Siobhan's fantasy epic of eipc fantasy (open, PM me first)

[siobhancan99]

Reply to Harrison

As the pair walked along the cobblestone streets of the Eastern Rise, they could se the basin obscured in the smoke of woodfires. "Not the best view at night, once fall rolls in" Miray shrugged "In the summer though, when its too hot to cook its pretty spectacular, even at night." She paused to lean against the wall preventing folks from plunging down the mountainside onto the street below. As she leaned over, Harrison got a nice eyeful of a round rump. She was pleasantly curvaceous, amply bottomed and generously proportioned all over.

"I delve because as a woman of Kesh, there are few opportunities for advancement. Keshvian men have frail egos, and so they keep women in their place. even a gifted woman like me has few opportunities to distinguish herself in the military or make a name for herself as a hero. Ironically, it is in the lands of our historical rival the Bright Empire that my skills matter more than my tits." She looks over at Harrison "well. maybe not more. maybe still less but they matter here" she kept herself slightly bent against the wall, hips swaying subtly as she gets comfortable. She looked over her shoulder at him "Harrison is a strange name. You're clearly not Ludowy or Gradzlatan and you don't sound Volkish. Are you a long way from home?"

 

[siobhancan99]

Reply to Dieter

"I wouldn't know. Worse than ghouls they say. Undead mostly. Can't grow anything down there. No light." she shrugs again "so some kind of undead worse than ghouls." She grins "as for things to do, well there's live music here all night. If you speak Gradzlatan its great, if not at least there's a tune. There's boxing down at the wharf. Cold to stand outside to watch two half naked men beat on each other but if that's your thing it is your thing. I'm guessing you staying here means you haven't got coin for the Velvet Rope" she referenced Gradzlata's most famous brothel, where the price of a woman was weeks of a laborer's wage for a few hours of time "But if you're wanting to get your cock warmed there's your typical alley slattern, or if you want to go to mid-basin" she gestures north "Along the river there's Ludmilla's. "

 

[SubPhil91]

"Undead worse than ghouls, good to know. Maybe I should try and find someone from the church to go down there with. Music is always nice, as long as there's someone with talent playing of course. Or at least someone with a pretty face." Dieter smiles and shakes his head. "Being in the cold watching two half naked men though, that doesn't sound too fun, even if it wouldn't really be cold for me. As for coin, don't let me staying here make you think that. I just try not to waste coin on a place to sleep. A room is a room. I'm not going to pay ten times the amount to stay somewhere just to sleep. I need my coin for things more worthy of being paid for. Like information. Though getting my cock warm does sound nice. But first, how about a drink and maybe tell me about any local churches?"

 

[siobhancan99]

The girl hmmms "each of the 14 has a temple in town. The twins temple is below. The lawgiver's is also the courthouse. Helios and Luna share a temple on a mountaintop in the Eastern heights....Talas the ocean god has a temple on a little peninsula. You passed it coming into the harbor. Bitka the war god has a temple in uptown, near the north gate. Zanatlije the god of craftsmen and Trgovina the god of wealth have temples here in the harbor district. Isceljenje has a hospital nearby as well, they give free healing to the poor and run a soup kitchen. I'm not sure where the other three are, but i know they are around somewhere."

 

[SubPhil91]

"The three you don't know about, are they hidden? Or you just don't explore the whole city so you aren't sure where they are?" Dieter takes a few moments to consider his options. He sets another gold coin down on the table in front of the waitress. "You're very helpful, especially for someone who seemed a bit hesitant to talk to me at first. The temple of Helios and Luna, how long would it take me to get there from here? That temple sounds more up my alley than the rest." Dieter spends a few moments listening to the music being played and trying to enjoy the atmosphere of the Inn. "I apologize if I'm keeping you too long."

 

[siobhancan99]

She laughs "the poor have better things to do than try to make every feast day. 14 gods is a lot of praying to do. I know they're about somewhere, but praying to the god of the sky or his brother the storm lord... well... it doesn't hold much attraction for me"

She gestures "the priestesses of luna hold sway after dark. you have to make your way up the eastern rise into the heights, then actually around the mountainto the Ludowy side. It's built to see the sunrise and the moonrise."

 

[SubPhil91]

Dieter nods his head, "Maybe I'll head up in the morning and check it out. Maybe I'll make a day out of it and see the moon rise. It will be interesting to see a temple in this city. Maybe it'll be larger than most." He shrugs but chuckles. "Yes praying to 14 gods is a lot. A lot of praying for one city, but I suppose when you have 100,000 people it's not that much." He takes a look around the inn before standing up. "I think I'm gonna take a walk, check out the city before sunset. Thank you for all of the information. I hope to see you again, you've been a wealth of knowledge to this newcomer." He waves as he heads out to explore a bit of the city. He heads further away from the docks looking for any magic shops or shops of note in the area.

