Neianna86

Ashen Skies

Owen looked from Gerhardt to the young prince.
There was clear trepidation there. A certain unwillingness to divulge what he knew.
“Enders are the last thing you want to see, so don’t go and look for them.” He stated.
The grimace grew as a visible shiver ran across the man’s features.

“Leongarde chose to let Belisio fall, because the relationship between the two countries has been strained for quite some time. In their eyes Belisio had become nothing more than a bully, regardless of how we might feels about such matters.”
It was Gerhardt who spoke earning an incredulous look from Owen.
“He will have to know Owen, I don’t intend to mollycoddle him, he needs facts and the truth unvarnished.”
“He’s still your prince…”
“Aye, but he should also be able to defend himself or be tough enough to hear the truth of matter.” Gerhardt countered before he turned to the prince again.

“Your father has dealt quite a few blows to this priestdom. First by the wrecking of the Mist harvesters they had lying near our border. Internal sources claimed they were spies and your father had their wares seized, naturally causing the High Priest much grief and distress.
You know of the scarcity of water in our world, whilst Belisio has its own reserves Leongarde has far less, thus needing to mine and harvest more.
This is also made more difficult due to the fact that Leongarde hates mages. They’re truly second class citizens here. Most live in poverty or live like slaves, tortured by just existing, hated by all non mages.
Thus they rely on the Mist harvesters to perform their dangerous work. A job that hardly pays enough for the risks involved, unless they make a little on the side by catching lighting. Again something that is considered outlawed and heavily fined by Belisian authorities.” Gerhardt took a sip from his cup. “So when a rather nasty thorn in your side for years suddenly gets attacked by a better equipped Vaimese army what would you do?
Intervene? To come to the rescue of your bully? It was a wonder back then that Auriel chose to aide us in the Great War with the Sorcerer King at all.” He ended.
Owen sighed heavily, despairingly.
“You have grown even grimmer than before brother.” He complained.
“I have become accustomed to failure and to the short sightedness of people in general, sadly something ‘we commoners’ pay the price for.
Owen snorted.
“You’re not a lowly commoner, never were. Always had a mouth two sizes too clever for your peers and were old before you reached your 13th year.”
Gerhardt made no comment to that, but shifted his attention back to the young prince.
“Anyone specific you could suggest to commend our skills to?”
Owen pondered the question for a moment as he crossed his arms and leaned back in his chair.
“I currently work for Magistrate Tygren Connard, he is one of several Magistrates that try to keep the City in some state of order. You could try that. Simple guard’s work, but fairly steady pay and routines. Or you could dabble in those less…seen. Sicherwicker has been looking for ‘fresh faces’, especially in the mercenary line of work he is in, there’s great risk and great reward with his jobs.
Or you’d go prize fighter. They opened the Sandpit and always have an opening for young talent, prestige, power and riches come more easily with that.” Owen named thinking aloud.
“As long as you survive. The chances of dying are as good as certain with all the fighters and beasts they throw down there for to fight for the amusement of others.” Gerhardt added before sighing deeply.
“The Magistrate sounds like a good place to start, we need backing of those in power, the quicker we make ourselves agreeable to them the quicker they might reciprocate the act when calling in the favour.
Owen looked the prince over before he stroked the stubble of his cheeks.
“The boy’s not too bad looking, he might even fetch the attention of a higher up concerning his pristine and confident air, many a nobleman would pay a proper sum for a ‘bodyguard’ or a ‘companion’ provided the boy isn’t too squeamish about certain matters.”
Gerhardt spat his mouthful out on the suggestion.
“He is a Prince of Belisio, not one of the slaveboys from the docks! How much of a competent and dominant ruler will be appear to be if some Leongardian Nobleman bends him over every night for ‘his’ pleasure?! Out of the question.”
“All I am saying it pays well and makes you rise ranks quickly. If the boy isn’t against it why not look to that option?” Owen suggested shrugging his shoulders.
Gerhardt shook his head at his younger brother.
“We’re not going to do that.” Gerhardt ended that option clearly, before asking.
“What about the Faithful Guard?”
Owen frowned.
“They’re rather ‘particular’ in who they allow to enter that particular order. No one really can get a grip on their requirements for that, making it all the harder to get in those ranks.” He warned. “Your best option is the Magistrate, though he’ll not come up with the best paying jobs immediately and it might take too long.”
“Could you introduce us?”
“Sure thing, I can do that later tonight. I run the late shift, checking the streets of the Lilypond. Horrible hours, but good pay concerning the area of the city.”
“You mean a cushy job, you lazy rat, you’re practically walking the golden route.” Gerhardt pointed out.
“Hahaha hardly they pay extra for each thief, murderer and brigand you bring in. With the Lilypond you’re more then half of the time chewed out, because of the clientele’s delicate feelings or keeping two noblemen from duelling each other. The harbour and Market are the goldmine here.” He replied. Most of the time the work is tedious and boring, little action and when called to action there is little thanks for it in return. But it is best shown, so I suggest you both eat and rest, cause if you’re set on this, I’ll take you with me tonight.”

