Resh Chapter 1: The Dark Child

[Podrus]

Ale & Firewood

Location: The Thief & Titan |City: Zandimar | NPCs Involved:

From the moment your group set foot in Zandimar, the city felt alive. People were dancing in the streets, drum beats playing all around as performers did their best to gain a little bit of coin in the joyous city. The markets had men and women selling everything from the legs of a Chitin, careful to note it's not chicken, and other's trying to peddle the alleged lost jewels of a forgotten Otrunian dynasty, this seemed to be vastly different from any of the small villages you lot had traveled through before on the way to get here.

But now, seated around a table in The Thief & Titan, a tavern you had heard about on the street. Even inside the above average bar, the people were different than anywhere else in the Skirts, there were no complaints about an empty belly or worries about where to lay a head, oh no, Zandimar was different. Instead there were friends enjoying a good time with one another, families putting plate after plate of food away into their bellies. The patrons were from all around a Half-Orc clinking his tankard against a Halflings, a Cat playfully swiping at the bread on a scaled man's plate, laughs filling the air.

And now, after days, weeks for some of you, there was finally a moment of peace to discuss your plans.

code by Ri.a

 

[Baba Luga]

"So let's get this straight," said Shalvus, his speech mildly slurred--the Zandimar ale was quite a bit stronger than what he was used to. "We're here." The cleric of Fiel moved his empty tankard to one edge of the table. "The Holy See of Ascen is over there." He slid the small plate of stewed apples from its place between himself and Chantal across the table so that it skidded to a halt in front of Bandrax the goliath. "And what lies between?" His calloused fingers fluttered across a panoply of tiny dishes holding fish bones, olive pits, orange rinds and the other detritus of their meal. "For instance, friend, do you suggest we first visit the hamlet of grapestem, or the esteemed village of pepper sauce?"

 

[corielldog]

“I don’t know what our friends would suggest but what I would suggest is letting empty tankard prairie stay empty.” The Tiefling said as she continued eating from the complimentary bowl of peanuts, her face hidden by a cowl “Bandrax, this is an area you know better than any of us how to get us there. Don’t let Shalvus’ suggestions sway your guidance”

 

[Holice]

Sitting at the table side, Kappa felt uncomfortable as he was quite large for this small table, which was clearly not made for a Tortle. He also felt bad constantly telling the server that he did want not any ale, as he did not drink it, and instead just asked for water. Each time she would give him a crooked look, roll her eyes and walk away, and each time she returned, his mug of water had clearly not been cleaned of the previous patrons alcohol, and tasted down right awful.

Shifting his mind from the foul beverage, he sat quietly as Shalvus attempted to use food as a means of explanation for our future travels. Thinking back to a few days ago, when Kappa finally caught up to Shalvus and Chantal, he was relieved that they were so welcoming to his request to join them in their travels. In fact, they barely asked any questions about why he wanted to join, and just seemed content to have the additional company.

Kappa shook his head, realizing that he was drifting into thought as Chantal spoke up. Having never been farther than eye sight of his village, he knew that his input would be of little value at this time, but was thankful when Chantal turned to Bandrax to ask a question and not himself. Turning his head slightly to look at Bandrax, he reached out for one of the few remaining grapes as he awaited a response.

 

[Baba Luga]

Shalvus felt his cheeks flush with embarrassment at his younger companion's teasing. He'd thought he was expounding in jovial form, like some old monk laying an amusing parable before students, but clearly he'd become inebriated and it was showing. He resolved to comport himself with more dignity and set about quietly putting the errant dishes of ort within reach in better order while Chantal and Bandrax spoke.

With further chagrin, he considered how he'd planned on going directly from the Thief and Titan to Fial's Library for the evening reading, after which there would maybe be a chance to introduce himself to some local members of the clergy and get their views on the prospect for the trip north. It seemed a fool's errand to go there with his head muddled like this--and as a representative of the Scriptorium? It might be better to sleep it off and wake up early for the dawn recitation instead.

 

[XxQROWxX]

Bandrax was a bit cramped sitting at the table compared to the others. He glances down at the plate that was slid across the table towards him and then over at Shalvus. Noticing that he is clearly intoxicated and is trying to describe plans with food he slides the plate back over with one of his fingers. “No need to try and make plans with food my friend and I don’t mind him miss” he says in a low deep voice. Being almost 8ft tall he has to look down at everyone. “There are numerous trade routes between here and Ascen that go through some other cities and towns that we can take. There might be some guilds in town that might be able to help us out or we could possibly tag along with some traveling merchants, I’m not really sure. We’d have to ask around and see. But first.” He looks directly at Shalvus and points at him. “I believe he needs to rest and get sober before we do anything. You don’t want to be drunk when trying to make deals and plans with people around here or anywhere. Things can get really strange and not go the way you intend them.”