 

[such_a_bad_man]

Harrison allowed himself a long look at Miray as she leaned against the low wall. It was the perfect spot to view the basin of the city below, but he wasn't interested in that view at the moment. SHe didn't chastise him too much when she looked back and caught him looking. Still, he knew he'd been found out and walked over to the wall. Placing a hand against it, he stood beside Miray, watching her face as she spoke. Something about her accent or how she chose and formed her words was like music in his ears as he listened. He nearly missed that she had asked about him for a moment before clearing his throat and answering.

"I am a long way from home; you're not wrong. However, I've never been someplace that's felt like home. My parents could see how sharp I was so I was sent away at a young age to pursue magical instruction. I couldn't be more than 9 or 10 when they did. I was lost there; something about the phrasing, the language of magic and the gestures involved to invoke spells eluded me. One master there knew that it wasn't lack of effort that was causing me to fail. He saw my drive so he pulled me out of the mage's school and instructed me himself in history, language, all manner of things as his research assistant. That's where I fell in love with the story of the obliteration of this city. Not for the destruction, but for the stories of the empire that would warrant such a reaction from the gods. Everything I read about it came to life in my head. I could see myself walking its streets, marveling at its wonders. If I could have lived anywhere, it was in the city that's under our feet." Harrison said, casting his eyes to the cobbles of the road.

"So, in my mind, this expedition is the culmination of a lifelong journey to come home for the first time. While I am here in Gradzlata, it feels tantalizingly close now. But this is where things get the most dangerous. You see the goal, but lose sight of the hazards that might trip you up before you reach it. For that reason, I agreed to go with Grimgur to allay his worries." Harrison explained.

Having said he piece, Harrison swallowed. "But, even with that side journey, we have some time to ourselves." He said, the charming smile creasing his face as he had let his guard down a moment as he spoke about why this was so important to him. "And I'm not asking you to walk me home because all you are is a pretty face to me. I have a feeling you wouldn't have come if you thought I did. Some portion of me or my clothing would most likely be ash right now for thinking so little of you, I'm sure." He teased, smiling at her.

 

[siobhancan99]

The girl laughs "well the 14 gods are everywhere. not just here. i mean they are gods" she head off and dieter wanders the neighborhood. As he wanders he sees that the dockside neighborhood is somewhat squalorous. Not really the neighborhood for such things. Right now, he can't see the rise through the haze of smoke from cookfires and fires to heat the homes in the basin, but it seemed as he came in the nicer houses were either upriver or up the sides of the mountains. Perhaps up there he might find what he seeks.

 

[siobhancan99]

Miray straightens, lettingher loose clothing hide the curves of her body a little better "men are so amusing, thinking i'd waste the time or energy to burn you instead of walking away" She reaches out, brushing a hair from his face "At any rate, " She turns and heads back down the street, north along the rise to midtown where he has his house. There is a slight extra sway in her step and she glances back playfully over her shoulder "we should get you home to bed. travel takes so much out of a man. I'd hate for you to fall asleep here in the street. Plus you would be robbed so..."

 

[such_a_bad_man]

Harrison doesn't shy away from Miray's hand. He smiles warmly as he matches her gaze before she turns. Walking after her, he couldn't help but appreciate the swish of her hips. Chuckling, he slid up beside her. Being a bit more daring, he slid an arm around her waist. "I don't want to stumble in my inebriated state. I hope you don't mind." He says, walking along with her. He barely drank from the pitcher he shared with Grimgur and he's sure she noticed. "The sooner I get in bed, the better I'll feel, I'm sure."

 

[SubPhil91]

Dieter takes a few minutes pondering whether he should go uprivee or the side of a mountain. He shares and decides to head upriver before setting off. As he travels upriver he takes in the sites, making sure he remembers the direction back to the whorish mermaid. Once he starts seeing the nicer houses upriver he starts keeping an eye out for shops or just things to do in general. Seeing a new city for the first time he always tried to check out the culture and at least get a feel for the place. He still keeps an eye out for any odd activity. Even being around nicer homes, being in a new city always kept Dieter on edge. You never know what troubles a new city could bring.

 

[siobhancan99]

Reply to Dieter

As Dieter makes his way to gateside, he can see the neighborhood is much nicer but still decidedly working class. Still, here and there he can see signs with what appear to be potion bottles on them and a few finally have words as well. Most are chemists but one is called "bounty of the catacombs" and the door is strong, with a locked gate as well over the door. There is a bell that can be rung for service. If there's genuine magic to be had in this neighborhood, it likely is behind a secure door such as this one.

