Open Chronicles The Alchemist's dangerous journey

[Maelyne]

A slight wind was blowing about with a soft drizzle wetting the stones of the streets in Elbion, most people walking around were either covering their heads with a cowl or the slight lugage they were carrying as they went off to work.
There were people everywhere in Elbion despite the weather, no matter where one looked they could hear the noise of conversation, laughter and even the occasional bickering of arguements. Everywhere except a single house, inside a slight drip could be heard falling from the open window edges. If one were to look inside they would be horrified by the mess they'd see, books lying everywhere.. Scrolls half opened and squished between more stacks of books.

Any person would've probably long since gone crazy from the mess, any person besides the one living there. Maelyne was busy alchemising herself some pills for the journey ahead of her, paying no mind to the mess around her. She was used to it after all, if you were to ask her everything was where it was supposed to be.
As she wanted to start making herself some pills to help cure toxins she found herself missing a core item.
Maelyne frowned and sighed "It seems I'm all out of Styrax obassia" (Snowbell Flower) she looked around, got up, packed all her things in her satchel and walked over to the windows to close them.
After closing the last window she tapped a rune scroll stuck to the wall next to the door, a soft breeze went around the house and lifted all of the books and scrolls putting them back into the bookshelves in proper order. A second tap on a scroll next to the wind scroll dimmed all the orbs of fire inside of the lanterns throughout the house, after taking one last look around she showed a smile and gave a slight nod and left through the door closing it behind her.

Upon reaching the edge of the city she stopped putting her hand to her chin "Hmm, I should probably try to find myself some people to travel with" she took out a map of the world of Arethil and studied it quietly. As she was holding out the map any raindrops that would come close to her froze and harmlessly fell to the ground without soaking the soft paper the map was made from.
She muttered softly "Through the Aberresai Savannah, past Allir and all the way across the icy peaks of The Spine" her finger flowed across the map following the path she planned out "And finally northward towards the Ixchel Stone, there I should be able to find myself some Styrax Obassia or at least somewhere in that area".

She rolled up the map and put it back into her satchel, checked the small pouch containing her coins, turned around and decided to try her luck in a nearby tavern where adventurers normally could be found.

 

[Torin Gemheart]

Spoiler: Music IC

The Careful Barrel was as much of a tavern as any owner could muster. An establishment positioned in the thick of it within the city streets, there was a sign hanging outside which depicted a barrel and that was it. Inside was a different story. There was a roaring fire, malt beer, meat ripe off the bone, and live musicians playing the drum, the flute and the violin.

Patrons aplenty in this establishment. Most as lively as the music, with laughter and conversation all around. Some were as drunk as skunks, others well on their way to that condition, while some sipped or simply listened to the music. There were shadowy figures in corners with hoods over their countenances, lighting pipes; dancers before the musicians, ready to dance into the night; buddies hugging at the bar to be served by bartenders; and onward into the tavern were many adventures amid strangers or those who knew each other.

For his part, Torin Gemheart knew no one here. He might have settled for a corner table to smoke his pipe but, at that moment, the only table that was open to him was in the center of the tavern so he claimed it. There were a few plates before the dwarf fit for his appetite. This was one guy who liked to sit and eat and think and smoke his pipe despite his outfit of violet cloth and golden armor giving him off as an adventurer as much as a warrior; or, rather, because of it.

Honeyed chicken which he found to be delicious for this otherwise simple establishment; roasted onions dipped in gravy no less exquisite; beef-and-bacon pie; crab cake; sweet pumpkin soup; buttered carrots and turnips soaked in butter; boiled beans; honeycakes baked with blackberries and various nuts; black bread; and dark, strong beer.

It was a feast for a dwarf and nothing terribly fancy all things considered. This was a tavern with a variety of breakfasts, elevenses, luncheon, afternoon tea, dinner and supper. Meat and mead was his cup of tea, so to speak, but Torin was famished from his tour, and the merchant-smith-warrior felt like doing nothing else than eating and drinking the day and night away. The tavern did have an inn with room service fit for breakfast.

So, the Gemheart blew an O of smoke from his lips, bit into his pie filled to the brim with beef and bacon, washed it down with his beer and listened to the music. There was no interruption to it, no disturbance for him, though he was ever an adventurer and could sit alone or converse with anyone who might yet show.

