Come one, come all...

[BreathTaker he/him]

Roger that

[dreamingofcheese he/him]

"Zakk is that thing friend or dead?" Tool stands between Zakk and the newcomer. Slowly bindind his body in the defensive position.

Edited June 29, 2014 by dreamingofcheese

[Swimmingly he/him]

The oddly resonant voice rung out from the huge hulking man at the bar, who seemed to be talking to the mage from the earlier fight. He was plated head to toe in a black-grey pattern of armour, joins slithering over each other with barely a whisper. He wore a full face helm, a mask, even, with a spiky glyph inscribed on his forehead and a flat sheet of metal where the nose would be. The eyes fell into shadow, though they flickered with a red light out of the corner of Korb's eyes.

He kept staring at Zeith, but answered nonchalantly.

"Friend, I hope, possibly even future associate. I do hope you refrain from killing me, please. Please."

"I asked Zakk," the man...thing...said, voice echoing in a rich baritone, underlayed with a gruff dwarven accent and a lighter one, unidentifiable . Was anyone here human?

I accidently used the first person plural for Tool, Dreaming, but wouldn't that make sense for his condition? Or does he purposefully use the singular to make himself more individual?

Edited June 29, 2014 by Swimmingly

[BreathTaker he/him]

"These are Arcane Runes, most amplify my physical strength and stamina, but the others amplify my power. They are focus points." Zakk said the Tool, suddenly he a resonant voice that sounded vaguely familiar. He spun in time to notice a very small... thing covered head to toe and an important looking human next to him. " Who are you?" He asked, flatly.

[dreamingofcheese he/him]

*** I'm trying to make him conflicted and fighting to assert a since of self. If that makes since.****

[Swimmingly he/him]

"Just a man with too much money and too much time," Korb sighed, finally turning away from stunned Zeith. The man seemed to be taking his merry time coming to his wits. "I'm looking to purchase the services of a soldier or three? You do have that mercenary look about you, friend."

The man was a little taller than average, but his build was neverless a little too thick and his legs too bowed to seem entirely human. Glyphs were carved all over his armour, in the same spiky style as the one on the massive suit of armour. Weapons decorated the man with the air of jewlery on a noblewoman - interesting, even impressive and pleasing to the eye, but somehow superfluous, even if used well and gracefully. Then again, Korb had seen the kind of magic this man tossed around. Steel, regardless of quality or sharpness, couldn't do a lot against power like that.

"I promise you, I pay well and have no plans to put you in any particular danger," Korb added. "Why, I'm the second wealthiest man in the city, and my employees all get the second finest wine in the city regularly as a job benefit!"

He glanced at the remnant of the sludge the man had just slugged down his throat. It smoked slightly, emitting a faint stench of mulberries and burning feathers. "Or, failing that, whatever beverage you prefer."

 

Yeah, I get that. Edited post.

Also, BreathTaker, the resonant voice was Tool's, I believe, due to the harmonal layering

Edited June 29, 2014 by Swimmingly

[Sir Jerric he/him]

I rather like Korb, as I've said, but I don't like this Vhalin guy that Swim has been writing about. Seems a bit of a dullard, or perhaps just childish.

Not to blame Swim, you understand. I've been writing a deep third limited viewpoint, which does a marvelous job of hiding details that other authors would need to do a good job writing my character. Adding to that is my use of the mysterious stranger introduction that still hasn't directly told anyone even the name of Vhalin's species, anyone can justly accuse me of bringing this problem on myself.

So I've taken the liberty of once more rewriting the course of events according to Vhalin's experience, trying to preserve as much of Korb's character as possible in the process. Thanks for the practical editing practice, Swim!

---

"Am in no swift hurry. May ask from what cause you run?"

The noble did not appear to have noticed the question. "You're new here, I assume?"

Or perhaps the man wanted to learn more before he spoke. Vhalin grimaced behind his veil as he looked down the street in the direction of the noble's approach."Yes, Lordship. Not yet two sleeps since coming." Nothing appeared to have followed, yet.

"Nothing to be ashamed of, my man. Everyone arrives at some point. My name is Korb - just Korb, please, as I'd rather not be mistaken for somebody important - and I'd like to purchase your services as a bodyguard for tonight, and possibly longer."

