Session Log 1 - 6-21-04


DamaGM: The scene opens in Balam, a small little town in the middle
of nowhere. Well, "town" is really the wrong word; Balam is really
just a collection of buildings- tavern/inn, blacksmith, general store,
and a handful of houses- scattered in a haphazard manner.

DamaGM: But, for various reasons, all of you come here, to the
"Bleeding Barbarian" inn.

DamaGM: It's nighttime now, and as the sun begins to set, people
flock to the only source of entertainment: the common room of the
tavern/inn. It's incredibly crowded. Nearly every chair is occupied.
Soldiers, guards, sellswords, men of all sorts of nature sit elbow to
elbow and shout and yell at each other.

DamaGM: The overcrowding has forced the three of you, practical
strangers, into one drab corner with a small, surly balding fellow.

DamaGM: The man is short, and dressed in dark clothing that has
definitly seen better days. Half of his face is covered in one massive
scar, oblitering his eye. He glares at the crowd, then turns one dark
blue eye on the three of you and snarls, "What's yer excuse?"

Jacen: "My excuse for what?" Jacen asks, his eyes widening. He didn't
-think- he'd done anything here yet, butt you never could tell...

Jasper: "I try to rotate mine."  The thin-faced robed man replies
wryly, with a tired sigh.

* Kayden sniffs and then rather deliberately thumbs his nose. His eyes
crinkle, adding wrinkles to the crowsfeet already there, and for a
moment it looks like he's going to spit. But instead he draws breath
and shifts his weight to favor his left side. By way of answer he
favors the scarred man with a glance.

* Jacen is a boy in his mid to late teens, by the look of him. Dressed
in a loose white shirt with a jaunty red and blue vest over it, a
knotted rope belt, and baggy trousers that are tied at the ankles over
a pair of rather cheap leathercraft shoes. His hair is a muddled tuft
of light brown, and his eyes are an uncommonly clear shade of green.

DamaGM: At once, the eye focuses on Jacen. "Fer being 'ere." He jerks
his in the direction of the majority of the crowd. "Sell-swords, the
'ole lot of 'em. Think they can make a rep killing Shev. Idiots." He
spits emphatically on the floor for emphasis. "You 'ere for that crap,
too?"

Jacen: "Oh, no." He snorts and waves a hand as if to blow such an
absurd concept away. "I'm here by accident, you might say."

Jasper: "More to assist the people the Shev will be hurting,
actually."  His mind seems to be elsewhere.  "If the opportunity
presents itself."

DamaGM: Now the eye glares at Kayden. "Aye, the Shev. The Crimson
Thaw. E'ry them damned barbarians show up, burn the half the towns,
and disappear, quick as ghosts. And every year *they-*" Again, he
jerks his head at the crowd "-show up to get themselves killed."

Jacen: "It sounds marvelous," Jacen enthuses. "Like some kind
of...intensely violent community tradition!"

Kayden: "Huh."  Kayden hooks his thumbs into his sword belt.

DamaGM: "Aye, lad, tradition of the bloodiest kind, only it won't be
the Shev bleedin'."

Jacen: "Oh come on. Surely some of them must bleed. Even if it's only
a little," Jacen insists. "For example, one might trip on a body or
something, and hit his nose really hard."

DamaGM: "You e'er fight Shev? Big, all of 'em big. And fast, too.
Like nothi' I ain't seen. And they got these huge swords. Gut ya,
before ya know what hit ya."

Kayden: "That so...?"  Kayden grumbles.

DamaGM: "They bleed, lad, but they don't feel it. Damnest thing I'd
seen."

Jacen: "That could be inconvenient," Javen observes. "How do they
know when they need bandages?"

* Kayden cracks a big grin at this.

DamaGM: "I'd stuck one but good. It ran right up the blade and,
well..." He gestures to his scarred face.

* Jacen peers unabashedly at the scars.

Jacen: "Still, you lived. I'm guessing the Shev didn't?"

