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Posted by: jack cloudy Dec 21 2008, 09:36 PM

Well, here we go. This is the thread where the actual rp will take place. I suppose that I'll go first.
Note: Right now mentioning locations isn't important because odds are everyone will be in Balmora, but later on it might be usefull. Like when people split up and stuff.

Eno Arval, Balmora. (Gah, got his name wrong in the first post already. Not a good start)

"Next stop, Balmora! Please remember to collect your luggage before departing. Also watch your step and do not jump, levitate, ropewalk or do anything else that would be either obstruct your fellow travelers or be hazardous for your health." The caravan-master shouted. The trio of Siltstriders slowed down as their steps became shorter. Waving gently from side to side, they broke formation and each headed towards its own ramp where workers already stood prepared to receive them.

One passenger, a middle-aged Dunmer dressed in brown, looked up from the small flute he'd been carving.
"Ah, finally there. Balmora, it sure hasn't changed much since the last time I visited." He muttered and put away the scalpel he had been using.

The Siltstrider he was on came to a halt and a ramp was placed against its side, secured by hooks that were lodged between the creature's plates.
"You may now disembark. Thank you for accepting our service and we hope to see you again soon." The master said and gestured towards the ramp. The Dunmer nodded politely and got off.

"Now then. I should rent myself a Guar first before I join up with a caravan. What did the brochure say again?" He thought, taking out the leaflet he'd picked up in Ald-ruhn.
"Ah, here it is. A stall has been erected in front of the council house where one may register for transportation to Ghostfence, as well as rent Guars and buy supplies. Be advised that by order of the Temple, all must accept the task of ferrying two sacks of supplies intended for the construction-site. Those who have been assigned as escorts for their respective caravans are exempt from this duty." He read. In his mind, he made a quick calculation on how much more he could take with him without overloading the Guar he was going to rent.



OOC: Umm yeah. I suppose we can go and dismiss the whole 'two sacks' thing if you really want to. It was really just an attempt to make sure that at least some construction-critical supplies would be coming with the caravan.

Posted by: canis216 Dec 22 2008, 04:11 AM

Dranas Heleran, Balmora

"You best come to a decision quick, Helas. I've got more clients, y'know?" Dranas Heleran, smuggler extraordinaire, said impatiently. His "client" was a well-to-do dunmer man--they sat at a table in the Eight Plates tavern, in Balmora.

The response: "Don't press me, outlander. And this stuff can't possibly be worth 600."

Dranas smiled. Time to lay on the sales pitch. "This 'stuff', as you call it, is the finest skooma on Nirn. My people snuck it out of Torval in the dead of night, from the lab of the Mane's own alchemist. This 'stuff' is royalty's drug of choice. In the Imperial City I could sell it for 600, easy, and with double the profit margin."

Helas smirked. "Then why don't you?"

"Emerging markets, my friend. My associates and I are always looking for new buyers. And surely your clientele, the aristocracy of Vvardenfell, would appreciate my superior product. I have what your buyers want."

"Alright, Heleran, you make your point. But let me take one more hit."

Dranas passed over a pipe, which Helas accepted and brought to his lips.

"Ahh... that is good. 600 apiece then--and I'll take 10 vials, as a trial run. My clients will tell me if the Tong should do any more business with you and your associates."

Posted by: Lythyum Dec 23 2008, 11:58 AM

Naaro, Balmora

The Dunmer took the last sip of his drink. He casted another glance at the leaflet, wondering if he should go or not. He looked around the room again; everything seemed safe. I should relax a bit... the South Wall Cornerclub isn't a dangerous place. Naaro shifted in his seat and looked at the bartender from underneath his hood. He was glad it obscured most of his face, although nobody was looking for his skin in here. He could be glad for that.

With a satisfied grunt, he got up from his chair and walked over to the bar. The bartender gave him a curious look. "Yes, sir? What can I do for you?"
Naaro coughed, and answered: "I'd like to hire a room, if you've got any left."
The bartender smiled. "Yes, we do. It's 10 gold pieces for one night."
"I'll take it."
Naaro gave the man his gold and accepted the key, setting off to find his room.

OOC: When does the caravan leave? Today (in the RP) or later?

Posted by: jack cloudy Dec 23 2008, 12:32 PM

Haz Andrethi, Balmora

Haz glimpsed at the commotion around him. To his right, a peddler was shouting his lungs out in an attempt to sell his 'top-quality traveling rations, third bag now with a 25% discount'. To his left, a couple of stableboys were tying the Guars back to their poles after the little stampede earlier. And all around him, various citizens, travellers, workers and clerks were walking around.

"I don't like crowds. Too dangerous." Haz silently observed. He read the leaflet again that had been posted to a wall. He didn't like crowds, but this was an excellent oportunity. He needed to go to the Ghostfence. Doing so as part of a caravan was a risk, but it was less of a risk than trying to brave the unfamiliar Ashlands on his own.

"Next, please!" Haz looked up and saw that he was the next in line for the que that had formed in front of the central stall.
"The moment of truth, let's see if they let me in." He thought and walked up.
"Ah, your name please, sir?" The clerk asked, as his eyebrows rose at the appearance of his latest customer. Said customer was covered from head to toe in a robe, while a scarf hid every part of his face but his eyes.

Haz tapped the ground with his pilgrim's staff once and reached within the folds of his robe. From there, he retrieved a copy of the Pilgrim's path, that had been marked as the property of 'Haz Andrethi' in large and crude writing. He pointed at the name with a finger, all in absolute silence.
"Oh, you are a pilgrim. On a silent pilgrimage? I see, my apologies for expecting you to talk. Now then, Haz Andrethi. Here is a form which you can fill in. It holds everything you might need. From Guars and supplies to various other items. Please note that the temple expects you to deliver at least two sacks for the construction-effort. These sacks are given to you upon joining the caravan free of charge, but you won't be making a profit from them either since they've already been paid for by the temple. Any loss to these supplies during the trip must be recompensated by you. Do you understand?"

Haz simply nodded and accepted the form. The clerk smiled.
"Thank you. Please return here when you've filled out the form and we'll handle the paperwork for you then as well as gather the items you require. Have a nice day."

Posted by: Lythyum Dec 23 2008, 01:08 PM

Naaro found his room and unlocked the door, waiting a few seconds in routine, listening to the door. If there had been a psychopathic murderer with a gigantic axe inside, he would've heard some movement in the room, but apparently there was nobody inside, so he opened the door.

He was right; the room was devoid of life. Glad, Naaro inspected it. A small bed, a window with a view over Balmora- Nice view,- and a closet for any clothes and such. When he walked around the bed he nearly tripped over a chest, probably to keep valuable items in during the visit. He took out most of the Septims he kept in a purse attached to the belt at his waist and stored them in the chest, locked it and hid the key in one of the many folds of his scarf.

The bed was comfortable as Naaro sat down on it. He took out the leaflet again and scanned it for the location of the stall. In front of the council house... alright. He left the room and locked the door, hiding this key in his scarf as well. He plucked one silver hair off his head and stuck it in the lock, so he could check it for any lock picking when he came back.

The walk to the stall wasn't far. He looked at the Hlaalu guards that patrolled around the city with interest; their bonemold armor was unlike anything there was in Cyrodiil, or at least, unlike anything he had seen there. He remembered having been to Balmora once as a child, but the guards weren't in his memories. He found the stall with ease; he passed what appeared to be one of the beast races, completely covered in clothing- except for his, or her, eyes- on his way there. A pelgrim? Interesting.

He stepped in the end of the queue and waited for his turn, slowly shifting closer to the clerk that was handling all the applications.
"Name please, sir." Naaro realised it was his turn; he had been inspecting the other members of the queue for possible pick-pocketers. "Hm? Ah, yes. Naaro."
"Naaro who?"
The Dunmer sighed inaudibly. "Naaro Aleras."
"Alright. You'll need to fill in this form to confirm what you will need; Guars, supplies, et cetera. Please note that you will have to take at least two sacks with you for the construction of the Ghost Fence. You won't have to pay for them, but profit shall not be made from them either. The Temple has already payed for them."
Naaro nodded; he had read all of this on the leaflet earlier.
"If you lose them, you will have to pay for it, I'm afraid," the clerk said. Naaro nodded again. "Naturally.
The clerk smiled. "Well then, here's your form," Naaro accepted it and cast a short glance over it, "please come back when you've filled it in. We'll do the rest of the work. Have a nice day."
"Same to you."
Naaro left the stall and slowly made his way back to the South Wall Cornerclub, reading the form on the way.

Posted by: Olen Dec 26 2008, 10:21 PM

Rothan, Balmora

Thick smoke curled from the censer, it had been made from the skull of the last high priest of Balmora temple. His successor looked over it at Rothan.

“It is a great feat we endeavour, none but the holy Tribunal could attempt such,” his red eyes narrowed, “However certain… elements, have seen fit to allow non-islanders and even infidel outlanders to be a part of this. Thus I must have eyes at the frontline, that is where you come in.”

Rothan nodded, “Of course your honour.”

“Good, you are to travel as a chaplain, and you will indeed supply that service but also you will report anything worthy of my interest back. I trust your judgement.” He pasued for effect, “To help you in this may I give you this sword.” He lifted an enchanted longsword from behind him.

“My thanks, but no. I would only return it as an offering.”

The high priest smiled, “Yes, of course. The necessaries are in your room. May Vivec guide you.”

Rothan bowed out from the smoky chapel and walked past the shrine to his room. On the bed were a couple of books, some papers and a substantial bag of gold. He took the papers and headed toward the Hlaalu council house.


“Next please,” said the Clerk. Rothan stepped up to the stall. “Your name?”

“Rothan Sarayn.”

“Ok, fill in-“

A rustle of paper cut him off, “By order of the Temple I am to be a chaplain to the builders. I travel for free and need not take supplies, indeed can there be a more vital supply than spiritual help?”

“Of course sir,” said the Clerk after reading the proffered documents.

“My thanks,” Rothan turned away back towards the Temple before any more bureaucracy caught him. He had come by a particularly interesting book. It was clearly verging on the heretical but some of its points were challenging to refute.

Posted by: bbqplatypus Dec 27 2008, 02:15 AM

Apelles Velvus, Balmora

Apelles leaned against a wall as he watched the multitudes of caravaners and would-be adventurers make their way toward the Council House. They'd likely be leaving by the end of the day. But he was in no hurry. He had plenty of time. Besides, he needed a drink.

He lifted himself off the wall and made his way to the Eight Plates Tavern.

He walked in and had a seat at the bar.

"Nice to see you again, Apelles," the publican said.

"Same here, Dulnea."

"So, what'll it be? The usual?"

"No...make it a greef this time."

"Here you go. That'll be thirty drakes."

Apelles set the money on the counter and set about downing his drink.

Then, out of the corner of his eye, he noticed someone. Somebody familiar...someone he hadn't seen in over a year and a half.

He turned his head slightly to make sure his eyes hadn't deceived him. Sure enough, there he was - a mer he knew all too well. A mer he had seen twice a week, like clockwork, during much darker times.

It was Dranas Heleran. He was sitting at a table with another Dunmer. He knew perfectly well what they were discussing. Heleran didn't seem to notice him.

And Apelles intended to keep it that way. A visitor from his past was the LAST thing he needed right now. He quickly finished his drink, rose from his chair, and left the building without a word.

Posted by: canis216 Dec 27 2008, 06:02 AM

Dranas Heleran, Balmora

"Any loss to these supplies during the trip must be recompensated by you. Do you understand?"

"Yes, of course." Dranas Heleran answered.

Dranas strode away from the Council House, form in hand, cursing quietly to himself.

"Dammit, how am I supposed to properly pilfer supplies if they need to be compensated for? I'll have to deliver all the stuff there and do my pilfering during construction, so they won't know who to suspect."

He reached the Eight Plates and entered, still talking to himself.

"Oh well, small loss. I need to stay on site to market my goods anyway. And two pack guars could carry a lot of booze and skooma..."

Having no more clients to meet, Dranas went straight to the bar and ordered a bottle of greef of himself, another for the attractive dunmer lady seated at the other end. 29, healthy, with rakish good looks (so he thought) and (probably--he'd been dead drunk in a lot of ports) single, Dranas was always on the prowl.

So far so good, he thought. She was coming over.

"Thanks for the drink, stranger. What should I call you?"

"You can call me Dranas. And it was no trouble--I've come into a bit of money today." He smiled, a proud, wide grin."

"You did, huh? And what do you do to come into that money, Dranas?"

"I'm a merchant, my lady. And you haven't told me your name yet."

"I try to careful around outlanders. But I guess you don't bite. Call me Tarese."

"Tarese... lovely name. Here often?"

"Used to work here, actually. Until I got a clerical job at the Council Hall--all this Ghostfence business." She frowned a bit... not at Dranas but at the thought.

"Not crazy about it?"

"Brings too many outlanders into town... no offense." She rewarded Dranas with a small smile.

"None taken. But there's got to be more to it than that, right?"

"How much do you know about the local customs?"

Dranas' brow furrowed in thought. "I've been doing business on the main for about seven years, but only in Vvardenfell for a couple months. So I guess I know a little. Why?"

"The Ghostfence... it's going to be powered by the bones of our ancestors. I mean, we have our little altars and home and such, so I guess it's not really a desecration... but it is... disconcerting. I guess I'm not sure what to think."

The conversation went on, back and forth for a while. Getting to know each other. Finally Dranas decided to press his luck.

"Say, what do you think we head back to your place? We can toss back a couple more, I can maybe play some music..."

"Oh, Dranas, I don't know...."

"Come on, Tarese... I'll make it fun. You know I'll make it fun."

"Where are you from? I mean, where did you grow up? I can't quite place your accent."

"Stros M'kai, darling. A little island off Hammerfell. An island of lovers..."

Posted by: Dantrag Dec 27 2008, 08:54 AM

Dralas, Balmora

Dralas stood in line in front of the council house, waiting to add his name to the caravan list. His time came and he approached the table.

The clerk didn't even look up. "Name,"

"Dralas Lasamsi," he answered.

The clerk scribbled hastily. "I assume you're looking for construction work..."

Dralas stopped the clerk's hand from writing. "I was told that I could get work as an escort?"

The clerk shook his head, "All those spots are filled. All that's left is manual labor. In or out?"

"In. What's the pay?"

"Ten gold and two meals a day plus a roof. You are also required to carry these two sacks of supplies. You do not have to pay for them, as they are the property of the Temple, but you are responsible for them if they disappear. Understand?"

He wanted to say that he wasn't the Temple's delivery boy, but he held his tongue and nodded before signing a few more papers that sealed the deal.

Posted by: minque Dec 28 2008, 01:09 AM

Rianne De Zoete, Balmora

"Ouch" Rianne grunted as she was merely trhown off the late night Silt Strider arriving from Ald´ruhn. The trip hadn't been pleasant, the Strider was overloadd and waved and waggered so much during the trip so she was nauseous all the time. She thought she would make it without throwing up, but she didn't. The remnants of her lunch was spread all over her robe and the other passengers did nothing but complain and yell at her.

She said nothing, she fully understood the incoinvenience she causd but there was very little she could actually do about it, except from hanging over the side of the strider almost half the journey.

So they threw her off the vehicle on arrival, and she stumbled down the stairs of the strider port and sat down for a while.

Half an hour later she had got rid of her soaked robe and wandered into the Town of Balmora. Her throat was dry and seeing the long line of people in front of the Council House, she decided she needed a drink first.

The sign outside The Eigh Plates Tavern caught her attention and she headed towards it. Inside she almost immediately spotten an Imperial man sitting at the bar chatting with the proprietor. The sigt of Imperial men still made her feel uneasy, after all these years, but she decided to don't give in for it...

She approached the bar, hoping she didn't smell too much...

"Could I please have a Cyrodiilic Brandy?" She asked in a low voice. She did not want to draw attention to her...not now.

While drinking her Brandy she observed the Imperial man suddenly rise from his chair and leave...as if he had seen someone he didn't want to meet...

Rianne shrugged, finished her Brandy and asked if she could use the bathroom....she did smell!

Posted by: bbqplatypus Dec 28 2008, 09:38 AM

Apelles Velvus's Apartment, Balmora

Apelles sat at the foot of his bed, gathering his thoughts, trying desperately to calm himself. His severe, weathered face furrowed even more deeply as he pondered over the situation.

It seemed his old pusher was in town. He had hoped he would never see him again. In hindsight, perhaps, this was a vain hope - he obviously worked in this area often, otherwise they would never have met. Given the frequency with which he patronized the local taverns, it was a wonder he hadn't run into him sooner.

Still, the mere sight of that mer spooked him. He still harbored dark memories of those days. Looking back on it, it was absolutely horrifying how much power Heleran had held over him.

Well, if he's in town, the best course of action is to leave town immediately, thought Apelles.

He got up and quietly left his humble abode, locking the door behind him. He calmly walked through the streets of Balmora, wading through the sea of humanity that still filled much of the town even at this hour, until he reached the front of the queue at the council house.

The clerk was an elderly Dunmer dressed in robes. He didn't even look up at him.

"Name, please."

"Lawman - er, I mean...Kinsman Apelles Velvus of House Hlaalu," he replied. "I'm to escort one of the caravans to Ghostgate. I believe my employers have sent a letter preceding me."

"I'm sure they have. Do you have the paperwork to prove this?"

"Certainly." Apelles handed over a document bearing the Hlaalu seal.

The clerk looked it over. "Looks like it checks out. The supplies you've requisitioned should be waiting for you at the supply hut on the other side of the square." He paused, a quizzical expression spread across his face. "Funny thing...I've been seeing a lot of Hlaalu coming through here. Mostly in supervisory construction positions. Several mercs, too. If you don't mind me asking, is there any particular reason you people are so interested in this project?"

Apelles kept his face flat and expressionless as he recited his response. "The Hlaalu council feels that it is imperative for the good of Morrowind that the Ghostfence be constructed as quickly as possible, and is willing to take any and all necessary measures to ensure that this occurs. Besides, whatever keeps us in the good graces of the Temple should be and is a top priority of our House, even being as modern as we are. And the Temple feels that way, too."

"Yes...unity and piety at any cost," the clerk muttered, eyes narrowed, seeing through the lie.

Apelles ignored him and turned toward the supply stores. From the corner of his eye, he could see a young tattooed Dunmer with long, wild hair glaring at him with resentment and contempt. An Ashlander, judging from his dress and physical appearance. Probably xenophobia as usual. Had he been younger or more drunk, it probably would have been enough to provoke a confrontation.

Apelles stared back briefly, gave an annoyed grunt, and walked past him to pick up his sack of travel provisions.





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OOC: One thing I forgot to mention at first in the character thread is that Apelles is only a brevet Kinsman - that is, he is an acting Kinsman, but is in truth a Lawman temporarily serving that position (a temporary rank). This was done so that he would not be outranked by members of other houses sent on the same expedition. House Hlaalu had considered doing this in light of his previous expeditions and accomplishments (and the authority with which he was trusted on most such expeditions), but had decided against it until now.

I have put this in the character thread, but decided I'd put this here to clarify as well.

Posted by: jack cloudy Dec 28 2008, 06:31 PM

Eno Arval, Balmora

Upon arrival at the plaza in front of the council house, Eno took a moment to survey his surroundings.
"My, my. Quite an active place we have here." He mumbled to himself.
"Nevertheless, I'd better step in line."

He waited patiently till it was his turn.
"Your name?" The clerk asked, obviously tired from the seemingly endless line he'd been processing for the last few hours.
"Eno Arval, pleased to meet you." Eno replied politely and dug up a rolled up form from one of his pockets before either could say anything else.
"When I was in Ald-ruhn, I arranged for a copy of your forms to be made. I've already filled out the objects I'd like to procure. I hope all is in order." He added as he handed over the form.

The clerk glanced at the various tables quickly.
"Two guars....one bag of personal items, one with travelsupplies. Ah, I see that you wish to take six bags of construction materials with you?"
"Yes. My own merchandise doesn't take up much weight and in fact won't exist till I've constructed it while enroute. I figured I might as well fill up the surplus by doing my part for the temple." The instrument-maker explained while gesturing at his toolbelt.

The clerk put a stamp on the form before passing it on to a colleague.
"Everything seems to be in order. You should hear from us as soon as we've processed it, which will be tomorrow or the day after tomorrow at its latest. I assume you will be staying at the eight plates tavern?" He asked then.
"I haven't made any arrangements yet, but I was indeed planning to rent a room." Eno replied.
"Well in that case, I suggest you make your arrangements as soon as possible. There won't be any rooms left by the end of the day if this keeps up."

Eno thanked the clerk for his advice and went straight for the eight plates where he rented himself a room for the night.


Haz Andrethi, Balmora

Haz watched everyone he passed closely, searching for those who paid him more attention than a simple pilgrim deserved. So far, he hadn't noticed anything suspicious. Oh, there were plenty of shady looking people. But then again, this was Vvardenfell, home of the Dunmer.
"Slavers, drugsdealers, rapists and murderers, all of them. This surely is the land of demons." He hatefully thought.

The Argonian descended the stairs leading towards the river and wondered where he should stay for the night. He dismissed the taverns as too crowded, noisy and dangerous, especially with all the extra travelers looking for a room.
"Outside then, along the river just beyond the bend. Agh, I'd better get out of here fast, but not so fast anyone notices. Walking like one of those filthy Dunmer is murder for my hips. And soon I'll be doing it from dawn till dusk. Just thinking about it makes my skin crawl."

Posted by: Dantrag Dec 29 2008, 08:09 PM

Dralas, Balmora

Dralas arranged for his two sacks of supplies to be picked up upon his departure, and with that he was finished with the caravan business for now.

He left the crowd of people that seemed to hang about the Council House and stood looking around at the unfamiliar city. He made eye contact with an Imperial who seemed to be shooting him daggers. He shot them right back, resisting the urge to spit.

Moments later, he was walking about the city, looking for the Eight Plates Tavern. The sheer number of people around him made him uneasy, but he just kept his eyes open and stayed suspicious of everyone. It kept him alert in this strange place.

He finally found the place after walking around a few minutes, and stepped inside. Once he sat down at the bar near a dunmer girl that seemed slightly older than him. He was greeted by the familiar smell of burning hackle-lo. The smoke hung in the air around him, meshing with the combined smells of drink, urine, sweat, and vomit. He couldn't help but notice that the smell of vomit got stronger once he sat down.

"What do you have to eat?" he asked when the bartender looked his way.

"Roasted rat is the cheapest right now. Three gold pieces."

Dralas nodded, "How much for some hackle-lo?"

"Two."

He handed the clerk five gold. "I'll take both."

He sat at the bar, chewing hackle-lo while he waited for his meal. Dralas had hoped to stay in the city tonight, for the sole reason of being close to the caravan, but he was down to a single gold coin. Not nearly enough for a room.

Posted by: minque Dec 29 2008, 09:06 PM

Rianne, Eight Plate Tavern, Balmora

Just before she intended to go to the bathroom she noticed a young man entering the premises. She hesitated, the young man was for sure one of her own, he had some things in his long black hair that revealed he was an Ashlander...

This fact made her smile faintly, it made her feel better, much better. The possibility of finding one of her own kind pleased her. Hopefully he would join the caravan. Now she was unpleasantly aware of her smelly clothes and decided to remedy that as quick as possible.

But first there was something she wanted to do. She gently touched the man's shoulder to catch his attention, then she made a sign with her hands, a sign that only an Ashlander would understand...hopefully this man did, she thought.

Rianne didn't wait for the dunmer to respond to her sign, it wasn't necessary. Se went to the bathroom.

It took her about ten minutes to undress and dispose of the clothes she was wearing, wash herself with sload-soap and put on some worn but clean trousers and a shirt. She also put some Stone-flower-perfume on her neck and wrists. It would probably be too cold to walk around in just trousers and a shirt but she had no choice, not now anyway. Maybe she could buy a simple robe somewhere but that was priority two.

She noticed the young Ashlander chewing on something looking like roasted rat. She slowly approached him and sat down.

Without a word she rolled a hackle-lo and lit it, she preferred to smoke them instead of chewing.

As a thoroughly brought -up ashlander-girl she did not speak to the man beside her, she merely waited for him to say something, but she hoped he had noticed her sign...

Posted by: Olen Dec 30 2008, 01:54 PM

Rothan, Balmora

Rothan yawned. The sun was sinking and the candlelight hurt his eyes. He put aside the book, he could read it on the journey – assuming no one was watching. It was his last day in town anyway. He got up and hid the book before leaving the temple. The Eight Plates was closest, not the nicest place in Balmora but he didn't want to walk far. He might meet some of the other caravan-goers too.

He pushed open the door and was greeted by the usual smell of rancid drink, sweat and cheap hackle-lo. It was quite crowded inside, clearly this was the first place people came to after signing on the caravan, or, more likely, the proprietor had bribed the clerk to send business his way.

