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

[siobhancan99]

reply to clancy

Kasia snorts "here's the deal. if we go in there and disarm all the traps, Andrej will know we did it and he will not be a happy boy." she shifts "Why don't we just... peek immediately inside and see what we can see." she tests the lock and then gets out her picks "picking this now and oiling it will make it easier to deal with tomorrow anyway" she uses the bent pieces of wire and this and that on thelock, slowly throwing the pins and opening it. She shifts, then looks at Clancy "alright be ready to shoot in case something comes out..."

 

[siobhancan99]

Reply to clancy

Kasia opens the door and steps back with a quickness in case there's a trap, then laughs as it would be pretty dumb to put a trap right at the entrance to a family crypt. The inside of the crypt is revealed, all white marble shot through with purple veins. she keeps back a moment, then notes all the dust in the not often used space "think the boy will notice if we traipse through this? and do we care if he does?" she shifts a little and looks over at Clancy "i'm fine with going and getting a drink and some lunch, or scouting ahead"

 

[siobhancan99]

Reply to Clancy

Heading up to the surface, Kasia was visibly relieved to be out in the sun. "Did i tell you I was in Sewochan? it's fucking hot. and sunny. all the time. Like oppressively. So much i missed the clouds here" she smiles over at him "But when i'm underground like that, all i can think about is the warmth, the scalding warmth of that sun" she leads him to a kafana, and sits outside where she can see the sun. "THis place has pretty good cheap Prepranac" referring to the bean dish usually mixed with a bit of sausage. Cheap hearty and filling "do you have to go in to Ludmilla's?" she leans against the wall of the Kafana, sipping some water as she waits on clancy to decide what he wants to eat.

 

[siobhancan99]

Reply to Clancy

Kasia smiles and orders the simple bean soup for them both, with a bit of bread and some waters "you didn't answer" she smiles "worried about telling me you're off to be surrounded by silks and even softer flesh? hmmm?" she winks over "you working tonight or do you have the night off? If you're working maybe ill come harass your coworkers."

 

[WeaverofWorlds]

Sewochi. Ibrahim. Heights. Valen memorized it all, filing it away for later use. Even as the Sister warned him of the danger, of keeping an open mind, the paladin was considering how best to make contact with the man. Paladins were not particularly skilled at being without focus. If anything, it was almost expected for a paladin to pursue their god's will without question. While Valen liked to think he understood the need for a careful approach, he couldn't quite brush aside the stereotype of a single-minded crusader of his goddesses.

"I promise only to ask for help when it is needed, and to heed your advice and warnings when you give them. There is a reason we hunt our prey with such dedication. If Daughter Wolf will not suffer the presence of the undead among the living, neither will I. If I could have the address as soon as you are able... and if you would happen to have an armory I could visit."

He'd sold off his last weapons, if only to make it easier to enter the city itself. Guards tended not to look too closely at those who came in unarmed, and he'd been in a hurry. A terrible oversight, he should have expected danger and kept himself armed, but Mother Raven had been moving quickly.

 

[siobhancan99]

Reply to Valen

Jadzia shifts "not prudent to be walking about unarmed, even among the living." She stands, gesturing "Follow me" she leads him into theback where there's a small collection of maces and morningstars, as well as an axe or two. "found in the catacombs. I can't vouch for their quality. If you need a blade of real quality. We might arrange for a letter of credit on the church's account with a reasonable weapons maker." She watches him, letting him choose from among the sparse collection. "there's armor too, if you need it. we can have it refitted for you."

 

[siobhancan99]

Reply to Clancy

Kasia shifts forward a little "well. un. we have a... pretty empty fucking day then" she laughs and leans back, arching a little "do you wanna go just collect the kid and do it now? or do you wanna go back and just... I dunno. do whatever. do it in the morning?"

 

[WeaverofWorlds]

The selection process was quick, Valen had never had a strong need for the finest weapons and armor. Delving into the depths, if it worked well enough to crush the brittle bones and rotting flesh of the undead, then it would serve. As it so happened, maces tended to work best in that regard, if only for their ease of use and relative resistance to wear and tear. There was actually a decent one among the weapons they'd recovered, Valen hefting it slightly to feel the weight. It would do nicely.

