"Ah, and sure you'd know the Saga of Arginjy?" replied the bartender.  "That can do for a start."

  The inn was almost full with the setting sun and they were quite a mix of interesting people from different cultures. No ablachi, he thought with a note of disappointment. I'd love to finally meet an ablach in the flesh. There were two Neroli finding respite here as well, and one was speaking to a child that had caught his attention when she'd first entered. A scar ran down the girls face and his elven eyes caught a finger half missing from her tiny hand. Jex was going to turn away to avoid being intrusive when he was surprised to see her warhammer and the mature eyes of a gnome looking at the elf woman she was speaking with.

  Jex'Kannon watched the two Neroli with their subtle gestures and mannerisms going mostly unnoticed by non-elves, and he found himself thinking of home for the first time in...he didn't know how long it had been. When he was there he'd seen a troubadour playing that used her heel to keep rhythm with the music instead of her toes. This lifted the whole leg instead of the foot, and consequently had the audience caught up with her in the magic of the tune she played. Tonight's minstrel had his own technique, one leg tucked up under and the other used for support. It was working, and Jex was happy to hear good entertainment while enjoying his soup.

  He finished his meal with one ear to the bard and the other to the folks at his table debating ghosts and goblins, and missing sheep...

Zaryk was throughly enjoying breaking off the edge of his "bowl" to dip into the hot soup when he felt a familiar tug at his leg. He pushed his stool back a little from the bar, and turned slightly, allowing the small orange tabby to jump onto his lap. He gave her a quick rub under the chin before turning back to his meal.

[Language unknown: "Notes u ith Ndeardrut! Er wi thuio e usnoca, eshack wases thhas. Icaca atiortnti of wepr ck ad wer staestnce onasil tetr. Tintinvir is Atievewit ceen us olofenpr m areou! Pe has ol re trble ng ss herereis."]

He fishes into his soup and pulls out a piece of meat which the cat sniffs, then tentatively licks, and then ignores and goes back to grooming.

[Language unknown: "Areun whicwhno. Iowhe a, Es utmaec oseies ch anyhaslat for asat n ei son ate oerectpre."]

Finishing his meal, Zaryk signalled to the bartender for another cup of wine. With a sigh of contentment, he turns to put his back against the wall. He sees the bard is now perched at the opposite end of the bar and appears ready to perform.

[Language unknown: "Uras u ll ivfihe, Thmoen, na anbe T ome toinceil foprma li diat rirowimoan be."]

When the Elvish maid came around he spoke up in the common Calandian tongue, “Cannae get some stew and what passes for ale around these parts?”  It wasn’t insulting or demanding but tired and callous as he tossed back his hood so that his face could be more easily seen and there be no question about if he was a child or not. Despite his still appearing young it sounded like he’d had a rough life and niceties weren’t a thing he bothered with anymore.

Odette probably burned through a tenday’s worth of willpower not sighing after the first bight of food. She had been dragonning her coins for a hand before the voyage, and often missing meals aboard, as there was that bit of the shivers that had been spreading, and preventing it from keeping the whole crew down had taken work. There had been sleep missing too, although Odette wasn’t too sure how much she’d missed that. The absence from the galley though, that had already caused her to lose pounds she didn’t have to miss, was an entirely different matter.

5 Griel down, 8 left to go.

After that she’d be silverless. She had the assorted coppers left in her coinpurse, but relying on them was like depending on rain in a desert. Perchance even worse.



The male gnome was noted, as well as the barely discernable signs of his militant training, and the hints of a taciturn demeanor — she had been searching for marshal minded men, as her full plans would eventually  require them. Of course the first possible candidate would naturally appear when she had not the currency, or the current wherewithal to recruit him.

And yet… and yet… a plan was beginning to take shape.

Time to be brutally honest.

The spoon stopped midway to Odette’s mouth on the third bight, and then promptly set down. Odette’s eyes made one more tour of the room at large before turning to her elven companion. Well, first to her hands, then to her face, , although they didn’t stay there long, as they seemed to slide right off that to a place right over the lovely elf’s shoulder.

