(Tavern) City of Orussus, The Red Dragon Inn VI

[Vigwyn the Unruly]

Somac's first visit to the inn

A lusty, well-built barbarian in hide armor finds his way to the famed Red Dragon Inn. He enters upright through the front doors, his green eyes and blonde hair betraying a northern heritage.

"I am Somac of the North," he calls out, "and I come to stake my place in the wide world. I am quick and stealthy. I am violent and sure-footed. I will claim my glory as a champion of the down-trodden, as an explorer of wild and hidden places, and as a faithful servant of Grendath."

Securing his greatsword and bow, he makes a straight path to the bar.

OOC: 1st level barbarian with balanced package. Looking for a good adventure. Might be good as either a scout or tank in a low-level adventure. Probably fits dungeon crawl/wilderness better than urban/political intrigue. Wants to do some good in the world, but also find fame and wealth.

 

[Creamsteak]

(Joe is generally a very stoic, but kind guy. He's unlikely to charge anyone. If they really offend him, he'll throw them out without asking a question rather than charge them.)

Kathrine (Kat/Kitten, I'm indecisive) watches the Dwarf and the Barbarian enter the bar thinking, "Yep, just how I remember it. Violent thugs, cutthroats, pigs, and monsters. Nothing fancy, nothing kindly, just dirty. When the hell is there going to be a decent ax job in this place?"

 

[Vigwyn the Unruly]

Somac scanned the room as he quaffed his ale. Seeing a dishevelled dwarf at the bar, he thought he recognized a kindred spirit. The dwarf seemed depressed about something or other, and Somac certainly knew all about low spirits. He himself had lately been forced to leave the clan of his birth under a cloud of suspicion.

Also, the dwarf had a grim and dangerous (if a tad overwhelmed) look about him. Somac imagined he could make a powerful ally in a time of trouble.

With his back straight but his eyes averted to avoid undue offense, Somac walked to where the dwarf sat and took a seat beside him. He didn't disturb the dwarf's peace (such as it was), but merely offered his own presence as a gesture of friendship and solidarity.

 

[Erekose13]

"Well time to meet the newcomers I think." ao'Thuir says to his friend Remi before walking over to the other two barbarians gathered around the bar.

"Well met, I'm ao'Thuir of the ghost tribe. You too look as out of place in this city as I do." says the short, messy-haired elf.

 

[Rae ArdGaoth]

The sad dwarf turns to glance at the newcomers. His eyes look redder than ever, though it's hard to tell what from. Exhaustion? Tears? There is no water on his face, only grime. But if he was tired, why go to a bar? "Ergh..." he grunts to the big human. He says the same to the elf. After a moment of silence or two, the dwarf's rarely used vocal chords vibrate once again, "... Ugh... Y' know, Ah don't drink. Ah never drink. It's a stupid 'abit t' start. Dulls y' nerves. Puts y' to sleep. Ah'm never quite fully asleep. Not these days, anyway." He pauses to sniffle a little and cough. "Ergh... Bah. You want t' hear a story? Ah'm sure it'll bore y'. Ah'm not s'great at story-tellin'. That's fer bards. Ah never really ever told a story... So Ah kin understand if y' don't. Er... nevermind. Ye'll think it dumb anyway. Nevermind that. Oy...." He sighs as he turns back to his full mug. Rather than lay his head down again, he stares silently at the wall, perhaps in thought, more likely in despair.

 

[Brain]

Scun speaks from his stool nearby, "Rasereit... If your soul is burdened, perhaps I can help. As is the Mongrel way, we share in the good and the bad, helping each other when we can not help ourselves. Please, tell me your troubles."

