Tavern Tales
New
Roleplay posts: 8
Registered: May 13, 2017 6:11:05 GMT -8
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Post by Tavern Tales on May 13, 2017 8:56:28 GMT -8
Waldenburg"So you've come to Waldenburg, traveler? Aye, a shady township that is, literally and figuratively. Dark clouds cast a shadow over the land, drowning the countryside in a cascade of hail and rain. Thunder rolls across the plain as lightning dances on the horizon. Best you stay here, behind the old stone walls, lest you get washed away in the torrent.
On the perimeter of the town you'll find the shanty houses, built of wood and crumbling stone. Further in the homes get taller and and bigger. The cobblestone paths twist and turn through alleys and crossways, but they all converge at the Market Square. If its a smith, baker, artisan, jeweler, or tailor that you seek you can find them there. On the east end of the square you'll find the Hunting Society, the local guild; plenty of work to be had there.
Out east you can see Drakenwald, that accursed forest. Few who ever enter that dreaded woodland ever return. Only those men and women of the Hunting Society dare tread in its darkness, returning with meats, pelts, and trophies of strange otherworldly creatures.
But what's most important to you traveler? A cozy bed, some good ale, and a warm woman perhaps? Then its the Dainty Dove you'll be wanting, the local inn just on the north end of the square. Old Amos runs the place, named it after his daughter even. Just mind what you say, and watch where you step... there's a dark force that prowls the streets at night; watching, listening, plotting. You'd do well to keep to yourself stranger."
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Roxanne Fletcher
Main Character
Roleplay posts: 816
Age: 22
Physical Description: Roxanne is tall with white hair and a narrow, athletic build. She has a pleasant face and only a couple of scars.
Clothes and Equipment: Heavy armor, Elven bow (stolen), and a longsword.
Player's online availability : Early mornings and late evenings
Registered: Aug 2, 2015 8:58:10 GMT -8
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Post by Roxanne Fletcher on May 13, 2017 12:09:13 GMT -8
The rain was heavy and cold, and Roxanne had lost her jacket to a wolf several hours before. At this point, she didn't care what sort of town she'd reached, as long as it was dry. Stepping through the gates, she walked through the shabby little huts until she reached the nicer part of town and found the local inn. The Dainty Dove. Was this an inn, or some other kind of less savory establishment? The name could go either way. Still, it looked like an inn, and more importantly, it was warm and dry inside. She stepped through the door, letting out a sigh of satisfaction to finally be out of the rain. She stepped up to the bar, looking for the proprietor or bartender.
"Hello, do you have anything to eat? Or a hot drink, perhaps? I'm awfully cold from the rain, and I'd like to warm up a bit. Also, I'd like a room for the night."
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Tavern Tales
New
Roleplay posts: 8
Registered: May 13, 2017 6:11:05 GMT -8
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Post by Tavern Tales on May 13, 2017 12:51:45 GMT -8
As Roxanne Fletcher passed under the iron gates she would feel eyes upon her. It was not the guards, who stood under a small shelter, nor the dirty children who played around the shanty houses. No, it was someone else, something else. It was a disturbing thought that would put sure to send a shiver up her back. The walk to the Dainty Dove was mostly uneventful, but was rife with glares. Where the paths were wide she would find tall homes built of stone and wood, with shingled rooves; young and old women alike looked forlornly out of the windows, but frowned at the sight of Roxanne and quickly closed their shutters as she passed. In the poorer districts the homes were closer together, and the streets narrower and muddier; she would pass shadowy alleyways where quiet figures eyed her from beneath their hoods. She would certainly pass through the Market Square on the way to the Dainty Dove. There the people were a little more honest. They were simple folk, running to and from the various shops, despite the rain. The nearby bakery actually painted a prettier picture of the town. The Dainty Dove itself looked two-stories high. Wooden framework lined the stone structure, and judging by its appearance it was clearly one of the older establishments around. A stone arch curved over the wooden door, and as Roxanne entered it creaked. The first floor of the inn was fairly large, accommodating a number of round tables where one could relax. A central hearth warmed the patrons and gave off little light in the otherwise dimly-lit room. The wood popped and crackled as the sap within heated up. The smell of roasted meat hovered about the place, giving it a delicious aroma. Groups of rough, rugged men sat alone or in small groups throughout the Dove. They all looked to be vagrants, vagabonds, or ne'er-do-wells, no better than the men she had seen in the town. But they were paying customers, and that's all that mattered. Roxanne would find her seat on the opposite end of the tavern, where a long bar extended across the majority of the back wall, except for a smaller room nearby. Behind the bar stood a wiry, elderly