The Ghostfence rp: Playground 2 Options

[bbqplatypus]

Apelles Velvus

Apelles and Ralas returned to the main chamber and then parted ways. Salms needed to continue to fight the losing battle for reinforcements. Apelles needed to eat.

He made his way to the large room where the merchants and dining hall were. He looked around at the food merchants. He saw a butcher hawking various cuts of hound and kagouti meat. Another merchant seemed to be selling a variety of cuttles and cheeses. Still another sold fruit.

This far from the nearest market, I doubt any of this food is very fresh, Apelles thought to himself. I'd go for something that's already been cooked, if I can get it.

Then his nose turned his attention to the corner, from which the strong smell of ash yams emanated. There he saw a Temple-operated stall serving a hot stew. It looked and smelled nourishing enough, so he threw some coins into the offering basket and helped himself to a bowl and a piece of bread.

Apelles looked around the room. It was crowded with people eating. There didn't seem to be too many good places to sit, and he didn't want to go outside to eat. Suddenly, he noticed three familiar faces sitting and eating near the wall - the two Ashlanders and the priest.

Well, I might as well eat with people I'm familiar with, Apelles thought. Besides, I might even get to know them a bit more.

He walked over to where the three were sitting.

"Excuse me, would you mind if I join you?"

This post has been edited by bbqplatypus: Sep 5 2009, 07:22 AM

[Dantrag]

Dralas

Dralas was at a loss as to what to say to Rothan; it wouldn't be the smartest thing to tell a priest that you wanted to take something back from the Temple. Luckily for him, the escort from the guar incident approached the table before he could answer the question.

"There's room for one more. Have a seat," he said to the Imperial, motioning to the empty chair across from him and Rianne, but beside Rothan.

[minque]

Rianne

She smiled at Rothan, but said nothing at first. Of course she couldn't exactly tell him the whole truth but maybe another version of it.

"Oh .." she said vaguely "I figure I could be of some use with the work at Ghostfence, I'm pretty good with herbs and stuff"

Rianne continued eating, but when the Imperial approached them she nearly choked.

Ah great, an imperial lackey! I could loose my appetite for less!

The Imperial asked very politely if he could join them; Rianne's first impulse ws to shout at him to go to some very warm place and then stab him with her knife, but since Dralas obviously thought it was OK she didn't make a move, except putting down her eating-equipment. She felt physically sick and had to struggle very hard to stay put and not show the whirling emotions inside her.

She put a friendly smile on her face...although those who knew her could see that it hardly was sincere.

[Olen]

Rothan

Rothan recognised the imperial as one of those who’d been with them when the ashlanders attacked. A hired guard probably. He tried not to edge away in distaste, if the temple hired him then so be it but he was still and outlander, and an Imperial at that. Glancing across he saw Rianne was no more pleased with the foreigner than he, she hid it well but she had stopped eating.

He gave the outlander a curt nod before turning back to the ashlander woman, “Apologies,” he said, “Are you temple goers then?” He couldn’t imagine anyone else wanting to give time to the project, but Dralas hardly looked civilised.

[Dantrag]

Rothan

Rothan recognised the imperial as one of those who’d been with them when the ashlanders attacked. A hired guard probably. He tried not to edge away in distaste, if the temple hired him then so be it but he was still and outlander, and an Imperial at that. Glancing across he saw Rianne was no more pleased with the foreigner than he, she hid it well but she had stopped eating.

He gave the outlander a curt nod before turning back to the ashlander woman, “Apologies,” he said, “Are you temple goers then?” He couldn’t imagine anyone else wanting to give time to the project, but Dralas hardly looked civilised.

Dralas

"We're not Temple goers," he answered honestly, "But the Blight from Red Mountain affects us all. The herds are getting smaller and sicklier, and the hunting grounds more dangerous to travel. Now we rely heavily on traveling merchants, so we come to help the ghostfence effort and earn some gold as well."

He noticed both Rianne and Rothan's aversion to the Imperial, and while he had no love for outlanders himself, he did have a certain respect for this one since they accidentally split from the caravan. The escort had an air of experience about him, and the fight with the rogues proved it. Dralas ate another spoonful of stew. Food had been scarce lately and he couldn't deny his hunger.

