Knightfall's Aerie of the Crow God [Kulan/v3.5] (IC)

[Knightfall]

Originally Posted by Blackrat

Lorien plays long to the night, first to entertain others, then just for himself when everyone has left. It is the midnight that he loves and one of the reasons he enjoys his ring so much. Eventually, he'll settle in a corner of the common room to meditate. It is again, long before the others have awaken that he is already up, taken a bath and dressed in his best, an outfit of a young elven noble. He's just playing to amuse himself, waiting for his friends to join him and greeting them all cheerily as is his way.

Timmins sleeps soundly in his chair near you with Wilbur sleeping on the floor next to the fireplace. The fire is embers but there is no chill on the floor this morning. Your playing doesn't disturb either of them.

Rosie was up and at work preparing breakfast while you were in the bath. Now, the inn's bar has been converted to a fine sampling of foodstuffs. She's gone all out, it seems, this morning. It turns out she made more money last night than she had made in a week. She is complimaentary of your skills as a musician and uses the honorific "Master" before your name.

It is a strange human word when said with your name but it is an honor nonetheless.

Originally Posted by renau1g

Halmar will stretch his muscles as he stands up from his comfortable bed. Going through a brief set of stretches to get the feeling back and the blood flowing, Halmar begins to pack up his gear.

The barbarian strides downstairs and is greeted by the elven's tunes, smiling to himself Halmar will grab a seat at the table and nod his approval to Lorien. His stomach begins to rumble, adding a new element to the elf's performance, as Halmar looks around for Rosie.

You quickly find Rosie setting out platters and a few utensils for you and the other guests. There is already a fine feast of foodstuffs prepared and set out on the bar. You hadn't realized that your stomach was rumbling due to the smell of the food until you had set your eyes upon Rosie's work.

"Go ahead," she says. "I've prepared this in honor of Master Lorien's fine performance last night. Hopefully, he'll be able to do the same thing once you've helped Lady Pendour. Gareth should be here soon enough to take you to see her. So, eat your fill and then some if you wish. I can afford it after last night."

Originally Posted by Thanee

Sheyla gets up and prepares herself for the day. When dawn breaks, she sits down to pray to Corellon, thanking him for his help for the human and preparing her spells for the coming day.

Once she is ready, Sheyla heads down into the common room. She once more checks on Wilburs condition and then goes to get some breakfast.

During your prayers, you sense the presence of the Elf Lord watching over you. It is a strong sensation not typical of your meditations. Is it a sign of praise for your actions or a warning of dangers yet to comes? You can't be sure.

Regardless, you find a less awe-inspiring but still wonderful sight in the common room of Gurnard's Arms. Rosie has laid out a wonderful breakfast, more than you had expected. She gives you her reason pointing to Lorien and then offers you some berry wine.


OOC: Wilbur seems fine to you. He should make a full recovery as long as he continues to rest. (It's too bad a spell couldn't do that for my flu as well. )

Originally Posted by Dog Moon

Reneg awakens and feels that something is wrong. He reaches over to embrace his beloved, but she is gone. Panicking he is instantly alert and glances wildly about the room, looking for her. Then reality strikes him and he falls back to bed, breathing heavily. Why did he always do that? She was gone; that's why he was here. Foolish Reneg, he thinks.

Tired and with a slight headache, he is nonetheless wide awake. He climbs to his feet, dresses and grabs his equipment, stopping for a brief moment to grab the Stone of Alarm from the door. He once thought the stone was stupid until it alerted him of thieves attempting to enter his room. Smiling faintly in appreciation, he pockets the Stone in his pack and heads downstairs to see how the others fare in the morning.

Once out in the hallway you can here two sounds. First, you here the sound of Quinn snoring loudly, the last to wake, which isn't surprising considering how much he had to drink last night. Several of the townsfolk had bought the big man a drink.

Second, you hear the sound of Lorien's playing from downstairs. Doesn't he ever sleep? You also smell food. Good food. It draws you forward like the smell of cheese to a hungry mouse. However, there is no trap protecting this cheese. You simply have to get some of it before Halmar eats it all. Quinn better wake up soon or he'll miss out.

Just then, the door of the inn opens and Gareth walks in. His lovable persona is tempered by his rather large hangover. He seems a little smaller this morning.

