The Wobbly Goblet Playground Options

[Uleni Athram]

Hjalbir spent the wee hours of midnight carefully planning what he would do after the festival was over. He would be here for a couple of days, he estimated, to rest his weary haunches and socialize with the other patrons. Perhaps some of them would be in need of a sellsword? A lair in need of clearing? That train of thought had merits of its own, but he knew he couldn't dawdle in one place. He was lagging a couple of months for his sister's tuition fee, and one more would probably mean her expulsion. In that monetary regard, the Bretons were as tight-fisted as the scroogiest of Imperials. He briefly entertained the notion of being a gladiator in the Arena, but discarded it as soon as it came. A path to glory and fame, but also a path to an early grave and not to richness. The same could be said for the Fighters Guild. What he needed was something immediate...

He stayed in the Inn's hall and searched for someone who looked he had more gold than he had use for it, but Khan already went upstairs to sleep, and those that remained were early revelers for the festival tomorrow. Most of them were drunk already, and none of them were what he was looking for. He decided to call it day. He paid for his meal and a room for the night, and was guided by a runty little dark elf who looked up at him with awe. The room wasn't anything fancy, but it was clean and large and homely, and while the bed wasn't exactly his size, it did the job well enough. He washed himself with the provided bowl and towel, and settled in for a fitful sleep.

He had nightmares, surprisingly. In that nightmare he was choking amidst dancing fire and flickering shadows, and vaporous creatures with terrible eyes besieging him from all fronts. There was creature there, too, a wondrous creature with a radiant countenance, elf-like in its crystalline beauty, staring at him with eyes that could fuel the fires of armageddon. The choking and tthe rending from the vapours were a distant memory, a shadow in the far fog of the subconsious, but he could recall that creature clearly and its frightening beauty. What terrible eyes, Hjalbir thought.

He woke to the thundernacks of revelry. There was a steady ambient from a dozen or so instruments playing the tune of festivals, and even from here, the tantalizing scent of a feast wafted through and tempted Hjalbir's early hunger. First things first, he thought. He got up and prepared his gear for the hunt that Khan proposed. The arrows were fletched and sharpened, the bow checked for any weaknesses, and the strings examined. His broadsword and punching dagger had nicks and dents, but they were still sharp and lethal, and Hjalbi reckoned he could still use for another couple of days or so before needing serious repair. The white fur cloak seemed a poor idea for camouflage, and rather heavy besides, so he temporarily discarded it, in favor the lighter padded vest and chainmail shirt. He checked and double-checked, and he was good to go.

The hall room was, as was expected, crowded with people all gathered up in the spirit of the ceremony. There were free drinks, Hjalbir saw in the counter, and a new Bill of Fare commemorating the Festival too. He simply had bread and cheese and a flagon of milk for breakfast, and went out in search for familiar faces, particularly Khan. On the way outside, he passed by a trio of women in a table, and one of them -a High Elf of all people!- spoke with the manner and accent of his kinsmen! He was briefly amused by that, and gave her a Nordic salute.

Outside the Inn, it was like stepping out into a realm of Sheogorath. There were tents, with all manner of merchants therein adverstising their goods, and there were large fires. over which there roasted all sorts of meat. Minstrels sang their songs, bards their lutes, and acrobats their tricks. Even a magician or two entertained the masses with displays of con magick and placebo mysticism. It was like one of those fares from High Rock. He even saw natives representing their homelands' culture; A redguard snake charmer making a serpent dance, two Breton twins jousting in a plain and even-footed field slightly away from the Inn, and even some elves doing what they do best; cultural posturing. It was a ridiculously merry affair, this. Mayhaps he could find a venerable contractor among these revelers.

He spotted what he was looking for.

Khan was strolling along, taking in the sights at a relaxed pace. Even with a massive crowd celebrating, it wasn't that hard to catch up with him.

"Hail, Tribune! Certainly a fine day for lollygagging, is it not?"

