[AU]Vale of Shadows [IC]

Vale of Shadows

This is the IC thread for Vale of Shadows, starring

Rangerjohn: Rowlth, Litorian Ice Cat Totem Warrior

Garyh: Ar=Pharos, Giant Warmain
Inez Hull: Kyraelis, Faen Akashik
Arma: Haradoth, Mojh (Future Mage Blade)
GPEKO: Rupert, Human Runethane/Unfettered
Mirthcard: Xen, Verrik Champion of Death

The Rogue's Gallery is here
The OOC Thread is here

The Beginning

Rowlth stands atop a hill, peering ahead down the road ahead. There are rumors that there is a town just two days hence that is in desperate need of a smith - plows unmended, pots patched with mud. It is likely he could find a goodly amount of work there. But it is growing late now, and the road behind has been hard - were it not for Ice Cat's blessings, it is likely he would have starved to death. As it is, he has eaten small game and bird, hoping to preserve the rations he has. He was even beset upon the road by a pair of brigands, attempting to steal his glistening chain shirt he wears. Their bodies lie in an unmarked grave. The caravanserai just ahead looks warm, and seems fairly well frequented - a good place to rest.
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Haradoth takes another sip of ale. His last caravan trip was a fairly good one, but the profits were slim, and the pay wasn't nearly what he was promised. Most of the other guards agreed that this stop would be the last - the old man just couldn't pay them enough to go any further. They set out last night, leaving him to ponder his next journey. The old man is still here, nursing an ale in the corner, and obviously trying to decide his next move. Haradoth shrugs. The caravanserai is warm, and inviting, and road outside is dark, and cold. He looks up as a Giant in banded mail, bearing a well-worn falchion swings the door wide, letting in a burst of cold air, and a few traces of light snow. A faen stands at his side, looking about the room with interest, and muttering what seems to be a prayer to someone...
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Ar-Pharos sighs, and holds the door for the strangely dressed faen. Kyrlis? Kyraelis? Something similar. The faen had said little on the journey for the last few hours, content to walk in silence. Ar-Pharos had met him on the road, his wide steps catching up with the Faen. It seems they were both destined for the same caravanserai, and the faen was small, and travelling alone, so naturally Ar-Pharos had to travel with the fellow, to be sure nothing happened to him....
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Kyraelis surveys the room as they enter, snow blowing about his feet. The warmth of the room is welcome, and he mutters a quick prayer to Arsicus, the goddess of Warm Hearths on Snowy Days while Travelling. There was a odd assortment in the common room - a mojh sat drinking alone in the corner, dressed in soldier's clothes, but no armor, strangely. A pack of Litorians, 4 in number, are jesting loudly in one corner, two of them arm-wrestling with a third calls out encouragement. The giant beside him, himself a faen - nearly all the common races were represented in this remote outpost. Such vagrancies. He stepped in, shaking the cold off, and wondering what Sarsitis, God of Chance Encounters of a Varied Nature had in mind, noticing the two soldiers in the Desgrave's livery sitting at a far table, seeming to be waiting for something....
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Rupert looks back over his shoulder again. He's certain that a semi-sizable party is behind him on the road, but he can't ever catch sight of them. But there have been several outriders, outfitted in the Desgrave's livery, riding ahead to the caravanserai in the past hour, so something is occurring. Still, a warm fire and a good meal are always available, and the peace of the caravanserai is rarely broken. Morudai, the woman that runs this place, is a good woman, and she doesn't tolerate lawlessness. Her two giant enforcers help that as well, he supposes. And it will only be perhaps 5 more minutes before he is there, ready to order the roasted hen....
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Xen considers the room he has taken. It is of average quality, clean, but not particularly well-furnished or cozy. Still, the inn-keep was quick enough to offer it, and a discount as well. A champion of death often unsettles people. That he was Verrik as well seemed only to heighten her discomfort. He paid the fee, and took the room, laying out his things, and perform several rituals, as he often did. He supposed that he should head downstairs and partake of a meal, or at least some bread and wine. And figure out where he was going to go next.

Ar-Pharos was glad that nothing had occured on the road. He'd always liked faen, and he wanted to make sure this one got where he was going.

Kyraelis looks up at his recent travelling companion, "Please join me friend, the least I can do is offer to provide you with a meal after the surety of your company." As he calculates the amount of food a Giant of Ar-Pharos's girth must consume he briefly regrets his offer. Aah, best to earn the good will of a stout warrior in a foreign place. Sarsitis helps those who take the chance out of a chance meeting after all.

