First signs

[themagus]

I sit near the fire in the middle of the forest, getting warmed up when i see Spritz some distance away, i shout "Hey spritz! Over here! Come to play a game with me! And bring a blanket!" Im getting comfortable in my own blanket, and when Spritz joins, i begin my tale with her.


You have reached the city of Alonte, the city is in the Orlyn empire and so covered with mist all the time, every house have plants and moss growing on it, all the houses are made of stone as wood would rot in this climate. This city have a sister city named Sandria, bouth cities keeping tight connections on all levels (economical, political, social...) and support eachother in times of need, which are long forgotten. The city is serounded by fertile grounds, its sister city to the north and a couple of villages to the south-west. This is a prosperous city - as you come in you can see a line of caravans of all kinds - trade, transport, some private carriages, there are many people coming and going on foot, all are going through the city gates. As you go further into the city you reach the deck and storehouses area where all the merchandise is being loaded and unloaded, sweating men without shirts carrying large crate from one place to another, and here and there an overseer shouting and pointing. Deeper down the main street there are the merchants, some with a stand, shouting and offering their goods too any passerby, others have indoor shops, some with glass windows and flashy signs above the doors, some with only a small post on the door, saying the shops name and sometimes that meaning of the name. Further down there are the workshops, for just about everything you could imagine, from weapon making to bookbinding. Streets are splitting from this main road that leads to the southern gate of the city, leading to guild centers and rich merchants houses and manors, other street goes to the citys' nobles and political leaders residence, some streets goes to the poor district of the city and some to the suburs of the more durable working class.

edit - additional city background: going through the deck, workshops and the guilds quarter there are metal rails that people tend to stay clear of, used by steam trains going back and forth that transport goods and supplies, and passes every once in a while. The architecture of the city is drawn from the Roman Empire construction style. Since then it evoled into a more modern state, and got stuck in about the 17th century kind of building..

[Spritz]

Lavara felt out of place in this bustling town. As she passed, street vendors called out to her, thier stands filled with everything from fruit, to expensive jewlery. She passed the warf, where many muscular men were loading ship, and she couldn't help but smile to herself. The cobblestone underfoot was fused with forest green moss, as each of the houses were covered with it.
In the main square, a lovley water fountan bubbled, its crystal water beckoning Lavara. She walked to it, her light clothing fluttering softly, and bent over it, splashing her face with the cool water. After refreshing herself, she continued on her way, her light steps lost within the sea of voices, of people.
A blacksmith shop beckoned her. The sign was simple, just stating the name of the shop. Lavara pushed open the door and stepped inside, blinking so her eyes could adjust to the dark interior. As they did, she could make out a stooped figure, standing in the back of the shop. She stepped forward, and the figure turned. His face was scared and dirty, his chin coated with coarse stubble. Lavara gave him a smile, her hand resting casually on the hilt of her sword that was strapped to her side. "Excuse me, I am looking for a certain place in the city. Do you think you can help me?" Lavara's voice was strong, unwavering. He shifted, and nodded.
"The mercerenaries guild."
The man lowered his eyes, then, he spoke, his voice gruff. "Follow the cobblestone. When it turns into dirt, follow the path." Then, he turned back to his work, his large heavy hammer over the searing hot metal. Lavara nodded, then turned and exited the shop, glad to feel the sun back on her fair face. The directions had been vauge, as there were cobblestone streets everywhere she looked, all leading off different directions.


(Hope I did ok, still grasping the conceptXD)

[themagus]

[ alright, comments : yes, actually i couldn't ask for anything els!
in this kind of a thread i need a lot of help, and thinking of the main square and the fountain did just that. You could say something like "im going to the main square" and let me handle the sescriptions of the place and community, but thinking of those detailes (in a way im surprised i didn't think of) did just what i needed.
I don't have time right now, and there isn't much i can add anyways, Lavara is on the main street again. I'll add my character when i'll have the time, which will be tomorrow morning or afternoon, probably afternoon.
other than that its perfect the way i see it, and you can go on asking people, try to find the (big) sign pointing towards the guilds quarter of the city, if you'll wait for my full reply i'll try to guide yuo there, if you won't, well, im sure you could find it ]

[Spritz]

(Alright, I'll leave the details up to you.. Sorry if I accidentally stick a few in there, I usually make up my own scene in my head!)

