Fantasy The Monstrous Adventurers (CLOSED)

[Hazmat44]

Human was tired.

They had long since discovered sleep to be impossible. Their minds were loud and active, only resting when they saw fit, and never at the same time. There were periods of rest, yes, but they had lost the ability to fall unconscious when they were joined. Now they simply wandered, looking for food and sustenance wherever they could.

Moving an eye to a spot where the eyes of humanity rested, they looked up at the tavern in front of them. The street behind them was busy, beastkin and mankind and livestock producing a noisy din that stung and gnawed at Human's calm attitude. The cobbled road was wide, allowing for several shouting vendors and desperate beggars to attract attention and ply their trade. Although they paid little attention to it, the sky above was cloudy and grey, with the slightest hint of fog on the horizon.

Badelrod was hardly one of the bigger towns Human had visited, but it was certainly one of the less observant ones. Even with Human's distorted shape and uneven cloak, they hadn't warranted much attention from anyone yet. They wanted to keep that streak going a little longer, if possible.

With a grunt from their arm, they braced themselves and entered the tavern. Their collective senses were instantly assailed by the stench of sweat and bile and liquor, the dregs of sapient life shouting and screaming and flirting at each other in the mad chaos of life. Human flinched, trying not to express disgust as they walked to a table in the corner. They had some money from a group of merchants they'd encountered a few weeks before. They had it hidden in one of the mouths in their right leg, and fished it out as a waitress walked over.

"Hey there, traveler. What're ye in the mood for?" She gave them a pleasant smile, one that almost managed to hide the greed and disgust in her eyes. It was a practiced smile. Human could appreciate practicing facial expressions.

"Meat," They replied, a sevenfold chorus of voices stating the word.

The waitress' smile didn't so much as falter. "Alright, I'll get you a platter soon as possible. Be right back!"

Human watched her hurry off, wondering if they were in trouble. They'd had to deal with warriors before, but they didn't want to attract so much attention in the very center of Badelrod. The town may not have been large, but their guards were supposedly quite skilled.

Several discordant thoughts clashed as their individual parts strove for command. Their head and their arm switched places, boiling flesh and rippling skin altering itself on top of false bones to properly imitate the human they believed themselves to be. A quiet growl slipped out of their leg, muted by the gold hidden in it.


Gryphtaur ChaiLatte Nellancholy Gravitational Force Mirai-chan Vexumin
(Let's get this party started!)

 

[Vexumin]

Ever since he left the room where the large man slept, it has been nothing but walking. He could swear that there was once and inn or a tavern somewhere in the town. Maybe it had moved since he was last in the town? Burram could not be sure. How many years had he been in that damnable room? Burram strains his arms against the buckles that had been used to bind his arms down, should the chains have failed in any way. The weapon could not help but grimace. "Damn those merciless kings advisors. Enchanted bindings... I need to find someone to take them off," Burram says to himself as he struggled once again against his portable containment.

Truly one of the kingdoms crueler tricks. Bindings that can only be undone by another. No matter how Burram might try to bite and tear at the belts that held him, he could make no change at all in them. It should be a relatively easy thing to get someone else to do for him, but every time so far that he has tried to have another person undo the bindings, they have been unnerved by his blackened smile. The shadows behind the fabric that covered his face.

"This SUCKS!" Burram shouts in the middle of town, people turning to stare at him from his outburst. He was starting to get antsy, foot tapping against the cobble below. "Faster. I need to look around faster!" he says before he takes off running. He really hated being the center of attention as he ran about looking for a place to rest. At this point, no doubt the kingdom was aware of his departure. Either that or they have forgotten about his existence altogether. Wouldn't that be something, eh?

He continued to sprint about until he finally saw it. A proper tavern building. He could tell from a mile away that it was the right place. He stepped towards the door before using his foot to push the door open. Once inside, he breathes a sigh. "Finally. Some good ol' familiar smells..." He says this, though it was difficult to tell if he actually had a nose. Nonetheless, he could indeed smell the intricate scents of the tavern.

He finds himself a table and takes a seat. His blade cuts against the wood of the chair he sat on, but with no use of his hands to place himself elsewhere, there was little helping it. He also didn't have money to pay for food. Maybe this new generation of taverner forgot his common tricks. Pay with the blade only to take it back later. Hopefully he'd been rather forgotten, cause he used to do that a lot when he was still able to walk about.