[Rohirrim]

Khan turned to look at the owner of the familiar voice and grinned. "Hjalbir! A fine day indeed! I assume you're ready to head out today? I'll have the stableboy bring you anything you need from the armor and weapons I have, and Yetta, the cook, has generously given us a brace of pasties, in return for some of the meat. I've polished my old armor from my guard days, and my surcoat is freshly dyed. Only problem is, all my carefully laid plans involve Lycus, and he doesn't seem to be around."

Khan took a bite of the charred pork kabob he had bought at a nearby stall. "But enough about that, how are you enjoying the festival? I haven't seen this much variety in merchandise since the market stalls back home in Whiterun. Look," he said, pointing vaguely, "off in that direction there's a stand selling artisanal organic straw loincloths. As if that's supposed to do the trick, am I right? But, there's also that smith, who happens to have a fairly good selection of sword parts, and I bought one of those gold filigreed crossguards for my greatsword. So yes, should be an exciting day indeed. But enough about me. What are you looking to buy here?"

This post has been edited by Rohirrim: Aug 23 2013, 08:53 PM

[King Coin]

Aravi hugged the taller woman back. “I should have left a note at the very least, I’m sorry.”

Aravi stepped back from the taller woman and looked both of them over. Abiene looked as pretty and neat as she always seemed to, but Kayla looked somewhat worn. The woman didn’t have any new scars that she could see, but something about her let Aravi know there was fighting recently. What did I miss while I was gone?

She heard Abiene mention shopping. “I still need to replace the earring I lost,” Aravi said. She took a seat at the table with the other women. Their food looked wonderful, but she had eaten recently and didn’t desire another meal.

She addressed both women. “I’m surprised the two of you are still here after I left for Skyrim. What has been happening?” Aravi has never been one to stay in one location for very long. She lived somewhat of a nomadic existence, always going one place or another.

[Elisabeth Hollow]

"Uhhh..." Kayla sheepishly rubbed the back of her neck. "I suppose I should tell you two, since I consider you friends. If anyone has anything to do with Hackdirt, don't trust them. I was approached by a woman who said she had sent her children there, and ended up getting yanked underground and stabbed in the gut." She sipped her kahve and cleared her throat.

[Grits]

Abiene didn’t know how to explain the past week without reliving the horror. She focused on her friends.

“Aravi, it will be fun to look through the merchants’ tents with something specific in mind. I’m sure we can find you some new earrings. I hope I can tag along?”

Kayla’s announcement was more dramatic. Abiene tried not to embarrass her with a fuss. She found that warriors didn’t appreciate folks fluttering about the danger long after they had survived it.

“Has the woman been caught?” Abiene asked her.

[Elisabeth Hollow]

Has she been caught?

No, she hadn't. Not by the proper authorities. Though I'm sure the fanatics in Hackdirt had already given her a burial.

Kayla wasn't one to dwell on her actions. The woman in Hackdirt had it coming, but at the same time, she had taken a mortal life. That didn't sit right with her, even if the soul of the woman was twisted like that of the undead.

Kayla lifted her cup to her lips. "She's taken care of." She said softly before taking a sip. She remembered the woman's last dying breath, her raspy laughter that came right before her death rattle.

"The Deep Ones will devour your heart." She had laughed before her soul left her body. Kayla shook off the feeling and took a calming breath and smiled at the two women.

"I wonder if there's a tattoo booth around. Surely so if there's a piercing booth. I'd love to come with you both, if that's fine."

[Darkness Eternal]

Edited.

This post has been edited by Darkness Eternal: Aug 23 2013, 09:49 PM

[Black Hand]

OOC: @mALX: This is shortly after our hullabaloo.


Sethyas strode back slowly from his personal affair, and his eyes opened a hair wider at all the tents and stands that were brought up in his absence. Some manner of fair or festival had arrived, and he'd been entirely to focused on his own matters to make note of it.

He grabbed a loose Bill of Fare from one of the tables and scanned it's contents.

Free Beer?! He read in a mild excitement.

He looked at his vest and dark clothes and realized they quite literally made him look like he had just attended a funeral. He quickly unbuttoned it and then turned it inside out to the the red padded inside that Serene had tailored for him.