This post has been edited by Dantrag: Sep 7 2009, 03:20 AM

[bbqplatypus]

Apelles Velvus

"I'm not a templegoer, either," Apelles said, noting the obvious, "and I agree completely. And House Hlaalu does as well, which is why they sent me. You don't need to be a templegoer to know that it's bad for the wildlife, it's bad for business, and more importantly, it's bad for every living thing that walks on the Mundus."

And even more importantly, it's bad for our future settlements and ore prospecting, Apelles thought cynically to himself. Ah, what's the difference, though? I'm doing my duty and saving lives. Besides, the House has always treated me well, even through my skooma addiction. They pay me well, too - very well. I figure the Council can do whatever they want with their slice of the island. Whatever their motivation may be, I'm going to do my job.

Apelles continued eating. He had noted the way the others had responded to him. The priest seemed to have rather begrudgingly accepted his presence (emphasis on begrudgingly). The Ashlander woman made a rather insincere attempt at smiling at him - her mouth smiled but her eyes did not. But the other Ashlander's expression was something he could not read - not entirely friendly, but not as hostile as the others.

Apelles was used to seeing such reactions from the native Dunmer - the Hlaalu tended to be an exception. The Empire was tolerated but not very well-liked - particularly not by the Temple and especially not by Ashlanders. Ironically, after having been to the Ashlands on many occasions, the Ashlanders were probably the people he respected the most out of anyone on the island. To be able to survive there was a sign of admirable strength and endurance.

"In any case, I find it heartening that one cause can unite a band of individuals of such disparate backgrounds."

This post has been edited by bbqplatypus: Sep 8 2009, 03:45 PM

[minque]

Rianne

She sat silent, feeling sick when she noticed how Dralas just continued eating, even though she was completely aware of the sensibility in doing it. Food was rare so she should really try to eat more.

"Well that's how it is" she said in a low voice "There are things that can unite different people"

She still felt uneasy in the imperial's company


What if he knows Marcus? What if Marcus sent him to capture me? I swear I'll kill him if I find that out

[Olen]

Rothan

Rothan listened to the heathen spout about the common good with doubt. The Hlaalu and Imperials shared a passion: wealth, it was why they got on. An Imperial in Hlaalu was something he didn't want to contemplate. The question was how was he on the make.

"Yes," he said, "I'm sure it only happens to be a convenient way to get onto the island. You won't be doing any prospecting will you? Vvardenfell is not open for settlement or trade under temple law, so know that I will be watching you and reporting."

This post has been edited by Olen: Sep 8 2009, 04:13 PM

[bbqplatypus]

OOC: Eh, Olen - Apelles didn't say the part about settlement out loud - he isn't allowed to in any event. That was his internal monologue, which is why it was in italics rather than quotation marks. I probably could have made that clearer.

This post has been edited by bbqplatypus: Sep 8 2009, 03:48 PM

[bbqplatypus]

Edit: Double post.

This post has been edited by bbqplatypus: Sep 8 2009, 03:43 PM

[bbqplatypus]

Apelles Velvus

Apelles swallowed another spoonful of soup as the priest made his veiled (yet admittedly accurate) accusations. He remained calm - it's not as though it was very difficult to figure out. He chose his next words carefully.

"We are quite aware of that law, and we respect and obey the Temple's authority in this matter. In fact, I have personally reported and even cleared several squatter settlements - near and around Balmora, and elsewhere on the island. My last mission prior to this one was preventing the construction of a settlement in the middle of Molag Amur, of all places. House Hlaalu is not interested in breaking the law - any who did so would certainly be prosecuted."

The part about the squatters actually was true. He had cleared out several settlements - mostly rival Telvanni, but there were a few renegade Hlaalu who were mining and prospecting without the Council's permission. It was good to keep up appearances, and not be too aggressive, lest our hand be overplayed. The nobles stood to gain much more if settlement was opened legally.

[Dantrag]

Dralas

"So you have the right to force others off the very land that you yourself have no right to?" he asked. It wasn't really his place to speak, but he did anyway. It sounded to him like Hlaalu had already marked the land they wanted so that the moment the law changed, they could be taken.

Besides, the Erabenimsun usually made camp in the Molag Amur region; would Hlaalu be taking the territory in the coming months?

This post has been edited by Dantrag: Sep 8 2009, 05:43 PM

[canis216]

Dranas Heleran

The smoke from his rolled hackle-lo blended with torch-smoke as Dranas Heleran stepped back into the shrine and let his eyes adjust to the odd interplay of firelight and daedric geometry.