"Gods, never again!" He moans. "Awake, I see. Here I thought you'd still be sleeping. By Hades' Beard, I wish I was still asleep."

"Quiet you," Rosie says pointing her finger at him. "Some of my guests are still sleeping!"

"Sorry," Gareth tries to smile. "I got quite the lecture from Maggie last night and this morning too. She put me in a sour mood; although, she was right to put me in my place. I should know better than to let the drink get the best of me."

Gareth continues to speak without addressing anyone specifically. His head must really hurt.

"I've already been to see Lady Pendour," he says. "She's agreed to meet with you in three hours. I'll take you up to the manor myself to introduce you to Gar Ebal, her seneschal. He'll formally introduce you to the Lady. It can't be helped. That man is all about protocol."

The big man steps up to the bar and grabs some pork shank and pours himself some sweetwater. He sits right at the bar and chews his food slowly... carefully... and without another word.


OOC: I'm going back to bed.

[Knightfall]

OOC: I'm waiting patiently... or at least I'm trying to be patient.

[Thanee]

“My thanks to both of you, then,” Sheyla says, nodding to Rosie and Lorien in turn. “This is a good day.”

She then sits down to enjoy her breakfast. When Gareth comes storming in, the elf listens to what the big man has to say.

“Three hours? We shall be ready by then.”

[Blackrat]

To be polite Lorien has some of the breakfast. He did enjoy eating once in a while though he wasn't really hungry. Dressed in his best and having tied his hair he appears almost different person. Instead of a hardy adventurer there now sits a noble youth.
"Thank you Gareth. We will be ready by then." Lorien does hope they get Quinn up by then...

[Voda Vosa]

Quinn nose tickles with the scent of food, and the man wakes up, with only one thing in his head. Food.
He dresses up quickly and gets downstairs, where most of his partners are, along with the bear of a man, eating. "Damn he's quick..." the gladiator thought, as he crosses the room, nodding in salutation to his comrades.
He sits next to Gareth and pats him on the shoulder. "Seems you got me in disadvantage." he says, before looking for Rosie "Is there some bread and cheese?"

[Knightfall]

Originally Posted by Thanee

“My thanks to both of you, then,” Sheyla says, nodding to Rosie and Lorien in turn. “This is a good day.”

She then sits down to enjoy her breakfast. When Gareth comes storming in, the elf listens to what the big man has to say.

“Three hours? We shall be ready by then.”

Originally Posted by Blackrat

To be polite Lorien has some of the breakfast. He did enjoy eating once in a while though he wasn't really hungry. Dressed in his best and having tied his hair he appears almost different person. Instead of a hardy adventurer there now sits a noble youth.
"Thank you Gareth. We will be ready by then." Lorien does hope they get Quinn up by then...

"Aye, it can't be helped." Gareth mumbles as he chews. "Gar would make you wait outside the manor until the appropriate time if I took you up there sooner. It's a stupid thing to make you and the Lady wait for protocol's sake."

He stops to wash down his food with some sweetwater.

"Hmm, I could try to sneak you through the kitchen. Marabelle would be up and about by now. Gar wouldn't expect that."

"Now Gareth," Rosie says. "Don't you be making trouble for these young heroes. You know Gar would be irate if you did such a thing. It would reflect badly on them."

"Aye," Gareth replies. "It was just a thought..."

[Knightfall]

Originally Posted by Voda Vosa

Quinn nose tickles with the scent of food, and the man wakes up, with only one thing in his head. Food.
He dresses up quickly and gets downstairs, where most of his partners are, along with the bear of a man, eating. "Damn he's quick..." the gladiator thought, as he crosses the room, nodding in salutation to his comrades.
He sits next to Gareth and pats him on the shoulder. "Seems you got me in disadvantage." he says, before looking for Rosie "Is there some bread and cheese?"

"Quinn!" Gareth pokes you in the ribs. "Finally awake I see. I hope your head hurts less than mine. Har!"

Rosie gives you a big smile and brings you some fresh bread and a plate of cheese. There are only a few types but its a good selection for such a small town.

"Help yourself to anything else you want," she says. "This special breakfast is in honor of Master Lorien's wonderful playing last night."

Once she's satisfied that you have everything you want and even more so, she heads back into her kitchen beyond the back room. You hear a chicken clucking, the fall of a cleaver, and then there is no clucking anymore. You can hear her humming to herself as she works.

