hand on the strap of her backpack and her right hand on the handle of the dagger strapped at her waist. Being a dwarf among giants as well as a thief among saints was rather dangerous business and she wasn't stupid.
 
Ashina's attempts at stealth seem to have worked for the moment. No one comes out of their rooms to stop her, and the innkeeper is nowhere to be seen.
 
Phaeder


He was quick to converge on this path that Serenity had moved upon, the din of the daily activities of those around them ruining any sort of suspicion that he might be tailing the woman....for he was not. His keen eyesight allowed him to maneuver through the people with ease and as it was obvious that he needed to hurry to be on time to this scheduled meeting, Serenity would see nothing more than a blur perhaps if she saw him zoom by her right side through the regular swarm of people. He just so happened to be moving against the current of citizens to this kingdom but he'd get there just the same. The BlackDog tavern would be the first stop before heading off to the hamlet itself as per the scroll's odd delivery of its message. It wouldn't be long now he assumed as he had paced himself well as any experienced ranger would do in the midst of travel.

Nature provided much of his rewards and if this was some petty squabble between enemies that he was summoned for then this trek to the tavern would be meaningless. He would not enter into someone's arguments. To be coaxed into anything of the sort would take loads of persuasion and not even a wily wizard could conjure up an excuse worthy of that kind of achievement. Fully equipped for whatever he encountered, he hoped this was not just some hoax to enlist his services just to babysit some nobles or hunt some pathetic beast. What a waste of time that would be...
 
Serenity

Serenity wouldn't see Phaeder. Not because he was a blur, but because everyone around her was a blur. Each person was nothing more than a meaningless pawn of existence, and therefore she wouldn't give them the benefit of attention.

Nor the pleasure of an outline. They would all be blurs of each other, a charade of grays and blacks that ran into each other. And her...the only specter of color that existed on this canvass.

It wasn't unique to see wizards and trolls, gnomes and dwarfs and every other being of creation in this city. What was unique, and made her stand out, was the initial fact that she was a woman...with enough weaponry on her to level a city. She had that kind of aura. She loved the pride that came with physical domination, and in every situation she sought victory of that exact thing. She would never allow anyone to 'best' her, nor to be stronger than her...though there were but a few barbarians that could say such a thing.

Moving through the crowd of in-existence was like walking through a play that where everyone was not moving. Where every person, or thing, was nothing more than an inanimate object set there for her to maneuver around. The benefit of viewing the world in this manner was that it gave her a better chance of sighting danger before it would happen. Blurred grays, dull blues and soft hues of black comprised the world around her. There weren't faces, only shapes which allowed her focus to be where it needed to. Her mind was open to certain sounds. Certain 'whooshing' sounds such as a knife slicing through the air, or the cut of the wind as a hammer soared through it. She heard nothing beyond mere murmurs that was undoubtedly voices, but not something that she would pay attention to. Not unless someone spoke her name, and in this place that would be impossible since none knew of her name. Her work, sure...but not of her actual identity. She preferred it this way. It kept her anonymous. It kept her powerful. It left her with a sniper attack, because really, who would believe that a woman could ever beat a man down?

Especially of an ogre's size?

No. Most assumed that even with the halberd and other items attached to her, that she was either a carrier for someone else, or that she did something simple. Like magic.

But that foolishness was undoubtedly the downfall of each person that would think that. It left them open, vulnerable....easy.

With her stomach still rumbling of hunger she began to grow in more of a foul mood. Perhaps she should stop to grab something to nourish her hunger. The scroll had foretold of a certain period of time. Noon. Bah. If this were some child's idea of a trick then there would be some serious hell to pay. She wouldn't speculate. Not until she knew the full truth of everything. If there were even a chance of knowledge of her brother's location, then this hunger would be worth it - a hundred times over.

Her eyes drifted skyward to the hollow glow of the sun's position. Judging the time, and calculating distance, she deemed that she should arrive there just on time.
 
Enos Empra

Enos woke and began his morning prayers when he heard the poof his eyes swivveled around landing upon the newly placed parchment it clearly was not a summons or a message from his diety, so it was a minor curiosity. Picking up the scroll he could smell something but it was a smell he was unfamiliar with. As the voice came from the scroll his eyes widened. Yet it was not out of fear nor of shock that made his eyes widen, no it was the strong smell of grap jelly or rather something he did not know. Dropping the scroll to the floor and running to the window he hung his head out and began to vomit. He was unsure if he hit the peasant girl who was selling flowers infront of the keep, who he saw yesterday, he had been staying in. He yelled an appology to anyone who might have been splashed or hit full on, and then turned back as he heard the last of the scroll and watched it disappear.

