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John play: Hero for hire
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<blockquote data-quote="megamania" data-source="post: 5019806" data-attributes="member: 9255"><p>JOHN PLAY</p><p>“Play To Win”</p><p>SEGMENT 005</p><p>“The Emerald Claw”</p><p></p><p>Rhaan 27th, 996</p><p>Between H’atheril and Fort Light, Breland </p><p></p><p>It is nearing dinner but five men remain hidden away within one of their small rooms on the Electric Rail. Four of the men wear the stylized helms that are a trademark of the Emerald Claw. One eye is covered and the other exposed on their helmets. The fifth man wears simple traveling clothes and seems somehow out of place within the room. That said, his voice has the most venom.</p><p></p><p>“Play must pay. He defeated my entire team last year in Rekkenmark and through damned luck did he escape the border patrol. He killed my sister’s husband and lover of three years in that battle. He must die.”</p><p></p><p>“We understand and agree Lord Xander. This is why we came to you. He travels with a woman. She appears to be Aundairian and a land owner. We do not know her name.”</p><p></p><p>“Women were always his weakness. To beat him we need to take the woman. A living hostage is better than a dead one Drieger.” The man says looking at the largest of the four men. “But even then, we need an advantage. Allow me to consider everything you have told me then we regroup and act!”</p><p></p><p>“Blood is Life and Life is Blood!” they recite in unison. </p><p></p><p>Later in the same day- the dinner cart-</p><p></p><p>“So he was in staying in the village of Treehome. Where is that? I have never heard of it. Is it a true village or a trading post?” John says as he takes a sip from his dwarven ale.</p><p></p><p>“I’m not sure if I would call it a trading post even.” Shasta says with a faint hint of a laugh. “It is more of a collection of caves off the main path. There is a reason no one has found him.”</p><p></p><p>They pause their conversation as their meals are brought out to them by a House Ghallanda halflings. The spiced Karrnathi meats and potatoes smell delicious. Shasta asks for another wine then reconsiders and asks for the whole bottle to be brought out.</p><p></p><p>“So what about yourself? There must be more to you than the Hero for Hire.” She says while eyeing the food.</p><p></p><p>“Not much really. I had plenty of training and experience from the war but found I didn’t like being told where to go and what to do. I couldn’t even see certain friends because they worked for a foreign government.” </p><p></p><p>“And…?”</p><p></p><p>“So I resigned.” He says with a nonchalant shrug of his shoulder s as if the deed was common and everyday.</p><p></p><p>“Hummmmm. My own Hero for Hire. I like it.” She purrs while looking into his eyes.</p><p></p><p>John can feel a near magical allure come from her. If she was trying to seduce him she didn’t need to use magic. She already had his attention.</p><p></p><p>Hours go by while they talk about anything other than the war, her brother or his past as a Dark Lantern. She finishes the bottle of wine by herself and John finishes his fourth mug of ale. Darkness has fallen outside as the craft speeds silently through the fields of northern Breland. An occasional burst of energy from the magical stones beneath the craft cause her eyes to sparkle and her smile look even more enchanting.</p><p></p><p>“Why don’t I go to the room first and freshen up. Then you can come in and… we can go from there.” She says leaning back to give the Hero for Hire a better view of her slender body and the jeweled necklace that hovers over her the promise of a good night.</p><p></p><p>She gets up and brushes his jaw gently with her hand before giving him an equally gentle and seductive kiss on the forehead. Her jewels and body in plain sight to the young man.</p><p></p><p></p><p>John considers everything quickly through his head. Her methods of locating him, the person she seeks, his past and her willingness to spend thousands in gold just to get there. And now…. This. Is she seducing him out of lust and allure or is she trying to cement his willingness to help her. “She is beautiful isn’t she?” The harsh male voice breaks John out of his slightly buzzed world of deep thought.</p><p></p><p>Before him sits a man in his middle thirties wearing a basic leather traveler’s outfit. The armor shows signs of use. This man is more than he appears. John frowns as his eyes fall to a button of a green claw made to look like flames. The Emerald Claw. What does this bozo want?!?</p><p></p><p>“Hello. My name is Play. John Play. And who were you?”</p><p></p><p>“Funny. The past tense should be on you however. I will still get off at Passage. You will not.”</p><p></p><p>“Aww…that’s what all the evil bad guys say when we meet on the rail.” John jokes while quickly assessing the situation. “Course I’m still here and they…. Well you can fill in the rest.”</p><p></p><p>“And your lady friend?” He threatens.</p><p></p><p>Shasta’s room-</p><p></p><p>She is softly humming as she takes off the cloak and her belt. She begins to remove the boots and leather pants when she pauses. She thought she had heard something but decides it was her imagination. Unless it was her Hero.