[Language unknown: “Liesta ha ec u me larwhehou lesmo trace iotali, il Aveeenure nd be Rom t ughearlat atstr linlarnde. K ashis o iouromsheoun enchai her hoilri… a ck atec rutmi po om lince ngfien, laasatha out il u un, plol uset siadeiaian hemaiter menoreart.  P m k ons nteinc for ng ngfifo whncme plmiss atibe stiou seenma, dionntmome thec u ckonisroic i hatta one.]

At this Odette’s sight scampered over the bar and the elves there, resting on the lute player a bit longer, before flitting over the room once more.

honesty, honesty, say on.

[Language unknown: “As’u eethto ev ri resoutred st ca  Oulvenons anal iori p fi i ch wangme lin onsestdin o oveoeryin m il in et Unsies Menous'lintho pl o Cell, n sesenc rom seereibe n verwilver eianri k romughand vervorany. Ck tio een he thuingles'aresom est eau, eve nc setut el ilen m toai nemian e roni iostec ou, llrea beive nong ul entanding ai areck. K yin ol th, of un arleek ilpl, an ch na st t a oertheyinstidin sonoulatintever lin a stlolo. P ee wi pl eses sali fo nailat thuoulstious.”]

With that Odette returned to her meal  and ate a couple swallows in a most perfunctory manner to them, as though her mind was anywhere but present.
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:21, Sat 21 Dec 2019.

Jensen nodded to the Innkeep.   He closed his eyes a moment to remember the story, then drummed out a momentary beat with his fingers on the lute.   The bard started in on the melody after locking the measure into his own mind.    He intoned to the room, allowing the moment to get set for the song, "Not a moment 'afore two score and three hundred ago... A Legend was born, one of us.  Bred half into other cultures, an not long on 'eroism this one.   Arginjy he hailed by an long.   Weren't but humble folk, an a Counselor beside.   But, the Gods smile and caper about, castin' trial afore many t'see just how hot that crucible be..."

At which point, the Bard started singing in earnest, his baritone voice seemingly scaring off shadows as he rolls the thunder into the room...



[OOC: Going to split the story into three pieces... Give people time to post inbetween... that way I'm not stealing the show.]

[Language unknown: "Underaati enan n aimemiio k miati prewhesti, kor on.  Hatla sallla roho ughsetoun ou.  K st in ti nilo tiowh.  Ven int redpo ssla wh Laieet Haswer-ithvor onnale k tharutderate io alteon proandkor wit." ]

Her eyes too then went to the minstrel, as he began to pronounce. And then to sing-  of this apparently intrepid hero, Arginjy - whose tale began with infidelity and ostracization, and wound into selfless service. In a war that he had not the skill at arms to fight in the conventional way.

A counselor, the minstrel had proclaimed him as.    Elvish sagas and songs not infrequently praised counselors, wise elders, peace makers, and gentle but courageous spirits.  It was less common - from what she'd heard during her travels - for human scribed lyric to do so.     And though this singer appeared to be perhaps half elvish, his style alike his timbre were presentedly human.

It was different than the songs of home; but she'd learned to appreciate as well as value difference.

[Language unknown: "I fibut t ilevhain ousoneout,"] she remarked to Odette, in a soft tone, between a change of verse.  [Language unknown: "On he ananee p fo Neunus, teddaywit?"    ]

The elven (or perhaps the elves in the room would see those tell-tale signs that spoke of an admixture of human heritage) maid brought Garrick the ale and a wooden platter upon which sat the bread bowl filled with ham-and-bean soup.

About the room, others were waving their tankards, wanting both more ale and to hear the bard's song.

"Appreciated." was the only word he gave but he did nod in seeming thanks, or maybe it was dismissing.  He then got to work on eating the soup and breadbowl as he drank the ale.  The faster it was in his stomach the more time he'd have to rest and the less time he's have to spend with all these breeders.

[Language unknown: Laan forac ri, n, Ectthiart?]

Zaryk's left hand was tapping quietly on the bar in time with the music; his right was absently kneading the cat's scruff.

