Adventurer
IS OFFLINE
1
Renown
Maazeric Island, Capitol Landing
64 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Dalanor Zai on Nov 3, 2024 20:37:16 GMT -5
Dalanor walked through the doors into the Brass Dragon and looked around. It was a raucous atmosphere tonight, and his quiet entrance hardly attracted any glances. Despite having been here many times before, he always felt a little lost upon re-entry. He could swear they must change the structure of the place every month and the layout every week, perhaps even daily.
The room was packed, and he looked around for an empty seat at one of the long communal style tables and made his way over. He spotted a small opening between two groups and squeezed himself in, sitting down on a bench across from a man with pale skin, blue eyes and short jet black hair pushed back. The man’s armor glinted from the light of a fire at the end of the table. The fire was bright, and the crackle and pop of a fresh log occasionally reached Dalanor’s ears, but the sounds were mostly drowned out by the noisy environment.
The Brass Dragon was well staffed tonight, and one of the available keen-eyed bartenders beelined over with a fast purposeful stride. She had mousy brown hair held up in a ponytail, with matching brown eyes and bodice, worn over a white chemise with puffy sleeves and a low neckline. A green dress stopped just below her knees where tall leather boots were laced along her shin. Her voice was strong and clear, cutting through the noise.
“You two come in together? What can I get ya both?” Her hands immediately went to her hips in impatience as she waited for response, ready to pivot back to the counter on a moment's notice. She was standing directly next to Dalanor and he thought she was heading over to take his order, except she was looking directly at the man with jet black hair.
|
|
Adventurer
IS OFFLINE
3
Renown
King's Valley
Deeply traumatized.
176 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Killian Glae on Nov 3, 2024 23:42:37 GMT -5
A cool wind blew through the city as Killian made his tired way through the streets, his boots pressing into the familiar cobblestone pathways of his adopted home. Sol City… Killian didn’t know why, but damn he loved this city. He always came back to it, returning like a stray cat fed milk by a joyous child.
He smiled as he passed vendors shutting down their stalls, people waving goodnight to each other and children being called inside by their mothers. It was a faint smile though, and easily missed if you weren’t paying attention to him, and soon it flitted away. It was good to be home, but there was no rest for the wicked.
Before making his way to the Brass Dragon for food and bed, he stopped by his usual notice board, scanning for any jobs or pleas for help. He took down the details of a few jobs that would take him out to Zeinav City, and wondered briefly what ever happened to that Elf he met there… Del, her name was. He sighed. So many people met, so many helped. And so many that still needed aid. It never stopped. It never even slowed down.
Mission complete, he finally made his way back to the inn he always stayed at, and pushed the doors open, nodding to the bartender and heading up to his room- at this point he had one reserved at all times. He put his travel pack down, washed his face, and made his way down for dinner.
It was packed in the public room, and Killian noticed there was a new barmaid working tonight. He sat down at an available seat, raised his hand slightly to indicate he needed waiting on, and settled back, feet stretched out under the table. A man sat across from him, hair and beard gleaming blue in the light. Killian didn’t acknowledge the newcomer, and when the barmaid finally came over, he didn’t bother correcting her mistake.
“Some meat, whatever’s available. And wine; tell the bartender it’s for Killian, he knows what I like.”
The barmaid nodded, and glanced at the other man, waiting for his order.
|
|
Adventurer
IS OFFLINE
1
Renown
Maazeric Island, Capitol Landing
64 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Dalanor Zai on Nov 4, 2024 2:09:33 GMT -5
"I'll have what he's having. Actually, minus the meat, just bread for me, but not the soft stuff. Bring me day-old-bread, something with some crisp to it that I can break into crackers. Or simply crackers if you have it. Oh and maybe a little cheese if it's soft and fresh. Not the moldy kind though. Nix the cheese if it's the moldy kind. Unless it's a blue moldy goat cheese, my stomach agrees better with that one." Dalanor communicated his unique palate with frustrating detail.
The barmaid looked at Dalanor with a look that transitioned from puzzled to annoyed and finally disgusted.
"Ok... so wine for both of you gentlemen, meat for you Mr Killian, and old bread and old blue cheese for the blue beard. Did I get that right?"
Dalanor noted she wasn't jotting anything down and hoped she remembered it all correctly. He had a thought to ask if the wine was light or full bodied, but as he was about to speak she had already pivoted and double-timed to the back bar counter. He shrugged his shoulders and watched her leave then turned his attention back to the dark haired man across from him. A commotion seemed to be stirring in the next table over but he paid it no mind.