Aesithas (D&D 5e Homebrew) - On Hiatus

I wanted to give people a chance to jump in and roleplay, but since that isn't really picking up, I am fine with pushing the story forward. Dag'Tyr already suggested going out there to find answers and fix things. So he'd be in favour.

Aesithas (D&D 5e Homebrew) - On Hiatus

Well well that's a scary image all right. ;)

Tales From the Dreamscape (Zyx & Neianna86)

A quick bitsy, as I'm working on a map for you of the place.

Tales From the Dreamscape (Zyx & Neianna86)

As Priest and Jericho pushed Maxwell forward Valdemar nodded to Pharangese to go ahead. He’d make up the rear. After which Priest picked up the hog and slung it over his shoulder, he followed Jericho and hummed contently.
“Porkchops tonight!” He chuckled as he petted the dead beast’s side.
Adeira had to watch in horror how Valdemar seemed to investigate the arrow. As he looked around, he stopped staring straight ahead at her, or so it appeared.
She tried to keep her composure, which she almost lost when he started chuckling.
“Very well…” With that he turned around and followed the rest as they ventured deeper into the forest.
Adeira waited for a few moments longer, wanting to be sure she couldn’t be detected, before she stealthily made her way after them.
Continuously on the edge she could feel the forest twist and bend to the new reality. She wondered what kind of place they would lead them to.
They walked for a good hour more when finally Pharangese stopped and looked at Valdemar.
“Would you mind darling? Lifting the veil is such a tiring thing to do…” She fussed, at which a cold smile was her reply as Valdemar stepped forward as well.
Together they raised their hands and made a lifting motion, almost as if they were literally dealing with a set of heavy curtains blocking their way and obscuring their entrance.

