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Story Hour
Dusk in the land of Fading Stars - Femerus' Story hour (updated 2-20-03)
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<blockquote data-quote="Femerus the Gnecro" data-source="post: 254176" data-attributes="member: 2381"><p>Chapter 2, Continued</p><p></p><p>After heading west for the better part of an hour, Saryna, Kerim and Lucien come to a crowded crossroads. Dozens of people mill about minding their own business. A dirty town crier rehashes last week’s news with a grating voice, while street vendors wave their ‘lizard on a stick’ at anyone who ventures too close.</p><p></p><p>As the party moves through the throng, a young woman in a cleric’s garb comes barreling through the crowd, looking intently at the feet of as many people as possible. At the last second, Lucien darts aside to avoid being trampled.</p><p></p><p>As she passes, Lucien manages to grab her arm. </p><p></p><p>“Excuse me!” </p><p></p><p>As soon as Lucien sees her face, however, he regrets having snapped at her. The girl seems possessed by an almost manic energy… her face is pale, as though frightened, and the tracks of recent tears stand out on her cheeks, reflecting iridescently in the morning’s light.</p><p></p><p>The girl stops dead in her tracks and begins to tremble slightly. “Oh… my apologies sir. I… um… I’m sorry.” The blushes appearing on the girl’s cheeks contrast sharply with her pale, frightened complexion. </p><p></p><p>“You seem to be in somewhat of a rush… you could have easily trampled… my short friend, here,” Lucien says as he gestures to Kerim. Kerim looks up at the girl’s face and is immediately struck by her fragility.</p><p></p><p>The young cleric’s agitation only seems to increase. “I’m trying to find somebody, but all I have to go on is their shoes… it is no easy task.” As she talks, the girl continues to scan the feet of the passers-by. </p><p></p><p>“What’s so special about the shoes?” asks Kerim. The girl bites her lip, and speaks without even looking at him. </p><p></p><p>“They’re red… with a black eagle on the sides… I… I need to find them.”</p><p></p><p>As Kerim begins to aid the girl in scanning the crowd’s feet, Lucien takes a step away and closes his eyes as though concentrating. The crowd seems to avoid him without even realizing it. </p><p></p><p><em>Pin…be my eyes. Do you see any pedestrians about with red shoes on?</em></p><p><em></em></p><p><em>No… not in the bustle. Why?</em></p><p><em></em></p><p><em>Just curious… this… woman is looking for someone with them on. Do you think you could get a better angle on the crowd and keep looking?</em></p><p><em></em></p><p><em>Sure.</em></p><p></p><p>Meanwhile, Saryna is becoming impatient with what she dismisses as a minor distraction. “I thought we were out here to go job hunting, not shoe hunting.” The cleric is startled out of her search by the owner of this new voice, whom she had not noticed previously.</p><p></p><p>The girl bows as she sees Saryna for the first time. “I am sorry to disturb you… madame.”</p><p></p><p>Saryna’s eyes widen in shock at this totally unexpected display of respect. Laughter bubbles out of her mouth without her consent.</p><p></p><p>“Ha! I’m no ‘madame.’ Why is it so important that you find this person anyways?” </p><p></p><p>The young cleric’s face, if possible, becomes even paler. </p><p></p><p>“They came into the temple… they destroyed… the Book. Then they killed… murdered…” The young girl chokes back a sob. </p><p></p><p>“I have to find them. I must! They must pay for this sacrilege… in the name of the Father of Man.” As she mentions the Father, the girl genuflects and makes a gesture with her hand.</p><p></p><p>Lucien continues to concentrate.</p><p></p><p><em>Pin… progress? </em></p><p><em></em></p><p><em>Nothing. What’s going on? Should I be looking for someone milling about, looking suspicious?</em></p><p><em></em></p><p><em>Someone in a hurry… they just murdered someone. Red shoes with an eagle icon.</em></p><p><em></em></p><p><em>Nice of them to wear such rare footware, then.</em></p><p><em></em></p><p><em>I know… but it’s all we have to go on.</em></p><p><em></em></p><p><em>I’m not seeing anyone… Whomever it is, I can’t see his feet, or he’s smart enough not to be walking around outside.</em></p><p><em></em></p><p><em>I’m sure you did your best. Keep an eye out though.