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The Midnight Mirror: Chapter One - Dread of Night
Last edited by Ziether; Oct 12th, 2020 at 03:12 PM. |
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Jeydavu was packed and ready to go by the beginning of second watch. He owned very little, and what he owned he could carry easily in two satchels, courtesy of some well spent coin, and magic. For a simple monk, it made life easier, or at least, it made all things appear easier, and simpler.
That's half the battle, isn't it? he thought. He wiped a speck of dust from his bow, and stowed it in his quiver, a seemingly impossible task to fit a four foot long bow into a three foot long quiver. But, with magic, it too was done easily. And efficiently! He took a small moment of pride in that thought. Getting to the docks would be little trouble, but the monk didn't wish to risk waiting for the last moment. "Early is on time, on time is late," he repeated quietly to himself. It was a mantra he had trouble learning and accepting, when he started his life at the monastery, coming as he had from a clan of people that had little concept of time, except as something to waste. The Oread still remembered the sting of the cane switch on his knuckles, every time he was late to a training, session, or lesson. Even the chores were regimented, and Jeydavu paid many a price for his tardiness, before he finally learned. Like many of his lessons, he was slow to master it, but once he did, it became set like stone in his life. Later in his life, those lessons would pay huge dividends, as learning patience and valuing time became extremely important to him. And so, the brown skinned archer collected his things in preparation for his trip. He pulled his cloak over his head, and headed towards the docks, leaving a silver coin on his cot for the acolytes who would find it tomorrow, and prepare the room for others. He hoped they would buy something nice for themselves, but he knew they would dutifully place the coin in the coffers, for all to use. He was not fearful for his safety. So long as he paid attention, and remained alert, the scoundrels would slink away, to find easier prey, than the squat, cloaked man. No scent of alcohol preceded him, and there were easier prey on the streets, or would be soon enough. Despite being a bit taller than a typical dwarf, he knew he looked enough like them to make most humans pause, and rethink their ideas. Drunk dwarves were no one's idea of an easy mark: they rarely got so drunk they couldn't fight back, and they were damn tough pieces of work when they did. The Oread arrived at the docks well before midpoint of the watch, and slowed his pace. A careful circle of the area, almost without thinking, found three good nests where he could set up and watch, and with over an hour until the meeting time, that's what he did. He climbed a short wall, and hopped onto a lean-to roof, using it to get atop a fish-monger's shop. From here, he could get the occasional whiff of fresher sea air, filled with salt and almost cool, instead of the constant odor of rotting algae and fish guts that permeated the air at dock level. The night air still stank, but from his perch, he could at least see the meeting locale, and let the sweat cool from his exertions. He settled in, somewhat comfortable in the shadows, and waited. Jeydavu carefully withdrew his bow, and using a practiced motion with his foot, strung it with ease, before laying it aside. He pulled five arrows out of the quiver as well, and lay them next to his make-shift aerie. If it were a trap being set, he would see something in the next hour to tip their hand, and from his position, he could warn the others. He settled in, picturing himself as a rock in a field. Very few people could wait like the Oread, motionless and serene. Helps to be part elemental, he reminded himself. It had taken him a long time in life to accept that his heritage was a bonus, but once he did, he embraced it. His lip twitched as he smiled slightly. Become the rock, he repeated to himself, and let his eyes roam over the docks. Become the rock.
__________________
"Go Chiefs." --- Raylorne Aside from RPG, I collect used postage Stamps, Some Coins (quarters), and 1/6th Scale military Figures. Let's talk! |
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"What? Yes, I am he. Ah yes, of course, here you go...good evening." Aziq fetches a few silver from his pouch and presses them into the messenger's hand. The wizard breaks notes the familiar mark of the Association as he breaks the seal on the scroll. He should have known it as soon as he saw the messenger; no one else would have known to find him here, particularly at this hour. "An urgent contract..." - it must be urgent indeed if they were calling in agents in the middle of the night. Oh well, such was life in the Darkwatch...and it wasn't like he had anything better to do... He had come to Theumanexus College on a rumour of an Azlanti treatise on planar travel that was said to be located in one of the vaults. But if it existed, it had defied all of Aziq's efforts to find it over the past three days. His fingers were starting to crack with dryness from turning page after page in his fruitless search, but a voyage at sea was sure to remedy that. The third bell had just sounded, so there was plenty of time to pick up provisions on the way. Upon reaching the street, he pulls his hood close around his head. Korvosa was cosmopolitan enough that ratfolk were not overly feared or shunned, but he had always found that the less attention he drew to himself, the better. On the way back to the inn to gather his belongings he reads the note again...Baron Tiboros...Karpad...Knowledge (Nobility) on Baron Tiboros = 14; Knowledge (History) and (Geography) on Karpad = 16 and 12, respectivelytrying to recall any scrap of memory that those names might trigger. At the inn he packs his bag and settles with the inkeep (knowing the Association, he might be back in a few days, or he may be gone for a few months). Next, a stop to pick up provisions (some hillcakes for the journey, and a Mahktasha for a late-night snack before the voyage). Arriving at the docks with time to spare, he takes a seat on the pier. Even in the dark of night the docks are a bustle of activity; dozens of crew scramble like ants in the moonlight, loading and unloading ships, bringing in cargo and preparing for passengers, to every corner of the Inner Sea, and beyond. He thinks back to his own journeys: His first sea voyage, from Goka, to Vudra, Jalmeray, and finally to Katapesh. The jobs with the Aspis Consortium. And now, the latest in a series of missions for the Association. He has been to more places than he even knew existed when he was growing up in the Deepmarket, but they were an infinitesimally small speck compared to the whole of creation that was out there waiting for him. One day... Last edited by Thaco; Oct 14th, 2020 at 04:55 PM. |
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__________________
Horseman of the Rockpocalypse
Celeste Elbereth - Tyrant's Grasp || Liliana Vaticus - The Darkwatch October 2020 POTM Last edited by SonofSamWich; Oct 15th, 2020 at 02:38 PM. |
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Last edited by Thaco; Oct 15th, 2020 at 07:53 PM. |
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__________________
Horseman of the Rockpocalypse
Celeste Elbereth - Tyrant's Grasp || Liliana Vaticus - The Darkwatch October 2020 POTM |
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__________________
GM: Tyrant's Grasp ~~ Carrion Crown On break for now.
Have taken the Oath of Sangus. Last edited by pianoman90; Oct 16th, 2020 at 12:25 AM. |
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Perched on his aerial look out, Jeydavu watched the docks as three of his companions arrived. He had not seen them since they had parted ways a fortnight earlier, each going their own way upon arrival in the city.
Should have known this was a call to all of us, he said, and released a bit of tension with a cleansing breath. The chances of the situation being a trap actually increased inside his mind, but the odds of surviving it increased greater because of his trust in his allies. A smile actually crossed his face, as he watched the Ratfolk engage in an animated conversation with the tiefling. Those two... he thought with some admiration, as their voices carried his direction in the faint sea breeze. The Oread was not a bright man, and while he had been schooled far more than the average person, he knew he was barely a candle to either one's bonfire when it came to intelligence. Probably already figured out ten plans for us try, and have another dozen ready to go. He trusted their knowledge, like they trusted his aim. Berimus, he thought. Good to see you. Jeydavu stretched slowly, and drew back his arm. With a careful toss, he sent the stone arcing through the moist air, to land on the dock and bounce a few times, before slipping off into the water with a plop. It clattered a dozen feet or more behind the trio, and when they peered into the darkness to discern its source, he waved, and nodded, the motion giving away his position, only for a moment. Then, the Oread stilled himself once more, and nearly disappeared against the roofline.
__________________
"Go Chiefs." --- Raylorne Aside from RPG, I collect used postage Stamps, Some Coins (quarters), and 1/6th Scale military Figures. Let's talk! |
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__________________
-Life before death. Strength before weakness. Journey before destination.
-I will protect those who cannot protect themselves. -I will protect even those I hate, so long as it is right. Last edited by Scimmy; Oct 17th, 2020 at 08:27 AM. |
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__________________
GM: Tyrant's Grasp ~~ Carrion Crown On break for now.
Have taken the Oath of Sangus. |
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__________________
Horseman of the Rockpocalypse
Celeste Elbereth - Tyrant's Grasp || Liliana Vaticus - The Darkwatch October 2020 POTM |
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__________________
-Life before death. Strength before weakness. Journey before destination.
-I will protect those who cannot protect themselves. -I will protect even those I hate, so long as it is right. Last edited by Scimmy; Oct 20th, 2020 at 02:11 AM. |
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PLACEHOLDER POST Last edited by Ziether; Nov 7th, 2020 at 12:00 AM. |
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Upon the arrival of the ship, and the standing down of the two guards, the Oread unfolded himself, and climbed down from the shanty roof, to join the others. They had already boarded, but spent a few moments talking with the ship's captain to give him time to make his way across the wharf. He slipped his bow across his back, and took a deep breath.
Jeydavu glanced around, and counted. "Just us four?" he asked as he arrived at the smaller transport boat where Berimus, Lilli and Aziq were stalling. "No trickster?" The monk turned to scan the docks again, his eyes settling on the fifth figure there, the other nightwatch/dock guard. "Unless you crave adventure, sir?"
__________________
"Go Chiefs." --- Raylorne Aside from RPG, I collect used postage Stamps, Some Coins (quarters), and 1/6th Scale military Figures. Let's talk! |
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