[Introduction] The Silver Griffon

[Yegarz]

"I am truly sorry for the trials you have suffered Captain." Cane hoped to talk his way out of this as he always hated fighting with his companions, even long after their ways had parted. Especially a companion he admired as much as the Captain for escaping Purgatory."Perhaps if you'll let me shed some light on the situation I can hope to ease the burden you bare."

He knew Goldtooth loved the truth almost as much as he loved treasure, it was one of the many reasons Cane, known as Able during his time aboard Desdemona. Oh how he hoped the journey to Purgatory hadn't changed the man. "It appears you are intent on slaying me, and if that is still your intent after you hear what I have to say I I will oblige you in a duel. I just would ask that you could ease your sword a little bit longer and trust me as you once did. For you know I never broke my word to you." Glad that he didn't have to lie about this matter and still had the opportunity to keep his history a secret he only hoped that Goldtooth's need for vengeance hadn't overcome the orc's ability to listen to reason. As it was the man did lie when he felt it was important to keep his secret, but he never broke his word which was one of his biggest tells if you knew to ask him for his word.

The truth was that when the ship did sink, it was actually orchestrated by his brothers doing and not his own. Not his brother from the Order, Cane who's name he had taken out of respect for the fallen knight that had gone rouge. But the one who lived in Purgatory. Because it wasn't actually Hell that the Captain, his ship and crew were thrown. Although many who visited and returned thought it was, and as for the rest of his crew no one could say for certain where they were, because the people we see in Purgatory are never actually there. In fact the old gray haired pirate who liked the crows nest only died 3 years ago of old age, he had lived out the rest of his days as a bard telling stories about the Great Captain who had a gold tooth and took down the King of the Lich Kingdom. Of course that would seemed far fetched, but knowing Purgatory better then most, Able knew it's secrets and was happy when his knightly brother sacrificed himself and saved them both a trip to the horrid place.

Now as happy as he was that another of his friends had escaped, he knew from the mans accusations that his real brother played a role in his escape and was probably the driving force that brought these two together again in such a warm heartfelt reunion. He knew Gold tooth couldn't have 'escaped' more then a few months prior the terror of it showed in his eyes, as Cane noticed saliva starting to escape the orc's lips, a sure sign that there may be a fight soon, Cane simply raised his arms in the air as a sign to show he was intending on using weapon or magic to defend himself right now but mere words. He also decided it best to place himself between the Capatin and his two new companions, as he was sure they would be the next legends of the world and didn't want there name tarnished the way the Captain might end up hurting his own, if Cane was unsuccessful at calming the big man down.

[robotbear]

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[abc123]

Goldtooth's nostrils flared, shooting out a jet stream of hot air. As much as he wished to slash the traitor's throat, give him a second mouth, and let him spray blood across the entire bar, he respected the barkeep and, more specifically, his cheap swill enough to stand down for the moment. He raised one hand to the barkeep, and sheathed his sword behind his back once again. Alright, alright, I'll stand down for now. Then he pointed at Cane, glaring down his nose at him, an internal fire burning in his eyes as he continued. But you. It is up to you whether we destroy this nice man's bar or not. You have five seconds to come up with a viable story, or I will pick you up, and throw you through the window behind you. Do I make myself clear?

[Enthusiast]

Niccolo had gone to the tavern that night to enjoy an evening with his friends, and indeed, they were enjoying themselves very much. He was a homely, portly little elf--not a common sight--and his companions weren't particularly fetching, either. Of course, that didn't stop them from talking of local legends and heroes, Captain Goldtooth among them, and fantasizing about high adventure in the far reaches of the realm. Quite pathetic, some might say. But Niccolo knew full well that he was a commoner, and that commoners were meant to be inspired by epic tales and heroic deeds.

The fat elf had just stood up--although at 5'5", one could scarcely tell he was standing--to fetch more drinks for his mates, when he caught sight of a massive half-orc hulking over the bar. Could it be? He stood, frozen in place. He and his friends had been so engrossed in their tales of fantasy, that they hadn't even noticed when Captain Goldtooth himself, or someone who looked very much like him, had entered the tavern. Niccolo's mouth opened, but the words remained trapped in his throat. He didn't even know what he was going to say.