More of the inn's guests come down from upstairs. Most of them are locals but there appears to have been a couple of travelers staying at the inn last night as well. A man and woman. They have the look of peddlers... or tinkerers, perhaps. They're definitely not adventurers, regardless.

Timmins helps himself to some food while trying to avoid conversing with Gareth too much. Even Old Wilbur manages to eat something. Rosie brings out more food and drink as the need arises.

[renau1g]

Halmar remains quiet during the exchange with Gareth as the other explains protocol and delaying them for the sake of saving face.

Once Gareth leaves he leans forward in his chair, "I've never understood these people gesturing to the town-dwellers, "Where I come from, if the chief calls us, we come, we don't wait for hours. I'm surprised they get anything done". The large man bites loudly into an apple as he waits for the main course.

[Voda Vosa]

"I suppose they live at a different peace. I don't truly like protocols too, but I respect the decisions of others to live constrained in rules made of iron." Quinn adds, chewing a cheese sandwich.

[Dog Moon]

Reneg understood a little about protocals. He didn't care much about them himself, but he understood that they should be followed when required. Odd though, that the leader herself couldn't just dismissed the protocals like the leaders at home. Guess these people have other, odder, protocals he just wasn't familiar.

"That's fine," he tells the others, "I don't mind waiting." The longer he had to wait the better. Pity he couldn't help these people just by staying at the inn... or himself, for that matter.

[Knightfall]

Originally Posted by renau1g

Halmar remains quiet during the exchange with Gareth as the other explains protocol and delaying them for the sake of saving face.

Once Gareth leaves he leans forward in his chair, "I've never understood these people gesturing to the town-dwellers, "Where I come from, if the chief calls us, we come, we don't wait for hours. I'm surprised they get anything done". The large man bites loudly into an apple as he waits for the main course.

Originally Posted by Voda Vosa

"I suppose they live at a different peace. I don't truly like protocols too, but I respect the decisions of others to live constrained in rules made of iron." Quinn adds, chewing a cheese sandwich.

Originally Posted by Dog Moon

Reneg understood a little about protocals. He didn't care much about them himself, but he understood that they should be followed when required. Odd though, that the leader herself couldn't just dismissed the protocals like the leaders at home. Guess these people have other, odder, protocals he just wasn't familiar.

"That's fine," he tells the others, "I don't mind waiting." The longer he had to wait the better. Pity he couldn't help these people just by staying at the inn... or himself, for that matter.

The morning soon progresses past breakfast. The wait starts out slow but is soon filled by conversation. Timmins tells you more about Gurnard's Head. How it's defenders went mad during the seige and that they ate each other, and how the sea rock and its tower is said to be haunted by their spirits. There is a sea cave that allows for access from the bottom but only at low tide. There is also said to be lost treasures in the abandoned tower and perhaps lost magic as well. And, of course, there are the harpies. Always the harpies.

Soon the three hours are nearly over and the mood in the in has become more somber.

"Well, I should be taking you to the manor now," Gareth says. He leads you out of Gurnard's Arms and into the daylight of a crisp Spring morning. The way to Carnell Manor is a simple walk up the north road from the town square. The road branches northwest towards the manor, which you must have passed by last night in the rain. You hadn't even seen it.

Now you do. The manor is aesthetically pleasing to the eye and seems designed more for show than for defense. The manor is framed by "black and white" timbers and only has a low stone wall surrounding its estate as protection. The wall seems designed more to keep out livestock as a flock of sheep graze nearby.

At the wall, Gareth leads you through a sturdy wooden gate that he closes behind him. The road up to the manor is a simple yet decorative path that matches the manor's aesthetic grace. You are surprised to see the manor door wide open and a man standing in the doorway. He is a tall man with piercing black eyes and pitch black hair. His lips are as thin as parchment and his face is just as thin but fluid. He hold a ledger under one arm.

"You are early, Gareth." Gar says.

"Only by minutes, Gar," Gareth replies. "Would you rather I had been late bringing them up?"

"I would have preferred you'd been exactly on time but I know better than to expect that from you. Early is better than late. So, these are the ones I've heard about, hmm? They don't look like much but anyone is better than the last bunch of rogues."

Gar Ebal looks each of you up and down without speaking to any of you. He eyes Halmar suspiciously and nods in approval at Quinn. He barely acknowledges the rest of you.

