Almund is a thriving township with a dark side. With houses made from the wooden bodies of decommissioned ships, there are many opportunities here, coupled with many dangers.
It seemed strange to Tio that a shop that valued the well being of a cat over that of its customers should be as popular as it was, but then again the pies they sold here were very good. Perhaps if he asked the chef to cook him up a delicious cat pie... no, that would probably just end with him getting punched in the face, and Tio liked his face too damn much to risk harming it. He'd have to put his plans for cat assassination on hold.
For now...
He nodded when Veyre finished explaining the backstory behind her choice in career, and that she wasn't trying to be a saint or anything. "Good to hear, I never could trust people who do difficult things and claim they do it entirely out of the goodness of their heart, it makes me suspicious of their motives. If something sounds too good to be true it probably is."
He visibly winced at the mention of the wilderness, remembering the insane weather he'd encountered on the expedition to the Immortal's Tongue and the other terrifying things that'd been there. A lot of people said some of the cities in Scalvoris were dangerous places to be, but the cities were nothing compared to the things that lay outside of them. "True, the wilderness can be downright lethal around here when it wants to be, and there's all sorts of tales about the strange creatures that popped up around here after the Pirate Lords disappeared. Unfortunately all the interesting treasures seem to be hidden right in the middle of the dangerous parts of this island. Don't get me wrong it's fun to have a bit of a challenge, but for once I'd like to hear of a treasure buried under a sweet shop or something instead of in a haunted pirate ship."
When the topic of his own profession was brought up, for a second Tio forgot that he wasn't actually a treasure hunter. He did get a bit too carried away in his roles sometimes, and he really did have an genuine obsession with treasure. When he thought about it like that he guessed he was a treasure hunter at heart, he just had a wider horizon as to how to get treasure than most. "What can I say, I just really like money. I mean there's nothing quite like the sight of a chest filled to the brim with gold and silver is there? The one thing all successful treasure hunters have in common is that they're absurdly rich, and that's something I'd very much like to be one day. Besides I'm not the kind of person that could stand to keep doing the same thing every day for long, I'd get too bored to function. Treasure hunting keeps life exciting, and what's the point of life without a little excitement?"
Veyre then offered to continue their tour, and Tio nodded in approval, standing up and leaving the coin to pay for his meal on the table. "Sounds good to me. The next place on my list is called Berlwin's Brews, do you know where it is?"
If she did he would follow Veyre outside and back through the streets of Almund, taking note of any other notable landmarks again.
word count: 567
Fast Facts
Noticeable quirks your character can see when threading with Tio.
Floats
Tio floats in the air, usually just a foot off the ground.
Explodeibur
Tio wears a scary looking gauntlet on his right hand that is clearly magical. It creates explosions.
Veyre smirked at Tio’s opinion about his suspicions. His answer surprised a little bit, to be honest, considering lots of people appreciates the idea of a selfless doctor. It was definitely something she would keep in mind. “Not the trusting type, are you?”
She listened intently as he elaborated why he had chosen such a life. And apparently, Tio really liked money. Most of the people that came to Scalvoris did too. Veyre could understand people’s obsession for money, but had never really adopted the idea. Having certainly made life so much easier, no matter that some people might try to tell you otherwise. What was the saying? Money can’t buy happiness? It sounded silly. The things that could make you happy… well, most of the time you need money for whatever it was.
Veyre wondered if she could live like that, always searching for some fortune without any guarantee of finding it. Her old self would have thought that it was too much a risk, but these recent arcs, the young woman had understood the thrill of taking risks now and then to gain what she want. Especially when she had an immortal to please.
As Tio rose, the redhead followed suit and paid for her meal.
The Berlwin’s Brews… The young woman nodded at Tio’s question. “I know of it, but you better not tell anyone that I do,” replied her with a wink. Veyre had frequented the establishment a lot more than the common citizen probably would – up to the point that Berlwin himself seemed to recognize her by sight. It was a place where people could find all sorts of poisons and definitely not a place that a proper doctor should be often seen in. Still, it was perhaps the only place where Veyre could satisfy her fascination of poisons.
Of course, this particular business was located on the shadier part of the town – which was saying a lot considering what sort of place Almund was. Veyre had learned the hard way to keep her wits about her while heading there.
Appearing to be more cautious, Veyre let herself hover closer to Tio, never mind that she had traversed these streets alone a dozen times before. “You should be on your guard. There are all sorts of thieves and ruffians that might jump us on the way.” Especially when they see a new face, thinking visitors would be easier victims.