But he didn't get the chance. Niccolo was shaken out of his awe-stricken state when the Pirate Captain rose from his stool and drew his blade, the mere sound of it splitting the air and commanding the attention of the tavern's patrons. Goldtooth's apparent target was a strange-looking fellow in black robes, about whom Niccolo and his friends had been wildly speculating just moments before.

Still frozen, jaw dropped, the elf watched the spectacle unfold in amazement. He couldn't believe his good fortune: he was about to see the legendary Pirate Captain Goldtooth lay waste to his enemy, in the flesh. Oh, the stories he would tell about it!

[Yegarz]

Cane nods quickly at the Captin's request for frar not of himself but for this place of buisness. "What if I told you I knew where at least one member of your crew was?" Cane responded in a calm voice he had spent years perfecting it's soothing tones, that it made almost everyone who heard it despite the circumstances feel like they were wrapped in a warm blanket. "I don't know what you know of purgatory. But I give you my word the horrors you saw were not real... at least most of them were not." with that Cane felt confident when he saw the slightest twitch in the Captian's face at the promise Cane just made, showing recognition he was sure the Captian would come and sit down with them

Cane noticed the awe struck elf staring at Goldtooth. Cane gestured over to the chubby little elf "Come, join us, you may not want to miss this tale."

Cae hated an audience and hoped the elf would be to frightened by what happened to join this rapidly increasing party. But he was hoping the Captian may still care about his reputation as he once did, and that an audience would allow Cane to relay the whole story... or at least the parts that didn't reveal his own secrets.

[Eilaer]

The night was a fortuitous one indeed, and Mother silently thanked Nora for indicating that she best not partake in the events as they transpired. With the threat of apparent bloodshed appearing to be put on hold for the moment, Mother silently reveled in the thought that this group was about to double.

With the elation also came a dose of realization. If Cane was unable to dissuade the Captain of his notions of killing him, two members within the group would be at odds and combatting one another. This quickly led her mind through a maze about how she should react if that were to occur since she would likely be unable to assist both and attempting to stop both without resorting to lethal actions would prove to be most difficult.

Of course, the initial idea was to take time into account. Cane had been part of the group longer, though by such a sliver of time it left Mother unsure whether that would matter in the minds of the mortals around her. She knew the elf that had joined her would live longer than most, if not all the others in the group assuming he died of old age, but was this fraction of time even worthy enough to consider?

She found herself carefully watching all the others, Nora and the elf in particular. Nora, because Mother considered her to be in the same situation and the elf because if he accepted the invitation, would join them in this quandary. Of course, the Captain and Cane were both being observed primarily due to the high potential they could become threats.

This of course left Mother with an option she didn’t care for. She could remove the elf and Nora from the area that would be dangerous if this went south, but that left the other two fighting one another. These mortals and their bar customs really baffled her, especially since she wasn’t so sure about this attack being as harmless as she initially thought it might be.

[robotbear]

"Right!" Nora suddenly stood up, knock the table and thus her glass to the floor. She didn't mind about that, as she was sure no one else really would. "Out out shoo shoo! This tale is too big for this room." She was thinking about pushing them, but that sounded more suicidal than valorous, so she just marched out in front of them and out the door (thankfully the storm had quieted a bit), where she found her way to the roof and took a seat, her sword in her lap and a spell on her tongue, ready to stop anything the moment it got out of hand.

[Yegarz]

Cane grabed his mug and followed Nora and Mother, and took a seat next to them."I feel I must appoligize for this inconvience as well." Cane didn't have time to fill them in compleatly but figured he'd give the two sitting down a little information to ease their confusion before more joind the table. "You see I'm much older then I appear and I used to sail for Captain Goldtooth there. He knows me by the name Able, but I've been going by Cane since a dear friend of mine left this life and his name with it. I wear the name to honor him. The Captain is upset with me because he feels I betrayed his trust, and though the truth seems farfetched, I do assure you my tale is truth."

Cane then hesitated before he added. "I won't stop you from defending youself but I do ask if possible, please do not harm the Captain, I respect, and value him as a friend.

