Adventurer
14 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Sitri on Feb 15, 2023 0:37:53 GMT -5
Why's he being such a jerk to me anyway? I'm helping.
It was a tough question. The red haired girl was absent minded, not even paying attention to the surroundings of the city as she thought about it. She was trying, really, reaaallllly hard to think of it. They used to be such good friends, so where did it all go wrong?
He needed new clothes, so she had gotten them. He neded food, she had done that too. With how sick he was, the only right thing to do was secure medicine for it. And she knew what always cheered her up when she was feeling down was nice expensive things. They weren't using it anyway, so that was fine. He had gotten a little weird after that. But it wasn't until...she did exactly as he asked, making it even stranger. Even if he gave that painting to his friend as a gift, he was still the one made it, so naturally, it belongs to him. That was where things had started getting a little awkward. But it was that night. She dug it up because it was important to him. Maybe, she did end up having to injure that one who wanted to get in the way, but only a little.
He...got quiet after that. It was less like she was an old friend now, and he rarely looked at her. When he did, it was almost with a certain distant wariness. And then he tried breaking the contract preemptively....of course, as she pointed out, it couldn't be lifted that easily until her job was actually complete.
The fog in her brain clouded with a dark grey as she focused, contemplating.
It just didn't make sense. They were his things, so why did he hate having them? All she wanted to do was help.
The young red haired demon was left alone with her thoughts trying to focus the best she could. It was very difficult and confusing, but she was determined. She'd find something. Something so valuable and amazing he'd have to get over it.
With that determination in mind, she began her explorations of the market to find....something. Something that would make it change.
|
|
Ash Rose Jackals
IS ONLINE
27
Renown
Female
Ash Lands
Sister to one half of a can of Zardines
1,386 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Eameia (Zarius unavailable) on Feb 16, 2023 10:43:47 GMT -5
The Market District of Darkveil is rarely a quiet place. Though not nearly as crowded or loud as that markets found in Zeinav City, they are still bustling with activity. Various individuals, local or otherwise, keep watchful eyes over their wares while trying to pinpoint prospective buyers out of the passing crowds. The vendors are more specific and picky about who they call out to. The goal is to find the right buyer, not just any buyer in most cases since many of the items being sold come with strings attached, whether the buyer is aware of it or not.
Amongst the hand crafted glassware and beading which is unique to the region are many items that have found their way into the market through smugglers and thieves who have now handed those items off to black market coordinators and fences. Some of these items have paper trails, and the poor sap who is swindled into picking that item up may find themselves hunted down by the original owner, or more likely the owner with the most spite.
Many of these sellers have rough looking hired hands who keep on watch for any sticky fingers that may try to nick something off a table as they brush past it. Considering most folk in Darkveil wear cloaks to not only keep the constantly falling ash off their skin, but also to conceal their weapons and identities, it's all too easy to blink and then find one or two trinkets have all but disappeared into the slowly shifting crowd.
Not all individuals blend in though, though not for their lack of trying. A group of three is given a wide berth by the crowd and a few anxious glances from the vendors and guards alike. They're standing in front of a store to the side of the market. A charcoal skinned tiefling is speaking to a nervous looking avianfolk who nods energetically while fiddling with their apron.
The tiefling is flanked by two hooded individuals, one armed with a longsword at their side, and another with a longbow across their back. There's nothing particularly noteworthy about the swordsman from this angle, but the archer has a fluffy grey and black spotted tail that peeks out from under the hem of their cloak. It also appears that they are not wearing any shoes, making their large cat-like paws very easy to see.
"Do let me know if you notice any other damage. I am happy to have the contractors come back and fix anything else," the tiefling says.
"Yes, sir. Thank you, sir." The small avianfolk, who appears to be akin to a finch of some description, bows their head to the tiefling.
"I again apologize for the misunderstanding."
"Oh! Please, it is no trouble! No trouble at all!" The avianfolk almost flutters, waving their hands.
The tiefling smiles. "Well, if there is anything else you ever need, do let me know. Remarnd sends his regards as well."
"O-of course! Thank you!" The aviantfolk chirps, then scuttles back into their shop.
The tiefling and their body guards turn away from the shop and start walking through the market. Once again, the crowd parts around them, careful to not block their way or bump shoulders with the two armed guards. The archer, who is revealed to be a snow leopard catfolk, glances about before they speak.
"Master Zarius, do you think we can find something in the market that would be sufficient?"
The tiefling hums in thought. "Perhaps, it is worth taking a look around at least. We have time. Right, Eirynor?"
