(OOC: Well, certainly not my best but it's up right and I'm in the game! Alright, if I take too many liberties let me know. I'll probably go over this soon and give it a bit of an edit but you'll get the main idea from it right now. Feel free to fire up conversation Shades, Joseph is a quiet man and doesn't really know how from spending the last five years alone in the wild. I assumed you'd already left Chessic, if not I will rewrite to include you. When were you thinking of moving this to a game thread Shield?)

Stillness in the sky. The blue that may be plucked out of the threads of summer dresses had been woven into the dome above Malvarin. Sitting like a tyrant fattened by the beatings he gave his citizens, the sun gazed down upon the city. Clothes clung to skin as the still air shot scents of sweat up the nostrils of men and women strolling about. The Malvarin market was more a painting than a place of trade. Fat men, in tunics shadowed by sweat, wheezed out the heat, squatting upon wooden benches. Little children, girls in their flower skirts and boys in their cotton jerkins, hid in small slivers of shade that escaped the eyes of the sun. From behind the galss and under the kiosk umbrellas merchants watched the frozen image praying for a purchase. Hot and humid as it was, their prayers were answered.

A man moved casually through the streets, his soft leather shoes padding gently on the path of cobblestones that wound towards the city centre. The rags and tatters that hung from his shoulders and around his waist left taught, dark skin bare advertising sweating muscle to what little breeze might stir up between shop fronts. Rubbing warmly on the outside thigh was a long sheath that housed a hot hunting knife. The sweat the snailed down his legs were cousins to the snakes of sweat, which were slithering down his back. The man had both backpack and quiver pressed against his skin bouncing and pushing the material wet and sticky over his spine. The largest cell of sweat was pouring out from the mane of tangled, black curls that hung, unkempt from the head, winding down his jawline into a thick, mangy beard. Droplets flew to the bow that rested on his shoulder and rubbed up against his armpit. But the face drew the heat of the attack, sucking the salt water down it till it was slick with sweat. Still the man’s expression did not seem agitated. Joseph David Gabriel Feroz was used to all sorts of weather.

Dark brown eyes gazed wonderingly about the brick and stone buildings, which towered around him. Almost bemused, sad was their countenance as they considered the toil that was wasted on what ha dbeen awarded the moniker of progress. These monoliths were nothing more than broken rocks reformed into squares Joseph thought to himself. Alas, this once had been a plain running out from forest down to a shore, loved so tenderly on days such as this, by a sea.

Joseph drew a deep sigh of longing these strange buildings seemed like beasts drawn from dark forges placed in the pits of the planet and since petrified and put on display. Grotesque gargoyles were these boxes that crowded up around the young druid. It seemed their steam and smoked gasped and huffed down his neck, their long shadows mocked his own, following him, haunting him, hunting him. Joseph could feel his legs shaking as the size of the city surrounded him. Simple. Ladnar had asked Joseph to buy some armor and meet at the Morning breeze when the sun had just passed its highest point. Buy the armour, find the inn, get out of the city. Joseph breathed these thoughts out in long sighs hoping to calm the rushing heart that surged blood up through his veins heating his skin and forcing more pricks of sweat out from his pores. He wiped his forehead. Well, he had made it to the market square.

Joseph gazed around dumbly. The painting was almost sad to see. On such a warm day as this, Joseph longed to be naked sprawled out astride some oak under the sun, perhaps splashing around in a stream, certainly not watching these overdressed and overeaten folks trying to beat off the sun with solemn looks and fans. Embrace the heat, Joseph thought.

Joseph strolled over to the first outdoor stand he could, it seemed to be selling some strange smorgasbord of fancy coloured, oddly shaped objects varying in sizes. What they were, the druid didn’t know and didn’t care, he wanted armour. He faced the short portly man, who wore his thin moustache as though he were plotting to steal innocence from the world.

“Lookin’ for sum sweets?” A nasally voice eeked out from between his foul teeth.

“No. I seek armour, who here can sell me durable equipment for reasonable price?” Joseph deep but quiet voice cut through the man’s.

“Ah bugga’. Why no’ a bi’a ice cream ta cool ya off?”

“No. Tell me where I may purchase armor or I will leave.”

The man grumbled and bickered for a bit before pointing down the square to a shop at the easern side. Joseph turned without thanking him and moved down to the shop. As he was about to enter the arms shop another caught his eye, Heyne Twins Tobacconist. For a moment Joseph was transported back to the first moment Ladnar had shared a pipe with him. The slow tendrils of soothing smoke sliding out of his lips and the succulent flavour filling his mouth. Joseph’s mouth watered and he glanced through the glass to see the rows of jars and barrels stuffed with the cured and treated alternate tobaccos. Upon a rack behind the counter was a wall of more pipes than Joseph ever could have imagined. Putting his mind to the small sack of money he’d collected over the years as a traveler, Joseph decided to stop into the shop after he investigated his armor situation.