</p><p></p><p>She loosens the straps along her sides to remove her shaped leather vest. She pulls it off and drops it to the floor. She stands before a mirror and inspects her body. She has taken care with her body. Some people joke she is ½ elf as she seems to age so gracefully. Debating, she decides to keep the jewelry on. She steps to her travel bag and finds her perfume. A few gentle dabs of it fill the air with the smell of blossoms. She puts it away and wonders how long until her Hero arrives to “rescue” her. She reaches blindly into the wardrobe and withdraws a robe of soft form fitting Shadow Marches silk. Then a gloved hand clasps over her mouth and a man with very bad oral hygiene growls into her ear. “Don’t move and maybe you will survive this.”</p><p></p><p>Never once panicking, she gives a swift motion of her hand and the door slams close to the wardrobe. The man turns to see who is in the room with them. She grits her teeth under the smelly leather glove and closes her eyes tightly and makes a fist. She pushes out as it striking someone and the Emerald Claw man’s jaw erupts in loose teeth and blood. He lets go and stumbles back trying to figure out who struck him. The fingers and thumb of her right hand begin to glow and she murmurs a few quick words and five bolts of energy strike him on his chest burning away the green emblem of the Emerald Claw. The door bursts open and two more men rush in. A quick new series of arcane words and motions cause a lightly glowing and shimmers field of force to wrap around her body and the open robe. </p><p></p><p>The men try to grab her but the mage armor brushes off their grapple attempts. Another word or two and a flick of her wrist and five more bolts of energy streak out and strike a man. He stumbles while holding the smoldering hole that was his chest. He drops to his knees and stammers…b-b-b-bitch… and dies.</p><p></p><p>The last man suddenly realizes their error. They had assumed she was just another rich wrench Play was adding to his long list of conquests. But no- she was a spellcaster. A sorcerer to be exact. He turns to leave but a door closes before him causing his body to bounce off of it. “I…I…have no quarrel with you. It was just orders…” He gasps as five holes explode from his body as Shasta reaches out to blast him with her magic missiles as a touch attack.</p><p></p><p>The door rattles then bursts open forcing the dead man’s body to tumble to the side. John Play stops as he takes in the room. He smiles as he looks at Shasta and her open robe and necklace. “It appears there is more to you than you have suggested my lady.” He says while stepping in and never taking his eyes off of her eyes.</p><p></p><p>“We’ll discuss it…. In the morning.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="megamania, post: 5019806, member: 9255"] JOHN PLAY “Play To Win” SEGMENT 005 “The Emerald Claw” Rhaan 27th, 996 Between H’atheril and Fort Light, Breland It is nearing dinner but five men remain hidden away within one of their small rooms on the Electric Rail. Four of the men wear the stylized helms that are a trademark of the Emerald Claw. One eye is covered and the other exposed on their helmets. The fifth man wears simple traveling clothes and seems somehow out of place within the room. That said, his voice has the most venom. “Play must pay. He defeated my entire team last year in Rekkenmark and through damned luck did he escape the border patrol. He killed my sister’s husband and lover of three years in that battle. He must die.” “We understand and agree Lord Xander. This is why we came to you. He travels with a woman. She appears to be Aundairian and a land owner. We do not know her name.” “Women were always his weakness. To beat him we need to take the woman. A living hostage is better than a dead one Drieger.” The man says looking at the largest of the four men. “But even then, we need an advantage. Allow me to consider everything you have told me then we regroup and act!” “Blood is Life and Life is Blood!” they recite in unison. Later in the same day- the dinner cart- “So he was in staying in the village of Treehome. Where is that? I have never heard of it. Is it a true village or a trading post?” John says as he takes a sip from his dwarven ale. “I’m not sure if I would call it a trading post even.” Shasta says with a faint hint of a laugh. “It is more of a collection of caves off the main path. There is a reason no one has found him.” They pause their conversation as their meals are brought out to them by a House Ghallanda halflings. The spiced Karrnathi meats and potatoes smell delicious. Shasta asks for another wine then reconsiders and asks for the whole bottle to be brought out. “So what about yourself? There must be more to you than the Hero for Hire.” She says while eyeing the food. “Not much really. I had plenty of training and experience from the war but found I didn’t like being told where to go and what to do. I couldn’t even see certain friends because they worked for a foreign government.” “And…?” “So I resigned.” He says