"Killian, is it? I'm Dalanor Zai of Capitol Landing. Pleasure to make your acquaintance." Dalanor presented a soft smile with squinted eyes and extended a hand across the table in greeting.
|
|
Adventurer
IS OFFLINE
3
Renown
King's Valley
Deeply traumatized.
176 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Killian Glae on Nov 4, 2024 18:04:35 GMT -5
Killian’s face remained impassive as the blue-haired man made his increasingly stranger and stranger order, though privately he shared in both the barmaid's confusion and disgust. Still, to each their own. Killian didn’t really care what the stranger ordered, nor what he ate.
Killian glanced to his left, to the commotion happening at the next table. A Half-Grem was arguing with a Dwarf, and two other men were actively holding them back from throwing themselves at each other. Typical drunk behavior that Killian had witnessed a thousand times. His eyes flicked back to the stranger when he introduced himself and held out his hand.
A scam? Or just a genuinely nice person? Hard to tell.
Killian inclined his head in greeting, though didn’t respond or shake Dalanor’s hand. A few minutes later their wine was brought, two bottles and two wooden cups, and Killian poured himself a glass and sipped it slowly. A semi-sweet from King’s Valley; As always, the nostalgia it brought with it was bittersweet.
Things got louder the table over, and Killian lowered his cup with a sigh. He really hoped it wouldn’t turn into a brawl- He was tired and sore and wanted nothing more than to eat and get to bed. He had an early morning tomorrow if he wanted to strike out for Zeinav.
|
|
Adventurer
IS OFFLINE
1
Renown
Maazeric Island, Capitol Landing
64 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Dalanor Zai on Nov 4, 2024 22:30:38 GMT -5
Dalanor's hand hung in the air for a few moments, then he sheepishly withdrew it as Killian inclined his head in response. "Alright then, well met."
Dalanor rested his chin on his fist and eyed the bottle close to Killian. His mind weighed whether to reach for it, ask for it or levitate it over. Before he could decide, his thoughts were disturbed by the intensifying scene between the dwarf and half-grem. He hoped it didn't escalate into a bar brawl. His last recovery was fine due to a strong healthy constitution, but brute force strength was not exactly his forte. He took quite a beating that day. How could he have possibly known that --
His stream of consciousness shifted abruptly - a pull from an unusual influence. His eyebrows raised. As quickly as the imaginings of bar brawls had replaced the thoughts of the semi-sweet wine, he was now struck with an entirely new idea that quickened his pulse. His mind had returned back to his current primary objective - coin. He saw an opportunity.
Dalanor slammed his palms onto the table and stood up on the bench, drawing a few glares. He yelled loudly towards the dwarf and half-grem.
"You both act tough, but I'll wager hard solars that neither of you have the strength to arm wrestle my dark haired friend here!" Dalanor motioned both hands towards Killian. "A 6ft tall man, with the strength of a 12ft giant bear! He'll arm wrestle you both back to back! Are you bold enough to meet that wager?!"
Dalanor raised his fists and beamed a smile at the group who halted their argument. They looked at the 30-something blue bearded wizard standing up on the bench with a slack jawed bewilderment.
One patron yelled for Dalanor to get down, along with an unpleasantry, then threw a perfectly good piece of bread at him. Yet the rumblings of a wager had begun to murmur throughout the Brass Dragon. "Did he say wager? I'll swipe the solars of that drunk mage." A few flashes of coin glinted around the room before any agreement of contest even took place. At this point it didn't matter if it was an arm wrestle or a brawl, bets were being placed and sides were taken.
Dalanor cast a glance down at Killian. He reached into the large side pocket of his jacket and flashed his leather bound pocket spellbook, then gave him a wink. The wizard had a roguish look in his eye.
|
|
Adventurer
IS OFFLINE
3
Renown
King's Valley
Deeply traumatized.
176 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Killian Glae on Nov 5, 2024 13:43:10 GMT -5
Killian was enjoying the taste of the wine, his eyes closed for a moment, when Dalanor landed himself on the swordsman’s shit list. Killian’s eyes snapped open at the blue-haired man’s proclamation, and he shot a withering look at him. Still…
It wasn’t a half-bad plan for settling things down in a peaceful manner… He just wished that the other man hadn’t used him as the linchpin for the whole thing. He crossed his arms and looked around the room, not contradicting Dalanor’s challenge. He could see the Half-Grem eyeing him with interest. He sighed, then noticed Dalanor winking at him and showing him- Damn it. A spellbook. The man was going to cheat.
Killian gave the slightest shake of his head. If the people realized they were cheating, the resulting fight would be worse than if they had let the bar brawl happen in the first place.