So the noble was running from some kind of trouble, was he? A bad bet? Still, in a city this segregated, Vhalin did not think it likely he would find many offers for employment. And there was no telling how long his quest would take. Might as well get some income while he had the chance. "Am called Vhalin. A ranger in your words. Willing to assist your lordship; though, am not knowing what you consider threatening?"

"Excellent, goodman Vhalin!" The nobleman beamed, and again neglected to approach Vhalin's question. This Korb fellow clearly did not want to disclose his secrets; a serious flaw in a man hiring a bodyguard. The noble slipped something from his sleeve and flicked the small projectile at Vhalin.

Vhalin leaned to the side and snatched the object from the air. Turning his fist around, he saw a good sized coin caught between his fingers. Gold even, if he was not mistaken. He looked over at Korb, and the man backed away with a hand raised, palm outward. "I'm sorry for that, friend. Just testing your reflexes. Something of an interview, if you will - and you passed, believe me."

That was an oddity of veils. Seemed the man thought he'd been glaring at him or something similarly threatening. "This seems a large payment for short service. Curious what you seek to involve me in?" Vhalin emphasized his question by tossing the coin back.

Korb missed the coin in the darkness. The little disk bounced off Korb's left shoulder and fell to the cobbles. Korb swore loudly, "Rotted land!"

Vhalin grimaced again. Unfamiliar the phrase might be, but the disrespectful tone of cursing still grated on his ear. He shifted his balance, waiting for a response.

Korb caught at least part of the hint in Vhalin's posture. "Ah, . . . well. The job won't be anything particularly dangerous. I'm simply a wealthy man with some money to throw around. Let's go inside, shall we?" He patted Vhalin's back with a little more force than necessary, then bent, picked up the coin, and pressed it into Vhalin's hand before turning and striding over to the inn.

Vhalin looked the coin over one more time. The man's secrecy was going to be trouble. The temptation to bow out of the job almost made him toss the coin aside and walk away. But he had agreed to at least one night. He slipped the coin into his belt as he trotted up, entering almost on Korb's heels. He stepped sideways to get a good look around.

The interior looked worse than he'd anticipated. Old stains marred the floor, a mottled mixture of wine, ale, and blood. The assortment of patrons looked hardly better. Some looked like mere thugs and longshoremen. But several others stood out. The brawler mage from the street fight conversed with a huge suit of plate armor. A woman in intricately embroidered red sat watching a lighter-armored figure from across the room. And Korb had his gaze locked on a black coated man drinking at a table opposite the entrance.

"Zakk, is that thing friend or dead?" The question resonated from the huge armored figure.

Korb appeared too take the question as referring to himself, though he keep his tone casual. "Friend, I hope, possibly even future associate. I do hope you refrain from killing me, please. Please."

Vhalin sized up the talking plate armor. It stood about three times Vhalin's height, and it's armor looked to be made of obsidian and steel. If it were purely natural materials, his blades would penetrate that well enough, though he'd stand good odds of breaking them. But that glowing rune on it's head screamed mystic properties. His hand ran across his belt, ready to pull a glass-rune if the situation turned nasty.

"Who are you?" the brawler mage asked, flatly. Vhalin spotted the brawler's leather vest and plated gauntlets, and as his cloak settled, a large sword as well. Odd that he hadn't pulled that on the lizardman earlier.

"Just a man with too much money and too much time," Korb sighed. "I'm looking to purchase the services of a soldier or three? You do have that mercenary look about you, friend."

Vhalin rolled his eyes behind his veil. What game was Korb playing at?

---

And no, I've still not told you people much. I'm trying to find a good excuse to take Vhalin's hood and veil off, but in a city this species-ist and with no one of his own kind to back him up, he's rather reluctant. Edited June 29, 2014 by Sir Jerric

[Shivertongue he/him]

Blood and ashes, you people move things fast. Have to rework my post now, unless I feel like covering a lot of time from another perspective...