When Veyre smirked and remarked that he wasn't the trusting type, Tio raised an eyebrow amiably. "Oh I do trust some people, but only when I know them well enough. Being overly trusting gets you nowhere. Of course I guess not trusting anybody is just as bad."
However despite acting casual about it, Tio couldn't deny that Veyre's statement had hit the nail on the head. The only people he could trust, not the shallow kind of trust but a deep, real trust, the kind you gave to people who could put your life in the hands of, was members of his own race. The other races, made of flesh and blood, didn't understand what it was like to live life through an illusion, and that ignorance had caused them to do terrible things to his people in the past. Sadly Tio didn't actually know many other Yludih outside of Uleuda, so in the physical realm he could count the amount of people he could really trust on one hand, and none of those people were on Scalvoris.
It was a little surprising when Veyre revealed that she did in fact know where Berlwin's Brews was, and that she was privy to what the shop was really in the business of selling. Tio had learned that Berlwin was actually a professional poison maker because he operated on the other side of the law, and Berlwin's business was well known in the Almund underworld. The fact that Veyre knew of it suggested that she had either an interest in or a use for poisons, and for a doctor that was a little worrying. That being said it was also none of his business if she did or not, so long as she never tried to use them of him.
The walk to Berlwin's Brews was a short one, though led them into the rougher part of town (and considering what Almund in general was like, to call one area the rough part or town was really saying something.) Slowly the ship-shaped buildings they passed became coarser and dirtier, and the goods displayed in the shops and stalls turned into seedier and more dangerous looking merchandise. There were a few stalls they passed by that Tio saw openly advertising things he was pretty sure were illegal on Scalvoris, yet the owners didn't seem at all anxious about leaving such wares out for all to see. Obviously Element patrols were few and far between around here.
He grinned cheekily at Veyre's word of caution, adopting an exaggerated noble tone. "Don't worry Lady Sawbones, a brave and noble knight like myself would never let scoundrels harm such a charming person as you."
Soon they arrived at their destination, a small shop tucked away in one of the dark back alleys with an aura of gloom clinging to it like a poisonous mist. Something about the place made a little part of his stomach feel oddly cold and the hairs on his arms tense up as if getting ready to stand on edge, but even so the thief pushed down his reservations and swung open the door, stepping inside the dismal store.
"Welcome welco-... ah, miss Veyre. How delightful to see you again." The man behind the shop counter, and creepy looking old man who obviously must be Berlwin, called as they entered. "I see you've brought a friend. Perhaps you want me to treat him to a drink? Something medicinal?"
word count: 589
Fast Facts
Noticeable quirks your character can see when threading with Tio.
Floats
Tio floats in the air, usually just a foot off the ground.
Explodeibur
Tio wears a scary looking gauntlet on his right hand that is clearly magical. It creates explosions.
Despite Tio’s reassurance, the young woman kept her eyes peeled for anything suspicious. She had been mugged here once, unable to do anything but to surrender every last coin on her. That had her temper flaring and she was somewhat tempted to fight back. Of course, Veyre immediately shut down the ridiculous idea and resorted to play as the submissive victim.
“How did you know about Berlwin?” the young woman asked, making her curiosity clear in her tone. “I mean, not a lot of newcomers know about such a… dubious place.”
Veyre herself had first heard of the Berlwin’s from one of her clients in the Siren. The man was a pirate and she spent a long time questioning him about Almund. She had been new to the city then, trying to survive by finding out whatever she could. Her interest had peaked when he told her about the poisonmaster’s business. She had even considered working at the Brew, but decided against it in the end. The young woman wanted to stay mostly invisible in the city and being known as a poisoner was not the way to do it. So instead, Veyre chose the much more innocent work as a doctor.
Fortunately, it didn’t take too long for them to reach the shop. Not that she felt much safer as she entered the antique store. All sorts of things can be seen scattered around the room – old jewelries, rotting rocking chairs, crystal lamps. Veyre was careful not to touch any of them, however, having heard of the rumors about the things the old man hoarded.
“And you, Berlwin. I bring someone who’s curious about your shop,” she replied lightly. Despite him being an old man, anyone who had the wits knew of Berlwin’s reputation. He was reasonably feared because of the deadly tinctures he could create and rightfully so. Veyre had always been curious of his work, disguising her interest as wanting to learn all the poisons and finding their antidotes. She chuckled at the man’s offer and turned to Tio. “That’s not necessary, truly. I’m sure my friend here still values his life.”