 

[Mirai-chan]

Ruth Has arived in the town and she traveling, plus seeing what could she steal for fun or to sell. It's been a while since she came back to this place. She then smirked a bit as she caught an eye of a male Traveler passing by With some jewels, Must be a merchant or some sort of upper-class person."This will be easy."She thought. She went Snuck behind the Human who was in an Alleyway and She smirked. She walked past this man and "Accidentally" bumped into him as he dropped some jewels and using a feminine voice she heard in the past."Sorry about That mate."She said.

She helped pick some but took several without him noticing, not to mention a diamond one. "Thank you, You miss."He said. She left without a word, but she went into a Secluded alleyway and smirked to herself. Until she heard these Two Words. "I've Been Robbed!"The man shouted. Ruth has an "oh shoot" look and walked off pulling her hood up and hiding onto the sword hilt just in case she needs it to fight. She sees the man talking to a few of the knights and then Knight who seems like he's the commander pointed to the other knights and spread out.

Ruth needed a place to hide, So she needed to blend with the crowd until a Knight spotted her."Stop thief!"The knight said. Sh started Running and Then hid somewhere."I don't wanna get caught by them Knights again."She thought. Until she Encountered the leader that is."Long time no See, Ruth, Also known as Master of Theives."He said. Ruth was panicking but her face didn't show it and did this in Sign language: "Long time no see you big oaf." The knight was actually called rudrius the commander of the Sedaria squad, but ruth makes fun of this guy and was a human."Why you little!"He said. She Kicked him and Runs away And soon blending in the crowd, She soon finds a tavern and smirks a bit.

She went inside the Tavern And Sits at the table, This is one tavern she liked and she Sets her sword next to her and sighed. She knows that the knights are hunting her and that mean she got to lay low and Then Sigh.

 

[Nellancholy]

The tavern bustled as such establishments tended to do, overflowing with the revelry and indulgence of the working class. As it happened, this tavern also happened to entertain a considerable number of more...audacious, less savory types, the kind who made it good money by spending their ill-gotten gains. This was the kind of place where Oyuki could eventually find work of a nature that matched her...expertise, but in the meantime she gave a little smile to the spider on its web in the corner, who would eventually be sent skittering when someone got around to sweeping.

With her attention taken up by deftly weaving a silk handkerchief and sipping her watered-down ale, the entrance of the kenku fleeing her pursuers barely registered. But what she couldn't ignore was the burly woman emanating an air of brash swagger as she loomed over Oyuki, flanked by a small group of equally imposing folk.

"Ey lassie, that's our table you're at." She sneered. "How about you clear out? We're in the mood for something strong tonight, and that isn't you."

So she was a marauder of some sort, likely a pirate. The kind that was strong, no doubt, and able to lead a crew. But perhaps a little...overconfident with the rush of a recent raid with abundant spoils. Oyuki shot a gentle smile back at her. "That's very understandable. I certainly don't want to prevent you from enjoying your evening. You can sit here with me if you'd like." Sure, she could just make way, but she felt like getting one over on the captain.

"Ha! A smart one!" The broad woman laughed. "I don't share a table with gentle folk. And if I wanted a wench I'd look for one on my own time. Or ten!" At that, her crew cheered in approval of their captain's bluster.

"Hey boss..." One of them glanced over Oyuki. "Looks like she ain't a local."

"Oh? You're quite far from home, aren't you lass? Why don't we show you how we settle things around here?" The captain finally took a seat opposite Oyuki. "We'll drink for it!" As if on cue, her cabin boy arrived with two large tankards, full with something strong to start off the evening. "And when you can't hold it, we'll take that fine robe of yours and set you down nicely in the gutter!"

"Hm." Oyuki chuckled. The captain was clearly just looking for a pretext to pre-game the evening and throw her weight around as she was used to. "I don't play such games, but I accept your offer." Instead of chugging, she simply raised one of the tankards to her lips and gave a gentle sip. It'd take far more than they had to have a pronounced effect on her, but the insistent smell and texture of the beverage was undeniable.