Zaryk had not heard this tale of Arginjy, so it kept his interest even as his gaze lazily fell around the room.

The bard's voice was deep and loud, a bit too loud, but it was the same with many humans he had met, what they lacked in finesse they made up with boisterousness! And, at least so far, the saga was much less lascivious than many of the songs he heard in the taverns around most human ports.

His eye brow rose in surprise, when he saw that the silver-haired elf was not speaking to a child at all; unless human children routinely dressed in leather and carried war hammers - a gnome he guessed. And another! Across the room sitting on his own.

Birnasi might be the village of half-elves, certainly it attracted many more peoples.

His eyes drifted back to the bard, as he sipped from his cup.

In reply to Annya na'Veila (msg # 26):

Odette used her spoon to pry off a bit of the bread crust that held the bean stew, as much to find a retort to the elf’s words, as well as to continue to eat her meal.

[Language unknown: “P ivwi sesistli withasnce, ckesni. A stitiolar whi hoes u, os asinad derterbut ca osekll etro tobe.”]

She’d even more prefer not sleeping in a bed and having to gag herself and hence not wake up screaming, but how she’d ever begin to explain that to her companion Odette hadn’t a clue. To say nothing of all the issues of sharing a room. If the innkeep refused her, then she’d pay for a room, and sleep on the floor, sharing or no. She’d even sleep in her traveling leathers if she had to. [Language unknown: “Ol i bleconthi omista ilelpl ma ilplne, notithntiure ich il e esho thekorica isasecek nd ce venproera. Comha ndacro'llri no wiet outntedinica, mench p eau isleho trarutwhi tra ssicevha. Her oupo-rona urolut n m na ove ca eslese e omfo sheentave’o nameat.”]

She was certain there was some story behind the unexpected answer. And guessed it somehow tied in with whatever hardships Odette had been through.  One thing did occur to her... Blessed Veja, I pray it's not that.    But, whatever the case, she was not going to ask here, nor disregard Odette's preference.

She went with the subject of the song-   [Language unknown: "Miai cawaelro... ll wime ur beol el tiit anstr naetno o somit ardessast?"]
This message was last edited by the player at 00:02, Mon 30 Dec 2019.

Aeryn thanked the men he had travelled with for their company and made his way to the inn. He was tired, the journey thus far had been long and boring. He was looking forward to finally finding some action. Absent-mindedly, he slid his hand onto the hilt of the blade on his waist. He found he greatly enjoyed the weight, and feel, of the weapon. It made him feel as though he had power over whatever events befell him. He didn't have to listen to others anymore.

Just as quickly, he pulled his hand away, not wanting to disturb the townsfolk. He asked a passing boy where the inn may be found and set off for the building. Upon entering, he was greeted by the sounds of both happy and worried townsfolk discussing the future of their little community. He found a seat at the bar and looked to the innkeep "Ho, tender! A pint of ale with some bread and meat, if you please." he said, setting a few coins down on the counter.

Scooping the coins away, the bartender served up Aeryn a mug of ale, and then a bread bowl on a wooden trencher which contained the ham and bean soup--the aroma of this soup hung heavy and appetizing in the air.  Another drink was placed near the man at the end of the bar who was mid-song, as the young half-elven maid walked aboout depositing more mugs and food at the tables.

Aeryn looked at the young maid for a moment before deciding not to consider pursuing her. The innkeep, who obviously appeared to be related to the young woman, would likely not appreciate it. Instead he ate his meal and, after quickly stuffing some bread and soup into his hungry belly, he surveyed the room looking for people of interest and, perhaps more importantly, work suiting an adventurer like he fancied himself.

The bard gave the Keep a nod for the Ale, along with a wink for the bar maid.   His professionalism returns just as fast as it slipped while continuing along with the song.   Jensen continued strong but slowly quieting it down subtly... his tone became more and more conspiratorial as the story rode on, along with his lute running quieter... muted chords seemed to evoke the cloying mists...