As Veyre busied herself with the wares in the room as Tio sated whatever curiosity he had about this place, the door opened to reveal a rough looking group of men. She certainly did not like the way they were eyeing her.
Tio shrugged at Veyre's question, the corners of his mouth still curled into a smirk. "What can I say, I have friends in high places. Though I guess friends in low places would probably be a more accurate term in this case. They like to keep me informed of places where interesting things can be found, and a shop that's supposed to have cursed items," his smile grew in a sharp grin, a flicker of dark excitement flashing in his eyes, "now that's something I have to see for myself! The other stuff it stocks is just a welcome bonus."
Many people would call it stupid to be actively seeking out cursed items, but Tio didn't care. Being a little foolish was necessary sometimes. After all if you stayed where you were safe and comfortable and never let a little danger into your life you'd never have the chance to grow powerful. Cursed items were cool, and if you figured out how they worked and how to use their effects for your own benefit even a curse could become a blessing.
Despite his creepy appearance and attitude, and of course his thinly veiled offer to him kill him, Tio kept a pleasant smile on his face as he addressed Berlwin. They said he had real skill at his trade, and he'd much rather be in someone like that's good book than their bad one. Making an enemy out of a professional poisoner was terrible idea no matter how you swung it, even for his kind.
"That's right," he said with a nod to follow up on Veyre's comment, "I value it very much. I'd like to protect it however I can, and from what I hear you sell goods that can help me with that."
Berlwin smiled, showing rows of crooked yellow teeth. "I do indeed. Did you have something specific in mind?"
"I've heard of one that's good for immobilising people, it makes their bones all elasticated or something. I think it was called rubberfoot?"
"Rubberlegs." Berlwin corrected, taking a vial of what was presumably the poison and sliding it across the counter to him.
"Aye, that's the one." Tio replied, picking up the vial and twirling it around in his hands as he examined it. The substance didn't look particularly dangerous, but he wasn't about to question the shopkeeper's products in front of him. He'd have to find a way to test it out later. "I also hear that you have more unique items available. Items that are a bit more... bewitching in nature."
He looked over to the shop door as it was thrown open and a group of thuggish looking men entered, the kind you'd expect to find starting fights in the seedier taverns around town. He dropped enough nel on the counter to pay for his purchase, then slowly moved to Veyre's side when he noticed how wary she looked of the new arrivals. He'd rather avoid a fight if he could, but if they were looking to start something he'd step in.
word count: 529
Fast Facts
Noticeable quirks your character can see when threading with Tio.
Floats
Tio floats in the air, usually just a foot off the ground.
Explodeibur
Tio wears a scary looking gauntlet on his right hand that is clearly magical. It creates explosions.
Tio is such a well-written character, but maybe I’m a little biased. His wit and inner thoughts are always amusing to read, and in this thread, it was giggles for me from the first line! (Pash agrees about tents, btw. 100%) You two had great dialogue together, covered an awful lot of ground in Almund, and I’m sad Veyre has disappeared for now.
Points
XP:
15 | These points cannot be used for magic.
Fame:
N/A
Loot
N/A
Knowledge
Skill Knowledge
Acting: Acting like a Knight
Animal Training: Cats are naturally evil
Deception: Lying about your Profession
Deception: Pretending to be a treasure hunter
Deception: Pretending to be a Knight
Fieldcraft: Tents are not always stable
Fieldcraft: Knowing when to head back to civilisation
Intelligence: Prophesy of your own death?!
Intelligence: Asking the right questions
Intelligence: The layout of Almund's Streets
Intimidation: Staring down a cat
Seduction: Flattery will get you everywhere
Seduction: Be a Knight in Shining Armor
Veyre
Overview
Hello, lovely! I enjoy your writing and Veyre’s character very much. If you make your way back to ST, shoot me a PM, post your review request in the thread, and I’ll be happy to review this thread for you!
Points
N/A
Loot, Injuries, etc.
N/A
Knowledge
N/A
Now that your review is complete,
don’t forget go back to your review post here and drop this image in!
Because of his Competency in Empathy magic, Pash exudes an aura of calm emotion that is always "on." While it's not strong enough to overcome extreme emotions and it also loses strength the more people he's around, it's still up to you how that affects your character in whatever situation we're in. PM with questions!