DamaGM: The man glares at Jacen. "Aye, lad. I lived. And I quit the
Thaw after that."

DamaGM: "Made enough money, though, to retire." He grins at this,
revealing a mouth full of half-rotted yellow teeth.

Kayden: "Tell us more about this Thaw then,"  Kayden urges.

* Jasper glances at the wound more intently for a moment.  He mutters
to himself,  "You'd think they could find more productive applications
for their capabilities...  until you think about how lucrative looting
and pillaging is."

DamaGM: "Starts in the spring, it does. When the ice out near the
Isles melt enough for 'em to sail out 'ere. Then its three months of
rapin' an' lootin' 'til they 'ead back. Normally, they're not trouble.
Army gets their training 'ere. But, lately..." He scowls darkly.

Jacen: "Lately?" Jacen presses.

DamaGM: "Lately, thing's 'ave been bad. Real bad. Rumor's runnin'
that some of them beserkers stayed over. Been spotted inland, near
Maun."

Jacen: "Such insolence! They must be taken to task."

Jacen: Jacen glances at Kayden then. "Right?"

DamaGM: "'eard they attacked the Holy City, just last week it was.
But nobody knows for sure."

Jacen: He nudges Kayden. "Riiiiight?"

* Kayden rolls his eyes skyward, but gives a tolerant chuckle. "Right
lad."

DamaGM: A sudden, uneasy silence descends on the room.

* Kayden looks for the cause of it.

* Jacen beams; an expression that would in another time and place put
his face on innumerable posters fit for teenage girls' bedrooms, and
might make him an instant candidate for the latest boyband. "You see,
uh, mister...you don't know who you have here. The Shev's days of
terror here are OVER!"

Kayden: "Oh lad, not this again..."  Kayden pleads--if a grumble can
be called a plea.

Jacen: "No, really!"

Jasper: "They are?"  Jasper asks with frank evenness... skepticism,
though present, is nigh undetectable.

* Kayden rubs a hand roughly over his face. "The boy's given to
fancy..." he says by way of apology to the scarred man at his side.

DamaGM: The man notices, and turns towards the source. At the far end
the room, a man is desceding from a stairway. The newcomer is tall,
with dark hair and eyes, hawkish features, and attractive, in a dark,
mysterious sort of way. He's wearing a white shirt under a long, dark
red coat, and matching pants tucked into black boots. His bearing and
his clothes instantly proclaim him as wealthy, and someone of some
worth.

* Jacen nods. "You are in the company of a true hero," he rambles.
"Nay...a god of steel and blood! He's vanquished a thousand
villains...at once! And that was just this morning!" Jacen raises a
finger, then says, "And this fellow sitting next to me...well, his
deeds are even more impressive."

DamaGM: The scarred man scowls, and quickly gestures for Jacen to be
silent.

* Kayden sighs explosively, but keeps his attention on the newcomer.

* Jasper smiles politely at the showmanship, but then also turns his
attention to the newcomer.

* Jacen looks mightily offended, but can't resist peeking at the
newcomer.

DamaGM: The newcomer notices the silence, and smiles a slightly
amused smile. He flags down the owner (a shrewd and ugly woman named,
of all things, Lime) and begins to speak with her. After a moment,
people resume their discussions, albiet at lower volumes than before.

DamaGM: The scarred man glares at the man. "And that one," he mutters
loud enough for you all to hear, "is real trouble."

Jacen: "It's really astonishing how ugly she is," Jacen mutters,
unable to stop staring at the owner. "It's like...she's half-harpy. Or
even three-quarters. Or half harpy and half ogre..."

Kayden: "Who's that then?"  Kayden asks of scarface.

DamaGM: "Gevan Vanderveldt, or so he says."

Jacen: "Who?"

DamaGM: "He's a mage."

Jacen: "Oh. Oh! THAT Gevan Vanderveldt." He looks back at the man.

DamaGM: "A Theodist, some say." The scarred man makes a quick sign
with his fingers.

Kayden: "That all then?"  Kayden thumbs his nose again and tries to
look unimpressed.

