Scions of the New World:Scene One-Gertle's Gulch...

[Sparky]

A tall gray elf, long-coated in dusty grays and browns, kicks his boots clean against the door jamb. He sweeps off his hat and a dim gleam reflects off of the Marshall's badge pinned to the hatband. Wiping his brow, he ambles into the room, boots clumping hollowly on the clean-swept wooden planks of the floor. He nods at the barkeep and goes over to arrange for rooms. He returns to the others and pauses as he hears Brahnz address one of the patrons. Scanning the room, with his bright amber gaze, he purses his thin lips.

It's hard to loom over any one with Brahnz around, but the Marshall manages as he walks up near the scaly lass' elbow. Eyes narrowed he looks very closely at the dwarf, the wreckage of the roast, and Lupe's tucked tail. He listens to the dwarf's deep voiced reply and looks between the two, Brahnz and Ezra, a couple times before grating in his raspy whispered voice, "Later. We have some business to attend to." He turns on his heel and walks across the room, open long-coat flaring as he moves toward the stairs and the rooms.

OOC: Welcome aboard hafrogman/Ezra! Apologies for Whistler's cold shoulder. He's not the nicest guy around. We need to split up some loot once and for all. Anybody care to RP this out or should we handle it in the OOC thread?

 

[hafrogman]

Ezra bobs his head cheerfully at the newcomer, seemingly oblivious to the chilly reception. He speaks to the retreating back as Whistler turns away.

"Fine, fine. If y'all change yer minds, I'll be right here."



ooc: no problems sparky, Ezra is plenty friendly enough for the whole group.

 

[Jeremy]

Gabe, very uncomfortable in social situations since--well since his neck swiveled 360 degrees the first time and sprouted another set of arms--quietly follows in Whistler's footsteps. He makes to speak, but when the first sound comes out as more of a click than a word, he bites it off and becomes introverted.

OOC: I say in order to avoid delaying things, waiting for consensuses and waiting for everyone to see things, Whistler just divides it all in character real quick. He's kinda the leader anyways. That is, if you don't mind the work Sparky?

 

[Sparky]

Whistler tramps up the stairs and, once inside the room with everyone, shuts the door, bars it and begins the business of dividing the haul. He portions out coin first, giving Enyarra and The Boys their share, plus a little. He gives Wallam and Derry each a small, clinking bag of their own. He portions out three equal shares to the miners and squints at them as he hands over the sacks, "Speak up if I'm way off."

He scratches his jaw and looks at the remaining coin, divvying it up as equally as he can. He points two odd bags, "Brahnz, thought you'd like the cloth. And that one is for Semm. He may need it to get settled here." Whistler looks at Brahnz who is touching the cloth as she looks at Enyarra and her sons. His brow furrows and he clears his throat before moving along. He hands a sack to Tzzecct and Gabriel, "Here, the three of us have the same share. There'll be more when we sell of the armor and weapons."

He tosses a javelin and scabbarded dagger each to Wallam and Derry. And another of the daggers to Enyarra. He looks at the miners, "Any of this stuff yours?"

When the miners are done, he turns to the others, "We're going to sit on the Scion's armor and blade for a bit. Just until we know who the bosses are. Maybe the smith knows something. We can ask when we drop off Semm's share. For now, let's go eat." He stands and settles his long-mantled cloak and a few mangled feathers drift to the floor. He opens the door for the others and follows them out. Downstairs he crowds the motley group around Ezra's table and orders a couple large plates of whatever Penny has ready for everyone and a round of the house brew. He wolfs down another meal and sits back, sipping his ale quietly as the others eat and laugh and talk. He glances at Brahnz sitting across from Ezra. He glances at the other tables. He sits and breathes. I could almost relax. Almost.

OOC: Sense Motive +7 on the miners evaluating their shares and claiming their weapons.

I'm assuming that this is one of the games that Argent is ditching. Brahnz's getting more value than Semm is - sorry Velenne - we'll make it all square should either of you return. I think a good thing for Brahnz to do would be to watch over Enyarra, Wallam and Derry. She could teach them to be Rangers!

Also, Jeremy, ferretguy, if either of you take exception to how this was divvied up, let me know - too much money to the miners, for example - though I've given them an IC opportunity to fess up if they're getting more or less than they should.

Here are how the shares are broken down:

Enyarra: 640 CP, 250 SP, 50 GP, Dagger (And a week at Penny's for the family)
Wallam: 30 CP, 7 SP, 2 GP, Dagger, Javelin
Derry: 30 CP, 7 SP, 2 GP, Dagger, Javelin


Morey: 60 CP, 150 SP, GP 30
Daril: 60 CP, 150 SP, GP 30
Dwarf: 60 CP, 150 SP, GP 30


Brahnz: 1 gem (claimed in RP), 1 bolt silk (50 GP), 20 CP, 17 SP, 5 GP (pocket money)
Semm: 100 CP, 180 SP, 60 GP

Tzzecct: 1 gem, 17 CP, 250 SP, 133 GP
Gabe: 1 gem, 17 CP, 250 SP, 133 GP
Whistler: 15 CP, 250 SP, 131 GP

Scion's stuff: MW Scale Mail and MW Longsword (other bits - ivory, dice, teeth)
Bolt of Cloth (100 GP)
6 Suits of orc-smelling studded leather
8 Daggers
6 Greataxes
1 Heavy Mace
1 Javelin

Oh, and sorry this took so long.

