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"I only bite if you want me to, dear"
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Post by Sylvari Dawnsage on Sept 7, 2023 13:56:16 GMT -5
The rhythmic tempo of shovels carving earth and subsequent depositing of their quarries was the only break in monotony Sylvari experienced as she worked to widen the trench she and several others were excavating. Sylvari had tied up her long, platinum blond hair in a ponytail, abhorring the thought of it being soiled by the mud that her companions were none too careful with slinging. She still wore her customary black and silver veil over the upper half of her face to conceal her glowing eyes, much to the evident chagrin of the villagers. Several of them attempted to talk her into taking it off. It was heartwarming in an annoying kind of way, as it prompted her to keep up the façade of exaggerating her breathing and covertly dabbing water on her forehead to avoid arousing suspicion. Helping communities is hard enough without convincing them you aren't trying to eat every one of them.
A determined scowl was plastered on Sylvari's face as she attacked the dirt before her as fiercely as any foe that stood in her path. In truth, I'd be happier, and more effective, hunting monsters. But a hero helps where she is needed, not where she desires. Sylvari's frown deepened thinking back to Romarii's cynical proclamation of the absence of heroes. She would prove her wrong, one agonizing shovelful at a time. Quest Name: Hearth and Home
Participants: Two or more
Location: Dragon's Cradle, (Hearthside Village)
Post Requirements: 4 post per person, 200 words per post
Reward: +1 Renown
Description: A new village is being constructed on the border between Dragon's Cradle and Zeinav and the region is in need of helping hands. Due to the increased flow of people fleeing the Ash Lands, Dragon's Cradle has become a hub for refugees and has decided to put their resources to good use, building a new village to further increase the region's economy and social standing with their neighbors to the south. An open call has been issued to anyone who would like to help out. Things like constructing buildings, stables or fences, the digging of trenches or wells and collecting supplies like lumber or food are all task that are in need of assistance. Whatever you have to offer, Hearthside Village will accept!
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Post by Javal Zarrias on Sept 8, 2023 2:58:29 GMT -5
Javal was called upon by his home’s government to help out during the construction of a new village. He walked over to it with a large smile excited to help make his home a better place, he left his mother’s inn only a day ago alongside his crew as they restocked supplies for the month before they departed on another adventuring voyage.
He quickly walked over to the foreman in charge of construction and handed him the government decree stating that Javal was to help in the construction of the village.
“Huh, wise guy eh? Well, tell ya what adventure boy, why don’t ya go over there”, he points at a large quarry area where people are digging trenches and says, “And help those guys before I give ya any other important jobs”.
The man grumbled as he left, “Damn government giving me workers when I don’t need ‘em, what do they think? That I’m not capable enough, well damn them”.
Javal then grabbed a shovel nearby, walked over to the trench, and hopped down next to a very nice-looking pale lady with platinum hair and armor.
He smiles at her as he begins his work on digging the trench with the rest of the people here.
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Fighter's Guild
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Crescent Isles
"I only bite if you want me to, dear"
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Post by Sylvari Dawnsage on Sept 8, 2023 15:22:42 GMT -5
The sound of feet hitting the softened ground of the ditch broke the spell of Sylvari's determined frenzy. She threw a look over her shoulder to see a fellblood smiling at her as he dug. His skin was a blue-violet color and the clothes he wore were simple and loose: only an open-faced orange vest and loose red overcoat covering his upper body, supplemented by simple pants and sandals.
Something about the freeness of his wide smile juxtaposed with Sylvari's own need to be calculating in her reactions when she wished to be free caused her to blush slightly. She turned her head quickly to hide the embarrassment. Godsdamn this veil and armor. I knew I'd stick out like a sore thumb. Recognizability was all well and good for most adventurers: it helped build their brand of dependability. For Sylvari, however, who was stuck between wanting to inspire hope and needing to keep her true nature hidden, she had yet to strike the proper balance.
"How do you do? My name is Sylvari. Blessed to have another helping with this trench, which is remaining stubbornly unfinished, I'm sure." Sylvari figured her words would evoke a slight response from her new coworker and then cause him to focus on the work rather than her. At the very least, he may be interesting and give some reprieve from this dreadful monotony. Gods, I'm starting to sound like Romarii even in my thoughts now...
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Post by Javal Zarrias on Sept 10, 2023 23:52:26 GMT -5
Javal turned his head to look at the stranger next to him as he spoke to him, a wide smile appeared on his face as he thought to himself, “This is great, perhaps she could be a new friend”.