"You will follow me inside. Touch nothing or the guards will put you in your place. They are there even if you think they are not. The last group learned that the hard way." Gar steps towards the open doorway.

"Good luck," Gareth says. "I'll talk to you again later. Try not to let Gar intimidate you."

With that, Gareth turns around and walks back towards Carnell. Gar disappears inside.

[Voda Vosa]

Quinn waves Gareth goodby and follows the vermin-of-a-man inside the building at quick peace, smiling to the others at Gar's back.

[Blackrat]

Thank you Gareth. Lorien acknowledges the sheriff and steps to follow the steward. He catches up to the man and asks. If you don't mind, master Ebal, how should we adress the lady? Is "lady" sufficient, or does she hold a title that we should rather use?

[Thanee]

Sheyla remains silent, while she follows the others, listening closely to Lorien's question and hopefully an answer to it.

[Knightfall]

Originally Posted by Voda Vosa

Quinn waves Gareth goodby and follows the vermin-of-a-man inside the building at quick peace, smiling to the others at Gar's back.

Originally Posted by Blackrat

Thank you Gareth. Lorien acknowledges the sheriff and steps to follow the steward. He catches up to the man and asks. If you don't mind, master Ebal, how should we adress the lady? Is "lady" sufficient, or does she hold a title that we should rather use?

Originally Posted by Thanee

Sheyla remains silent, while she follows the others, listening closely to Lorien's question and hopefully an answer to it.

"First of all, you may address me as either Lord Ebal or Master Seneschal." Gar replies. "Do not mix the two forms of address. It makes you sound like a commoner. If you wish to address Her Ladyship properly then I suggest you stick with either 'Your Ladyship' or 'Lady Pendour.' Do not refer to her by her first name.

"More than likely her daughter will be at her side during your interview. I would prefer if you do not address her at all but if she speaks to you then you may address her as 'Lady Chartrese.' Chartrese is her betrothed name, which is used at formal functions. She is an attractive girl, so I must insist you do not stare. It would be quite inappropriate. I would hate to have to inform her husband to be of any inappropriate behavior on your part."

Gar says all this as he leads you down a long, dim-lit corridor. There is just enough light to see with torches evenly spaced along the walls. There are no doors except for the double doors at the end of the hall. Two guards flank the doors on both sides and they come to attention as the seneschal approaches.

He opens the doors and light floods into the hallway momentarily blinding you. Once your vision clears, you see a fine feasting hall with adornments aplenty. The hall stretches to the back of the manor and up to the buildlings roof where a stained glass skylight lets in the morning sun. The hall is two-tiered with the upper level stretching around the hall as a high balcony. A large rectangular, wooden table sits in the center of the hall and you note a seat for each of you around it with two larger chairs at the head, which are obviously for Lady Pendour and her daughter. A large man in plate armor stands at attention behind and to the left of the chairs.

"My son, Ghal." Gar says. "He is the Captain of the House and Lady Pendour's personal guard. You may address him as 'Sir Ebal.' However, it would be best if you simply ignored his presence once Lady Pendour arrives. She will be here shortly. I will leave you to wait for her under Ghal's watchful eye. He will make sure you do not act inappropriately."

The seneschal quickly removes himself from the room and closes the doors behind him. You are left alone in the room with the knight who quickly relaxes once his father is gone.

"I'm sorry about that," Ghal says. "Father can be a bit rude at times. He doesn't think much of outsiders or people in general. Feel free to sit or look around but please do not touch anything not on the table. There is food and drink if you are hungry."

[renau1g]

Halmar will have half-listened to the pretentious seneschal's ramblings and instead turned his focus to the various adornments of the room. He had not expected such grandeur from such a small town and was geniunely taken aback.

At Ghal's words the barbarian will nod "Thank you for the offer...Sir Ebal" as he struggles to remember all the titles that Gar had gone over. He will help himself to the offered refreshments.

[Blackrat]

Lorien smirked inside. He was tempted to call the seneschal "young man" or even "boy", but kept his tongue. He had been courting with nobles and royalty when this human's father was still a boy. Sometimes the insolence of humans was almost unbearable. But he pulled up a smile and bowed at him instead. Thank you Master Seneschal. And if you wish to keep with the etiquette, you may refer to me as Lord Mornyano. He had to give the man a little jab by informing him subtly that he was infact a noble too.