The guard on his other side, a half-elven individual, does not verbally answer the tiefling before they walk over to a stall that has all manner of interesting artifacts and things that appear to be fine treasure. Though looks can be deceiving. It is not uncommon in Darkveil for fakes to be sold along side the real deal, and some of the fakes are so convincing that they fool others into misjudging something authentic from just a glittery façade.
"Anything catch your fancy, elf?" The gruff dwarven stall vendor asks while chomping on the end of an ivory pipe.
The half-elf doesn't reply and just keeps looking at the selection. Their eye is drawn to a particularly fine bangle with intricate designs not from this region of Charon.
"Ah, that bauble was drug up from the bottom of the sea by a fishfolk. Some ancient sunken civilization at the bottom of the Luna Sea. Very hard to come by." The dwarf explains while shuffling over and picking up the bangle, holding it up for the half-elf to see. There are a few opals and pieces of mother-o-pearl imbedded into the bangle making it quite striking to look at.
Zarius watches this the dwarf's sales pitch out of the corner of his eye before glancing about the crowd. While most people do not draw any attention to themselves, the tiefling finds his gaze pulled in Sitri's direction.
|
|
Adventurer
14 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Sitri on Feb 16, 2023 19:34:48 GMT -5
The demon wasn't trying especially hard to keep a low profile as she wandered. It was most likely due to just all the other weird and strange things in the city that nobody had really taken too much notice of her and compared to lot's of the beings wandering about, but she didn't exactly stand out that much. That worked to her advantage as she explored, wandering along the stalls to take a view of them.
She knew what she had wanted when she first walked in. Everything. No, that idol was obviously just painted gold. Sure, that gem is clearly a fake. But that wasn't what mattered. Value was only decided by what people agree it was worth. If people thought it was valuable, then it was. The materials didn't matter then, did it? There was plenty of possessions and concepts that couldn't be defined in feasible and transferrable currency. While that was her view, and it made perfect and logical sense as anyone would have to agree, it still didn't solve the problem of what to get him specifically.
She needed something that was really one of a kind to impress him, she thought. In a more tangible way, since whatever she did, he just didn't seem to get it. And the answer came in the sound of a voice of a dwarf holding up...something. It looked interesting. She couldn't get a close look from here, but there was some people starting to gather, which meant it must be drawing the attention of the more mortal races, therefore, logically, it would make a good gift.
Proud of herself for reasoning skills, she began to approach to hear his pitch. Her eagerness and expectations began to fade as he made his claims. She had overheard his pitch to the elf, and while it was rude to interrupt people, the thought was already said on her face. She had immediately saw the problem here.
"How do you know that one of them didn't just drop it while exploring? The ocean floor has to have a bottom eventually, right?
So couldn't someone who was just swimming closer to the surface have just dropped it?" Going through her...thought process, as she spoke, she didn't actually walk away. If anything, she seemed more interested in whatever he was going to say.
|
|
Ash Rose Jackals
IS ONLINE
27
Renown
Female
Ash Lands
Sister to one half of a can of Zardines
1,386 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Eameia (Zarius unavailable) on Feb 16, 2023 20:07:07 GMT -5
Zarius watches the demon cross the market over to the table that the half-elf was at. The half-elf named Eirynor glances at her as she steps up beside him to inspect the bangle.
The dwarf raises a bushy eyebrow at her. "I know because it was covered in barnacles when it was pawned off to me. Took a lot of care to get it back to this condition." He looks back at Eirynor. "You interested or not?"
Eirynor shakes his head.
The dwarf frowns and huffs. "Then don't waste my time and shove off."
"Excuse me." Zarius steps up behind Sitri and looks down his nose at the dwarf. "I do not appreciate your tone."
The reputation that Zarius Rha'Oryin held in Darkveil City was no secret. He had recently acquired the title of Dignitary and was working his way up the social ladder. Being born into high class society had put him on the fast track to nobility, though not without considerable effort on his part to raise his renown across Charon. Though he didn't often flaunt the notoriety he had gained, there were times he used it to his advantage and the advantage of those who worked along side him.
The dwarf's lips tighten as he bites his tongue. "Apologies. Been a rough week, didn't mean any disrespect."
The tiefling narrows his eyes then looks across the table at the other items the dwarf has on display. Nothing was of particular interest to him, though there were a few decent quality pieces that could be worth a fair amount.
"Do you have anything special under the table?" he asks.