I will take on 'The Reaper'! Could use a stiff drink right about now as well...

[Uleni Athram]

Indeed, there were plenty of booths that could cater to a warrior's needs. There were blacksmiths, arrow fletchers, and even some armor stands. Truly, this festival was drawing all sorts of people. Hjalbir looked at a general clothing stand. He considered getting a light cloak, a brown and unassuming one to replace his white fur cloak, but decided against it. He bought some shishkebab instead.

"So Lycus isn't around. I'm sure he'll pop up; its obvious he's an avid hunter."

It was. Even without his talk of transcendent wolves and hunters from the outer-realms, Hjalbir could plainly see that Lycus was a man who enjoyed the thrill and dangers during a hunt. And there was something bestial about his eyes, too...

Hjalbir shrugged at Khan's last question.

"The food probably. Its been a while since I last saw a gathering of cultures as big as this one."

[Grits]

Abiene finished her kahve and folded her napkin.

“If you get something pierced I hope you’ll let me sterilize it,” she said to Kayla, keeping her voice down. One shot of brandy was only enough to put a smile on her face, but she felt a little self-conscious just the same.

[King Coin]

Aravi listened to Kayla and Abiene, her ears perked forward with surprise and interest when Kayla related what happened to her.

She was glad when Kayla said quietly that the one who stabbed her wouldn’t be a problem anymore. She could tell the woman wasn’t happy with the outcome, And who would be? There are times I wish I didn’t have to fight. She put a sympathetic hand on Kayla’s arm briefly.

“My journey to Skyrim and back was quiet except for a storm that forced me to abandon the road for a few hours. My husband was happy to see me again.” Despite living a solitary life for so long before she met him, it felt strange being away now.

“I would be happy for you both to join me at the tents.” To Kayla she said, “Abiene pierced my ear after she healed the tear with one of my other earrings. I just need to find an earring to go with my others.” I wonder what kind of a tattoo she’s thinking of?

[Elisabeth Hollow]

"Aw, you're married?" Kayla squealed girlishly. She quickly turned red and pressed her lips together, making a thin line of embarrassment. "Sorry. You're so tiny, and male Khajiit can get very big..." She trailed off as she dug her hole deeper. She of course mean tall and wide in stature and body not...

She quickly sipped her kahve, looking around. "Well, I wonder where my food is." As if by command, Stefania brought her food by and, without asking if she needed anything else, left. Kayla shrugged it off and began eating, glad to have something in her mouth that wasn't her boot.

[Rohirrim]

"Well, Hjalbir, seeing as we'll be going soon, would you like to see my little armory I've brought?" Khan turned and yelled. "Lowren! Bring it here, please!" He turned back to Hjalbir. "Nice kid, that stableboy. Better than Stefania at least. But yes, the chest with all the gear should be-ah, here we are. Thank you, Lowren." Khan gave the Bosmer a few coins and opened the chest to display all the gear he had shipped from Skyrim.

It contained:

A quiver of Hammerfell Steel Javelins
An Orcish Battleaxe
An Imperial Rapier, enchanted with fire
A set of slings, long and short
Several assorted swords
" " shields
A Nordic chainmail byrnie, enchanted with fortify agility
A leather cuirass, enchanted with fortify acrobatics
A pair of Steel boots, enchanted with waterwalking
A Bosmer Ironwood Great Helm, enchanted with enhanced tracking abilities
A pair of Argonian Bloodscale gauntlets, enchanted with enhanced riding and climbing abilities
Assorted misc armor pieces, (feel free to make up your own because I'm lazy)

[Elisabeth Hollow]

News of the festivities did not escape the ears of Stefan LeRoi. The free beer the Goblet was advertising, plus the Nord woman's scrumptious food would surely bring all sorts from not only Chorrol, but anyone from nearby settlements seeking a full belly and warm company.

He set out with a pep in his step, not using the hammerhead cane for support, but for show. And protection. He had given Shiva the night off, as he was sure he would not enjoy being by so many people at one time. He made it clear if she wanted to show up in some fancy dress with no mask, she was welcome to do so. She was ever silent.