Jasper: "Not with the Lyceans, then?"  Jasper frowns.

Jacen: "Commanding the dark forces of the netherworlds," Jacen
murmurs excitedly. "With but a wave of his hand, he can skin you to
flinders..."

DamaGM: The scarred man nods. "Aye. 'aven't seen 'im work magic yet
and, goddess willing, I don't want to."

* Jacen looks back at Scarface, disappointed. "You haven't? Then how
do you know he can?"

Kayden: "A mighty talent that...does this place have swill, or must I
stand here dying of thirst?"  Kayden wonders aloud.

DamaGM: An overworked barmaid swings by the table. "Sorry, about the
wait," she exclaims a little breathlessly. All of her attention is
focused on Gevan.  "Can I get you anything?"

DamaGM: The scarred man turns an incredoulous look at Jacen. "Look at
'im! Of course he's a mage. Only a fool or a mage would be out 'ere,
with all that money, on his own."

Jacen: "A pint of stout!" Jacen declares. "And perhaps some water for
the old man."

* Kayden pushes his graying hair back on his head.

Jacen: "Ahh," he says to the scarred man, "Or maybe he's just clever
enough to know that all you have to do to be safe on your own is make
people -think- you're a mage, eh? Because who would pick trouble with
anyone who even MIGHT be a mage? Eh?" He waggles his finger.

DamaGM: The scarred man waves his hand dismissivly. The barmaid nods
absently. "Right. Water." She drifts off, in the direction of Gevan.

DamaGM: The scarred man shrugs. "You might 'ave a point, lad. Go
attack 'im and see what he does."

Kayden: "Don't do that lad."  Kayden counsels, just in case Jacen is
insane enough to do it.

DamaGM: The scarred man grins again.

* Jacen jerks his considering gaze away from Gevan, back to Kayden.
"Oh, don't worry. I don't attack defenseless men just because their
mage disguise is an abject failure."

DamaGM: Shortly, the barmaid returns with the requested drinks.
"Here's your waters, sirs." She sets them down and promptly returns to
mooning after Gevan.

Jasper: "Presumably he is here to turn a profit on the backs of more
active mercinaries?"  Jasper speculates over the gossip.

* Kayden picks up his water and sips at it as if it were precious
nectar.

Jacen: "Excuse me...I ordered a stout?" Jacen calls. "Stout? This
is...oh bloody hell."

Jacen: He takes a sullen swallow.

DamaGM: The scarred man nods to Jasper. "That's what I thought. But
Gevan there, he don't mingle with them slackjawed 'alfwits. He
travels, usually at night. And northward. There be ruins out that
way."

Jasper: Jasper squints.  "Ruins of what, do you know?  I  might be
inclined to investigate them myself..."

Kayden: "I think even berry wine would go to your head boy,"  Kayden
mururs, "and your head doesn't need the help."

* Jacen gives Kayden a dark look, but for once doesn't seem to have
anything to say to that.

DamaGM: The scarred man shrugs. "Never been out thataway myself.
Ghosts and all that." He gestures again, a quick sign of warding. "A
friend o' mine, though, went out there. Came back stark ravin' mad.
Rantin' about soldiers and armies and other wierd stuff."

Jasper: "If they are of 'academic interest', that falls in line with
Gevan's purported magery.  If not, though, magery and haunted ruins
makes a fine cover for mundaine but bloodthirsty skullduggery..."

Jacen: "So you have," Jacen ticks off fingers as he talks, "An army
of marauding Shev...dark, haunted ruins nearby...and evil mages
traipsing around your inns. Hmph. Busy town. Remember that last one,
Kay? Nothing but a rabid rooster for fun."

DamaGM: Several other barmaids have congregated around Gevan. The
supposed mage, for his part, is making sure to flirt with each and
every single one of them.

Kayden: "That rooster near felled you boy...as I recall."  Kayden
slaps Jacen on the back and chortles bemusedly before turning to
scarface.  "Now then...where do I sign up to get rich on the blood of
Shevs?"