with a nonchalant shrug of his shoulder s as if the deed was common and everyday. “Hummmmm. My own Hero for Hire. I like it.” She purrs while looking into his eyes. John can feel a near magical allure come from her. If she was trying to seduce him she didn’t need to use magic. She already had his attention. Hours go by while they talk about anything other than the war, her brother or his past as a Dark Lantern. She finishes the bottle of wine by herself and John finishes his fourth mug of ale. Darkness has fallen outside as the craft speeds silently through the fields of northern Breland. An occasional burst of energy from the magical stones beneath the craft cause her eyes to sparkle and her smile look even more enchanting. “Why don’t I go to the room first and freshen up. Then you can come in and… we can go from there.” She says leaning back to give the Hero for Hire a better view of her slender body and the jeweled necklace that hovers over her the promise of a good night. She gets up and brushes his jaw gently with her hand before giving him an equally gentle and seductive kiss on the forehead. Her jewels and body in plain sight to the young man. John considers everything quickly through his head. Her methods of locating him, the person she seeks, his past and her willingness to spend thousands in gold just to get there. And now…. This. Is she seducing him out of lust and allure or is she trying to cement his willingness to help her. “She is beautiful isn’t she?” The harsh male voice breaks John out of his slightly buzzed world of deep thought. Before him sits a man in his middle thirties wearing a basic leather traveler’s outfit. The armor shows signs of use. This man is more than he appears. John frowns as his eyes fall to a button of a green claw made to look like flames. The Emerald Claw. What does this bozo want?!? “Hello. My name is Play. John Play. And who were you?” “Funny. The past tense should be on you however. I will still get off at Passage. You will not.” “Aww…that’s what all the evil bad guys say when we meet on the rail.” John jokes while quickly assessing the situation. “Course I’m still here and they…. Well you can fill in the rest.” “And your lady friend?” He threatens. Shasta’s room- She is softly humming as she takes off the cloak and her belt. She begins to remove the boots and leather pants when she pauses. She thought she had heard something but decides it was her imagination. Unless it was her Hero. She loosens the straps along her sides to remove her shaped leather vest. She pulls it off and drops it to the floor. She stands before a mirror and inspects her body. She has taken care with her body. Some people joke she is ½ elf as she seems to age so gracefully. Debating, she decides to keep the jewelry on. She steps to her travel bag and finds her perfume. A few gentle dabs of it fill the air with the smell of blossoms. She puts it away and wonders how long until her Hero arrives to “rescue” her. She reaches blindly into the wardrobe and withdraws a robe of soft form fitting Shadow Marches silk. Then a gloved hand clasps over her mouth and a man with very bad oral hygiene growls into her ear. “Don’t move and maybe you will survive this.” Never once panicking, she gives a swift motion of her hand and the door slams close to the wardrobe. The man turns to see who is in the room with them. She grits her teeth under the smelly leather glove and closes her eyes tightly and makes a fist. She pushes out as it striking someone and the Emerald Claw man’s jaw erupts in loose teeth and blood. He lets go and stumbles back trying to figure out who struck him. The fingers and thumb of her right hand begin to glow and she murmurs a few quick words and five bolts of energy strike him on his chest burning away the green emblem of the Emerald Claw. The door bursts open and two more men rush in. A quick new series of arcane words and motions cause a lightly glowing and shimmers field of force to wrap around her body and the open robe. The men try to grab her but the mage armor brushes off their grapple attempts. Another word or two and a flick of her wrist and five more bolts of energy streak out and strike a man. He stumbles while holding the smoldering hole that was his chest. He drops to his knees and stammers…b-b-b-bitch… and dies. The last man suddenly realizes their error. They had assumed she was just another rich wrench Play was adding to his long list of conquests. But no- she was a spellcaster. A sorcerer to be exact. He turns to leave but a door closes before him causing his body to bounce off of it. “I…I…have no quarrel with you. It was just orders…” He gasps as five holes explode from his body as Shasta reaches out to blast him with her magic missiles as a touch attack. The door rattles then bursts open forcing the dead man’s body to tumble to the side. John Play stops as he takes in the room. He smiles as he looks at Shasta and her open robe and necklace. “It appears there is more to you than you have suggested my lady.” He says while stepping in and never taking his eyes off of her eyes. “We’ll discuss it…. In the morning. [/QUOTE]
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