The Half-Grem stomped over and snarled at Dalanor, “Outta the way, bluey, I’ll take your coin!” and he plopped himself in the now empty chair across from Killian. Killian eyed him, assessing his strength. The challenger had the usual muscles of his kind, but they didn’t look particularly toned- Likely this one didn’t do a lot of heavy lifting in his job.
The Half-Grem settled into an arm-wrestler’s pose, one arm held out, and grinned at Killian. Killian raised an eyebrow at him, then uncrossed his arms and leaned forward, gripping the larger man’s hand in his own. An excited murmur ran through the assembling crowd. Most people put money on the Half-Grem. Over by the bar, the bartender smiled and shook his head, before making a bet with the new barmaid- betting on Killian.
The countdown began, and on “Go!” both Killian and the Half-Orc began straining, and for the briefest of moments, it seemed like there might be a struggle, and then Killian slammed the other man’s hand down, hard [Bull’s Strength].
Killian leaned back in his chair, unsmiling, and folded his arms again.
“Who’s next?”
|
|
Adventurer
IS OFFLINE
1
Renown
Maazeric Island, Capitol Landing
64 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Dalanor Zai on Nov 5, 2024 23:26:02 GMT -5
In those final moments before Killian slammed down the half-grem's arm, it appeared to be a tense stalemate. The cheers and goading had faded to an eerie silence. The sounds from the crackling hearth filled the room. All eyes watched with bated breath.
Slam! The half-grem howled and clutched his arm. The Brass Dragon erupted louder than before, in a roar of noise, laughter, yells and curses. The sudden flare up of a fiddle (Swallowtail Jig!) joined the commotion. A bard shot up to his feet dancing fitfully while playing the jig, newly rich after betting big. Coin exchanged hands across the room and the half-grem stood up dejectedly, rubbing his arm as he paused in front of Dalanor who stepped into his path.
"A wager is a wager." Dalanor pursed his lips and extended his hand. The half-grem cursed and took another glance at Killian then back at Dalanor. "You tricked us mage! If it wasn't for your friend I'd snap you in two!" The half-grem angrily pulled solars out of his pocket and pressed them against Dalanor's chest, pushing him aside in the process and storming out of the Brass Dragon. A few others followed behind, casting dark glances back towards Killian and Dalanor on their way out. Dalanor clutched at the money with both hands to keep it from falling and gave Killian a wink as he stuffed his pockets.
The barmaid from earlier trotted over and refilled Killian's cup. Despite having lost the tips from the last two tables she turned, she was all smiles and sidelong glances.
Dalanor had not moved far from Killian, but it seemed like half the room was now standing and mingling so getting back to his seat took awhile. He was interrupted a few times by happy patrons who readily handed him a cup and filled it up. They clinked cups and he exchanged affirmations with another group who simply enjoyed the show and were glad the music was back.
He peeled himself away from the conversations as quick as he could, also dodging the scowling glances of a few more who were not so lucky. He finally made his way back over to see the barmaid leaning on the table talking to Killian.
|
|
Adventurer
IS OFFLINE
3
Renown
King's Valley
Deeply traumatized.
176 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Killian Glae on Nov 6, 2024 11:42:16 GMT -5
Killian narrowed his eyes at Dalanor as the mage first insisted on his winnings from the Half-Grem, then winked at Killlian. So, it wasn’t about calming down the room, was it? Just a chance to make money.
The barmaid appeared and started to refill Killian’s cup, despite the bottle right next to him. It seemed this round was on the house. Then she shot him a heavy-lidded look and a quick smile, and didn’t move away from his table.
“You know, that was really… Impressive.” She smiled.
Killian didn’t pay attention to the woman’s advances, just indicated his appreciation of the wine and shifted his gaze towards the approaching Dalanor. The barmaid hesitated for a moment, unsure of what was happening, then scowled and moved away.
As Dalanor finally reached him, Killian nodded to the seat across from him. His blue eyes didn’t leave Dalanor for a second.
“Don't ever do that again. You want to avoid a fight? Run the idea past me first. Want to just make a quick Solar? Leave me out of it.” His tone was mostly neutral, but he couldn’t help but let a hint of annoyance seep into his words.
“And what if I’d lost? You have the coin to pay out that bet?”
Killian was pretty pissed at this stranger, though outwardly he maintained his calm demeanor.
|
|
Adventurer
IS OFFLINE
1
Renown
Maazeric Island, Capitol Landing
64 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Dalanor Zai on Nov 6, 2024 23:48:14 GMT -5
"Come now, Killian! Who knew you'd be strong enough to win without using any magic! What luck! We made some winnings, prevented a brawl--", Dalanor lowered his voice and put his hand to the side of his mouth, "--and maybe even found yourself a friend for the evening." He gave a wink and inclined his head a few times towards the distant barmaid, then raised his eyebrows and gave a sly smile while nodding.