</em></p><p></p><p>Saryna glances about haphazardly. “I don’t think they’d still be out in a crowd at this point. Cities like this always have sewers and other ways to get around without being seen.” </p><p></p><p>Lucien seems to come out of his trance. “If he’s outside, he’s keeping an extremely low profile. I don’t suppose you know what his tracks look like?”</p><p></p><p>The girl’s forehead crinkles in concentration. “They were boots… like yours I suppose. I… I’m not sure what the track looks like. I… I’m sorry.”</p><p></p><p>Kerim pats the girl’s hand consolingly. “How is it that you only saw this person’s shoes, anyway? Did he come up and clock you on the head while you were kneeling?”</p><p></p><p>The girl looks at Kerim, tears welling up in her eyes. Her voice trembles as she speaks.</p><p></p><p>“…I hid. Father of Man forgive me.” The girl genuflects again, nearly falling as her shaking knees give way beneath her. “He would have killed me… he had a long knife.” </p><p></p><p>Kerim continues to hold onto her hand. “Hey, it’s okay. Everyone gets scared now and again. And just think… if you had died, who’d be left to avenge everybody?”</p><p></p><p>The girl looks at Kerim strangely and nods, trying to look fierce. “I… I expect retribution, and it will be dealt by my hand!”</p><p></p><p>Saryna laughs. “What do you know of fighting? You’re but a child, and a cleric to boot. You’re next to useless with your temple-bred ways and your unworldly views… ‘people are born, people die.’ Bah!”</p><p></p><p>Tears begin to leak from the young cleric’s eyes, despite her best efforts to keep them back. “I… I…”</p><p></p><p>Kerim’s steely glance sets Saryna back a pace. “Hey! It’s called tact, why don’t you try it sometime? There’s no reason to give her a hard time here. She’s the one who’s suffered. Unlike some of us here, this girl’s sad story is actually sad! So LAY OFF!”</p><p></p><p>The cleric’s relief is evident, though she didn’t expect a display of gallantry from such an unimposing figure. “Thank you. I… can I travel with you for a while? I can pay you… buy you rations or something.” The girl takes out a shiny piece of gold and holds it towards Kerim.</p><p></p><p>Saryna’s eyes light up at the thought of being paid by the young girl, but Kerim waves away the gold. The girl returns it to her pouch, confused.</p><p></p><p>“So will you help me?” </p><p></p><p>Kerim smiles. “It just so happens that we’re free at the moment, so I don’t see why not. You’re welcome to travel with us for the time being.”</p><p></p><p>Sulking, Saryna mutters under her breath. “Well I’m not free… but I’ll come along anyway.”</p><p></p><p>Before Saryna has even finished her sentence, the cleric has a piece of gold in her hand again. Kerim slaps away Saryna’s hand before she can take it.</p><p></p><p>“Would you stop that? We won’t accept your gold.”</p><p></p><p>The girl looks confused, taking the gold piece out again. “But she wants this…”</p><p></p><p>Kerim glares at Saryna for a moment before responding. “You’ll attract footpads, now put that away, please.”</p><p></p><p>Saryna glares at Kerim as the girl returns the gold to her pouch. “Fine, then. Let’s get moving. Your eagle boots are long gone.”</p><p></p><p>As the sun rises to its zenith, breaking through the haze of dark clouds, the group makes its way from northern residential Darumont to Southend: a district of commerce, trade and questionable goings-on. During the trip, the group learns that the girl’s name is Merileene and that she is, or was, a novice cleric at one of the local temples of The Father before it was destroyed. The Book in question turns out to have been the records and histories of the final destruction of the Father of Man. Any motive for such a desecration is not forthcoming. </p><p></p><p>Before long, the pungent smell of commerce heralds their arrival in Southend; even more disreputable merchants and vendors attempt to woo the group with their impressive arrays of shiny, multicolored trash. </p><p></p><p>The Sweeps building itself is very well maintained, two stories tall with a very sturdy looking oak door in front with the word “Sweeps” written above it in gilt lettering.</p><p></p><p>Lucien pauses for a moment before he opens the Sweeps’ door. “I hope none of you are afraid of birds.” Mere moments after Lucien finishes speaking, a small hawk swoops out of the air and lands gracefully on the crooked end of Lucien’s staff, which in hindsight looks a bit like a perch.</p><p></p><p>Lucien smiles at the bird. “This is Pin… my familiar. Pin, meet Saryna and Merileene. You know the short one already.” Pin looks at the women, makes a ‘wark!’ noise and starts preening. Merileene is entranced.