Joseph walked through the door and glanced around the place. The shop did not advertise itself well to a man like Joseph, the metal husks of men that hung from the walls seemed almost ghostly and the shiny shirts seemed gaudy. This fancy metal seemed to be good only for the blows of blades, what good would the do for the traveler needed to be agile, who needed to travel light and on days such as this would the plates of steel be the coolest choice? Joseph turned his eyes to the cheaper selection of options. Those gaudy metal monstrosities could be saved for the knights with their delusions of grandeur and the soldiers with their monotonies of duty, they could dump their bags of gold into that worthless investment, for Joseph these slim fitted leather jerkins seemed more fitted.

The merchant walked over to Joseph as he ran his hands over a particularly simple, supple but firm suit of leather armour. “I see this beauty has caught your fancy?”

Joseph smiled, “Yes, but I have little to offer. I know that the bull that gave his life for this fine suit had a gorgeous hide and the craftswork is simple and sturdy. I will offer you twenty gold pieces in exchange. I have no more to offer and have not attempted to barter you for less. Give it me for this or I will leave.” The man eyed Joseph for a few moments as he too reached out feel the quality of the leather. Joseph truly had very little ability to bargain or barter and knew only how to tell the truth. His eyes showed this honest and on this day he was lucky for that.

“I will give it for twenty, you seem a good man who needs the armour for noble causes.” The man ushered Joseph to the till and drew up a long flat rope with notches drawn into it from a drawer.

“Perhaps not noble causes but I will use it better than any other you would hand it to for more.” Joseph spoke as the man strung the string around Joseph in different configurations calculating measurements. The druid waited as the salesman bustled around pulling together good solid pieces leather to draw up a suit that stitched together with buttons and zippers to cover mostly the torso but pushed just past the shoulders to the biceps and reached over the crotch down the thighs. It was light and flexible and air at the armpits provided breathability. It zipped at the sides and buttoned between the legs. Joseph slung it over his soldier, reluctantly admitting that there was something strong and secure in knowing that he would be bearing this for days to come.

Leaving twenty gold with the man Joseph left. Glancing up at the still sky he saw that the wet air had found its wind and was now blowing about furiously. He grinned as a kaleidoscope of coloured candies were blown from the stand down the square where the moustached men worked and bounced toward. him. Picking one up and popping it in his mouth Joseph gave a wink and a bow to the flustered and frustrated man down the way. The furious wind had drawn as a murder of crows, a herd of clouds to cover up the clear sky that once resided of Malvarin.

Joseph glanced back at the tobacconist behind him thoughtfully before peaking up the sky to see if he could catch some inkling of the time. There was none, but he was confidant he still had many minutes before he had to meet with Ladnar. He ducked into the small shop.

Instantly he was overwhelmed by one of the most wondrous smells, thick and sweet, smoky, woodsy, delicious. Joseph walked to the counter to find a short, little goblin sporting a monocle and a straggly black beard. The goblin seemed to be genial and kind compared to the ones Joseph had encountered just nights ago in the wild.

“Hello lad, what do you seek?” The man croaked in a deep, froglike voice.

“Tobacco and a pipe.” Joseph replied gazing up at the array of different shapes and sizes, corncobs, briars, meerschaums, clays and more.

“Well, the tobacco I can aid you with but the pipe is a choice left to you my friend. Why don’t I shake a pouch or two together for you and you can admire my selection?” Without awaiting response the little goblin scuttled away and began blending and concocting while Joseph turned his gaze to the wall. He sighed thoughtfully; he wanted something that would last him through the many faces of weather and land he would be traveling through. The clays would break too easily and the corncobs would decay over a year. He turned his gaze to the briars and the meerschaums when one caught his eye. It was a meerschaum with deep bowl and stem that stretched out of it nobly but what caught his eye was that the pipe was modeled after a tree, the stem was in fact a trunk and the bowl was leaves and branches.

“Well, have you landed on something?” The Goblin inquired in his toady voice as he dropped the pouches from behind him.

“That one there.” Joseph had not taken his eyes off the beautiful piece of work.

“Good choice my boy, good choice! Well for a starter, you’ve got a good eye. Let’s see… hmm… well how much have you got?”

Joseph looked to his pouch. He had twenty gold left, he poured it out on the corner, “That is all my money.”

“Well keep yourself two pieces in case you get in trouble,” The man grinned and winked and Joseph took his newest purchase. “I do hope you have a cloak in that satchel!” The goblin croaked as he pointed through the window. Joseph turned to see a torrent of rain and wind attacking the market square as though the liberty of mankind was at stake. Shops had been closed hurriedly and people had rushed inside.