Rothan took a seat at the bar and ordered a cup of shein. Next to him at the bar he was surprised to see two ashlanders, the woman was looking at the man and had just lit up some hackle-lo.

Posted by: Dantrag Dec 30 2008, 07:51 PM

Dralas, Balmora

Dralas did indeed recognize the hand signal, but it caught him off guard. At first glance, the woman beside him seemed to be any other Balmora visitor, but there was little doubting her heritage if she knew such a sign. He watched her walk away, wondering what to do once she returned. The proper way to respond to her sign would be with a gift, but Dralas had nothing to give and not enough money to buy anything.

His food was placed in front of him, and seconds later, the ashlander woman came back and sat beside him. He sat silently, still chewing hackle-lo as he looked at her and then his meal. He slid the plate in front of her. The gift was taken care of, now he just needed to say something. Another dunmer sat down next to him, but he barely gave it another thought.

"We're both pretty far from home," he said to the woman, "What brings you here?"

Posted by: minque Dec 30 2008, 11:41 PM

Rianne, Balmora

She bit her lip when the young ashlander gave her his meal, she knew her sign could be interpreted as that, as the appropriate thing was to give her something..yes that was customary that was the ancient tradition. But in this case it was a bit unfortunate, since she had understood the man probably had no money left, and he was hungry. Now it would be very rude of her not to accept his gift, but she had to think of something to give him in return. Money was really not a problem for her, she had if not plenty, so enough ..

"Right, we are" Rianne smiled at him. " I'm here to join the caravan to Ghostfence, is that your business here as well" she continued, smiling friendly at him.

Then she put her hand on his forearm and whispered;

"I thank you for your consideration, it will be rewarded...I am Rianne....from the Ahemmusa tribe"

She didn't tell her last name, it wasn't important...for now. She was deeply considering what could be appropriate to give him in return..

In the meantime she took a bite of the roasted rat..it was ok, but she wasn't very hungry, so she made a gesture and said:

"We could share this! It's too much for me anyway..."

Then she put her pouch with hackle-lo leaves on the counter, between them, hoping he would understand that he could help himself to it if he wanted.

Posted by: jack cloudy Dec 31 2008, 11:49 AM

Eno Arval, eight plates

After receiving the key to his room, Eno went upstairs to check it out. The room he found was a tad cramped and spartan, but kept clean so in his opinion, it had been worth the money.
"The bed won't fall apart when a mosquito lands on it. That's certainly an improvement over the last tavern I visited." He chuckled.

A rumble in his stomach alerted him to the time. He hadn't eaten since the last time the Siltstrider stopped for a rest, several hours ago. Now, he decided, was the time to remedy this.
"But should I leave my posessions here? Hmm....I'd better not. Leaving valuables in a room that is likely to have its lock picked and be burgled at least once a week is a risk I'm not willing to take."

He went back downstairs into the main room, which had filled even more during the time he had been upstairs. It had gotten to the point that the bartender had hired a temporary aid and waiters rushed about with one plate balanced on each hand, loaded with enough cups to break safety regulations. Miraculously, no cups had broken on the floor...yet.

Eno approached the bar, near a couple of Dunmer who appeared to be making attempts at sharing a romantic diner and a priest.
"Good afternoon. Please don't mind me." He said by way of greeting.
"Not the best place and time for romance, nor am I used to seeing a priest sitting at a bar and drinking. Oh well, that's youth I suppose." He shrugged. There was no place left at the bar to sit, so instead he stood behind them and waved his hand till the temporary aide came to him.
"I'd like some fried crab meat, as well as a cup of Mazte." Eno ordered and gazed around the room.
"I'll be sitting over there." He said, having noticed one last free table tucked away in a corner.

After paying, he made his way through the crowd to the free corner he'd spotted.
"Ah, finally. A place to rest the old weary legs. I think I'll get back to work while waiting for the cook to do his magic." He murmured to himself and took out both the flute and his scalpel again. He stripped off some bits of bone and then put his lips to the mouthpiece and blew. A shrill, earpiercing shriek hurled through the room, only to be quickly drowned out by the noise of the patrons.
"Still needs a lot of work. Right now, it would turn an ancestor into a puddle of ectoplasm within seconds." Eno judged with a dissapointed frown and got back to working with the scalpel.

Posted by: Dantrag Dec 31 2008, 09:55 PM

Dralas, Balmora

"Well if you're an Ahemmusa you may not like me so much," he said lightheartedly, "Dralas, of the Erabenimsun."

The two tribes were almost polar opposites. The Ahemmusa were very relaxed, peaceful folk, while the Erabenimsun were warlike and often overly proud. He saw the difference between the two highlighted when Rianne offered to share her gift. The Ahemmusa viewed such a gesture as helping the clan as a whole, whereas it was an insult to return a gift to an Erabenimsun. Dralas was aware of the difference though, and chose not to be offended. Besides, he was hungry.

"To answer your question, though, I'm going to Ghostgate as well. The caravan I'm on leaves tomorrow. Yours?"

Posted by: minque Dec 31 2008, 11:48 PM

Rianne, Balmora

Her eyes narrowed a bit when she heard Dralas was an Erabenimsun.

"Crap, I have offended him, but he seems not to care about it so much, hmmm let's make another approach then"

"Ahh, yes, we should be on the same caravan then...but about liking you or not...well I prefer to judge a person for what he is instead of what tribe he belongs to, and mind you I'm really not a typical Ahemmusa, you'll see!"

She lit another hackle-lo and looked sternly at Dralas.

"So Dralas of Erabenimsun, I have a business-proposition for you; you see I lost the main part of my clothes due to a very nasty silt-strider journey here, so what you see on me is what I have...in total!" She didn't think it would be necessary to explain more, Dralas must have felt the odour from her clothes when he entered.

"Now do you have an extra robe or shirt I can buy? I think it's gonna be too cold traveling to Ghostfence in this lousy shirt...besides I do not fancy visiting some fine clothier here in town, it makes me feel awkward..oh and I can pay you, no problem!"

"This just can't be insulting right? By Nirn you never know with these Erabenimsun"


Rianne leaned back and took a deep sip of her brandy, wondering if she'd fancy another one..

Posted by: bbqplatypus Jan 1 2009, 08:46 AM

Apelles Velvus, Balmora

Apelles looked at the well-dressed Dunmer sitting rigidly at a table beside the massive stacks of crates and sacks full of supplies. His eyes were cast straight down at the supply manifest, which he was presently leafing through, a candle flickering beside him in the darkness. There were at least a half dozen Hlaalu guards standing around the supplies - insuring that they stayed exactly where they were.

Apelles cleared his throat. "Pardon me, sera, but...are you the quartermaster?"

The mer's eyes darted upward. "This isn't the legion, outlander. I'm a record-keeper, nothing more."

"Fair enough. I'll get right to the point then. My name is Apelles Velvus, and I'm going to be escorting the caravan tomorrow. I believe House Hlaalu has already ordered some provisions for my journey."

"Hmm...let's see...Velvus......." He flipped through the manifest. "Ah, yes. Here you are. Top row, third crate from the right. Happens to be right on top, with your name right on it. Lucky you. Uramulg - get him his supplies."

A large orc walked over to the crate in question, lifted the lid, hoisted the sack over his shoulder, and set it on the ground. Frankly, Apelles was surprised he didn't throw the thing at him.

As he walked away from the crates and opened the bag to view its contents, he became very glad that he didn't toss him the bag. For while most of it was pretty much what you'd expect - bread, meat, a canteen, some scrib jerky, and a sack of a hundred or so coins. But what caught his eye was something else entirely - an elegantly labeled glass bottle. He pulled it out of the sack and took a good look at the label.

It was a bottle of high-quality imported Cyrodilic Brandy - at least a thousand drakes a bottle.

Apelles wasn't a connoisseur by any means - he was more than happy to down the local swill. Greef, though not as good as the Imperial stuff, was at least a noble attempt at something resembling brandy. It got the job done and tasted alright, though he still preferred the Cyrodilic grape-derived variety.

But he knew the good stuff when he saw it - and this was the very best. Colovian, of course - all the best stuff is Colovian. Surilie and Sons, vintage 378. They had stopped making it about ten years ago and focused entirely on wine - a damned shame. It also made it more expensive.

For about a minute he just sat there, admiring the bottle. His trance was broken, however, when a stranger tapped him on the shoulder.

"What's that you got there?"

Apelles practically jumped out of his skin. He looked up to see a leather-faced Dunmer with red, penetrating eyes, clad in a full suit of chitin armor.

"That," Apelles replied, "is my bonus."

"Well," the Dunmer said dryly, "I hope you don't spend it all in one place."

"I don't intend to - this is the sort of thing you save for a very special occasion."

"That's certainly good news," he said. "I take it you're the Hlaalu who will be helping us escort the caravan?"

"That I am. The name's Apelles Velvus." He got up and extended his hand.

The muscular dark elf returned the gesture and gave a firm handshake. "Pleased to meet you, outlander. My name's Salms Ralas. I'm a Buoyant Armiger, and proud servant of Lord Vivec."

Apelles bowed his head slightly as a gesture of respect. "I appreciate your courtesy. I can assure you that I won't let you down."

"Hmm...I hope not. I assume you know the route?"

"Well, nobody's told me yet, but if I were to guess, I'd say we're going through the south gates of town, east to the Foyada Mamaea, and north up to Ghostgate. Though I wouldn't entirely discount taking the north road through Ald'ruhn. I know a few shortcuts through the rocks, cliffs, and foothills along that trail."

Salms paused for a moment. "Well, you certainly know your way around. But I don't think that's going to help you. No offense."

Just as Apelles was about to object to his statement, Salms raised his hand, signaling for him to let him finish. "Because the blunt and honest truth is that the situation is far worse than any of you could possibly imagine. The whole landscape is swarming with Dagoth Ur's abominations. They're attacking in groups. Setting ambushes. They've never done that before - not outside of Red Mountain. We lost twenty-four civilians and five Armigers out there during the last caravan. And there was one more - Thadas Rotheran - who came out of it...wrong. He was a gibbering wreck when we found him. He kept talking about - no...I won't repeat the things he said. They were all lies and delusions sent by the Sharmat...they had corrupted his mind.

"And it's been happening all the time. All the time. To everyone. No one is safe. I'm telling you this to warn you of what to expect. And also to warn you that the rest of the Buoyant Armigers won't be as kind to you as I have been. They would be resentful of any replacement of their beloved friends and comrades, but the fact that you're an outlander makes it worse for them. The truth is, I don't think much more of you than they do. The only real difference between me and them is that I am more polite."

Apelles just stood there for a few seconds, taking it all in. Then, finally, he spoke, his voice carrying a grave sense of seriousness. "I've...encountered ash monsters before. Not many of them - just a couple. Stalkers and ash slaves, mostly. And I've only had to fight them twice in my entire life - and when I did, it was from a safe distance. But I've seen and heard enough to know how...terrifying they are.

"We had four rules when it came to these things. One: if it doesn't see you, don't provoke it. Two: if you must fight it, never fight it alone. Three: never take on more than one at a time. And four: for gods' sake, don't let it touch you.

"If what you say is true, and they really have come out in numbers in the last few weeks, then I fear for the lives of you, me, and everybody in that caravan. I don't blame you for not believing I could be up to the task. This is more of a job for some kind of legendary godlike hero than it is for a mere man.

"You know, I might just open up that bottle of Colovian Brandy tonight. It could be the last chance I have to drink it. Care to join me?"

The Dunmer crossed his arms. "I'm not much of a drinker."

"A few sips couldn't kill you. Besides, I enjoy your company. It's no fun drinking alone. And I'd like to discuss this ambush business a bit more..."

Posted by: Dantrag Jan 2 2009, 08:39 PM

Dralas, Balmora

Dralas grabbed his bag from the floor and pulled a shirt from it.

"That's all I've got," he said, tossing it to Rianne, "I figure it's worth a coin or two if you want it."

Posted by: Olen Jan 2 2009, 11:48 PM

Rothan

Being close to the ashlanders was making Rothan feel uncomfortable. They were going through whatever rituals they did when they met which appeared to involve a shirt. He ordered some deep fried crispy hound and stood muttering about filthy heathens.

He looked around but it was almost as full as he had ever seen it. There were no free tables and no one he knew, the locals had probably all gone home. He spotted a lone dunmer sitting in the corner and.. carving. The mer turned the work and revealed it as a flute, the source of the sour noise earlier.

Rothan took his cup and pushed though the crowd to the corner table.

“Mind if I take a seat?”

Posted by: jack cloudy Jan 3 2009, 12:09 AM

Eno Arval, eight plates

"Mind if I take a seat?" Eno barely heard the man over the noise and first believed he had imagined it. When he looked up though, he saw that the priest from the bar earlier was standing by his table.
"Please, by all means. Be my guest." He replied, while waving at the other free chair with his scalpel.

"Quite the busy place, don't you think? It kind of makes me wonder how many here are the usual customers, and how many have been sent over here by that clerk at the Council house." He then said by way of small talk.
"Me, I belong to the latter group."

Posted by: Olen Jan 3 2009, 12:36 AM

Rothan

Rothan took the seat. “Help yourself if you want meat, Dulena is quite a cook,” he put the plate between them, “So you're heading to the construction then? Good to see the faithful do the bidding of their gods. I'm Rothan, I'm based up at the temple.”

He took a drink of his wine and nodded at the flute which the other dunmer was carving, “Nice bit of work that. What brings you to the ghostfence?”

Posted by: minque Jan 3 2009, 03:01 PM

Rianne, Balmora

Rianne smiled and grabbed the shirt, it was a bit big to her but of pretty good quality, it would be excellent! She took out a leather pouch and picked out some coins, she did not count them, just handed them over to Dralas, not showing what she was doing.

"I'm very grateful, and I thank you for this, here, it will hopefully cover your loss"

"I'll go over to the sign-up building now, before it's too late" she smiled" When reaching the door she stopped, she came to think of something..

Rianne went back to Dralas, handing him the pouch...

"Could you please rent a couple of rooms for the night for both of us? I think there's enough gold in that one to cover it. It would be awfully sweet of you, I gather you haven't got a room already?"

She turned around and went out of the bar.

The line in front of the sign-up building had diminished, so she decided to go for it now.

When it was her turn the man behind the counter didn't look up just asked:

"Name?"

Rianne De Zoete"

"Rianne De WHAT?"

"Ah nevermind, just Rianne then"

Then he looked up, seeing a woman in front of him caught him off gard, he just stared at her

"Ok is something wrong" she asked.

He shook his head and started filling in the necessary papers

"It's just that I never thought a woman would....But ok you know you'll have to bring two extra sacks with material, you don't have to pay for them but you're responsible for them during the trip..Btw what on Nirn can you contribute with?" He looked suspiciously at her

"I'm an alchemist, I have also healing skills, I'm sure they will need someone like me at Ghostgate" she answered dryly

The man sighed " I suppose you're right little lady" He handed the two sacks over and a receipt for her sign-up.

Rianne shook her head, smiled, shoved the sacks over her shoulder and headed back to Eight plates. She was glad she had that extra shirt it was becoming colder and colder.

"I wonder if he got us some rooms..."

Posted by: jack cloudy Jan 3 2009, 04:43 PM

Eno Arval

Eno waved the plate offered to him away.
"No thank you. I've already ordered so my meal should arrive soon. Still, I appreciate the gesture." he said as he carefully chipped a hole in the flute's shaft.
"And seeing how you have introduced yourself, it would be rude of me not to do likewise. I am Eno Arval, an instrument-maker from Ald-ruhn. A pleasure to meet you, sir. As for my business at Ghostgate, I'm afraid I would be lying if I said I'm only going to serve the Tribunal." He gave a wry grin.

"Well, I AM going because it is my duty to do my part in an undertaking like this project, but that's not the only reason. I am also going because it seems like a business-opportunity. Providing all the materials necessary for construction is meaningless if the builders refuse to work because they feel mistreated. Or in other words, bored. No offense, but the temple is not seen as a regular source of entertainment for most folk."

It was at this moment that the fried crab-meat he'd ordered arrived. After thanking the waiter, he set his plate next to Rothan's.
"Well, seeing how I've ordered a different meal, perhaps we could share after all? Add some variation of sorts. Anyway, back to my story. I am not claiming that music is or should be sole source of entertainment, but it is cheaper than such things as alcohol or...let's call them hired professional entertainers for now. It doesn't cause any hangovers either. The third reason why I'm going is a simple one. I am just incredibly fascinated by the thought of a fence, higher than a watchtower, encircling all of Red Mountain and powered by the willing spirits of our ancestors."

Posted by: bbqplatypus Jan 4 2009, 04:58 AM

Apelles Velvus's Apartment, Balmora

"Personally," Apelles declared, pouring himself a glass of brandy, "I'd say that there's nothing in the world that I enjoy more than a glass of brandy in the evening."

"What about a woman to share it with?" Salms asked wryly.

Apelles laughed. "Believe me, I've been down that road before. Several times. A lot of fun, but it never ends well." He quickly poured a glass for Salms. "Haven't done it in a while - haven't really felt like it. I suspect I'll come around soon enough. I could probably tell you all kinds of stories. Then again, I don't think you're going to be here that long. Thanks for joining me, by the way."

"Well, I didn't come here to exchange pleasantries and drink myself silly," he said. "I'm here to discuss our duties as escorts."

"Yes. Yes, I know. I suppose, as our leader, it is your prerogative to make sure that I'm informed."

Salms's eyes widened slightly in surprise. "I never said I was in charge."

"I may be an outlander," Apelles replied, "but I am not a fool. No Armiger footsoldier would be interested in meeting or conversing with a foreigner such as myself. As you stated earlier, they are no doubt resentful of my presence. The only reason I can figure for you even talking to me is that, as the leader of this escort, you want to know more about my character and capabilities. I can't blame you - after all, lives are at stake here. Believe me, I've led plenty of expeditions myself. I'd be doing the exact same thing."

Salms grinned, conveying his satisfaction with the man's intelligence. "Can't get anything past you, can I?"

Apelles took a drink. "Not if I can help it. Now, let's talk about that caravan. We'll start with the boring details first. About how long is it going to take for us to get to Ghostgate?"

"Five days. Four, if we're lucky. This of course, assuming we aren't all killed on the way there."

"Hmm...that's about what I figured. I'm assuming you've cleared out Assarnatamat?"

"Yes, we're using it as a camp, in fact. We hope to get there by the end of the third day."

Apelles took another drink. "Alright. Sounds like a sensible travel plan. Now, tell me about those attacks. Just how bad are they going to be?"

Salms's expression turned dark and serious. "Well...they've only just recently begun in earnest. The first couple of caravans we had no trouble. The third one, though, was bad. We lost ten civilians on that one. They kept on sporadically after that. It's been troubling - you never know how many are going to end up coming to attack you. It's sporadic - there seems to be no pattern to them. We could encounter several or none at all.

"The last caravan was the worst. Dawn had just broken on the fifth day - it was just a couple hours before we would start to pack up our camp and head out. I was awake, looking to the horizon. Many of the caravaners were still asleep. Then, suddenly and without warning, an ash storm kicked in. That's when they started coming. There must have been at least fifteen of them - walking hulks of oozing flesh, tentacle-headed monsters in brightly-colored robes, ashen horrors without faces. It was the most ash monsters I had ever seen in one place. I saw them first - before even the men on watch duty were able to. But it was already too late. They may as well have materialized out of thin air with how little warning we had of their approach. It was like the ash had given birth to them.

"When it all was over, there were almost thirty dead - five of them comrades of mine. Several others were wounded, and Thadas Rotheran had gone mad with soul sickness. I had personally contracted the Ash Woe blight from battling one of the creatures. My mind was addled and no longer my own. I remember crying aloud, in my fleeting moments of lucidity, wondering why Vivec would allow this to happen to a loyal servant.

"We couldn't go anywhere with the storm still raging. We abandoned over a third of our supplies to carry the sick and the wounded. We were just over ten miles from Ghostgate when we were attacked. We didn't get there until three days later. The Temple was able to cure me, and I returned to sanity once more. I am thankful that I remember very little of those three days."

Apelles sat there quietly for a moment, finishing his drink. He wiped his mouth on his sleeve, and finally spoke. "So...is this what I can expect guarding this caravan?"

"Possibly. Though frankly, I wouldn't be too surprised if we didn't encounter a single monster this time. But regardless of what happens, outlander, I want you to be prepared for the worst. Assume that we will be beset on all sides. Remain on guard at all times. I won't lose another man or mer under my command. I won't allow it. Do you understand?"

"Yes."

"Good," Salms said. He rose from his chair, walked to the door, and left without another word.

Apelles stared at the vacant space where the Dunmer had been sitting. He noticed that he hadn't so much as touched his glass of brandy.

"Well..." Apelles muttered to no one in particular. "It'd be a shame to let this go to waste."

He downed it and put the cap back on the bottle. He knew better than to get drunk the night before setting off on a mission. Especially not on a job like this one.

Posted by: Olen Jan 4 2009, 06:52 PM

Rothan

Rothan nodded, “Plenty are heading to the sites for worse reasons. Still its no bad thing, once it's built I dare say we'll have some new towns.” He took a bite of crab meat, “Cheers, I didn't realise she had any left.”

He looked across the bar, some patrons were becoming quite merry, “They're not going to enjoy tomorrows walk if they're coming. I've been on a couple of pilgrimages out that way, went up Foyada Mamaea on one even. Its a long way, especially with a caravan. And I hear its got bad up that way recently.”

Posted by: jack cloudy Jan 4 2009, 07:08 PM

Eno Arval

"Well, let's just hope they moderate their alcohol." Eno replied as he tried some hound meat and washed it away with some Mazte, thinking that Rothan was merely worried about hangovers. His next words however, suggested something else.
"wait, bad? Did you happen to hear some specific information? I do hope the path is still usable. We've had a lot of ashstorms lately, up north in Ald-ruhn. The wind usually blows from the east, so those same storms had passed over the foyada before hitting the city." He noted, slightly worried."

"I rarely travel, but I do know that wading through a layer of ash reaching up to your waist is not pleasant."

Posted by: Dantrag Jan 4 2009, 08:33 PM

Dralas, Balmora

Once Rianne left, Dralas dumped the coins she'd given him back into the pouch. The shirt wasn't worth the gold she gave her, much less that and a room. He finished the rest of his meal and waved the clerk over.

"You have two rooms open?" he asked.

She nodded, "Twenty."

He counted out the correct amount and handed it over, getting two keys in return. Waiting for Rianne to come back, he put another wad of leaf in his mouth.

Posted by: Olen Jan 4 2009, 11:19 PM

Rothan

"There are rumours," said Rothan conspiratorially, “I hear the caravans have been meeting... resistance. The last one was a bit of a disaster, they say. I don't really know the details though, probably all hype from the rumour mill.”

He drained his cup, “I'm sure the path will still be fine... but...” he paused then went on anyway, “We're building a defence against the evil of Red Mountain. We've never needed that before, makes you wander just how bad things have gotten.”

He looked back into his cup, disappointed by its emptiness, “Still Lord Vivec will protect and provide. In his wisdom we trust.”

Posted by: jack cloudy Jan 4 2009, 11:44 PM

Eno Arval

"I suppose...if you put it like that, then yes, it wouldn't hurt to at least exercise some caution. Since we are building a fence to contain evil, it wouldn't be too much to imagine that some of that evil had already been set lose before that. But then again, the trail is one that has seen plenty of caravans by now. I'm quite sure we will see nothing beyond the occasional bad weather." He said. Still, he got the feeling as if one cup wasn't enough.
"I'm not aiming to become drunk, but half-drunk? I've never liked ashstorms and the thought of travelling in one makes shivers run down my spine." He thought and looked up towards the bar.
"Mind if I order a refill of our cups?"

Posted by: minque Jan 5 2009, 04:43 PM

Rianne, back at Eight Plates

"You managed to fix us night quarters?" She smiled at Dralas when he gave her the key. "Great!!" she patted his shoulder in a playful way. "I'll have a last smoke then, no more drinks, it's better to get some nice sound sleep, it's going to be a long day tomorrow!"


"Good Night then" she then said before heading to her room

Posted by: Olen Jan 5 2009, 06:53 PM

Rothan

"Thanks but no. I drink but I do not feel it's appropriate that I become drunk, I think I'll turn in. Thanks for the converation and good night," he said.

He got up and left into nighttime Balmora, it was dark and there was a chill in the wind. He stuffed his hands in his pockets and hurried back to the temple and his room to sleep.

Posted by: jack cloudy Jan 5 2009, 08:08 PM

Eno Arval, eight plates.

Though Rothan turned down his offer, Eno still ordered a refill for himself.
"Good night to you as well. I think I'll finish my meal and retire myself then."
He ate the leftover hound and crabmeat in silence, while observing the fact that apparently, the party was likely to continue till dawn.
"I don't think I'm going to catch a lot of sleep with all this ruckus. Oh well, I'll just have to try hard and plug my ears."