He had chosen to wear a light set of clothing today, leaving his green matching clothing at home. Instead, he donned a black set of trousers and a white shirt. His red cape fluttered in the breeze as he walked, seemingly dancing to the jaunty tune of the bards as he approached the tavern. He feasted his eyes on the beautiful women, and the men trying to get their attention as people began to gather. He swiped a free beer, thanking the maiden guarding them with a wink and sat down with a flourish. he brought the cooled beverage to his lips, sweeping the area with his eyes for a comely maiden to warm his lap.

[King Coin]

Aravi smiled and bit her tongue to prevent herself from laughing when Kayla squealed.

She knew what Kayla was trying to spit out, or at least she thought she did…

“He is much bigger than I am. Not as tall as you are, but much heavier built. He’s very strong. His fur is black with white shot though. He looks great in his heavy plate armor.” She realized she was gushing.

[Uleni Athram]

Hjalbir stared at the Khajiit's cache with slightly wide eyes. Never had he seen such an impressive array of arms and weapons. He could feel the enchantment on some of them, too. For that, he slightly envied Khan, but it was to be expected. He was a Tribune of a Legion after all.

"You've enough arms to equip a small company with these," Hjalbir rumbled. "Are there any others you've found willing to join us in the hunt? Just the three of us wouldn't be enough, I'd wager."

[Black Hand]

I'm afraid....your time has come....I cannot show you mercy...not while my stomach trembles with hunger!! The Dunmer's intense stare down at the griddle-cakes and a slab of butter melted across it's surface, making long trails as it poured down the sides.

Shadow fell across his face as he brought the instruments of eating up, and they glinted in the morning sun. He expertly lodged the fork dead center into the stack, while simultaneously bring his knife down with surgical precision halving the once whole body of traditional breakfast pastries.

Over and over, the cuts came, and the breakfast disappeared.

Eggs. Bacon. Berries. All met the same fate, with no evidence left that their fate had been met there that day.

Aside from the Dunmer with his eyes bulging and trying to cover his belches.

Now...to make some free beer disappear.

[Elisabeth Hollow]

Kayla grinned as Aravi gushed.

"He sounds handsome." She said, and sighed. "I bet you two would made adorable little kits together." She laughed loudly, then sighed. She would be lucky to be able to have a child of her own one day. Elves don't birth but one, maybe two children in their long lifetimes, compensating for their longevity with rare natural births. Even were she to have a child with a human, the fact would remain the same, her body was not meant to have maybe two children, and three were unheard of with elves.

With her lifestyle, a child would be disastrous. Given that she was the Champion of Meridia, what would happen with her child? Would they be offered up, the same as she as a child? Or would Meridia grant the leniency for the child to become whatever they wanted?

These thoughts were too heavy for Kayla at the moment, so she pushed them aside. Instead, she raised her arms above her head in a stretch, hearing joints pop before setting them down.

"I saw free beer." She said to the women. She raised her eyebrows twice, still grinning. "I feel like grabbing a mug. How about you two?"

The two women nodded and Kayla finished her food quickly before gulping down the rest of the kahve. They went outside and began perusing the various tents and booths.

This post has been edited by Elisabeth Hollow: Aug 24 2013, 02:26 AM

[Rohirrim]

"Good catch, Hjalbir. I think what I'll do is put a notice on the door of the inn, and have Loren and his friends spread the word by mouth. There's enough muscled farmhands here to accommodate this stuff three times over. I got most of it from my days as a mercenary, except for those enchanted armor pieces. Those are from slavers of House Dreth. Specifically enchanted to find and catch runaways. Nasty business, to be sure."

[Uleni Athram]

Hjalbir perked up at the mention of Khan's days as a mercenary.

"So you were a sellsword long ago, then? Huh. And now you're a Tribune of the Legion. You walk an interesting path, Khan. Anyway, yes, that should be a good plan. That'll take time and we'll have to wait for the volunteers to find us though. Come on, let's get that notice pinned on the door then."