man: Amos, the inn's owner. "Oi, we have pork on the fire. I can have Ella fetch you some warm tea too, if that's what you'd like." Amos turned to look at the small room nearby, "Ella! Ella, get the lass some pork and start some tea!" "Coming!" came a voice from within. In a few short moments a young lady hurried out. She looked tired, and her hair as a mess, but she was definitely pretty. She dutifully hurried over to the hearth and fixed Roxanne some pork. "Here you are, enjoy! I will have the tea ready in a moment." She was sweet and honest, a good woman. Amos could tell Roxanne was new in town and so leaned in close to talk to her. "How long you stayin'? I got rooms for rent, if your interested." He looked behind her and saw she attracted some stares, then whsipered, "don't mind the men. They know what's what around her, and would not dare start any trouble in the tavern." ( Roxanne Fletcher)
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Roxanne Fletcher
Main Character
Roleplay posts: 816
Age: 22
Physical Description: Roxanne is tall with white hair and a narrow, athletic build. She has a pleasant face and only a couple of scars.
Clothes and Equipment: Heavy armor, Elven bow (stolen), and a longsword.
Player's online availability : Early mornings and late evenings
Registered: Aug 2, 2015 8:58:10 GMT -8
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Post by Roxanne Fletcher on May 13, 2017 13:05:17 GMT -8
Roxanne smiled at the young woman, accepting the pork. She hadn't realized exactly how hungry she was until now, but with the delicious food in front of her, she was suddenly starving. How long had it been since she'd had a hot meal? Two days, perhaps three? Dried food and hard biscuits were convenient for long treks, but they just weren't the same as a nice, steaming-hot roast.
"Thank you, Ella. This smells delicious."
She turned when the bartender addressed her, then glanced back at the staring men. Glaring at them until they turned away, she looked back at Amos.
"I'm just passing through, although I suppose I could be convinced to stay. I heard something about a Hunting Society here. Do you think they'll have any jobs for a freelance monster hunter? If I found some work here, I don't see the harm in staying a few weeks, especially if the pay is good. And don't worry about me, I'm used to trouble. Besides, people stare all the time. I've grown accustomed to it."
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Tavern Tales
New
Roleplay posts: 8
Registered: May 13, 2017 6:11:05 GMT -8
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Post by Tavern Tales on May 13, 2017 13:41:52 GMT -8
Amos used a dirty old rag to clean one of the mugs out. It seemed to be a habit, as the mug was fairly clean. "I've no doubt you can watch your own back. I'd just hate for a pretty lass like yourself to get hurt, that's all." He turned and smiled at Ella. "Just comes with being a father." Amos spoke softly and honestly, always bright and happy, unlike the tavern. Ella smiled at her father and looked at Roxanne. "The Hunting Society... well, they keep to themselves mostly. Their guildhouse sits on the eastern end of the Market Square. You can go speak to them if you're interested in working with them." Ella shrugged, "it's funny. Most folks don't know much about the Society, but they're here. Every so often you see one leave the guildhouse and head for Drakenwald, and then return a week or so later. You should see the heads and pelts they bring back." The pretty girl shuddered as she remembered some of the horrific trophies the Society's members brought back. She could only imagine what kind of foul, twisted bodies they belonged to. Amos shook his head "Ella, why don't you go check on that tea?" Indeed the brew was finished, but Roxanne could tell Amos was just trying to shoo his daughter away; Ella knew it too, and like a good girl went to fetch the tea. "Look, you can speak to those Hunters if you want, but I would steer clear of Drakenwald. Folks go in, and they don't come back out. Except for the Hunters, of course, but thems professionals you see." He leaned in close and whispered "and some would say them Hunters ain't all what they seem to be. They got secrets, ma'am, and their secrets got secrets." "But they look like hunters," Ella intruded, sitting Roxanne's tea near her plate and rejoining the conversation. "Trappers. Lumberjacks. Frontiersman. They like to wear cloaks made from the pelts they collect, and walk through town with bows and axes. They don't look like much, but they're quiet. They keep to themselves, rarely talking to others, and never peruse the city. In fact, no one really knows how many there are... could be a handful, or a few dozen! The town's alright with them though, because they at least supply us with good food and warm coats. And if some wannabe bandit gang ever tries something funny, the Hunters will be there to protect us." Outside the rain seemed to pick up harder and a loud thunderous boom shook the windows. Lightning flashed and lit up the dim room, causing Ella to jump. "Storm's pickin' up. It always does," Amos said. ( Roxanne Fletcher )
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Roxanne Fletcher
Main Character
Roleplay posts: 816
Age: 22
Physical Description: Roxanne is tall with white hair and a narrow, athletic build. She has a pleasant face and only a couple of scars.