As he gathered his things he moved towards the door not caring if others noticed him or not he would head to this place the Hamlet of Gerrick, and meet this man who had summoned him it was possible the man had need of a paladins services. Opening the door he headed out into the hallway and moved towards the stair well. It took but a moment to get down them, and arrive near the exit of the building. As he exited he saw the street was indeed clear it was as if he was in a ghost town. Shrugging he moved forward heading from the kingdom of Namwick and heading towards the Hamlet of Garrick, sadly he only knew the general direction of the hamlet of Garrick.

Enos Empra Character Sheet
 
Eildrien

Eildrien was currently asleep, slumping down with his feet propped on a small stool in the hayloft. The proprietor of the tavern to which the barn and hayloft belonged to had been more than willing to let the young sorcerer spend the night. The small poof would awaken the young sorcerer and cause him to jump upward and knock the small stoll off of the hayloft. Wincing as the wooden item fell to the ground, Eildrien peeked over the edge to make sure no one had been hurt. It took Eildrien a few moments to realize that a mysterious scroll had just appeared before him, but then again the young sorcerer had grown up around such tactics and was probably use to them.

Kneeling down Eildrien studied the scroll, before slowly pushing it open. The message took him by surprise. Yes, Eildrien was an adventurer but he was more notorious for completing a job then losing a majority of his pay at the local taverns. Eildrien refused to admit that he had a gambling problem. It was more of a love for the game itself than the actual chance at making money, which had been quite rare as of late. Reaching into his robes Eildrien glanced at his sparse supply of gold pieces that were already down to four. With a sigh the young sorcerer gathered his things and made his way out of the hayloft. The hamlet of Garrick awaited him. Wherever it happened to be.
 
Garrick

You each reach the town of Garrick in midmorning at various times and points in the city. The town is small enough that you can find the BlackDog Tavern with relative ease.

The tavern appears to be old, but well-maintained. Despite the early hour, there are several handfuls of people in the Tavern. Most of them appear to be individual groups sharing a table. A few are individuals by themselves. The tender is stationed at the back of the tavern, and there is a young serving girl taking and filling orders from the customers. It appears that they are serving breakfast.
 
Phaeder

He arrived at the BlackDog without much of a problem. The stares he received only made his want to get this over with as fast as possible much more dominant. It was not the fact that he could not handle them or needed to hide from public view, but the attention was not something he cared for. He simply did his job and did it well enough to make sure beings survive. No reason for praise...no reason for anything else.

He did not truly feel like he needed to eat breakfast at this moment but the need might arise soon. Settling himself at a vacant table, he looked around in hopes that the reason for this summon would come to light already. He remembered he had to ask for someone and once the girl came up to him to see if he wanted to order he immediately went to ask. "Do you know someone by the name of Shaeffer Burrfoot?" He hoped the girl would know...
 
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Garrick, BlackDog Tavern

The young woman says in reply, "Oh, yes. He said he would be expecint company today. You're the first to show. Just have a seat and make yourself comfortable. Mr. Burrfoot should be here around noon.

Oh, he also said if you wanted a meal or a drink, that he would pay for your fare. So, can I get you anything?"
 
Phaeder

The hospitality that had been offered just now only proved to solidify that whoever summoned him truly desired his services...but for what? The ranger was no fool either as he had caught the fact the woman said he was the first to show. Who else was supposed to be here? He hoped it wasn't a large company. If he assumed they were in need of his services as a ranger, he preferred smaller companies of five or less, but he assumed he was not one to pick and choose now.

Though it was truly luxury, he responded accordingly "Some bread, some cheese, and some meat along with some water will suffice." He didn't smile to accent the request but his tone suggested he was friendly anyway. He might as well be on a full stomach now to prepare himself for the rest of the day.
 
Garrick, BlackDog Tavern

The young girl bows and goes to fetch Phaeder's order. A few minutes later, he finds the food in front of him, along with a glass and a pitcher of cool water.
 
Ashina

As Ashina entered the tavern, she glanced around cautiously, waiting for some sort of ambush. A quick survey of the room did not immediately distinguish who might have summoned her. Eyes narrowed thoughtfully, and once more, her right hand rested against the hilt of her dagger.

