Upgrade your account to a Community Supporter account and remove most of the site ads.

Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="InVinoVeritas" data-source="post: 4783126" data-attributes="member: 41485">Chapter 1: Pluck "Ah, Gis, please! Do come in, sit and enjoy!" Gis enters the great hall at D'Marosso Manor, set with a large table. The table is covered with food and drink, sights and smells from faraway lands. <img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/86/236073654_005a07781e_o_d.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " data-size="" style="" /> The table is filled with exotic delicacies. At the head of the table sits a very large man. His doublet stretches at the seams to contain his girth, his cheeks are full and round, and his bejewelled rings appear to threaten to pop off his sausage-like fingers. The portly Lord Gustav D'Marosso grabs a snail shell and sucks out the animal inside with a flick of his tongue. Gingerly, Gis approaches. He feels small at the display, far more used to his simple military fare. "Haha, no, no worries, you're most welcome! Put some meat on those bones, have an eel!" "Your honor, thank you for seeing me at this--"  "No, no, don't 'your honor' me! We're all good friends here, now, aren't we? Please, come." The judge's voice grows stern. "I said, sit."  Gis sits. Gustav sticks a pair of tongs into a steaming tureen, and pulls out some bizarre crustacean. It snaps back and writhes in his grasp, but he simply holds it firmly and pulls off a leg.  Crunching away, Gustav continues, "So, Gis, you must tell me, how is the Rose Company?"  "They have had a very harrowing time. Perrin has put in for a transfer again, and this time it looks permanent." "Ah, well, he always had a yellow streak. Pity about Torhan, too, but I suppose he was too compassionate for his own good." "Indeed. There is still some question about Calahan. His instability is giving the others pause, but they still defend him." "Give it time. He or they will come aorund. He's more stable than even he realizes, unfortunately. How about Fr. Berman? He's who I'm most interested in." Gustav wrenches a claw off his captive, and drizzles the wriggling blood over a plate of tentacles.  Gis winces. "He remains quiet, but he performs admirably. He does not flinch from his task, and was not for an instant distracted by the gnome women." "Good, good! That dedication to Paridonese ways will serve him very well. Very well indeed!" He stabs his victim's carapace with a knife to end its writhing. He combines the claw meat with a spear from an oddly shaped fruit. <img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/121/306087920_af75f9eb3c_d.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " data-size="" style="" /> A fruit from Gustav's table. "Darian, though... does he still fancy that gnome?" "Possibly, I'm not sure. She hasn't been charged, she's still in custody." "Heh, best place for her. He's making progress, we'll see what happens. He has pluck. And Ru? Does he still pine for his old ways?" "No, thankfully. He remains resolute and in control, though he doubts his successes in this past mission." Gis pauses a moment before continuing. "I've increased the team, as you recommended. They should be formidable against their next challenge..." Gustav takes a gargantuan bite. Gis, having not touched a single thing, clears his throat. "Sir, I am certain that Paridonese cuisine, as the height of culture, could certainly sate your appetite..." Gustav grins, speaking through bits of mashed arthropod and citrus, "Indeed, I've tried it all. Yet not a single dish would show the height of Paridonese culture." "I'm afraid I don't follow." "Don't think I haven't noticed your fast. The food here, it is unfamiliar, not your style. Disgusting. Listen, this food is the height of Paridonese culture. We are the undisputed paragons of good society in all the land. Our craftsman make the most effective weaponry. Our people show the greatest devotion. Our sages are the most learned, and our leaders are the most inspiring. How do we know? Because we can prove it by force. We can overwhelm the swamps of Souragne, the bitter cold of Vorostokov. Why, the gnomes and dwarves have flocked under our protection. But why the conquering? Of what use is all this? Resources. We are superior because we are able to take what we want from the inferior. By claiming their gold, they know we are in control. By enjoying their wives, they know we are their masters. In short, if we cannot eat their food, how can we call ourselves better?" Gis sits, stunned and chastised. "...Please pass the tentacles." "Very good. Now, down to business!" * * *Fr. Abingdon carefully sounds the gong. "Rise and shine, gentlemen. You should be fully recovered. Please, meet up with Gis in the garrison room."The Rose Company awakens from their slumber, only with slight bandages from yesterday, back with the fight with the clockmaker's daughter. Pigglemorth went willingly into custody. Gnomes are filling a number of cells now, with Pigglemorth, Alek, Sasha, Marionette, and Kitten all under protection. They eventually make their way into the garrison.There stand Gis and four others--two humans, a dwarf, and a female elf. Gis nods. "Good to see you. I hope you are feeling better after yesterday. Based on those dangers, I've expanded the team. Perrin has moved back to the Enforcers, and these four should serve you well. In addition, I've spoken with the magistrate--he is more than willing to hear the case, and will be very understanding given the circumstances. We should go over the specifics, the charges, and the plans from here. Later this morning, the judge, Lord Gustav D'Marosso, will be calling for us, and we should be prepared. In the meantime, why don't the new members introduce themselves?" [sblock=credits] Photos by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/digitaloptions/236073654/" target="_blank">Dina Middin</a> and <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/splatworldwide/306087920/" target="_blank">Splat Worldwide</a>. [/sblock]</blockquote>

Verification