"Hmph. Getting to feel naked without that damned pauldron on. I bloody well hope these Temple blighters knew what they were doing when they cleared this den out."

Once accustomed to the dim light Dranas wasted no time in making his way to the armorer's stall, where he collected his scrap of netch leather and immediately strapped it on over his shoulder. Now feeling much better, he was free to observe the gathered masses in the common area. Mostly there were just the Temple bureaucrats. He also counted a couple of armigers, and an ordinator in the glossy golden armor that comes standard in that order--pricey stuff, Dranas thought, but hard to move. Still, one could make a fortune selling it in the Heartlands, if one had the right buyer. If one could get any of the armor. If one could get it to port. If one could do all the above without getting killed.

Dranas Heleran was finally (mercifully, one might say, if one were privy to Dranas Heleran's innermost thoughts, which were almost always about commerce) distracted from this line of thinking when he spotted a familiar face. Actually, four familiar faces, to be somewhat more precise. One extremely familiar face and three somewhat familiar faces, to be much more precise. The priest, the two ashlanders, and his old foil Apelles Velvus were all seated together, eating and chatting. Now what on mundus could they be talking about?

[bbqplatypus]

Apelles Velvus

Apelles resisted the urge to fidget in his chair. They seemed to be asking all the right questions. As a younger man, he'd throttled people for being that straightforward. Now, as an older, and wiser man, he composed himself for a moment, choosing his words very carefully. And then he spoke.

"Well, we have to follow the law. I've reported other Hlaalu as well. Why should it be any different for anybody else? Besides, the authorities don't seem to object."

He paused to eat another spoonful, then continued, his intensity and focus increasing with every word. "Look, I know my House's reputation. And I know why you're looking at everything I say through the lens of business and politics. But I'm neither a businessman nor a politician. I am a scout and a soldier, and I try do my job as best I can. Yes, Hlaalu has a lot of businessmen. But it also has soldiers and farmers, just as Redoran has businessmen. And it's just as much my House as it is theirs. And I will defend my House, and its honor, to the hilt - just as you would defend your clan," he gestured toward the Ashlanders, "or your Temple." He nodded toward the priest.

"And I'll defend this country, too. I've lived here for twenty years - and I reckon I'll probably die here, too. I'd be just as willing to die for it. Things like loyalty and honor aren't unknown to the Hlaalu. They don't exist in the names of Great Houses, but in the hearts of men and mer.

"So I ask you to believe me - not as a Hlaalu, but as a man - when I say that I haven't come here to defy the Temple or pillage your lands. And despite what you may think, that's not why my House sent me, either."

Apelles exhaled deeply and ate another spoonful. Oddly enough, he had managed to lie about the Council's intentions while still believing every word he'd said.

This post has been edited by bbqplatypus: Sep 9 2009, 03:15 AM

[Colonel Mustard]

Khallet

It was done. By Dagon, it was done. He would be free!

Within the hall, the daedra crawled. A trio of clannfears hooted and clacked their beaks, while another three hungers hissed and spat at each other. But they wouldn't attack each other. Not when there was much more delicious prey to be found.

The Dremora turned to the mortal that called himself Erna, and bowed deeply.

"Will you accompany us?" he asked. "Take the honour of battle?"

"Alas no," Erna said. "My duties take me further North."

He mimicked Khallet's bow.

"Glory in death," he said. "Hopefully we shall meet again in Oblivion."

Khallet smiled, before roaring; "Children of Dagon! We shall cleanse this place of its stain!"

The assembled daedra hooted, howled or screamed their assent, and followed their leader in a formation of the most ragtag army seen in Vvardenfel's recent history. After a moment, they reached the wall of thick, claggy ash clay that had kept Khallet trapped for many years. There were marks in there, when he had tried to once dig his way to freedom, but that was long ago.

Now, however, he could be free. With a shriek, the clannfears threw themselves on the clay, tearing great sods of wet earth away with their talons.

Soon, Khallet thought. Soon, they would be free.


Erna

Erna scrambled out of the hole he had dug, and, remembering the guard's directions, hurried towards the central area of the temple, wiping himself clean of dirt as he went. If he couldn't remove it by the time he got to the central part, he could just say he tripped. There were treacherous stones sticking up out of the dirt at random moments, after all.