Clothes and Equipment: Heavy armor, Elven bow (stolen), and a longsword.
Player's online availability : Early mornings and late evenings
Registered: Aug 2, 2015 8:58:10 GMT -8
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Post by Roxanne Fletcher on May 13, 2017 14:16:44 GMT -8
Roxanne nodded, listening to Amos as she dug into her food. It was hot and rich, just what she needed after freezing in the rain for so many hours. It really was funny how much she appreciated things like this after being deprived of them for so long. Back home at the Estate, a meal like this wouldn't be given a second thought.
"Yes, I understand completely. I'm pretty protective over my little cousin Roy, too. I watched over him when he was young, and can't help but want to keep him safe all the time. He still manages to get into trouble, though, even though he's grown now. I don't know how he does it."
Her eyes widened as Ella and her father described the Hunting Society. Heading off on long trips into the woods, bringing back horrific heads and the pelts of great beasts? That sounded right up her alley. If her brother Riktor were here, she was sure that he'd enjoy it as well. He'd always loved hunting and being in the woods.
"Well, I'm a professional too. Maybe I'll go talk to the Hunting Society, see if they have any work for someone like me. It sounds like something I'd be good at. And besides, everyone has secrets. I've got secrets, and you do too. What's a few more, especially since they seem to protect your town? Speaking of warm coats, I think I'll have to find one of those...I almost froze to death out in that storm. And if it's picking up even more than it was now, then I'm glad I'm in here. How much for a room?"
She took a sip of the tea, glad that it was still steaming. Now all she needed was a hot bath and a warm bed, and she'd be in heaven.
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Tavern Tales
New
Roleplay posts: 8
Registered: May 13, 2017 6:11:05 GMT -8
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Post by Tavern Tales on May 13, 2017 16:34:42 GMT -8
Amos shrugged "whatever suits you, stranger. Wish you luck." Amos went back to cleaning the mugs while Ella grinned and tended to more of the patrons. Because of Roxanne's kind and honest nature Amos offered her a discount on the food, and gave her the tea for free. When she was ready the innkeep led her upstairs and into one of the rooms. "You can open the window to let it air out," he explained to her. "Bed ought to be warm and cozy, Ella makes sure of that." The bed was composed of a simple wooden frame, an old won-out mattress, and sheet, two pillows, and thick blanket. It was not exactly lavish, but it would do for now, and for those travelers who spent weeks on the cold, hard earth it was more than satisfactory. A table was also in the room, if only to offer patrons a place to sit their belongings, complete with an old, dirty mirror. Finally there was a tub situated underneath a nozzle of sorts. Amos went over to the nozzle and rotated a mechanism. Steaming hot water came pouring out for a few moments until Amos turned it back off. He smiled and looked at Roxanne. "Nifty, eh? Live here long enough and you learn that Lady Rain reigns supreme. Those who abide by Mother Nature's rules learn to make do, while those who neglect her are washed away in her torrent. Rain water falls into a metal cauldron upstairs, in the attic, where we keep a slow fire burning daily. It runs through pipes to all of our rooms, and turning this nozzle gives you access to hot water. Hot baths anytime of the day!" When Amos finished showing her the room he left her alone, but offered her additional help should she need it. ( Roxanne Fletcher)
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Roxanne Fletcher
Main Character
Roleplay posts: 816
Age: 22
Physical Description: Roxanne is tall with white hair and a narrow, athletic build. She has a pleasant face and only a couple of scars.
Clothes and Equipment: Heavy armor, Elven bow (stolen), and a longsword.