 

[Baba Luga]

These hard words, coming from an only recently-met man more than a decade his junior, wounded Shalvus quite a bit--he'd already considered himself well chided by Chantal's playful barb. Inhaling sharply, he straightened up in his seat and addressed the group.

"My apologies to all of you. It won't happen again. I've spent several years in more austere surroundings. And while I certainly shouldn't have had that second tankard so close on the heels of the first, I'm by no means crapulent!"

"Now," he proclaimed, strike the table for emphasis, perhaps a bit harder than he'd intended, "I have an early service I'd like to attend tomorrow morning, and so should be off to bed. Any of you who'd like to join me at Fiel's Library at dawn, I'd be delighted. Otherwise, I think following along with a caravan, at least until the next settlement, is an excellent idea. Can someone look into that? Shall we meet back here for lunch regardless?"

---

Shalvus begins collecting his things to depart for wherever his lodgings are. He will either pay the bill for what the group has eaten now, or, if others wish to stay and sup further, will leave his purse with Chantal for her to pay out of at the end of the evening.

 

[Holice]

Nodding along as the giant of a man indicated that Shalvus should retire for the evening and sober up, Kappa turned his attention to Shalvus, hoping he would be in agreement and head to bed for the night.

But as Shalvus responded, with an increasingly loud voice, Kappa tensed up and jerked visibly in his seat as the human slammed the table. Was this what happens to those that indulge in this foul tasting drink?, Kappa thought to himself as he pushed his mug away from himself.

As Shalvus finished speaking to the group, and began to pack up, Kappa turned to him and said, "You mentioned Fiel's Library, I am unfamiliar with this, but my curiosity is leading me to joining you in the morning. I will be out front at dawn tomorrow, if you would so kind as to alert me when you are heading off."

Kappa then stood up as well, and bowed to his compatriots. "I too will be off to rest now, thank you for the evening, and I hope the remainder of your evenings are pleasant."

Kappa will then offer to pay his share of the fare, and would graciously thank Shalvus if he waves him off. He will then head to his room or place of rest for the remainder of the night, and will awake at dawn.

 

[corielldog]

“Don’t best yourself up too much Shalvus, just remember not to drink so much next time.” Chantal waved to Bandrax and Kappa only a smile and piercing purple eyes being visible from her overshadowed face “thank you Bandrax for assisting us in this excursion, we couldn’t thank you enough” one of her gloves hands dove into her robe, producing her own canteen filled with what was most likely wine she bought from the town they were in before they got here, the same town where they met Kappa and learned that he had been following them for years. She stowed the canteen back in her robe “and thank you Kappa, for coming along with us. I’m going to head off with Shalvus. Good night to the both of you”

 

[Podrus]

Ale & Firewood

Location: The Thief & Titan |City: Zandimar | NPCs Involved:

As the lot of you prepare for the night, one of the barmaiden's comes over and collects the small fee for the food and drink, tacked in with a small charge for the rooms the group is staying in. After Shalvus handed over the gold and you all went your separate ways, split into the two rooms. Partway through the night, if one were to listen, strange noises were being made outside of the tavern, more than the usual riled drunks and street walkers.

But strange sounds, smells, even visions, weren't uncommon to a Skirter, especially one who came from outside of the walled city.

Eventually, around sunrise you all gather in front of the tavern, ready to make your way over to the Library even before the streets of Zandimar seemed to still slumber, the day not started for many.

code by Ri.a

 

[Baba Luga]

Nervously rubbing at a spot on the front of his aba, Shalvus makes a slightly abashed disclaimer to the others that the relgious readings at Fiel's Library might be somewhat "dense " to those not already steeped in veneration of the Bookkeeper. Himself, he's quite excited for his first visit to this center of worship.