Jasper: "I missed the rabid rooster..."  Jasper says, squinting
thoughtfully, wondering how he could have made such an oversight.

Jacen: "I had it right where I wanted it."

Kayden: "Breathing down your neck you mean?"  comes Kayden's
rejoinder.

Jasper: Jasper shrugs and askes the scarred man, "About how far in
specifically what direction are the ruins... by your reconing if no
better recconing is to be had."

DamaGM: The door to the tavern opens with a sudden swirl of wind.
Three figures, one small and slight, two large and hulking, and all
three wearing black hooded capes that obscure their features, enter
into the tavern proper. In contrast to Gevan's entrance, the trio
barely cause a ripple amongst the others patrons. They seat themselves
at the nearest available space (manhandling out the current occupants)
and set about watching the crowd.

Jacen: "It was a...sacrifice move. If you hadn't thrown that rock, I
would have..." he breaks off briefly at the three people entering.
"Boy it's busy here tonight."

Kayden: "Strange folk about...must be a meal in it for us one way or
another."  Kayden muses while thumbing his nose.

DamaGM: Gevan, however, takes note of the strangers. He breaks off
his flirtations and excuses himself, much to the disappointment of the
barmaids. The girls resume their tasks, circulationg amongst the
crowd.

DamaGM: Gevan heads upstairs.

Jacen: "Anyway, yes. Where should we go to get paid for skewering a
few Shevs? Just in case we're in the mood for a little sport, you
understand."

* Jacen makes little fencing motions with his hand.

DamaGM: The scarred man spits on the floor again. "Still meaning to
go through with it?"

Kayden: "No sense in carrying a blade if you don't intend to use it."
Kayden observes.

DamaGM: The two larger strangers remove their hoods, revealing that
they are identical twins. Both have dark brown hair, blue eyes, and
thick beards. One has a broadsword strapped across his back. The
other, a large axe.

Jacen: "I must," Jacen says with sudden solemnity. "For the honor of
my family. I must kill ten Shev for each of my kin they slew, on that
terrible night, so long ago."

Kayden: "Ah now...see what you've done?"  Kayden asks in a distressed
voice of Scarface.  "You've set him off.  There's nothing for it now."
Kayden takes another gulp of his water.

DamaGM: The scarred man sighs and mutters something. Aloud, he says,
"Then you'll be wantin' to go west. Just follow the trade road, and
you'll hit Owes. They're a port city, and they'll be hardest hit by
the Shev, so they'll be lookin' for some fodder."

Jacen: "West! An excellent direction." He straightens up, his
momentary lapse into grimness forgotten.

Jasper: "Do women and children, at least, try to relocate during the
thaw?"

* Kayden laughs tolerantly. "I've been called many things. But never
fodder. Cheers." He clinks his mug against Scarface's.

DamaGM: The old crone, Lime, instantly recognizes the two men and
heads over to the newcomers. She starts a discussion with them, but,
the two men don't answer. Apparently, it's the third person, still
hooded, that's doing all the talking.

DamaGM: Scarface returns the clink. "Aye, to fodder!"

* Jacen looks back at the twins curiously.

Kayden: "To fodder."  Kayden sips his water.

DamaGM: "To fodder!" the cry is picked up by several other tables.
And they all cheer a little drunkenly.

Jacen: "It must be interesting, having someone exactly like you,
fighting at your back. Kind of like you and me, Kayden."

DamaGM: The scarred man sobers up at Jasper's question.
"Unfortuently, no. Nowhere to go where the Shev won't cut ya down. So,
they hide or fight."

* Kayden breaks into a fit of coughing. His leathery face goes red and
he sputters and slaps his mug down. Finally he chokes out an "aye." It
doesn't sound exceedingly sincere.

Jasper: "To fodder.." Jasper says quietly at the end of the toast
"Karla have mercy on you..." he taps once on the table quietly, in the
absence of anything to drink.