Lavara continued down the street, the street vendors calling and beckoning to her. Ignoring them, she was suddenly heaved off balance, as people pushed and shoved her rudley. The reason being, she was an Elf. They, were mere humans. Lavara's face grew hot, and as another person shoved her out of the way, she whirled, snapping a hard elbow into the males gut. He gave a small gasp of pain, and after that, they tended to leave her alone. Her long auburn hair whipped around her head as she moved forward, and her bright green eyes scanned the streets around her. Far, far ahead, she could see a rather large, wooden sign.
Even as she grew closer, she could make out the words that were burned into its surface. That was where she was headed. And sure enough, the cobblestone turned into dirt. Why couldn't the blacksmith just tell her to look for the sign? Lavara sighed, rolling her eyes. She didn't understand those humans. They were so... dumb.
After quite a bit of pushing and shoving through the streets, Lavara soon reached the sign, and looked down the dirt path. It seemed safe, for the most part, but she didn't trust anything. As she stepped forward, her eyes raked the bushes and trees that shaded the walkway. Thankfully, no one was lurking in the shadows. Her keen elven senses detected no one, and nothing.

[themagus]

You reached the guilds quarter. The guild halls, guild members residence and the official guild shops are what you can find here. A hundred meters from the entrance there's another big square with various signs pointing at different directions, displaying the way to the guild centers. From where you stand you can see a big temple to the five gods from your right and uphill. Giving a secound look at the serounding guild building one of the further building seems strange - you can recognize the general structure of a factory with metal pipes protruding out of its secound floor and connecting back in different locations, every once in a while a strong burst of steam come out of the structures many chimnis. You can't see the first floor because its serounded by walls, with a watchtower outside - that apperently watch the inside and not the newcomers.

Magus, still wearing his desert travelling clothes and stinking from long days of journey was going back to his room, his mind distracted and his steps fast and firm. He wasn't seeing the streets he passed through nor the people he pushed aside, all he was thinking of was his goal, his next destination and his next step, how he would get there was not important as long as he managed to do that. After pushing a man in a fashionable suit, skipping aside's a lady's way whirling past a huge man carrying a wine barrel on his back and nearly dodging a female warrior that came behind him... just nearly. He hit her hard carried by his increasing momentum, taking them bouth to the ground. He immidiately got back to his feet and started off, then he stopped, looking as if he just woke up, and turned to the elf "Are you alright? Did you get hurt?" he asked with a honest and sincere intention, and made a move to help the warrior up.

[ im having many distractions here so i can't be sure its what i want it to be. thats about it but i need to... 'smooth' it abit. for now lets say its done. go with it. ]

[Spritz]

Suddenly, something hard his Lavara in the stomach, and the air hissed out through her teeth. The momentum from the hard impact made her stagger backwards, then she fell, the culprit also falling with her. She hit the dusty ground harshly, her body snapping into fighting mode. Someone reached down a hand, offering to help her up, but she leaped to her feet, eying the stranger with cold, wary eyes.
"I'm fine, you idiot!" She snapped, her eyes flashing. Her long blonde hair whipped around her head as the breeze through the city picked up, and he brushed it out of her eyes.
Lavara clenched her fists, eying the stranger, but keeping her curiousity down to a minimum.

(Sorry, I couldn't think of the right word!)

[themagus]

[ thats alright ]

Magus took a defensive step back, raising his hand, palms open and outward "Im sorry, i didn't mean to hit you like that, that was a mistake! Besides if you weren't looking around all the time those kind of thing won't happen to you". Suddenly her strong figure sunk in his mind, and he understood how week, tired and thin he must be. For a moment he was scared, then he thought about how surprized she must be, and he relaxed. "Name's Magus, looks like you're new in Alonte and im here a whole day already, anything i can do to help?" he asked and offer his hand for a handshake, hoping she'll understand and do the same. Being through all these new experiences his manners took people off guard, nobody seem to expect an ex-desert dweller to talk like that, and most of them inclined to help him when he asked.