[Swimmingly he/him]

Sorry bout that. I love how drunk on his own stupidity you made Korb sound here - he's being a complete buffoon, and he doesn't even know it. I'll try to write the character voice better next time. Thanks for the practice in figuring out how to be writing things people don't need to edit! Hopefully this will get easier as things progress and we all get to know eachother's characters better. Edited June 29, 2014 by Swimmingly

[BreathTaker he/him]

Was the a Horneater Lager reference Swims? As for the resonant voice I meant melodic because for a little while I couldn't tell who was playing who and I thought Vhalin spoke.

 

"Well, as I was explaining to my new friend here," Zakk decided not to name Tool and let him do it himself on his own time, "My name is Zakk and my merc ways are behind me... for the most part." Just then a thought popped in to Zakk's head, Hey, if this guy's got 'too much money' maybe he could help fund our 'grand quest to save the world' sorry, had a Deadpool moment, we ARE saving the world "Hey, listen lad, I may not be a mercenary anymore but I do have a proposition for ye. If you get me a big ol' flaggon of the black stuff and a few minutes  of yer time, I think you might just like what I've got te say" as he waited for the short man to answer him, Zakk glanced over to the other side of the tavern at the Paladin, wondering why she was here.

[Swimmingly he/him]

Korb shrugged. "I'll listen to what you're saying, friend, if you'all hear me out afterwards." He sat at the bar, squinted at the rows of bottles on the shelf behind, and jabbed a finger at one, then dropped a few silver-jacketed coins - coracles - onto the bar. A small glass was set in front of him, and he sipped appreciatively. Good stuff.

Vhalin slipped onto the bar behind him, and ordered something as well. Korb saw a flash of white gold out of the corner of his eye - the coin from earlier. The bartender leaned and answered a quick series of well-worn quesions from the veiled fellow, finishing with the gold slipping away back into Vhalin's pocket, an almost inaudible sigh from beneath the tight cloth, and the barkeep turning around, looking somewhere between disappointed and incredulous.

"So, then. What is it you want to discuss?" Korb asked of Zakk, speaking low and fast.

Honestly? the voice at the back of his mind asked. Who do you think you are, some assassin or spy?

Stop ruining my fun, Korb told it severely.

Disconcertingly, the voice stopped pestering him.

Korb was not a mediative man - he doubted that he had that degree of control over his own mind.

Which meant that the voice wasn't of his mind?

This line of thinking was rather unproductive. Korb shuffled it away to simmer somewhere unseen.

Zakk began talking.

Edited July 1, 2014 by Swimmingly

[Sir Jerric he/him]

I thought the buffoon impression of Korb fitting after giving you two chances to answer Vhalin's questions, even if that might have been a simple oversight on your part. Vhalin is trying to do the job he agreed to do, and that requires information. =)

I've been describing my character in MAG terms. Which really means a list of five core traits along with a Tragedy. I'm not going to share Vhalin's tragedy yet, but I have no reason not to share his traits:
* Drive: Finding magic experts
* Profession: Underworld ranger
* Specialty: Enclosed spaces
* Feature: Quick reflexes
* Personality: Stiff

The personality trait is meant to describe how Vhalin comes across to other people. He knows that he doesn't fit in, and he gets stiff and formal to avoid creating unnecessary trouble for himself. He is observant, as befits a ranger, and he has over twenty years of experience dealing with foreign merchants as he guided caravans through the underworld between the dwarves, drow elves, and his homeland. What he has not had time to get used to is being the foreigner. He is out of his element here, but he is not going to make foolish assumptions.

The other element where his personality comes to play is in Vhalin's adherence to a rigid code of morality. One element of which is a rejection of all fermented drinks.

In Swim's latest post, Korb trying to order a drink he would be willing to consume could be a whole scene unto itself, if the local culture does not provide support for such a practice.

But given the nature of the tavern, I have difficulty convincing myself that Vhalin would even bother ordering anything. Disreputable customers, filthy floors, needing to focus on guard duty, not wanting to remove his veil in such an environment, weighed against maybe a few hours since last getting refreshments.

But even if he did order something, he's been in town for a couple of days, and he'll have some local change available. He has more than enough experience to know that flashing gold in this type of environment is asking for trouble. In fact, he's going to be rather on edge with Korb offering to throw money around in this audience. =)

[Matrim Bloody Cauthon he/him]

Bartender i need some more mulled wine if you would.