Player's online availability : Early mornings and late evenings
Registered: Aug 2, 2015 8:58:10 GMT -8
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Post by Roxanne Fletcher on May 13, 2017 16:47:45 GMT -8
Roxanne certainly appreciated the discounted meal, and was pleasantly surprised at the flowing hot water. The bed was indeed warm and cozy, a definite improvement over sleeping in the rain on the ground.
"Wow, this all looks very nice! Thank you, sir, you've been very kind. I'm impressed, I haven't seen a lot of inns where you can draw your own bath at your leisure. Usually I have to ask the attendant and wait."
A soft bed and a hot bath were exactly what Roxanne had fantasized about for the past few days. After the man left, she removed her armor and clothes and got into the bathtub for a long, relaxing bath. A good long soak and scrub later, she laid down in bed and slept soundly. She'd had her doubts about this town, but so far, it seemed as though they were unfounded. Even the sense that she'd been watched earlier was forgotten, lost in the soft cushions and warm blankets. If nothing disturbed her during the night, she would awaken in the morning and head down to the bar for breakfast.
"Good morning, Amos! I must say, this inn is one of the nicer ones that I've been to. Your beds are awfully comfortable, too."
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Tavern Tales
New
Roleplay posts: 8
Registered: May 13, 2017 6:11:05 GMT -8
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Post by Tavern Tales on May 13, 2017 17:09:19 GMT -8
Amos smiled happily at Roxanne's comments. He put his hands on hips and took a deep breath, nodding. "Yeah, yeah, I try to take care of my customers as best I can." All of the good talk was getting to him, and it certainly made him appreciate his job more. Ella was busy cracking eggs and scrambling them in a beaten metal bowl nearby. She then poured them into a rough, over-used pan and started to fry them over a searing fire. The eggs cracked and popped as she stirred them around, until finally they materialized into scrambled eggs. Strips of bacon were sizzling on another spit of fire, as were sausages and bread. The aroma of the breakfast seemed to draw in more patrons, as it was certainly busier than the previous night. The tables were filled with men who were preparing to sell their wares in the Market Square. "Ella, won't you fix some breakfast for the lass here? Think she deserves some." Ella turned and smiled at Roxanne before scraping hot eggs, bacon, and sausage onto a plate. She also cut some loaf and finished it off with a scoop of butter and a bowl of... what? "It's all local," Amos assured her. It was no breakfast fit for nobility, but it was good nonetheless. He pointed at the bowl filled with a mysterious substance. "Those are grits," he told her, "most folks don't know about grits. A bit of butter and salt, a bit of jelly, and you'll have a bit of heaven, I assure you." ( Roxanne Fletcher)
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Roxanne Fletcher
Main Character
Roleplay posts: 816
Age: 22
Physical Description: Roxanne is tall with white hair and a narrow, athletic build. She has a pleasant face and only a couple of scars.
Clothes and Equipment: Heavy armor, Elven bow (stolen), and a longsword.
Player's online availability : Early mornings and late evenings
Registered: Aug 2, 2015 8:58:10 GMT -8
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Post by Roxanne Fletcher on May 13, 2017 17:27:19 GMT -8
"Grits? I don't think I've ever had those before..."
Roxanne poked at the odd porridge curiously. It looked similar to the oatmeal she ate back home, but seemed...smoother somehow. She took a bite of the sausage, deciding to put off the grits until later. Between bites, she looked up and addressed Ella.
"Mmm, you're an excellent cook, Ella. Also...who runs this town? And another thing...have you ever felt like you're being watched, outside at night? I felt like that last night, but I made it here without any incident. Still, I noticed something out there, and I'm seldom wrong about that kind of thing. Do you know anything about that? Ever hear anything like that from others?"