</p><p></p><p>“Is she your friend?” she asks.</p><p></p><p>Lucien glances fondly at the bird. “My familiar,” he corrects. Then, seeing the confused look on Meri’s face, he continues. “A familiar is a wizard’s magical animal companion.”</p><p></p><p>Meri’s enthusiasm drops sharply out of misunderstanding. “Oh… she isn’t a real bird?”</p><p></p><p>Lucien laughs. “Oh… Pin is real alright. She’s just extremely intelligent and resourceful. Had there been any red boots in the area, Pin would have seen them. I had her searching for them mere seconds after you mentioned them to us.”</p><p></p><p>“Oh… I’m very sorry,” Meri stammers, afraid she’s somehow offended Lucien. Lucien doesn’t notice.</p><p></p><p>Kerim impatiently opens the door and motions for everyone else to follow. “Let’s go! Meaningful employment awaits!”</p><p></p><p>Upon entering the Sweeps building, everyone notices a marked contrast between the interior of the building and the dirty marketplace outside. The Sweeps reception area is quite large, with several comfortable plush chairs, a fireplace and a few doors leading to other parts of the office. Kerim quickly makes the rounds… looking for a service bell, trying out all the chairs, warming his feet by the fire and picking up an introductory “About the Sweeps” brochure. Finally seeing the sign that reads “please be seated,” Kerim returns to the most comfortable of the plush chairs and sits down to read the pamphlet. Saryna notices that nearer the ceiling are trophies of the hunt… heads of monsters and beasts slain by the organization, named weapons and so forth. The portraits are what catch Lucien’s eye… pictures of very impressive looking men and women with their notable accomplishments listed on a plaque underneath. </p><p></p><p>After a few minutes, a well-dressed man comes through one of the rear doors and approaches the group.</p><p></p><p>“Hello, welcome to the Sweeps. How may we be of assistance?”</p><p></p><p>Kerim jumps off his chair and shakes the man’s hand before invited to do so. “Actually, we were hoping that <em>we</em> could be of assistance to <em>you</em>.”</p><p></p><p>The man gives everyone an appraising glance before responding. “Oh… I see. Aspiring members then? Please come with me. We can discuss this in my office.”</p><p></p><p>After everyone is settled in the office, the man begins his speech. “To become a part of our organization, you must first understand what it is that we do. We like to call ourselves ‘Troubleshooters.’ In greater detail, we cover the entire range of possible problems that people may bring to us. If a person has lost something, we find it. We will accept any problem within the limits of our capabilities. Consequently, we refuse to be members of any military support groups… we simply lack the resources to become an effective mercenary provider. In addition, we will refuse outright any job or task that would endanger our position here in Darumont as an upstanding organization. Any questions? No? Then tell me about yourselves.”</p><p></p><p>Kerim begins. “Well, I’m a freelance adventurer and finder of lost items myself… I have a good amount of experience working on solo projects, but I recognize how a team dynamic could be helpful.”</p><p></p><p>Lucien goes next. “I’m a mage. I seek the betterment of myself and my power through any available avenue, so long as it doesn’t interfere with the natural order of things.”</p><p></p><p>“I’m a freelancer as well,” adds Saryna, daring Lucien to disparage the term. “Though I’m quite good with a sword, I excel at marksmanship. I work well alone or in a team.”</p><p></p><p>Merileene, still in the process of coming to terms with mercenary work, mutters something about being a healer and their importance in battles. The man behind the desk however, hardly notices. Favorably impressed by the group’s diversity as well as their refreshing straightforwardness, he makes a decision. </p><p></p><p>“It sounds as though you’re a very well rounded group. Very well… I suppose it couldn’t hurt to give you a trial run. Simply put, if you don’t bungle, you’ll be welcome to join the Sweeps as initiates. Now, however, we talk business.”</p><p></p><p>For the next half hour, the man details the Sweeps rules and payment policy. When he’s done, he gives the details of the assignment. </p><p></p><p>“There is a warehouse on the docks… recently a shipment arrived from several Amari carracks. I’m assuming it’s weaponry to be sold on the market, but that’s unimportant. They have a rather large contingent of guards there, but they want a few more hands, and you could handle this easily with so many people there. Just don’t fall asleep.” The man hands Lucien a slip of paper. “This slip has my sigil on it. Present it to anyone that asks who you are, and identify yourselves as Sweeps. Please be at the docks within an hour.”