[Swimmingly he/him]

I was nowhere near as careful building Korb's character. He's what's left after an ambitious man with an ear for political intrigue and a deep guile gets exactly what he wants, and finds that it isn't enough. Korb needs goals to keep himself focused, or his general buffoonery eclipses the craftiness he can command when he needs to. He is a very easy man to underestimate, because, assuming you aren't in his way or necessary for his goals, that underestimation is about right. He has no tragic past - his journey is going to be about completely and utterly being out of his depth, and adapting old skills to the new situation.

Besides, I'm sure he can play DANGEROUS LIABILITY to the team whenever it's humourous or situationally appropriate. I look forward to writing him getting chased, punctured, beat up, scorched, and occasionally stabbing someone by accident.

[BreathTaker he/him]

Zakk looked around the bar before stooping down and talking in a low voice to the short human, "Well, ya see mate..." He paused, seeming to look for a way to find the words. Finally after a drink from his mug, he pulled out a long stemmed pipe, packed it with tobacco and lit it with a piece of tinder around the candle next to him. "Well, there's a... a sort of evilness devouring the world" He said, dragging on his pipe and blowing out blue rings. "I'm not entirley sure what it is exactly. By the feel of it there's some Necromancy involved but I think it's a whole lote bleedin' bigger than that."  Zakk finished his beer off and nodded to the bartender, "Hey mate, how's about one more pint of porter and a shot of that nice whiskey over there, courtesy of our friend here." At that he grinned a mischievious smile at Korb.

 

"Anyways, we need some backing to complete out trek across the world. This problem seems to have sprung up in the mountains to the north and it's spreading with a vengance this way. In my travels I once saw an entire village burnt to the ground and the people hung up on stakes. Now I know that sounds like raiders but when I approached some of the dead it seemed as though they'd been gnawed on by something not quite animal but not human either." Zakk looked troubled as he took his shot of whiskey and pulled on his pipe.

[Matrim Bloody Cauthon he/him]

Zakk my friend is that you?

[Swimmingly he/him]

Korb considered his options.

First, he could walk out of the bar right now, taking his new bodyguard with him, go home, spend the next forty years fighting down a sense of boredom while maintaining second place among the sordid politics of this city, and die.

Second, he could go with the nebulous plan he'd concocted in the last fifteen minutes and hire the lot of them as a mercenary company, backing them and hiring them out to customers to generate a profit.

Third, he could agree to Zakk's odd proposal, with a small caveat.

Korb glanced at the burly man, who gave a kind of casual glare back. He looked like the sort who had spent years avoiding death on a not-unfrequent basis - a different sort than the pampered nobility that made up Korb's social circle.

Korb really hoped he could grow to like the man.

He leaned forward, idly dancing a coin over his knuckles. "I'll fund your expedition, on two conditions."

Zakk kept glaring, though it was an interested kind of glare. Korb swallowed.

"First, any profit you make off this, I get twenty-five percent of monetary value, right of first purchase of any goods obtained during the expedition that you decide to sell, notwithstanding existing contracts held by yourself or involved third parties, in which case I have the right to contact and negotiate anonymously with the third party. The twenty five percent is nonnegotiable, but can be deducted at a later date in exchange for a renewal of contract under renegotiated terms and objectives."

Zakk blinked in surprise, seeming taken aback. "Er," he began, but Korb didn't give him a chance.

"Second," Korb said, "I come with you."

[dreamingofcheese he/him]

"Profit?" Tool says "Are we not saving the world?"

Tool removes a small gem from a recessive cavity. Setting it on the bar. The barkeeper eyes it with such intensity that scares Tool.

"To much, idiot." A voice whispers from her prison. "That gem could buy a dozen bars." Tool recognizes the voice of Spearwoman Tálo. "Put it away and use the coinage that foppy nobleman is using."

"'Keep." Tool tries the tact of his new companions. "I want your celler opened and emptied." Gasps fill the room. "Drinks are on me."

Edited July 2, 2014 by dreamingofcheese

[Swimmingly he/him]

Korb eyed the barkeeper as he danced onto the street, laughing madly and calling for muscle for hire.

"Why, exactly, do you need a backer if you have access to this kind of money?" Korb asked.

[BreathTaker he/him]

Hey y'all, I'm going to be offline for a couple of days, got a lot of Crem to deal with irl right now

[Swimmingly he/him]

Good luck with that, hope it goes OK!