“I do well, Hello there Lady Sylvari. It is a pleasure to meet you, and of course, I’m very happy to help anybody I can. We need to do the grunt work if it means people have an opportunity to be happy and have homes. No matter what that grumpy old foreman says people need our assistance and it may not be the most flattering thing ever but it's honestly good work”, he says wiping some sweat off his forehead.
“Oh but where are my manners let me introduce myself”, the fellblood says, placing his shovel behind him before bowing at Sylvari and returning to stand at his full six feet three height with his hand out for a shake.
“My name is Javal Zarrias, President of the Drakon Security Company, former Dragon Prince of the Black Dragon Pirates, and Pupil of Sir. Ronrik Emeraldcutter. Would you like to be my friend?”, he says with an earnest look on his face.
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Fighter's Guild
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Crescent Isles
"I only bite if you want me to, dear"
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Post by Sylvari Dawnsage on Sept 11, 2023 0:22:09 GMT -5
Sylvari had to crane her neck upwards to meet her companion's eyes, who stood nearly a foot taller than she did. She felt a slight blush rise to her cheeks at how earnest and straightforward he was. It almost feels like back home. Sylvari shook the thought away. She knew better than to dwell on what could have been.
"Just Sylvari is fine, I don't have any titles or noble heritage. Or Sylvi, if even that's too much of a mouthful. It seems we are quite opposite in that regard. You're a man of many paths, I see."
Sylvari wrestled internally at the fellblood's offer. On the one hand, companionship was a thing she craved, more than anything else in the world. Her people had always been tightly knit, so these past few months of separation had been an anathema to her upbringing. On the other hand, she knew all too well the reactions that people had when they discovered her true nature. If even my own family can't accept me, it's foolish and selfish to thrust it onto a person I've just met. Still, he seems eager, perhaps overeager. If I deny him, there's a possibility that it will cause him to look more closely.
In the end, when Sylvari was to give her answer, she simply gave a half-hearted smile and said, "Sure, everyone could use more friends, right?" She hoped she had found an acceptable middle ground.
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Post by Javal Zarrias on Sept 12, 2023 1:46:39 GMT -5
“Well, it is nice to meet you still Sylvari, It sounds like a wonderful name that you have. Where are you from by chance? I’ve never really heard a name like yours before, at least in my neck of the woods of Thorock as well as in my many travels across Charon”.
He blushes as Sylvari compliments his many paths and says scratching his back with his right arm, “Eh thank you miss I try to do as much as I can, I’ve been that way since I was a kid”.
Javal smiled in excitement as Sylvari accepted his offer of friendship, “Of course that’s what life’s all about making bonds and accomplishing dreams at least that’s in my opinion. You need as many friends as you can so you can live life with people who care about you besides you”.
“Speaking of Sylvari, what are you doing here in the first place if you don't mind me asking? No offense, but I don't normally see people as elegant as you here digging trenches. I mean to be fair you don’t usually see someone like me doing that either but I always do it because I enjoy helping. Is that the same case for you?”.
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Crescent Isles
"I only bite if you want me to, dear"
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Post by Sylvari Dawnsage on Sept 12, 2023 11:34:51 GMT -5
The enthusiastic stream of questions from Javal elicited a sad smile from Sylvari. This is what it was like to have friends, right? In absolute terms, it hasn't been all that long since my change, but it was a lifetime ago. I had forgotten what simple companionship does for the soul.
"I am originally from the Crescent Isles, though my people were nomadic and insular, so to claim the islands as anything more than land we resided on is a bit disingenuous. I've learned just how different our life was since my departure. The varied lands have many varied customs and cultures, far more than I could have imagined when my world was seen only through the lens of a few dozen. I can't say I like everything that I've come to know, but I've always preferred hard truths over pretty lies."
Sylvari bit down hard on her lip to forcibly stop this line of thinking. While her statement was generally correct, there was one glaring exception. I would have hid and denied what I was forever, if it meant I could stay with them...
"As for why I'm here..." Sylvari looked around, to view the people she forced herself not to see as prey: people working hard and failing and struggling and living life. Theirs was not the stuff of heroes, and many would never rise above this lowly station. Nobles and rulers might think lesser of them for this, but Sylvari found one of the most detestable things in life to be when someone dictated value to another, regardless of their feelings on the matter. No, she would always fight for the freedom to live as a person wanted, guarding that basic bastion that she was forever denied. "I'm here because help is needed, and I aspire to be the kind of person who never shirks a cry for help, no matter how banal it may seem to the high-minded."