DamaGM: "Ach, my brain's addled. Name's Marl." He nods to each of you
in turn. "I live 'ere, most days."

DamaGM: Marl flags down a barmaid. "And since all of ya 'ave been
kind enough to listen to a ramblin' old man... dinner's on me, eh?"

Jacen: "Marl! Good to meet you," Jacen says with unfeigned warmness.
"A man of courage and fortitude is always a worthy friend."

Kayden: "Warm greetings Marl.  The boy calls me Kayden, as you've
seen, but Kay'll do just as well."  Kadyen sticks out his calloused
hand...an act which causes his sleeve to roll back, which in turn
reveals a small network of scars running up his arm.  "Any man who
buys my dinner is a friend."

DamaGM: Marl shakes Kayden's hand. For an old man, he has a
surprisingly strong grip.

Jasper: "Jasper."  Jasper introduces himself with a nod.  He has a
momentary pang of regret at not actually ordering anything.

Jacen: "And I am Jacen." He holds out his hand.

Jacen: Jacen is, perhaps unsurprisingly, devoid of scars.

DamaGM: Marl shakes Jacen's hand. "Order up, then, mates! Who knows,
you might die tomorrow!" He bursts into robust laughter, which is
echoed by those nearer to you.

Kayden: "Tomorrow is always a day away."  Kayden readily replies, to
the barmaid he adds, "Stew if it's hot."

Jacen: "One for me too! And bread. And some cheese. Also, is there
any fruit left? What's in season?"

DamaGM: The barmaid smiles warmly at Marl, but speaks to Jacen. "Not
much in season, fruit-wise, sir. 'tis the tail end of winter, after
all. But, I think we've got some apples left over from the harvest
that haven't spoiled."

DamaGM: She turns to Jasper. "Anything for you?"

Jasper: "Bread and Oatmeal.... with whatever spices you have about to
throw in.  I'd take some beets if you have them about... or any
reasonably edible roots that haven't spoiled yet."

DamaGM: "The usual," Marl says.

DamaGM: The barmaid nods and heads off. She returns a few minutes
later with your food and sets it all in front of you.

Jasper: "Root vegetables... good for the humors."  Jasper explains to
his table-mates.

* Kayden digs into his stew.

Jacen: "The humors..." Jacen echoes, prodding at the table surface as
if trying to poke his finger through it.

DamaGM: Meanwhile, the mostly hooded trio have finished their
discussion with Lime. For her part, Lime looks a little upset and,
quite possibly, scared. She nods earnestly before making a hasty exit,
the twin with the axe following her.

DamaGM: The hooded figure orders food.

* Kayden rubs his chin and then nudges Scarface. "What do you make of
that Marl?"

Jasper: "Quite so.  Balanced humors are important to good health...
critically so."

DamaGM: Marl frowns at the other table. "Don't rightly know. I've
seen 'em 'ere before... Don't know nothin' about 'em, though. Never
even seen the small one without that 'ood of 'is."

Kayden: A rough looking man with graying hair and thick side burns
that come nearly down to his jawline, Kayden still retains some of the
handsomeness of his youth.  He is attractive in a weathered way,
hardened by his years, with many lines--like cracks in his stony face.

DamaGM: "Got 'ere a few days ago, they did."

Jacen: "So how can you tell if your humors are balanced? Do you set
them on a scale?"

Kayden: Kayden's clothing is practical and unflattering.  Over a
faded wool shirt he wears notched and battered hard boiled leather,
and on his right arm a sleeve of tightly linked scales that straps
over his shoulder.  Plain leather breeches and scuffed heavy
boots complete his outfit.  In contrast to his peasant attire,
his scabbard is a thing of beauty: shiny oiled calfskin,
masterfully stitched.  From this long scabard an elegantly
wrapped hilt protudes.

Kayden: "I think I'll take a breath of air.  Invigorate my humors."
Kayden nods briefly at Jasper, a faint smile on his face, and then
pushes back from the table and limps quietly out the door.