[abc123]

The Captain's lips curled into an involuntary snarl at the idea that Cane knew the location of any of his former crewmates. In fact, the only way he thought that possible was if Cane himself had kept their soul in some sort of limbo after their death, since the Captain had seen them all wither away and die with his own eyes, as they were moving on to deeper reaches of Hell. However, before he said anything, he froze. What if Cane was not lying. What if he had a chance to save at least one, if not more of his crew, and the images he saw in Hell were just that: images and mirages put there to break his spirit. While this did not change the fact that Cane had betrayed them all, including Cane's own brother or Eden, the sorceress whom Cane had appeared to be smitten with throughout all their travels, it did mean that, if the Captain let Cane live for now, he might have a voice he could trust in deciding whether Cane should live or die.

He quickly shook off the daze that had come over him, and looked around, noticing that the little group had gone outside to change tables, most likely to save this bar from any more mayhem. He appreciated that, as it meant he could kill Cane if he felt the scum was lying, without feeling sorry for splattering blood over other patrons. He moved back to the bar, and grabbed his pint glass, downing the remainder in one go. The bartender, on cue, supplied him with another pint almost instantaneously, though he did look at the Captain with suspicion as he did. The Captain nodded his thanks, then headed outside to join the group where they sat.Alright, Abel, speak now and speak truth, or I swear to you, you will be meeting your masters by the time the night is through. Which of our compatriots managed to survive, and how did I not notice them escape and did see them die down in Hell?

[Enthusiast]

"Yes, sir," Niccolo nodded, barely audible, in response to the man's invitation. His elven ears would have heard the tale from across the tavern, especially given that the entire establishment had fallen silent and remained so even after Captain Goldtooth sheathed his weapon. But Niccolo simply couldn't pass up an opportunity to get closer to the action.

He shuffled across the tavern and clambered up onto a barstool next to the others, and when they all went outside, he followed them there as well. Niccolo's friends were in disbelief, stuck at their table without a pint of ale and, more importantly, without a special invitation to join the growing party. Indeed, the rest of the tavern's patrons stayed inside the tavern, while the little elf, in disbelief himself, took his place amongst the others outside. He waited patiently to hear the man's tale, paying close attention so he could later repeat it word for word.

[Yegarz]

Cane stared into his mug for a little bit and let the silence of the night air ring out after Gold's last words... He could tell that already the group was uncomfortable, the storm had let up, but hung in the air waiting for the right moment to start back up again. Clearing his throat Cane began his story. "First I won't ask that you call me a different name, as you knew me by Able, and you knew my brother Cane. I wear his name now to honor the man, although I did not kill him, I do feel responsible for his death. Just as I did not sink Desdemona, I feel I share a burden in her loss as well." Cane paused a moment trying to decide just how much of his past he should reveal. "I asked you earlier how much you knew about Purgatory. I know I spoke of it many times amongst your crew but you were busy so I don't know how much these stories you heard. I know that is where you were and not hell, because you speak of loss, and not losing, for once you've lost something, as much as the initial pain comes, you have a chance to heal.

I have been caged by purgatory once as well, however I did not accompany you there this time, and that is thanks to my brother Cane, I told him I would do most anything except betray my friends, to be sure I never had to return. He knew this and sacrificed himself for me... For that I am truly grateful, but even more so, in sacrificing himself, he saved himself the heartache of that place." Cane coughed, and lifted his mug, which was never actually filled, looked inside it, sighed and placed it back down. "Now one of the many things about Purgatory, is that it is a place of healing. Or that was it's original purpose, however in order to be healed one has to let go of their hate and anger, which sometimes is the only thing keeping people alive, and so they pass on once they let go. Others who still have a purpose after can choose to return, but not many do, as this life is a hard one compared to the promise that lays waiting on the other side. However their is ruler there, who has corrupted it's purpose, instead of using loss as a way to heal and let go, he finds a way to twist it, so all the builds inside is Anger and Hate, forcing his prisoners to stay eternally if they don't know it's secrets.