[Matrim Bloody Cauthon he/him]

For those of you who haven't read wheel of time mat is about 6 feet tall he has brown hair, has a medallion in the shape of a foxhead that protects him from magic and soothing, rioting etc. he has a scar around his neck from having been hung this is covered with a scarf. he is missing his left eye. his eye patch has an eye shaped ruby on it. his weapons are an Ashandarei or a spear with a shortsword blade slightly curved and sharp on one edge instead of a spearhead. the ashandarei has ravens engraved in the blade. he carries to many throwing knives to count. he keeps them hidden all over. he also uses a longbow with extreme accuracy. he is an amazing fighter, he is quick, and is the luckiest person ever.

[Sir Jerric he/him]

@Matrim: I was wondering what you were trying to get at with those posts. Welcome to the game. I would appreciate at least a little third-person blocking attached to your posts, rather than continuing the context-free dialogue. I was about ready to have Vhalin get all confused by the disembodied voice and interrogate himself about dozing off on the job. =)

@All: With one of the central figures of our current dialogue out for a couple of days, I wonder if we might do a little story groundwork and perhaps set a few rules to keep everyone moving in the same direction. Total freeform is doable, but many people find things a little more comfortable when they know what is expected of them.

As far as rules, the only things I have in mind are (I hope) common sense and in line with what people have been generally practicing.

 

General:

• Each player has final say over the actions and dialogue of their character(s).
• Be respectful of other players decisions on their character's actions. They are not yours to change.
• Any player may introduce any elements to the world that they wish.
• Any player may offer alternative ideas about the world to foster a collaborative story.
• Try to avoid modifying the world after players have already been acting on said elements.
• When a player introduces an NPC, try not to mess up their story plans for it.

Combat:

• Minor enemies can be introduced at will.
• Minor enemies can be eliminated in any sensible manner a player chooses to use.
• Significant foes should be introduced with enough fanfare as to make their status obvious. Or just say "This thing is a boss thing" in blue text in your post to be clear. =)
• Significant foes are not defeated easily.
  • At least the first two attempts should fail for good reasons.
  • All successful attempts must be different than the attempts before it.
  • Describing your attempt and leaving the result open for suggestions is always available.

All of the above are open for debate. Please confirm the ones you like, argue the ones you don't, or tell me to go away and stop imposing silly rules on your fun. =)

Story ideas:

I've had a little campaign idea for a few years that might be fun to use. It has a little twist, so I don't want to spoil the surprise. If you'd like to try it, we would need to travel to somewhere with a woodland environment and a small logging town under attack by dark forces, all enclosed in a dead-end mountain valley. The dark forces can be attached to the Necromancer business or just a side quest. A few hours out of the way while we are "just traveling through" is sufficient lead-in.

In the short term, once Vhalin gets to Korb's estate / city manor / whatever-you-call-it, he is going to want to head immediately to the person in charge of Korb's security. Hopefully such a person exists and is several degrees more sensible than Korb is. =)

And at said estate, Vhalin may finally be willing to remove his cloak and veil. He is probably sweltering under that lot in a desert seaport.

Edited July 4, 2014 by Sir Jerric

[Swimmingly he/him]

That sounds good for an NPC - both Korb and Vhalin are going to be interacting with this man a fair amount, I think, so do you want to beat out the details of his character now? I'm thinking a man who, having spent his working life trying to prevent Korb from doing stupid things using the frankly impossibly tiny budget allocated to him. He's trained in basic combat, but the guards he's hired are necessarily cheap and unqualified - there's just enough to keep away most thieves from the von Shwartmeyer estates. Tall, around 60 or so, walks with a solid oak cane, has short hair that's still coal-black but strains in all directions. Edited July 4, 2014 by Swimmingly

[Quiver he/him]

Wow, I really feel behind on this one...

 

Maybe too far behind. I can try and flub my way through it, but having my character suddenly remember "Oh, that's right, I'm in a room with these crazy people" might be a bit... odd. So, I thought I'd throw the question out; do you guys a) want me to jump back in and b)if I do, would you prefer if I just created a new, more active character.

Edited July 4, 2014 by Quiver