• Closed • A Pair of Kings

Once an isolated and dying township, an influx of academics, adventurers and thrill seekers have made Scalvoris Town their home. From scholars' tea shops to a new satellite campus for Viden Academy, this is an exciting place to visit or make your home!

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A Pair of Kings

"Silence Reigns . . ."
Ymiden 39, 718
Scalvoris Town
News had reached Almund that a interim meeting had been called in Scalvoris Town. By extension, it had reached my ears as well. The Council were addressing the concerns of the citizens that had been polled earlier in the season across the island. I only needed to look around to pinpoint what those concerns were in my home town, but I hadn't yet gotten a foothold anywhere else on the island, so I was blind to much of what happened in these places. I hoped by attending this meeting that some of my gaps in understanding would be filled. Only the council were allowed to talk, of course.

Fine by me.

I had arrived in the city the night before, finding passage on one of the many coastal cruisers that moved between Almund and it, and sought a place to rest. Perhaps while I was there I'd stumble across a bit of fun while I was there. Fun being acquiring a bit of information I didn't know when the day began, not whatever constituted enjoyment for other men. Alcohol. Gambling. Women. I knew I couldn't outright judge an entire gender with a few blanket buzzwords; there were always the exceptions. Still, the stereotypes had an origin based in some perceived truth, so I settled on a place that sought to oblige them all.

The Four in Hand was packed. I weaved through the crowd hovering around the bar, a pint of beer in hand, headed in the direction of the casino. It was a weak brew, but I bought it because I knew it helped to blend in. No one cast a second glance to man who looked like them. Granted, I had to duck through the doorway because of my height, but that couldn't be helped.

I made my way to the edge of the room, sipping at the drink in my hand. I didn't particularly want to gamble, if I could help it, but I kept my eyes open for anyone who stood out. Gamblers were a special breed, the kind that peaked my interest.

Perhaps in this room of gold I would find a gem.
word count: 371
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Patrick
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Re: A Pair of Kings

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Inside the bar area of The Four was literally a haven for drunkards, Patrick had been spent on the idea of getting a few bets going; except for the reasonable fact other things kept him occupied. "No shit!" He claimed to the group of men clustered together a couple stools down away from him, while the three eyed him with questionable doubt over the story he told. "There I was up there in the mountains, expecting some hot babe of an Immortal or Goddess ready to seduce me.

The three of them as well others within close proximity laughed lowly, aware that the story would be taking a very unreasonable twist. "And then?"

"Well I never actually made it to the top," Patrick remarked wryly as the detour clearly wasn't the turnout he wanted, By the time I made the climb a blizzard hit, and with it a strange omen that tried to turn me back. I'd considered it too late at that point so I wandered for a bit until I came across a cavern."

"What cavern?"
"Lemme guess, y' found a bear and wrestled 'er instead."

"You know I would've rather wrestled the bear come to think of it, but honestly shit got weirder the further I went inside. Originally I only sought refuge from the blizzard, but apparently some little shit with magic decided to con me into going deeper. You'd be surprised what I ran across down in there, now that I think about how little I've found on it." The Rharnian sipped at his mug of ale for a moment and forced a smile, faintly though, as the memory of what transpired afterwards still felt bitter to swallow.

"Wait, y' went deeper inside b' cause a lil' girl tricked ya?"

"What'd y' find down there??" At this rate the three were remotely invested with their interest, keen on different aspects of the story Patrick told them. It served in part to the purpose, which is exactly why he decided to rant on about this particular event. No matter how bad of an experience it was, he could use it to learn more about the damned creature, although he would never reveal what it exactly did to him for obvious reasons. No... that part was far too personal, and something he'd keep very quiet if he could.

"Certainly no jewels or lusty Goddess, whatever the hell that little thing was lured me into a trap. Once I was inside the cave I discovered a large black monster in there, flying around as shadow seemed to practically radiate from it's body." Their jaws all suddenly dropped and disbelief filled their eyes.

"The Ishkahl?" The three of them seemed to gasp at the same time they exclaimed, and now Patrick had a name to attach to the creature. Somehow the smile became more real, fixed on the fact that what he was fishing for seemed to within grasp. "Now you're just talkin' shit!"