Ashen Skies

Gerhardt had walked in a brisk pace ahead, only to cast a glance around and see his young charge already swarmed by trouble, yet kept his distance as the spymaster side of him argued that the young prince would have to learn how to deal with ‘certain’ elements of the city, the sooner the better, so bigger mistakes could be avoided in the future.
He just hoped that this wouldn’t backfire on him.
What he hadn’t counted on was that the procession that normally continued its walk of fame stoicly was called to a halt upon actions of the newest celebration herself.
Unheard of.
Not within the bounds of tradition or of common sense, so Gerhardt kept a curious glance at her as she with the barest of words managed the situation.
True Courtesan power.
As she turned around again to join the procession Gerhardt got a good look of her face, it was no wonder she held an almost divine beauty. One that would be highly sought after.
As the procession moved on he closed the distance with the prince as he watched Corvo stare after her. "Um..." was the only response Corvo could muster as he stared after the Courtesan for a moment longer before turning towards Gerhardt. "What were we doing here again?"
Gerhardt had a hard time hiding his knowing smile, as he had been young once too. His own response then was somewhat similar to the prince’s immediate befuddlement after the encounter.
Such was the way of the beautiful Lilies.
“We are here to get back on our feet again.” He reminded him. “Come on it is not far to Zathre’s house. With some luck we’ll be able to save you from selling of one of your kidney’s to spend a night with her.” He joked as he grabbed the young man by the shoulder and pushed him past most of the other stalls until they were out of the more ‘grabby’ section of the market.
It was a strange mishmash of peoples, yet it all seemed to operate rather well. The coin there flowed richly and as such those that could afford the market tax were settled up to receive the rich and poor.
When they finally reached the other side of the loop they crossed on of the stairway bridges.
These connected some of the different sections of the city and lead them to a large manned gate.
Hill Point it was called as the houses were build in a maze upon a hill, the streets tilted and offered them a view of a steady climb, though nothing too extensive.
Gerhardt seemed to know where he had to go, though every once in a while he stopped and touched the walls, only briefly and for a moment, before he continued on his way again.
Through a labyrinth of small streets and passing over small courtyards connecting several poorer sections. He stopped finally in front of a tall stone building that was smacked in the middle of several other broader houses.
It was hidden away behind a wooden wall that fenced off a small inner court and was partially plastered with posters and noticed of different varieties.
Gerhardt easily found the hidden latch on the wooden wall and opened it for Corvo.
Instantly the view of the busy outside world shifted to a more mundane setting.
A elderly woman was busy hanging up freshly washed linens and clothes on the lines that were set up to run to from the wooden wall to the building as a scrawny little scarecrow of a boy read out one of the letters and propaganda pieces the city spread to a hunched over figure that rested in the sun against the wall of the building
With only the merest glance you’d be able to see the man was blind and probably older than Father Time, his walking staff resting on his legs, which he had folded, sitting as upright as he could.
He smiled wistfully as he continued to listen to the young boy attempting to read without making mistakes.
Gerhardt sighed with relief.
It seemed nothing had changed. All seemed to be well.
As he walked up to the boy and old man the young boy stopped looking at him in worry and suspicion.
“Is the master home?” He asked calmly.
“Who wants to know?” The boy barked back in defiance, before his fears were eased by the old man at his side.
“It is alright Rudi. We can continue reading it later.”
The boy gave the old man a wavering look for a moment before he nodded and put the papers away, before hurrying off into the house.
Gerhardt noticed the smile of the man broaden, before he realized too late what it meant.
Instantly his feet were mowed down from underneath him.
The ’frail’ old man was far from frail.
“Still as arrogant as ever pup.” He replied as he put the staff upright so it could aid him standing up. All his bones complained, but the man’s smiling face didn’t betray an inch of pain.
“Haven’t we taught you nothing but discourtesy in all those years? Was Mrs. Bigsby’s gentle nature wasted on you?” He complained.
Gerhardt groaned as he got up again, dusting himself off.
“Still as quick as ever ‘old man’. He replied back. “I would have thought you would have died by now, but I see that was nothing but wishful thinking.”
This caused the man to laugh cynically.
“Ha, thought you’d get rid of me by outliving me? Have you truly stooped so low?”
Gerhardt shrugged.
“I figured Death would be the only one who would be willing to put up with you. But even he seems to spurn you, old man.”
“Don’t you old man me, pup. When the time comes I will leap into Death’s final embrace, but until that time arrives I’ll make sure I’ll stick around long enough to pester you and that no good brother of yours.”
“It is a generosity we don’t deserve.” Gerhardt replied with a smile.
“It is good to see you Castille.”
“Likewise…btw who is the stray that you’ve brought?”
“I’ll explain everything when we’re inside.”
The old man sighed.
“It is that bad huh…”
Gerhardt nodded solemnly.
“I’m afraid it is.”
“Well, that’s a pity. Still, it was to be expected. Those old coots don’t let go. Say of Vaim what you will, but when it comes to taking vengeance they’re master of it as Revendahl came to discover…though with the way the Order has been acting the last decades, I suppose they could give them a run for their money.” The old man said darkly before he was interrupted by the arrival of the master.
The man cast one look at Gerhardt before he smiled and embraced him.
“Little brother!” He cried out jovially shaking him with the exuberance of someone barely able to contain their happiness.
“How long has it been since we’ve last seen your ugly mug? Twelve years?”
“Closer to 15.” Gerhardt replied back allowing the taller ‘little brother’ to manhandle him for a moment.
Owen Zathre was a tall handsome roguish man, that had had a couple of run ins with trouble.
Hence why he missed an eye and was ordained with several scars, still despite all that, his face was the equivalent of a God of old, his misty blue eye twinkled mischievously and his wide smile open and welcoming.
Had he worn less tattered clothes and slightly better gear he would have swept up all the women at court, with his demeanour and graces.
“18…by the heavens you look old!” He laughed.
“That would be from all worrying about the kingdom, much good did it do me in the end…” He said with a sigh.
His little brother nodded understandingly.
“I heard, I feared the worst. With the Capital gone there is no stable unity unifying the kingdom anymore. With the royals gone, who will the knights swear their loyalty to?”
“That remains to be seen…” He said casting a glance back at Corvo.
“We’ve come to ask refuge…I am sorry to spring this on you rather suddenly, but I figured we’d be safest here.” Gerhardt uttered.
Owen twinkle disappeared, his expression growing more serious and dark.
“You have it for now. I think I better hear the whole story inside. Come. Too many eager ears roam the streets these days.”
As they entered the rather narrow abode. It showed it was bigger inside than on the outside, deceptively so. As Owen offered the prince a chair stories were told over a mug of cheap ale and some dried meats.
When Gerhardt finally finished speaking he eyes his younger brother, who had leant back in contemplation.
“So we came to you, we need a seal of approval so we can stay in the city and attempt to offer the young prince some time to grow, in both skill and in allies.”
Owen sighed a heavy sigh rubbing his brow at that.
“Much of what was is gone, dear brother. Time are difficult. The merest inkling of a rebellion of any kind is crushed. If you’re going to do this, you’ll need to go up top to get their approval first before you can start recruiting and who is to say how long that will take? By the time you’re done Belisio will have ended under Vaim’s complete control, there will be nothing left for the Prince to rally. If I were the both of you I’d forget about this whole notion and start a new life. I’ll help you regardless of what you choose, but for the sake of your own skins, don’t raise your head up too high above the cornfield so to speak. You’ll be noticed by the Enders.”

