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Background
Ignussus is a small city located in the deserts surrounding the burning mountains that form a wall around the tower of elemental fire. Located only a few hundred miles from the edge of the world, Ignussus is reputedly one of the most dangerous cities to live in. The town is controlled by a thieves guild called the Curved Blades of Arcton, a group of thugs and murderers that make their business the control of all goods coming in and out of the city. Ignussus itself would never have grown so large without them, however, as they were the original provisioners of water in the township for many years.
The main source of income here in the desert is in the refinement of gem deposits mined in the mountains to the south. The gems are brought into Ignussus once every month, under heavy guard, and more than a quarter of the town is set aside specifically for those craftsman that are in the art of gemcutting, cleaning, and jewelry making. There are many other crafts that are practiced in Ignussus as well, many of them involving the making of weapons for the guild and guards, and making tools for the workers employed in the steaming hot gem mines in the mountains.
Food is imported from the north and west, often by air. Many different sorts of mounts deliver these supplies, most commonly hauled by teams of trained gryphons. This practice is new to the city, provided for by a guild of trained riders in the windy country to the far west. These imports are expensive, though, and the price to live in the desert while mining gems is a steep one. If not for the rich gem mines, things would turn for the worse very quickly.
Water is provided by a few different sources. The first is a well controlled by the Curved Blades of Arcton. Rumors circulate every summer, when the weather is at it's worst, that the water well is drying up. Whether this is true, or if in fact the guild simply chooses to drink more or provide less of the necessary provision, this has brought many new sources into the city. Some sources include the Clerics of (water deity), who provide water to the poor and needy. Their generosity has quickly given them popularity to rival the gods of fire and the desert which have always been known as the chief patrons of the clergy of this region. The third source of water in this region is by import and trade, it is not uncommon for a merchant to attempt to trade "worthless water" during seasons of horrible heat for rich jewels and gems to trade in the cities in the center of the continent.
Religion in Ignussus is primarily the worship of fire, because it is believed that such worship improves ones resiliance in this harsh environment. Many have died from the heat, and the elderly are always treated with incredible compassion before summer comes and often brings a deathly heatstroke. It is because of this that gods with the fire domain are worshipped, as they provide some degree of protection from the heat in their domain. In addition, the swells of burning magma that creep through the mountains where the gems are mined are extrememly dangerous. A supersticious belief has developed that the unfaithful miners are the ones swept away in the molten rock currents that occationally breach the mines.
The Guild that rules Ignussus, while cruel and often greedy, still provides more than enough protection and well trained warriors to keep the city safe. It is because of their persistance and action that the guild has come to power and brought about some degree of wealth in the peasantry. The guild leader, Ramzos Balba currently, is called the Sultan by the guild members because of his wealth and respected position. It is this title that often earns the title of "Desert Snake King" for the man who leads the Curved Blades of Arcton. Outsiders often refer to that name in disrespect, because the man is often seen as a slave driver and monster by people from lands with more liberty and freedoms.
__________________ Touch of the Abyss: IC, OOC, RG Red Hand of Doom: IC I, IC II, OOC, RG Sunless Citadel: IC, OOC, RG
Introduction
One of the few free taverns in the world, the Father's Wish is home to a variety of men and women during the night. The tavern's name refers to the founder's father, an extremely poor miner, who could never enjoy life unless he was drinking. The same man was so poor that he couldn't afford to both indulge his weakness and support his family, and unlike his peers he chose to work for his family. His son grew up, left his home to become a wealthy and talented mercenary, and after many years returned home to open a free tavern for any good man or woman to appreciate. He named this tavern in his father's honor, and the father was even able to appreciate this hospitality for a number of years before he died.
This bar, unlike most country bars where a number of smaller tables exit, uses only one huge wooden table (30 feet by 50 feet) in the main room. The table forms a closed U-shape that allows the servers to move around freely in between the action and conversation. This also tends to help prevent brawls as two men must be sitting within two or three seats of each other in order to at least be within reach. This strange custom makes this tavern more homely than most, with many new people having the chance to greet each other across the table. It is because of this that the bar is often considered one of the few real treasures in the desert. Drinks are brought up from the basement where the brewery is located. Wines are imported, but only that which is exceptionally cheap can normally be provided.
This night, there is a very motley assortment of people inside the tavern (including the characters), and the workload has been hard on the servers. A very common misconception in this tavern is that "since the drink is free, there’s no need to leave a tip," and anyone working here long enough has been forced to explain that this is indeed false. The many workingmen are laughing and enjoying their time as would be expected, except for one.
An extremely unique worker, Kreepto the kobold, is a miner that is tolerated by the workers in labor, and that is it the end of their relationship. He is responsible for saving many of their lives, as he has a sixth sense for mining and proper times for cowardice, but this has never earned him much respect. His history has never been the subject of much debate, but people still don't trust him because of his heritage. For whatever reason, Kreepto is extremely depressed, even as he is served. This doesn't distract from the rest of the patrons though, including one extremely inebriated dwarf that appears to be juggling his axe.