Hopefully, he should arrive just in time for the fun to start.

This post has been edited by Colonel Mustard: Sep 11 2009, 05:34 PM

[minque]

Rianne

She had begun to eat again, listening to the conversation around the table, with a stern look at Apelles Velvus

He's a talking type, that Imperial, bla, bla bla, very self-centered, as all of his kind


"Excuse me!" she said loud and clear " Mr Imperial, I do not believe a word of what you just said, you are a skilled lier, as most members of Great House Hlaalu, and like most Imperials. And believe me, I know what I am talking about"

She moved her hands, making sure Dralas would notice...

Watch out he's not to be trusted!

[bbqplatypus]

Apelles Velvus

Apelles glared back at the Ashlander woman. "No offense to you, milady," he said between gritted teeth, "but I don't give a damn if you believe me or not."

Suddenly, a loud crashing sound came in from the next room, followed by terrified screaming, and a host of demonic growls.

Apelles stood up from his chair and drew his sword. He had heard these sounds before. "Daedra," he snarled. Then he turned back toward the Ashlanders. "I hope you have your weapons with you. Because we're going to need them."

He turned back and began dashing toward chamber from whence the noise was coming. He had neither his armor nor his shield with him. But he did have a sharp sword, and plenty of targets to drive the pointy end into.

This post has been edited by bbqplatypus: Sep 11 2009, 01:15 AM

[Olen]

Rothan

Rothan barely trusted his ears. But there was no denying it, he recognised those snarls: clannfears. He shivered remembering how his last meeting with one had gone. Apelles shouted and ran for the source of the growls. Rothan reached into his bag and raked for for his cudgel. He pulled it out as he remembered it had broken in the fight with the ashlanders. He cursed his sloth in not having it mended. Bare hands it was then, that hadn't worked so well last time.

Who had cleansed the shrine? Daedra shouldn't be appearing like that. He wandered whether someone had botched the ritual, or sabotaged it. It was that or someone had summoned them. He didn't want to go through, but knew he had to, if only to observe for his report and try to help the injured.

He grabbed a table knife and followed Apelles.

[jack cloudy]

Eno Arval

"There is only one convoy. It goes from here to Ghostgate, then a new one is formed that goes back to Balmora. We don't have the manpower to escort tw..." The scribe's words were cut off by a thump coming from the direction of the clay wall.

Eno looked quizically at the source of the sound.
"Who made that noise?" He muttered. Then, a small piece of the wall crumbled away, and a viciously snapping beak was thrust through the gap.
"Oh, ALMSIVI! What is that?!" An acolyte yelled. Eno felt a shiver run down his spine. Suddenly, the whole place felt icily cold to him.
"Beak, Daedric shrine. Clanfear, most likely. Tribunal, protect us." He thought, remembering the crude sketches his Redoran armsmaster had used.

"Umm, I think we should evacuate, everyone. Come along, boy. Leave the fighting to the experts." The old man added, limping towards the exit as fast as his legs could carry him. He'd nearly been killed by a common Cliffracer in the past. He was not going to take his chances with a Daedra.
"If I can just get out of this place before they break through the wall...I don't want to die!"

Haz

Haz had been carefully descending the stairs when some sort of commotion broke out ahead.
"That's odd. Is there a riot going on? Wouldn't surprise me very much, with all the hatred these Dark Elves feel for their own kin." He thought to himself. For a moment he debated whether it would be wiser to turn around and wait outside till things had calmed down.
"MONSTER!!!" The sudden cry made him stop. Now there was a neverending symphony of panicked screams and...beastly roars. The Argonian realized that it really would be for the best if he turned around. But a morbid curiosity had taken hold of him and made him press on.
"This, I have to see." He muttered as he pushed his way passed the first escapees.

[canis216]

Dranas Heleran

Daedra!

Dranas did what any sensible mer would do--he flipped a pair of tables on their sides, hastily arranged a couple of crates, and huddled behind his improvised fortification, sword and throwing stars at the ready.

Cowardly? Perhaps. But then, in Dranas Heleran's view, racing through the dimly lit halls toward an unknown number of daedric foes was foolhardy at best and suicidal at worst.

He glanced over at the ashlanders. What in mundus were they doing?

"Hey, you two! Grab your bows and get the hell out of the open!"

This post has been edited by canis216: Sep 11 2009, 05:43 PM