"No need for anything more substantial. Least not for the moment. Is there anything else you can think of that may be of help? Perhaps I could speak to these adventurers as well, find out what they know."

If Ulrich had been hunting for something within the city, there would have been little reason for him to descend into the undercity. Little reason unless his investigations had led him down there.

 

[siobhancan99]

Reply to Valen

Jadzia leans in "Supposedly, aside from one of the warriors in the party they were slaughtered to a man. HE may still be in the city above. He was a Volk by the name of Jens-Dieter. A large man, reddish brown beard. He had a Lion on a black field as a device on his shield, so i assume he is some sort of knight or nobility back in his homeland. I confess to not following the heradlry of the western pretenders to the empire" she crosses her arms "He mentioned, back then, that he had stayed at the Mermaid's Curse. It's an inn in the poorer part of the city. He may no longer be here, as this was some time ago, but that would be a good place as any to start your search for him."

 

[siobhancan99]

Kasia nods "yeah I can get a runner to take a message up to the house to expect us" she picks at her bean soup a bit more, scooping some of it up with a little pogacha. she smiles over at Clancy "taking me to a whorehouse. you're a die hard romantic clancy." she bats her eyes prettily at him and grins her too wide grin, a genuine smile though this time. "I at least get to pick the third" she sticks her tongue out, then disappears into the kafana to find if the proprieter can direct her to a messenger. She leaves Clancy alone with his food and his thoughts for a few minutes, then returns having paid someone to deliver news of their coming to the main house "I said before dinner. gives us time and then some"

 

[JonathanBair]

post for Gale

"I suppose I'm not getting into the city unnoticed NOW." Thought the Gale as she tried to nod at some fisherman she passed as casually as possible. "At least no one seems to have noticed Aumanda yet!" The barbarian woman could feel the reassuring weight of her battleax across her back. The Gale would have to rethink how stealthy a woman could possibly be while strapped to nearly six foot long, double-edged greatax. "And I was always told that city dwellers were notoriously stupid and unobservant." Paddling her arms, the Gale swam out further from the city proper. Perhaps some night swimming would help her formulate a new plan.

As the river grew broader and deeper, so to did the vegetation within it. It was not long before Aumanda had gotten snarled in river grass. At that moment the barbarian spotted what looked like a man on the shore. "Another fisherman perhaps?" She was about to call out to him when a large bestial form all but materialized next to him. The Gale butterflied forward to join the fray, but Aumanda refused to abandon her dalliance with the weeds. By the time she made it to shore, the wolf, gfor by now she could tell that the creature was in fact a wolf, had been dispatched. It's form seemed to deflate as it was washed away by the current.

"While I would have like that kill for myself, I am glad your battle was a successful one." Said the barbarian to the stranger, offering her forearm in her people's traditional greeting. As water ran from her sodden leathers and with a knot of river weeds tangled in her hair, The Gale spoke in a soft, yet guarded tone. "What is your name, warrior?"

Jon was breathing hard from the excitement. It was a easy kill, but he had never been attacked like that by a animal. The pain also in his foot from the bite was leading him to breath a bit harder too. Tho he didn't know anything about wolf bites, but he did know of dog bites. Long as he gets his foot clean he knows he should be fine. The adrenaline flowing threw his body tho helped numb the pain somewhat.... Just as he was coming off the high from the fight. Jon heard a new sound. Jon's mind raced, to replay the fight. Trying to think if there was a second wolf that was with this one, that he some how missed. Jon pivoted sinking the shield bottom to the ground. His right foot back in front with his toes anchoring the base in place with his right shoulder and knee in place to use the shield as a wall if need be. Jon's left hand drawn back to his center with the sword pointing out to the river along the left side of his shield in the basic stance he knew to be in for a fight. From this he could hold his ground letting his attacker wear them self's out on his shield and using his sword to keep them in front, or he could do a springing thrust with the shield as a hard ram. A heavy shield and his large mass would give him a heck of a hit should he be short range shield on shield kind of thing. Then he heard the female voice saying "While I would have like that kill for myself, I am glad your battle was a successful one."