</p><p></p><p>Thank you’s are exchanged, hands are shaken, and the intrepid adventurers set forth on their first joint venture… guard duty.</p><p></p><p>Sigh…</p><p></p><p><em>To be continued…</em></p><p><em></em></p><p><em>Next post: Fight! Fight! Fight! …and Pin takes a nap.</em></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Femerus the Gnecro, post: 254176, member: 2381"] Chapter 2, Continued After heading west for the better part of an hour, Saryna, Kerim and Lucien come to a crowded crossroads. Dozens of people mill about minding their own business. A dirty town crier rehashes last week’s news with a grating voice, while street vendors wave their ‘lizard on a stick’ at anyone who ventures too close. As the party moves through the throng, a young woman in a cleric’s garb comes barreling through the crowd, looking intently at the feet of as many people as possible. At the last second, Lucien darts aside to avoid being trampled. As she passes, Lucien manages to grab her arm. “Excuse me!” As soon as Lucien sees her face, however, he regrets having snapped at her. The girl seems possessed by an almost manic energy… her face is pale, as though frightened, and the tracks of recent tears stand out on her cheeks, reflecting iridescently in the morning’s light. The girl stops dead in her tracks and begins to tremble slightly. “Oh… my apologies sir. I… um… I’m sorry.” The blushes appearing on the girl’s cheeks contrast sharply with her pale, frightened complexion. “You seem to be in somewhat of a rush… you could have easily trampled… my short friend, here,” Lucien says as he gestures to Kerim. Kerim looks up at the girl’s face and is immediately struck by her fragility. The young cleric’s agitation only seems to increase. “I’m trying to find somebody, but all I have to go on is their shoes… it is no easy task.” As she talks, the girl continues to scan the feet of the passers-by. “What’s so special about the shoes?” asks Kerim. The girl bites her lip, and speaks without even looking at him. “They’re red… with a black eagle on the sides… I… I need to find them.” As Kerim begins to aid the girl in scanning the crowd’s feet, Lucien takes a step away and closes his eyes as though concentrating. The crowd seems to avoid him without even realizing it. [I]Pin…be my eyes. Do you see any pedestrians about with red shoes on? No… not in the bustle. Why? Just curious… this… woman is looking for someone with them on. Do you think you could get a better angle on the crowd and keep looking? Sure.[/I] Meanwhile, Saryna is becoming impatient with what she dismisses as a minor distraction. “I thought we were out here to go job hunting, not shoe hunting.” The cleric is startled out of her search by the owner of this new voice, whom she had not noticed previously. The girl bows as she sees Saryna for the first time. “I am sorry to disturb you… madame.” Saryna’s eyes widen in shock at this totally unexpected display of respect. Laughter bubbles out of her mouth without her consent. “Ha! I’m no ‘madame.’ Why is it so important that you find this person anyways?” The young cleric’s face, if possible, becomes even paler. “They came into the temple… they destroyed… the Book. Then they killed… murdered…” The young girl chokes back a sob. “I have to find them. I must! They must pay for this sacrilege… in the name of the Father of Man.” As she mentions the Father, the girl genuflects and makes a gesture with her hand. Lucien continues to concentrate. [I]Pin… progress? Nothing. What’s going on? Should I be looking for someone milling about, looking suspicious? Someone in a hurry… they just murdered someone. Red shoes with an eagle icon. Nice of them to wear such rare footware, then. I know… but it’s all we have to go on. I’m not seeing anyone… Whomever it is, I can’t see his feet, or he’s smart enough not to be walking around outside. I’m sure you did your best. Keep an eye out though.