 

[ferretguy]

Gathering up his share, Tzzecct goes down with the group nice amount of cash...most I've had ina while Sitting down near the furry dwarf Tzzecct looks him up and down with his faceted eyes..So Ezra....what clan you hail from? My family is...well was the Oakenshields...a traveling dwarven troupe, traveled quite a ways before findin this place where I could be accepted, always good to meet another dwarf.

 

[Uriel]

Whistler tramps up the stairs and, once inside the room with everyone, shuts the door, bars it and begins the business of dividing the haul. He portions out coin first, giving Enyarra and The Boys their share, plus a little. He gives Wallam and Derry each a small, clinking bag of their own. He portions out three equal shares to the miners and squints at them as he hands over the sacks, "Speak up if I'm way off."
Enyarra: 640 CP, 250 SP, 50 GP, Dagger (And a week at Penny's for the family)
Wallam: 30 CP, 7 SP, 2 GP, Dagger, Javelin
Derry: 30 CP, 7 SP, 2 GP, Dagger, Javelin

The exhausted woman is overcome with emotion, a conflict of relief at being alive, when her family was so nearly wiped out, and happiness and a bit of shame at such a generous gift.' Mister Whistler...we haint being ungrateful, but this is more'n we ever had afore in our lives, Sir. We could do with half this and still be up from when we wuz attacked...at least as far as money goes.
Enyarra's right hand goes absently to the wedding ring on her left, stroking the thin copper band that the bandits had either overlooked or ignored when they took her.


The two boys are stunned at so much in the way of a gift, especially at the daggers, which they take up reverently, as if they had just been Knighted.
Smiling, they run out of the room their new blades in hand.

Morey: 60 CP, 150 SP, GP 30
Daril: 60 CP, 150 SP, GP 30
Dwarf: 60 CP, 150 SP, GP 30

The Dwarf (Bolgrem) coughs and says something similar to what Enyarra said, though he does point to the Mace and ask if he could perhaps buy it with his share, as it was his (and his father's before).

The miners look a bit sheepish and Morey says 'Well, truth be known, we dinna have near this much'n cash'n such, though them Orcs did some damage to our Mine, smellin' the place up an tearing up our smithy.
How's about we take 10 less Gold each, Mr. Whistler, as thet's more like what we shoud get. Shame whut them orcs made us go'n dig like...we had a good'n'solid vein goin o' silver mud, then they made us vere off, looking fer some Shard , which we never did find, by the Dead Gods...'


The night passes easily, with dinner a pleasant affair, the new Dwarf friend sharing interesting tales of his homeland, East of here. Baths are had for all, and the boys stay up late, bolstered by sugary treats from Borman's General, swirly candies and tarts. It isn't until 10 or so that Enyarra succeeds in getting them to bed, excusing herself as well, bidding all a good night.


**********************************************************

Across town, a lone horseman approaches town, the steady *Clip-Clop* of his steed's shoes upon the hard-packed dirt of the roadway echoing down between the buildings of Gertle's Gulch. he is seen by only one man, an oldster stumbling home from his drink.
The old man stops, peering at the rider through the pale moonlight, and then turns away, unsure that he had seen anything at all, the lingering effetcs of the Gift hazing his mind een as he staggered on.

The Rider looked for long moments at the Sherrif's Office, smiling a fanged grimace, then, with a slap of his reigns, he was moving on, melting into this new place.

 

[hafrogman]

So Ezra....what clan you hail from? My family is...well was the Oakenshields...a traveling dwarven troupe, traveled quite a ways before findin this place where I could be accepted, always good to meet another dwarf.

Ezra smiles at the newcomer and wipes his face clean on his sleeve.

"I've been away from home for a little while m'self. I lived free for a while, then I got took in by some clan in the mountains up north . . . or were it east a little bit."

He gets a thoughtful expression on his face for a second, then shakes it off.

"I guess I've been gone so long, I plum forgot where home is. No matter, I like living free. If I ever need to go back I'm sure if I wander 'round for a while I'll find it again."

 

[Sparky]

Whistler nods at the swarthy dwarf's description. "Home is where you make it. And more important than the place are the people." His eyes flicker to where Brahnz chats amiably with Penny as she orders more drinks for the table.

For the most part he sits quietly enjoying the bustle of the common room. Later, after several more rounds, he takes out his shawm, a curious reeded flute, and plays a sad, hollow tune. Spilling notes tug the heart. Loss. Longing. He rubs his forehead with a tired hand when he finishes and stands, sweeping up his hat.

"Evening all. Ezra." And with that he disappears up the stairs.