"Heh! I'll make you finish that, wench. Right after..." And with that, Oyuki's opponent raised her own drink, tipping it back and gulping down the cool, odious fluid and slamming the empty container down with a thud. "Haaaa! And now, you..."

She made to take hold of Oyuki, intent on manhandling her. And then...

Then...her face scrunched up, turning green almost instantly. As though wracked with a sudden pain, the statuesque woman clapped her hands to her mouth, turning away.

"B-boss, what are ya..." The concern of her crew was interrupted by her bolting out of the tavern.

"Phew...look at them." Satisfied, Oyuki glanced at the spider, shrugging. "Guess I'd better not stick around, hm?"

At some point, that pirate and her crew would probably find the poisoned needle stuck in her leg. While the dosage was just enough to leave her sick and dehydrated for a day or two...they might be the kind to hold a grudge. But Oyuki would likely be blown elsewhere by the wind of fate by then...

 

[Gryphtaur]

Approaching the establishment was another peculiar creature. Tauric in nature, this specimen boasted an animalistic bipedal torso in place of a human’s. In addition, both bodies had an amalgamation of felid and raptorial attributes not dissimilar to the heraldic hybrids known as Griffins. Tharraleos was the designation of this nomadic traveler. The two pairs of wings seamlessly folded together along his backside ached almost more than he could bear. Once again he found himself lost in the skies; too preoccupied with the natural beauty of the world to notice it had been what, 3 or 4 days since he touched solid ground. After a millennia and a half of existence they do tend to blur together.

Whatever town this was seemed like the best thing to stumble upon and using his quartet of legs almost took some adjusting from being tucked in his sides for days. Frontal talons and rear paws carried the mutated Allasson towards what looked like a tavern. Obtaining some refreshments sounded most ideal afterall. Making his entrance and approaching the counter, his lower body would place itself in a sitting position while his torso leaned against the surface. A server who was visibly nervous about his beastly appearance and perpetual scowl attended to the Tauroid Griffin.

“What can I get for you?” the waiter asked with a shaky smile. Tharr couldn’t help but notice and as usual, he found it both amusing and flattering. He met the man’s smile with one of his own, which was only offputting given his sawtoothed and fanged beak.

“A glass of your most aged Xinomavro.” The avian feline responded with booming vocals that seemed to vibrate the area around him. His proper mannerisms and articulate albeit borderline baritone speech contrasted his exterior savagery. With a nod the worker went to fetch his request. While he was waiting, he’d rummage through his mane to bring out a handful of gold coins and place them on the counter. With a sigh from his nares, he’d begin to wind down a bit. While he looked poised and relaxed, his ever aware array of heightened senses were always on high alert, especially in new environments. Nothing too notable. Only a couple individuals stood out as anything remotely intriguing so far. Besides, he was more than confident in his own abilities to deal with any nuisances to begin with.

 

[Gravitational Force]

People stared at the massive humanoid walking through town. One of the downsides of being a superior being was that when lesser beings built towns for themselves they weren't sized for you.

Not that Xeron was looking for any building in particular, he honestly had no idea what he was going to do at this point. He had no money and didn't know where to get more and his stomach was growling. It was a profound injustice for a Yikarian to be reduced to this state. And for what? It wasn't like he had freed slaves, he'd simply called their sacrifice wasteful.

Forced to flee his village or be sacrificed, forced to risk a teleportation spell well outside his normal range that sent him who knows where, and now trapped among lesser beings, regularly mistaken for a Minotaur, there was simply no justice in the world. Well that stopped now. Xeron was going to get something to eat and nothing was going to stop him! If need be he'd use some trick to get away without paying. Nothing was impossible for a Yikarian with power! If all went well he'd only need one try.

Xeron's first attempt at entering the tavern resulted in landing flat on his back after bumping his head on the doorpost. His second attempt resulted in his horns getting stuck. His third attempt worked after he managed to resist the urge to burn the building down as an apology-sacrifice to The Faceless God and instead used his magic staff to shrink himself down to a manageable 6 feet tall.

The jingle of coins caught Xeron's attention as he entered. Some sort of disgusting four-legged bird-thing had a great deal of gold. Gold that should clearly be in the pocket of a Yikarian. The only question was how to make that happen.

