Act 1, Scene 1: "Together in Harmony" (Game Thread)

[Tyeal]

The strange experience to get to this unusual city left Ikaros feeling uneasy. While he wasn't terribly familiar with this part of the world, the information and directions he had been given all told him that Hilldale was much more... rustic, than this place. And also, it wasn't a city. With a moat. And drawbridges. And more Humans than Halflings.

'Where in the hell am I?' He thought to himself, making sure the hood of his cloak was up over his face, just to make sure. Wherever this place was, they might not take kindly to half-breeds. He entered through the gate in front of him, the North gate, and trudged into the city proper. Fortunately he wasn't ill-prepared, just more confused than anything else. He soon laid eyes on what looked like the local tavern, The Wayfaer's Rest, and headed inside.

The atmosphere was about what he expect. A low din of noise caused by a number of voices, song, and orders being shouted for food and drink. Looking around the place, he wasn't sure how badly he would stand out, nor did he really see anyone in particular among the crowd. He couldn't search for a spell-user through sight alone, however. He approached the bar and grabbed the bartender's attention, asking the fellow in a level, rather eloquent speech, "Excuse me good sir, can you direct me to Hilldale? I was told it was somewhere in this area, but I've clearly gotten turned around somewhere."

[Nocturno]

"Where to next oh guide of the city?" Pyros will say with a grin.

[TristenC]

[OOC: Ok, I need to square up a few things here. Tyeal, I wasn’t ready to move you to the main thread yet, but it’s ok we’ll continue on here. Also, you don’t speak the language (Harmonian) but I’ll take care of that in-post. And you can’t read the sign that says ‘Wayfarer’s Rest’ since it is in Harmonian… Speaking elven will give you a base 5% chance to understand a given statement, and you’ll accumulate 1%/day spent where half the conversation is in Harmonian. We’ll ‘rewind’ you to the gate entrance since you’ll have to find some way to convince them to let you in. You can leave the rest of your previous post up for now (until you get into the city), then I’ll copy it into the new post at that time. Last thing, let me get a quick addition to your physical description to include hair and eye color, as well as hair length (it may seem irrelevant, but the reasons will become clear very soon)

I wasn’t real clear about which gate was which, sorry about that. The ‘North’ Gate was on the Western side right up next to the river and is really only barely north with respect to the Eastern gate by the mountains. The path he was traveling is not on the map, and it comes out about halfway between the two gates. For the sake of keeping things going, We’ll use the gate to the East since that is the one closest to the Wayfarer’s Rest, and the one I assume you intended.]

Ikaros: Harmonia, Eastern Gate
Pulling up his hood, Ikaros makes his way towards the city gates. As he approaches, it becomes apparent that he must wait for the drawbridge to lower… odd for it to be up in the middle of the day… unless there was some anticipated conflict… but then why would the sheep be out? A cry descends from a man in chainmail atop the wall, but for some reason he cannot understand him at this distance. He calls back, requesting the bridge be lowered, but the guard takes pause.

The man makes a sweeping motion back over his head, indicating that Ikaros should remove his hood. Reluctantly, the half-elf complies when it becomes apparent that the bridge will not be lowered beforehand. The cold wind, which has picked up significantly, stung his flesh where the skin was thin and colorless. He felt the sentry’s eyes keenly upon him, but stood his ground. A moment later the man disappeared from the wall, and the sound of heavy chain and machinery clattered and groaned as the massive drawbridge lowered. Beyond he could see twin the wooden gates remained closed.

As the bridge thumped into place, he closed the distance to the massive portal and noticed a small man-sized entryway set in the center of one of the larger doors. As he approached, a barred window was opened allowing him to see the man inside. Blue-Violet eyes peered out of a weathered face through the opening, but the human’s somewhat suspicious expression shifted when he got a closer look at the half-elf. A musical language, with rich tonal qualities not un-like those found in Elven, greets him. Etes-vous bien? Utter surprise at not understanding the man held Ikaros’ words in his throat. …what could have…? The guard speaks again, Que lest votre nom et la raison de votre visite? Finally he manages a few words in common, but the guard seems not to understand.


Yasir: Wayfarer’s Rest
Yasir finds that he does have the room key, though he realizes that he must have left their room unlocked with the Gnome asleep inside. Heading out into the street, he makes the short walk back to the Inn. In practically no time he has returned to his shared-quarters and dropped off the garments. He notes, with relief, that nothing seems to have been disturbed. The door has a latch on the inside, so the still-snoring Gnome won’t be locked-in. Leaving the room, he locks it firmly behind him before contemplating his next move.

Mira, Pyros and Elsa: The blue bolt (not yet mapped. Sign depicts a rolled up, blue bolt of cloth.)
Well, I told her it was a silly notion, Marie smiles. Sometimes I think that woman has the brains of a goose! But still, she was actually worried! And I said, ‘Why would she lead them away? She must be making a fortune here!’ but never mind all of that. She was convinced! Wishful thinking indeed. Yes a nice black dress would make the effect more… elegant. Fine cloth, of course, and perhaps a shawl of some kind… green maybe, to accentuate your hair… she trailed off in thought, no doubt seeing some of that ‘gypsy fortune’ flow her way. Oh that gossip will think you’re luring her son off if you start performing in something like that! She laughs again.