 

[Holice]

Seeing a Tortle in general is usual provokes a double-take or rubbing of one's eyes, for those unfamiliar with Kappa's race. Seeing a Tortle in a seated position, with no chair under him, defying the laws of gravity typically has people stopping in their tracks.
Kappa knew that his morning exercise regime brought eyes upon himself, especially when he performed feats of athleticism many would attribute to the use of magic, but no amount of gawkers would break his concentration. Like a statue, he could hold this pose for minutes on hand, with a serene look upon his face, as his meditation took his mind beyond his physical surroundings. Metaphorically speaking of course.
As he finished his initial muscle warmups and strength building techniques, he then walked out a 15' by 15' area, and began practicing his weapon technique.
It was most likely an hour or two since he began his training, when Shalvus emerged from the inn. Finishing up his naginata kata, he slide his weapon back into his back scabbard and walked over to meet the Human.
"Good Morning to you" he said with a smile and bowed. "I am still very much interested in seeing this Library of yours, if you do not mind the company."
Kappa then side stepped to allow Shalvus to lead the way, hoping he would have no objections.

 

[Baba Luga]

Shalvus nods and smiles approvingly at their newfound companion's morning regimen. He wonders if the unexpected arrival of this warrior is a sign that Iorek smiles on their journey. He's feeling better than he has in a while about Chantal's prospects now that they're here in Zandimar, with two strong allies and the Library nearby. When Chantal is ready, Shalvus leads the way there through the morning streets.

 

[corielldog]

Chantal would arrive in the training grounds that Shalvus and Kappa were in wearing her cowl that masked all of her face below her eyes. "Good morning Shalvus, Kappa. I would trust you had a good sleep last night?" she strode over to her two allies and sat on a bench near Kappa's training ground. "Today we're headed to the Library huh? I'm quite excited to see what we can find"

 

[Podrus]

Ale & Firewood

Location: The Streets/Fiel's Library |City: Zandimar | NPCs Involved:

With the morning air fresh in your lungs, three of you walk towards the Library, a building that is almost impossible to miss. The closer you get to the extravagant building, the streets began to fill up more and more with robed figures, all paying you very little mind as they carried books and other bits of information quickly into the library, eager to bring their donation of information to the Demigod.

Walking through the doors, the smell of books and dust quickly enters your nose and while scholars galore move past you, still paying no attention to you. A robed figure behind a counter looks up, their face covered in what appears to be a simple mask, almost featureless and they usher you forward, "Hello, what knowledge do you seek?"

XxQROWxX

You put one foot in front of the other, left, right, left, right, all the while looking for someone to help. Throughout your morning so far, you've helped six older women cross the street, helped a little girl retrieve her cat from a tree with almost no problems at all, and now you had a bundle of timbers on your shoulder, walking down the street to the construction site. When you finally set down the wood, one of the men, a Dwarf that could barely reach your knee, pats you on the rear and smiles,

"Thank the Garden we found a man like you, we were so behind schedule, you're very kind to help a group of carpenters like ourselves."

code by Ri.a

 

[Baba Luga]

"Another day, another page, sister. We have come all the way from the Scriptorium, seeking knowledge of the struggles in the garden, and the gods' aspirations for mortal vessels, the Banished Blinding Beauty in particular. We had hoped to find an open reading this morning. Will there be one, or is it over already? Does one of the librarians have time to speak with us?"

Shalvus feels a bit of incipient embarrassment considering that he might have spoken out of turn in his descriptions of what they'd find at the Library.

 

[corielldog]

"We wish to know if you have books that delve into the topic of both demons and devils, possibly even the lords of hell if your knowledge is deep enough." Chantal didn't feel comfortable in this place, anywhere like this really. She had a feeling it was because of her "special" benefactor, it made sense after all, how would your Boss feel if you got information from their competitor.

 

[Holice]

As the masked person approached the group, Kappa was at a loss. Who or what was this...creature? As it ushered the group forward, Kappa simply followed Shalvus, and when the masked figure spoke, Kappa hoped that was in no one aimed at himself. What knowledge do I seek? What an odd question to ask someone, he thought to himself. And then he started to wonder, What knowledge do I seek? Is that why I am on this journey? In pursuit of knowledge?

As the thoughts continued to swirl around his head, Shalvus thankfully spoke up first to the figure. But yet, as he spoke Kappa only only became more confused. Garden? Mortal Vessels? Banished something or another? What have I gotten myself involved in?

Then, as his head began to ache from all the wondrous and frightful thoughts he was having, Chantal spoke up. Demons and Devils? Lords of Hell? Oh my...what INDEED have I gotten myself into?

 

[Baba Luga]

As the masked official's silence passes from a considered pause to an uncomfortable deadness in the air between them, Shalvus wonders just how different the protocol here is from that back home. He regards all these scholars going about their business, trying to get a sense of just how out of place he, Chantal and Kappa are. His eyes dart to meet those of his companions, then he addresses the librarian again.

"Is an offering suggested first?"