Most of your crew knew the secret to escaping Purgatory, however it takes great personal strength and sacrifice to leave. Your lookout with the silver hair, he didn't stay locked up long, and had spent many years telling people of your legendary deeds, sadly he has passed some three years ago, and he is the one I know the location of simply because once your laid to rest, you can't wander off. I'm sure there were others strong enough to escape, as I've heard about men, meeting the description of your crew, claiming they have sailed with you, and most of them returned to their life. Your chef I believe now owns an Inn back in your home port, I haven't been there to see it myself, but I wouldn't doubt it, he always felt a need to take care of everyone." Cane paused, seeing that he was going to have to reveal a little more of his secret as Gold looked like he needed to know how Cane knew what he did about this other plane.

"I am sorry for the your loss, as I am sure much of your crew is still trapped in that horrid place getting tormented by the evil being introduced to their minds. I'm sure many will be sent back here to kill me as well, just as you were. I don't know the details of your escape, but I do know it wasn't by accident you were allowed to escape with this mind of vengeance towards me. You see the ruler that I mentioned, I knew him before he ascended the throne. He feels I betrayed him, and in a way I did. I've been to purgatory more then once, and I knew it's secrets, I knew that the images I saw were not real, it made it easy to find peace and escape the last time I was there, it wasn't until after I left, I realized that after you've been there, it doesn't just project images, but it power starts to draw the ones you care about to reside there with you, and it bought my friend, Adam, who I expected to see in this plane, only to discover that the last image I saw, of him calling out not to leave him behind, was real. I tried for a long time to find a way back in, so that I could try and save him. But as the years past, and I made more friends, I realized that if I were to go back, I'd risk so much more then my own soul, but the souls of the ones I cared for. Sadly it seems that Adam, had started sending out those he has corrupted to bring me back to exact his revenge. Which is why I feel I need to take responsibility in your ship sinking. I let Zach, take the helm from me in that storm, Eden, was pinned by some debris when the lightning struck the boat, I feared for her life, and as I rushed by her side, that's when Zach steered us right in to vortex. I know you remember the demons come at us, to take us away, to purgatory, when they came for me I tried to protect Eden, but Cane pulled me away, yelling at me to listen to reason that I couldn't allow myself to go to Purgatory for all the other souls that would be forfeit because of it, I saw you fighting for, Desdemona and your crew to no avail. That's when I snapped realizing where we were headed, and so I started to cast a spell to sacrifice myself in order that I might save some of the crew, but Cane knew that it wasn't likely to work, and as I pulled out my knife to finish my spell, he threw himself on my weapon, causing the spell to throw me out of the Vortex. A week later I woke on a ship that was pulling into port. They had found me floating in the water after the storm, and rescued me." Cane started to choke on his words, and so stopped speaking for a moment, then took a breath, and finished with, "That's all I have the strength to share at this time, if you still feel the need to kill me, death may just be a sweet release from my nightmares of my life." Cane knew that it would take more then getting run through by the Captain's sword to take his life, but he was to tired to fight and couldn't share anymore of his story. So as lightning split the sky releasing the rain that had held itself back, Cane just dropped his head and stared back into his empty Mug.

[abc123]

As Abel told his tale, the Captain listened attentively, slowly and quietly drinking his beer, and smoking from his tobacco pipe. After Abel finished, he did not move for a couple of minutes, which might have felt like an eternity to any that were waiting for his response. Finally, he cleared his throat, blew smoke through his nostrils, and began.

His voice, which earlier had sound so powerful and commanding, now was a bit more weak and defeated. However, as he continued speaking, he gathered up steam again until, by the end, his voice was powerful and commanding once more. So, for all those years, I've been trapped in a hole that, had I been listening to an old friend and crewmember in the first place, could have easily escaped, and brought everyone with me? Don't I seem like the silly old one. For that, and everything else, I apologize. Well, there is only one thing I, and, if you will aid me, any of you can do. I personally must return to this Purgatory, rescue those who have remained there, such as your dear Eden and my first mate Wesley, and then kill the king down there himself. Are any of you with me? This may be one of the biggest adventures of your lives.