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Tavern Tales
New
Roleplay posts: 8
Registered: May 13, 2017 6:11:05 GMT -8
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Post by Tavern Tales on May 13, 2017 17:40:23 GMT -8
Ella smiled when Roxanne complimented her cooking, but the expression soon vanished. Ella turned around slowly, offering no reply. Amos himself, who was looking at Roxanne and Ella talk, looked away as well, as if the trio was having no conversation at all. A truly bizarre occurrence. Suddenly two hooded men would sit down beside Roxanne, one on each side. They wore rugged black robes, had pale skin, dark eyes, and grim facial expressions. "You wanna keep your mouth shut around her, Dove," they said threateningly. One of them grabbed Roxanne's drink and took a big gulp of it, while the other pulled her grits away and started to stuff his mouth. "Lord Harrot runs thing around here, and that's all you need to know. Count Drak put him in charge of Waldenburg for a reason. If the Lord wants you to do something, you do it, and right now he wants you mind your own business." The two men suddenly got back up before saying "that's the only warning you'll get." Other folks throughout the premises were quiet, watching the encounter from the corner of their eyes. When it was over they acted like nothing had happened and went back to eating their morning breakfast. ( Roxanne Fletcher)
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Roxanne Fletcher
Main Character
Roleplay posts: 816
Age: 22
Physical Description: Roxanne is tall with white hair and a narrow, athletic build. She has a pleasant face and only a couple of scars.
Clothes and Equipment: Heavy armor, Elven bow (stolen), and a longsword.
Player's online availability : Early mornings and late evenings
Registered: Aug 2, 2015 8:58:10 GMT -8
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Post by Roxanne Fletcher on May 13, 2017 22:29:27 GMT -8
Roxanne turned when the man took a swig of her drink, more than a little annoyed. Who did he think he was? When the other grabbed her food, though, she stood up and snatched the bowl out of his hands. Even if she wasn't too keen on trying it, nobody could just take her food from her like that. She placed the bowl back down on the table behind her, out of his reach.
"I don't care about your Lord Carrot or Count Drak or whoever you work for, nobody touches my food. Got it? Get away from me, or there'll be trouble. I'm not telling you twice, that's the only warning you'll get."
For someone who was ordinarily so sweet and patient, Roxanne could be awfully short-tempered in the mornings. She placed her hand on the hilt of her sword but left it where it was, deciding against drawing it until the men did something else. She'd wanted to sit here and enjoy her breakfast, and now that had been ruined. All the relaxation from the previous night, gone in the blink of an eye.
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Tavern Tales
New
Roleplay posts: 8
Registered: May 13, 2017 6:11:05 GMT -8
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Post by Tavern Tales on May 14, 2017 3:40:49 GMT -8
The two men paused for a short moment and just glared at Roxanne when she berated them. One of them started to grin viciously and laughed in an evil, desirable way. "Bad mistake, lil' Dove," he said before reaching out quickly to grab her. The other hooded man also reached out to grab her from behind, clutching the hilt of her sword with a strong grip. They were trying to restrain her, and if possible would tie ropes tightly around her wrists and ankles. Amos and Ella seemed to be ignoring the entire situation. They had warned Roxanne many times before, and despite their compassion they still didn't get involved. The other tenants inside the inn, again, looked at the commotion from the corner of their eyes but didn't move. The racket of the ordeal, which sent bar stools to the floor, attracted the attention of other hooded figures nearby, who busted into the doorway to assist their allies in containing Roxanne. If she resisted, the men would just fight all the harder until they could bind her up. They were not afraid of death, and certainly not afraid of Roxanne. ( Roxanne Fletcher )
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Roxanne Fletcher
Main Character
Roleplay posts: 816
Age: 22
Physical Description: Roxanne is tall with white hair and a narrow, athletic build. She has a pleasant face and only a couple of scars.
Clothes and Equipment: Heavy armor, Elven bow (stolen), and a longsword.
Player's online availability : Early mornings and late evenings
Registered: Aug 2, 2015 8:58:10 GMT -8
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Post by Roxanne Fletcher on May 14, 2017 9:07:51 GMT -8
Despite being outnumbered by men much larger than her, Roxanne was not planning on going quietly. Grabbing the bowl of piping hot corn porridge stuff (that she still had yet to try), she flung it into one assailant's face. She kicked at the man behind her, lashing out hard towards his kneecap. However, despite her struggling, there were too many assailants, and they were far stronger than she was. Soon, they would be able to subdue her, although not without quite a bit of trouble and most likely several injuries. Even when tied, she continued to struggle against her bonds, trying to escape.
"What do you want, huh? I'm just passing through! Is this how you treat all visitors?"