Posted by: The Bean Jan 5 2009, 10:01 PM

Erna Rahnis, Balmora

"Your name sir?" the clerk asked, looking bored. It was evening by now, and the clerk had already done this a hundred times.

"Erna Rahnis," the dark elf replied, shifting his large coat to a more comfortable position.

"Profession?"

"I'm going to the ghostfence to sell some of my wares-I work as a merchant, you see," Erna replied.

"Good," the clerk said, scribbling something else down. "And there's one final requirement, Mr Rahnis."

"Of course, fire away," Erna said. "I'd be delighted to oblige."

The clerk gave him an odd look, before continuing.

"Everyone who travels to the ghostfence must also take a pack guar and two sacks of construction materials," the clerk said. "They will be handed in at the site. If the materials in the sacks are missing or damaged, you will be expected to provide compensation out of your own pocket."

"Of course," Erna said. "Anything else?"

"That's all," the clerk said, handing over the papers. He gave Erna a look that said 'Why are you still here? Can't you see I'm busy?'

Smiling vacantly as he tucked his papers into his coat, Erna resolved to get something to eat. He saw a sign for a tavern, proudly proclaiming it to be The Eight Plate-the finest food and drink in all of Tamriel.

It was a dissapointment inside, and Erna was tempted to do something to the innkeeper for being so cruel as to lie to him, but he decided against it.

He hurried towards a corner table, where two men, one of them wearing the brown robes of a priest and the other being, well, just old were sitting and discussing something.

He grabbed a vacant chair for the table next to them, where a pair of soldiers off duty appeared to be having an argument, plonked it down by the table, adopted a wide grin and asked; "Mind if I take a seat? I'm Erna, Erna Rahnis, and it's lovely to meet you both."

Posted by: jack cloudy Jan 6 2009, 06:22 PM

Eno Arval, eight plates. (OOC: You know you did something right when other characters describe yours as old )

Just when Rothan was leaving, someone else came in to take his place.
"Eno Arval, nice to meet you." Eno returned the greeting, while casting a wary look at the soldiers at the table next to them. He knew from experience that professional fighters, whether an unruly militia or highly disciplined professionals, turned into an unruly mob when either drunk or off-duty. And it looked like these two were both. A dangerous conversation.
"I hate to take my leave so soon, but it is getting rather late and I'd prefer to be out of sight before the bar brawl starts. So I'm going to make myself scarce now. I suggest you do likewise. Unless brawls are a hobby of yours." He then said with a wink and got up.

"Oh, and one more thing. If you happen to be one of those looking to join the caravan, make sure you've got everything you need to survive an ash storm. The weather has been downright awful lately. Well then, goodnight."


OOC: I hate to brush you off like that, but we'd just about wrapped up every conversation and had everyone go to sleep so we could get started with the day of departure.

Haz Andrethi, the river flowing through Balmora whose name I keep forgetting. Odai? Anyway, on the bank just out of town.

Haz wrapped himself up tightly in his robes and shivered. Despite its appearance of a scorched wasteland, Vvardenfell could become very cold at night.
"Kind of like the deserts in Hammerfell, if the stories are true." He thought as he absentmindedly scratched the itching skin of his wrists.
"I wonder how I'm going to do this. Pretend to be a Dunmer 24 hours a day, for who knows how many weeks? Bah, worrying gets me nowhere. I'll just have to make it work and fool those hideous creatures."

Posted by: bbqplatypus Jan 9 2009, 08:13 AM

Apelles Velvus, Balmora

It was just under forty minutes after dawn. Apelles and the rest of the escorts were sitting near the gathering point just inside the south gate near the commercial district.

Apelles was fully dressed in his Dragonscale armor (though his helmet and shield currently lay at his side). His sword was sheathed and his trusty old bow was slung over his back. Everything had been repaired and restored to tip-top condition about a week ago - even his hunting knife. However things turned out for him in the end, no one could say he was not prepared.

He would not be alone, either. He was surrounded by escorts - the overwhelming majority of which were Buoyant Armigers, but with one or two independent mercenaries in the mix.

Salms Ralas stood up in front of the group and cleared his throat. The few who were talking fell silent.

"Good morning, servants of Vivec...and of other masters. In a few hours, we will be escorting a caravan of workers and supplies across the unforgiving wastes of our homeland. As you may know, there have been some...attacks on these caravans of late, and as a result the number of escorts has been increased to ensure safety. Thus, we will have a few new faces along for the ride. I am confident that each of these individuals will do their duty. And I expect each and every veteran escort to extend the same level of respect and courtesy to them as they would to a lifelong comrade. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes, sir," the crowd answered in unison.

"Good. That is all."

The Armiger captain walked into the small crowd and found a sizable stone to sit on - a stone that happened to be right next to where Apelles was sitting.

Salms looked at Apelles's armor with a faintly amused look on his face, but with sunken eyes that indicated that he had slept little. "That armor looks a bit heavy for your line of work, doesn't it?"

"It's a lot lighter than it looks," Apelles said.

"Well...I suppose you wouldn't have brought it along otherwise."

Apelles looked back at Salms. He seemed to be rather eager to be making conversation with an underling this early in the morning. Perhaps he figured it was a good way to pass the time. Or maybe he wanted to do something to get the trauma of the last caravan off his mind. Whatever the reason, Apelles was happy to oblige him for the next few hours - at least until the caravaners had all arrived.

Posted by: canis216 Jan 9 2009, 08:59 AM

Dranas Heleran, Balmora

Dranas was up at the crack of dawn. It took just a few brief moments to collect his clothing (which was scattered about) and dress, taking care not to wake Tarese. He hated to leave her to wake alone, but her face was so lovely in the low light of morning that he could not bring himself to wake her. Instead he scribbled a brief note:

"My dear, I am sorry to leave so early but I have urgent matters to attend to before the caravan leaves for the Ashlands. I shall return to you at my first opportunity. I promise."

That formality out of the way, Dranas walked over to the South Wall. Outside he found one of his associates, Durius Carbo.

"Morning," he murmured. "You said something about two guar loads?"

Dranas extracted a sheet of parchment from his pocket and handed it over. "Rent on the two guars sets us back 70 drakes, but we'll more than make it up on the extra volume. You have the goods?"

Carbo tossed over a key. "The usual crate. Think you can move all of it?"

Dranas looked thoughtful. "Temple project, so there might be more teetotalers than the usual construction job, but from my experience, I don't see it being a real problem. The booze should move just fine. The harder stuff is always hit or miss, so we'll just have to see, won't we?"

Posted by: Olen Jan 9 2009, 08:19 PM

Rothan

Rothan awoke early from a disturbed sleep. It wasn't dawn yet but in spite of his weariness he arose from his bed, and dressed quickly. He looked forward to travelling again but he felt uneasy, there had been rumours and there was nowhere like the temple for them to propagate. The banned book was still under his cloak, he quickly pushed it into the bottom of his bag and added a copy of The Lives of the Saints on top, hopefully anyone who looked would only see that. He had considered leaving the book but it was too likely someone would use his room in his absence and find it. That wouldn't do.

His cudgel lay in the corner, he sighed and picked it up. It's handle was made of a chitinous material but the head was steel with a couple of sharp corners which had borne spike before they broke off. This unusual construction resulted in it being singularly unbalanced but he was loathe to enter a weapon-smithy. He looped its uncomfortable mass onto his belt, he didn't like wearing weapons but neither did he like the idea of being eaten by some of Vvardenfell's nastier fauna.

He shouldered his bag an cast a last glance around his room. It was almost bare. He left the temple quickly before he would get caught up in any prayers, there wasn't really time and praying with a weapon made him uncomfortable, however much the Ordinators liked to. The sun was just below the horizon as he headed for the open space on the west side of the river, some of the guards were already there doing whatever it is guards do. The first guar were gathering too. He took a seat on the steps of the clothier and waited for more people to arrive.

Posted by: minque Jan 9 2009, 10:22 PM

Rianne, Balmora

She woke up before dawn, that was normal for her when she was about to commence some kind of journey. Dressing was quickly accomplished, trousers, shirt and her leather boots. And on top the shirt she got from Dralas. yes it was pretty big...and long but with her leather belt wrapped around her waist it looked good...yes really good indeed.

Rianne was satisfied with her appearance after washing her face and arranging her short hair with her fingers...She decided to bring all her things with her, now regretting she hadn't made some arrangements for transporting those confounded sacks..like renting a guar. Nevermind she had to fix that later.

Breakfast time! Rianne was literally starving. She decided to knock on Dralas' door to see if he would join her for breakfast, she hated to eat alone.

"Hey! Dralas! Fancy breakfast? I'll go up and tell Dulnea to fire up the stove, you're coming??" She shouted while knocking on his door...

Posted by: jack cloudy Jan 9 2009, 11:08 PM

Haz Andrethi, Balmora

Haz awoke when the first ray of sunlight pierced his eyelids. Still half-asleep, he yawned and stretched. The Scrib that had chosen his back as the spot for its morning-sunbath, protested loudly as it was unceremoniously dumped on its back. Haz looked at it with teeth bared.
"Don't complain. I'm not some dumb rock. In fact..." His hand snatched out and gripped the squirming insect.
"I'm a predator and you're breakfast." The Argonian finished, biting its head.

Now fully awake, he checked his own appearance while chomping down on his meal. At first glance, it appeared that his outfit had weathered the night well. He merely had to redo the scarf covering his face, remember to stand straight and presto, everyone would assume he was a Dunmer.

Scarcely half an hour after waking up, Haz marched through the southern gates and headed for the caravan where hopefully his Guar would be waiting.


OOC: I'll do Eno's wake-up tomorrow. He's an old guy, so he'll probably wake up after everyone else anyway.

Posted by: The Bean Jan 11 2009, 09:28 AM

Erna Rahnis, Balmora

Erna whistled cheerily as he stepped out of Balmora's prison building, sheathing his knives back into their pockets. The brawl that had happened there, as he had predicted, had been a lot of fun. Naturally, the watch had intervened, but Erna, with his cheerful smile and willingness to 'give the good watchmen something for helping a citizen in distress,' had gotten off scot free after a quiet night in the cells.

On the way to the square, he glanced in at the Eight Plates and grinned at the mess he had helped cause-tables and chairs had been smashed to pieces by the angry brawlers. Of course, he had helped spark it with a well timed cry of "Coward" after one of the soldiers had gotten up from his argument. After that, he'd sat back and watched the fun.

Once again, there was a queue outside the council house, this time for Guars, but Erna didn't mind too much. He could wait. He was good at waiting.

Posted by: jack cloudy Jan 13 2009, 11:11 PM

Eno Arval, eight plates.

When the sun's first rays shone through the window of his room, Eno awoke from his unsatisfying rest.
"Those dumb Kagouti-vomits! Just how is an upstanding member of the community supposed to sleep during the night, when one floor below him a whole damn mob is having a bar brawl!" He complained against the walls.

"I swear, they're lucky there wasn't a Telvanni staying here tonight. He would have torched the whole building...or turned it into an icicle, depending on personal preference." He continued with a softer voice. He decided right there and then he would eat his breakfast on the road. There wasn't much of a bar left anyhow.

"Serjo Arval?" A Dunmer wearing the outfit of a clerk asked the moment he stepped outside the Eight Plates.
"Yes, that would be me. Can I help you, my friend?" The old man replied amiably. Inside, he was still seething over the brawl but he knew that he couldn't take it out on an innocent man.
"We have brought you the goods and animals you requested." The clerk jabbed a thumb towards the two Guar that were searching the dusty cobblestones for small bugs to eat.

"They've already been packed. Of course, you may rearrange the sacks if you so desire." The clerk now said, and handed over the reins. Eno smiled.
"I must say, I find the service you provide to be most satisfying. Now it seems that I'm already somewhat late, so I'll do any potential rearranging when we set up camp at night. Please have some coin, consider it a showing of my appreciation."



With the two Guar in tow, Eno walked to the meeting point where he saw that a large portion of the caravan had already assembled.

Posted by: Dantrag Jan 14 2009, 08:12 AM

QUOTE(minque @ Jan 9 2009, 04:22 PM)

Posted by: minque Jan 15 2009, 08:00 PM

Rianne, Balmora

She smiled, Dralas sounded so funny, barely awake and all groggy...

"Yes, sure!" she answered. "I'm gonna need a guar so I'll try to rent one, see you at the caravan!"

She headed upstairs, realising she was a bit late for any fancy breakfast so she asked Dulnea if she could get some food to take with her instead. That was no problem, she was presented some bread, and a chunk of scrib-jerky.

"Could you please get me more of this?" she asked thinking that Dralas probably would be raging hungry by the time he would appear at the council hall.

"Oh....give me a good piece of that dried hound-meat" she finally asked Dulnea.

After paying for the food she tucked it in her backpack, grabbed her sacks and went outside. Not far from the council hall there apparently was some kind of "guar-rental" since the smell of guar-dung was rather strong from that direction.

She noticed an elder dunmer slowly walking towards her. He looked like someone who would join a caravan. Rianne decided to be friendly

"Good Morning Serjo" she said bowing her head in a polite ashlander style. "Do you know if it's possible to hire a Guar over there? Are there any left you think?"


OOC: She's approaching Eno

Posted by: The Bean Jan 15 2009, 08:22 PM

Erna Rahnis, Balmora

Erna saw that the first Guars were being handed out to the early comers, and decided on a way to queue jump.

Stepping from the queue, Erna picked one of the people out from the group that had been given the pack animals, and followed his prey, slipping stealthily behind them, always keeping out of sight. The streets were busy, and the target wisely, or unwisely, depending on your point of view, took a route through a back alley to avoid the crowd.

As soon as they were out of sight, Enra drew his knife, stepped behind them and in one swift motion, clamped a hand over their mouth, his weapon poking into their side.

"Hello matey," he said. "Mind helping out a friend?"


OOC: I didn't describe the victim in case anyone wants to fill the slot. If they don't, there's gonna be murder...

Posted by: jack cloudy Jan 15 2009, 08:33 PM

OOC: I would, but Eno's already been approached by Rianne (not to mention that he never takes back alleys in cities he isn't perfectly familiar with.) and Haz hasn't gotten a Guar yet.

Eno Arval, somewhere in Balmora.

Eno stopped when he was adressed by a woman.
"Good morning to you too, lass. That place being a Guar rental?" He replied, mimicked the unfamiliar bow and then looked over his shoulder at the stalls.
"Hmm, don't remember that gesture. Maybe she's from the mainland."
"Well to be honest, I got my Guar delivered right to my doorstep since I reserved one earlier. Splendid service. So I actually haven't got a clue. Still, if its Guar you want, I'd say that's your best bet. They should have a few left over that haven't been appointed yet to a handler. If you hurry you might still get one, or however many you need."

Posted by: minque Jan 15 2009, 08:52 PM

Rianne, Balmora

"Thank you very much for your kind help" Rianne smiled, "I'll try over there then..by the way I'm Rianne...from the Ahemmusa Tribe" She continued, still unwilling to mention her last name.

I wonder if I should get Dralas a Guar? Or maybe he's got one already, i'll just go over there and wait and see,

She looked up at the elder dunmer, he looked nice, it could be a good idea to stick around him....later

She took out a piece of scrib-jerky and offered the dunmer, there must be a gift for his help..that was tradition

Posted by: jack cloudy Jan 15 2009, 09:46 PM

Eno Arval

"Oh, she's an Ashlander. Well that explains the unusual customs." Eno thought to himself.
"Eh, thank you. You're too kind. My name is Eno Arval, from Ald-ruhn." He said as he was offered the scrib-jerky.
"What did I do to deserve this? All I told her was that yes, she might consider asking for a Guar there. Wait, I know just the thing."

He dug into his pockets and retrieved the flute he'd been working on till yesterday.
"Why don't I give you this in return? She's still a bit crude, but as I always say...A piece just isn't complete till someone has given her her first song." He said as he held it out on an open palm.
"Giving flutes for scrib-jerky. I'm not going to turn a profit like this. But then again, I guess that profit isn't really why I make these." The thought made him smile.

Posted by: minque Jan 15 2009, 10:01 PM

Rianne, Balmora

Rianne gasped, the man offered her a flute! A musical instrument, she was stunned, his gift was worth so much more than hers...she realised she would be in debt to this man for a long time. Now that wasn't all unpleasant, she could offer to do things for him. Since he obviously was joining the caravan there would be opportunities for sure.

"Thank you Serjo, I very much like music" Rianne smiled. She didn't wait to use the instrument, and soon the air filled with a sad hymn, so typical for her kind...

Still playing she headed towards the guar rental and waited for her turn.

eventually she turned towards the dunmer and smiled...

Posted by: Olen Jan 15 2009, 11:31 PM

Rothan

Rothan had watched people arrive all morning, the merchant district was thronged with both locals buying and selling and with other caravanners. He stretched, the stair was cold and there were too many people going to the shop for him to stay there anyway so he wandered into the crowd. Perhaps he could get some supplies, or maybe luxuries, for the journey. Either way shopping would pass the time before the caravan left, he might meet some of his fellow travellers too.

OOC: Not sure whose where/planing what, approach him if you want

Posted by: canis216 Jan 16 2009, 01:51 AM

Dranas Heleran, Balmora

Dranas was quite content. He had breakfast in his belly (from The Lucky Lockup) and two cooperative guars laden with illicit goods (carefully concealed, of course) and the Temple's construction supplies (which he eventually hoped to make his own). He easily made his way to the South Gate, where the caravan was assembling. Everything had gone smoothly.

Posted by: bbqplatypus Jan 16 2009, 02:53 AM

Apelles Velvus, Balmora

"...with the almoners' money stuck between him and the cart! So I said 'Pull him out of that dung pile and arrest him.' And then Thadas said, 'To hell with the money - I ain't touching him!'"

Apelles and Salms both laughed.

"Sounds like you and your men have quite a long history together," Apelles remarked.

"Yes...yes, we've been through a lot," Salms said. "We've fought many battles, and even made some raids within the heart of the Red Mountain region itself. But...most of my friends are dead now, or were reassigned after...what happened at the last caravan. They're almost all replacements now. This is the first time in over twenty years I've had to work without Thadas."

"It's always sad when you lose one of your own. I've...had to go through it before, too."

"Yes, well...best not to dwell on it."

"Yes...'count only the happy hours,' as they say." There was a short, awkward pause for a moment before Apelles continued. "You know, that story you were telling me reminds me a lot of this one expedition about eight years ago, when..." Apelles trailed off as he noticed something in the corner of his eye.

He turned his head to ensure his eyes weren't deceiving him. No...there he was, leading a pair of fully-laden guars up toward the center of the assembly area. Dranas Heleran wasn't just in town - he was coming with the caravan!

"What is it?" Salms asked worriedly. "What's wrong?"

"I'm about to get up and approach somebody. I want two of your men to follow me. I believe I've spotted an unwanted guest."

"What do you mean?"

"Do you trust my judgment, sera?"

"Yes, I suppose I do."

"Then you'll do this favor for me. Suffice to say that this mer is a dangerous criminal whom I've encountered in the past."

"Well, if that's the case, then I'll be happy to oblige you." He turned to two of his subordinates and made a few hand signals.

"Thank you, sera. Tell them to follow about fifteen feet behind me."

"Of course."

Apelles got up, picked up his shield, and put on his helmet. He then proceeded to quickly close the distance between himself and Heleran.

He caught up with him and loudly cleared his throat to announce his presence.

"Dranas Heleran..." he said, pretending to be surprised. "Fancy seeing you here. You must be lost. After all, why would good, temple-going folk want to do business with you? I'll tell you what - how about giving me those bags of yours to lighten your load a little? After all, it's not like you'll be going anywhere."

Posted by: canis216 Jan 16 2009, 08:14 AM

Dranas Heleran, Balmora

So much for things going smoothly.

Still, Dranas was only mildly alarmed. Staving off confusion, he searched his memory and finally found a name and a leathery, wind-burned face to match the voice booming from behind the helm. Apelles Velvus. Dranas could play this to his advantage. He put on his most serene grin.

"Here now Apelles, why would you want what I have in my baggage, I wonder? I am, after all, but a simple merchant."

Posted by: bbqplatypus Jan 16 2009, 05:10 PM

Apelles Velvus, Balmora

"Don't play dumb with me, Heleran. I know why you're really here."

Apelles called back to the two Armigers following him. "You two! Would you be so kind as to help me unload these guars and search the bags for contraband, please?"

He knew it was best not to be barking orders to men who weren't under his direct command - far better to ask politely.

The Armigers complied, and began taking the sacks off the loaded guars.

As they did so, Apelles leaned in close to Heleran, and spoke quietly, almost whispering.

"As I said before, Sera Heleran, most of these caravaners are good, Temple-going folk - strict adherents to tradition and law. The Armigers are good men, too, and they act in accordance with these laws and traditions. I, on the other hand, am neither good nor Temple-going, and I have no patience for foolish games. I've more than half a mind to smash your kneecaps in and DRAG your sorry ass to prison.

"But really, I can be quite an agreeable fellow if you're willing to cooperate. Why don't you tell me where the skooma is and where you got it from and save us the trouble? You may even get a couple years taken off your sentence if you give us some information. Unless you WANT to spend the rest of your life staring at the inside of a jail cell."

Posted by: canis216 Jan 16 2009, 07:01 PM

Dranas Heleran, Balmora

Dranas answered Velvus' whispers a bit more loudly.

"Oh, you would want skooma, wouldn't you? Are you looking for something to put a little pep in your step?"

He looked his guars over.

"You can search all you like, but I'm afraid you won't find what you're looking for. All I've got are some construction supplies, some clothing, a few books, alchemical necessities, a weapon or three, and a little bit of drink that you'll find is perfectly legal. Oh, and my Census and Excise documentation. Would never forget that."

Posted by: bbqplatypus Jan 16 2009, 08:59 PM

Apelles Velvus, Balmora

"Well, we'll see about that."

They both stood there silently for a couple of minutes while the Armigers searched through the bags. Finally, after all the materials in them had been examined, one of them spoke.

"Well, we've searched everything, but we didn't find anything illegal."

Apelles's eyes widened with shock. "WHAT!? That's impossible!"

The Armiger shrugged. "All we found was exactly what he said was in there."

"Let me see..." He stormed over to the guars and took one of the bags. Desperately, he rummaged through it, taking things out and searching for interior pockets. He got down on his hands and knees and searched the guar itself for hidden bags. But he was a scout, not a customs agent. He found nothing.

"Impossible..." he gasped, his face flushed with anger and embarrassment. Then, he got to his feet and turned back toward Heleran, who had an ill-concealed smug grin plastered across his face. "You...you won't get away with this! I'll be watching you!"

One of the Armigers brushed him aside, apologizing profusely for the inconvenience. Meanwhile, Apelles stormed back toward the south wall clearance, to an area away from the other escorts, who were now staring at him with looks of suspicion and puzzlement on their faces.

Posted by: canis216 Jan 16 2009, 09:16 PM

Dranas Heleran, Balmora

Dranas smiled, allowed himself a little chuckle, and began to re-pack, re-secure, and re-balance his cargo.

It was a chore, but with a little help from one of the armigers he managed to get his load squared away and cinched back down within fifteen minutes. Afterwards he sat down upon a convenient crate and chewed on a bit of hackle-lo to decompress, coming down from the high of deception, the only high he really needed. He laughed once more, louder.

Investing in those swords with the hollowed-out hilts and the big ebony mace with the screw-on head, he thought, had been an excellent decision.

Posted by: jack cloudy Jan 16 2009, 10:14 PM

Haz Andrethi.

"Ah, the pilgrim." Haz said nothing, as was his custom, while the clerk made broad gestures towards a tired looking Guar.
"I swear, that thing looks as if its days are numbered already. Just look at its toes, all dry and withered, not strong like the others." The Argonian thought and realized that the clerk had just ripped him off just because he wouldn't be able to complain with his vow of silence. It gave him a distinct and unpleasant taste in the back of his throat. Dunmer, such despicable creatures.


"And I'm supposed to accept this?" Haz hissed angrily. The clerk looked at him with a mixture of surprise and disgust at the casual breaking of a vow of silence.
"Excuse me? Weren't you travelling under a vow of..." The 'pilgrim' interupted the man's words by stepping forward, tearing away the scarf covering his face in the process.
"Look at me, you pest! See the face of your ancient enemy! You thought you were dealing with a dimwitted, overly polite pilgrim who couldn't talk? Hah, I am a proud child of Argonia! I don't accept foul play from anyone, especially a Dunmer. You have just given me a Guar that will die before the end of the third day, unless we walk so slow, the caravan won't arrive within a month! I should kill you for this..."