Ashen Skies

Well they're not the kind you want to meet outside after dark...

Ashen Skies

You'll meet them soon enough

Dungeons of Drakkenheim

ah ok understandable

Tales From the Dreamscape (Zyx & Neianna86)

Val smirked at the answer.
"The tramp has some bark, but does he bite aswell?" He uttered softly before nodding to Jericho to lower the gun.
"I know of the Nightmares that haunt this place. Still they're not much of a threat, the one that came through the Veil a week ago was far more formidable. I watched it tear a lesser Nightmare to shreds as if it was a paper doll." He turned away from him, he relaxed his hand, allowing the darkness that spread from it to ease as well.
"I am going to offer you a choice scrounger..." He said as he carefully weighed his words before he spoke them aloud.
"We both know you'll not survive alone out here...this winter will kill a lot of straggling survivors and then there's the issue with different individuals who attempt to claim certain safe spaces for themselves. I'll let you live, giving you the opportunity to join us provided you'll intend to pull your weight." He offered as he turned back around to face him, noticing the arrow before he looked at what probably had been the intended target, the hog.
"We'll even feed you, how's that?"

Adeira watched in silent horror what transpired before her eyes.
She cursed herself for not being able to do anything for Maxwell yet as even if she were to fire, the other three would be upon her in seconds, especially from the looks of that gunman they had.
Not to mention the creepy Lucid kid.
The vibe he gave off was terrifying, as if the world bent and twisted to be out of his way.
It seriously freaked her out.
Deciding that they would be better off if they knew where their enemy lived, there could maybe be a way to get Maxwell out from this horrible situation.