M3: Nurlan & Mordik (Patlin judging)

[NakuruSai]

[smallcaps]
Jus' weird is all. What is in that direction, again? Wasn' paying much attention to the surrounding areas, to be honest...
[/smallcaps]


Can I make out any details of the rider? the horse? Do they seem to be pushing themselves as fast as possible to the town? or taking their time/steady pace?

 

[Manzanita]

The figure is very dark. Whether this is due to the distance or the color of the horse and rider, you can't say. The rider is coming from the South, where jungles and swamp predominate. There are no more towns south of here, to your knowledge, by this road. Just some farms. The road is also used by those who hunt and gather in these wild areas.

 

[orsal]

"Perhaps a farmer coming into town for some business this afternoon. Anyway, shall we return to the theatre now?" Nurlan has the vision filed away in his mind, but for now he's assuming the rider has no connection to our mission.

 

[NakuruSai]

[smallcaps]Hrm. Or mebbe jus' a hunter coming back from a day a'hunting.[/smallcaps] Mordik says almost to himself, looking somewhat unsure.

After a moment of thought he adds:
[smallcaps]Aye! let's go back now. No need to linger over nothin'.[/smallcaps] Mordik follows beside Nurlan on the way back.

 

[Manzanita]

Nurlan and Mordik head back for the theater. They make it back a couple hours before showtime. Balmorrow invites them to have dinner with the group as they discuss the night's schedule.

 

[orsal]

Nurlan and Mordik head back for the theater. They make it back a couple hours before showtime. Balmorrow invites them to have dinner with the group as they discuss the night's schedule.

Over dinner, Nurlan casually remarks, "I notice you have some fine instruments here. I was especially impressed by that golden-stringed lute."

 

[Manzanita]

Balmorrow's face breaks into a smile at Nurlan's words. "Yes. My golden stringed lute. My best piece. I haven't played it in a while. I should use it tonight. Yes. You'll enjoy it."

 

[orsal]

Balmorrow's face breaks into a smile at Nurlan's words. "Yes. My golden stringed lute. My best piece. I haven't played it in a while. I should use it tonight. Yes. You'll enjoy it."

"I must say, in my years of travelling among musicians, I don't recall ever meeting one who played an instrument with such glittering strings. Animal gut is more common, or occasionally steel. Did you have it specially made, or is there a luthier around here who regularly fashions such pieces?"

 

[Manzanita]

"Oh, no. My father got this lute from his father. I'm not sure its exact origin. One of my uncles claimed it came from the treasure hoard of the great dragon Asphetoon. I don't know though. Its not magical. Just well made. The strings are not that special though. They've had to be replaced now and then. I can order golden dye in Monemvassia."

 

[orsal]

Nurlan replies, "Ah, I had wondered if they were made of some unusual material. But just ordinary catgut, dyed for the sake of visual appearance?"