His hand shot out and clenched around the Dunmer's throat.
"And in fact, I think I will." He licked his lips and watched with sick pleasure how the man twitched in his grasp, breathing out his last breath.


"It's already made the journey twice before and is so docile, even a baby could handle it! There is no Guar friendlier than this one in all of Vvardenfell, I assure you. As is our custom, everything you've requested has already been packed. Well then, it was a pleasure serving you." Haz was pulled away from his pleasant fantasy. While he had been daydreaming, the clerk had rambled on about the qualities of his new pet.
"If that Guar dies, I'll just write a letter of complaint. I may not be able to kill you without endangering your mission, but at least I can destroy your career, from beyond the grave."

He didn't say a word in reply, just nodded and took the reins. True to the clerk's words, the Guar didn't struggle. But then again, it didn't exactly help either. It just let itself be dragged wherever its handler wanted to go, apparantly without even perceiving its surroundings. The Argonian waved a hand in front of its eyes and it didn't even blink.
"Great, this beast is blind! Docile or not, if I have to lead it around every single pebble on the road, it's a pure rip-off."


Fortunately for his strained patience, the people of Balmora gave him and his Guar a wide berth, as they did with everyone else handling a Guar. Probably to avoid a sudden stampede, stepping in a Guar's dung or simply the smell. The only thing remotely interesting that Haz noticed on his way to the caravan was a pair of Armigers, under the lead of an impossibly pale Dunmer, who were searching the goods of a traveller.
"A routine investigation?" He thought, realizing that it could be trouble. His disguise was as perfect as could be, but it would not stand up to any investigation where he would be searched physically.

However, as luck would have it, the pale one began to throw a tantrum, distracting his comrades. Haz merely walked passed, showing as little interest as everyone else. No one searched him.


OOC: In case I was a bit confusing. The bit where Haz starts ranting and murders the clerk was his daydream. In reality, he just silently listened while the clerk was holding his sales-speech.

Posted by: minque Jan 17 2009, 05:48 PM

Rianne, at the Guar-rental site, Balmora

It was finally her turn.

"I would like to rent a Pack-guar" she said politely to the attendant, a grumpy elderly dunmer who didn't even look at her.

"hrrmmpff" he grunted, then he looked up at her face and a smiled scornfully at her

"Pah, you're not joining the caravan, are you? No women allowed I heard"

"In fact that is just what I'm doing, so would you please let me rent one" Rianne answered, getting a tad annoyed of his rudeness.

"Hm...let's see" he scratched his head and studied the ledger in from of him, then an evil grin emerged on his face and he addresed her:

"Ok, then, you can have Morrie, that's the one to the far left" he said pointing at a group of four Guars standing a bit to the side. He laughed, and it was not a kind laugh

"Morrie, is that it's name? Rianne asked

"Hehe, nah, it's Morgiah really, but we call her Morrie, she will be perfect for ya, that will be 10 goldpieces"

Rianne nodded, gave the man the gold and went towards the animals. She was convinced there would be something weird about this, but decided to remain her low profile and not cause any scene.

The Guar gave her a mean look and shook her big head vigorously as Rianne approached. It looked angry and somewhat scared.

Rianne stopped a few yards in front of her and stood absolutely still. Then she started to sing, not loud but rather suggestive. The Guar stopped her violent movements after a couple of minutes and stared at the young Ashlander woman.

Rianne approached slowly, still singing, and stretched out her hand. The Guar stood absolutely still. After another while Rianne could touch her and so she did.

"Why Morrie, don't be scared, I wish you no harm, I just need you to help me with these sacks you know, hmm, it's not so bad is it? We will be friends you know, I will take care of you"

She offered Morrie a heap of green leaves, and she took them out of her hands. It was no problems for Rianne to gently place her two sacks on the animal's back.

"Come on Morrie, let's get out of this crowd" she whispered to the animal and both of them wandered away, nice and slow.

"Well I'll be damned!" The guar rental man outburst, dropping his jaw.

Rianne didn't answer, she just looked back at him with a faint smile

You thought you had me there old dirty scum, but I have powers you can't imagine

Rianne and Morrie went over to where the other caravaners were waiting, hoping Dralas wouls soon show up, she was getting pretty hungry by now.

Posted by: The Bean Jan 17 2009, 05:51 PM

Erna Rahnis

Erna's victim struggled against him, but the hand clamped against his mouth was relentlessly strong, the knife's point still aimed expertly at the man's side.

"Just be quiet, and you might live," Erna hissed. "What I want you do is to get your papers, slowly. Any sudden moves and you'll be a corpse."

The dark elf mutely nodded and reached into his pocket, withdrawing a few papers with shaking hands.

"Anything else?" Erna asked.

Practically weeping, the dark elf shook his head.

"Good, good," Erna said. "You know that I said you might live?"

A nod.

"I lied."

Posted by: Lythyum Jan 27 2009, 11:54 AM

Naaro had woken up early after he went back to the cornerclub for sleep.
Being one of the first to get his supplies and the single Guar he needed, which turned out to be a very obedient one. The grumpy old Dunmer that had helped him was seemingly a bit reluctant to hand it over to Naaro after the sharp eyes of the younger Dunmer had picked it out - to him, it seemed like the best Guar of the bunch. Healthy, young, strong. Nothing wrong with it's behavior either.

The two sacks of supplies hung on the Guar's side, one on each, along with one bag of Naaro's own clothes and other artifacts he would be taking along. Naaro had settled down for the time being at the edge of the other waiting caravanners, just to be sure.

He had been balancing the bags as best as he could when he heard the old Dunmer exclaim something. He turned his head to see the wrinkled face express disbelief, so Naaro followed his gaze and ended up at a young Dunmer woman, walking towards the group.
Naaro chuckled under his breath and shifted one bag further up. His Guar grunted in relief - finally, the balance was good. Naaro patted the creature on it's large head, absent minded, searching for the young woman again. He spotted her with relative ease, eyeing her for a few seconds before sitting down on the hard ground, looking around, waiting for the caravan to leave.

Posted by: jack cloudy Jan 29 2009, 09:21 PM

Eno Arval, meeting point

As he moved closer to the convoy, he noticed that a flock of Armigers were buzzing about telling people where to go.
"You there!" One called and waved the Dunmer over.
"Yes, how can I help you?" Eno asked politely.

"Let's see...we'll put you in the rear, on the left flank for today. Which is over there. Please get your Guar into position and then wait for further instructions." The Armiger said after a short silence. He then instantly ran off to stop a Guar from biting another's tail. Eno chuckled at the scene and gently pushed his own beast to the designated spot.

Posted by: Olen Jan 29 2009, 11:06 PM

Rothan

Rothan gave the seller a couple of coins and added the sticky sweetmeats to his pack. The caravan was taking longer than he'd expected to get itself organised and he'd looked at what the various hawkers were selling. Most of it was rubbish and he didn't want to add much weight to his pack so other than food he'd not bought anything. He wandered back towards the meeting point and was pleased to see some form of order among the crowds of milling people and stinking guar.

Near the back he spotted the mer, Eno if he remembered right, who he'd sat with in the bar the previous evening. He hurried through the throng towards him.

"Morning," he called.

Posted by: The Bean Jan 31 2009, 09:35 AM

Erna Rahnis

Erna wiped the blood off his knife, disposed of the body quickly and quietly and left the alley, his newly acquired Guar in tow. Whistling happily, he headed towards the gathering point.

It was already busy, a few officials trying to get everyone together and in some semblance of order. Erna stood there for a moment, revelling in the sheer disorganised chaos of the place, before a rather harassed looking clerk ordered him to the back of the column. Taking his guar with him, Erna headed over at a nonchalant pace, not really caring whether he made a nuisance of himself or not.

He reached his place next to a young woman, dressed in what seemed to be ashlander clothes. He'd encountered ashlanders before, and found them disappointingly resistant to his own ideals. But still, it would be nice to have some conversation with somebody on the journey.

"Morning," he said. "Good one for travelling, isn't it?"

OOC: He's talking to Rianne, by the way.

Posted by: minque Jan 31 2009, 11:40 PM

Rianne, Balmora

When Rianne finally got to the waiting-area there were quite a few people there, their looks were merely curious, not hostile as she almost have anticipated. Ashlandes were not so poular and she was aware of that she couldn't hide what she was despite the big shirt she wore. It was quite warm and nice and with a broad leather belt wrapped around her waist it almost looked good on her.

A man greeted her good morning and being a well brought-up woman she smiled at him and nodded.

"Good morning to you Sera"

She then was aware how hungry she was and took out bread and cheese for breakfast, looking at the man beside her she offered him of her food, in fact hoping he wouldn't take all, because she really was starving

"Can I offer you something to eat?" she asked politely, whe she noticed another man giving her rather friendly looks so she gave him a smile as well


Where the hell is Dralas???



OOC: She's trying to be as friendly as she can to both Erna and Naaro...

Posted by: jack cloudy Feb 1 2009, 10:03 AM

Eno Arval, ya know the place

Eno was slightly surprised upon seeing Rothan. Oh, not because of him being in the caravan, but to see him here with him in the back. He'd thought that a priest would be admitted to the forward ranks, where all the official people were...as well as the largest group of armigers to protect it.
"Ah well, it is not my place to question things like that. Besides, I don't mind the company." He mentally shrugged.

"Ah, morning. Had a good rest, I hope?"

Posted by: The Bean Feb 1 2009, 12:11 PM

Erna Rahnis

"I'll be fine, thanks," Erna said after the ashlander girl offered him some food-he didn't usually need to eat much. He extended a hand in greeting. "Erna Rahnis."

"Rianne," she replied shaking it.

"I must say," Erna said. "I don't see many ashlanders in the towns around these parts. "What brings you here?"

Posted by: minque Feb 1 2009, 02:01 PM

OOC: Rianne doesn't usually mention her last name, not to unknown ppl anyway, so I took the liberty of editing it out in your post Beanie!

Rianne, Balmora, waiting for departure

She looked at Erna, trying to figure out if she could trust him, and decided to keep a low profile, just for security reasons

Smiling she responded:

"Well, I'm on a kind of pilgrimage" she said vaguely, "it's a tribal custom, I'm trying to figure out who I am and what my destination will be"

She took a sip from her water-bottle and stared thoughtfully out in the air


Who is he? it's something about him that worries me And where is Dralas? I think I'll have to go and look for him if he doesn't show up soon

"Excuse me , Sera but what brings you here?"

Posted by: Olen Feb 1 2009, 06:44 PM

Rothan, Departure Area, with Eno

"Good enough, good enough," replied Rothan, "I wouldn't mind being off sooner rather than later, but such are things with so many people. How was your rest?" If the wreckage around the Eight Plates was anything to go by he doubted it had been great.

He put his pack on the ground as he spoke and pulled out a strip of scrib jerky and began to chew the salty, if slightly bitter, meat. Eno's guar shuffled at its smell.

Posted by: The Bean Feb 1 2009, 07:55 PM

Erna Rahnis

"Me?" Erna said nonchalantly. "I'm a merchant myself. Seeing if there's a market for my goods at the construction site."

"What do you sell?" Rianne asked. "I can't see any goods on you?"

"Answers," Erna elusively replied.

"What does that mean?"

"I'm a fortune teller," Erna replied.

"So you tell a gullible fool what they want to hear?" Rianne said, frowning in dissaproval.

"For five gold coins, yes," Erna said. "For fifty, I tell them what really will happen. You want a freebie? You Ahemmusa always love to share?"

"How did you...?" Rianne began to ask, before being cut off.

"Knack of mine," Erna replied. He placed his finger's on Rianne's temples before she could stop him, and closed his eyes. "Now let's begin."


OOC: I'm leaving the prophecy down to you Minque. Give me something good.

Posted by: Dantrag Feb 1 2009, 09:35 PM

OOC: it's no big deal or anything, but its a rule of thumb here to avoid speaking/acting for other PCs

Dralas

After dunking his head in cold water and dressing himself, Dralas left the inn with his belongings. The streets were even busier now than the day before, but he had no trouble walking; most people avoided him and made a path. He assumed by their stares that they weren't used to ashlanders. It made him uneasy, but he couldn't complain since he was in a hurry.

He picked up his two sacks of Temple-owned materials. They were heavy, but not impossible to carry. Dralas was glad for that, since he had no money for a guar.

He waited on the bench for the caravan to leave while he chewed hackle-lo and kept an eye out for Rianne.

Posted by: jack cloudy Feb 1 2009, 10:00 PM

Eno Arval

"I have experienced better nights and worse ones. Let's just say last night was leaning towards the worse end of the scale and leave it at that." Eno replied casually and with a wry grin. He noticed his Guar's response to the meat Rothan was holding and patted the beast's bulbous head.

"Hungry, aren't you? Which reminds me that I haven't had breakfast yet myself. But nevermind, a good handler always treats his animal before he treats himself, that's what mother always said. So let's see if there's anything for you in one of these bags, alright?" Saying that, Eno opened a random bag and took out what appeared to be a sort of large bisquit wrapped in paper.
"Err...I believe this is for me. Maybe another bag? What do they feed you anyway?"


OOC: Yeah, I have no idea whether or not Guar's are herbivores or carnivores. I'm leaning herbivore though.

Posted by: Olen Feb 1 2009, 11:22 PM

Rothan

"Sorry, I should have offered you something," said Rothan, "I bought more food than I can eat this morning and some of it will go off. Do you like..." he raked though his bag, "devilled hound meat? Or... some sort of cake I think." He pulled out a slice of something rather squashed.

He looked at the guar which grunted at him but didn't make any move this time.

OOC: I'd say guar's are omnivorous, they seem quite keen to make a meal of any passing Nerevarines in game but as tame pack animals must be fairly herbivorous.

Posted by: minque Feb 1 2009, 11:33 PM

QUOTE(Dantrag @ Feb 1 2009, 09:35 PM)

Posted by: The Bean Feb 2 2009, 07:01 PM

OOC: Sorry about that then Minque. This is my very first RP, so I'm still a little unfamiliar with all the protocol involved. I'll make note of that for future reference.


Erna glanced at the figure approaching him and Rianne. So, the ashlander girl had a boy in tow. He was disappointed that he couldn't ply his 'trade,' and scare the girl a little, but he could live.

Erna nodded a nonchalant greeting to the boy on the other side of the square.

"So," he asked. "Who's this then?"

Posted by: jack cloudy Feb 2 2009, 10:04 PM

Eno Arval, yada yada

"Ah, there we go. This looks like grass to me. That should do it." Eno muttered and held a handfull in front of the Guar's mouth. The animal sniffed at it and then began to eat from the Dunmer's hand.

"Ah well, truth be said. I was planning on trying out my own rations for breakfast. It's all we're going to eat for the next few days, so I thought I might as well get used to it. Anyway, half a bisquit for half a cake? They're about the same size." He said, half-turning to the priest.


OOC: I'll do Haz later. Either tonight or tomorrow.

Posted by: Olen Feb 3 2009, 04:29 PM

Rothan

Rothan nodded and tore the cake in two. He gave Eno the less squashed half and took half the biscuit in return. It was fairly hard and like most traveller's biscuits it was very dry, he put a bit of the scrib jerky on it and took a bite.

"Mmmm," he said then swallowed, "These are nice and fresh, I can't imagine they'll be so good once we get there though." He put the cake back in his bag, the mixture of sweet and savoury didn't appeal. "How long are you planning on staying at the outpost for?"

Closer to the gate other travellers were almost in place, a knot of armigers still sat to one side but they looked like they were gathering their weapons ready to go to whatever point they were to guard.

OOC: I took the liberty of assuming it was a tack biscuit. I can edit if you wanted it to be a different type.

Posted by: jack cloudy Feb 3 2009, 10:24 PM

Haz, same place as everyone.

"By the Tribunal, look who it is!" The Armiger in charge of lining up the Guars laughed. Instinctively, Haz shifted into a more alert state, evidenced by a nearly imperceptible lifting of his head.
"I can't believe it, they managed to dump old eyeless on someone again!" The Armiger continued.

"Well, it wasn't by choice. But it's not exactly easy to protest if you're not allowed to talk...or break things." Haz thought.
"Alright, pilgrim. We'll place you all the way at the back. Then at least we won't get a massive pile-up if that old beast trips over a pebble." The man decided once he'd finished laughing. Haz shrugged and dragged the blind nuisance to its place in the convoy.

Eno Arval

"Thank you." Eno said as he took the cake and tried it.
"Hmm, not bad at all, as far as travel rations go. Anyway, I haven't really thought about it that much yet. Long enough to ply my trade and look around, so I'll be there for the better part of a week at least. Then, I won't be able to leave unless it is with a convoy, so in part my time of departure relies on others." He said after a moment.
"I mean, going to Ghostgate on my own is foolish, coming back from it alone would naturally be foolish as well."

Seemingly without warning, one of the Armigers burst out in laughter. Eno looked at the scene over his shoulder and then shook his head.
"Oh dear, we haven't left yet and already there are complications. A blind Guar? Still, it's rather rude to laugh about it."


OOC: I hadn't thought further than 'it's a biscuit', so whatever you say is fine with me.

Posted by: canis216 Feb 4 2009, 06:02 AM

Dranas Heleran, Balmora

Drana idly chewed on a tough strip of scrib jerky as he waited near the front of the pack train with his two guars. He kept an eye out for Apelles Velvius--certainly Velvius would be keeping an eye on him. It was, he thought, an unfortunate situation. Were it not for the Cyrodiil his troubles would be limited to keeping an eye on his stuff and sniffing out potential customers.

There was a bit of commotion at the back of line. Dranas noticed an armiger pointing at laughing at some shrouded fellow leading a blind guar. Dranas wasn't nearly as amused--shroud often meant pilgrim, and pilgrims were bad for business. Hopefully, he thought, there wouldn't be too many of the devout in camp.

Posted by: Dantrag Feb 8 2009, 07:43 AM

Dralas, Balmora

After Rianne caught his attention, he headed that way with Temple supplies in hand. He stopped in his tracks, however, when an Armiger stood on a stack of crates and shouted.

"Attention all travellers! The caravan heading to Ghostgate will be leaving momentarily. I am to remind you that you are ultimately responsible for the Temple's materials that you carry, and you may be fined for their loss. You are to obey all Armigers and other escorts on the journey, and I don't want to see any trouble from any of you. There is enough of that in the wilderness. All that said, wrap up any business you may have right now and make your way to the city gate. We are leaving in five."

Dralas went over to Rianne when the Armiger stepped down.

"I guess that's it then," he said, just now realizing that someone else was there too.

He extended his hand like he'd seen other people do when introducing themselves, "Dralas," he said to the stranger.

OOC: tried to speed things up a lil

Posted by: minque Feb 8 2009, 09:51 AM

Rianne

She heard the Armiger's proclamation with a slight twist in her stomach. Ok so now it was time, al last they would be on their way...soon. Good...she smiled, not so much at the fact that they were off, no she smiled when seeing Dralas beside her.

"Hey, put your things on Morrie here, she's strong, she can carry four of those" she pointed at his sacks.

"we could as well share a guar...besides I've got some breakfast for you if you like, nothing fancy just bread and scrib-jerky, but it's too much for me anyway"

Rianne smiled again at both men standing next to her, and handed Dralas a package wrapped in paper

Why do I have this strange premonition....why??

Posted by: The Bean Feb 8 2009, 01:16 PM

Erna Rahnis

"Well, about time!" Erna proclaimed to no one in particular-the waiting had been getting dull. With a tug, his pulled his guar along behind him, the creature grunting as it started walking.

He noticed Rianne the ashlander looked slightly uncomfortable for some reason, but shrugged it off. Sometimes he had that effect on people. He glanced around, seeing who else was in the crowd, but it was just a mix of merchants, workers and guards. Nothing interesting. Hopefully, however, there would be something to do soon enough. Until then, he would have to make do without any entertainment.

Posted by: Olen Feb 8 2009, 07:38 PM

Rothan

"Eventually," muttered Rothan, "I thought we were going to stand here all day." He took a bite of cake, "I suppose I should go and see if that pilgrim is alright later, I know the hlaalu are bad but shifting a blind guar onto a pilgrim is a bit rough, though he's an idiot for accepting it."

He watched a group of armigers bustle away towards the gate followed by the first few pack guar and their handlers.

Posted by: jack cloudy Feb 8 2009, 10:16 PM

Eno arval

Eno shrugged.
"Well, or maybe he just doesn't like to cause a fuss. Besides, if he knows how to lead it, things might end up being just fine. I imagine it would have been worse if the Guar was rabid." He said and then bowed to pluck the big lump of grass from his own Guar's mouth. The creature grunted in protest and he patted it on the head.
"Sorry, my friend. But we must get moving and people would complain if you left part of your meal all over the place. I'll make it up to you later, ok?" Eno told it. When it was their turn to move, he gave a light tug on the leash and they walked towards the gate.

Haz

Haz sniffed when he heard the proclamation.
"Good. The sooner we move, the sooner we get there and the sooner I can stop playing this charade and make these filthy boneheads rue the day they set foot on our lands." He thought and looked over at the old decrepit collection of meat and bones beside him. They hadn't even left Balmora yet and already the Guar was trembling on its legs.
"Oh, for the love of...You stupid clerk! I'll get you for this somehow!" With an audible sigh, Haz unceremoniously heaved the pack of construction materials off its back, harnass and all. He then tied the belts and straps around himself.
"Now I'm the packanimal myself. This might have actually been amusing if I were anywhere else. Ah well, what do I do with this worthless piece of meat now?" The Argonian thought while he struggled to control his silent rage. Every fibre in his being right now begged to lash out at someone, anyone.

After a second of thought, he came to a decision and actually smiled behind the rags that covered his face.
"Meat, that's right. I'll just use you as a walking food resource. After all, if you end up dying along the way, and I bet you will, no one will have any right to complain if I turn your corpse into travel rations."

The Guar didn't protest when the Argonian dragged it along after the rest of the caravan. Perhaps it didn't know it was moving towards its doom, perhaps it didn't care. Perhaps both. Or, as Haz reasoned, most likely it just wasn't in its nature to think or care about anything.

Posted by: ShogunSniper Feb 18 2009, 04:31 AM

Falen Ienith

"You will be responsible for carrying two bags of supplies to the site. I also must tell you that you will be held responsible for said items," the clerk had been conveying the same message to everyone, "You will not need to pay for them unless you lose them. Do you understand sir?" The clerk looked up at Falen.

"Yes. Is that all?" he snapped.

The clerk began to look cross and spoke with less respect, "Will you need a guar?"

Falen wrinkled his nose at the thought of the animal. "Yes, give me one of the filthy beasts." The clerk scribbled something on the form in front of him.

"Here's your supplies," he said as he pointed his quill at the freight-moving Orc. Falen snatched up his bags and approached the guar the had been appointed to him.

His guar was old.

It smelled.

Falen did not like the guar.

He kicked the guar's foot as if to make sure it was still among the living. The guar did nothing. It simply eyed Falen with the one bulging eye on the right side of its head. He spat at it and hauled his luggage on its back. He did not secure it well and obviously showed no knowledge of how to balance supplies on a pack animal--the majority of the sacks were on one side of the beast.

Falen tugged the guar along to the tavern and left it outside as he went in.

The tavern was a mess; it looked like an outburst had happened sometime earlier. Falen paced quickly through the mess and the few patrons there. His crimson cloak glittered designs of gold and trailed behind him. It revealed the conservative black outfit he wore underneath. He dressed proudly and symmetrically; indeed, his apparel had the personality of a uniform.

"Four jugs of Mazte," he announced before he reached the bar. Falen didn't bother to address the bartender as he sifted through his satchel. He placed a jewel-sized ruby on the bar as the tender did the same with four ceramic jugs. "I don't have any coin. This will do," he instructed as he secured a cord to the bottles and slung them over his shoulder.

Falen strode out as proudly as he entered. The barkeep said nothing.

Posted by: jack cloudy Feb 21 2009, 07:15 PM

I'll move us along a few steps. Don't know anything to do with my characters though, so I'll just slip in a temporary narrator.

narrator, nowhere in particular (not that it matters)

And so the caravan set off on its journey towards the place known as Ghostgate. The morale on average was good. The weather, so far, was reasonable. The Guars, led by their handlers, trudged down the tiled road, which was meticously brushed clean of all dust and sand every mourning by members of the temple as part of their humility.

Yet, if among the travelers there was one, who could peer into the hearts of his or her fellows, he or she would notice a disturbing fact. The caravan in fact, was threatened, both from without, and from within. Behind those honest faces, some hid their criminal intent. And behind their sunny optimism, some hid an anxiety fueled by knowledge or rumour of what lay ahead.

Yes, what was to be a routine journey along a path that had already been taken by many already, would be a challenge no one could truly expect.

And so it was that, not long after leaving Balmora, the caravan entered the Foyada Mamaea, which was like a deep wound upon the land. A dry expanse of ash, rocks and withered trees.