"Have you not heard a word I just said?" The Rharnian retorted with a modest chuckle. "The shit that happened once I went inside the cave got pretty weird, but even so, I swear to the Immortals that I came across that... Ish-kale?"

"How do y' not even know it's name but describe it?"

"Good point," Patrick shrugged with a slight grin shot at them, "Must mean I actually did see the creature. Barely survived too, wouldn't mind learning more about it before next time though."

"Y' want to... see it again? Are y' crazy?!"

"About as crazy as they come some would say. I just have a bit of a personal matter I'd like to settle with the damned beast, both it and whatever foul creature lurred me there."

It seemed his words caused a stir between the three as they looked at him hard, as though he were suddenly the only insane one there in the room. Sure enough they opted to move away, barely complimenting what a fascinating story that had to be in doing so. The poor sods. Needless to say it didn't help get him very far but with Patrick, one thing was made clear after telling it in the arrangement he made. If anything it'd spread out to others until hopefully one decided to bring it up, and that was honestly Patrick's biggest hope was the forthcoming of some credible information. It all began somewhere, so why not here at base while he recuperated? Yet his stomach rolled a couple of times, still pained as he felt the pressure build up in his insides. Damn them. Damn the Ishkahl and that... whatever that thing was controlling the beast.

The Rharnian sat in silence alone at this rate, staring blankly into the space ahead as he drank from his mug. Oh the things he'd do to take down that big bastardly bird...
word count: 829
"Freedom is everything."


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Re: A Pair of Kings

"Silence Reigns . . ."

Eavesdropping was a hit and miss business, I had come to learn. Oh, there were always conversations to be heard, but they weren't always pertinent or even particularly interesting. It was, in more ways than one, a waiting game. Thankfully, to-trial was looking like a bit of an exception on both counts. There was a man in the middle of a story a few seats away from where I was standing and he didn't seem bothered by an audience. What was one more, I thought, as I shuffled closer catch the rest of the tale.

As I listened to the man regale the crowd of patrons around him, I couldn't help but be intrigued, even if some of what he described seemed far-fetched or outright fabricated. The man was an explorer of some sort, it seemed, or at the very least a man who had been on an adventure a time or two in his life. The story seemed real enough until the inclusion of magic into it; from there, it became stranger and stranger. Perhaps if the man seemed more familiar with the domains, I'd be more inclined to believe him, though from where I was sitting he didn't seem the most knowledgeable on the subject. As for the Ishkahl, I couldn't say one way or another on the veracity of that claim. The audience seemed to recognize the beast's description, so the man wasn't completely lying. As for the claim to want to see it again . . . well, what was an adventurer without a bit of concluding bravado, like a cliff he believed was hanging from.

Still, when it was all said and done, I found I appreciated the tale. A good storyteller was not often found and deserved a show of appreciation for their efforts. The crowd dispersed, having got everything out of the stranger that they had wanted, leaving the man alone to his thoughts. But not for long, however, as I took the seat opposite him. I toasted my mug at him, the best gesture I could muster to let him know I appreciated the story. Unlike the other men, I meant to thank the stranger.

And, perhaps, learn even more about his expedition while I'm at it.
word count: 385
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Patrick
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Re: A Pair of Kings

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A little recognition for his tale was something he expected sure and even the possibility of rumor spread, but garnered attention which he received from an unusual person that'd taken to join him? The Rharnian couldn't help but raise an eyebrow in the process of drinking from his mug, curious of the nature this individual who'd joined him just as the others left. Some called him mad yes and sure he accepted that, but did this person actually find credibility or even merit in his story?

A thought popped inside Patrick's head.

He grinned and toasted to the stranger in return to the gesture he'd been given, a "cheers pal," murmured as he took another swig from his mug. The guy was certainly a giant compared to most, even just seeing him sit across from Patrick one could tell he dwarfed many others; any who were considerably human like he was at least. One look at him and he definitely vibed quiet and mysterious, and the choice of dark colors in his attire told Patrick a little more. But not a whole lot to begin with, the guy was a complete puzzle and with little certainty on being figured out soon. Nevertheless Pat couldn't help but indulge in present company, and if he came to hear interesting stories.... well then the Rharnain did have a few to tell.