  Jex'Kannon absently tugged at the collar of his tunic and pushed back on the rising tightness in his chest. He'd only been enjoying this small enclave of people who lived outside their own cultures for a short time, and already the Neroli elf was feeling the pressure of urban existence. The noise and the smell were far less than any human settlement and the elvish niceties of the village a welcome sight, yet he found himself...surrounded.

  While finishing his soup the Neroli-kin caught sight of his first actual ablach, albeit a scrawny one with an off-putting demeanor sitting in the corner. Jex finished his drink and decided to introduce himself before missing a chance to meet one, but stopped once he caught signs of the man's gnomish heritage. Jex shook his head, They're such wonders at wearing other's faces to walk unseen among them.

  The archer ordered another drink, put on his best face, and began to politely ply his table-mates for more information about their missing cattle. His Calandian bore a heavy accent "I heard your words about missing...sheep? Cattle..? I have also heard mention of possible goblins? Perhaps I could be of assistance?"

Thom, the man who had sworn that it was almost anything other than wolves, gave Jex'Kannon a nod of acknowledgement before he continued his theories.  "Ghosts, spiriting off the animals, that's what I think," he said.  "Don't see no sign of 'em after."

"Ghosts don't do that, Thom," the woman said.  "Name's Aleka.  And it's sheep what we keep.  I still say it'd be somethin' natural, like wolves, not ghosts."

"But there ain't no bits left behind," said Thom.  "Course, Adelina, she ain't come in tonight," he looked to Jex, "but she say what she seen some gobbos sneakin' about, but funny lookin'.  Like the color o' ink.  That ain't natural neither, is it?"

In reply to Annya na'Veila (msg # 31):
Again the spoon  was in mid-travel to mouth, and once more, forgotten and return to bowl. If Odette had any idea of what thoughts were lightning flashing through the elf’s skull, she gave no sign, and indeed a certain degree of vibrancy  could be easily discerned in Odette’s  doctiloquent.

[Language unknown: “o, u, fies theou,  heof hat’ev rotic momasa olrut sonichoun.”]

Odette waved sideways with her four fingered left hand, as if sweeping some invisible object away.

[Language unknown: “Manar staanyble nte ma staandill m omin Omolee?"  siel ee stnc whess eraillthu ted’m teric? Din, laha sato verna ntipl erhi hasalltin   forearbut mo ll asec ou Tinhouwhe, ineingsta saonec trma earic es tedbutrea     u est Ort werlatast entmo utromewhse siev Pa elcawa. Tiitnd artatidin capo li et osit Ivenle. “]

Odette’s right hand came up then palm outward, and a single finger rose, soon to be followed by others, to emphasize the points being made.

[Language unknown: “ Ill, es a ol iltiie hearee ivte ncchur Earresous be Hipaet i witthu'tedconeen ecom, ut ticca estiliersa ouusre Ousallnde wate Haadul poati saut ie attrer eenallint pro tr be enfoet yiniveous llin anur, it ine ad ss diadac esttrahou o prnde ateima, cewhei pess erncul ndeterome, iveerenti lolaad toisut ieth salese Antstaera ome nopaca rifond n esmeat e wedipa at eratinsonund ch tedred'whiera. I mawaai tho, ver ti, Bleeauiou onhi Intameson  anbe ar etwiai p ntck herromion k Stakorrom ro fiiengthta i Itwhsame, n werandess ovedinver reasunte vorin enconeint setandhis ivpaceto ast, pr n wionnc her, t nahewe wi firut Nteeveing unel ioitisprre e com dinaveounstr romhe i urour roreen ect.”]

Both hands make a handing off gesture towards the bard, as if to say, and you know the rest. It takes no great skill of discernment to determine that Odette was enjoying discussing the academic features of the narrative to be quite enjoyable.

She was more than content to listen whilst her new acquaintance expounded on this topic.     Both because she was interested in learning something, as well as the way she observed it to enhance Odette's mood.   She smiled.

[Language unknown: "Voroultic ovekoravedayand ofand t m i paosme fi er ametiomen wi witvirtin of butdaythu eareaushe.   T an arepa ivebuther, P ntyin benoul fi.   Wa, whi andanyeve fi mosearic wiliouwilugh ch  pomoendibe, pl forthuwil us ndestioun es tired i ilen.  Latousine en kor ichrutwit in ieacth t tedereort toolwiil n inurel it fo reecunet u be roan thi."]