Dodging tables and chairs in her immediate path, she made her way to the bar. She didn't bother to immediately try to get the attention of anyone who may be waiting there, instead scrambling up the stool so that at least her face and head could be seen over the top of the counter. She turned her body slightly to the left, resting her feet on the top rung of the stool, but not hooking them through lest she had to lunge or jump away from some imminent threat. This also gave her the advantage of being able to watch the goings on of the occupants of the room, while keeping an eye on the bar and the tavern workers as well. Cautious could have been her middle name.

Now stationed for waiting, she again moved her hands, this time to rest on the top of her legs giving her easy access to the dagger or shortsword if need be. She didn't bother to drop her backpack, instead keeping it in it's position on her back, but not holding it either, knowing that such a thing could delay reaction time to an attack. Besides, if anyone stole anything valuable, she could always obtain another in the same manner. No grin played across her lips or lighted her eyes. Why bother? Business was business and she had been summoned here by a stranger who didn't bother to identify himself beyond a name. Names were nothing. Friends were pointless. No one would take care of Ashina but Ashina herself. Being alone was sometimes a hard thing, but at least she need not fear betrayal.
 
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Garrick, BlackDog Tavern

The bartender wanders over to Ashina when she got herself situated and says "What can I get for you, Miss?"

He's average height for a human, and balding, although the hair he still has still maintains a dark brown color. His face is clean-shaven, with an oversized nose, and a friendly smile.
 
Serenity

She moved with a decent pace, neither lagging nor moving with quick speed. She had a distance to cover, and after a day's traveling, without rest, managed to nod in a pleasing manner as the tops of a few buildings peaked from the hills that she walked over. Aran'moor, where she lived was vastly overpopulated with various breeds and races. As she neared this small village she quickly noticed that this place was not as such, and because of that she received more short-looked attention than she would have liked. She stood out a bit more than she had originally intended to. Did she just walk into a trap where she was the big x on someone's map?

Her stride slowed as caution overwhelmed her and she began to look from person to person, and building to building. She had been invited here, so it was best to make herself knowledgeable as to what existed in this city...and if there were any familiar faces that might prove perilous to her. She recognized no one. In Aran'moor, it would have been at least a half-days search to find a building if one wasn't familiar, but here it was merely a half-moment.

"Blackdog Tavern." She spoke aloud in thought. She pondered for a moment researching the village further-in-depth, but based on the sun's positioning in the sky, she was nearly late. I say nearly late, because Serenity was never one to ever be late, yet she would never ever admit that she was 'on time.' Because to be on time was to be the slave-dog to someone else's timetable and she'd never allow that. Deciding that she'd arrived here of her own accord, or her own time, she pushed the door open and stepped inside taking caution of the entranceway. Meandering around the frame so that the weapons she carried did not catch, she stopped once the door closed behind her and took a full surveillance of the participants and area before her.
 
Garrick, BlackDog Tavern

By the time Serenity arrives, most of the morning crowd has left. There are a pair of elderly men playing some sort of game with dice in a corner, an elf sitting alone at a table with the remains of his breakfast, and a halfling at the bar with the tender. A young girl busies herself by clearing off tables of dishes and cups. Finally, there is a half-elf woman sitting at the other end of the bar, nursing a drink of her own. Aside from that, the tavern is fairly empty.
 
Ashina

Ashina rarely bothered with pleasantries unless they would benefit her in some shape or form. In this instance, pleasantries were for the sole purpose of pretending that two strangers were interested in each other, when in reality, Ashina cared about as much about the keep's day as he did about hers.

"Sure. Shaeffer Burrfoot."

She didn't bother with any more words. Words were, most of the time, a waste and uttered by those who were nervously anticipating the outcome of a certain event, guilty, or spoken entirely without thought and therefore, made one appear a complete fool. Action mattered more than words.

She turned her face from the keep once again, waiting for his response to the name afore mentioned as she scanned the room, expecting at any moment, someone would randomly emerge from the crowd, having heard his name spoken aloud. And, if he wasn't immediately forthcoming, her first thought would be that perhaps this was a carefully laid trap after all. She didn't consider the possibility that he hadn't arrived yet. Especially considering that, for all intents and purposes he had summoned her here and therefore, should be present for the initial greeting. Punctuality was important.
 
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