***********************************
In the Night:

Outside, in the dark, beyond the warmth and solace of Penny's place, a shadowed stranger with a predatory grin rides down the street.

Whistler wakes suddenly ears straining for the sound of what woke him. Trouble. Tucking a wing and throwing off the thin blanket, he rolls off of the bed into a low crouch. A whisper and Smoke is drawn, gleaming deadly in the dim of the darkened room.

He pauses, still as stone, listening. He takes a deep breath and rubs the back of his neck where chills raise fine hairs in hackles. The mangled feathers of his wings flare momentarily before tucking themselves somewhat neatly back into place.

Dire possum on my grave.

He sheaths the blade and stands to sit on the edge of his bed. He leans over, elbows on his knees, face in his hands. His wings curl protectively around him as he tiredly rubs his eyes. He sits like that for a long time.

*********************************
At Dawn:

Whistler rounds up the crew at an obscene hour, knocking loudly on door of the room Tzzecct and Gabriel share. "Tzzect, Gabriel. Up and at 'em boys. We've got gear to sell, a town to explore. Work to do. Daylight's burnin'." He nods at rustling sounds within.

He hesitates at Brahnz's door, fist balled to bang on the door. He knocks quietly, "Brahnz, Lupe`. Time to get up." He waits listening. "Brahnz?" He tries the door and finds it open. The room empty, the bed neatly made, as if it hadn't even been used.

"Brahnz..." he whispers.

The whip-cord tightness of Whistler's posture slips and his shoulders sag. He clears his throat, eyes raking the room savagely as his back snaps back to attention. He turns on his heel, mail clinking, cloak and wings flaring. Several perfect, pure-white feathers float gently to the floor.

***********************************
In the Common Room Again:

Whistler sweeps down the stairs into the warm common room. Yes. Breakfast. He spots Ezra sitting in the same spot as last evening. He sits and orders breakfast before turning a pointed look at Ezra. He grates, "Ezra." It might be a greeting.

The tall thin gray elf leans back, chair creaking, "You here all night?"

A bowl of steaming cereal soon arrives with a tray - thick, black molasses, dark butter and various dried fruits. And a small copper kettle full of a rich, roasty smelling coffee. Whistler pours a cup of the coffee and upends the small crock of molasses into his bowl. He looks up from the bowl at Ezra.

Wonder if he's seen her...

 

[hafrogman]

Ezra gives a yawn at being up so early and mentally scolds his stomache for waking him up. He watches as one of the visitors from the other night strolls into the room. The newcomer stares right back at Ezra before finally adressing him. Ezra scratches at his beard and a little bit of dust falls from it as he does.

"Well, that depends, don't it? Do y'all mean here here, or just here? I done spent the night at this here inn, mighty comfy beds they've got, too. But if ya mean, have I left this chair since you saw me last, then 'course I have. I ain't have gonna slept here."

He laughs at the ridiculous nature of the idea. He takes a bite of his breakfast and washes it down, then he turns back to Whistler.

"Whatcha wanna know for?"

 

[Uriel]

The door leading from Penn'y dining hall opens from outside, showing a small elf boy latching it to the wall adjacent while simultaneously sweeping the porch with an old switch and trying to picking up the spittoon from last night's patrons. Sniffing distatefully, the lad smiles a bit at those up early and heads out back, seemingly to wash out the spittoon and perhaps clean there as well.

Penny emerges from the kitchen, a pile of sausages big enough to choke an Ogre balanced upon her arm, the other hand carrying a platter stacked impossibly high with griddle cakes. Behind Penny are three children, 2 male humans and a tiny halgling girl, no more than 2 feet high. The first two carry platters of scrambled eggs, the smell of onions and peppers wafting off and into your noses. The tiny girl struggles (but succeeds) at trying not to spill a pitcher of molasses. Once the entire meal is layed out, the children run back and forth, bringinf utensils and other odds and ends of a proper breakfast, including coffee and tea.
Penny smiles over it all, whistling happily, though she stops long enough to address the newcomers 'I takes in Orphans and others down o' their luck...I talked with that nice young woman fer a spell this morning, and her'n'her two lads'll be stayin on a bit. I have a spare room an the boys can help bring in hares an such, sprucing up the fare around here.Anyways, is'there anythin else you Good Folk'll be needin?'

*********************************************************

Across town, in a basement where none knew there was one, two men met over a table of stone.
One set a long cloth-covered bundle upon the table, steppingback.
The second man stood silent for a moment, then smiled and opened the cloth. Within lay a long blade,it's edges keen and well-wrought. The man lifted the sword, turning it this way and that. The edge glowed briefly, and hummed as if it were alive.
the first man nervously said 'Well,we have,um.//agreed upon a price. Six thousand in Jewels, I believe...'

The second man ignored this chatter, peering at the blade, as if listening to it. He peered down it's length, tested differet grips and the ease with which it was wielded.Even easier was how simple it was to impale the fool before him. The Sword seller died quietly,quickly...
The shadowy man frowned. He had hoped to get more sport from this fool, but the sword had been eager...almost hungry.