[Spritz]

Lavara eyed him cautiously, watching him with her keen green eyes. Her posture stiffened, and she looked down onto the human with disintrest. As he stuck out his hand and intraduced himself, she merley looked at it, before reaching out her own and shaking it formally. Her grip was strong, and she made sure that let him know she meant buisness.
"Lavara. My name is Lavara." She said, her voice melodic and smooth. She let go of his hand and stepped back. Better to just apologize and get it over with, leaving him to wonder as she moved on.
"My apologies."

[themagus]

"Well, it was my fault after all, the apologies are mine" replied Magus. "So, do you find your way around or do you need help about the city?". Though he didn't show it he was surprized by the long lived elf's short temper. There was a moment of silence then one of the trained passed, carrying wool and leathers and making it impossible to speak with the noise it made. After it passed everyone just went on with their businesses as if it never happen. The sun was high and the mists got warm and sticky and wind started to blow. Magus didn't like this place, he needed clear air so he decided that once he could afford getting out of here, thats exacly what he's going to do.

[Spritz]

Lavara frowned down at him. She was tall, as all elves were. Her lean figure was about 6 feet tall, the normal height for an elf. She had to admit, he seemed quite the character. But that didn't matter to her. Shaking her head, she gathered her long hair and tied it back behind her head.
"No, I have already reached my destination."
She gestured to the guild, her keen hazel eyes sweeping over the area before returning back to his face. She had been about to speak, before something huge shot past, creating a rucus that Lavara had never heard before. The train soon passed, and Lavara didn't speak. As soon as the sun had come out, the seemingly cool and moist city had turned into a hot and sticky enviroment.

[themagus]

Magus didn't argue, this elf seemed more than capable of handling on her own "OKay, goodbye then Lavara" he said, turned and walked away, back to his room. Slowly he fell back to thinking about his task, his pace quickening as he became more focused 'and this time' he said to himself, 'i'll keep an eye out, just in case there are more elven warriors lurking in the middle of the crouds'. He reached the main square and turned right, after passing several shops he turned into another street, and another street after that one he arrived at his humble and rather cheap hotel, as he entered the most noticable thing, as he very well remembered it from his last vesit was the one of sweat, food and alcohol, yet this place was modest enough not to have the smell of vomit mixed with alcohol. There was a long bar on the left, the large room was filled with round tables, there was a fireplace on the opposite wall to the door and a staircase leading to the secound floor in the halls left corner, between the fireplace and the bar. He went right up to his room, showered and went to sleep, regaining the many houres he needed.

[Spritz]

Lavara watched him dissapear into the crowd, and then she turned, back to the task at hand. She stepped forward, nearing the guild, and shook her head. She didn't exactly want to be here, but either way, she was. The elf headed off towards what looked like the main building, and she soon reached the large quarters. She then opened the door and stepped into the dark room.

(Sorry, and Im not sure what it looks like.)

[themagus]

[ don't worry, thats my part ;D ]

After following the sign [ yes, you should have checked the signs at the secound square since you're not yet familiar with the ciy ] and heading off to the mercenary guild compound you entered the guilds hall. It was dark, and an uninterested secretary sitting behind a dest which stood infront of you, not even lifting his eyes from his daily newspaper said "Everyone's on a lunch break, s'there anything you need?". He was very old, wore worn off gray and simple trousers and a long sleeve shirt and his body looked as if once he was in a good shape, but now the chair and books were his work. Behind the reseption dest the room opened to a large square waiting room filled with fine padded chairs and heavy brown wooden tables that are empty at the moment. There are 3 corridors coming from every side of the waiting room, you're standing in the 4th corridor (the entry). Those corridors lead to additional rooms, and looking at the structure from outside it must have more than one floor. A very tall man, in his middle 30s dressed in dark blue robe is coming from the corridor to your left, he looks very busy and his walk is firm and decisive, he's going past you and the secretary without uttering a word, and storming out of the building.

[Spritz]

Lavara glanced around the dark room, the secretary's echoing voice startling her. Her keen eyes focused on the figure sitting behind the large, heavy desk, and she moved foward, her hand resting on her sword hilt. She didn't feel comfortable here, not at all.
"No, I'll wait." She said, her voice strong despite her warriness.
She slunk backwards and slipped into the shadows, leaning up against the wall. She watched a tall, focused man go past, and her grip on the hilt tightened.
She didn't know who she was supposed to see, or to meet, but she waited quietly.