OOC: Falen should still have the chance to catch up, or he could have caught up and joined the caravan before they even left. It's your choice, Shogunsniper.

Posted by: canis216 Feb 23 2009, 02:02 AM

Dranas Heleran

"You ready to move?"

The question came from a Buoyant Armiger arrayed in armor of green glass. Some kind of big hero, Dranas surmised... and some kind of armor. What would that fetch in Anvil? Dranas started to do some internal calculations--... the tariff on the cuirass would be at least 1000 drakes, wouldn't it?, he thought... before remembering that he had been asked a question.

"Oh, of course. Yes, my guars and I are set."

Dranas couldn't catch the armiger's expression from behind the gleaming helm, but the answer suggested that the mer wasn't put off by the delayed response: "Very good. You'll be near the head of the caravan. Follow this fellow here"--he pointed to another armiger, this one wearing chitin--"out the city gate. We are leaving now."

After nodding his agreement Dranas grabbed hold of his guars' lead ropes and made his way out of Balmora.

Posted by: Olen Feb 23 2009, 04:46 PM

Rothan

The caravan ground into motion, its vanguard was out the gate by the time the back began to move. Rothan made a face as they walked though the leavings of the guar further forward in the caravan. Perhaps I'll take a spot further forward tomorrow, he thought. It wasn't long before they passed though the gates leaving Balmora behind.

He glanced back. A couple of Armigers hurried the stragglers along. There was the pilgrim too, to Rothan his guar looked ready for the knackers, not that Rothan knew much about them. He would have to visit the pilgrim that night. Clearly the pilgrim had a vow of silence but some would still write, it depended on their sect.

"Off we go then," he said to Eno, "I hope we don't run into too much trouble on the way."

Posted by: minque Feb 25 2009, 10:50 PM

OOC: Presuming Dralas is following and accepted Rianne's offer to share Guar with her (If not I'll edit)


Rianne

"Ookay, Morrie, we're off, my girl" Rianne stroke the head of her guar and urged her to start moving. Four sacks was nothing for a big creature as Morrie, the animal grunted a bit, swayed her big head and followed the ashlander-woman like a pet-dog.

"We get along good, right? You're a good girl" Rianne whispered in her ear.

The sun was already high in the sky and she could feel the heat on her back.

She started singing in a low voice as she slowly followed the others. She gave Dralas a quick glance...he didn't respond to it....

Posted by: Dantrag Feb 28 2009, 12:21 AM

Dralas

Dralas was keeping an eye out for any Temple folk, and he didn't have to look far. They had fallen into step next to a priest and what he thought was a bard, judging by the amount of instruments his guar held.

Dralas listened to Rianne's song as they walked, taking in the greenery of the Bitter Coast while he still could. The sand was slowly getting grayer and the grass was becoming slightly yet notably more sparse. The wind would start to carry sand soon, and Dralas just knew that many of these people were in for a surprise.

Posted by: minque Feb 28 2009, 06:35 AM

Rianne

That was a good thing walking with one of her own kind, Rianne thought. She didn't have to be very social, she could take in the changes of the land they were passing through.

They ground was becoming dryer, more grey. She stopped for a short while, there was something in the wind, the wind that slowly became colder, she sighed...

"Sand" she muttered, taking out a piece of cloth from her shoulder bag, and wrapped it around her neck. When the sand storm came she would cover her nose and mouth.

Sand storms were familiar to her...and Dralas, but what about the others?

She turned to Dralas and noticed he was looking at some priest followed by some people who looked like they were from a Temple. The look of his face made her a bit worried....

Why is he really joining this caravan? Why is he looking that way?

She said nothing, if he wanted to tell her, he would do it...besides it was really not her business anyway.

Though it was a nice feeling to have one of her own beside her...it really was.

She then smiled and took out her flute and started playing...

He'll recognize this, he'll just have to!


OOC: Rianne knows a lot of hymns from other tribes, the one she's playing now is an ancient hymn from the Erabenimsun...a hymn to honor the ancestors

Posted by: jack cloudy Feb 28 2009, 10:51 PM

Eno Arval

"Oh my, most unpleasant. I'll never get these cleaned now." Eno complained upon being forced to walk right through a pile of Guar waste products. He would have preferred to swerve to the side an avoid it, but that would mean bumping into Rothan. Though, as the instrument maker reflected, it wouldn't have made any difference. Rothan had been forced to walk through the same pile as well.

"Just what do they feed their Guars up ahead? At least give them a bit less of it." He then muttered and tried his best to scrape off what he could on the sand and ash. He wasn't having much luck.

"I hope we don't run into too much trouble on the way." The priest said a short time later.
"Likewise. But look at all the protection we have. You would need a small army to seriously threaten us. That, or a really large and vicious ash storm." Eno replied cheerfully.
"But having this many swords...does that imply that the Armigers are expecting a small army worth of trouble?" He frowned as the thought rose up in his mind.
"I have to forget about that. I'm probably just imagining things."

Fortunately for him, the woman he'd met earlier decided this was the perfect time to play some music.
"Ah, just what we needed to make this trip enjoyable. That's a nice tune, I wonder where its from." The old man said to no one in particular and promptly forgot most of his worries.
"It looks like the flute I made is in good hands as well. That makes giving it away for free completely worth it."

Posted by: bbqplatypus Mar 1 2009, 04:30 AM

OOC: I wanted to do this conversation while we were still in town, but real life got in the way.



Apelles Velvus

Apelles walked alongside the caravan, his eyes ostensibly scanning the horizon. The sound of pleasant music filled the air, but he barely even noticed. Right now, all he could focus on was Dranas Heleran.

He knew exactly what he was up to. He had been in perfect position to stop him. And yet, he had failed to uncover any illicit merchandise. He had been publicly humiliated in front of a group of devout Armigers who likely already resented him to begin with.

Dranas had to be hiding the skooma somewhere. He knew this even before he searched him. But where?

His thoughts were interrupted, however, by a stern, familiar voice. "I'd like a word with you, Cyrodil."

Apelles swiveled his head around. It was Salms Ralas. He had pulled up alongside him, and the look on his face showed that he was not at all pleased with him.

Apelles measured his response carefully, making an effort to seem as respectful as possible. "Of course, muthsera. What is it that you wish to know?"

"I'd like to know what was going on with that Dunmer back at the square. You seemed to know each other." Ralas leaned in, eyes narrowed, and voice lowered to an accusatory, almost threatening whisper. "Quite frankly, I think there's something you're not telling me."

Apelles looked down at the ground beneath the Armiger's feet and scratched his head nervously. "I ran into him in a smuggler's den on an expedition a few years back. We were -"

"Guardung!" Ralas snapped. "I may not know you very well, but I'm not an idiot. You are far more familiar with him than that. At the very least, come up with a more convincing lie, or I'll have you marching right back to wherever the hell it is you came from."

Apelles looked at his surroundings. There were dozens of people within earshot. Their conversation had not attracted anyone's attention yet, but he wasn't willing to take that chance.

"It's a private matter," he said in a low voice. "One that I cannot discuss with you in public right now. Suffice to say that it concerns old business - a problem from days long past. I can assure you, sera, that it does not pose a significant threat to this caravan apart from a moral one. I can tell you about it in private, once we've made camp...if that's alright with you, of course."

"Hmph. Very well," Ralas grunted. "But if this is a private matter, as you claim it to be, my advice to you would be to keep it private. You weren't hired to capture criminals or settle old grudges - you are here to protect the caravan. Anything else is a dereliction of duty. You're endangering lives by pursuing such a trivial matter. I will NOT have any more of my men dying under my command - ESPECIALLY not to incompetence and inattentiveness! This is my caravan! I won't have anyone dying under me! I'd sooner die first! Do you understand!?" His voice grew louder and faster as he spoke. A few people even turned their heads to look at what was happening (though most still ignored them). There was something wild in his eyes - something more than mere anger. It had a tinge of madness to it.

Apelles was silent for a moment, momentarily stunned by the outburst of the previously stoic Armiger leader. Then, he finally responded. "Yes...yes, sera. I understand."

"Well, good. Carry on."

Ralas slipped back to his proper place on the perimeter. No one was the wiser, it seemed.

In the meantime, Apelles once again affixed his gaze to the area around him. This time, he made an effort to focus on the mission. However, deep in the corner of his mind, he still remembered Dranas Heleran. But there was something new as well - a feeling of dread that he could not place. And with every step they made toward Ghostgate, the feeling got stronger. He ignored it and kept onward.

Posted by: canis216 Mar 7 2009, 12:12 AM

Dranas Heleran, Foyda Mamaea

It was good, Dranas thought, that he was in the front of the caravan. Most of solid basalt basement rock of the foyada was overlain by a thin layer of fine ash blown in by the last storm, and he knew that the rest of the caravan was eating his dust, so to speak. With nothing but a few armigers in front of him, it was a problem that Dranas did not share. He was free merely to walk, enjoying the warmth of late afternoon.

He knew it wouldn't last. Soon the steep walls of Foyada Mamaea would cut off light from the setting sun, and the armigers would want to make camp. Dranas personally had no problem with leading guars at night (it was a critical skill for any smuggler worth his salt) but most folk in the caravan would lack that sort of experience. Probably they would want to set up camp at the ancient dwemer bridge they were approaching. The thought lead Dranas to briefly consider the value of dwarven metalwork at Firsthold harbor (answer: a lot) before he noticed movement at the base of the enormous bridge--kagouti.

"Hold here for a moment," an armiger commanded. "I need to consult with Salms Ralas. We might want to just drive these kagouti off, or we might want to capture a couple for food."

Posted by: bbqplatypus Mar 8 2009, 04:35 AM

Apelles Velvus

"Hmm..." Apelles muttered to himself. "That's going to be a bit of a problem." He could see the kagouti congregated near the base of the bridge - about ten of them, by his count. He noted the men who were gathering near Salms Ralas, and quickly did the same.

One of the Armigers spoke. "What do you suppose we should do, sera?"

Ralas stood there, continuing to stare at the creatures. "How many do you count? Eight?"

"Nine by my count, sera."

"Hmm...nine..."

Another Armiger spoke up. "Perhaps we could try to scare them away."

"No," Apelles interjected. "That won't work. It's mating season - they don't congregate in groups at any other time."

"Guardung - it's too late in the summer!"

"Only by a few weeks - it's not unheard of for it to happen this late."

"Might I remind you, gentlemen, that this is my decision and not yours?" Ralas snapped. "In any case, I agree with Sera Velvus. These creatures are too dangerous for us to use anything less than lethal force against them. Bring the marksmen up front, and shoot to kill. Approach slowly. Wait for my signal."

"Yes, sera." Apelles unslung his bow, and crept alongside the archers, across the barren, ashen ground between the caravan and the bridge, taking care to make as little noise as possible. They were still fairly far away, and kagouti weren't known for their terrific sense of hearing, but there was no harm in being cautious. They kept their heads low, slinking across the flat, dusty ground, until they got into range. He notched a bonemold arrow on his bow and primed it to fire. He aimed at one of the kagouti near the center. It was a female (he could tell by its larger size, and the markings on its frill). It was staring at a male and swiping one of its legs against the ground - a sign of aggression (the males were the submissive ones).

The entire contingent of marksmen now had their bows trained to targets, awaiting only the order of Salms Ralas.

Ralas held his hand up in the air and gave the signal. "Open fire!"




OOC: I'm willing to change this around a bit to include more people if it makes things more interesting. However, I think this is the way a sensible leader would deal with this. After all, if our escorts can't take care of a few kagouti by themselves, what good are they?

If everyone's okay with this, I'll post a continuation of this confrontation later.

Posted by: canis216 Mar 8 2009, 05:31 AM

OOC: Sounds fine by me. I'm going to have Dranas comment on the impending action and maybe try to account for the whereabouts of the rest of the caravan.

Dranas Heleran

Dranas watched the armigers and escorts consult with mild interest. Men such as these, he thought, should have little trouble with a few kagouti. He turned his attention to the rest of the caravan. The kagouti-enforced delay had allowed even the stragglers to catch up, and the smuggler amused himself by watching them mill about anxiously.

Finally it appeared that the lead armiger came to a decision. Several men, including Apelles Velvius, drew bows and advanced slowly forward. They were going to slay the kagouti herd. A sensible decision, Dranas thought, even as his right hand involuntarily found his steel katana. Any kagouti that survived the initial volley of arrows would be just as likely to charge the archers as it would be to run away--he would be ready, just in case.

Posted by: Dantrag Mar 8 2009, 10:01 AM

Dralas

Dralas' head was somewhere else while Rianne played her song. His eyes roamed the countryside and his mind wandered until he almost ran into a mer in front of him.

The caravan had stopped. Being at the rear and unable to see the reason over each others' heads, a loud murmur erupted amongst the travelers as they asked each other what the delay was about. Some people assumed that it was time to stop for the evening and began pitching shelters. Others kept their belongings on their guars and rested for a bit, but stayed ready to move. Dralas rolled up some hackle-lo and puffed on it.

He offered some to Rianne, who'd stopped playing now.

"What do you think is going on?"

Posted by: The Bean Mar 8 2009, 12:04 PM

Erna Rahnis

"What the hell is going on now?" Erna muttered as the caravan suddenly ground to a halt. He didn't want delays. Delays made problems, and when Erna had a problem he was upset.

And it was never good to be around Erna when he was upset.

He wandered idly over to another member of the caravan, his guar following him obediently. Erna had already shown it the penalty for disobedience.

"What's going on?" he asked.

"Bunch of Kagouti in the way apparently," the dunmer replied. "Armigers'll probably deal with the damn things."

"I should hope so," Erna said, before sauntering off again to see what Rianne was doing. He liked her.

Posted by: Olen Mar 8 2009, 04:04 PM

Rothan

The caravan slowed and ground to a halt. Rothan was too far back to see what the problem was but he assumed they'd be making camp. Predictably the caravan had made less than fantastic time and the dwemer bridge would make good shelter for those without tents. The weather was still good enough though so he wouldn't have to force himself on anyone yet. The Armigers wouldn't like having an extra body but he doubted they'd refuse a priest.

"Looks like we're stopping to camp," he said to Eno, "I wander why they've stopped us for so long. I need to find somewhere to give prayers to any who want them."

And there's that pilgrim, I must see how he's fairing with that guar...

Posted by: minque Mar 8 2009, 10:08 PM

Rianne

Rianne smiled and accepted the hackle-lo from Dralas.

"There's something going on" she said calmly "I can smell the odour of animals...probably Kagoutis"

While smoking her hackle -lo she prepared her bow. The arrow was long and smooth...Rianne stroke it gently...


She didn't really want to use it, she didn't want the others to know just how good she was with her bow, well except from Dralas of course, he was special, he was one of her own.

"Shall we try to get some information?"


"Morrie! you stay put lassie right?" Rianne whispered in the guar's ear

She took Dralas' hand and advanced forward...

Posted by: Dantrag Mar 8 2009, 10:41 PM

Dralas

Dralas wasn't sure if the bow was necessary and he was wary of leaving their things behind, but he shrugged and went with Rianne to investigate the problem. They pushed forward through the crowd and arrived in time to listen as the leaders discussed their course of action. There was a small herd of kagouti ahead, and they had apparently decided to kill them. He smiled to himself. A hunting party would not have even spoken; positions would have been taken and arrows fired with no communication beyond a hand signal or two. He had to give the Armigers credit though; the archers made short work of the creatures.

"Kagouti, just like you said. Now we figure out if we're going to set up camp or not."

He hoped that the leaders of the caravan would decide to stop for the evening, since many people at the back hadn't waited for permission anyway. It would give him a chance to wander around and ask questions about his ancestors.

I don't know even how to ask about the bones without seeming suspicious, much less who to speak to.

Posted by: minque Mar 8 2009, 10:48 PM

Rianne

"Ok, that was it then" she sighed as she saw the result of the so called hunting-party.

Pity...those kagouti wouldn't have harmed us, I could have talked them out of it


"what's the matter, Dralas?, You look weary..."

Rianne looked sternly at the young man..there was something bothering him, and she couldn't figure out what it was, and she so wanted to help him.

Her sixth sense told her something was the matter...

Posted by: jack cloudy Mar 8 2009, 11:46 PM

Eno Arval

"Really? Now I won't say I can't use a break, but still...couldn't we have travelled just a bit longer? This place looks awfully exposed to me." Eno replied to Rothan. He then shrugged as he leaned on his Guar's back. Having only one healthy leg had made it difficult to keep up with the caravan's pace, but his pride demanded of him that he would. He refused to be the cause of any slowdown.
"But then again, that bridge is the closest thing to anything even resembling cover ever since we entered the foyada. I didn't know there was a Dwemer construct here." He continued on, more to himself than to the priest.
"What do you think? Could there be ruins nearby? If so, I definitely don't want to stay here if it can be helped. Those metal creatures always give me the shivers."

Haz

Haz breathed out a silent word of relief behind his scarf. As the day had moved on, his walking meal had become harder and harder to move. Not because the Guar actively struggled, but simply because it was too weak to keep up. By the time the caravan finally stopped, he was quite literally dragging it along by its leash, pulling on the rope with both hands.
"Looks like we're done for today." He observed as people began to pull out tents.
"Even if the leader wants to move on, it will take more than a gentle word to get these fools moving again."

A soft thud made him look back. Old Eyeless, as that one Armiger had called the beast, had just collapsed in the ash. Not worried at all but with his anger rising again, Haz knelt down beside it and held a hand on its chest. Its heart was still beating, and it was still breathing, though weakly.
"Well, it looks like you've survived the first day. But will you survive the second?" The Argonian thought as he let go of the leash.
"Frankly, I would prefer it if you died quickly. Lugging around all this garbage is hard enough. I don't have the strength to pull you along as well."

Posted by: Dantrag Mar 9 2009, 01:24 AM

QUOTE(minque @ Mar 8 2009, 05:48 PM)

Posted by: canis216 Mar 9 2009, 02:52 AM

Dranas Heleran, Foyada Mamaea

Again, being at the head of the caravan had its perks. After helping assisting an armiger in the removal of a kagouti corpse (doing his part to curry favor with authority) Dranas was able to position his swag on a (blessedly) flat patch of ground adjacent to one of the massive buttresses that supported the bridge's massive span. In camping, as in all parts of his business, he was nothing if nothing if not precise. First Dranas constructed a modest campfire--he used a bit of roobrush for tinder, setting it underneath a cylindrical "yurt" of twigs and small branches. Once these caught flame, he would add larger pieces to the fire. Once the fire was ready he set some meat (courtesy of the now-exterminated kagouti herd) and ash yams over the flames. They would cook while he set up his nightly "quarters".

Dranas' sleep kit consisted of a light canvas tarp, a couple of light balsa-wood poles, eight light-weight steel stakes, a little bit of tough cord, and his custom-made sleeping bag. The tarp carried a light coating of resin that made it water-resistant and would, if erected properly, provide nearly as much shelter from wind and rain as a proper tent. Dranas stretched the tarp out and staked down the corners, as a start. Then he used his balsa poles to prop up each end of his "tent". The shelter was completed with a little more stretching and staking--easily strong enough for sleeping in the open, and nearly fool-proof in the lee of the bridge support. All that was left was to unroll his bag underneath it. It was one of his most prized possessions--tailor-made in Alinor from the strongest silks and stuffed with goose feathers for warmth. While others shivered in their bedrolls, Dranas would doze away in luxuriant warmth.

Speaking of warmth, his kagouti-meat and ash yams were on the verge of burning. Dranas rescued his food from the fire, pulled out a flask of brandy, and dined. Pure pleasure. After dinner he would be back to business--getting to know his fellow travelers and identifying the prospective customers.

Posted by: bbqplatypus Mar 9 2009, 05:13 AM

Apelles Velvus

Apelles sat beneath the shadow of the massive dwarven bridge, as the setting sun cast its few remaining rays of light as it began to dip beneath the horizon. A small, efficient fire was burning beside him, and his cloth tent and bedroll were set up near him. He eyeballed the piece of meat roasting on the fire.

"Hmm..." he muttered. "Looks done."

He quickly grabbed the meat from the kagouti he had slain from the makeshift spit he had put it on. It had been a good, clean kill - straight through the ears. It was probably completely painless. He may have been a decent shot, but he was rarely that accurate. Such an occasion called for a celebration. He pulled out his hip flask and took a swig.

However, he couldn't savor the meal for too long. He had to get to sleep as soon as he could - the escorts would be guarding the caravan in shifts during the night. He had drawn the last shift, in the early morning, well before sunrise. It suited him well - he was an early riser. He was used to getting little sleep on expeditions into the wilderness.

But it was starting to take its toll on him. He could still do the job competently, though he wasn't quite as good as he once was. But he knew he didn't have many years left - five at the very most. His fortieth birthday was but a few months away. And the dull life of a House administrator did not suit him well at all.

Apelles looked at the great brass edifice towering above the caravan. He marveled at its intricate construction - the patterns and engravings visible even from a hundred feet below. Somehow, the structure had endured for over thirty-five centuries - longer than Vvardenfell had been an island. It had survived the great eruption that had so violently separated it from the mainland. Had it been built by any other species (save perhaps the Ayleids), it would have long since crumbled into dust, having been abandoned for so long.

Apelles would die - probably sooner rather than later. And as the centuries passed, even his memory would be lost to the sands of time. But that bridge would still be standing there, long after his children's children's children's children had succumbed to the worms.

And then he would pass into the halls of Aetherius, where he would be remade and reborn. All that he had ever been before would be purged - lost forever, forgotten even to the Nine. Gone. Destroyed. His soul would survive, but it would no longer be his. Neither he nor anything that defined who he was would survive his death. After all his living was through, after all the excitement and boredom, all the joy and misery that he had experienced, he would be unceremoniously dismantled for metaphysical scrap by a few distant, indifferent gods. And then the cycle would begin again, with a new generation born to be forgotten by their successors. And through it all, that damn bridge would still be standing there - a hunk of metal that would endure longer than the memory of any man.

In a way, he could understand why the Dunmer worshiped their ancestors - that they may not be forgotten. That they may live forever in the hearts of their descendants.

But he could never do it himself. He could never bring himself to worship his father.

He took another swig of brandy and put the cap back on the flask. Yes, soon he would rest. But first, he needed to talk to Salms Ralas.

Quietly, he got up and made his way to the lead Armiger's tent.

Posted by: canis216 Mar 9 2009, 05:48 AM

Dranas Heleran

Finished with dinner, Dranas was finally able to amble about camp. He noticed a pair of ashlanders in conversation--one man, one woman. Dranas had done a little bit of trading with the Zainab (exchanging perfectly legal potions for highly illegal tariff-free ebony and volcanic glass, mostly) but otherwise had few dealings with them. Why would ashlanders be doing traveling to a Temple project? It was curious. He would have to think on it.

Passing the ashlanders by, Dranas turned his attention to a pair of modestly attired city Dunmer. One, and older fellow, was a bit shorter than he was and appeared to walk with a bit of a limp. He leaned very slightly against a long walking stick. Aside from the walking stick he was unarmed. The other man was younger, taller, fitter, and armed with a small iron (OOC: is it iron, Olen? I'm guessing.) club. Dranas tramped up to them and extended a hand.

"Good evening," he said. "I don't believe we've met. I'm Dranas Heleran, trader extraordinaire."

Posted by: jack cloudy Mar 9 2009, 10:53 PM

Eno Arval

It had become clear to Eno that this place would be their camp for the night. He'd just turned his attention towards the straps of his Guar when Rothan and he were approached by a fellow traveller.
"Ah, good evening. It is a pleasure to meet you. My name is Eno Arval, and I make musical instruments. My friend here...Ah, it's not my place to speak without seeking your approval. Perhaps you prefer to make your introduction yourself? Besides, I have some matters to attend to and I'd rather get them done while there is still a sun to see by." He said, finishing with a nod to Rothan.

He then excused himself as he turned his attention back towards his Guar for the moment. With a few quick tugs on the right knots and pieces of rope, he freed his tent from the creature's back. The Dunmer laid the various pieces on the ground and then removed the rest of his luggage.
"There you go. Feels a lot better doesn't it, with all that dead weight off your back, hmm?" He said while patting its nose.
"And don't worry, I'll give you your diner soon."

Posted by: Olen Mar 10 2009, 05:24 PM

Rothan

Eno turned to his guar leaving Rothan with the mer who'd introduced himself as Dranas. He sported a mohawk, as was common among the more fashion conscious of the younger generation. But there was something about him which made Rothan sure he wasn't so wet behind the ears.

"I'm Rothan Sarayn, priest. If you're interested in prayer I shall be giving praise to Vivec once people have settled." He stopped to put his pack down, "What is it you trade in?"

The sun was going down and he wanted to deliver a short sermon, assuming anyone had the energy, before it set.