The new voice had him realize this was no wolf that he was facing. Jon quickly got into a more normal stance and lowered his sword as moved out from behind his allowing it to swing to the right of him in a more natrule standing with it attached to his right forearm. Jon said " I am sorry about that, I must be a bit jumpy from that wolf acting so odd." Jon extended his right arm to allow his free hand to move to her extended hand and arm. Jon smiles and says " I am Jonathan, but feel free to call me Jon. Would you like to join me in camp I can get the coals going into a small fire for us. If you would like to stay a bit."


Jon is friendly and welcoming, but is unsure what to think of this woman coming from with in the river. He is passively guarder in-case she is a thief, but is open minded to getting to know her.... Even with her odd way of traveling by swimming the river rather the walking along its banks.

Jon wants to take his boot off start to care for the bite on his foot, but he is unsure of the woman that came from the river. To get a better idea what she is like Jon asks " What is your name, and did you have a good swim?"

 

[siobhancan99]

Kasia makes a face "oh you really are a die hard romantic. " she laughs and slaps him on the arm "I'm going to flirt with every pretty girl there. Someone has to I guess" she stands up "ewll lets get going so you can show me howyou don't flirt with other girls for 20 whole minutes as if it reflects your behavior on other occasions and i can fawn over you." she rolls her eyes "then we can go test young master Andrej and see if we have to carry him through the fights too... when you're not casting weakness spells on him"

 

[siobhancan99]

Not very true to her word, Kasia did not in fact flirt with Felicia. She gave her a polite smile "I'm Kasia." Felicia took Kasia's hand a moment "charmed" then looks over to Clancy "im booked but i do do couples..." then grins and winks "Clancy never uses his discount" not that there legitimately was a discount. Kasia, for her part, doesn't correct her or say they aren't a couple. "we were hoping to ask about Andrej?" she shifts a little "not to get right into it, but I don't want to take up valuable work time"

Felicia gestures for them to sit and sits herself "he's a sweet boy. well built. He's going to make a woman happy someday, and she is going to make him miserable"

 

[siobhancan99]

Felicia laughs "no you bitter fuck. He will bend over too far and won't hold anything back and it will be too easy for her, and she will rule him with an iron fist and he will tell himself he's happy because he's in love." She shakes her head "He's too fucking eager. He just lays it all out there without creating any mystery." she shrugs "he's in amazing shape though. He's got a nice big dick and thanks to me... he knows how to use it better than most his age." she leans forward a little "He's got a lot of stamina. He's just... very young and naive and idealistic. I don't think he has any idea how many people his family probably crushed to get where they are, or the things that are done for him to enjoy the life he enjoys. I know he's a disappointment to his father, both from his lips and Jozeps"

 

[siobhancan99]

Felicia grins at Clancy, but Kasia just looks over and runs a hand along his arm. "go talk to Ludmilla. I'll wait for you outside." She smiles and waves to Felicia, then heads out to sit on a bench outside the whorehouse. Ludmilla comes out to see Clancy "nice hat. see? doesn't it make all the difference? you look dashing."

 

[WeaverofWorlds]

"It will have to be enough of a start. While I am away, if you could find the address of the Sewochi, it would be most appreciated. I'll return when I am able."

Valen gave a slight bow to the Sister before departing, mind already turning to the hunt that was to take place. His predecessor had run into something, or at least had enough evidence to suspect something was happening. Whatever was hiding, whether above or below, he would find it, and end it's existence.

Traveling into the poorer sections of the city would normally be a harrowing experience for those unaccustomed to it. Funny then, that Valen felt comfortable slipping through the dismal streets and rundown buildings. Perhaps it was the feeling that eyes were watching him, sizing him up, searching for a sign of weakness. It was like being hunted through the Whisperwood by creatures best left unspoken. An involuntary grin found its way to his face at the thought. Thankfully, he didn't have to be on the streets long, the Mermaid's Curse was a known enough place that it wasn't difficult to find. The raucous singing and number of drunken patrons slumped around it's exterior were easy indicators, if not the poorly made sign that hung outside, depicting a man falling into a half naked mermaid's embrace.