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Tavern Tales
New
Roleplay posts: 8
Registered: May 13, 2017 6:11:05 GMT -8
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Post by Tavern Tales on May 14, 2017 9:59:51 GMT -8
"Argh," one of the men growled and pulled himself away, knocking the grits off of his face. He soon rejoined the fray and they all wrestled Roxanne onto the cold, hard stone floor. They binded her up tightly, so there would be no chance of escape unless she had some sort of magical power that could untie knots. Those men who were wounded found themselves a place to sit nearby, at one of the tables; they cursed and cast angry glares towards Roxanne. The other bunch that were not unharmed, or not as badly hurt, yanked Roxanne up and started to haul her out of the inn. Amos shook his head and a tear rolled down his cheek. How it pained him that the poor girl did not heed his warnings. Ella was to saddened at the ordeal to turn and look. The patrons, however, looked on wide-eyed; it was no surprise however. This was not the first time it had happened, and it would probably not be the last. Roxanne was hauled through the muddy cobble-stone streets. Where she fought and struggled the men would give her a few good lickings, and then threaten to break her legs. If she gave them to much trouble they would break her legs at the kneecaps. A light drizzle showered over the town in the early morning. Little children frolicked in the mud puddles and climbed on old structures. Men and women pulled carts full of supplies towards the Market Square, only briefly looking at Roxanne and her captors. Soon enough she was pulled before a very large building, possibly the largest one in all of Waldenburg. Its high walls, windows, towers, and reinforced gates implied it was some sort of castle. "Get her on in," one of the hooded men growled, taking her through the gates and into a moderately-sized room; it looked to be like a waiting room. One of the men knocked hard on some wooden doors and after a few moments it opened. One of the town's guardsmen peeked out and saw the hooded figures. "More trouble, eh?" the guard shook his head and opened the doors to reveal a large hall. Columns on either side of the hall held up the high ceiling; a former stain-glassed set of windows had been painted over with black paint, and the hall was only lit by a few braziers. A long, blood-red rug was unfurled along the center of the hall, leading from the entrance to a throne of sorts in the back, which was elevated on a platform. Elsewhere the hall was covered in scaffolds; it was still being worked on. And on throne sat a man most peculiar. He was dressed lavishly, and sat in his chair like an ignorant, boastful emperor would. His skin was white as snow, his hair black as night. Blood-red eyes pierced Roxanne's very soul. Another man dressed in heavy pelts stood at the bottom of the steps, and he too turned to see Roxanne; he wore a long bushy white beard, and was very tall and strong. Whatever conversation they were having was abruptly stopped. "This one was causin' problems, Lord Harrot. Askin' to many questions," one of the captors said. Harrot, with his piercing eyes looked unconcerned and waved a hand to dismiss the men. "Kill her. She's nothing special. Save the body." Roxanne's captors grinned satisfactorily, ready to slit her throat with pride. They might as well have pushed her down and killed her there on the spot, but then the man dressed in heavy pelts stepped forth and spoke, a growl in his voice. "Wait!" The captors looked at the man with hatred, while Harrot looked at him questioningly. "Bait m'lord," was all the hunter said. The pale-skinned man looked on for a few seconds before his face grew into a devilish smile. "If you think it'll work. Take her. We can continue our talk at another time." The captors started to protest but one glare from Lord Harrot and they shut their mouths. The hunter came over and pulled Roxanne away from the men. In doing so he leaned in and whispered "you'll be safe with me." The hunter started to back away while the hooded figures looked on angrily, cursing him. Lord Harrot grinned slightly, his hearing having picked up what the hunter said to Roxanne. Nevertheless the duo were allowed to safely live the throne room. Outside, after the gates were closed, the hunter led Roxanne briskly back into the town's crowded streets. "I'll give you two choices, girl," he growled, "you can come with me, or I can cut you loose and let you go. Either way, I can get you out of the town safely. You won't last another night here." ( Roxanne Fletcher )
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Roxanne Fletcher
Main Character
Roleplay posts: 816
Age: 22
Physical Description: Roxanne is tall with white hair and a narrow, athletic build. She has a pleasant face and only a couple of scars.
Clothes and Equipment: Heavy armor, Elven bow (stolen), and a longsword.
