For More Than Glory

[Memnus]

Fleck looks around the cozy interior of the Happy Unicorn, sniffs once, and smiles faintly. The faint smell of woodsmoke from the fireplace, mixed with hints of high-quality tobacco, bring back memories of happier, carefree days. He breathes in once, relaxes, and wanders to the bar. Managing to climb onto a barstool and get the server's attention, he orders a half cup of Elven tea and looks at Kirran. He speaks to Kirran, but louder than necessary, hoping someone will interrupt usefully.

"Say, I could go for a tune. Did you forget your flute at home again?" He looks sadly at the empty stage.

 

[firehorse]

Valdir (still at the magical shoppe) inquires of the owner, " I miss the flute my aunt used to play. A comparable quality bard specializing in the flute is hard to find. I also am interested about when a certain party gets into town, so it should be one that gets information quickly. Would you happen to know where the best tavern to find flute music and information is?"

 

[T'ahl]

The Happy Unicorn

A young Elf enters the bar and takes a look around. It's a cozy little place, he can imagine that it gets quite busy and lively in here at times. At the moment however the bar is almost empty, perhaps due to the incredibly late hour. The bartender is cleaning glasses - it looks like he's getting ready to close perhaps, the only two other occupants of the bar half finished their ale and looking ready to leave soon. He looks to the bartender and raises a finger to indicate "one". The bartender grimaces a moment and then nods. He takes his place at the back of the bar, his front to the door and relaxes visibly, it's been a long days journey and his muscles are tired. He takes a sip of the ale brought him, and then reaches in his pack to bring out a beautiful silver flute and a fine polishing rag. He slowly begins to polish the flute in between sips of his ale. Noticing the bartender watching him he quietly asks "I've just arrived and am in need of a good room for the night - any suggestions?" He focuses back on his flute for a moment - waiting for the response.

 

[Emiricol]

Valdir (still at the magical shoppe) inquires of the owner, " I miss the flute my aunt used to play. A comparable quality bard specializing in the flute is hard to find. I also am interested about when a certain party gets into town, so it should be one that gets information quickly. Would you happen to know where the best tavern to find flute music and information is?"

"Flute music? No, I am sorry, but I do not mingle much with that type outside of my business concerns here in the shop."

"Say, I could go for a tune. Did you forget your flute at home again?" He looks sadly at the empty stage.

In a place like this, it seems unlikely that anything so subtle is going to get the results you want, and indeed, no one seems to note your question to Kirran.

Noticing the bartender watching him the young elf quietly asks "I've just arrived and am in need of a good room for the night - any suggestions?" He focuses back on his flute for a moment - waiting for the response.

The bartender smiles and delivers the ordered drink, then nods. "We've some rooms here, and a couple vacancies. They aren't cheap, but you don't look like that'd be a problem. But say, you play? Of course you do. Well, I'd be willing to trade you a meal tonight, a room, and a meal in the morning for a night of your song and tales, if you are any good. Bit slow tonight and a good bard singin' and telling tales always picks things up a bit."

 

[T'ahl]

Flute

Aros, though tired from his journey, takes the bartenders offer, Though he does not look the pauper - his travels have drained his purse - and if the room is as nice as he says - it will be worth the effort. He takes the stage and plays a whistfull melody that changes as it goes - almost telling a story as it lilts from brave and bold, to dread, to inspiring love and loss, back to bold and brave, and finally to obvious victory.

((just in case you wanted it I rolled lol [1d20+6+2+4]=17+6+2+4=29] to play with my masterwork flute))

((I know I'm not the bard the guys are looking for - but thought it would be fun to "cross paths" like this - they're looking for a bard new to the city - and by god they'll find one - though it may not be the one they thought. I just hope they don't kill me before they realize that fact lol.))

 

[Rish]

Kirran catches Fleck's eye and makes a motion with his head in the direction of the newly-arrived flautist. "There's your flute music, if not from the expected source... I think..." He looks a little closer at the newcomer, trying to decide if he's the bard they came to find, in disguise, and finally shakes his head fractionally. "I don't know. Hard to say. Well... maybe I'll go see about him."

Still, he settles back in his chair for a moment, waiting to see if the gnome opposite him has any comments before he gets up to chat with the newcomer.

((*mumble* Forgot about the no-more-forum-notifications thing... *sheepish*))

 

[Memnus]

Fleck blinks, turning to watch the bard for a bit, then shakes his head quietly. "Don't think it's him. Mardana said he was tall, and since the nobles don't tend to familiarize outside their race, I'm assuming for a human. And if I had to guess, this fellow's native tongue is Forestal, as well." He shrugs, and also sits back.

"Sure can play, though."

 

[firehorse]

Valdir spends the first few weeks of Winter travelling with Fleck and Aros to Fleck's hometown on the Lorlynia border. After a brief night's rest and a promise to return just before the end of winter, he continues into the heart of the Great Forest.