Pushing into the building found it's interior in only slightly better condition. It was clear this was a frequent haunt of the destitute, as well as likely the poorer sailor's looking for drink and company. Those individuals inside who had enough of their wits about them to care swung around to regard Valen, keeping an eye on him only long enough to be sure he wasn't a city watchman before returning to their own affairs. On the paladin's part, he made his way up to the bar, ignoring the halfhearted propositions from the few whores that plied their trade within the building, and addressed the barman directly.

"I'm looking for a Volk. Jens-Deiter. Is he about?"

 

[siobhancan99]

Reply to Valen

The barman shrugs "Jens-Dieter. Big guy? black shield with a gold lion on it?" he scratches at his chin "aint seen him in a week, but he's prepaid the room for the month so I reckon he'll be back soon enough. buy a pint and you're welcome to wait, or fuck off and sit outside. up to you" he puts a tankard on the bar, waiting for valen to express his preference.

A sad, frumpy barfly moves over to Valen. She leans on the bar, breath boozy despite the early hour, and puts a hand on his arm "might be i know where you can find the man." she looks at the tankard, then at Valen "but talkin makes a girl powerful thirsty milord" Her Homines comes in a slur, from drunkeness or accent, who can say.

 

[siobhancan99]

Reply to Clancy

Ludmilla frowns "Clancy. I said go buy a hat not take the fucking week off." she folds her arms across her chest "if you needed time away you should have had the courtesy of scheduling it earlier" She grins, predatory, her famous shrewdness coming to the forefront "But, given how important Mr. Simic is and all that, I suppose I can let you have the next few days off. I will expect you to work Sunday though. A double to cover the man that has to take your shifts tonight and tomorrow. It's only fair, after all." She rests a hand on Clancy's arm "I trust you're a man of integrity enough to know this is a fair deal"

 

[WeaverofWorlds]

There was the briefest consideration, the slightest hesitation at waiting, at not giving the drunkard yet more booze. But necessity outweighed his conscious, and the Twins hardly cared what people did with their life. Only the sanctity of their death mattered, everything else other deities could worry themselves over. So with a gesture and the deposit of a coin, he had the barkeep fill the tankard with whatever swill that passed for drink existed in the tavern, then pushed it meaningfully in her direction.

"You know where the man I'm looking for is?"

 

[siobhancan99]

Reply to Valen

The woman weaves a bit, snatching the tankard up and draining about half of it "A girl gets lonely too stranger... if you've a mind for some company before you set off." She smiles up at him, revealing a mouth ravaged by time and poor hygeine. "But maybe that big fella is more your type eh?" she shrugs and drains the rest of the tankard "That big Volkish bastard got hisself a job for a merchant in the heights. Another one of them Volks. House is on the eastern side of the basin, about three quarters of the way up." she weaves a bit "I took his laundry up there. I'm a washerwoman you know" She moves to finger his clothes "could be you could use a bit of a wash. you smell like horse." she wrinkles her nose "not that i mind a man smelling a bit of an animal you know what i mean love?" She cackles drunkenly, then leans in again "For a few silver i could show you, or you know. 10 minutes of your time" she winks lewdly, swaying on unsteady feet as she propositions the stern paladin.

 

[WeaverofWorlds]

Valen had been propositioned before. Quite a few times actually. Mostly grateful village girls, infatuated with the heroic paladin that had come and struck down the undead plaguing their home. He had even taken them up on the offer on occasion, sometimes companionship was more valuable than what little coin the village gave in aid. But he wasn't one to take advantage of a drunkard, even less inclined when the drunkard was clearly desperate. Still, if she could show him where the man he sought was, Vance was willing to offer her the few coin she'd asked. He produced two silver pieces and pressed them into her hand.

"Take me to this house, and I'll reward you with more."