Player's online availability : Early mornings and late evenings
Registered: Aug 2, 2015 8:58:10 GMT -8
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Post by Roxanne Fletcher on May 14, 2017 10:43:43 GMT -8
Throughout the whirlwind of activity, Roxanne was quiet. She hated being captured and tied up, but it was certainly preferable to having her knees broken. At least she'd gotten a few of them, she thought, remembering the injured ruffians left behind in the tavern. As she was hauled into the castle, she glared defiantly at the guards, and at the alleged Lord Harrot. She almost protested when he sentenced her to death, but held her tongue as her mysterious savior took her for use as "bait". Once they were outside, she glanced around and considered her options. If she let the man cut her loose now, she could still be shot by the guards. Better to stay with him, and see where he led her.
"I'll go with you...but can you cut me free so I can walk freely? Also...who are you? Thank you for saving me."
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Hunting Society
New
Roleplay posts: 4
Registered: Apr 3, 2016 16:09:34 GMT -8
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Post by Hunting Society on May 14, 2017 11:12:48 GMT -8
"Heheh," the old man managed a light chuckle. He was glad she decided to come with him instead of testing her luck alone. "Name's Bo Buck," he said, leading her through the crowds and back towards the Market Square." "Course, it's not my real name. But then we can't all afford the luxury of publicity, can we?" 'Bo Buck' seemed to know his way around Waldenburg quite well. The populace looked at him with pleasure; he was one of the few unsung heroes of the town, and one of the few inhabitants they could actually trust. Nevertheless, he didn't speak to a single one of them, and avoided eye contact with them. Finally Bo Buck and Roxanne came upon a wooden-framed two-story building with stone walls, just by the Market Square. It was the Hunting Society's guildhall! Up close the wood was fine-cut, expertly so. The stone was cut near-perfect. You would not be able to tell from a distance but this building was well-built with expert craftsmanship. All of the windows had their shutters nailed shut, preventing anyone from looking inside. Bo Buck ascended the stone steps with Roxanne and knocked on the wooden door. A few moments passed and a metal slot slid open, revealing two brown eyes before closing once more. Roxanne might have heard a number of mechanisms being turned before the door finally opened. Once the duo stepped inside Bo Buck shut the door behind him quickly and locked it back up. The initial room of the guildhouse was moderately-sized. A clean wooden floor was covered in most spots by fine-knit rugs. A fireplace on one side of the room lit the room and provided warmth. Bookshelves were filled with old, dusty volumes. There were about six chairs spread across the room, each one with a nearby table. Everything looked to be crafted by an expert, it was surreal! "Who's this then?" Roxanne would notice two men inside of the room. One of them was a very old man, with a thin white beard and no hair on his head. He wore a set of glasses which he used to read his book, not once looking away from its pages. Maybe one time he was tall and strong, like Bo Buck, but now he looked fat and very old. He pulled a pipe of tobacco from his mouth and sat it on the table, then sipped from coffee from a cup. Bo Buck had cut Roxanne's bindings off by now and removed his wet fur coat, hanging it on a coat-rack. "Don't know her name," he said before falling back into one of the chairs, grunting as he did so. "Bound for the grave, though." The other man, who sat across from the older fat one, was in his mid-forties and had a wiry build. He had a very long brown beard and short brown hair with brown eyes. "So you brought a trouble-maker then? Like we need more of those. It's hard enough to get rid of Jon-Jon." Bo Buck laughed along with the two fellows, but then said "no, no. She's the one we heard about... this is the huntress." The wiry man perked up and his eyes widened. "Oh!" He stood up and offered to shake hands with Roxanne, smiling as he did so. "Welcome to the Hunting Society, miss!" He turned and looked at Bo Buck, "Jon-Jon'll be back soon enough." Nodding, Roxanne's savior motioned for her to sit. "Sit, girl, and relax. You're safe here... safest place in the city, actually." When the girl was comfortable he would say "as you might have guessed... Waldenburg's gone crazy. I probably shouldn't tell you to much, but you should at least know the Hunting Society is workin; on fixin' things. You, bein' a hunter and all, and seeing first-hand the ailments of the town, might be interested in helping us out. But if you agree, you should know it means traveling into the Drakenwald... would you be willing to brave the dangers of the forest?" The fat old man, still not looking away from his book, spoke up "and don't be afraid to tell us your name either. Go on, tell us about yourself." ( Roxanne Fletcher)
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Roxanne Fletcher
Main Character
Roleplay posts: 816
Age: 22
Physical Description: Roxanne is tall with white hair and a narrow, athletic build. She has a pleasant face and only a couple of scars.
Clothes and Equipment: Heavy armor, Elven bow (stolen), and a longsword.