The spider-thing, writhing humanoid mass, two-legged bird-thing, and weird blade-holder were noticed as well, but simply filed away as other oddities to be investigated as necessary. Right now Xeron was looking for a full stomach and

 

[ChaiLatte]

It was turning out to be an extremely peculiar day around Badelrod. When Slim had been found on the outskirts of the town somewhere about a week ago, he had been one of the stranger beings to not get immediately shot down with arrows. Well, in all actuality he had been shot with an arrow, but the pesky thing had gone through him. After realizing the skeleton had his hands up, weapons down, and had the ability to form coherent sentences, the traveling merchant that had shot at him decided he could be used to draw customers, and brought him along to Balderod.

Alas, Slim had found a temporary place of respite. Albeit he was quite the commodity around town, especially the tavern where folks gathered. Not many had ever thought of having a conversation with a skeleton before. Though it seemed that this town had seen its fair share of odd beings. It was curious, but also quite nice to not be immediately attacked or screamed at when making someone’s acquaintance. Even if the traveling merchant friend of his had used him as a marketing tool of sorts. At the very least, he was getting paid in a few gold pieces just for standing around and chatting with customers.

The skeleton did not typically stay in the same place for long, his bones getting antsy as he needed to find some sort of purpose, but this week had been pleasant. The merchant had offered to take him along with him to the next town, but Slim knew not every town was as accepting as this one had been. He kindly declined the offer and decided to part ways. They were packing up the merchant’s belongings when a being sprinted past them. They were halted from leaving when a pack of guards inspected their cart in search of some thief. And they were saying their farewells when a winged beast landed from the sky and wandered towards the town’s tavern.

“Looks like yer old news, Slim,” the merchant chuckled as he patted the skeleton on the back.

Slim’s bones rattled together a bit at the impact, but he patted the human back with his own bony hand. “I’m a skeleton. I’m always old news.”

The merchant laughed, finding everything Slim said funny over the week, and readied his horse to depart. “I’ll miss ya, bonehead.”

The skeleton would be lying if he said he wouldn’t miss the human’s company, too. But he needed to find a better purpose than being a silly talking prop. “See you around, Brom.” For now though, curiosity had him moving toward the tavern where he saw the winged creature enter.

He’d nearly turned around when he saw the large horned creature making its way to the tavern. Slim was wary of bigger beings, knowing if he angered them, he could easily be crushed. Though the amusement of watching him struggle to get through the doorway was enough to make him stay. When he shrunk in size, Slim’s interest was piqued. Magic always intrigued the skeleton, knowing that it was what brought him back to life and held him together now. While he didn’t understand it in the slightest, he longed to know more. And so, once the doorway was clear, he followed behind the last strange creature to enter to see what was bringing them into the tavern in the first place. Surely it wasn’t just a coincidence, right?

 

[Hazmat44]

Human grouchily tore a chunk off the roast... animal... they'd been given. They hadn't eaten in several days at least, and the meat was greatly welcome. Granted, it was greasy, and there was too much salt, and... well, it wasn't the best food they'd ever eaten, but it was food. They surreptitiously lowered some of it to their leg, and a mouth lined with curved teeth ripped into it. They couldn't feed all of themselves all at once, or else someone would get suspicious, but they had a fair bit of money and plenty of time.

They didn't notice a person walking towards them. The man in question was young, barely out of his teens, and had a mane of brilliant gold hair, contrasting to his pale eyes. He wore fine clothing, but no shoes, and he lacked a purse. Tables almost seemed to slide out of his way as he sauntered through the tavern, although their occupants didn't notice a thing.

Coming up right behind Human, he slapped a hand on their shoulder. "Greetings, my fair human friend! I'm here to have a talk with you, as humans do. Come! There will be money and food involved!"

Human snarled a wordless reply, but the man didn't so much as flinch. "Is that any way to greet a future friend? I'll have you know that I have nothing except the best interests of everyone present at heart! If nothing else I can guarantee your stomachs will be all filled by the end of all this, whether you accept or deny it!" He half-turned, clearly expecting Human to follow. "Now, I said come!"

Human glanced at the meat in front of them, hesitated, and then shoved it down their shirt. Fleshy tendrils began to pass it along their body beneath the cloak they wore, mouths greedily snapping at it as the food passed by each one. With little to lose and little to worry about, they followed the newcomer.