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Post by Javal Zarrias on Sept 13, 2023 2:08:24 GMT -5
Javal places his right hand on his chin as he listens to Sylvari’s response, “Why the Crescent Isles, I’ve been there a handful of times in my life. It’s wonderful every time I’ve visited. Oh, you grew up a nomad how was that experience I mean certainly being an adventurer must not be that hard of a switch for you. I’ve visited the main island I believe when I’ve traveled over there for festivals and other celebrations. How’re you adjusting to adventuring life?”.
Javal then thinks over her comments about lies and truth, “Yeah I’d probably agree with that statement. I dislike people who tell big lies although I think white lies are fine, like how I tell my retainer Nadia that I like her cooking when I don’t”, he says with a smile.
He smiles even harder hearing Sylvari’s declaration of why she’s here, “I completely understand and greatly respect your sentiment. I feel the same way”.
The foreman then is seen walking over and kneels next to the two and says, “Ey, you two with me I need you prim and proper fellers to help out with getting more wood and helping the building process”.
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Crescent Isles
"I only bite if you want me to, dear"
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Post by Sylvari Dawnsage on Sept 13, 2023 11:11:27 GMT -5
Sylvari gave a weak smile in response to Javal's questions about her transition to adventuring. "Yeah, it's more or less similar... in some ways." Sylvari both wanted to avoid burdening this stranger with her struggles and felt that any explanation she gave would be too long and convoluted to grasp, as she barely understood her own thoughts on the matter.
Yes, being nomadic was a good preparation for the constantly moving life of an adventurer in the moving around, but it failed to encapsulate the full picture. First and foremost, Sylvari's people moved in circles, going around to the same communities, with some longer excursions, to act as justiciars and assistants to the people. Thusly, even though they didn't always live in the same place, they built an extended community of familiar faces. Secondly, and more devastating for the young adventurer, traveling alone was a far cry from the close-knit community she had growing up. Certainly there were challenges living so close to so many, but now, Sylvari would trade anything in the world to feel that sense of kinship again.
As the foreman came to request their help in gathering more wood, Sylvari sighed and leapt out of the considerable progress they had made on the trench. She offered Javal a hand up, and then she grabbed an axe that was leaning on a nearby shed wall and headed towards the copse of trees on the edge of town.
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Post by Javal Zarrias on Sept 16, 2023 22:25:20 GMT -5
Javal looked excited as the foreman walked away in a huff and gruff manner, and took Sylvari’s hand to get out of the trench. Javal looked excited about getting another task that wasn’t just digging the trench bigger, that was fun but cutting wood was even more fun in his experience.
He waved at the other trench diggers and jogged a little to catch up to Sylvari’s pace. Soon both adventurers were in the middle of the nearby woods surrounded by many large trees.
Javal smiled as he said, “This will be fun at least”, and took out his katana from his waist and took its sheath off, and placed it into his coat pocket.
“Hey Sylvari '', Javal says as he stretches a bit, “I have an idea, why don't we have a little competition here? Let’s see who can chop the most wood the quickest”.
He takes a step back, takes a deep breath, and whispers, “Javal Style: Divine Tide Slash”, as he swings his blade at the trees in front of him, his blade glowing deep blue and having an ethereal aura around it as his slash cuts down many trees ahead of him.
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Fighter's Guild
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Crescent Isles
"I only bite if you want me to, dear"
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Post by Sylvari Dawnsage on Sept 17, 2023 1:01:32 GMT -5
Sylvari didn't know much about bladed weapons. Her father had determined from a young age that while her striking power and identification of vital points would make her a good wielder of blunted weapons, her lack of precision left bladework out of the picture. Still, she had trained around many blade-users, and one of the foremost rules was that you didn't use your blade outside its purpose. Where an axe might be suited to chop down trees, swords were not.
She was about to mention this to her companion until she saw him cut through several good-size trunks in a single slash. That took the winds out of her lecturing sails pretty quickly. Sylvari hefted her own axe with incredulous scrutiny. "I don't think it'll be much of a competition, but I do enjoy a challenge and having more wood quicker will only help the village, so I'll do my best."
Sylvari set to the task with vigor, hoping to make up what she lacked in technique with power and enthusiasm. While still a far cry from Javal's deforestation abilities, spurred on by the competition as she was, she began hammering the axe into the trunks as powerfully and quickly as she could, felling most in a mere handful of blows. The pair rapidly outstripped those who had been on the assignment for several hours.