After pulling up a chair and then placing his pack on it as a seat to boost him to table level, Kyraelis takes off his travelling coat and begins emptying all the pockets. He then catalogues and inspects the collection of scrolls, books and papers and when completed breathes out a satisfied sigh. "Surely Falen-who-protects-books-exposed-to-the-elements had her hand over me", he smiles up at his Giant companion.

After meticulously returning all the items to his coat, the Faen then leisurely studies the other patrons, content to sit and watch.

"Falen is ever watchful, my friend," the Giant replied with a smile of his own. "And I will gladly take you up on your offer of a meal."

Rupert

Lost for a moment in a blissful reverie of beautiful serving wenchs, delicious food and plenty of wine, Rupert quickly snaps out of it as he realises that those behind him might be after him for some reason. But why ? I have no enemies ... Bah ! Let them come. I can handle them. Better be prepared though. With that, he traces a simple rune of protection on his chest *uses Rune of Armor -- it lasts for 1 hour* and prepares his bow. With a wide grin, he continues walking toward the caravanserai.

dead_radish said:

Xen considers the room he has taken. It is of average quality, clean, but not particularly well-furnished or cozy. Still, the inn-keep was quick enough to offer it, and a discount as well. A champion of death often unsettles people. That he was Verrik as well seemed only to heighten her discomfort. He paid the fee, and took the room, laying out his things, and perform several rituals, as he often did. He supposed that he should head downstairs and partake of a meal, or at least some bread and wine. And figure out where he was going to go next.

Click to expand...

As he walked down the stairs, Xen heard the familiar pause in conversation and intake of breath as his black armor came into view, the inlaid skull motif glinting in the flickering candlelight of the main room of the caravanserai. His dark eyes scanned the faces of those assembled as they began their conversations again and tried to avoid his gaze, acting as if he wasn't there. A few returned his brief look in their direction and Xen made a mental note of them before settling down into a dark corner booth. He motioned to the barkeep, indicating food and drink. He hoped to get his meal finished before death called for his services again, as it always did. But the champion wasn't holding his breath, for he rarely finished a meal.

OOC: The jobhunt has taken over large portions of my free time recently. I'll try my best to clean up the last details of Xen's character entry tomorrow.

dead_radish said:

Rowlth stands atop a hill, peering ahead down the road ahead. There are rumors that there is a town just two days hence that is in desperate need of a smith - plows unmended, pots patched with mud. It is likely he could find a goodly amount of work there. But it is growing late now, and the road behind has been hard - were it not for Ice Cat's blessings, it is likely he would have starved to death. As it is, he has eaten small game and bird, hoping to preserve the rations he has. He was even beset upon the road by a pair of brigands, attempting to steal his glistening chain shirt he wears. Their bodies lie in an unmarked grave. The caravanserai just ahead looks warm, and seems fairly well frequented - a good place to rest.
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Click to expand...

Rowlth make his way to the carvanserai and makes his way to the stables to board the mule. After making sure she is comfortable, he make his way to the common room. Where he orders a meal and a room. He makes his way to an out of the way table and starts on his meal while keeping a watchful eye on the room.

Haradoth watches the giant with interest, but it is the faen that draws his indirect attention. Looking over the faen for evidence of its relation to the giant and purpose, Haradoth continues his meal. He will move the sper case so that it rests against his knees, with the spears in easy reach.

Rowlth eats his meal quietly, noticing that it is full of the spice that the people in the area seem to prefer, masking the true taste of the game. He suspects that it is rabbit, but it was not identified by the server. His eyes are drawn, with all others, to the front door when it opens again, revealing a human who steps in, looking over his shoulder. Just at the edge of sight, Rowlth notes activity as people seem to be erecting a tent of some sort....
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Xen sighs, seeing his prediction may well come true again. Behind the non-descript human that entered, he can see a number of soldiers of the Margrave just outside the door. It seems clear they plan to enter, and they do not have the look of men coming to relax in a warm common room. They have a duty of some sort...
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Rupert's journey was not threatened, as he had feared. He feels comforted by the armor rune, but it was not needed. He is able to enter the Caravanserai with no trouble from the riders, though he did note that they seem to be erecting a pavillion just outside the inn. He steps in to the pleasant warmth of a crackling fire in the hearth.
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Ar-Pharos and Kyraelis enjoy their warmed bread, speaking occasionally.
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Haradoth sees the human enter as well, and beyond him, Margrave soldiers. He tenses a bit at their gait and manner. He is not at all surprised when the first steps in the door.
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The guard that just entered bangs his longspear on the ground to draw attention, then announces in a commanding voice "Stow all weapons, rise to your feet. Margrave Korstel approaches, and will speak to you."

Actions?