(Alright, I think that's enough good info for you guys to have fun. I'll respond as necessary to anything you post. Enjoy.)
__________________ Touch of the Abyss: IC, OOC, RG Red Hand of Doom: IC I, IC II, OOC, RG Sunless Citadel: IC, OOC, RG
Last edited by Creamsteak; 10th April 2004 at 05:04 AM..
Jairik glides up to the bar next to Kreepto, orders a pint of the house brew, and notices the funk that Kreepto is in.
"What is it that ails you this day, Kreepto?" Jairik asks, slapping the kobold on the back. "Usually you only look this put out when the other miner's are taunting you. But as you are sitting alone, I can only assume some other matter of dire gravity has befallen you."
Jairik looks at Kreepto with some small amount of pity, as he has seen in every community of his many travels the outsider who has been riden by his peers for just being himself.
Jaret looks around the bar, still not comfortable with being around this many people. He sees a few empty seats near a kobold who seems a little down. He signals his intentions to Kunst and sits down just in time to hear Jairik's question.
*Kunst crosses to the seats near Kreepto, sitting down alongside Jaret and giving his friend a slight clap on the back, attempting to make him feel more comfortable. Giving a sidelong glance to the inebriated dwarf, he dismisses it and orders a stout for himself and Janet, and after a moment one for the melancholy kobold as well. A recognition of being the outsider.*
__________________ Lindy hopper, popper, dancer, philosopher, gamer, fledgling capoeirista, so on... so forth
Quote:
Originally Posted by Wrahn
You sir, have a talent for finding loopholes.
The real hero is always a hero by mistake; he dreams of being an honest coward like everybody else.
-Eco
When one loses the deep intimate relationship with nature, then temples, mosques and churches become important.
- J. Krishnamurti
Jairik gives a nod to the human and dwarf who have sat down on the other side of Kreepto, and looks for some sign if they are the cause of Kreepto's depression, in case he has to act quickly.
Jagos sits at one of the corners of the table, making sure not to keep his back to any of the doors, half-heartedly involved in some small-talk with one of the locals while more interested in keeping an eye on everyone present.
__________________ The fact that we live at the bottom of a deep gravity well, on the surface of a gas covered planet going around a nuclear fireball 90 million miles away and think this to be normal is obviously some indication of how skewed our perspective tends to be. - Douglas Adams
While Kreepto wallows in his ale, Jairik turns to the newcomers and says, "You two are obviously not miners, and I don't recollect seeing you in any of the other taverns I frequent in this town. My name is Jairik (extends hand to shake) and anyone willing to buy a free drink for Kreepto is worth meeting."
Jairik has a feeling that these two are from the fringes of society, much as he feels sometimes, and hopes they have an interesting story to tell that he can add to his repertoire.
As the bar starts to get into it's regular swing for the night, one of the men across the table stands up at his chair. "So, should I play tonight? I've been working on a new song for this place, something to symbolize the fine love and happiness that free liquers provide me. Who is in such a spirit that they would enjoy some playing? Lydia will accompany my lute with the harpsichord in the corner! Won't you?"
A young lady armored in full plate winks back at the bard and raises her cup. "Sure, Nertle, I'll play. Even in these guantlets, I can make you sound amateur."
Quote:
Originally Posted by wolfheart
"What is it that ails you this day, Kreepto?" Jairik asks, slapping the kobold on the back. "Usually you only look this put out when the other miner's are taunting you. But as you are sitting alone, I can only assume some other matter of dire gravity has befallen you."
"Kreepto has worries for the mines. Kreepto was pulled out this week, but Kreepto also knows that there is something wrong with the way they are mining. They are mining away from the gems, upwords. Kreepto thinks that there will be problems if they do that, and this worries Kreepto. Foreman told Kreepto to ignore it, and let them keep working. Kreepto knows this is a mistake, but Kreepto also isn't the foreman."
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lefferts
"You have grog here?"
The heavy-set barmaid that answers your request puts her elbow on the table and looks into your eyes. "What, pray-tell, is a grog?"
__________________ Touch of the Abyss: IC, OOC, RG Red Hand of Doom: IC I, IC II, OOC, RG Sunless Citadel: IC, OOC, RG
Last edited by Creamsteak; 10th April 2004 at 05:11 AM..
Kunst, that name sounds vaguely familiar. (Bardic Knowledge) I just can't seem to place it.
"I fear you have come on a night when some are hell-bent on making fools of themselves." Jairik gives a weary glance at the loud mouthed bard in the corner.
"Mining upwards, away from the gems? It sounds like the heat has gotten to them. And you say they sent you away? Have you done work for this foreman before?"
Jairik's takes note of the hulking half-orc who just came through the door.
Last edited by wolfheart; 10th April 2004 at 05:21 AM..
Greetings Jarik and Kreepto. My name is Jaret and this is Kunst. We just got into town today. I'm travelling to see the world and to learn more of the ways of the forge. As the nearest city, I thought Ignussus would be a good place to begin my travels. Jaret turns to Kreepto. I fear that I don't know much of mining. What kind of problems will there be if they mine upwards? Maybe the formen have been told of a rich deposit of gems that lies off the primary vein. Besides, if they've made a mistake, they'll get on the right track soon enough when they don't find any gems, right? Or is there something else that makes you worry about this?