She listened on, as the minstrel wound further in the tale, closing out his song.

[Language unknown: "K, mi ourvirrat at ticateles a  prngmehe hecepomo fo fi ear plilee?  Evtr os ntilo trhamaar nies adesas ort latartome a ort canece icni urtafi iock but ncewerhasyin?     Chse ul astinghercon liomun, pres whelatall se nothatman din k atset no thioveore ho onint riilti?"]    She smiled again. [Language unknown:  "P, tersethat T ivureracil sions Ee sa ta mail con, ho larandilloun me ntiromate la n ekplee?"]

  Jex shook his head, "I've not heard of goblins that looked like that, but then there's much we don't know about their kind." He leaned in towards Thom, "It may even be that they're living dead, or some Things equally as miserable. Would you care if I looked around your farms tomorrow, see if I can discover anything?" The Cloud septim relaxed back into his chair, "I must admit, I'm intrigued by your plight."

*is septim the name for a member of a sept..? (i.e. the member of a tribe is a tribesman or tribesperson, etc.)
This message was last edited by the player at 10:08, Wed 08 Jan 2020.

  Jex takes Thom's silence as confirmation and nods, "I'll begin a search tomorrow and see what I can discover. I'll see if I can get a friend or two to join me. Until the morrow then." The archer smiled before standing and making his way across the smoke-filled tavern towards the other Neroli he'd seen earlier, the one who looked as though he share some academic interests in spellcraft...

There were times that Garrick appreciated the company of elves, and like now it was one of those times because they didn't bother him and they didn't bother to speak his tongue meaning all the jibber-jabber was simply that...droll jibber-jabber that likely could be replicated in any inn anywhere.  Still as he shoveled the soup, that was quite good to his surprise, his eyes did their best to watch the company incase there was going to be trouble between local and visitor.

Jensen lowers his voice some, giving the moment it's appropriate weight.   The half-elf mutes the strings as he continues to play the refrain...


Jensen quiets his strings, and looks amongst all in attendance, a slight smile across his face.   The bard intones, "While Arginjy held not long in arms or courage... The first asked him a simple request.   'I grew a King, and die a Pauper.  Perhaps, that is so for all who live by the sword.  But, a man would be thought Rich, if he could be remembered by all and sunder.'   And so did Arginjy pen the Saga of a King's life.  So that we may recall the strength he saw and felt... in moments where Courage is lean, an' Luck lacking."

At which point, he takes a long draw off the Ale long since placed next to him.  He smirks to himself while commenting, "Thirsty business."
This message was last edited by the player at 12:08, Wed 15 Jan 2020.

Zaryk joined in the the applause that echoed abut the tavern as the bard finished off his song.

[Language unknown: "Un, und all thever'thuhat tho eknclo e iniene ble Us llstecwe. Lo diie, Molaes, It the ioac tinvorich thoverset m ent llpewh Llloac. Atenpe k tiowasset.]

Zaryk stands and places the cat on the stool. He turns to the table where Jex was sitting and is surprised to see the red-haired elf approaching him. He bows slightly, and greets his fellow Neroli with a formal greeting:

[Language unknown: Icathaectith, adniekomol. Li u Iengen thaoeroulith k laul Meners'derkor laei. Ing ove icrat he eeeve lin tiri art prth anyainred, thaastsonntishe, neca p foolek.]

He gestures to the stool next to him, and continues, much less formally, [Language unknown: Fietfo hofi. Rota thekorith ll le plie allhiswas?]

---

For the sake of brevity, Zaryk will share his background information, freely with Jex, as he has no reason to not trust a fellow Neroli:

• the homeland of his sept (an island covered in Shadowtop trees);
• his background working on the trading ships with his father;
• his basic skills as a swordsman, and his even more rudimentary skills as a spellcaster; and
• that he is simply satisfying his wanderlust to explore the Thousand Islands for a time.