[themagus]

Hearing the clank of gear the secretary lifted his eyes for just a moment before taking them back to his newspaper "Lookin' for work? i haven't seen ya'ere before" he said in a tone that suggested that he loved his break and he was hoping very strongly you won't create more work for him. Noticing your tense he give you another glance and as he see your hand on the swords hilt he snaps "Heavens woman! Get your hand off the sword! You're in a city, not in a goblin cave!" and now he's eyeing you sharply, who knows... maybe you're an assassin sent to check the place for a coming job? He stay still so completely you might think him a statue, his gaze keep raking at you.

[Spritz]

Larava glanced warrily at the man, who was slumped behind the heavy wood desk, the dull light barly iluminating his features. "Why yes," Lavara paused, her voice hostile, letting him know she didn't apreciate anyone prying into her personal buisness.
"Yes, I am new." The elven woman snarled out the word. At most times, she seemed snappy, but now, she seemed downright hostile. Reluctantly, she pulled her hand away from the hilt of her sharp sword, then crossed her arms over her chest as she waited for what came next.

[themagus]

The secretary was partly angry and partly amused at her display of hostility "Are ya lookin' for a fight? Yer not in Swynkeep where you can push the militia around, and if yer looking for a fight i can assure your death right here and now, so easy on the tone and relax, or atleast try to look relaxed. Now, the bountry board is in the waitin' hall on the wall to yer right and it'll be some time till someone you can talk to'ill arrive, so whatya say? Cool it off abit?". He relaxed in his chair again, figuring that this elf may sound hostile but still have enough brains not to hold on to her sword in someone els's house, and also somewhat understanding her, he knew more than a few elves.

[Spritz]

Lavara nodded curtly, her bright eyes reflecting the dull light. She turned, following the directions that the seceratary had given her, and sure enough, she found what she was looking for.

(I have no Idea what to expect so sorry so short!)

[themagus]

[ right! sorry i forgot XD ]
The bounty board is a cork board on the wall with papers carrying job descriptions pinned on it.
The mercenareis guild write the names of the participants on the papers, and the spots left together with the requirements, if there are any (for example: chasing off monsters will require attacking forces but its obvious and won't be mentioned, however, if there will be a need for a shooter specifically the post will say that). In case the job require a team there will usually be a team leader whose working for the guild. If there wouldn't be one the post will require the leader first, and only after the matter is discussed with the local guilds' advisor the ammount of manpower needed will be added. The leader will interview the candidates, and decide whom he'll take. If you want in on a job take the post to the secretary and let him/her sign you in or set an appointment for an interview.

As you approach the bounty board you see a sea of papers, some are pretty old and some are from an houre ago, offering most kinds of jobs...

"A brave shephers is needed to walk cows through dire wolf filled valley..."

"Assassin needed, no specialty required, meeting place and time are..."

"A band of fighters is required to accompany a 'Sharons Smithing' trade line, atleast 20 archers and 40 warriors+mages (40 of bouth in total) and atleast 3 light/heavy war vehicles, going to...

From the messages on the board one sticks out - the destination is a group of villages to the south and the objective was vague but it was clear enough the job needed fighting skills. The reward sounds promissing ( it clearly says "Gold and plenty of treasure") and there's only one spot left. The others registered are Avan as the team leader, Tiruf as a fighter and Magus as a mage.

[Spritz]

Lavaras keen hazel eyes swept over the board, and she noticed somthing about it. All of the names were of men. In fact, after looking at every one, there wasn't a woman's name anywhere.
A smug smile formed on Lavara's lips, and she untacked the paper, taking it off the board. Turning, she strode with purpose back to the secretaries large heavy desk, and let the paper flutter down onto its surface.
"Sign me up."

[themagus]

The secretary gives you a doubting look, turning his gaze to the paper and back at you,. He takes out a clipboard from his drawer and nonchalantly write something and says "Avan will be here on sundown, come back for an interview", then he turn the clipboard back at you, point on a underline and say "Sign here", offering you his pencil.