Letting the puzzle rest, Pyros chimes in. "Where to next oh guide of the city?" he says with a grin.


[OOC: Ikaros harmonian language check = [5 (elven)+0%] = 5%. Need 5 or lower:
Ikaros lang check at gate: [1d100]=98 [1d100]=99 [1d100]=18]. Failed. Ikaros doesn’t understand.]

[Jenara]

"Oh that might be fun." Mira says with with a conspiratorial wink, "You will have to tell me how much that might cost." She ends the sentence in all seriousness, "Please."

"Right, we have better get this young lady some bandages." Giving Marie a wave she opens the door.

"Why, where would you like to go?" She aks the Kender in common, following the directions to get some bandages, watching the street, after all she was warned.

[Nocturno]

"I would like to see anything you have to show." Pyros will say.

"I am really just looking for something I can remember the city by.

[Jenara]

Mira tilts her head for a moment, then shakes her head. "Then you'll want one of the curiousity shops. But, I fear you already have many items to remind you of the place." Giving him a serious stare she grabs his shoulder. "If you have one item of mine, or kind Marie there.. I will grab you by the ankles and tip you upside down" ruffling his hair she moves on.

"Where did Yasir go?" She adds.

[Namenlos]

With one last jealous look at the sleeping gnome yasir will exit the room and lock the door.

Making his way to the downstairs yasir will attempt to find one of the servers he has met already And attempt to order a stiff drink.

[Nocturno]

"He took his goods and bee lined for the Inn"

[TristenC]

[Ooc: yeah, I'm a little behind from work and home chikanery... if you've never heard that term, welcome to the southern US . Meant to post this an hour ago...]

Oh, a satin one wouldn't be more than a few gold... she said almost dismissively. Or I could make you a fine silk dress and fit it perfectly! Ahhh, it will be enough to stun them at for the Crystal Club itself! Probably not more than 7 or 8 gold even with the green-silk shawl.... I'll start working on some sketches! she finishes, almost giddily.

Right, bandages... Elsa said, smiling at the piles of bright fabric. Oh, Yasir said he was going to drop his stuff off at the inn... she said as they headed outside. Following her directions to 'five points' from Serath the day before... come to think of it the 'Toad's Toe' was a rather froggy name... She turned West at the street just south of the Silver Scale, and the very next intersection was a jumbled mess of five roads; not a one going straight across.

The area was definitely poorer, as evidenced by the degraded housing and what looked to be the old scars of several swordfights decorating the side walls of the structures. There were no beggars about, as could be often found in larger communities, but no cutpurses either... though the early hour could account for both. The road immediately West, if it could still be called that, ran barely 50 feet before it ended; the city wall preventing further progress.

Taking her best lead, she strode confidently forward... at least moreso than she felt. The ramshackle home near the end did little to boost her confidence, but the grubby storefront that followed bore a sign that matched her sought-after description. Unfortunately however the building appeared to be closed at this arguably early hour...

Yasir: Wayfarer's rest
Yasir heads downstairs and motions to the innkeeper for a shot. He is promptly poured a couple ounces of brandy.


[Ooc: Jen, if you want/need to throw in any clarifications for Marie before leaving the shop feel free.]

[Namenlos]

Yasir will knock back the shot and then reach to his belt pouch to remove a gold coin and place it on the counter. He will then tap two fingers in an obvious manner to indicate that he should be poured two more. Yasir will drink his two new orders swiftly and push his way from the counter and make for the door and the street beyond his eye set on finding john sledge.

[Jenara]

Quick backtrack..

"That sounds perfect, do me some designs and I'll come back for a fitting." Mira agrees with a happy little grin on her face, "That would help with the nerves, and maybe to get some support."

And back to now.

Seeing the surroundings Mira brings in closer to Elsa as she checks her blade, motioning for Pyros to do the same.
"It appears we might be a little early, and frankly I have yet to visit this part of town.. It reminded me far too much of home." Scanning the area her eyes ready to pick out detail, back home this area would have pick pockets and beggars sitting in the street..

Striding confidently on she moves to the door, checking to see if any opening times are listed.

[TristenC]

Mira, Pyros and Elsa: Outside the 'Toad's Toe'
Mira finds no schedule of hours or any writing, and the door is firmly locked. The wind here is a little worse than elsewhere as it comes down from the mountains and echoes against the city wall. There are no lights in the shop, and the only person she sees about is an elderly man walking past the cross-street from north to south back at the intersection.

Yasir: Wayfarer's Rest
Yasir recieves his two shots together in a clay cup rather than more of the tiny vessles. The inkeep glances askance at him as he downs the drink, but says nothing when he slides the warrior's change forward. It was actually pretty decent stuff. Grabbing his change he seeks out John at the forge, and finds him working away on making something small out of silver.

[Ooc: Yasir pays 1sp and 5 cp for the brandy.

[Nocturno]

Pyros will go knock on the door "Hello! HULLO?!"

[Jenara]

"Pyros.. Let's just leave it, we'll come back later." Smiling she moves away, "I know what you are thinking, and its not worth the effort.."

[TristenC]

A muffled cry and a clatter come from deep inside the building. Unfortunately the one small window is too dingy to see through without a light inside...