Posted by: canis216 Mar 10 2009, 06:28 PM

Dranas Heleran

Dranas was taken somewhat aback by the priest's question. What did he trade in? He'd not really ever given it much thought. After all, Dranas Heleran traded in everything; drugs, slaves, sex, information--all were means to an end.

"Well serjo, I suppose you could say that I trade in most anything. Tools, weapons, raw construction materials, foodstuffs, potables... I guess you could say that I'm a regular general store. And if I don't have it, I know where it can be got--and for the best price."

He continued, "I take it you're along to bless the construction? I wish I could say that I was interested in your prayer, as you seem a good fellow, but I must confess to not being a very religious man. I was raised far away from the Temple, and about the only prayers I've ever made were to Tava or Kynareth, and only under duress. Sailing will do that."

Posted by: Olen Mar 10 2009, 09:21 PM

Rothan

Rothan wandered just how far anything went but decided not to say anything. Any big project would attract entrepreneurs perhaps Dranas dealt in illicit wares but equally the suggestion might have been innocent. Either way it wasn't his business, yet. He was used to people not being interested in religion, especially outlanders and didn't really care. The sermon was only a cover anyway.

"Very well, if you ever feel you wish to know more I am here," he paused to rake though his bag, "I'm about to have some hackle-lo tea if you want some, I swear I'm always most tired after the first day."

He pulled a small pan from his bag and quickly found some, rather low quality, dried hackle-lo but whoever had packed hadn't given him anything to sweeten it with.

"Hmm," he looked back to Dranas, "Do you have any sugar?"

Posted by: canis216 Mar 10 2009, 09:39 PM

Dranas Heleran

For a moment Dranas thought that the priest was asking for moon sugar (such was the way his mind was programmed) but he quickly recalibrated his thinking. Rothan wanted the ordinary, non-illegal, sweetener. Though it was true that the one of the main khajiti uses for moon sugar was to sweeten cooking... not now!, he thought.

"Of course," he said. "I've got a whole sack of it over at my camp. If you want to start on the tea, I'll go get the sugar."

Posted by: Olen Mar 10 2009, 10:33 PM

Rothan

Rothan nodded as Dranas departed and started laying a small fire. Some other travellers already had theirs going so he borrowed a burning stick rather than striking a fresh fire himself. He set the pan between two stones on the fire and waited for it to boil. He had just added the leaves when Dranas returned with the sugar.

"Thanks," said Rothan, "Put a fair bit in, I could use the energy. I wander if any of that Kagouti meat is still available..."

Posted by: canis216 Mar 10 2009, 10:58 PM

Dranas Heleran

Dranas spooned out an ample helping of sugar, speaking as he worked.

"This here is the finest--maybe the second finest--sugar in the Empire. Got it straight from the cane fields outside Torval, in Elsweyr. You know this stuff is blessed by The Mane? Don't know if you've heard of him, but he's kind of the local deity, in my understanding. Kind of like your Tribunal... except mortal, I guess."

Dranas finally looked up. "You wanted kagouti meat?"

Posted by: The Bean Mar 10 2009, 11:56 PM

Erna Rahnis

As darkness began to settle over the camp, Erna realised he would need a place to sleep. And he wouldn't mind some company.

The guar's former owner had packed a tent, and so Erna cast around for a place to set it up, before noticing that two men, one older than the other, had set up their tents and there was room for a third. He could also smell some hackle lo tea brewing.

He wandered over to the two men and asked; "Room for anyone else?"

Posted by: bbqplatypus Mar 11 2009, 01:57 AM

Apelles Velvus

Apelles made his way toward Salms Ralas's tent. It wasn't too far off - under the bridge, near the north end of the camp.

As he walked, he passed by Dranas Heleran, who was talking to a pair of Dunmer.

Potential customers, perhaps, he thought. He paid them no heed - he knew Heleran wouldn't conduct his real business out in the open like this. He was likely just scouting out for possible buyers.

But then he heard the word "sugar" and stopped dead in his tracks.

He wouldn't dare...

He shot a quick glance over to the scene. They were beside a small fire, boiling some tea. He wasn't sure, but one of them looked to be a priest. Definitely not his usual clientele.

Ah...he was talking about regular sugar.

Still, the conversation intrigued him. He listened in a bit closer.

Oooh...not the kind of thing you should say to a priest. Apelles winced.

He decided he'd stay put for a while, just to listen to how the priest would respond. He remained still, but inconspicuous, sitting down on the dry ground next to a group congregated around a large fire, avoiding looking at them too directly. However, he was seriously contemplating actually confronting them...

Posted by: Olen Mar 11 2009, 01:35 PM

Rothan

Rothan hardly heard the offer of kagouti meat. The comment about the Tribunal had hit a little to close to a certain text which lay in the back of his pack. Are they truly immortal? Yes, the text must be lies... He shook the thoughts from his mind. Dranas couldn't possibly know. But suddenly the book didn't seem quite as well hidden as he'd have liked.

He became aware his silence was stretching, "Quite. The Tribunal are immortal and will watch over us." Even that didn't fit though, if they were all powerful then why were they only fencing Dagoth Ur in? He paused, aware that he should be spouting a sermon. But how balanced could such a sermon be? "When Almsivi washed clean Vvardenfel of the taint of Dagoth Ur they returned as our immortal protectors..." he let it trail away. "Anyway," he continued stirring the pot, "Sounds like this sugar is quite the stuff. Not the only sugar to some out of Elsweyr mind, I hope you're not trying to poison me." He smiled.

Just as he was going to pour the tea a figure emerged by the fire. "Room for anyone else?" he asked.

"I'd say so. I'm Rothan Sarayn, priest." Rothan extended his hand.

Posted by: canis216 Mar 11 2009, 03:42 PM

Dranas Heleran

Poison? His stuff?

"The best moon sugar is no more dangerous than this cane stuff right here..." he started, before realizing that he'd gone down a road he hadn't intended. He tried to save face by pretending to notice the newcomer for the first time.

"Oh, hello. Dranas Heleran, trader. By all means, have a seat."

Then he tried to restart the conversation with Rothan on a different tack, recalling something curious the man had just said.

"So wait, if the Tribunal washed clean the taint of Dagoth Ur, why are they building a Ghostfence, again? I mean, what happened?"

Posted by: The Bean Mar 11 2009, 08:22 PM

"Thank you," Erna said, before remembering the normal thing to do and adding; "Erna Rahnis."

He sat down and slung his pack next to him, sizing up the two men. One of them had a ridiculous mohawk haircut, and the other seemed to be a priest. Erna could tell that he was one of the types that thought he was big-his type had joined his friends before.

They usually died the quickest. And even if he didn't, Erna might just kill him anyway. Anyone stupid enough to grow their hair like that didn't deserve to live, in his opinion.

The priest could be a problem-they always seemed to take offence at his kind of worship, and most of them were never open minded enough just to be nice to him after they discovered it. Erna slipped the small brass pendant deeper beneath his shirt, for once taking care not to cut himself on its razor edge.

"So," he said. "What was this about the tribunal?"

Posted by: minque Mar 12 2009, 09:01 PM

QUOTE(Dantrag @ Mar 9 2009, 01:24 AM)

Posted by: Olen Mar 12 2009, 09:53 PM

Rothan

Dranas's comments on moonsugar struck Rothan as strange. Most of the native dunmer would deny any knowledge of the drug, even the most liberal wouldn't defend its use. Yet Dranas mentioned it as if it was a simple thing like flour. It was possible he was a user but then Rothan remembered him mentioning that he traded in anything. The next thing Dranas said dispelled any musings from Rothan's mind though. It was very close to heresy, and to the more problematic issues raised in a certain book.

"During the battle of Red Mountain Almsivi ventured deep into the caverns of Dagoth Ur to confront the evil Dwemer and the treacherous House Dagoth. By providence the faithless outlanders were utterly destroyed," he paused. None doubted this much but then came a harder part. What to say? "When they returned they were our gods by the virtue of fighting evil and the blessings of the ancestors and good Deadra." He paused again. He didn't believe the last part, not completely. And he wasn't a great lair.

"Anyway in recent years the ashstorms have become worse and the profane lands around Red Mountain ever more dangerous. It seems likely that the power of Dagoth Ur has increased, and that I why we act." Again he stopped. This time he decided not to continue as the last sentence played though his head. He'd meant the crater named after the vile creature whom the Tribunal defeated. It hadn't come out that way, but it was what he believed.

Just then the ashlander woman who was in the caravan came over and spoke to Dranas. Rothan was glad of the interruption though he regarded her with mistrust. What place did a heathen ashlander have in a temple project?

Posted by: canis216 Mar 12 2009, 10:08 PM

Dranas Heleran

The ashlander woman's interruption was welcome, if a little odd. In any case, it gave him an out from this odd conversation--clearly his question troubled the priest, for some reason. Very curious. Ah, but the question.

"Firewood? My good lady, I must confess that I'm not really carrying any." He pointed to a little shrub, then to a trama root. "You can use fire petals for tinder and break off some trama for wood. A little fire spell to get it lit, or if you're out of magic, like I sometimes am, you can rub sticks together. Fire petals will catch a flame real easy."

He stopped, feeling odd. An ashlander, he thought, would know all that he just said already. So why ask him? Perhaps she had another purpose.

He extended a hand. "Dranas Heleran, by the way."

Posted by: minque Mar 12 2009, 10:20 PM

Rianne

Ahhh yes it is him! I do recognize him, He was visiting the Zainab..yes! yes he went to the wise woman's yurt..hmm Dranas..oh yes that's definitely him


"Rianne..." she said silently. " I..I thank you for your advice2 she bowed her head. "I sort of overheard your conversation just now, so I understand you're a trader?


I won't go any further, this man knows things, I'll be watching him, maybe Dralas could have some tiny use of this man..later

Rianna turned around and returned to Dralas and Morrie

"Crap, I forgot the poles" she sighed

Posted by: Olen Mar 12 2009, 11:15 PM

OOC: Am I right in thinking that Rianne has left earshot of the group where she is with Dralas? If not I'll edit.

Rothan

Rothan watched the ashlander walk away. Why would an ashlander woman ask about fire-making. They seemed to be able to find just about anything out in the ashlands, and the foyada was certainly similar enough. It was almost as if she had been thinking of buying something wit the trader comment.

"A strange one and no mistake," he said, "What do you think she wanted?"

Posted by: The Bean Mar 12 2009, 11:56 PM

Erna

"No idea," Erna said. "I reckon she's up to something. Got an ulterior motive. Can't trust those ashlanders."

He poured himself a cup of hackle-lo tea.

"I spoke to her before we left," Erna continued. "And I just thought there was something odd about her. Like that guar of hers-no guar should be that well behaved, it's just natural. You know what I reckon?"

He leant forwards conspiritorialy.

"I reckon that she's a witch of some sort."


OOC: I really hope Rianne is out of earshot...

Posted by: canis216 Mar 13 2009, 01:53 AM

Dranas Heleran

"Hmph. I don't know about that. Most ashlanders are pretty good with guars, far as I can tell. Hell, I'm pretty good with guars myself."

He paused, poured himself a cup of tea.

"But she might be mabrigash. They're common enough. Or she just could just be a wise-woman type. Either way, I've no idea what she could want, 'specially from me. Save for the Zainab, ashlanders ain't much for trading with outlanders like myself, or even Great House Dunmer, for that matter. Curious, is what it is."

Dranas finally endeavored to change the conversation... he didn't care to speculate more on the matter of the ashlander without having more time to think on it.

"So, Erna, what are you here for?"

Posted by: The Bean Mar 13 2009, 07:46 AM

Erna

Erna almost panicked when he heard that question, but he kept his cool and remembered his cover story.

"Me?" he asked. "I tell fortunes. Tarot, you see?"

He pulled a pile of paper cards from the pocket of his coat.

"You?" he asked.

Posted by: canis216 Mar 13 2009, 08:18 AM

Dranas Heleran

"As I said before, I'm a trader. Tools, weapons, general supplies, food and drink... I'm the man to see."

Dranas paused to mix a little brandy in with his tea... magic tea, he called the combination.

"Ahh... that's good. Nothing like a little brandy before bed. I hope your tarot business goes well. I believe that I ought to hit the sack here shortly. Be a long day tomorrow, I imagine." Dranas finished his magic tea and stood. "Good night, gentlemen."

Posted by: Dantrag Mar 13 2009, 05:59 PM

QUOTE(minque @ Mar 12 2009, 05:20 PM)

Posted by: minque Mar 13 2009, 08:46 PM

Rianne

"Yes...i recognized him, he's a shrewd one, a merchant, he claims to be, but his merchandise could be of various kind!..Besides, he knows everything, I bet he knows where your.....items are"

Dralas hadn't exactly told her what he was looking for, but she knew what it was, she just knew.

She took one of the blankets and wrapped it around her.. Then she approached Morrie and whispered omething in her ear. The big animal shook her big head , then laid herself down and so provided a kind of shelter...

Rianne smiled, took out some hackle-lo lit one and offered Dralas the other

"So friend, why don't you tell me exactly what you're after? I am sure I can help you, those men over there...I stunned them, they don't know what to think of me, hehe, an ashlander asking for fire-woods, pffff that's what I told them...and the trader..he didn't recognize me, that's for sure"

she put out her hackle-lo and starte playing the flute, very silently and suggestive

Posted by: Dantrag Mar 13 2009, 11:01 PM

Dralas

While Rianne piddled on the flute, he answered, "Between me and you, the Temple is taking the bones of our ancestors and using them in construction of the fence. My family's tomb was raided, and the bones taken. I tracked them to this caravan, but that's all I know." He spit the leaf he had been chewing on the ground to make room for Rianne's rolled leaf. He suddenly realized how much he had been using hackle-lo in some form or other, but ignored the thought in favor of more important ones.

"And if this merchant does know anything. I'll bet he wants to be paid," he paused to take a deep breath of smoke, "That's a bit of a problem for me."

Dralas left out a few key elements in his story, like killing people of his own clan and being exiled, but they weren't things he liked to even think about, much less talk about. What would he do once he recovered the bones? He couldn't go back home, and he refused to live in a permanent settlement for a long period of time. Setting that thought aside for later, he took in more smoke.

Posted by: jack cloudy Mar 13 2009, 11:12 PM

OOC: Wait, you can play a flute silently? Err, I'll just go and assume you mean it is little more than a whisper. Also, I find it somewhat amusing that Eno has essentially been given the opportunity to listen in on the whole sugar/moonsugar/religion conversation because he's building a tent right next to them! But don't worry folks, I'll make it easy for you to keep things a secret from him, if you want to.

Eno Arval

Rothan and the man with the mohawk, this Dranas Heleran, had begun a conversation. However, Eno was so focussed on first building his tent (little more than a glorified umbrella) and then feeding his Guar that he honestly couldn't tell what the conversation had been about. He did remember the words 'tea' and 'Tribunal being mentioned once or twice, so he assumed it had been some simple inquiries into each other's profession and preferred drink. Maybe he would talk to Dranas later, see what kind of goods he had.

Once he'd finished his tasks, the Dunmer stood up and stretched till he heard a soft pop somewhere down his spine. Looking over his shoulder, he noticed that a third Dunmer had joined.
"Hmm, I've seen him before. Oh right, he was that Rahnis fellow, Erna. We met last night at the tavern, just before I went to sleep. Or tried to sleep." Eno thought and for a moment wondered if he should try to join them.

He'd just opened his mouth to speak however, when a pair of Armigers walked passed, no doubt on their way to their place for tonight's watch. One of them, was bragging to the other about his archery.
"You should have seen the eyes of that beast. They nearly bulged out of its skull when it suddenly found its tongue pinned to the back of its throat by my arrow."

Eno's gaze followed the two men till they vanished behind one of the large rocks that were strewn about the foyada.
"Kagouti? Hmm, this could be an opportunity. They came from the front of the caravan so, I think I'll check it out." He decided, patted his Guar on the head, checked the pole he'd hammered into the ground and tied it to, and finally set off towards the front of the caravan.

As he neared the front, he saw that there had indeed been Kagouti, a whole herd of them. A single Armiger was posted to stand watch over the carcasses, while plenty of travellers flocked around it like Cliffracers.
"Ah, excuse me, good sir." Eno called out and approached the Armiger.
"Hmm, you want Kagouti meat for diner as well? Well, I do admit that the rations they hand out aren't exactly tasty." The Armiger replied with a chuckle. He then turned his head back towards the besieged cadavers and shook his head.
"Well, I'm not interested in their meat actually...Forgive me for asking, but does something bother you?" Eno said as he watched the scene with the man.

"It's nothing, but my father was a butcher you know. He could strip a Guar of its finest meat, all through just a small slit in the skin as long a finger. These men and women, they just hack off whatever looks tastiest for them, throw away what they don't need and leave the rest to rot. Look at how they tore the beautiful skin of those animals to pieces. It just feels like a waste to me, I guess." The Armiger muttered.
"But enough about me, how can I help you? You said you weren't interested in their meat. Good for you, because what's left has been trampled into the ash."

"Indeed, I am not interested in the flesh, but rather in the bones." Eno told him. He already leaned forward to get a closer look at a Kagouti's toe.
"The bones? I don't understand but I suppose it is no problem." The butcher's son answered.
"Really? That is wonderfull. I'm an instrument maker, you know. Bones are such wonderful materials that can be used for just about anything. Flutes, drumsticks, plugs, bells. I'm particularly fond of Cliff-racer bones for flutes. They're already hollow, you see."

"An instrument maker? I would love to hear you play one day. If it's bones you want, I can give you any bone you want. But leave the cutting to me. I'm not a professional like my father, but I might still be able to save some of the meat." The Armiger said and they both moved in to investigate a carcass that the other travelers had judged as 'stripped clean'. Eno laughed.
"Believe me, you'd rather not. I'm much better at making them than I am at playing them. Now how about we take a thighbone? I haven't worked with something that big before."


Haz, somewhere at the rear of the caravan

Haz ate his rations with his back turned to everybody else. He refused to risk showing his scaled snout to anyone. After that, he simply laid down on his back and closed his eyes. All over the place he had seen tents being set up but he didn't have one. Didn't need one either.
"After all, what need does a hero have for comfort?"

Posted by: Olen Mar 19 2009, 07:58 PM

Rothan

"Good night gentlemen," said Dranas as he stood.

Rothan nodded, "I think it's time I hit the sack too. Thanks for the sugar."

He opened his pack and pulled out a blanket. One side had a waxed canvas stitched to it to protect against any morning dew. He laid it out on a flattish patch of ground by the fire. He pulled a sweetroll from his pack and munched it with the blanket wrapped round him.

Posted by: canis216 Mar 20 2009, 02:02 AM

Dranas Heleran

Dranas ambled the short distance back to his camp. He quickly parceled out some wickwheat to his guars, then looked over the camp. In perfect order--he noted his bags intact, his sword sitting under next to his bedroll. He made sure the fire was out cold--it was--then ducked under his tarp and wormed his way into his sleeping bag. Pure heaven... soft, warm, snug. He let himself drift off into sleep.

----------------

OOC: I hesitate to write a morning yet... were Rianne and Dralas still sort of talking? And was Apelles going to speak with the armiger? If there is nothing else when I wake up tomorrow, I will write a morning for Dranas and let everyone else settle their business as they will.

Posted by: canis216 Mar 21 2009, 06:39 PM

Dranas Heleran

As the sky shifted gradually from black to navy to pale blue dawn, so too Dranas shifted from asleep to fitful consciousness to fully awake. It was morning. He enjoyed a final moment in the luxurious warmth of his bag before squirming out from underneath his tarp to stand upright. He grabbed his sword and scabbard, secured his arsenal to his side, and then made for his sack of wickwheat. His guars would need feeding.

That accomplished he rekindled his fire, then greased his skillet and sat the cast-iron upon the flames with a great chunk of salted crab meat sitting inside. With the meat cooking he had time to lean back against one of his packs, gnaw on scrib jerky, and watch the others stir.

Posted by: jack cloudy Mar 22 2009, 07:27 PM

Haz.

Haz had trouble sleeping with the knowledge that he was surrounded by nothing but Dunmer. As such, he was already wide awake well before sunrise. He looked at the decrepit Guar as the sky slowly brightened. The beast continued to amaze him with its desire to live. He had been absolutely convinced that it would die during the cold night.
"But I bet you're going to force me to drag you around again today. Really, I should just forget about all this and kill you. I'd be doing you a favour. But I can't do that because one of those pointy-eared rats would complain about it. Stupid elves." He thought angrily.

Posted by: Olen Mar 22 2009, 10:05 PM

Rothan

Rothan awoke with the dawn. Most of the caravan still slept, or had only just woken so he took a few minutes to stretch the knots from his back. Getting soft, he thought to himself, Too much time on soft mattresses and not on the trail. Once he'd finished he dressed and tried to adjust the unfamiliar weight of the cudgel on his hip so it was comfortable. After a few moments he gave up and opened his bag.

The fire had burnt to dull embers and he couldn't be bothered resurrecting it. They'd be off soon with any luck. He pulled out the squashed remnants of a sweetroll and decided to call it breakfast. A bit of ash had gotten into his pack and made it taste a bit strange but he was hungry and didn't mind.

Posted by: The Bean Mar 22 2009, 10:32 PM

Erna

Erna shivered himself awake with a grin of tortured joy upon his face. With nothing but his thick shirt and coat to protect himself from the cold of the night, getting sleep was hard, but the destruction of the self was the perfect tribute to his master. Even if he died of cold, he knew it would still be a gratefully accepted sacrifice.

He stretched and yawned, before seeing that the priest Rothan had begun to start a new fire from the remains of the old one. He searched through the pack on his dozing guar, before discovering a pair of kwarma eggs stored within.

"How do kwarma eggs sound for breakfast?" Erna asked.

Posted by: Olen Mar 25 2009, 01:28 AM

OOC: Rothan didn't actually restart the fire but it doesn't matter

Rothan

"Sounds fine," Rothan answered. He thought about offering Erna some sweetroll but it wasn't really fit to give to anyone. He swallowed the last couple of bites. "What was it you said you were going to the construction for?"

Posted by: Dantrag Mar 26 2009, 06:02 PM

Dralas

Dralas was up early that morning after a decent sleep under nothing but sky. Deciding against breakfast, he splashed some water on his face and lit another roll of hackle-lo before walking around the camp. His eyes scanned in every direction as he moved, noting things of interest. The Temple's 'official' tent wasn't hard to spot. It was stood taller and wider than most others, and it had a vent at the top making an interior fire possible. Smoke was rising from it this morning, and the smell made Dralas suddenly want breakfast.

He doubted that the priests would have the bones with them in the tent; it would most likely be treated as cargo and guarded. He tossed his burnt out leaf and went towards the tent anyway. Inside, the fire glowed and thin strips of hound meat were being cooked. To his left were the healers, who had a few bedrolls laid out on the ground and two tables crowded with alchemical supplies. He assumed that the living quarters were on his right, since a curtain divided the tent.

"Hello!" a cheerful young priest greeted him, "How can the Temple serve you?"

"Yes, I uh, think I'm sick," it was a lame excuse, but figured it could start up some conversation.

"Here, sit." the priest said, leading him to one of the bedrolls, "So what exactly is wrong?"

"I'm coughing often," he coughed just then for added effect, "And sometimes get chills."

"Hmm...sounds like I could fix it with some chokeweed and lichen."

While the priest stood working at the table, Dralas stayed put.

"Have you been to Ghostgate yet?" he asked the priest.

"Oh, yes a few times! It's coming along nicely, but it's still dangerous out there in the ashlands. Ghostgate itself is safe enough, but some of the construction crews farther out are seeing trouble." he said, "Dagoth Ur is trying desperately to stop us, but the Armigers and Ordinators do well at keeping everyone safe."

"So you really think this wall is going to keep the blight and monsters inside for good?"

The priest seemed puzzled, "This is no ordinary wall, sir. Haven't you heard?"

He played the ignorant ashlander for a moment, "No,"

"Here, take this," the priest said, handing him a cup full of the fresh concoction.

Dralas drank while the priest resumed, "Anyway, the Ghostfence is no ordinary wall. It's going to be a great shield, fueled by the combined powers of the Tribunal."

"But ghost fences used to be everywhere. The Houses used the bones of their ancestors to fuel them. How is this one different?"

The priest paused for a moment, surprised by Dralas' sudden bluntness, "Yes, the old customs are changing. The Temple is requesting the remains of many ancestors, but that alone will not be enough for a ghost fence this size. That's why the Tribunal is stepping in."

Dralas nodded and dropped the implications he was making, "Well, thank you for the potion. I think I feel better already."

As he left the tent, he kept thinking. He had guessed from the beginning what the Temple was using the bones for; he had heard of ghost fences. But the priest had mentioned it casually, as if many Velothi were donating their ancestors' remains. Dralas wondered if the Tribunal would even contribute any real energy to the fence if the use of bones was this widespread.