 

[Rae ArdGaoth]

Rasereit, breaks from his trance and turns to the half-orc. A half-grin slowly crawls across his broad face. The presence of a fellow follower of Mongrel brings him out of his reverie. "Heh heh, it's been a long while since Ah've come across one of us... Too long, by my count!" He chuckles softly. "Ah s'pose you're still up for that story, eh? Alright, here it goes." The smile fades and his eyes darken. "A bit more than two decades ago, Ah met the greatest creature ever to grace the earth. Beautiful... Stunning... Ah kin't describe how marvelous it was just looking at..." His eyes have misted over a bit, and he trembles. Regaining his composure, he begins again, "Ahh... yes... Kerrin... Me only friend fer twenty wonderful years. We traveled everywhere together, takin' out goblins and orcs and such, we never spent a single night away from each other, she depended on me, and Ah depended on 'er, like food, nah, like water... Ah couldn't imagine life without 'er." His brow furrows, deep creases appearing on his forehead. His eyes have lost the glint that appeared when reminiscing, now they are slits. A fist on the bar clenches. "Then that fateful day came... Ah had t'leave 'er, on'y fer a bit, just a few 'ours. That was all, not much kin happen in a few 'ours. But no! The goblins got 'er, they surrounded 'er at the river, stuck 'er with their spears, and ripped that beautiful, beautiful..." His voice cracks. "...body... to pieces, to pieces, Ah tell ye! Ah returned not ten minutes later, if only Ah'd been a tad quicker, if only, if only... That's the beauty o' hindsight, eh? Well Ah got back alright, Ah got back in more ways then one! Once Ah saw her, Kerrin, me only friend, me beautful girl, me wonderful horse, lyin' there in the river, Ah tore those cretins apart, Ah skinned 'em alive, Ah did. Ah got back alright, but it don't change a thing. She's still dead, me lovely girl, me only real friend in all me 'alf-a-century, a remarkable one, she was. Sometimes Ah wondered if she was really an 'orse, y'know? Seemed too witty to be but an animal, lived too long to be but a ridin' beast... Alas, now Ah'll never know... And that's it, that's me story. O' course, ye'll think dumb, to be so attached to a beast, but ye never met 'er, did ye? So you can't say, kin ye? No. I loved her, me Kerrin, oh me Kerrin..." A single tear works its way through the dirt on Rasereit's face. After this rare emotional display, he brushes the tear away, eyes growing cold and distant once again. With a fierce glare he looks out the window. Harsh foreign words slip from his lips. "I will avenge thee, my sweet sweet Kerrin, fear not. A thirst for vengeance burns in my soul like no other. They shall feel my wrath..." The ancient dwarven tongue sounds out of place in the brightly lit pub. The air around Rasereit almost seems to ripple with the dwarf's hot fury. The moment passes, he calms down, glances at the drink in front of him. He smiles broadly and sheds another silent tear. Ahh, what the hell! he shouts as he grabs the mug and dumps the whole concoction down his throat. Oy, Joe! Kin Ah 'ave another round, mate? Oh, it feels good to get that off me tired chest, friends. Thank 'ee fer list'nin'. How 'bout yerselves? Got any tales fer a new drinkin' partner?"

 

[Vigwyn the Unruly]

Somac is visibly moved by the dwarf's sad tale. He believes any person as passionate as this one is would make a good ally--no, friend--in the cold hard world outside these doors.

I also have a story of loss to tell, he reports, but I hesitate to tell it so soon after yours, for fear of disrespecting your grief. Also, it involves certain...unpleasantries...in regards to orcs, and I would not want to imply any malice toward our half-orc friend here. After all, a person can't help what they're born to, and should be given all credit for the good that is in them.

That being said, Somac could still be seen to keep a sceptical watch on Scun from the corner of his eye.

Turning to the others, Somac greeted them, Well met, barbarian and ranger...you smell of the sea!

 

[nimisgod]

OOC: Just wanted to say that you guys are doing a terriffic job of RP. Keep up the good work!

 

[Brain]

"Aye, thank you for the tale. I feel your pain, Rasereit. It is truely rare to find such a fine companion as Kerrin. I think you are making good steps toward recovery. As Mongrel teaches; The good comes with the bad, and it is what we make of it that matters. and Once you hit bottom, there is nowhere to go but up. and of course (Scun grins and says in a cheerful voice) Never turn down a free ale!"
With that, Scun gets up and claps Rasereit on the back.

Turning to Somac, Scun says calmly, "I would gladly hear your tale as well. Fear me not, hate me if you will. You are right to mistrust a half-orc. I don't belong to the Orcs, nor do I belong to the Humans. I am one that was cast aside by society and savages alike, and I don't blame anyone. One must simply make the best of his situation and keep his wits about him."