[/I] Saryna glances about haphazardly. “I don’t think they’d still be out in a crowd at this point. Cities like this always have sewers and other ways to get around without being seen.” Lucien seems to come out of his trance. “If he’s outside, he’s keeping an extremely low profile. I don’t suppose you know what his tracks look like?” The girl’s forehead crinkles in concentration. “They were boots… like yours I suppose. I… I’m not sure what the track looks like. I… I’m sorry.” Kerim pats the girl’s hand consolingly. “How is it that you only saw this person’s shoes, anyway? Did he come up and clock you on the head while you were kneeling?” The girl looks at Kerim, tears welling up in her eyes. Her voice trembles as she speaks. “…I hid. Father of Man forgive me.” The girl genuflects again, nearly falling as her shaking knees give way beneath her. “He would have killed me… he had a long knife.” Kerim continues to hold onto her hand. “Hey, it’s okay. Everyone gets scared now and again. And just think… if you had died, who’d be left to avenge everybody?” The girl looks at Kerim strangely and nods, trying to look fierce. “I… I expect retribution, and it will be dealt by my hand!” Saryna laughs. “What do you know of fighting? You’re but a child, and a cleric to boot. You’re next to useless with your temple-bred ways and your unworldly views… ‘people are born, people die.’ Bah!” Tears begin to leak from the young cleric’s eyes, despite her best efforts to keep them back. “I… I…” Kerim’s steely glance sets Saryna back a pace. “Hey! It’s called tact, why don’t you try it sometime? There’s no reason to give her a hard time here. She’s the one who’s suffered. Unlike some of us here, this girl’s sad story is actually sad! So LAY OFF!” The cleric’s relief is evident, though she didn’t expect a display of gallantry from such an unimposing figure. “Thank you. I… can I travel with you for a while? I can pay you… buy you rations or something.” The girl takes out a shiny piece of gold and holds it towards Kerim. Saryna’s eyes light up at the thought of being paid by the young girl, but Kerim waves away the gold. The girl returns it to her pouch, confused. “So will you help me?” Kerim smiles. “It just so happens that we’re free at the moment, so I don’t see why not. You’re welcome to travel with us for the time being.” Sulking, Saryna mutters under her breath. “Well I’m not free… but I’ll come along anyway.” Before Saryna has even finished her sentence, the cleric has a piece of gold in her hand again. Kerim slaps away Saryna’s hand before she can take it. “Would you stop that? We won’t accept your gold.” The girl looks confused, taking the gold piece out again. “But she wants this…” Kerim glares at Saryna for a moment before responding. “You’ll attract footpads, now put that away, please.” Saryna glares at Kerim as the girl returns the gold to her pouch. “Fine, then. Let’s get moving. Your eagle boots are long gone.” As the sun rises to its zenith, breaking through the haze of dark clouds, the group makes its way from northern residential Darumont to Southend: a district of commerce, trade and questionable goings-on. During the trip, the group learns that the girl’s name is Merileene and that she is, or was, a novice cleric at one of the local temples of The Father before it was destroyed. The Book in question turns out to have been the records and histories of the final destruction of the Father of Man. Any motive for such a desecration is not forthcoming. Before long, the pungent smell of commerce heralds their arrival in Southend; even more disreputable merchants and vendors attempt to woo the group with their impressive arrays of shiny, multicolored trash. The Sweeps building itself is very well maintained, two stories tall with a very sturdy looking oak door in front with the word “Sweeps” written above it in gilt lettering. Lucien pauses for a moment before he opens the Sweeps’ door. “I hope none of you are afraid of birds.” Mere moments after Lucien finishes speaking, a small hawk swoops out of the air and lands gracefully on the crooked end of Lucien’s staff, which in hindsight looks a bit like a perch. Lucien smiles at the bird. “This is Pin… my familiar. Pin, meet Saryna and Merileene. You know the short one already.” Pin looks at the women, makes a ‘wark!’ noise and starts preening. Merileene is entranced. “Is she your friend?” she asks. Lucien glances fondly at the bird. “My familiar,” he corrects. Then, seeing the confused look on Meri’s face, he continues. “A familiar is a wizard’s magical animal companion.” Meri’s enthusiasm drops sharply out of misunderstanding. “Oh… she isn’t a real bird?” Lucien laughs. “Oh… Pin is real alright. She’s just extremely intelligent and resourceful. Had there been any red boots in the area, Pin would have seen them. I had her