He walked back towards his own small camp site.

Posted by: bbqplatypus Mar 26 2009, 06:51 PM

Apelles Velvus

Apelles continued to stand on guard on the edges of the camp, scanning the area for threats. He had been up for a few hours now, doing his duties as an escort. The sun had just risen - the beginning of the end of the dawn hour. He could feel more relaxed at dawn. The crepuscular fauna of Morrowind - the creatures of Azura - were less of a threat to humans than those of Nocturnal.

He pulled some food out of his pack and began to eat. A cold breakfast was the only kind he could have while still remaining focused on his duty.

He thought back to last night, when he had told Salms Ralas of his history with Dranas Heleran. He had seemed so...indifferent about it. As if he were preoccupied by something else. He dismissed him quickly as soon as he had explained everything. He had no additional questions, or statements of concern.

It seemed so unlike him to be so dismissive. And his eyes had seemed to be staring far off into the distance - beyond even the end of the horizon. Apelles had noticed this and asked what was wrong.

"Nothing," he had said. "Nothing more than concern for the caravan."

"Well, this caravan is far better prepared than the last one. We have more men, more blight cures, Intervention scrolls..."

"Yes...of course..." he trailed off, concerns not alleviated.

"Well, I hope you feel better about it soon, because we won't make it far if our leader's head is a clouded mess of unfounded worries." Apelles regretted it the moment he said it - he hadn't even been drinking much. This was simply a stupid thing to say to a superior officer.

"Get out," Ralas said quietly.


Apelles took another bite of hound jerky. Salms' behavior last night had been quite curious indeed. His reaction to what Apelles had said seemed to snap him out of it slightly, but not entirely.

Apelles stirred and walked toward a roaring fire. One of the Armigers was boiling a large pot of hackle-lo tea for the guards on duty - a common courtesy shown to early-morning shifts. He certainly could use some tea right now.

Posted by: minque Mar 26 2009, 07:04 PM

Rianne

"Pffff" Rianne woke up abruptly because a small scrib was walking over her face. She shoved the animal away, gently, she didn'r want it no harm. It was early morning, she noticed Dralas was gone though...

She took out some hackle-lo and rolled it thoroughly before she lit it. The smoke going down her lungs made her cough.

Then she saw Dralas exit the Temple's tent...

What is he up to? He should be more careful, those Temple-guys are not to be trusted..


"Heey, Friend, good morning, fancy some breakfast?"

She looked in her backpack to see what's available; bread, scrib-jerky and quite a lot of hackle-lo

Ah well we'll survive

Posted by: jack cloudy Mar 26 2009, 09:23 PM

Eno Arval

"Ow, my leg feels all cramped. That's why I hate sleeping outdoors." Were Eno's first words after waking up. He carefully massaged his crippled leg, sneering a little as his fingers rubbed over the bump that indicated the place where the bone had once been broken and never healed properly.

As he did so, he looked at the camp around him. It seemed that he had been among the last to wake up. Among the last, not the last, he noted to himself slightly amused. His Guar was still soundly asleep it seemed and he chose not to wake it just yet.
"We've got a long day ahead of us again, so I might as well let you enjoy your sleep for a bit longer."

He also noticed Erna and Rothan sitting around last night's campfire right next to him.
"Ah, good morning. Had a good rest, I hope? No muscle cramp anywhere?" He said to them with a nod and then reached for his own bag of rations, knocking over the small pile of Kagouti bones in the process.
"Ah, oops. I completely forgot about those. Anyway, let's see what I'll have for breakfast. Oh...here's some bread. That would do nicely." He mumbled to himself.

Posted by: canis216 Mar 27 2009, 04:10 AM

Dranas Heleran

Breakfast finished, Dranas made his way over to the big fire where a few armigers were gathering--making tea, it seemed. He wanted to figure out how soon the caravan would be resuming travel, so he could be certain to once again take up a position in front, to avoid the dust and ash kicked up by foot traffic. He'd already packed up most of his gear--ready to leave on a moments. If possible, he would encourage faster progress--the sooner they arrived at the construction site, the sooner he could start making a profit. (Dealing in transit, with the caravan, was too risky.)

He stopped. There was Apelles Velvus. Well of course he was there. Since he hadn't been kicked out of the caravan yet, there was no reason to worry. In fact, he might as well have some fun. Dranas sidled up quietly next to Velvus and asked, "You have any idea when we figure to get this outfit moving again?"

Posted by: Dantrag Apr 2 2009, 10:03 AM

Dralas

"You have no idea," he answered as he sat down next to Rianne.

She handed him a strip of scrib jerky on top of a piece of bread, and he didn't hesitate to bite into it. He felt bad relying on Rianne's hospitality so much; she'd already fed him numerous times, not to mention that he was using her guar to ferry his cargo. On the other hand, though, she didn't seem to mind and the Ahemussa held selflessness in higher regard than his own tribe. Besides, he had every intention of returning the favor once he began working at ghostgate.

All around them, people were tearing down tents and packing up to resume the trek across the grey wasteland. Seeing that as a cue, he finished his meal and started to load the supplies onto Morrie's back. Or, rather, he tried to. The guar refused to let him even get close, much less sling anything across its back. Dralas couldn't decide if he thought it was funny or frustrating.

He looked over at Rianne, who seemed to never have trouble with the thing, "A little help?"

Posted by: minque Apr 2 2009, 08:05 PM

Rianne

Rianne noticed that Dralas didn't manage to load their things on Morrie, so with a smile she went over to the big animal and stared it right into its eyes

"Morrie, my lass" she whispered " Easy now, let Dralas come near you he's our friend, he won't do you no harm" Her voice was soft and almost singing. Morrie stopped tossing her big head back and forth and seemed to listen to Rianne. The girl held out her hand towards the guar, with two fingers pointing directly at it, this gesture seemed to calm it down and let Dralas load the stuff.

"I..I've always been able to sort of talk to animals, it's a kind of gift I have, don't know why, but it's pretty convenient at the moment, don't you think?"

Rianne then turned to Dralas, whispering in his ear:

"We are the only ones of our sort here, we just have to stick together, and Ahemmusa custom says we share what we have, without any questions, because in the long run everything will be even...besides, remember I sort of....have things and my things are your things...just so you know!"

She gently put her hand on his shoulder, smiling...


OOC: the gesture Rianne pulled is the same as Crocodile Dundee does in his films! Hope you understood that despite my poor explanation of it

Posted by: jack cloudy Apr 4 2009, 12:21 PM

Haz

Haz just wanted to get moving instead of waiting for everyone to wake up. But even he realized that going through the Ashlands on his own was suicide. Not that he was planning anything else, but dying now would make him worthless.

So while a few campfires were relit and tents broken up, Haz unceremoniously piled his bags on his Guar.
"I refuse to carry them myself today as well. So have fun, dumb beast." He thought venomously. The Guar whimpered and squealed softly under the load.


OOC: and there you go, one dead Guar guaranteed.

Posted by: Colonel Mustard Apr 5 2009, 11:12 AM

Erna Rahnis

Posted by: Dantrag Apr 9 2009, 07:47 AM

QUOTE(minque @ Apr 2 2009, 03:05 PM)

Posted by: minque Apr 9 2009, 11:47 PM

QUOTE(Dantrag @ Apr 9 2009, 08:47 AM)

Posted by: bbqplatypus Apr 21 2009, 05:10 AM

Apelles Velvus

Apelles let out an irritated grunt, his thoughts having been so abruptly interrupted.

"An hour," he snarled. In truth, he was not entirely sure - he wasn't in charge of the caravan. Then, without another word, he carried his cup of tea back to the outskirts of the camp to continue the remaining minutes of his watch.

Posted by: canis216 Apr 21 2009, 06:10 AM

Dranas Heleran

Dranas watched Apelles Velvus stomp away. He had expected to get more of a rise out of the man, but sadly the Cyrodiil appeared preoccupied.

"Huh. Best be back to my outfit, then." Dranas said, to no one in particular.

Dranas packed his gear, making sure nothing was missing. Everything was accounted for. He loaded the panniers up onto the guars, checking carefully for any imbalance in the load. There was none. He hefted his katana, checking for any damage. The blade was pristine. He was ready. He looked about. Much of the camp was still in a state of relative chaos. No matter. He prodded his guars forward, to the edge of camp, toward Red Mountain. He would start the line--and hopefully everyone else would take a hint and fall in.

Posted by: jack cloudy Apr 21 2009, 04:07 PM

Eno Arval

"Alright everyone! Start moving! We don't have all day!" An Armiger shouted as he ran past, pressing the travelers to get their preparations done as quickly as possible. Ahead of him, Eno saw that the Guars had already begun moving.
"Oh dear. Now let me take one last quick check. Left side ok, right side ok, nothing poking against your spine, friend? No? Then let us be off." He murmured and gently tugged on the Guar's leash.

Haz

Haz kicked his beast of burden under the tail to get it to start moving.
"Urgh, you stinking pest! Either start acting like a Guar or die already!"

Posted by: Colonel Mustard Apr 21 2009, 07:50 PM

Erna

Erna finished the last of his Kwarma egg quickly as he heard the armigers order the caravan into action.

"Time to get going," he remarked.

He quickly stowed his bags on the guar he had taken and got up to join the gathering crowd of travellers.

Posted by: bbqplatypus May 2 2009, 07:26 AM

Apelles Velvus

A little over half an hour later, the caravan was underway again, headed toward Assarnatamat.

Apelles had loaded his bedroll onto one of the guards' communal pack guars and took up his spot on the perimeter of the caravan. He continued his vigil, but in the back of his mind, his thoughts continued to stir.

Something was obviously bothering Salms Ralas - quite possibly enough to affect his judgment as a leader. He still trusted him, but was beginning to worry about both him and the caravan. It didn't help that he felt uneasy about this mission as well. There were times during the late shift that Apelles had felt chills down his spine - never a good sign, particularly for someone with as good a sense of danger as Apelles. Was something really coming...or was it all in his head?

And then there was the annoying issue of Dranas Heleran. Just looking at his face brought back years of bad memories. It certainly wasn't helping matters to have him around.

Things were getting worse, and he had a sickening feeling that they would deteriorate even further as the caravan moved farther northward.

Posted by: jack cloudy May 3 2009, 01:26 PM

Haz

"Move, you stinking beast! Move!" If looks could kill, Haz's Guar would have become ground zero of an explosion large enough to wipe out entire Vvardenfell. They had fallen behind slowly but surely and now they were so far back they'd even passed the rear guard of Armigers, who assumed that as long as they could see him, he was still safe.

With a weak snort, the Guar collapsed for the final time. Haz grumbled under his breath and let go of the leash.
"Not again. Get up, now!" He whispered urgently and kicked it in the face. There was no response.
"Hmph, dead? Was about time, but you could have done this at camp, not while we're moving."

About a hundred metres ahead of them, one of the Armigers looked over his shoulder.
"Yeah, he's still with us...No wait, looks like that Guar from the first era died on him. We should send out someone to help." He said and then ran ahead.
"Stay in formation, I'll report to the commander."


OOC: There ya all go.

Posted by: canis216 May 3 2009, 04:45 PM

Dranas Heleran

Dranas was once again enjoying being at the head of the caravan--enjoying the knowledge that everyone else was eating his dust, and not vice versa. He scarcely noticed, at first, when an armiger came jogging up from the rear of the caravan. He became only mildly concerned when the armiger fell into an animated conversation with one of the leaders--was there trouble in the rear? Evidently. Perhaps an ashlander raid, or more trouble from the local wildlife. Secure in the front of the caravan, Dranas was not unduly troubled. Then one of the armigers walked up to him.

"Beg your pardon, sera, but a pilgrim's guar died at the rear of the caravan and we can't abandon the Temple goods it was carrying. Seeing as how you've got two guars to spread a load over, and seeing your skill with leading these beasts, we need you to go back and aid this pilgrim." Dranas started to speak up, to protest, but before he could say anything the armiger continued, "We'll send one of our scouts back with you to help and keep things safe. Also, we'll try to redistribute the goods at camp this evening so your pack stock won't have to carry too much of a burden the rest of the way, and I think we should be able to compensate you for your trouble in some way once we reach the project site. Really, we need you to do this."

Dranas sighed. Need. The only time he liked that word was when it was spoken by a skooma addict. And probably the compensation would be some useless religious text, and maybe a tiny, tiny bit of gold if he was really lucky and didn't complain.

Dranas turned his guars around and started walking rearward, now subject to the questioning eyes of the rest of the caravan.

OOC: My "scout" reference above (by the armiger) is my way of suggesting that Apelles will be the one sent to babysit this re-packing mission, and the "questioning eyes" at the end should open things up for everyone else to ask Dranas where he's going and what he's doing, so anyone else who wants to tag along and get attacked by ashlanders can do so.

Posted by: Olen May 3 2009, 05:16 PM

Rothan

When one of the armigers from the rear ran past Rothan vaguely wondered what it was. The mer looked frustrated as much as anything else and he would have ignored it except the caravan was so slow and the foyada had little enough to look at and occupy him. A few minuted later he saw heads turn further forward in the caravan. The mer he'd spoken to the previous night, Dranas if he remembered correctly, was leading two guars back down the caravan. He looked non to pleased about it either.

Rothan approached an armiger, "What's happening?" he asked.

The guard glared before recognising the priest, "Nothing sera. The pilgrims guar just died, not that its a surprise."

Rothan nodded, "I suppose I should see what help I can offer him." He didn't mind and as the only priest he really should. It was something to do anyway. He turned back and hurried to catch up with Dranas. He hadn't been completely sure about the mer, but going back to help the pilgrim made Rothan wander if the suspicion he'd felt was unjustified.

"Hello," he said catching up with Dranas.

Posted by: canis216 May 3 2009, 05:41 PM

Dranas Heleran

Dranas cocked his head to the side at the greeting, but did not stop moving. "Oh, you. Rothan, was it? What you brings you back this way? The armigers tell me that I'm best qualified to take on the extra load, so back I go."

Posted by: Olen May 3 2009, 06:50 PM

Rothan

"Well it's the pilgrim's guar which died so it's my duty really to see that he's ok. It's good of you to look after his stuff though," said Rothan, "I imagine he'd be quite stuck otherwise."

Passers by continued to give them odd looks as they neared the back of the column. A fair way behind that he could see the pilgrim by the lifeless mound which was the dead guar, the ash raised by the caravan was already settling on the bags and its hide. The path behind the was churned by passing feet, the high sides of the foyada loomed above it. I can see why they use such a large guard, he thought.

Posted by: jack cloudy May 3 2009, 08:02 PM

Haz

Haz let out a sigh and began to undo the Guar's pack. He honestly didn't care for the contents of the bags, but he knew that people would ask questions if he just abandoned the 'vital construction supplies'.
"speaking of which, it seems that I'm about to become the center of attention." The thought unnerved him more than he was willing to admit.

Eno Arval

Eno held up a hand in greeting To Dranas and Rothan as they walked passed. He didn't mean to eavesdrop, but then again, neither of the two were whispering so he still heard about the dead Guar.
"Well, now that I know of it, it would be rather rude to ignore this situation. Come on, my friend, let us help those in need. And don't worry, I'll carry any additional luggage myself. You are quite loaded as it is." He said to his Guar and turned around.
"Excuse me, I'll be coming along with you two if you don't mind. With an extra pair of hands, we should be able to resolve this situation in a matter of minutes, right?" He called out to the priest and trader.

Posted by: canis216 May 3 2009, 08:28 PM

Dranas Heleran

"Well, I suppose an extra set of hands wouldn't hurt, though I don't think it'll be any problem. I'm pretty handy at packing guars."

Dranas then urged his guars on a little faster. The pilgrim, ridiculously, was trying to shoulder the heavy load himself.

"That pilgrim might need an extra hand or two just to get those packs off his shoulders, if he's doing what I think he's doing."

Posted by: minque May 4 2009, 12:07 AM

Rianne

Rianne walked beside Dralas at the rear end of the caravan. The two ashlanders walked without too much talk, it wasn't necessary, they had this special understanding between them. Morrie carried both their baggage without problem, she was a strong guar indeed.

When she heard a screaming noise from behind and the turned around to see what the commotion was about, the sight stunned her. A Guar had fallen to the ground and its "owner" bent over it and kicked it in its face.

Rianne went hot with anger, she could not stand an animal being mistreated. She forgor about her aim to keep a low profile, this was outrageous!

What the hell is he doing, I'll just kill him!

"take her" she said to Dralas , handing him Morrie's leash, then she leaped towards the fallen Guar

"What are you doing, you filthy scum" she yelled at Haz, pushing him away from the animal, then she kneeled beside the guar, putting her hands on its head

Nothing existed except the guar and herself....she just held its head, mumbling strange words...

Posted by: bbqplatypus May 4 2009, 03:24 AM

Apelles Velvus

Apelles continued to look forward, distracted by his thoughts. Suddenly, a voice rang out from behind him.

"Velvus! Hey, Velvus! Apelles!"

Apelles turned around. One of the Armigers apparently wanted to speak with him.

"Yeah, what is it?"

"One of the travelers' pack guars just died. Salms wants you to go back and babysit while they move the supplies off the carcass. It's about a hundred yards back of the rest of the caravan - you can't miss it."

"I'll be right there."

He jogged briskly to the back of the column. He could see the dead guar, along with a few Dunmer who were gathered around it. As he got closer, he noticed one of them - a tall, slender Dunmer woman - had rather violently shoved one of the of the other travelers, and now had her hands all over the guar. She seemed to be muttering something underneath her breath.

What the hell is she doing? he thought. Is she trying to steal supplies? Strip it for meat? Say a prayer over it?

Well, whatever the situation was, he knew he had to defuse it - physical altercations between caravaners were dangerous and distracting. He covered the distance between himself and the guar, keeping his hand close to his sword (thus ensuring that it was very prominent and noticeable). He slowed his gait to a more moderate, confident stride and approached the belligerents.

As he approached, he noticed a familiar face out of the corner of his eye.

Heleran? What's he doing back here? Ah, well - I'll deal with him in a moment. First, the girl.

Apelles put his hand to his side and grabbed the hilt of his sword. "Ma'am, I'm going to have to ask you to step away from the carcass and keep your hands where I can see them."



OOC: To be honest, I'm not sure how the timing should work on this one. I'm thinking Rianne sees Haz kicking the guar, and runs over there (taking a bit of time to do so) - otherwise, it doesn't fit with the fact that the other characters are able to have so many different conversations. As is, I think we can just roll with it - it provides the chance for characters who haven't met before to interact.

Posted by: Dantrag May 6 2009, 05:35 PM

OOC: i agree, just run with it

Dralas

After Rianne left all riled up, he noticed a number of other people making their way towards the guar. Morrie gave him no trouble when he followed, probably because they were going back to Rianne.

One of the caravan's escorts ahead of him--one of the few that wasn't an armiger-- put a hand on his weapon as he approached Rianne and warned her to get away from the animal.

"No need for that," he said, gripping the wrist of the man's sword hand, "She means no harm."

Posted by: bbqplatypus May 6 2009, 06:48 PM

Apelles Velvus

"If you'll kindly take your hand off my wrist, you'll see that I don't, either."

Apelles recognized this Dunmer from earlier - he had spotted him back in town. An Ashlander - and judging from his grip, a pretty damned tough one.

He pulled his hand away as the Ashlander loosened his grip. He took a step back and put his hands back at his sides (though not on his weapon).

Apelles took another look at the Dunmer woman. She was still whispering something indecipherable in the general direction of the guar's head. "So...what exactly is she doing, anyway?"



OOC: I'm assuming that, in good faith, Dralas would let go (if only for the sake of not starting any trouble with the rest of the escorts). If you object to this, Dantrag, I'll edit this post appropriately.

Posted by: jack cloudy May 6 2009, 08:17 PM

Haz

Haz merely shrugged as he was shoved aside. Under any other circumstances, he most likely would have taken offense but now, he frankly didn't care. If anything, he was just glad that with the Guar dead, he was rid of one nuisance.

While the woman busied herself with the corpse, he picked the bags back up from the ground and tried to shoulder them, just when the rest of the group arrived.

Eno Arval

Eno shook his head. First Rianne had suddenly flung herself at the Guar, and now her friend had gotten into a minor argument with one of the guards.
"Please everyone, let's not be hasty." He said as he knelt down beside the Ashlander woman.
"Sir, we offer to split up that luggage of yours amongst ourselves. You can hold onto any personal possessions of course, but the rest is temple property and well, it can't be good for your back to carry all that by yourself." He continued before turning his attentiont towards the Guar. All the while he was wondering just what Rianne was really doing.

"Don't tell me, she's trying to heal it through magic?" He wondered to himself.
"So um, do you think the poor animal can still be saved?" He asked out loud.

OOC: Now I honestly have no idea what Rianne is doing so I'm just guessing. For all I know she could simply be listing a recipe for making pie. (though that would be rather inappropriate right now. I'm guessing she's doing a prayer of some sort.) But just in case she is doing some magical healing, I'd like to ask that it fails. I think it's better that the dead guar stays dead here.

Posted by: minque May 10 2009, 12:16 AM

OOC: Don't worry, she can't resurrect anything, of course the guar stays dead!


Rianne

Rianne rose to her feet, not even looking at the man telling her to stay off the guar, she just turned to the crowd and spoke out, loud and clear:

"This Guar was dead even before it hit the ground, there was no need to kick it in its face, it was a cruel and meaningless action."

She then turned to Haz, saying:

"If you hadn't done this I would have offered you to put your things on Morrie, she's the strongest Guar in this caravan, but since you are a cruel and evil man, I say you carry your bags yourself"

She went over to Dralas, giving him a faint smile

"I'm sorry, but I can't stand animals being mistreated" she took his hand and squeezed it shortly

Posted by: canis216 May 10 2009, 04:22 PM

Dranas Heleran

"This caravan is slow enough as is, and while Rianne's concern for the guar is touching, we can't have this pilgrim hauling all this Temple gear on his shoulders. He can carry his bedroll and whatnot, but we'd better load the rest on my guars--they're plenty strong and I can balance the load so they'll hardly notice the extra weight."

Hopefully that would spur everyone back to business. In truth Dranas didn't give a damn about the dead guar--it had been old anyway and was already dead when the pilgrim kicked it out of (understandable, he thought) frustration. He did care about catching back up to the caravan--something about this place, whether the quickening wind or the lack of cover, something was not right.

Posted by: Olen May 10 2009, 08:19 PM

Rothan

Rothan sneered at the ashlander woman's performance. The heathens certainly had odd ways and stranger ideas. Who cared what happened to the guar? Now had it been fit that would have needlessly slowed them but even if it hadn't been dead it had been well on the way. He left Dranas pondering the bags on his guar and went to the pilgrim.

"Are you alright sera?" he said.

The pilgrim said nothing.

He smiled, of course the vow of silence, "Sera do you write or use signs?" It was a bit weak in his opinion but certain sects, especially at junior levels, allowed writing or certain sign language under vows of silence. He rummaged though his pack and pulled out a slightly crumpled parchment and a bit of charcoal. He made the sign of saint Veloth and offered them to the pilgrim.

OOC: not sure how Haz will react, but missing the sign would make Rothan suspicious

Posted by: Dantrag May 10 2009, 08:47 PM

Dralas

Dralas said nothing while Rianne chanted to the guar. Those were the words of a wise woman, he observed. Dralas couldn't believe that he'd been traveling with a wise woman all this time. Was she really a wise woman though, or was she a mabrigash? Either way, he was in trouble; wise women were more revered even than the ashkhan, and Dralas had not been treating her as such this entire journey.

He could see in the other peoples' faces that they thought little of Rianne and her attempt to heal the guar, and wanted nothing more than to teach them all a lesson in respect. Especially the priest. In an ashlander camp, looks like those given to a wise woman could get you killed, and with good reason.

Despite everything around him though, what interested him most was the pilgrim. Something was odd about him, but Dralas couldn't figure out what (besides the obvious fact that he kept his face hidden behind a cowl). The guar was dead, and Rianne had proven there was nothing to be done about it, but it seemed unfitting for a pilgrim to be kicking his pack animal in a fit of rage. Something was amiss.

Dralas noticed the sign of Veloth and bit his tongue; the Temple and most other dunmer had long abandoned the Saint's teachings. This priest knew nothing, just like the silent one.

"Not everyone has the same respect for the land that we do," he said to Rianne, "Cruel and evil might be a bit strong, but ignorant fits."

Posted by: jack cloudy May 10 2009, 09:23 PM

Haz

When Rianne suddenly snapped at him, Haz was simply too dumbfounded to think of how to react. So in the end, he did nothing other than let the bags sink to the ground.
"If it was already dead before it hit the ground, it couldn't have felt that kick. Then what's so cruel about it?" He thought as he was approached by Rothan.