[Spritz]

The elf quickly plucked the pencil out of the mans fingers, gracefully writing her name on the line, then offering the pencil and the clipboard back to the man. She set them down on the desk in front of him, and patted his hand.
"Dont worry, I'll show."
In case thats what he had been worrying about. Lavara turned, striding across the room, and pushed open the heavy door of the guild.

[themagus]

Evening came. When Lavara entered the mercenaries guild the secretary directed her to the left corridor, secound door on the right. The room was well lit and held a small amount of furniture made from the same brown wood the tables and chairs from the waiting hall were made of. Behind a large desk set a dwarf with most of his armour on him, he didn't wear his helmet and gauntlets, and his heavy hammer and shield were packed up in a pile in one of the room corners. "So you're that Lavra elf ehh... Neme's Avan please have a sit", while you sat on the chair infront of him he examined you and added "A fighter no doubt, any specific specialties?". His accent, intelligent and well spoken manner wasn't one of a hired sword but of a scholar and hinted that there might be more to the dwarven warrior than the eye could see.

*As Lavara is a new character she has no specialties. You can choose if you want to keep her mental powers a secret or announce them as a specialty.
Specialties can be:
The knowlage and practice of certian school of magic (in case you're not a mage. A standart mage is trained in various schools).
Being good at fighting against specific type of opponent (like undead, magical or normal beast[hunting], deamon, celestial creatures, monsters, humanoids etc').
Theivery (pickpocket, sneaking, breaking and entry, escaping etc') .
Assassinating (sneak kills, tactical fighting, fighting against armoured opponents without armour, fighting with exotic weapons [like claws, fire breath etc'], poisons etc').
Forces leading (battle formations, strategical planning, keeping morale, synchronizing forces on the battlefield and in siege etc')
Master warrior (being a master of a certain weapon means you can use it like your own two hands and its another part of you - it gives you unbelievable advantage - you become most tactful and fearsome in battle while using it, berserker [bear-warrior, battle rage etc'], gladiator [not being a true master of anything, you are trained with all the kinds of weapons, unarmed and armor fighting], swashbuckler [The swashbuckler embodies the concepts of daring and panache. Favoring agility and wit over brute force, the swashbuckler excels both in combat situations and social interactions, they prefare light weapons [rapier] and light armor, or plain clothes).
There are more, im just too lazy to keep on writing them. When the time comes i'll help with the choice.

[Spritz]

Lavara eyed the dward with polite curiousity, and stood at the table, right along with the rest of the men assembled. Listening closly, she nodded once the dwarf finished speaking. The fair elf cleared her throat, brushing her long hair behind a gracefully pointed ear.
"Sir, I cannot say that I have any 'specialties'. But I can say that I am a faithful warrior untill the end. I am familiar with almost all weapons, and know how to use them to others disavantage." She paused, eyeing each person in the room. She didn't pick up on any threats from them, but she kept her guard up. "I am an elf, meaning I have superior hearing and senses. That means you would have a large advantage when trying to move from one place to another without being seen." Lavara stopped speaking for a moment, debating telling him about her magic, and her telepathic powers, but decided it would be best to leave that be unless he asked.
"I have other, 'specialties', but do not feel that now is the time to state anything else about myself. If you wish to know more, I would like to be alone with you."

[themagus]

[ i knew i shold've said he's alone in the room! i guess its no that important and btw i made a pick link on Avans name in case you didn't notice, i'll make one in Tirufs too ]
Thinking for a moment Avan dismissed the specialties issue, if she was a tempest or an assassin, or something els that was as intimate it won't help them that much. "Very well, i want to make a short introduction thought we'll have plenty of time on the way - the big guy here is Tiruf (without the bow), me and him are the muscles. The skinny one is Magus , he's our magician, and our last companion here is Lavara as we learned. Now, we meet at the main southern *edit adding: city* gate at 9 o'clock tomorrow, our ride will be waiting for us. We're going to the northmost village in the Degvian volcano vicinity about 130 kilometers from here. How fast we'll get there, well, that depend on what we'll get so just to make sure get a big bag, or in case you hunt get your hunting equipment, we'll most likely need it, and don't forget your armor and weapons. By my guess we're going to get dirty on this mission" he concluded his speach with a quistions inviting look that passed every member, and waited for them to leave him to make his final registration for the journey.

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