Joseph smiled and nodded. “Yes I do indeed. It’s been awhile since I’ve been in a nice squall like this.” Just as he was about to exit the shop he turned back to the goblin, “By the way, do you happen to know where the Morning Breeze is?”

After the Goblin had given Joseph directions to the tavern the druid set out into the storm with joy pulsing through his body. The sky seemed to weep with the laughter that Joseph with it. His deep rolling laugh that was rarely heard by men was shared with the sky and the sky laughed back rumbling deeply with thunder. The rain seemed to coat Joseph, draw him to dance, court him, this warm summer water flirted with his skin drawing up goosepimples so frigid hairs might hold small drops of water. Like some made beast Joseph shook his mane and water sprayed everywhere leaving the tangle of black in a curly mess.

The door of the morning breeze opened slowly and a figure, soaking wet strolled in reluctantly. People turned and stared at the wildman dressed in tatters and clearly armed walked through the door. He had flung a cloak over his new coat of armour instead of his own body and made his hair into a madness that lured eyes easily. He was quite tall and scanned over the heads quickly and easily seeking out Ladnar’s table. He saw the ranger and another sitting at a table. Joseph strode over and joined them eying the handsome young man at his side. From his bag he drew his new pipe and tobacco and began to smoke contentedly and quietly, still smiling from the rain.

-Dragonblood

((I'm still waiting on a couple more sheets before opening the official game thread, this little side RP here in the QA is more a preface to the game, an introduction of sorts so we can skip right past that when the game finally gets going.))

After losing to a game of Solitaire for the third time in a row, Richard sighs. He starts to shuffle his cards once more, and looks at the newcomer.

"Darn there sir!" 'Kid' is ofcourse speaking to the one with tobacco pipe, "You look even more ragged than me, though I suppose not by much!" He gives a friendly smile, trying to show that it is all in jest. Setting his deck infront of him, Richard tips his hat up in his common salute and gives a friendly wink. "The name's Richard Denim sir. I recon from the way you are dressed that your a country-bumpkin just like me."

The young cowboy then starts to reshuffle his cards. "I ain't been in a city this big before, used to either be in the open prairies, or small towns where everyone knows everyone." Richard stops his shuffling again, and leans forward to whisper his next thought, "I am thinking the people round here are kind of unfriendly, but that is between you and me right?"

Richard sits back and continues his shuffle. "Can I deal you in? My parents taught me this fun game called 'Go Fish', been taught in the family for a couple generations now. Its easy to learn and easy to play and best of all, its fun!"

The amber light of the inn darted through the tendrils of smoke that escaped, slithering out through the room, from Joseph's mouth. The deep, weighty bowl fit into the weathered hands well, the leaves moulded into the meerschaum resting between thumb and forefinger, ghosts of snakes stealing away out of the packed tobacco.

Joseph sat silent and still. His mind was racing and his eyes flicked from spot to spot, leaping from the burnt, blasted and stained walls of the inn to the chipped and well worn counter that glistened with beer, spit and rainwater. Joseph had not been inside in years. A roof over his head... it was as if some sadistic giant had chosen Joseph as a stool and was resting his weight upon the druid's head. Stuffy and small Joseph could feel the ceiling creeping closer and closer trying to trap him in this tiny little cage. Even his leg muscles and back felt strangely sore from resting upon the roughly crafted wooden chair, the grassy floor was a more welcoming seat to Joseph but there was none available.

He had considered venturing out into the rain once more and spending the day wet and happy, relaxed and spacious, but decided to remain for warmth. It concerned him not if he was rude to stay or leave but simply chose to dry his clothes and return when the storm had yielded that sweet smell of grass and flowers reaching up after a rain and bathing in the sun shyly peaking from behind the rainbow speckled skies.

"Darn there sir!" Joseph turned to face the country boy turned soldier that seemed to be seated next to him, "You look even more ragged than me, though I suppose not by much!" Joseph eyed the man and his clothing slowly, his dark brown irises running over the long brown trench coat that hung on the arm of the chair.

"Your feet do seem to have seen the road my friend." Joseph replied gently, his deep voice rolling out and suggesting an age and wisdom that belied his youthful face.

Joseph considered whether he would find himself travelling with the kid. It was strange, the road that stretched out behind Joseph was one of learning, age, knowledge and truth. The world had many lessons written into its stones and trees, each blade of grass carried a chapter in the story of creation. Joseph had grown to be hundreds of years old it seemed over the time that he had spent buffeted by the winds of adventure.

This lad however had seen the road but still bore that shining mark of innocence in his eyes, native to the children. This was the sparkle of youth, which wooed woman, won sympathy and eventually left a man wanting. He would come to have that naivete crushed wickedly in coming seasons and Joseph hoped he would not be at the man's side for it.