The priest was clearly trying to strike up a conversation with him, something he did not look forward to. That, and he made some sort of strange gesture. It was too quick for him to follow and even if he had been properly able to observe it, he wouldn't know how to reply.
"What was that? Cultural, religious? Do I mimic it, whatever it was? Or...I guess I'll just bow. That's always a safe move." He wondered and added the action to his thoughts.

Haz accepted the parchment and charcoal.
'I WRITE, NOT GOOD. DON'T KNOW SIGNS' He scribbled down in the same crude writing that marked his book.


Eno Arval

Eno whistled softly, one corner of his mouth rising in mild amusement.
"She's a feisty one. Reminds me of my cousin, only younger. Though I guess she has a point somewhere." He said to himself as he pushed himself back onto his feet with a grunt. His knees made a popping sound and he pulled a face.
"I know that sound. It means I'm getting old. Anyway, sir Heleran. Let me help pack while the others busy themselves with the pilgrim. Although, given how many hands we have, we could also carry the Guar if we felt so inclined." He spoke and bent down again to pick up one of the bags that the pilgrim had dropped.
"Oh, there go my knees again. Good grief."

Posted by: canis216 May 10 2009, 09:57 PM

Dranas Heleran

Dranas pulled a spare canvas pack off of one of his guars. Speaking to Eno Arval, he said, "If that pilgrim is going to carry his personal gear, that only leaves the one pack of Temple goods. We should divvy up whatever's in the Temple pack so I can split the load between my guars. If he needs help carrying his personal stuff I suppose some could go on your guar or..." Dranas paused to think, and then turned toward Rothan, the priest.

"Say, Rothan, can you ask that pilgrim if he can manage his personal gear, or does he need help with that too?"

Posted by: Olen May 10 2009, 10:01 PM

Rothan

Rothan frowned, he knew opening with the sign of Veloth was a little irregular. He often did though, it could mean as little as good luck; depending on how the recipient reponded. Other signs could suggest rather an interest in the book he carried, one way or the other. But a bow? That was strange.

The pilgrim took the parchment and charcoal and scribbled something down before passing it back. Even wears gloves, Rothan noted. The contents of the paper were even more perplexing, in almost deliberately poor script was written: 'I WRITE, NOT GOOD. DON'T KNOW SIGNS' .

Any pilgrim, let alone one heading in silence to the shrine of pride, could read and so write. Or at least make an attempt at grammar. He gave the pilgrim a quizical look, there was something wrong but he couldn't decide what. Perhaps the mer had been sent to watch him and was trying to keep his distance? He brushed the thought away as paranoia.

"This evening I would lead your prayers if you would like," he offered the veiled pilgrim. As he did so he noticed the ashlander man glaring at him but before he could react Dranas approached him.

"Say, Rothan, can you ask that pilgrim if he can manage his personal gear, or does he need help with that too?" he asked. Rothan nodded and turned back to the pilgrim.

"Well?" he passed back the pad an paper.

Posted by: minque May 10 2009, 10:24 PM

Rianne

She noticed Dralas ' look at her and bit her lip. Damn, I forgot, he is one of us, he reognized my chant! But he won't reveal me...I certainly hope!

She gave him a faint sign, hoping he would understand not to say anything.

She felt that the others were annoyed with her, but she didn't care. Seeing an animal being ba treated awoke her basic instincts, she could not help reacting as she did.

Rianne made no attempt to help with the sacks of the pilgrim, she just looked at the others with dark eyes and when Dralas made the remark abut respect for the land , she gave a faint smirk.

So right you are, my friend



Then wiping the dust of her trousers she slowly walked past Dralas, whispering in his ear just as she passed him:
"Don't worry I prefer to not be recognized for what I am, you my friend are blessed, I will confide in you later, just keep up the normal you"

Then she noticed the elder man who's knees were making weird sounds as he bent up or down. Those knees could do with some treatment or the man would get trouble later on.

"Sera, your knees are troubling you, right? Would you mind if I had a look at them? Maybe I can help..to make things better for you"

Posted by: Dantrag May 11 2009, 09:23 AM

Dralas

Dralas held Morrie's leash while they waited for the pilgrim to get his things situated. He looked back to see the caravan getting steadily smaller as it grew more distant.

Approaching their escort, he pointed towards the caravan, "I think we're running out of time."

Posted by: jack cloudy May 11 2009, 08:35 PM

Eno Arval

Eno smiled politely and shook his head.
"No thanks. I may complain a lot, but these legs of mine will be able to carry me for a few more years without any problems. Besides, I believe our friend is right. We'd better think about catching up instead of sitting around here" He said with a quick nod to Dralas.

Haz

Haz thought about the offer of a prayer. He really didn't want to risk any further contact with this priest.
'CAN CARRY PERSONAL ITEMS MYSELF' He wrote down and after a quick thought, he added 'THANKS FOR THE OFFER BUT PREFER TO PRAY ALONE'
"Let him think I'm a loner. That suits me fine."

Posted by: Olen May 11 2009, 10:24 PM

Rothan

Rothan read the note then called to Dranas, "He says he'll carry his own things. But I agree with Eno, we'd best be moving as soon as you can get those things loaded."

He turned back to the note, the pilgrim would prefer to pray by himself. An offer for personal prayer, even by a junior priest, wasn't considered. It was accepted. Refusing was most irregular. He gave the pilgrim a look, there was something wrong. Something quite wrong but he didn't want to voice his worries in front of the pilgrim. He turned back to Dranas, "Need a hand?"

Posted by: canis216 May 11 2009, 11:59 PM

Dranas Heleran

Dranas answered the priest by motioning to the now open sack of Temple construction supplies. "You can help Eno move half that gear into this empty pack--once that's done I can load it on the guars myself; I'm real good at it and it'll get done right the first time that way."

A pause.

"And then we should be able to catch up to the caravan, and fast. Provided we get no more trouble."

Posted by: Colonel Mustard May 14 2009, 09:11 PM

Erna

Erna had noticed the guar fall and the pilgrim, in his frustration, kick out at the animal. As the others had broken off from the group to investigate, so too had Erna, fading into the background like he usually did and escaping notice. He was suspicious of the pilgrim-something about him didn't sit right, and Erna had lived his backstabbing, brutal life long enough to know that when something didn't sit right, it wasn't right.

Now that the fuss over the guar had died down, Erna wanted to get back to the caravan. He hadn't, as he had hoped, had a chance to take a look in that pilgrim's backpack and now it was done he wanted to get back.

He had a gut feeling something else wasn't right, either.

Posted by: Dantrag May 15 2009, 05:35 PM

OOC: decided to get things rolling.

Dralas

Just as the dunmer near him mentioned trouble, Dralas' eyes widened in surprise when an arrow whizzed by his ear. He didn't have to look around for long before he found the source. Out from behind a rock structure, a few dunmer were moving in such a way as to cut them off from the caravan. Dralas could tell that they were ashlanders, and assumed them to be rogues, like himself. The difference was that he didn't go around robbing and killing.

"Everyone who can't fight should get behind," he said as he brought out his bow and fired a shot, "They're getting between us and the caravan."

Unfortunately, help from the caravan was unlikely to come; it had already rounded a corner in the foyada, and was out of sight.

Posted by: bbqplatypus May 15 2009, 07:33 PM

OOC: I thought it was established that Apelles would be the first to notice this - as I have previously stated, I've been busy all week with finals. I could not possibly have posted this earlier - I said I would get things started. I'm a bit miffed that you started this without me, actually. How about we pretend this post happened first, and then things will continue where you left off.


Apelles Velvus

Apelles stood watch, looking into the distance, looking for signs of raiders or creatures. Conversations continued around him - he ignored them. Too distracting. The caravan had rounded a bend in the foyada. They were alone. Apelles didn't like this one bit. Something felt wrong...

Suddenly, he noticed it. A rustling in a trama bush near the foot of one of the less steep edges of the foyada. A Dunmer, clad in chitin armor, was taking aim with his bow.

"AMBUSH!" he cried as the arrow whizzed dangerously close to Dralas's head.

To pull off such a shot from such a distance... Apelles thought. Clearly we aren't dealing with amateurs.

A few more Ashlanders emerged armed with swords and clubs, dashing across the foyada and positioning themselves between the dead guar and the caravan.

"Everyone who can't fight should get behind," the Ashlander declared. "They're getting between us and the caravan."

"I'll help them deal with the ones on the ground," Apelles said, turning toward Dralas. "You take out that archer."

He imagined that an Ashlander hunter would be more suited to take out an expert bowman than a Hlaalu scout.

Apelles drew his sword, braced his shield, and prepared himself for battle...

Posted by: Olen May 15 2009, 07:54 PM

Rothan

An arrow flashed by the ashlander. People started shouting but he ignored them and ducked down to offer less of a target before looking around. There was a small group of ashlanders further up the foyada, between them and the caravan. He cursed, this was going to turn messy. Another arrow arced from the cover of the rocks the ashlanders had hidden in, it thudded to the ground in the midst of the group with a puff of dust. He put his hand to the cudgel at his belt but thought better of it; it would slow him down.

There was little enough cover in the foyada. The best he could do was hunker down behind a small boulder and hope the archer stopped firing.

Posted by: Colonel Mustard May 15 2009, 08:17 PM

Erna

Erna ducked as soon as the first arrows sped towards him, rolling as he hit the ground and drawing a knife as soon he could. He drew his amulet from beneath his shirt and kissed it for the blessing of his patron, noting that its razor edge split his lip and sent blood welling from the wound.

"Somebody get that damn archer!" he yelled, as another arrow thudded into the ground, dangerously close.

They were ashlanders. He hated ashlanders.

Posted by: jack cloudy May 15 2009, 10:18 PM

Eno Arval

Eno looked around in apparent confusion. It took him several precious seconds to realize where their assailants were located, seconds in which he stood still like a statue. Fortunately for him, he didn't get hit even once. Either the arrows missed their intended target, which was no surprise at this distance, or the shots so far had merely been a warning. Dralas ordered everyone without any fighting experience to move back. Eno had a feeling that with anyone, the man specifically meant him.

Despite that, Eno actually stepped forward, after laying his walking stick down on the ground.
"Excuse me! We do not mean to fight! Just tell us what you want so we can resolve this peacefully!" He then shouted, holding both hands open above his head in a sign of his goodwill.
"I mean, it's not as if there is anything valuable in those bags. Just what could have them interested in us?" He muttered under his breath.


Haz

"H..." Haz bit down on his tongue before he could complete his curse. Silent once more, he cursed his own fate.
"First this, and now bandits. Just which deity did I anger?" He thought to himself as he hunched down on the ground, trying to make himself as small a target as possible. An arrow stuck into the ground near him. He picked it up and snapped the shaft in two, hiding the arrowhead and a short piece of the shaft within his fist, his pilgrim's staff held low to the ground with the other. Now if only that damn archer would come closer.


OOC: Yeah, Eno is trying to solve things his way. He'll probably fail to pacify people though. So feel free to pull him back from the danger he's putting himself in. I'm off to bed. Also, I just remembered that both of my characters are armed with wood.

Posted by: canis216 May 15 2009, 11:02 PM

Dranas Heleran

As soon as the arrows began to fly Dranas ducked behind his guars.

"Damned archers! Curse me for leaving that crate of crossbows back in Balmora!"

He did have his throwing stars, but he couldn't possibly hope to hit the attacking ashlanders upon their rocky perch--too far away. No choice but to hunker down and wait until they came down into the foyada. Dranas drew his steel katana and waited.

Posted by: Colonel Mustard May 15 2009, 11:20 PM

Erna

Erna saw the dunmer, Ano or Eno or something, try to negotiate witi the ashlanders, to end the blessed shedding of blood before it could begin.

Erna could have his fun taken away from him, not now.

He leapt up, grabbed the surprised elf by his collar and dragged him to the ground with a yell of; "Get down, you bloody fool."

Posted by: minque May 15 2009, 11:35 PM

Rianne

Posted by: canis216 May 16 2009, 02:29 AM

Dranas Heleran

Dranas chanced a quick peek over a guar's back, to get some notion of the the enemy's position. A triad of archers were perched in the rocks--he had no hope of doing anything about them until they ran out of arrows. One of them was looking right at him...

Dranas ducked quickly as he could. He heard a thud as an arrow struck something metallic in one of the packs that still sat upon the back of Dranas' guar.

This was intolerable. Dranas could see the ashlander Dralas fire off an arrow at their assailants, but the one called Rianne just sat there at the ready. What the hell was she waiting for?

Dranas snuck another peek above his guar, this time looking up the foyada. A cadre of five attackers were jogging, crouched low, from boulder to boulder. They were getting close. Close enough, at least.

He pulled out one of his throwing stars and fired it fast as he could at the lead attacker, before diving once more to the ground at an arrow's approach.

Posted by: Dantrag May 16 2009, 02:59 AM

Dralas

His first shot failed miserably, falling short of his target. It was a hasty shot, fired more out of surprise than anything else. On the second try, though, he took a bit more time with his shot. He beaded in on the archer and almost let an arrow fly. Almost. He knew the archer's face, and was at a loss as to what he should do. On one hand, an encounter with him wouldn't be peaceful anyway, and on the other, Dralas had no desire to kill him. He noticed that he knew the other two archers as well.

But when they ignored the music man's plea for peace, and responded with arrows, Dralas knew he was going to be forced to shoot back, and with three archers, he was shooting to kill. On top of all this, more were coming their way, ready for a melee.

After a few shots, he hit an archer in the arm, but nothing fatal. Hopefully it would at least keep him from aiming properly, if not from pulling back the bowstring altogether. He moved behind the same rock as Rianne.

"This isn't good," he said to her.

In the back of his mind, he couldn't help but think that they were after him specifically; what would they possibly gain from killing and robbing the stragglers of a caravan? There was almost nothing valuable around them.

Posted by: bbqplatypus May 16 2009, 03:46 AM

Apelles Velvus

Apelles crouched low and kept moving for cover. He could sense the battlefield around him - the arrows flying, the Ashlander raiders dashing across the foyada to meet them. Archers - three of them - perched above them on the ridge. Dralas was firing away at them, and Dranas Heleran had hit an Ashlander in the shoulder with a His every movement was focused, his every thought and heartbeat seemed in tune with the combat around him. Above all else, he refrained from panicking. Panicking in battle caused people to make stupid decisions. And Apelles was not stupid.

He watched the Ashlanders continue to make their approach. There was no way this underarmed, undertrained group could stand against both the archers and the the raiders at the same time. Even fighting against one of those two things was a stretch. Then again, if there were a way to stop the archers from firing...

Apelles slid to the ground beside Dranas Heleran as an arrow nicked his back (though he was fortunately protected by his armor).

"Listen - I have a plan," he said, just loudly enough to be heard by the people around him. "As soon as the Ashlanders get a bit closer, I want you to move forward with me to attack them. The archers won't risk shooting their own comrades. It's the only chance we've got."

Posted by: canis216 May 16 2009, 03:57 AM

Dranas Heleran

Dranas thought for a split-second. "Fine." He popped up quickly to fling another throwing star, then ducked back down to ready his sword. "I'm with you."

Posted by: Colonel Mustard May 16 2009, 07:48 AM

OOC: Minque, why would Rianne dislike killing if she's an assassin? That makes no sense.

Erna

"What's this abou attacking?" Erma asked, scrambling over to the guard and Ash Boy, knives in both hands. "I'm pretty handy in a fight."

Posted by: Olen May 16 2009, 09:18 AM

Rothan

Rothan was glad to see someone put Eno out the way. He looked around the group, Looks like I'd pass as a fighter... he thought and jumped out from behind his rock. An arrow tore at his robe missing his flesh by a fraction. He leapt and made a clumsy roll into the cover Apelles and Dranas shared.

"I can handle myself," he said.

The group of ashlanders were close now. They weren't heavily armed, short chitin blades and an axe or two as far as he could see. But they were armed. Idiot, he thought to himself, Hand to hand will be a great idea against them... He had a wry grin and pondered the cudgel, but they were a group, it wasn't fast enough when outnumbered. He calmed himself and waited for the move.

Posted by: bbqplatypus May 16 2009, 09:45 AM

Apelles Velvus

"Well, glad the two of you could join us," Apelles said. "Now, on the count of three, we're going to get up and charge those Ashlanders."

He paused for a beat. "One...two...THREE!"

Posted by: Colonel Mustard May 16 2009, 10:26 AM

Erna

Erna scrambled up, knife in one hand, crossbow in the other, alongside the scout and the priest. He raised his weapon and fired off a bolt, but aside from startling one of the ashlanders it did nothing. One of the archers, seeing the threat, loosed an arrow in his direction but it missed, thunking into the ashy soil several metres shy of the target.

Erna slammed into one of the ashlanders, using his weight to bowl the man over, and made a rapid stab with is dagger, trying to end the fight before it could begin. The dunmer dodged out of the way and slammed his elbow into the side of Erna's head, stunning the elf momentarily. He rolled off and scrambled out of the way before the elf could brain him with an axe, getting to his feet and grabbing a second knife from within his pocket, facing his opponent.

This was going to be interesting.

Posted by: jack cloudy May 16 2009, 10:51 AM

Eno Arval

Eno landed hard and only the relative softness of the ash-covered ground kept him from injuring himself.
"Well, no need to be rude about it, sir." He protested as he got up into a crouching position and dusted himself off. Some of them prepared a charge he noticed and he sighed.
"Why, why can't we just settle things with words these days? This is so frustrating." He said, shaking his head.

Haz

Haz thought about joining the charge but decided against it. There was no need to increase his personal risk here. Besides, his skills meant nothing in open combat. He fought from the shadows, a quick jab to crush a windpipe, a finger dug into an eye. Nothing that would help him in these conditions.

Posted by: canis216 May 16 2009, 03:16 PM

Dranas Heleran

Dranas found himself crossing blades with an ashlander's chitin shortsword. Using his katana's longer reach to his advantage, Dranas parried a couple of swings and side-stepped an attempted thrust, responding with a slash across his foe's chest--which did not miss.

Dranas turned to join the rest of the fight--turned almost directly into the path of a chitin club.

Posted by: minque May 16 2009, 03:50 PM

QUOTE(Dantrag @ May 16 2009, 03:59 AM)

Posted by: Olen May 17 2009, 02:21 PM

Rothan

The dunmer beside him fired off a crossbow but hit nothing. As they met the ashlanders Rothan ducked to the side to keep to the edge of the fighting. An ashlander followed. The dunmer carried a chitin shortsword and lunged. Rothan ducked inside the thrust aiming to push the ashlander’s wrist aside. He felt his arm catch the sword. He forced himself to ignore it and brought his other elbow into the mer’s face. He didn’t pause before grabbing the dazed ashlander by the wrist and twisting and pulling it away. The ashlander stumbled and dropped the sword with a yelp.

As Rothan turned to kick him he tripped over something on the ground and fell pulling the ashlander down on top of him. The impact knocked the wind from him.

Posted by: canis216 May 17 2009, 03:57 PM

Dranas Heleran

... Almost directly into the path of a chitin club. Dranas jerked away but still took a hard blow to his armored left shoulder; the netch leather absorbed the energy of the hit but was no match for the club's sharpened spikes. Dranas swallowed a scream.

The pain was intense but manageable. He knew that his sword arm still worked, and that his sword was much longer than this fellow's club.

The ashlander tried to press the attack, knowing that he had wounded Dranas, but the smuggler blocked the next swing with his katana, then slicing open the ashlander's hand with a quick flick of the wrist. The club fell.

Posted by: Colonel Mustard May 17 2009, 08:28 PM

Erna

Erna lunged at his opponent, just as the Ashlander hurled himself at him. He slammed into the dunmer and knocked the wind out of him, sending them both to the ground.

Erna grabbed the dunmer's throat and squeezed, slamming the man's skull against the ground repeatedly as he did so. The ashlander tried to struggle, but it was no use. As Erna pressed his thumbs in, compressing the throat, the ashlander's fist struck a glancing blow to his skull, knocking Erna off. Choking, the ashlander tried to rise, but Erna slammed his knife into the man's throat and ended his life in a gush of hot blood.

Posted by: jack cloudy May 17 2009, 08:48 PM

Eno Arval

Eno was shocked. Despite his best intentions, a battle of life and death was unfolding right in front of him.
"Please!...Stop this! There is no need to kill each other! HAVE YOU ALL GONE MAD?!!" He shouted, dropping to his knees and covering his mouth. The sight, the sounds and above all the smell was making him sick.
"Oh, ALMSIVI. Please have mercy. Make them stop." He whimpered as he threw up.

Haz

Haz looked at the old man with contempt.
"It's just a bit of blood. Don't be so weak." He thought. As he turned his gaze away from him. More importantly, while those engaged in melee couldn't be shot at by the archers out of fear for friendly fire, those who had chosen to stay back were still a fair target.

He took a reflexive step back as an arrow buried itself into the ash right in front of his nose. Looking around again, he retreated to the first bit of cover he could find which was ironically, his dead Guar.
"I'm safe here. The woman is hiding behind a rock, good. The old one though, he's all out in the open. If I warned him, the others would likely be more appreciative of me and less suspicious. I'll have to sacrifice the fake oath of silence though." He told himself and shook his head.
"This had better be worth it."


He waited till he heard the wet sound of an arrow embedding itself into his cover before jumping out and rushing to Eno.
"GET A HOLD OF YOURSELF AND DUCK BEHIND A ROCK, OLD FOOL!" He snapped loudly as he forcibly dragged the man up to his feet and began to drag him away. Just then, an arrow struck, lodging itself firmly in the arm he'd drawn around Eno. The Argonian hissed in pain but carried on. He'd felt far worse when they prepared him for his mission. Next to that, a miserable piece of chitin was nothing.

He stopped behind the bulk of his guar and crouched low to the ground once more.
"Don't stick your head out." He told Eno as he looked at the arrow embedded into his arm. He would have to deal with it soon enough or the wound would just get worse. At least it was little more than a shaft with a pointed tip. If it had been an actual arrowhead, he would have to cut it out. Now, he could just pull it out and apply pressure to the wound till the bleeding stopped. It wasn't perfect, but it would have to do.


OOC: I was first going to injure Eno, but I figured that Haz might be a better choice. Why? Because he has to refuse all medical aid. Man, that old-timer is the luckiest honoured user ever though. If Haz hadn't been dragging him away, that arrow would have hit him instead.

Posted by: Colonel Mustard May 17 2009, 09:05 PM

OOC: I like to think it was Erna that made him throw up.

Erna

Erna gave a howl of beserk joy as he leapt on top of another ashlander, pummelling and smashing at the man his fists and the hilt of his dagger, smashing his fist into the helpless dunmer's face again and again.

The ashlander screamed and managed to scramble away, but Erna was too fast, grabbing him and slamming a knife into his back. He wrenched it out, still roaring in bloodlust and coated in viscera.

As blood dripped onto him from his knife, he raised his hands to the sky and screamed; "DAGON!!"

The Lord of Destruction demanded blood.

Posted by: Olen May 17 2009, 09:33 PM

Rothan

The ashlander was on top of him. He pulled an arm free just as the dunmer drove his knee into Rothan’s ribs. He grunted. The ashlander kneed him again. Rothan’s mouth filled with vomit but before another knee could wind him completely he reached up clawing with his fingers. They raked across the ashlander’s face and his middle one found an eye. He drove it in.

The ashlander shrieked and leapt back but not quickly enough, Rothan felt the warm gooey inside of the red eye up to his knuckle. He pulled his finger out and hit the ashlander. He hardly needed to, the dunmer fell to the ground screaming; his hands covered his face. Rothan drew his cudgel and brought it down on the ashlander who collapsed. He raised the cudgel again, this time there was a cracking sound as it left a crater in the skull. The whimpers stopped. He raised it again and pounded the remains of the ashlanders head with all his might. A fire of adrenaline, fear and not a little hatred flowed through him. He hit the ashlander’s head again. The handle of the cudgel cracked into splinters.

He staggered back from the fight and vomited. It hurt his ribs. It was only when he put a hand out to steady himself that he realised how much his arm was bleeding.

Posted by: Dantrag May 21 2009, 05:18 PM

OOC: if my numbers are off as far as remaining ashlanders, let me know

Dralas

"I don't think these men would care if you were a wise woman anyway," he said to Rianne. He peeked over the rock only to have to duck again quickly to avoid an arrow.

Going back on the ofensive, Dralas drew back his bowstring, stood up from his cover, and fired. He put another arrow to the string and shot again. Both arrows found their way into his target's chest, but Dralas ducked behind the rock again before he could watch the archer stagger back and fall to the ground.

There were only two archers left, but one was injured. There was still one ashlander on the ground, too, fighting close quarters.

Posted by: minque May 24 2009, 11:41 AM

This thread is now big enough, feel free to continue
http://chorrol.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=4314