[Eilaer]

Mother watched the whole series of events intently. If her own mind wasn't based off of a logical core she may have coughed at the sudden change of the Captain's position. That being said, this was one of the few times she wished she had eyebrows so she could raise one. Instead she merely tilted her head a little to the side since while what was presented by Cane would be enough proof, it was based off of knowledge of a location that seemed to defy what she knew of the world.

Then came the offer of an adventure, one that sounded like it had a fair chance to allow her to achieve her goal of gaining strength. It also raised a few questions, some of which only applied to her. Instead of listing all her queries at once, she used the knowledge she learned from past interactions to only ask those that were considered most important by her. She found that helped many people's minds both retain and process all the requests she did ask so she at lest recieved answers to the critical issues.

"This sounds like an opportunity that is aligned with my current task. I would like to join you, but I have a few questions before I do so. This location called Purgatory is beyond my knowledge, though sounds much unlike any location I have observed before. As the effects of this locations sound severe, I wish to know if it is known what will happen to a construct such as myself since I do not share many of hte similarites the rest of you do. Also, if this is such an easy place to escape from, why do you fear entering it if you knew the majority of the rest of your group also knew the secrets of escaping? My final query involves what you say about it being a place of healing. I do not know that I actually feel emotions in the same way as you, though I do not hate anything and am unaware of whether or not I am angered by anything."

She knew that she did ramble a bit, but this was important information and she felt more was generally better than less, even accounting for how others tended not to remember most of what they observe.

[Yegarz]

Cane sits for a moment longer not wanting to speak. Lifting his empty mug he examines it as if maybe he seemed dissinterested in the questions he was asked he could avoid answering them. Not feeling the tenssion in the room ease, he decided to speak briefly wanting to direct the attension off himself. "I don't know what will happen to you, your race was not built to cross into other realms, but you appear different then most, so I can not say with any confidence that I know what will happen. As far as my fear, I know many who could be drawn into that plane both living and dead just to torment me, and not even half know the secret to escape, and just because the method of is simple, escaping is not an easy task. Just as it is no simple task to create a pathway on to that plane. Captain Gold, I may be willing to help you find a gateway, but I fear that I may do more damage then good by entering there. Lastly however I do wish to help this town, they seem to be in trouble and even if it turns out to only be the raiders I passed in the north as I came down here. Eitherway this conversation has brought with it memories that I'd sooner forget, so as for now, I am heading to my chambers . If you wish to call on me. I will be at the bar in the morning."

Cane stood up soaked from the downpour, as the lightning flashed he could see their were still many unanswered questions behind their eyes, even by the way Mother tilted her expresionless face Cane, could tell she wasn't done with her interigation. Cane's heart was heavy, before the nights events but now he was having troubles concealing his emotions and let tears run down his face in meory of his friends who had fallen. He was unsure if this group would help him with the towns problem, and even more unsure if he could keep it together long enough to help Gold with his task. As it was he already thought he let to much slip when he mentoined the creation of the Warforged. But for now he would seek solitude, in his room althoughhe would find no sleep or comfort in his thoughts tonight.

[robotbear]

Szootj. Purgatory. The sound of that word, let alone it being repeated so calmly sent shivers down her spine. Not of anticipation or the ones you get from a well told story, but because she had been warned. Her kind never did well, from the stories. Always driven mad. You could never really forget the faces, just push them down and bury them. But there- Oh there they found a way to surface, to talk, to ask. "Why. Why. Why." Their horribly disfigured faces you could always distinguish, blood dripping from their eyes, their throats. The wire nooses still hanging from their throats, knives still in their chests. She shuddered again, and then sneezed. Oh, how happy she was to be getting a cold. It broke her from her mind (or was she momentarily there?) and she hoped back down into the small tavern.
She fished out some coin and passed it to Shamus."Still got a room, yeah?" She sneezed again. This was turning into quite the cold.
He looked disapprovingly at so little coin, but then looked at the wet mop of a woman in front of her and shrugged. "Beh. Sure thing. Third room on the left." He slid the coin from the counter into his hand then into his apron.
Nora grabbed her bag, as well as the cloaked man from the depths of the gray had taken from the thief. She looked around the bar, and not seeing any familiar faces, she took it upstairs with her to find out its contents.