"It will make for quite the gossip don't you think? The man who arm-wrestled a grem and won! What fun!"
Dalanor began to laugh heartily and continuously, ending in a loud bleating noise. "Hahaha, haha, ha, baaaa!" His eyes went wide, followed by an embarrassed smile. A few patrons nearby glanced his way then returned to their merriment.
"Oh, don't mind my laugh, that happens whenever I get hungry, haha!"
The Brass Dragon was even louder and more raucous than before. The bard playing the jig on the fiddle continued enthusiastically and a few people began to dance on tables and had to be asked to get down multiple times. Although the angry tension boiling earlier had dissipated, the scene inside the Brass Dragon was quickly becoming a kettle about to blow. The revelry between patrons was intensifying towards a hedonistic crescendo.
|
|
Adventurer
IS OFFLINE
3
Renown
King's Valley
Deeply traumatized.
176 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Killian Glae on Nov 7, 2024 12:52:39 GMT -5
Killian glanced at the barmaid when Dalanor made a suggestive comment, then frowned. “I’m not looking for anything like that. And I don’t need the money- keep it.”
Gossip. Exactly what Killian didn’t want. There was already too much gossip about the Sworddancer. He despised it. He wanted his anonymity, wanted to be able to do his jobs without spectacle, without… Gossip. That was only going to be harder now than it already was.
Killian stared at Dalanor as the man… bleated. Okaaaay…
Killian sighed, then took his bottle of wine and poured out a second cup before sliding it over to Dalanor. “Stupid antics aside, mind telling me who you are?”
This blue-haired mage, this Dalanor, seemed like someone who was likely to stir up trouble in Killian’s city. He wanted to make sure he knew what was up with the guy. Knowing is half the battle, after all. Though hopefully there wouldn't be a battle in this case.
“And I don’t just mean your name. What are you doing here, Dalanor Zai of Capital Landing?” He used the same format that the man had used to introduce himself earlier.
“...And why are you causing a brouhaha in my favorite inn?”
|
|
Adventurer
IS OFFLINE
1
Renown
Maazeric Island, Capitol Landing
64 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Dalanor Zai on Nov 8, 2024 3:50:35 GMT -5
"Huh, what are you talking about, Dalanor Zai of... Oh! Yes! You mean me, I'm.. uh, I'm a great dancer! Watch!" Dalanor jumped up on the bench and then onto the table, eliciting cheers from patrons. A bartender across the room yelled to get down but his voice was drowned out as the jubilant bard started up an even livelier jig (think along the lines of I'm Shipping Up To Boston - Dropkick Murphys).
At the start of the music Dalanor began to dance on the table. Those around him stood up and clapped to the tempo of the music. The dancing fool's legs moved rapidly as he tapped and clacked his... hooves?
He jumped and slapped his hooves together, tapping and stomping and spinning around, repeating the motion as patrons cheered and clapped along. A wide fiendish grin was plastered on his face from ear to ear and he looked down at Killian.
"Come on Killian! Come on up here, JOIN IN THE FUN!" Dalanor's voice warped as he finished the sentence, dropping multiple levels in pitch to a deep, heavy, rumbling baritone. His eyes flashed red and a black spaded tail flipped out from under his jacket and thrashed about as he danced.
|
|
Adventurer
IS OFFLINE
3
Renown
King's Valley
Deeply traumatized.
176 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Killian Glae on Nov 10, 2024 11:41:43 GMT -5
Killian shot to his feet, backing up a few feet and eyeing Dalanor warily. Hooves? That wasn’t a problem. He had no idea what Dalanor might be, but he wasn’t familiar with every creature on Charon, so hooves meant nothing to him. The tail? Same as the hooves. But when someone’s voice suddenly changes and their eyes turn red, that’s when Killian gets suspicious.
He didn’t reach for his sword, not yet. The man might still be innocent, and Killian had no desire to threaten someone for no reason. He glanced around at the other patrons, but none of them seemed to have noticed what he had.
…Did I imagine it?
He looked back at Dalanor, dancing a feverish jig up on the table, and searched for a sign that the other man wasn’t what he seemed. Or rather, searched for another sign.
The bard played out the song to a rising, triumphant crescendo, and patrons applauded, both at the bard’s playing and at Dalanor’s dancing. Killian didn’t clap, only watched Dalanor with a closed-off expression. He didn’t trust the other man, but he honestly didn’t really have a reason to distrust him. Call it a gut feeling.