Maelyne

 

[Maelyne]

From the main entrance of the city it still took Maelyne a good while to reach the first tavern on her path, she stopped and looked up at the sign describing a barrel. Taking a moment to gather her thoughts she gave a slight nod to herself, she reached for the door as she muttered softly.

The Careful Barrel, this is a good of a place as any to find some one to hire.

Upon opening the door she was greeted with the strong smell of sweat, smoke and alcohol. Hesitating for a moment she swallowed and steeled her mind, being the studious person she is Maelyne never really had allowed herself to get into the so called pleasures of smoking or alcohol. Stepping into the tavern and closing the door behind her she imediately noticed several heads turning their gaze towards her, some curious, some suspicious of her arrival, some scheming but also there were some gazes who looked at her in amazement. It wasn't often after all that a beautiful young girl like her would enter a tavern full of big sweaty burly men.

Ugh, already being targeted? Let's just get this over with.

She ignored the gazes as she walked further into the tavern, eventually her own gaze however fell on a lonely figure sitting at a table in the middle of the establishment. She noticed they were a rather short yet stout person, looking closer she saw it was a dwarve who was armed and eating enough food to feed a entire household. A slight smile fell upon her features as she continued her way toward the lonesome figure, once there she raised her voice so that it would clearly reach them.

Excuse me, do you mind if I take a seat? I am here to look for people to join me on my travels.

She tapped on her money pouch and sat down at the table patiently waiting for the dwarve to finish his food. It didn't take long before one of the drunk sweaty men came up to her "Hey there pretty lady, if you have nowhere else to go tonight how about I let you warm my bed? Hic" his words sounded slurred and his breath smelled awful as he spoke close to Maelyne's face.

Maelyne in turn looked at them with steely eyes, with all the moisture in the air inside this establishment she could easily freeze the entire place over. But if she wanted this noble dwarve's help she knew she had to stay calm.

I suggest you take your leave, I am not here to look for trouble nor to cause it.

Torin Gemheart

 

[Gargost Durgradon]

Gargost Durgradon was far from the most skilled sellsword in the city, but he had developed a reputation within certain circles for his largely unquestioning loyalty. Still, little distinguished him from the other second-rate mercenaries and thugs surrounding him. Even without considering his chainmail vest or the weapons he had stowed on himself, his rugged appearance and seemingly permanent scowl likely left few questions as to the kind of life he lived.

He sat quietly near the middle of the bar, idly looking into his untouched mug while hoping to overhear discussions of some adventure. Not that Gargost was a particularly adventurous spirit, but he was always on the lookout for a potential job. As he carefully picked up the different voices within the tavern, he heard someone sitting at a table close behind him discussing the need for a crew. Gargost absentmindedly swept his unkempt hair away from his ear as one of the voices began discussing how they needed help to escort… something.

Before Gargost could learn what valuable cargo this merchant was discussing in a hushed voice, the conversation was drowned out by someone else who clearly had too much to drink. Annoyed, Gargost looked over his shoulder to eye the culprit and spotted a large man towering over someone much smaller than himself. While he wasn't entirely sure what was going on, and for a brief moment he considered not getting involved, he also didn't want to think about a fight breaking out between the two after he had done nothing to stop it. Though most wouldn't describe him as empathetic, he couldn't sit by as a situation like this unfolded without at least investigating things, even if he had no reason to doubt the sitting person's ability to defend himself.

With a sigh, Gargost grabbed his full mug and lumbered towards the table. Upon arriving behind the belligerent patron, he rested his left hand on the man's right shoulder, his dark eyes flicking between him and the two at the table, before speaking with a low and tired tone, “What's going on here?”

Gargost kept his hand on the man's shoulder, partly as a simple gesture but also to make it easy to feel if the man began to tense up. While he certainly wasn't a legendary fighter, Gargost had been in enough brawls that he knew what to watch out for. As he assessed the situation, he noticed the pouch of money sitting on the table. His eyes lingered on it for a brief moment before he decided to focus on the reason he came over in the first place, scanning over the people around him once more.

 

[Torin Gemheart]

Presently distracted by the band and their instruments, with no song to get lost in with lyrics, Torin wouldn’t put it past them. Not every piece of music needed someone to sing. There were already dancers just enjoying the beat as he enjoyed his meat and mead—in a manner of speaking.