His route was confusing, and his actions even more so, making it difficult for Human to follow. He threaded through the tavern, going back to the entrance and double-crossing his path, taking zigs and zags and even heading to the very furthest corner at one point. As he did, he brought a remarkably white letter out of his sleeve and set them on tables before certain customers. A bipedal bird-human which smelled not unlike the food Human had just eaten. A large furry cow-man of some kind. Some kind of living skeleton that mocked Human with their lack of one. A woman with bird-like qualities. A spider-like lady wearing fine silks. A hooded child.

Heading back over to the bartender, he practically lounged on the counter with a bright grin. "Sir! I'll be renting your private room for a spell. Not an actual spell, mind, but it'll be a bit before I can return its services to you!"

The bartender raised an eyebrow. "We don't have a private room."

"Of course you do!" The man enthused, indicating a wooden door to the right of the bar that Human was reasonably confident hadn't been there a few seconds ago. "I'll pay you a score of gold pieces. This shouldn't take more than half an hour!"

The confusion that flashed across the bartender's face was instantly drowned by the mention of money, and he jerked a thumb over his shoulder. "Sure, knock yourselves out. Take your time."

The man Human was following gave the bartender a smile almost too bright to directly look at. "Fantastic! I'll see myself out afterwards. You'll probably miss me!"

Before Human could come up with the words to the garble of questions they were all thinking, the exceedingly strange man waltzed over, threw the door open, and went inside. Three of them had a brief stab of hesitation, and one felt concern. The remaining three were hungry, greedy and both, respectively, and the one who felt both was the head at the moment. According to the scant and inconsistent rules they'd set up, the head was in charge.

They followed the man in.

Inside, the room was plushly decorated with plenty of silk cushions, ornate chairs, at least one throne made from skulls, what appeared to be a hammock, and most importantly, two tables filled to bursting with an enormous number of meats, vegetables, fruits and confectioneries. Ignoring the strange man (who had claimed a ridiculously oversized pillow for himself, and was seated cross-legged on it with his eyes closed), Human went for the meats. They were hungry.

They were always hungry.

The letters left behind for the unusual denizens of the tavern were all unmarked, and their contents were all the same.

"Greetings! It has come to my attention that you are looking for a job, even if just a small one. I've got a good bit of free food waiting, even if you're not interested. In the event that you are interested, there's gold in it for you. Enough gold to take you wherever you want to go, or to reinvent yourself, or buy a mansion and retire. Take your pick! Just head to the back of the tavern and tell the bartender you're with the gold-haired man. He'll know what you're talking about! See you soon?"

Gravitational Force ChaiLatte Mirai-chan Nellancholy Vexumin Gryphtaur

 

[Nellancholy]

"Arara...what a bold offering." Just as Oyuki expected, fate turned once more, bringing an interesting new opportunity before her like a black cat crossing her path. A scan of her surroundings made it clear that she was not the only one who received such invitations, and the gathering of certain folk here was as serendipitous as the fact that they were all invited by this strange fellow.

Placing a fingernail (or a claw) under the seal, she pried the envelope open, taking a glance over the contents. How did he know she was taking odd jobs? From the looks of it, he was probably casting a wide net as whatever task lay before him required a particularly skilled (or large) group of people.

"And it wouldn't be becoming of a lady to refuse such an generous invitation..." She idly twirled the envelope between her fingers for a moment before concentrating her ki into it. The paper ignited, dissolving into a black ash which she rubbed across her palms. The letter itself went into her obi as she got up, clicking over to the bartender. "Kind sir, if you please. I've got an appointment with the gentleman in your private room."

Taking the bartender's surly grumble as acknowledgement (if not approval), Oyuki made her way in where a luxurious spread lay before them, already being set upon by another patron who was decidedly NOT human.

 

[Vexumin]

Burram had been busy tugging at the buckle binding his arms with his teeth, the fabric around his mouth folding around the enchanted leather. This damn buckle just wouldn't budge. Yeah, he'd need a little help, but there wasn't anyone about that would seem willing to even touch a being like himself. Nor should they want to. Only an insane flesh being would unbind something that is bound for one reason or another.

