Even Newer(er) Tavern Thread: The Hanged Man

[CaBaNa]

Gil sits idly by, overwhelmed by the social interaction he quietly eats his food and sips his drink, occasionally laughing along with the group or gasping at a particularly shocking story.

When Lerrick exits quickly, Gil sighs to himself and picks up a copy of The Screamer to see what pulled her away. His face goes pale and he shoves the paper in front of Artemis and Lilli, Umm.. Uh.. Umm..

 

[Neil1889]

When Lerrick exits quickly, Gil sighs to himself and picks up a copy of The Screamer to see what pulled her away. His face goes pale and he shoves the paper in front of Artemis and Lilli, Umm.. Uh.. Umm..

"Gil! Glad you came over to join us," says Lilli as she reads the article in question. Her faces falls, "Oh, is that the lady who just ran out of the door? Perhaps the family estate might not be the best place to go right now, because if this thing is looking for her, it will likely soon know something about her and go there."

She muses aloud to her friends, "If there is any truth in this, I wonder what she did to attact such an enemy?"

 

[CrimsonFlameWielder]

A not-uncommon sight: The door to the Inn opens.

Another not-uncommon sight: A darkly cloaked and well-shrouded individual enters the Inn. Only a pair of glowing yellow eyes burn within the depths of the recessed hood. As this individual enters, the barkeep gives the new commer the lowdown on the "proper etiquette" for entering this establishment.

The stranger stands silent for a few moments, swaying back and forth slightly as though he were unsure of, or contemplating something. Finally, the stranger gives a single word, his voice not exactly deep, and not exactly piercingly high, but there is something about it that is... off.

"Malakai"

And with the simple revealing of his name, the robed figure walks over to one of the tables and sits alone, slowly scanning the crowd with his glowing eyes.

OOC: I have officially retired my first character, Vyrna, and created her replacement, Malakai! He is a level 3 Tiefling Sorcerer (Fire Elementalist). I look forward to adventuring with some of you soon!

 

[renau1g]

As the dwarf and bugbear finish exchanging their greetings the dwarf sits down at the table Kane was sitting at and smashes his fist onto the table. Barkeep bring us a barrel! He reaches into his pouch and puts down a fist full of coins. He ignores the waitress who brings the brew and takes his money. Between gulps of ale he sits back and listens to Kane ramble on, not understanding what he's saying, but realizing how much he missed the big brute.

"Oh, good you is so smart Stinkbeard, all this.. remin....remins... talking make Kane thirsty." the bugbear laughs as he takes a deep drink of his ale.

"Hey you know what make dis much more better? Music Man. He always sing songs after we kill all the bad guys or monsters. One time when we killed that big scaley icey lizard and all the smaller scaley lizard mans we had so much fun and Kane almost get eaten but Music Man sings the bestest song and Kane feels better, like he no have dragon teeth sticking out of stomach. Hahaha, oh you think any of dese guys can be singing good like Music Man?" he continues

 

[JoeNotCharles]

"Th-that--" Papolstaanas starts to point at the rod, but his arm drops again before he completes the gesture. Obviously it doesn't hurt, or Ironheart would be aware of it, wouldn't he? And Papolstaanas is taken aback by Ironheart's demeanor, which seemed so friendly just a moment ago. "Never mind," he murmurs. "I guess not."

The tree's crown of leaves quivers in silent laughter. Ironheart grips the rod in his chest and jerks it back and forth a few times, watching the kobold's reaction.

Suddenly he stands bolt upright and his entire body shudders, and his arm leaps away from the rod as if shocked. A tankard shatters on the floor as his limb knocks a table sideways. Ironheart pivots back and forth, looking in surprise at the commotion, and mutters, "Sorry." He shuffles back against the wall and observes again.

 

[Mewness]

Papolstaanas looks increasingly dismayed as Ironheart deliberately worries at the rod implanted in his chest. When he swings his arm out violently and knocks the table, Papolstaanas dives under a nearby bench.

 

[Lord Sessadore]

Tristan watches Ironheart closely as he plays with the rod in his chest. His eyes narrow a little when the tree seems to snap out of it and starts behaving almost like a different person than a moment ago. "Interesting."

The elf settles in further to continue his observation.

 

[CaBaNa]

"Gil! Glad you came over to join us," says Lilli as she reads the article in question. Her faces falls, "Oh, is that the lady who just ran out of the door? Perhaps the family estate might not be the best place to go right now, because if this thing is looking for her, it will likely soon know something about her and go there."

She muses aloud to her friends, "If there is any truth in this, I wonder what she did to attact such an enemy?"

Maybe it is a metaphor? Bosch might be a guy they call "The Black Dragon"... It is The Screamer. This article though seems real enough, Gil points to the article above the one on Lerrick, something about a string of murders on the isle of O.

 

[Neurotic]

The door opens with a bang and an elf in heavy robes stumbles inside.
"They've found me." half-suppressed moan can be heard by those close by...

The creatures hood falls down as it stumbles down on its knees, only it's staff supporting it. A tattoo can be seen on it's neck glowing eerily. Normally, maybe that tattoo would be invisible under elf's long hair, but not this time. The symbol of seven pronged star, detaches itself and flashes behind the head for a moment. Three prongs elongate and for a moment, the star looks like humanoid outline with great wings.

The elf finds some strength to raise himself up and all can see milky white of his eyes. Kruor and Kamotz recognize the elf as the one who helped with waitress kidnapping.

He totters, his hand coming up behind his head as if to grasp the tattoo or the star spinning behind him.

"They found me." he says more clearly and at that moment, the star plunges into elves head. His white eyes explode in all colors of the rainbow No, I don't mean literally and he stiffens, his form flowing into that of human. Moan escapes his lips as lightning dances across his body and his features shift again to that of hobgoblin, becoming even more bestial shaping into gnolls muzzle.

The moan rises and becomes a shriek as he bursts into veritable inferno and everyone feels push of magical force emanating from the creature. The form changes multiple times as the shriek rises in pitch and volume until it cuts abruptly with light coming from the mouth instead of the sound.

Form returns to that of the elf and he looks dazedly for a moment before pitching forward straight on its face, making no attempt to protect himself from the impact.

Dull thud sounds, staff rolls off immobile body, while small lightnings dance over the form, remainder of the magical power unleashed. Scorch marks remain where he stood, his feet still in the circle.

Silence after the shriek is deafening until the door left ajar bang again, closing in the wind.


OOC: Illarion Merielle, chaos sorcerer 6, on belatedly becoming chaosborn

 

[FourMonos]

Artemis questions the tactics of the Screamer, aiming such poor words at such proper a lady as Lerrick.

Then the elf bursts through the doors.

Artemis rushes over and tries to help the old, blind and transforming elven elder up.

"Egads, man! Are you alright. Sam (previously determined barkeep name)! Get me some water for this poor man!" He tries to help (lift) the elf into a chair.