Just then, the dwarf was distracted from the performance by someone who had entered his presence. He looked up at this lady, his expression bereft of emotion, but that did not yet mean he was emotionless. With that black heart tattooed on his forehead, Torin Gemheart could be mistaken for a dark and dour dwarf, but he was more just someone who was expressionless.

Before he had a chance to speak, with his gaze trained on the pouch of money, he was once again distracted by another man who had entered his presence. This was not a gentleman but some dumb drunken patron.

Before he had a chance to correct him on his poor manners, another man walked up and rested his hand on the belligerent patron’s shoulder. Torin kept quiet the entire duration, simply eating and drinking as leisurely as the drunkard should have been gentlemanly under the circumstances.

“What’s goin' on here ish…” The drunk gave the other man his attention. “...Ish…I got a dagger in my belt, sir, and I’m gonna use it to get your hand off my shoulder.”

“Is there a need for that?” Torin asked, and finally piped, never mind his pipe. His hands were busy lifting his chicken. “You take that blade out of your sheath and you might get blood on my plate.”

“Sh’okay!” The drunken idiot said. “I’ll make sure the blood sprays away from his shoulder!”

“I wasn’t talking about him,” Torin chewed. “I was talking about you.”

Maelyne
Gargost Durgradon

 

[Gargost Durgradon]

Gargost clenched his jaw in response to the man's threats, as it was natural for him to want to greet violence in kind. He briefly considered throwing the drunk to the ground, or at least making an effort to do so, but after a moment he decided against it. He instead removed his hand from the patron's shoulder and stepped back with his right hand slightly raised.

Although the patron seemed like the kind of fool who could not competently fight, Gargost didn't feel the need to test that theory. Even if his chainmail could stop some attacks to his chest from the aforementioned dagger, his bare neck was within striking distance of this blade. Besides, he had been making an effort to better control his anger, especially when so close to his home city of Elbion. If nothing else, he did not want to lose his residential amulet by getting involved in too much trouble.

Gargost lowered his right arm to his side, bringing his hand to rest on the handle of the morningstar dangling from his belt. With his left hand, he set his still-untouched mug of cheap ale on the nearby table without taking his eyes off the patron. Gargost then spoke slowly to everyone around him, “There's no need for any of that, I think we all want to walk away from this.”

With his tone, Gargost wanted to make it apparent to the belligerent man that his words were a simultaneous plea for peace and, if that were to fail, a promise of violence. Gargost was hoping everyone was rational enough to not try to kill one another over drunken words and a hand misplaced on a shoulder, but he also knew that rational thought was oftentimes in short supply and was therefore ready to defend himself as necessary.

Maelyne
Torin Gemheart

 

[Maelyne]

Maelyne sat quietly as the others spoke to the drunk person, a slight smile appeared on her face watching the dwarf speak while still helping himself to his chicken and mug of ale. She covered her mouth as she coughed softly because of all the smoke in the tavern. Turning to look a the male who had put his hand on the drunkard's shoulder she stared a bit too long in amazement.

I never would've imagined a thug would speak up for me, I had expected this of this dwarven warrior but...

She made sure to smile at Gargost as to make it apparent she meant no ill, her gaze then went back to the drunkard and the smile faded as fast as it had come. She sighed and stood up, walked over to the bar and asked the owner to show the drunk man the exit.

May I ask you to show this drunk man the exit? Not only is he ruining the good mood but he also almost costed most of your lives.

She didn't wait for an answer, in stead she imediately turned and sat back down at the center table. With a gesture she invited Gargost to sit with them. She checked to see if the dwarf had finished eating, glanzed at both "gentlemen" she was seated with and started talking.

Gentlemen, as you have possibly deduced by now from my little money pouch I am in search for some helpers. I have need of some very important herbs which are growing beyond the icy mountains of The Spine, sadly I know this is a dangerous journey so I can not make it by myself. In my pouch I have about 34 pieces of golden coins, if you are willing to help me I don't mind giving it all to you two.

What say you?

She rested her elbows on the table and her head on the back of her hands after she had woven her fingers together, a small smile formed with her lips.