However, as all hope seemed to be lost when it came to his freedom, there came the sound of paper placed upon the table he had sat beside. He raises his head a bit quick, causing the red hood over his head to fall back, showing his white cloth covered head. If it weren't for the fact that his head was nothing but the white of the fabric, then one might actually mistake it for his actual head. He looks down at the paper that had been placed before him. A letter of sorts. Burram looks up, watching the odd golden haired man and the other oddly shaped flesh creature enter a room.

"Yeah, how do you expect me to open th-- and they're gone..." Burram frowns as the two slip through a door on the other side of the room. His jagged toothed mouth wraps itself around the end of the envelope while he brings his feet up to grip the paper. In a single and swift motion, a tooth catches the paper and with a tug the envelope is opened. Though uncomfortable, Burram uses his head to lay the letter out flat. He reads it over a bit before humming. "A job? Not really looking for a job, but... Hmm. Maybe someone there can free me."

Burram frowns as he slips from his chair. He wasn't able to get an ale before he got the letter. Maybe whoever it was that gave him the letter had ale in that back room. Worth a check. Burram steps along before he notices the strangely dressed woman speak to the bartender before him. His cloth face contorts into one of confusion. Then his gaze wanders down and he notices her feet of sorts. They tapped across the wooden floor and Burram could immediately tell that she was not normal. He began to notice her other features as well. "Ah, so she's not a normal fleshbag."

Burram shrugs his shoulders as he simply follows behind the woman. He might even go unnoticed as he steps into the strange room after her. No need to ask the bartender if he could pretend that he was with another weirdo like himself. He quietly thanks the woman, even though the words would only have been heard by himself. There it was, food as promised by the letter. Taking a seat, he just sort of waits, face turning to look at those gathered or about to join them.

 

[ChaiLatte]

Slim couldn’t help his piquing interest as he read the note that had found its way to him. While the mysterious letter seemed a little too convenient, it was hard to resist the offers it promised. Gold always held temptation, but the words that really jumped out at him were a little more meaningful.

Reinvent yourself.

Being brought back to life without finding the reason why was already rough. Having no memory of the life he had held beforehand was like some cruel joke. For two years he’d been wandering aimlessly over the lands, trying to find an inkling of a memory or at least something that seemed worthwhile. Perhaps whomever was behind this letter could offer him some purpose… or at least give him something to do in the interim. It never hurt to kill a little time when one really had nothing but time, after all.

When he strolled up to the bar, he didn’t even have to utter any words about the mysterious gold-haired man to be pointed towards a door. He’d been in this tavern a few times over the week and didn’t remember that being there. More magic? This day was getting more and more interesting. Hopefully this wasn’t some weird trap he was walking into…

Judging by the figures that he was greeted with upon entering the room, at least he wasn’t alone in being a bit… off. Food wasn’t what brought him here, so he stepped to the side to allow anyone else that may be entering to have a clearer path. Unfortunately, that led him to be met with a throne of skulls. He wasn’t sure whether he should be panicked or annoyed. Turning to face the others, his thumb bone jutted back toward the throne and he uttered, “This a joke? Or should I be worried?”

 

[Mirai-chan]

Ruth ignored The spider Lady with a minor sigh and then noticed the Envolpe after paying for some Wine and sipping on some and looked at it."Hmm? A letter?"She thought. She was curious about this Envelope and Smirked a bit. The kenku opened The Envelope and starts Reading it, Blahze blahze and then her Eyebrow Raised a bit in interest. "Gold hmm?"She said in a mimicked Male voice.

She Gottened up and headed to the bar tender and put the letter in her satchel and did the sign language."Excuse, me i have a meeting with the guy in your privet room." but the bar tender was just confused, She facepamed for forgetting some people on't know sign language and she did heard the spider ady and used her voice."Kind sir, if you please. I've got an appointment with the gentleman in your private room." She said.

the Bartender was surprised but then sighed."We don't got anyone nor a private room."The bartender said. She said this in a male voice."I'l pay you, if you let me."She said. She then showed him four Rubies and the bartender looked at the kenku."We have a deal, mistress."He said smirking. Ruth smiled at him and he pointed to the backroom and she walked off to the place, Sorta excited to meet this guy or what, She jus wanted the money for Some stuff she needed anyway.