"Kreepto knows that something isn't right. Why do you mine up when the gemstone is down? The gems are at the base of the tower, not in the top. If they mine up, Kreepto doesn't know what would happen, but Kreepto can think of possibilities. Kreepto knows that the inside of the mountain leads into small pockets of air that kills men, heavy air, and sometimes things sleep for a long time in these mountains. Kreepto knows because this is how Kreepto lost brothers. Worst, Kreepto doesn't like the smell. Kreepto smells smoke, thick smoke, on the rock Kreepto pulls out. Kreepto can smell this smoke, but no-one else can, so Kreepto is worried."
__________________ Touch of the Abyss: IC, OOC, RG Red Hand of Doom: IC I, IC II, OOC, RG Sunless Citadel: IC, OOC, RG
Vanadan walks in the tavern. He looks like an orphan in the doorway. Some people stared at him. Vanadan felt like they were burning his very essence away with their eyes. Soon he returned the gaze with his cold eyes and people turned back to their drinks. He seemed to struggle with the idea of sitting at the table for a while, but then he gathered his courage and sat down near a kobold and his friends.
__________________ Defeating a dragon with a simple stick... This is going to be interesting.
Jairik's takes note of the hulking half-orc who just came through the door.
Wogar feels eyes upon him, and is drawn to a scene of what appears to be a sad-faced kobold bard telling a tale that seems to have raised the interest of several, as opposed to the awful singing coming from the dining area.
Wogar strides through the crowd, and makes his way over the gathering to see what is going on. Going to the bar, Wogar order's a beer:
"WENCH! FETCH BEER! NOW!"
The barmaid is so impressed by Wogar's manners, she looks like she'd rather scrub chamber pots than get Wogar a beverage, but seems to think that getting him a beer will be better than hearing him bellow, at the least, it will keep his breath inside his mouth.
When his beer arrives, Wogar slaps down a few coppers.
"Oooh, thank you, you pretty, maybe Wogar honor you with sons!"
At this prospect, the barmaid decides she has business at the other end of the bar, almost, but not quite forgetting her tip in the progress.
Wogar shrugs, "Maybe not", and takes his beer and drops the rest of his half-eaten onion into the tankard, and turns his attention to the kobold, and the man that was observing him.
Nace wiped his forehead and neck with a rag to blot the sweat and dust from his skin. The day had been long, hot and tiring but at least it was profitable; standing as bodyguard for a fat merchant's wide while she wandered the bazaars and marketplaces. He'd even been pressed into service to carry purchases once her own servant was overloaded. He'd just shut his mouth and accepted it at the time. Coin had been hard to come by, the last few weeks and now he was reaching into his savings just for water, some bread and meat.
He wouldn't ask his father for money, though. Never. He could always go out into the wilderness and live from hunting but now.. now the city called to him, as it did sometimes. The streets and crowded taverns were like a second home, sometimes.
Today, though, he was tired and sweaty and with coin in his pockets. He headed for The Father's Wish, since then at least he could tip the barmaids well and if things worked out he might not have to sleep alone tonight.
He entered the tavern and waved to a few locals he knew, then made his way to sit and drink. Spying Kreepto, the kobold, he moved closer to the small being; Kreepto was a curiosity, certainly, and he seemed to be attracting more attention than usual tonight.
The youth got his drink and took a long pull from the watered ale he commonly drank, listening to the strangers talk. The mention of travellers caused his ears to perk up and he quickly wiped his mouth and spoke up as Jaret and Kunst made their introductions.
"Oh, travellers; then it's well met we are. My name is Nace Firewalker, and I'm a guide at times. Bodyguard at others. The desert is a dangerous place; you might consider my services if you've a mind to explore it." He continues to sip at his drink as Kreepto goes on and voices his concerns. The boy frowns and scratches some stubble on his own chin, obviously concerned as Kreepto mentions these dangers. His eyes cut to the minor scene by the door as Vanadan stares back at the patrons, then walks over to join the people around him; he gives the elf a quick glance, then he's looking back at Kreepto and the reactions of the people around him. His eyes flick quickly, trying not to miss a nuance or gesture.
__________________ "God as my witness, I thought turkeys could fly." -- Mr Carlson, WKRP in Cincinnatti
Jairik eyes the three new arrivals that have taken an interest in the kreepto, wondering if he has brought too much attention to the downtrodden kobold.
He hears Nace's introduction, notes that he is a guide and knowing they are good friends to have, he introduces himself. "Well met Nace, I am Jairik, a bard of more skill than that cretin whose singing is assaulting your ears at the moment. If the drink were not free here, I would offer to buy you one. I have not known guides to travel with bodygaurds and scholars, though, you have an interesting entourage." Jairik gives a motion indicating he is talking about the elf and half-orc.
Returning his attention to Kreepto, "This smoke smell you speak of, little one, where have you smelled it before that you recognize it as an ill omen?"
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