Player's online availability : Early mornings and late evenings
Registered: Aug 2, 2015 8:58:10 GMT -8
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Post by Roxanne Fletcher on May 14, 2017 16:34:10 GMT -8
Bo Buck? If he'd chosen his name, Roxanne thought, he probably should have tried a little harder. Still, who was she to judge? He'd saved her life, after all. She followed him to the guild hall, glad to be alive. Stepping inside, she marveled at how elegant everything was. She'd been in a few guild halls before, but they'd all been rather messy and dingy, with an extremely "lived-in" feel. None had been like this! When the man rose, she shook her hand and smiled at him.
"I'm Roxanne. I was planning on coming here, although not under these circumstances. Thank you for saving me! I'm a monster hunter, although I've done some bounty hunting before. I've got no problem going to Drakenwald...but what's going on with the town? Who's Lord Harrot, and why did he nearly have me killed? What is this place?"
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Hunting Society
New
Roleplay posts: 4
Registered: Apr 3, 2016 16:09:34 GMT -8
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Post by Hunting Society on May 15, 2017 13:36:36 GMT -8
The wiry man nodded his head approvingly, "monster hunting, bounty hunting... admirable trades. I'm Buddy, by the way. My dad there," he pointed to the fat, old man, "is Billy Ray."
Bo Buck frowned a bit at Roxanne's questions. He looked away and thought for a moment, as if pondering the answers while his wiry friend spoke to her. "A lot of travelers ask the same thing," he finally said. "And who can blame them? To be honest, Roxanne, the business of Waldenburg is... the business of Waldenburg." Bo Buck grinned because he knew that it left the question unanswered. He opened his mouth to explain further but was cut off by Billy Ray
For the first time, he looked away from his book and spoke to Roxanne directly. "We're the Hunting Society, miss. We don't meddle in politics. But that doesn't mean we won't help the people. There's just... a time and a place for it. Rest assured, Lord Harrot's day will come."
"And Count Drak's," Buddy said. "But as soon as you stomp one out another takes his place, and they're worse than the last. And you can't act when they have eyes and ears everywhere. You've probably seen his little birdies already... prowling the shadows, hiding beneath their dark hoods. They intend to root out dissent as quickly as they can." He shook his head, "there will be no rebellion under their watch, or at least not a successful one."
Bo Buck spoke up again. "The people just need to accept the way thing's are, at least for now. Harrot and Drak's days are numbered, we just need more time. All we can do now is wait. Fortunately, Harrot's agreed to pay us quite a bit of money to hunt down and slay all manner of creatures in Drakenwald - and we'll do just that until the day comes we can take him down. Now, do you have any more questions? Jon-Jon should be back soon and the two of you can travel into Drakenwald."
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Roxanne Fletcher
Main Character
Roleplay posts: 816
Age: 22
Physical Description: Roxanne is tall with white hair and a narrow, athletic build. She has a pleasant face and only a couple of scars.
Clothes and Equipment: Heavy armor, Elven bow (stolen), and a longsword.
Player's online availability : Early mornings and late evenings
Registered: Aug 2, 2015 8:58:10 GMT -8
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Post by Roxanne Fletcher on May 15, 2017 21:52:48 GMT -8
Roxanne smiled politely at the two. Buddy? Billy Ray? What sort of place had she stumbled into? It was a bit frustrating when Bo Buck avoided answering her question, but she supposed that he was allowed his secrets. Although...it would have been nice to know, since those secrets almost got her killed.
"It's nice to meet you. And I know what you mean...evil rulers just seem to reproduce like rabbits sometimes. You stab one, and three more appear, and suddenly all your turnips are gone. I don't really have any questions, I guess...except, what sort of creatures are we hunting? Who's Jon-Jon? You mentioned he was a troublemaker like me. What did he do? Also, I'm not actually going to be used as bait, right?"
Roxanne was not fond of the idea of being used as bait. She'd done it before, once, and hadn't liked it at all. The rest of the party was convinced that a "lovely young maiden" was just the thing to lure out a dragon from its lair. In reality, all that had resulted was Roxanne sitting on a windy cliff in her underwear for hours while the others hid in the bushes and waited for a dragon. She'd gotten fed up with the cold and the feeling of the other party members ogling her, and had called off the hunt. Soon after, she was back to working alone.
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