"The name's Richard Denim sir. I reckon from the way you are dressed that you're a country-bumpkin just like me." The man continued on as Joseph appraised him. It was suited name, Joseph wondered what the origin of the name was. Joseph had interacted with few humans as he avoided cities and those he knew best were the names of the Vicarios. This had fostered Joseph's ignorance of other cultures, tribes and societies.

"I am Joseph David Gabriel Feroz. I am a traveler." Joseph assented Richard's observation.

The man responded talkatively, Joseph had fogotten how central conversation was to most humans, already he was growing tired of discourse and longed to be alone in silence. "I ain't been in a city this big before, used to either be in the open prairies, or small towns where everyone knows everyone." Joseph leaned back slightly as the man moved closer to whisper an addendum, "I am thinking the people round here are kind of unfriendly, but that is between you and me right?"

"They are men. City men do not know how to live." Joseph said bluntly, he knew no other words for it and didn't know how to properly make a dialogue out of these anecdotal observations.

Fidgeting with the cards the man added, "Can I deal you in? My parents taught me this fun game called 'Go Fish', been taught in the family for a couple generations now. Its easy to learn and easy to play and best of all, its fun!"

"I do not wish to play cards, continue with your games and I will with my pipe." Joseph' voice was gentle and told the tale of a man who knew nothing of sharing a table with another man more than an ornery attitude. Joseph could hear the wisdom in his voice but as he spoke he could hear ignorance and innocence of his own. This sick cesspools of pollution and progress were alien worlds to him and everything from the silverware to the wars was unfamiliar. His place was with the trees and the wind and he longed to be back in the forest, even if he had to sacrifice his solitude and be joined by the Wolf Pack.

-Dragonblood

The stranger distanced himself, and was rather quiet. Richard did not mind the way the man had reacted, it takes all sorts to get along in life. Though Richard was not the best at reading people, he knew that there was a certain amount of good in each, and that this man certainly had his own reserves of kindness. Richard just smiled, nodded, and dealt himself another game of solitaire, as he waited for more to show up.

"By the way there Wolf, how many more are we expectin'? We gots me, this Joesph man here, and that guy that gave me the creepers... any others that we should be expecting?"

(OOC: I am not urging for a list, more of just some interaction with Wolf if it possible...)

Ladnar had been busy thinking over various plans in his head, as he often did, and barely heard the question being asked of him. Snapping out of it briefly he took a drag from his smoldering pipe and after exhaling replied, "There should be at least two more showing up any minute now, not sure what the hold up is though."

((OOC: Sorry in advance for 1) short post, 2) still not having sent the character sheet in yet, I'm really struggling, and 3) inactivity))

The rucksack seemed to weigh nothing at all.

Leaving his home and profession to venture into the wide world had been one of Garban's greater decisions.

He had packed the rucksack with all he had when he left, mainly sentimental items of no value, pebbles of various shapes and sizes, yet despite the weight they felt light.

It was most definately a good idea. It would probably let him make some money, whilst allowing him to follow his lifelong dream of becoming a bard. No-one ever gets good tales to tell by staying sat on their rear, drinking ale.

His studded leather armour was also in the rucksack, but his spear and shield strapped to his back, as he slipped into the Morning Breeze and began searching for his companions amongst the brouhaha, struggling, and hoping for one to notice him and wave.

< Noticing isn't my strong point >, he thought with a grin.

((you got my stuff right?))

I'm not sure I quite know what stuff you are referring to Chessic...

is this adventure getting underway anytime soon? it has been quite a while, and if this is the dedication people are showing to the game, I may just pull back.

Sorry if this sounds rude, but I do not like waiting for long periods of time on others.

Patience is a virtue, just wait a bit longer, and if I have to I'll start the game Monday with or without the last two sheets I'm waiting on.

just saying, I do have patience, but that does not mean I will wait around with baited breath. Thanks for stepping it up and going for Monday.

my character sheet... sent it to you via PM

Having been on your end of things Shield, I understand getting everything in order before being able to start the game. All good adventures go through their delays and this one really hasn't been around that long, we've even had a chance to start RPing! I'm overjoyed to hear we'll be seeing a starter post in two days or so and can't wait to get started.

I must say, the internet at my apartment's been cut of late so I'll only have access at the library or internet cafe's so if I don't reply right off the bat, my sincerest apologies, I will maintain a 1 post per week quota for sure.

Out of curiosity who are our other characters that we're waiting on? This is what I think we have:

human druid (me)
human cavalier (shades)
goblin bard (darren)

I'm not sure what Chessic's playing but I'm looking forward to finding out!
Who's our final player?

-Dragonblood

... actually Fighter with Bard secondary think of it as a hobby for a professional soldier.

EDIT: I hope it's an arcane spellcaster of some form, or we're lost :p