Gargost Durgradon
Torin Gemheart

 

[Gargost Durgradon]

Not one for smiling, Gargost gratefully accepted the offered seat with a silent nod. He was watching the drunken man at first, but the conversation soon grabbed his attention, and his thoughts raced faster and faster as he listened to the herbalist's offer. The Spine? Having never been off the continent of Liadain, he hesitated. Knowing that he would get at most half of the gold offered, he weighed the risks and rewards in his head. Seventeen gold was a respectable amount, but the journey would be long and hard.

Gargost glanced over at the merchant he was ready to approach just minutes ago to see him standing up while shaking hands with the group of burly men in front of him. Returning his focus to the people he was now sitting with, he thoughtfully drummed his fingers on the wooden surface of the table in front of him. Having escorted many people before, he knew the importance of clearly defining terms before agreeing to a contract.

Once he replied, Gargost spoke slowly, as if he were carefully considering each word: “I'm not sure which route you were planning on taking in particular, but I can't imagine there is any safe or quick way to get there. One of us may get injured or sick, perhaps to the point where we will need to stop at the nearest town and be unable to continue with the others. Would you assure partial payment if this were to happen, or should we only expect payment at the end of the journey?”

For the first time that night, Gargost took a sip of the cheap booze in front of him. Disappointed but unsurprised that he got what he paid for, he set the mug down before another question came to him, for he was so focused on the details of this journey that he did not realize he had yet to introduce himself: “And speaking of the end of the journey, I assume we'll be returning to Elbion together, unless there were other plans?”

Maelyne
Torin Gemheart

 

[Torin Gemheart]

Spoiler: Music IC

The dwarf, of course, knew no one in his presence. Yet he respected intelligence when he encountered it either at the table or in the field as far as able. The man who had planted his hand on this drunken idiot’s shoulder was not so belligerent. He was, however, careful, ready to subdue his enemy by any means necessary, it seemed, but not unnecessarily. Already, him and Torin were on the same page.

Then again, the Blackheart did not want to walk away from anything anytime soon. He still had plenty of food and drink to keep him company. If others decided to leave then so be it. That would simply give him peace and quiet he may just be better off for it indeed.

The woman in Torin’s presence departed for the bar. That gave him plenty of opportunity to eat and drink before she returned. It just so happened that, when she did, the drunken idiot had left their presence. The coins on the table? Fortunately for this woman, well, this dwarf was no thief. He listened to her speech.

Torin had not finished eating or drinking and, if that was a problem for present company considering they were in a tavern, then that was on them. However, he knew better than to speak while eating or drinking and he only did so after his contemporary finished speaking over his woes.

“Half up front,” Torin added simply. “Half when the job is done,” he finished with a swig of his beer. “Don’t much care for the journey or the danger but, if there is an extension of the former and an enlargement of the latter then you will pay me more.” He burped toward his contractor, never mind his partner. “Agreed?”

Maelyne
@Gargost Durgradon

 

[Maelyne]

As Maelyne sat back down at her table she caught the dwarf's glance toward her money pouch, she had left it on the table on purpose to see wether they'd go for it. She chuckled softly within her mind, little did they know the bag in front of them was filled with something other than money.. namely shards from broken alchemy pots.

She heard the tall bearded man ask how the money should be divided with the dwarf simply answering.

Half up front, half when the job is done.

Maelyne gave a slight nod, she then procured another bag from her waist and sat it down on the table. Without checking to see what their reaction would be she took the first pouch from the table and hid it within her clothes.

You have yourselves a deal good sirs, the pouch I just sat down contains the 34 coins you seek, divide them however you wish. Once the journey is over and it was a success I will give you more, if not for the dangers then out of goodwill. The first part of our journey will take us through the Aberresai Savanah, we should bring plenty of water and some food. We can always restock our resources at the next city.

Having said that she stood up and gave a slight bow out of respect, she took a deep breath to get over the noise in the tavern one last time.

I will be waiting at the city gates once you are ready for the journey you can join me there.

She turned around, made her way out of the tavern and toward the city gates.

@ Gargost Durgradon
@ Torin Gemheart

 

[Torin Gemheart]

One pouch removed from table. Other pouch put down. Torin was drinking but wasn’t drunk by any means so was able to tell that something was amiss somehow. However, after checking the second pouch to see that money was within it, he was neither settled nor impressed. He simply accepted the merit that his statement of ‘half up front’ meant half up front and so be it.