 

[siobhancan99]

Reply to Harrison

Miray laughs "just like a man, needing a woman's support to get anything done" her tone is playful, and she fake huffs, wrapping an arm around his waist. "You're lucky your foreign accent makes you exotic." She looked up at him "Because you have a face only a mother could love"

She grinned, then shifted a bit so her robes would give him a flash of generous cleavage "And it's not like you have a good solid reputable job. My mother wanted me to marry a blacksmith. Those guys really have it made you know?" She looks him over "you're too scrawny for a blacksmith. I don't suppose you know a decent trade like accountancy?"

She laughed brightly, and as the walk was short, they arrived at his door within a short time. She stood outside with him, not yet disentangling.

 

[SubPhil91]

Dieter stands across from the Bounty of the Catacombs for a few minutes. He observes the area for a few moments before heading toward the secure door he takes a close look at the door as he reaches for the bell to ring. As he rings the door he takes a step back, waiting for someone to answer. As he waits he looks over the neighborhood, curious about the potions a city like this could produce. He turns his attention back to the door after a few moments and waits patiently.

 

[siobhancan99]

reply to Dieter

The door opens after several locks can be heard. Behind the door is a large man with a cudgel. He regards the genasi for a long moment, then unlocks the gate and bids him enter.

Once inside, the man sits on a stool and an old man with a kindly face comes out of the back to stand behind a counter "ah, young master. buying or selling today? Hopefully the former but always glad for the latter."

 

[SubPhil91]

Dieter walks inside and gives the shop a quick glance before noting the old man. He smiles and bows his head before addressing the old me. "I was hoping to buy, but if I find something to sell, I will know where to go now. But for now, I was hoping to get a look at your selection. So far this has been the only shop in the city to catch my eye. I was wondering what all you sell, I'm not from around here so it's always nice to see what new shops have that I've never seen. But most shops around here have yet to peak my interest. So let's hope you have something that will catch my eye."

 

[siobhancan99]

The old man nods "largely potions. There's a little money in this neighborhood but not much. Some of the more succesful adventurers buy houses here. I have healing potions in large quantity. Some giant strength, though the look of you says that's not for you. Invisibility... few of those"

He also gestures "Homines wizards were fond of single use magical items. Sometimes its hard to say what they did, but these disks here all contain a single spell...these here all summon a sword which will fight for you for 2 minutes."

 

[SubPhil91]

Dieter listens to the old man and thinks for a few moments. "Being invisible would be quite handy. Having a sword might also be handy, but I'm hoping to find some adventurers to join me. So swords might not be necessary. Some adventurers buy houses here huh? How much do houses around here go for?" Dieter didn't necessarily need a house here but it never hurts to ask. Who knows how long he would end up being in the city for. "And how much for the invisibility potion? Or healing, do you have anything for that?"

 

[siobhancan99]

The old man thinks "in this neighborhood? about 2000. For the house. not the potion" he laughs and puts two inky black potions on the counter "these are 150 apiece, or i can give you the two for 250. that's the invisibility"

he fishes out 4 potions of an alluring emerald color "and these will give you regeneration for a few minutes. potent stuff. 200 apiece. Can bring a man back near from the dead, and will keep you fighting if you drink it at the outside of combat."

 

[SubPhil91]

Dieter looks at the inky potions. "Okay, I'll take the two for 250, and two of the other potion as well. Can never have too many potuons to save my ass. Any other shops around here you'd recommend? Anything selling exotic equipment or stuff of that nature?" He hands over 650 gold for the potions and puts them away after getting them. "I was curious about the gate and heavy door. That new from the riots or have you always had that keeping your potions and what not safe?"

 

[siobhancan99]

The old man laughs "son I have thousands of gold worth of inventory. it's to keep me and my stuff safe. i live here in the shop and even then I wake up in the night at every noise." the man pushes the potions across after checking the validity of the gold "If you're looking for more expensive stuff, there's a few shops up in the rise that might interest you. What sort of thing are you looking for?"

 

[SubPhil91]

Dieter shrugs, "Honestly I'm not really sure. A new cloak would be nice, I don't wear armor so something that would help protect me would be great. Other than that, I'm not in the market for anything specific." He stretches and gets ready to leave. "Fair enough, makes sense wanting to keep everything safe I was just curious. Thank you for the advice on shops. If I need any more portions I'll stop by." Dieter bows again and leaves the shop. He heads toward the rise to search the shops the old man spoke of.

 

[siobhancan99]

The old man had sent him to a few places for the cloak. A human shop in the western rise, or a "City Elf" shop in the eastern rise. The old man warned him that city elves had odd fashion sense but were considered the best enchanters in the city, so he could decide between looking weird but top notch, or being acceptable looking and still getting some protection but not the absolute best.

 

[SubPhil91]

Looking weird was something Dietrr was accustomed to. He headed toward Elf's shop and took a look at the outside of the shop before heading inside. Once inside he started looking around at the selection of cloaks and other items being sold. He looks around for someone to speak to about the cloaks. Though the cloaks might seem odd, there's nothing wrong with looking. Alittle odd when you're getting top quality items.