It was only then he realised that Sheyla hadn't been aware of his heritage as far as he knew, and this embarrassed him. He tried to keep a low profile about his lineage afterall.

[Dog Moon]

Yep, Reneg was definitely fine with letting the Bard speak with the 'Lady'. He looks at the comfortable chairs and hesitates for a moment before unceremoniously plopping himself down into it. What he needed was a fine layer of dirt and maybe a twig or two, but he highly doubted these nobles would appreciate him bringing inside the natural world.

His eyes glance over the daughter and pause for a brief second as his thoughts turn to his Beloved, but he quickly looks away and inspects the nearby adornments upon the walls, keeping his mind from heading down that terrible, dark road.

[Thanee]

“Thank you, Sir Ebal. There are certainly worse flaws to be found amongst your kind, than the desire for correct etiquette.”

Sheyla nods to the knight and takes a seat on the table.

[Knightfall]

Originally Posted by Blackrat

Lorien smirked inside. He was tempted to call the seneschal "young man" or even "boy", but kept his tongue. He had been courting with nobles and royalty when this human's father was still a boy. Sometimes the insolence of humans was almost unbearable. But he pulled up a smile and bowed at him instead. Thank you Master Seneschal. And if you wish to keep with the etiquette, you may refer to me as Lord Mornyano. He had to give the man a little jab by informing him subtly that he was infact a noble too.

It was only then he realised that Sheyla hadn't been aware of his heritage as far as he knew, and this embarrassed him. He tried to keep a low profile about his lineage afterall.

If Gar Ebal hears your comment, he doesn't react to it before he leaves the room. Gar's son shakes his head in disgust at his father's behavior.

"Lord Mornyano, please try to forgive my father's behavior. For all his talk of etiquette, he has almost none himself regarding outsiders. You must allow me to apologize for my family's sake. Please, let me offer my hand in friendship? Please?"

Sir Ebal holds out his hand in hopes you will accept his apology on behalf of his family.

Originally Posted by Dog Moon

Yep, Reneg was definitely fine with letting the Bard speak with the 'Lady'. He looks at the comfortable chairs and hesitates for a moment before unceremoniously plopping himself down into it. What he needed was a fine layer of dirt and maybe a twig or two, but he highly doubted these nobles would appreciate him bringing inside the natural world.

The chair is indeed comfortable and looks to have been carved from some of the finest oak. You note the table is carved in the same way. The furniture looks old but it is well cared for. You can tell from the craftmenship that the wood came from deadfall and not a live tree.

The walls of the all suggest this isn't just a noble's hall but a hunting hall. There are dozens of heads scattered throughout the room from animals and other more exotic beasts. You can tell they are mounted in honor to the North Gods -- specifically The Hunting Princess, Larea, one of the deities honored in your homeland.

Originally Posted by renau1g

Halmar will have half-listened to the pretentious seneschal's ramblings and instead turned his focus to the various adornments of the room. He had not expected such grandeur from such a small town and was geniunely taken aback.

At Ghal's words the barbarian will nod "Thank you for the offer...Sir Ebal" as he struggles to remember all the titles that Gar had gone over. He will help himself to the offered refreshments.

"Good. I thank you for accepting our hospitality. It honors the Lady and the god Sanh." Ghal replies. "If there is anything specific you wish then I can call for the staff. I'm sure they can make you something special if you prefer."

Originally Posted by Thanee

“Thank you, Sir Ebal. There are certainly worse flaws to be found amongst your kind, than the desire for correct etiquette.”

Sheyla nods to the knight and takes a seat on the table.

"I thank you for that courtesy, dear lady. It is most graceous for you to say so considering my father's behavior. I assuse you that Lady Pendour isn't such a sticklier for etiquette. You can relax here." Ghal replies. "I'm sure that the Lady will be here shortly. She had some other matters to attend to this morning. There was an attack on a local homestead last night by two harpies. The beasts got away and the homestead's family was killed."

The knight pauses a moment to sigh and bow his head in sorrow.

"It is sad news, especially for me. I knew the family well. Brennen, the father, was a childhood friend of mine. I wish I could destroy these harpies myself but, alas, I'm not allowed to leave my post here in the manor. Tradition and all that."