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Post by Javal Zarrias on Sept 18, 2023 3:25:35 GMT -5
Javal smiled at Sylvari’s remark before continuing to cut down all of the trees around the two he slashed and sliced before stopping to wipe the sweat from his brow.
He then stops and sits down as he starts counting how much wood the two had gotten before laughing, “I think we both win my friend, we seem pretty equal in numbers”.
He then slumped most of the wood he had collected over his shoulder before motioning Sylvari to follow him.
He heads towards the foreman who seems to just be barking orders to the workers as he takes a sip of his tea.
His face turns into annoyance as he sees the two adventurers haul lumber, “Alright, alright so you chopped some trees down huh. I hoped that would keep you two busy for a bit but I guess I was wrong. Go over there”, he points to the handful of construction workers starting to build the house.
“Use those pieces of wood and get to helping build this house before sunset. I don't care how or why just get it damned done”, he then turns and walks away to bug someone else leaving Javal and Sylvari to benign their work.
Javal carries the wood and walks over to the other workers who seem to be focused and organized.
He places the lumber down and says, “Hey Guys what can we help you with?”.
One of them says, “Eh how about you get the supports and walls up now that we finished with the ground floor”.
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"I only bite if you want me to, dear"
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Post by Sylvari Dawnsage on Sept 18, 2023 10:18:17 GMT -5
Sylvari had laughed and protested Javal's statement, arguing that he of course won, but that it was a fun challenge nonetheless. As the pair walked over to receive new orders, she couldn't help but smile in memory. There was a time when she would have bristled at the foreman's gruff attitude, but she had seen enough of the world by now to know things weren't as simple as she used to think. She also felt a pang of sympathy for the man. She knew what it was like to try and work against seemingly impossible odds.
As Sylvari and Javal headed over to the home under construction, she set to work right away. Sylvari was often relied on to help with small-scale home building in her youth, so such a project was like a vision of the past. She immediately began cutting the collected wood into appropriate lengths and widths and spacing them about in equidistant positions around the floor plan. With Javal and the other workers' help, the team began hammering in the supports that would eventually form the walls of the small structure.
Sylvari took a pause to survey their work, pretending again to wipe sweat from her brow, before looking over to her companion, hard at work. "Have you ever done this sort of thing before? You seem a quick study."
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Post by Javal Zarrias on Sept 18, 2023 14:53:11 GMT -5
Javal smiled widely as he began getting to work, he grabbed a nearby hammer and hammered in the wall supports.
He took off his red coat and tossed it over the pile of lumber he brought on, although construction work was fun it was certainly exhausting.
He then responds to Sylvari’s as he turns his head to face her, “Yes I have done some construction work in the past besides helping here and there people building houses like this one. When I was younger I was made to do a handful of repairs on my former crew’s ship alongside the other apprentice pirates. I've been good at minor repairs because of it, I learned a thing or two from it as a child. How about you Sylvari you seem to be doing well at the sort of stuff they do in the nomadic tribes you’re from?”.
He then hears the orc fellow call out, “Alright get some lumber and start getting the walls up”, Javal turns and jogs over to his pile.
He moves his coat aside on the floor and carries the large stack of wood to one side of the wall, he then lays it down and begins placing them slowly and carefully.
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Post by Sylvari Dawnsage on Sept 18, 2023 16:02:32 GMT -5
Sylvari followed Javal over to the lumber pile and grabbed a similarly large pile of the resting wood, enjoying the friendly rivalry between herself and her companion. Much to the chagrin of the other workers, the orc who was calling out orders noticed the pair far outstripping the rest and yelled for them to get a move-on. Sylvari winced in slight guilt, but she wasn't about to do less than her best. She swiveled to Javal to answer his question as she began nailing the wall lumber to the established supports.
"Not my people, no. Well, at least not directly. We were focused on helping the surrounding settlements however we could, and sometimes that involved home building after a storm or monster attack. I've always been good with my hands, so I was often called on for such things. Dad always used to say there were warriors of the arm and those of the mind. Sadly enough for Mom, I didn't follow in her footsteps there." Sylvari's smile at the thought was quickly chased away by a pronounced frown, thinking of what she had lost. She shook away the lingering melancholy and finished up her section of the wall, moving with precise, practiced movements.
"Well, we're just about done with this one. Just have to get the roof situated. Wanna work on the bracketing while I gather the thatch and pitch?"
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