The dwarf shifts from one leg to another, evidentially uncomfortable in the tiefling's presence. "Depends on what you're looking for."
"A gift for someone who collects rare antiquities."
"How antique we talking?"
"As old as possible. So long as the item is well preserved."
The dwarf strokes his beard in thought. "Give me a minute." He heads off towards the back of his stall while the guards nearby keep a close eye on those gathered around the table. If anyone tried to slip something into a pocket, they were ready to act.
Zarius glances down at the demon. "My apologies for interrupting."
|
|
Adventurer
14 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Sitri on Feb 16, 2023 20:42:01 GMT -5
"Oh, that's great!"
If she had noticed or cared about the dwarves surliness, it didn't seem to register at all.
"I know a guy whose super into old and expensive things!"
Her own logic was still what it was that she didn't seem at all dissuaded from her determination to find the perfect gift. The Tiefling who had approached also seemed like a friendly enough sort and like he had an eye for these things, so maybe he could offer some useful input. The Tiefling clearly had some sort of influence and power over these people. She hadn't had all the time here yet to familiarize herself with the status and reputation's of everyone, but it was the way he walked and conducted himself. He stood taller than the rest. Looking at him, her face was obviously strained as she thought about it.
"I need to get something good for my friend. Except he's that kinda guy who just hates everything. What makes a good present? You look like kinda a important guy, so you must know about what's quality and all that?"
Saying it outloud, did make her seriously question her loyalty to him a bit, but a promise was a promise. She was going to get this accomplished and they would be friends whether he liked it or not. Being as adamant as she was, she wasn't about to take no for an answer from the dwarf either even if she wasn't technically, offered to look.
Sure, she probably could just borrow it and run if she absolutely had too...but if the exchange was worth what was being giving up in it's place, then she didn't exactly mind whatever it was.
"I need the kind of thing that would blow even a super old wizard's mind. Like a frog. Surprising and not at all expected as the kind of thing you would ever get."
....the exact reasons that nothing she did was going over well were probably already a little apparent even to strangers. Still, the smile on her face pretty quickly returned to looking almost childishly overexicted, as she looked at the Tiefling. She seemed to believe this was some kind of game between customers.
"If I outbid him, that means I wanted it more, making it more valuable. So whatever it is, I'll pay more."
|
|
Ash Rose Jackals
IS ONLINE
27
Renown
Female
Ash Lands
Sister to one half of a can of Zardines
1,386 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Eameia (Zarius unavailable) on Feb 16, 2023 21:53:32 GMT -5
"Hm, he hates everything? That makes finding something he would like a challenge." The tiefling thinks for a moment. He didn't know anything about this demon or the friend she spoke of, but he supposes he can come up with some reasonable advice for her. It would be rude not to try.
"People tend to appreciate things that have something to do with their interests. Consider what hobbies your friend has and if there is anything that would be useful to them. It shows that you have paid attention to their interests even if they are of no interest to you."
He was pretty good at figuring out what people were invested in. It was a skill he used in order to get on people's good sides and endear them to him. He found it much more effective to appear generous and considerate rather than use debts meant to be repaid. Maintaining the illusion of free choice was important to garner loyalty that could be exploited when necessary.
"A super old wizard's mind...perhaps a rare tome or an arcane focus would be appropriate. Though if you are going for something surprising..."
Talking about a wizard and surprises only brings one image to Zarius' mind, and that is the glittery purple ass of the Wizard of the Wastes who surprised the tiefling and one of his companions when they went to visit a friend's apothecary in the Oasis of the Zeinav Desert. His expression immediately looks annoyed and he sighs, shaking the mental image out of his head.
"What about something hand crafted but not necessarily old? There are some impressive glass blowers in Darkveil who can make almost anything you can imagine."
The tiefling is surprised when the demon girl declares she wants to outbid him on whatever it is the dwarf is fetching from the back. He can't help but chuckle at her eagerness. "Well, wait until we see what it is before you start a bidding war."
The dwarf returns with something wrapped up in a layer of cloth. He glances about as if checking for any rubberneckers before he puts the item down on the table. "I got this, it's pre-Collapse and there are very few of these floating around. I got real lucky in acquiring this. Honestly, ain't sure either of you can afford it."
Zarius looks at the man skeptically. "That is a bold claim."
"Yeah, well, believe it or not, this is a piece of something that sealed a god." The dwarf pulls back the cloth revealing a strange metallic shard of stone. It appears to only be a small piece of something that was much larger, but it does have some of the exterior surface design visible on one face.