 

[siobhancan99]

Reply to Valen

The woman slips the coin over to the bartender to cover her tab and orders another pint, downing it. she leads valen out into the city, then on a long walk through town. She comes to about the halfway point, north and south, then veers east, starting a long trek up the switchback streets that line the sides of the mountains. she leads him to a large manor house. The house is enitely protected from the east by the mountains, and a curve of the nearby cliffside protects it largely from the north. as such, it is largely cast in shadow through the day, only capturing the late sun. There are a few trees which against all sense seem to be thrving despite the lack of direct sunlight. A well manicured lawn sits behind a large locked iron gate. The curtains are all drawn, clearly heavy and some of the upstairs windows are shuttered. two men at arms stand by the door, observing Valen without approach.

 

[siobhancan99]

Reply to Clancy

Poor deluded Clancy would find Kasia suggesting without outright saying that she was a very important guard for a very important person inside the brothel, although in such a fashion as to give plausible deniability if directly confronted. She allowed the man she was talking to to draw his own conclusions without quite correcting him. She grins as Clancy approaches, and slips her arm through his "anyway, I must be off" she kisses Clancy's cheek and says loud enough for the man to hear "So which one of them is having your bastard dear?" strolling along with Clancy in tow.

The two make the long walk to the Simics, Kasia preferring to walk as it is free and the day is rather nice. They walk in the shade of the mountainside, out of the direct late sun and arrive at the Simic mansion. Fortunately the butler is expecting them "Master Andrej is working with his fencing master in the ballroom" the dour man announces, his voice heavy as if the world oppressed him. He gestures and leads the way, and the sound of practice swords striking each other could be heard. He opens the double doors to reveal Andrej, wearing a pair of breeches and sheened with sweat sparring against another man.

The other man is tall, 6'7 or so. His fine features and permanent expression of insouciance conspire with his height and pointed ears to reveal him as an elf. Unlike most High Elves, his hair is curly and chestnut, gathered in a pony tail behind him to spill down his back. He is dressed in human fashion in breeches, but like Andrej goes shirtless. He's thickly built... for an elf and his fluid grace makes Andrej look like a stumbling child. He has broken no sweat, and barks commands at Andrej over and over, deftly parrying with his rapier or nibly dancing aside.

Kasia, when she gets a look at the two grabs Clancy's hand. Her fingers tremble in her too tight grip, shaking with the fear that is written across her face for a long moment before she schools her features. Her hand, however, remains iron in its grip on Clancy's.

 

[JonathanBair]

Jon wants to take his boot off start to care for the bite on his foot, but he is unsure of the woman that came from the river. To get a better idea what she is like Jon asks " What is your name, and did you have a good swim?"

Jon waits for a bit and when he don't get a response. Jon shrugs and says "Well you can have this wolf, I think it is time for me to be moving along." With that Jon heads along the river to town as he wanted to get away from the woman he didn't trust and though was kinda rude to stand there ignoring him in his own camp.

 

[siobhancan99]

Reply to Clancy

Kasia makes a small sound as the elf bats Andrej's sword aside "stop, boy" he orders, calmly and firmly. Andrej immediately complies, putting the sword away "Yes master Longinus" he sketches a short bow, and waits a moment for the elf to wave at him, dissmissing him. The elf turns then, picking up a shirt of the finest linen and pulls it over his head. By the Homines name, Clancy would know the elf was what was referred to as a "City Elf" Most of the City Elves had adopted human names and tribes from among the Homines when they settled with them, eschewing their former culture. The elf shrugs into a great coat, regarding the pair with hazel eyes for a long moment. After straightening his coat he straps on his rapier. Clancy would see certain eldritch symbols stitched into the fine details of the coat, and a small rune set in silver on the scabbard of the rapier. "I am Marius Longinus, Andrej's teacher. I too was here to ensure he was adequately prepared for the journey"

He strides over, looking down at Kasia. He bears his teeth a bit, pulling his own lip down with a thumb and she hesitantly opens her lips "they all came back in then. I cannot imagine what you owe Simic for that." He turns to Clancy "the boy is adequate with a sword, better than most who undertake such adventures. He's also been properly taught to handle a mace, an axe and a dagger." He steps back "unless you've further need of me, I shall be on my way" He pauses a moment "Actually, If you would satisfy my curiousity, woman. Are you one of mine or one of theirs?"

Kasia mumbles a moment and clears her throat "I don't know, Milord."

He nods, then steps past the two into the hallway. Only then does her grip lessen.