Honestly, this lady had no choice if she wanted this dwarf’s company. Coins provided, Torin Gemheart decided she had played her part in this bargain and would join her service. He offered his with a lift of his tankard and a grin but no comment.

However, he needed to finish his food and drink before he entered her presence again after she left. There was much of it. Fortunately a dwarf like him ate hearty and drank even heartier. That meant by the time he was finished he still wasn’t drunk, not even buzzed, when he met his employer at the city gates past the tavern.

“I brought plenty of water and food,” Torin gestured toward the pack on his back amid his armor and outfit. “Also a freshly filled wineskin. Care for a sip?” He offered her his.

Maelyne Gargost Durgradon

 

[Gargost Durgradon]

Although Gargost was primarily a profit-driven individual, taking up-front payment and leaving was never something he considered. Not just because it was wrong, but more importantly because he was aware of the potential consequences. If he was lucky, word that he was an untrustworthy thief would spread and he'd struggle to find work again. Otherwise, he may cross the wrong person and end up losing more than his reputation.

While he was slightly confused by the shuffling of pouches, he resisted the urge to ask any questions or reach for the pouch and instead let the dwarf take the initiative. Greedily clutching at the first gold to hit the table wasn't a great way to make a first impression, and even if Gargost wasn't in the business of making friends, he knew it was much easier to travel with people who shared a mutual respect. Once initial payment was settled and perhaps after insubstantial small talk with the dwarf, he excused himself from the tavern.

When in-between jobs, Gargost was not in the habit of carrying much food with him and would need to collect enough for his first leg of the journey, as he tried to only carry what was needed on these long trips. He was primarily concerned with that which was cheap and relatively nonperishable, while taste and everything else was optional. He didn't plan on keeping his new employer waiting long and would be arriving shortly, though she may have time to talk with the dwarf more in the time Gargost needed to ready his pack.

Maelyne
Torin Gemheart

 

[Maelyne]

Maelyne was standing at the city's gates holding her map, the rain droplets coming close to her turning into tiny drops of ice as she heard some one coming closer, as she paid closer attention to the voice it seemed to be the dwarve.

I brought plenty of water and food, also a freshly filled wineskin. Care for a sip?

Shaking her head upon hearing his question she replied while her attention was still focused on the map.

No thank you, I don't have much interrest in wine and other liqours. Perhaps you can share some with our other companion if you don't want to drink alone.

She moved a bit so that the dwarve could see the map as well, she moved one of her fingers a long it's soft fabric. Words describing possible bandit sightings appeared at different locations throughout the Aberresai Savannah.

Let's wait for Gargost to arrive before we go over our travel plans, though I did look for companions for safety we still shouldn't look for trouble.

Torin Gemheart
Gargost Durgradon

 

[Gargost Durgradon]

After stocking up on enough cheap food and other essentials for him to make it to the next notable town, Gargost quickly made his way to the eastern city gates, where he unsurprisingly found the other two already waiting for him. Not wanting to keep them any longer, he quickened his pace towards the gate. Upon getting close enough to hold a conversation, the hireling announced his presence on the off chance either of them did not notice his approach. “I'm sorry to have kept you waiting.”

Gargost adjusted his pack as if to silently suggest that he needed the time to gather supplies. He briefly looked at his companions’ hands, noting that their employer was preparing by studying a map, and the dwarf had been boosting his spirit with a spirit. Gargost nodded to him, impressed and perhaps a little envious of his ability to put away good food and drink. He then turned his attention back to the map, looking for their current location in Elbion. “I am ready when you are.”

Maelyne
Torin Gemheart

 

[Torin Gemheart]

Unfazed by his employer’s rejection of his offer to take a sip from his wineskin, Torin shrugged and took another sip. More for this dwarf anyway. Granted, wine wasn’t a liquor to begin with; it, like beer, was fermented and was alcohol but was not distilled. It was different. Trust a dwarf to tell the difference.

“Gah. Alone. With company. A man like me simply drinks to drink,” he admitted. However, given his figure, character and species, it would take a lot more than a few sips from his wineskin to even get him a bit buzzed.