The tiefling frowns.
Was that a shard of the Sol Stone?
How on Charon did one end up here? He had one himself, having been involved in the situation wherein many adventurers of Charon were transported to a demiplane where they faced off against the God of Time and Space, Ziev himself, who was revealed to have been a powerful wizard ascended to divinity after he killed all the other deities of the main pantheon thousands of years ago. Zarius had a hard time believing it himself because at some point during the fight he had lost all awareness of what was going on and passed out for a brief amount of time, but Caedes, Cyran, and Iryla had also been there and corroborated everything that had transpired.
The Sol Stone was some sort of mechanism that channeled divinity, allowing Ziev to stockpile power from all those who still believed that the other deities were listening while also locking Charon off to other planes of existence. It was an incredibly powerful item that shattered into pieces when the infamous cultist, Scern, destroyed it.
The number of shards of the Sol Stone that exist is unknown, though the tiefling is certain that many are in the possession of those who were there to witness the revelation. If this piece was real, he needed to know how this dwarf got his hands on it and if anyone else had a stash somewhere. They were too dangerous to be permitted to float around the black market.
|
|
Adventurer
14 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Sitri on Feb 16, 2023 23:02:53 GMT -5
"Is it that good at it's job, if it's broken then?"
Surprisingly, it didn't seem to cross the demon's mind to verify if this was in anyway possibly true. If anything, she just sounded slightly disappointed. However...there was definitely some sort of pulse to it. There was definitely a real kind of power to it.
Hearing the tiefling's inquiry to whether or not the thing was geniuine, the demon made something of a face again.
"Mmmngh. Yeah, no. It's got totally real power. I can feel it's heartbeat."
She couldn't really offer any good or complex words about what it is or why it existed. She didn't really know for the most part actually know how magic worked all too well either. She definitely knew it when she felt it though, so it did feel like it was worth pointing out that it did have some more concrete tangible value.
He did give her some useful advice, after all. She was more focused on that. Things that he likes....she tried. She really did try to think of them. But the fog in her mind obscured, the clear picture of things she was close to getting, blurred. It wasn't that she didn't care. No, if she knew what her friend wanted, she would do that, no question. But as much as she did try, she couldn't think of anything.
Yet, he still offered some sound advice and input. What he needed was something that he would care about as a wizard. This did have magic...but would he really want something that's broken?
"Although...just because it has some magic power to it, doesn't mean that's what it's for."
The demon girl made a somewhat absent minded expression as she gave her thoughts outloud, even if it was still in earshot of the dwarf.
"Well, that does look special though. But pretty sure this isn't it."
She had a somewhat dismissive look on her face, but...only for a moment, the Tiefling could spot a suddenly much more observant kind of expression strike her face.
"Besides, you obviously have more resources here than I do, so it seems pretty pointless to bid against you and I probably wouldn't know what to do with it anyway."
She made her abrupt change of mind not to seriously go against the tiefling clear. Though she neglected to mention all the other reasons brewing in the back of her mind. The object itself was no good to her, but having someone in a good position like you worked wonders for getting a lot more than just a few coins. The net gain certainly outweighed the cost of making it a potential long term investment. But now, she needed to know exactly how he was and what kind of tools he could offer in the long run.
"So, you really know a lot about this kinda stuff, huh? Are you a mages guild guy then?"
She kept to a mostly casual and friendly tone as she tried to make a inquiry. She had a suspicion it was more than just a work related fascination with this guy, but she knew she couldn't probe too far, too fast. He'd tell her when he was ready. He just needed to be put in the right direction.
|
|
Ash Rose Jackals
IS ONLINE
27
Renown
Female
Ash Lands
Sister to one half of a can of Zardines
1,386 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Eameia (Zarius unavailable) on Feb 17, 2023 15:20:39 GMT -5
"Just cause it's broken, doesn't mean you can't turn it into something useful," the dwarf argues with a huff.
That was true, the shard could be crafted into something else. Who knows what kind of effects the lingering divine energy could have if it were to be combined with a weapon or other item. The tiefling hadn't yet decided what he would do with his piece and has instead kept it locked away for safety.
The demon girl confirms that she can feel something coming off the piece. Even if she hadn't, he would have believed the merchant either way. This wasn't something well known so there would be no value in making fakes just yet.
It was still such a shock. This whole time, for thousands of years the gods had been dead with just someone pulling the strings and making it seem like they were still listening. The revelation, no matter how real it was, had not changed much yet. There were those who still believed in the main pantheon, whose lives had not changed at all, and the news was only slowly circulating throughout Charon. Even those who were there still found it hard to believe.