After several day's travel, he finds the encampment of Seledyne Rangers he has been seeking. After a word to Aros that he must do this alone, he departs to meet up with the Rangers. After a few welcomes as are customary, Valdir is escorted to the Rangers' Headmaster where he is presented for advancement within the Order. Several weeks are spent training and honing his new and existing skills.

After completion of the training, he departs and finds his way to the Druid's grove near Idenynia to offer his services in helping to clean out the remnants of the Dark Army from the area.

True to his word, Valdir returns to Fleck's village just as the last of the snowfalls of winter ends.

((Upkeep - 3 months @ 5 gp each= 15gp))

 

[Memnus]

The day before Fleck leaves with the others for Lorlynia, there is a knock on the door of the room where they group is staying. The knocker is a petite female gnome, dressed in messy but rugged traveler's garb. Underneath the outer layer, though, a suit of leather armor is apparent. "Spingear Spindlefingers? Business." Fleck accompanies her into the hall, and they can be overheard talking in low, rapid Gnomish.

"To the homeland and from the oppressors?"

"Deliverance by the art and by perseverance."

"And Grelyk's hands."

"I have a message for you, and for your father."

"My father is retired. Is it that important?"

"More important than that. Here."

"You're lucky I was headed back home anyway."

"I know." There is a moment of silence.

"Dreamwalker?"

"Lillian Lifebreath, Mardnab, Ward of the Solinburg Refuge, at your service. But I must be back. Godspeed, Spingear Spindlefingers, Fleck, Final Child of the Age of Gods."

"And to you."

Fleck returns to the room, looking shaken, but says nothing and evades any question about the nature of his business. The next night, in the safety of his cart-shelter, he cracks open the letter addressed to him. The seal dissolves into nothingness, and the letter opens, its contents shifting and quietly changing, no longer a recipe for Caedmon sweetbread.

Spingear,
We have routed out a refuge of the Ulruzian civil war, who had settled with entourage in the wilds to the south. This criminal is now quietly in our custody, with three kin freed. They are of your clan, so it falls to your father to assign judgement to their captor. They are not yet fit to leave here; your father must return to speak with them.

Fortunately, the trip to Lorlynia is fast and uneventful, and after making sure the elves will at least be housed for the night in the cozy Gnomish community in the Silver Hills, he delivers his father's message.

Fleck's father Deloric is a very large gnome, almost dwarf-sized, and still powerfully built despite being nearly a century and a half old. He reads the letter, then frowns. "This is something I must do. I was hoping to see you while you were here, my son, but even here, I cannot escape. You will stay and watch over the household until I return, will you not?" There is no hint of a question in his statement.

For the next few months, then, Fleck assumes his father's position as head of household. It is not a strenuous job, really, and provides him access to all manner of alchemical and arcane equpiment. He spends his time well, and has many wonders to show his friends when they return in the spring....

(P.S. I hope that's all a decent color. Yeah, I guess it's all fluff. But E, I could use an actual xp total - I'm going to do some crafting, and would like to know how much I can do and still keep level six.)

 

[T'ahl]

Time for all seasons

Aros accompanies Valdir and Fleck on their journey to Fleck's home on the Lorlynian border. The trip is interesting and Aros learns a little about his new comrades. Fleck, it turns out, is quite a powerfull wizard. Aros very interested in his use of magic, watches intently whenever Fleck has opportunity to use it. Though he does not openly ask for help or teaching - he picks up a few pointers from watching the gnome work. Valdir, it seems, is quite accomplished at surviving in the wild - a skill which was well appreciated on their trip. After arriving at Fleck's, Valdir and Aros continue on alone - as it is obvious Fleck has some important business to attend - though he will say nothing of it's nature - at least not to Aros. A few more days travel and Valdir finds some important business of his own. Happy to be back in Lorlynia after so many years, Aros continues alone to his home village on the far side of Seledyne Forest. He has not seen his father in years - nor sent any word of his travels - having parted on poor terms with him when he thought it foolish to leave the forest and find company with the other races. Perhaps it was Targan himself that had pulled Aros into this new group and drew him home, perhaps just fate, perhaps only chance.

His father lay on his death bed when Aros arrived. He had fought in the war to protect his beloved Lorlynia - but had been so horribly wounded that he was beyond the help of even elven medicine and magic. Oddly, his father was not angry that he had not returned in time to fight along his side, but was simply happy that he had returned. They made peace there, in his fathers last few breaths, as if he had been waiting, hanging on for the chance to do so, before passing through to the fairy mists.

Aros spent the rest of the winter there reaquainting himself with the people of his village and settling up his fathers house (he was an only child and his mother had past to the other side when he was very young). But as spring began to draw near, he knew it was again time. Though he loved his home and his people, knowledge and world experience had always been things he craved. And so it was he set out once again, to meet Valdir and Fleck at Flecks home as had been previously arranged.

As upkeep Aros had only 11GP left when he set out on this winter journey. Assuming perhaps his father had left him a few things, and his Tree hovel, I'm sure Aros made it through the winter - but is likely now near copperless.