searching for them mere seconds after you mentioned them to us.” “Oh… I’m very sorry,” Meri stammers, afraid she’s somehow offended Lucien. Lucien doesn’t notice. Kerim impatiently opens the door and motions for everyone else to follow. “Let’s go! Meaningful employment awaits!” Upon entering the Sweeps building, everyone notices a marked contrast between the interior of the building and the dirty marketplace outside. The Sweeps reception area is quite large, with several comfortable plush chairs, a fireplace and a few doors leading to other parts of the office. Kerim quickly makes the rounds… looking for a service bell, trying out all the chairs, warming his feet by the fire and picking up an introductory “About the Sweeps” brochure. Finally seeing the sign that reads “please be seated,” Kerim returns to the most comfortable of the plush chairs and sits down to read the pamphlet. Saryna notices that nearer the ceiling are trophies of the hunt… heads of monsters and beasts slain by the organization, named weapons and so forth. The portraits are what catch Lucien’s eye… pictures of very impressive looking men and women with their notable accomplishments listed on a plaque underneath. After a few minutes, a well-dressed man comes through one of the rear doors and approaches the group. “Hello, welcome to the Sweeps. How may we be of assistance?” Kerim jumps off his chair and shakes the man’s hand before invited to do so. “Actually, we were hoping that [I]we[/I] could be of assistance to [I]you[/I].” The man gives everyone an appraising glance before responding. “Oh… I see. Aspiring members then? Please come with me. We can discuss this in my office.” After everyone is settled in the office, the man begins his speech. “To become a part of our organization, you must first understand what it is that we do. We like to call ourselves ‘Troubleshooters.’ In greater detail, we cover the entire range of possible problems that people may bring to us. If a person has lost something, we find it. We will accept any problem within the limits of our capabilities. Consequently, we refuse to be members of any military support groups… we simply lack the resources to become an effective mercenary provider. In addition, we will refuse outright any job or task that would endanger our position here in Darumont as an upstanding organization. Any questions? No? Then tell me about yourselves.” Kerim begins. “Well, I’m a freelance adventurer and finder of lost items myself… I have a good amount of experience working on solo projects, but I recognize how a team dynamic could be helpful.” Lucien goes next. “I’m a mage. I seek the betterment of myself and my power through any available avenue, so long as it doesn’t interfere with the natural order of things.” “I’m a freelancer as well,” adds Saryna, daring Lucien to disparage the term. “Though I’m quite good with a sword, I excel at marksmanship. I work well alone or in a team.” Merileene, still in the process of coming to terms with mercenary work, mutters something about being a healer and their importance in battles. The man behind the desk however, hardly notices. Favorably impressed by the group’s diversity as well as their refreshing straightforwardness, he makes a decision. “It sounds as though you’re a very well rounded group. Very well… I suppose it couldn’t hurt to give you a trial run. Simply put, if you don’t bungle, you’ll be welcome to join the Sweeps as initiates. Now, however, we talk business.” For the next half hour, the man details the Sweeps rules and payment policy. When he’s done, he gives the details of the assignment. “There is a warehouse on the docks… recently a shipment arrived from several Amari carracks. I’m assuming it’s weaponry to be sold on the market, but that’s unimportant. They have a rather large contingent of guards there, but they want a few more hands, and you could handle this easily with so many people there. Just don’t fall asleep.” The man hands Lucien a slip of paper. “This slip has my sigil on it. Present it to anyone that asks who you are, and identify yourselves as Sweeps. Please be at the docks within an hour.” Thank you’s are exchanged, hands are shaken, and the intrepid adventurers set forth on their first joint venture… guard duty. Sigh… [I]To be continued… Next post: Fight! Fight! Fight! …and Pin takes a nap.[/I] [/QUOTE]
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Dusk in the land of Fading Stars - Femerus' Story hour (updated 2-20-03)
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