"So you gonna buy this or not?" The dwarf was getting anxious and he glances about as if he expected someone else to swoop in and steal the shard out from under his nose.
The tiefling considers it. The dwarf would probably ask for a ridiculous sum for the object. While he could likely afford it, that wouldn't necessarily mean that he acquired the only shard this man had hidden away. He glances toward the half-elf. They knew each other well enough to tell they were thinking the same thing. Later that night, they would see just where this dwarf kept his goods when they weren't at their stall.
"It is a remarkable piece, though I will have to decline for the time being."
The dwarf huffs again. "I can't guarantee I'll still have it later, you know."
"That is quite alright. Thank you."
Mumbling under his breath, the dwarf bundles the piece back up and heads to the rear of the stall to hide it back away.
Zarius glances back at the demon girl. He chuckles a bit. "No, I have no talent for magic. I am a member of the Fighter's Guild though, and I have close friends in the Mage's Guild." He didn't mind answering a few questions, the demon girl didn't strike him as particularly dangerous to speak to.
"Pardon my manners, my name is Zarius. And you are?"
|
|
Adventurer
14 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Sitri on Feb 17, 2023 17:18:59 GMT -5
"Sitra Elammon Mala...fear..fur....mal.-eh-pear....it's really long and hard to say, so I just use "Sitri."
She didn't look particularly embarrassed or bothered by the fact she was unable to even say or spell her own name. Internally she was more focused on hearing his ties from him. Not quite what she had hoped, but he might still be a good guy to know. It was better to have some friends later anyway, even if they weren't readily obviously useful in the moment....that...and she just liked people who like her. Not everything always needed a complicated reason.
She was a little surprised at his decision to decline the piece...but if she absolutely had to, she could always try to borrow it from the dwarf anyway. The wizard had argued about this to her before, but she still failed to see the problem from taking things from thieves. The only one who had any right to dictate what to do with the property or who should have it was the creator of it themselves.
"If you need to know people who know about magic and stuff, I can probably help."
She had to offer some skills to make her seem more worth the tiefling's time in the future. If he didn't have a lot of skill in the magical arts himself, he'd probably value that more. Of course, there were her other skills...but probably wouldn't be the best idea to publicly announce it to these crooks that she could easily pickpocket them if she wanted to. Rubbing the back of her head, a little awkwardly, the idea of trying to sell her magic abilities seemed strange to her.
"I'm not look a book expert on it though and can't explain it super well. It's just something you do, you know? I guess you'd probably already figure, but pretty much big explosiony spells is more my thing. But I don't really think that stuff is what I'm best at. I'm really good at other stuff. When it comes to keys, I'm a real pro. If you're the adventuring type, you know how handy that is."
It was the best she figured she could do to imply it without directly saying it. Though it wasn't exactly her being especially subtle, so she wasn't too worried he'd pick up on what she was getting at.
|
|
Ash Rose Jackals
IS ONLINE
27
Renown
Female
Ash Lands
Sister to one half of a can of Zardines
1,386 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Eameia (Zarius unavailable) on Feb 20, 2023 10:29:52 GMT -5
“A pleasure to meet you Miss Sitri. Are you a local to Darkveil?”
While Zarius made it his business to know most of everyone in his home city, it was a large place with people constantly appearing and disappearing without any trace.
“Keys?” He had a pretty good idea what she meant by that. But perhaps it was worth seeing if she was as much of an expert as she claimed. He glances back at the dwarf that was tucking the stone into a locked chest. “That is a useful skill to have.”
He starts to step back from the stall and gesture for Sitri to follow him just far enough to be out of earshot of the merchant. Eirynor too steps away with the pair and rejoins the catfolk who has been keeping an eye on the crowd.
"Perhaps we can help one another," the tiefling starts. "You are searching for something for your wizard friend, and I am very curious about how many of those fragments that merchant might have secreted away."
"If you have time, I would not mind having another set of eyes to make sure we can keep track of where he tries to stash those things after his stall closes for the night. Help me out and I can assist you in finding whatever it is you are looking for."
Eirynor gives the tiefling a skeptical look. The half-elf wasn't sure why the tiefling was entertaining the idea of using someone they had never worked with before for such an important heist. Zarius seems unconcerned though, he has had some good luck giving new adventurers a chance to prove themselves. Sure, it was a gamble, but so far the pay offs have been worth the risk.
|
|