Dalanor Zai of Capital Landing… Just who are you, really?
|
|
Adventurer
IS OFFLINE
1
Renown
Maazeric Island, Capitol Landing
64 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Dalanor Zai on Nov 10, 2024 13:15:12 GMT -5
Dalanor breathed heavily and bowed to the applause.
“And now for my next trick…” Dalanor removed and tossed his jacket and shirt, revealing a lean upper torso completely covered in black goat hair… Instead of the gasps that would have otherwise been expected, more cheering and laughter erupted from those engaging in the revelry.
A few people clad in iron armor got up and walked out, unaffected by the spell that had taken hold amongst the patrons.
More cheering and laughter erupted as Dalanor got down on his hands and knees on the table and began to bleat. The transformation into a goat quickened as his arms and legs shortened and his body changed shape. Dalanor had been fully turned into a black haired goat wearing blue pants that bunched around his back hooves. A tuft of blue hair curled atop his head and the goat’s beard was also blue.
Dalanor began to hop and bleat around the bar, the animal instincts now fully taken over. As he pranced by Killian, the sound of a small fiendish giggling was faint but distinguishable through the roaring laughter of the patrons. A closer inspection would reveal the hair between his shoulders and neck was moving strangely, as if an invisible creature was riding around on his back.
|
|
Adventurer
IS OFFLINE
3
Renown
King's Valley
Deeply traumatized.
176 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Killian Glae on Nov 11, 2024 22:40:54 GMT -5
What. The. Shit.
What in all the hells is happening?
Killian’s eyes were wide as he glanced around the room. None of the patrons seemed at all surprised or disturbed by Dalanor’s sudden transformation. They all just kept laughing and pointing and laughing and laughing and laughing and Killian suddenly started to get a really bad feeling. Something was really off here [Tracker Extraordinaire].
That’s when he heard it: The high pitched laughter. All of Killian’s senses focused to a razor's edge at the sound, his every instinct immediately realizing he was in danger. He’d heard that laughter before: Fae.
Shit.
Where was it? Where was it??
His eyes darted everywhere, trying to find the source of the heinous laugh. It rang out again, and he felt a tickle in his ear that he wanted to scratch at furiously. He resisted the temptation, still scanning the room.
Where was it…?
What’s that?
Killian noticed something moving on the goat that used to be Dalanor. It was faint, only the barest distortion in the air above the goat’s shoulders, but it was enough for someone with the swordsman’s senses.
He dashed across the room to the table and snatched at the air right above the goat. He didn’t quite manage to grab the Fae, but he did hit it, and felt it get knocked away. Immediately the spell broke and everyone stopped laughing at almost the same exact moment. The goat began to change back, but Killian was still focused.
Where was it now?
|
|
Adventurer
IS OFFLINE
1
Renown
Maazeric Island, Capitol Landing
64 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Dalanor Zai on Nov 12, 2024 1:26:46 GMT -5
The jubilant bard's music came to a sudden halt. The fae's (illusion?) spell broken, Dalanor instantly snapped back to normal with a sound like a loud ' pop' of a giant bubble. He found himself sitting on the floor of the tavern looking around confused, and wondering what the hell happened to his shirt, jacket and boots. I didn't drink that much... Was it poisoned?All around the patrons had the same look of perplexity. The loud revelry from earlier was replaced by a monotone murmuring as people talking to each other tried to make sense of what just happened. What is the last thing I remember... Did I instigate... an arm wrestling match?He put a hand to his dizzy head. Why in Ziev's name would I ever think that's a good idea?The memory of what happened was like a bad dream outside of his control. His body felt like he just climbed a mountain. Something was not right. He quickly stood up to his feet and that's when he spotted him. Killian, that's right, his name is Killian...Killian stood a short distance away with a look on his face that Dalanor hoped was never directed towards him. He's looking around... but for what...That's when he heard it... a mischievous high pitched laughter from across the room. The realization dawned on him as his memories rapidly coalesced together with an academic understanding... They were dealing with a fae. Whatever type of fae it was before didn't matter ( Nibblenynh?)... it just finished gorging on the energy of a full tavern that was engaged in revelry, greed and excess consumption. Dalanor raised a hand and a nearby cup filled with drink levitated into the air.[1] " Hey, Killian right? If I can pelt it with liquids we might be able to see it at least, but there are too many people. Any ideas how we can clear the bar? I don't think the fae will leave when they do, it's bound itself to this place."
[1] Telekinesis
|
|