"I reckon you caught the last of that story I told to the others, about the Ishkahl that's perched somewhere up in the mountains." He needn't really see any gesture of assurance, but nonetheless gave enough pause for one before a chuckle escaped his lips. "Oh man. You think that was something crazy, I've come across some wild shit earlier this Arc." Yes that would be grand, fluff up the intrigue by sharing the story of his ruin exploration. He was sure that this stranger would enjoy the nightmare that was Orimar, and the lingering denizens that waited to slaughter the vast majority of volunteers on that expedition.

"Ever thought about looking for lost treasure? Word of advice if you do, make sure to research every article possible about it. Every legend, myth, or even speculation; any piece of history you can find on it will save you a world of trouble in the long run." On that note Patrick swallowed another swig hard, still a little bitter over the memory of that dangerous Trial. "And only trust those you will back you up, less competition the better also." Patrick tilted his head to the side a little, curious about his new drinking buddy since he'd done a bit of the talking.

"Awfully a quiet one, got a name you go by? Anything in particular I should know?" More like should he be wary that this stranger wanted to kill him? It wouldn't be the first case that's for sure, but certainly the first time an interesting subject has appeared. As mellow and calm as he appeared the silence was too eerie, leaving Patrick to speculate the worst out of this scenario yet.
word count: 523
"Freedom is everything."


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Re: A Pair of Kings

"Silence Reigns . . ."

I nodded in response to the man's observation. Truth was, I had heard almost all of it, but I didn't think there was a need to share that with him. Eavesdropping was frowned upon by some and even if the stranger was flattered by it, he would probably question why I hadn't joined the crowd earlier. Better to just let him move onto his next story, which I was just as eager to listen to.

First, though, I had to wade through the introductory embellishment that was to be expected in a barroom tale. I couldn't exactly relate to the man's sentiments, given that I had never had really want to search for lost treasure, but it seemed like sound advice nevertheless. Especially the bit about trustworthy companions; that made any facet of life, not just treasure hunting, easier to succeed in. I nodded in agreement, hoping the man would be satisfied with such a nonverbal exchange.

Alas, he wasn't.

Why did everyone insist upon knowing my name? I hadn't even asked for his! Sighing, I shook my head, signing 'Sorry' at the man. I hadn't a clue if he was even familiar with the language, but hopefully it was enough for him to comprehend. On the off-chance that he could translate, I added, 'Job,' in answer to his initial question. It wasn't my name, but it was my usual go-to to such an inquiry. Given how unknown I was on this island, it wasn't likely that the stranger would know any better, anyway.
word count: 268
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Re: A Pair of Kings


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Thread Review

Patrick

Patrick
Skill Points: +15 (cannot be used for magic)
Magic XP: None.

Renown: +5 for telling a story to an eager crowd about an Ishkahl.

Injuries/Overstepping: None.
Wealth Points: None.
Loot: None.

Skill Knowledge:
  • Storytelling: Embellishing Certain Parts of A Tale
  • Storytelling: The Tale of the Girl and the Ishkahl
Non-Skill Knowledge:
  • none requested.
Notes: You can requested up to 4 more knowledge for this thread, PM me if you wish to.
Player Word Count: 1368 words.

Mute

Mute
Skill Points: +15 (cannot be used for magic)
Magic XP: None.

Renown: None.

Injuries/Overstepping: None.
Wealth Points: None.
Loot: None.

Skill Knowledge:
  • none requested.
Non-Skill Knowledge:
  • none requested.
Notes: You can request up to 8 knowledge for this thread, if you return, PM me or submit a request to do so.
Player Word Count: 1024 words.

Interesting to read first person narrative for this. Certainly creates a different type of immersion and sense of interaction with the character of Patrick. It's too bad that the thread got dropped. Storyteller drinking Patrick is, of course, fun... but was the story true or not??? I feel like maybe it was, or maybe he's just that good!

Enjoy your rewards!

PM me if you have any questions, issues or concerns.

Total Word Count: 2392 words.
Review Request Link: viewtopic.php?p=119094#p119094
stampcodehere

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