Torin dismissed the topic and directed his gaze to the map as he stood beside his employer slash companion. Maelyne directed with her finger, tapping at a bandit position and another, but none of them fazed her mercenary, never mind the Savannah.

“Bandits just mean more treasure along the way,” Torin grinned, ignorant of the lady’s expression. “They tend to have loot in their purses which means more for me.”

Just then, his partner arrived, the same man from the tavern, and he had since made an impression worthy of his appearance. “Aye, tis no problem,” Torin responded to his apology. He brought a pack at least. Hope it has meat and mead. Granted, despite his japes, Torin was not among the likes of bandits by any means. He just delivered justice to them when and where encountered and why not take what they had already robbed?

“We are headed for the Spine, lady and gentleman,” Torin emphasized. “The journey will indeed be treacherous as the destination will be perilous. However, you have more than my wineskin for this adventure,” he grinned. “You have my axe. Consider it an insurance policy against whatever threats we encounter along the way,” he promised.

Maelyne Gargost Durgradon

 

[Maelyne]

Hearing both of her new found companions were ready she gave a slight nod, she tapped the map at a point somewhere between the Elbion Stone and Maraan.

I hope to reach Maraan by the end of today, but bandits have been rumored to have set up camp somewhere around here. I might not be much of a fighter myself but I will try to pull my weight at least, any loot we find from bandits and you can or want to carry is yours. Anything else we can either leave for others to find or sell it at Maraan to resuply or just to earn some more money, which we will split equally between all of us.

After finishing speaking she gestured towards the road as if to say "Let's go" and started walking, her child like figure cheerfully went ahead of her companions. Any onlookers would certainly not think she was the employer of their party of three.

As soon as we reach Lazular we can take a small lunch break, I heard they have some good entertainment there!

Her words carried clearly to her companions as she spoke them while walking backwards with her hands behind her back and a smile on her face. She loved going on journeys, they were always filled with excitement and good companionship.
A few farmers out on their fields near the riverside waved as they saw the little girl leaving Elbion for her next journey, they noticed the companions with her this time and smiled, their thoughts were written on their faces.

Hahaha! There she goes again, she probably didn't tell her companions either. She always takes the form of her younger days when she goes out but she's probably older than both of them combined. Then again.... maybe not the dwarf.

Gargost Durgradon Torin Gemheart

 

[Torin Gemheart]

Spoiler: Music OOC

It was fortunate for Maelyne by her own admission that she wasn’t a fighter. That’s what she hired Torin for, after all. He might not stand taller than others but he stood tall, ready to face danger, brave any adventure, and swing his axe into a creature which would hack as much as hammer, and he had a dagger to stab.

“Bandits?” The dwarf spat. “These thieves won’t know what poverty means until I finish with them and take their things,” he shrugged. “If they even have anything worthy and if they’re still breathing,” he winked. The next moment and his employer beckoned for them to go so, naturally, he followed.

Side by side, however, never behind. Well, sometimes. With his role as guardian as much as bandit-killer, Torin made sure to venture right at his employer’s side as much as keeping a bit of distance forward or backward if the environment demanded amid changes of circumstances.

“Lunch break sounds great!” The dwarf heartily exclaimed. “Ah, Lazular. A breadbasket of Liadain.” He proclaimed but as much as repeated what most had already known. “Humans. Orcs.” Torin shrugged. “Yet I know of one place in the dwarven depths with a similar name: Zalarul. Coincidence, do you think?” It could be. Language was funny like that. “Ha. Perhaps nothing.”

Maelyne walked with hands clasped behind back. Torin walked with the haft of his axe propped over a shoulder one moment or brandished in his hands the next. If the pair of man and woman encountered suspicious persons after farmers past the perimeter then the dwarf made sure to show that they were nobody to mess with so easily.

“Priests,” he gestured toward a hillside curve at a party of hooded individuals soon to pass them by. “Monks. Nuns.” Torin shrugged. “Somethin’.” He didn’t know much about religion in one land or the other. Even dwarves differed in culture and his never really worshiped the rock so much as cherished the stone. Perhaps there was a difference.

“Say, what guides you, Maelyne?” He gazed into her face as they walked far beyond the city gate, and steady was their gait, but suddenly he was interested in what she was thinking and feeling. “What drives you, hm?”

Maelyne