DamaGM: Marl continues frowning. "I know one thing, though. They
ain't mercs."

Jasper: "Well, its a bit of a fine matter, evaluating humors.
Generally it's best to just do what's good for them, and hope that
actively adjusting them isn't necessary.  That generally requires
leaches, you see."

* Jacen scowls. "That's...just nasty. I think I'll make sure Kayden
doesn't trip and break his hip somewhere..."

Jacen: He gets to his feet and follows the older man.
Outside...


DamaGM: Marl shakes his head. "Leeches, eh? What're they for?"

Jasper: "They remove excess humors... if positioned properly.  Also
good for allieviating bruises and infections.  Not bad eating in a
pinch."

DamaGM: Marl looks properly disgusted. "Eat leeches?"

DamaGM: He shovels a spoonful of what looks like yellow pus-filled
boils into his mouth.

Jasper: Jasper nods intently.  "Best when salted... but you have to
eat them quick then."  He chuckles.

DamaGM: A soft, feminine voice breaks in. "Excuse me..."

* Jasper turns toward its source.

DamaGM: The voice belongs to a smallest of the trio of strangers.
While you and Marl were talking, she has walked up to the table.
Although her hood is still on, you get the impression that she is
staring directly and intently at you.

DamaGM: She speaks again. "Do I... know you?"

Jasper: Jasper tries to get a good view of her under her hood,
without staring overly.  "I can't rule it out..."  He says
diplomatically.

DamaGM: You catch a glimpse of a chin, an attractive nose, and
startling red hair. Her mouth is currently set in a frown. "Have you
ever to been to Maun?"

Jasper: Jasper winces, barely perceptibly, and offers a slight,
hesitant nod.

Jasper: "It is... lovely in the springtime."  He says with a chuckle,
trying to smile his way past obvious discomfort.

DamaGM: The hooded stranger's frown deepens.

* Kayden pushes open the doors of the inn and strolls up to the table
with his casual limping stride. "I see you've made a friend!" He calls
to Jasper, a moment before dropping into his seat with a sigh of
relief--as if to suggest his old bones can't take standing long.

Jasper: "Oh Karla no..."  Jasper's face looks stricken suddenly.

* Jacen returns as well, at Kayden's elbow. "Jasper, are you all
right?"

Kayden: "An aquiantance then..."  Kayden suggests.

Jasper: With no other warning, he attempts to leap over the table and
run for the door... showing no intention of opening it.

Kayden: Kayden's only immediate reaction is to sit forward in his
chair and peer curiously at the hooded stranger that has prompted such
a reaction.

DamaGM: Jasper succeeds in his sudden, mad flight, and knocking over
the surprised woman in the process.

DamaGM: She lands on the floor with an undignified thump.

DamaGM: Marl takes one look at her and promptly bursts into laughter,
as does half the tavern.

* Kayden leans foward a bit more to gaze down at her. After a bit of
thought he extends his hand, offering to help her up.

* Jasper charges for the door... pausing once there to slam his head
into the frame with a resounding thwack... "This..."  and another...
"Hurts..."  before staggering outside.

Outside...


DamaGM: The hood has completely fallen off, revealing a young woman
around seventeen or eighteen years old. She has bright red hair, worn
long in a braid down to her waist. When she glances up at Kayden's
hand, he catches a glimpse of her eyes: light purple, like the color
of the sky at twilight, with vertical irises.

* Jacen looks down at her and stares, transfixed. "Oh wow," he
breathes. "Look at her eyes."

DamaGM: She is also incredibly beautiful.

Kayden: "Remarkable..."  Kayden agrees, giving the girl his most
winsome smile, "Just like the rest of her..."

DamaGM: At Jacen's remark, her eyes widen, she blushes crimson, and
launches to her feet, jerking her hood up in the same motion.

Jacen: "Uh...one of us should probably go check on Jasper," Jacen
notes. "Just in case he's hurt himself."

DamaGM: "Damn bastard," she growls and stalks away.

Jacen: "Hey now! No one ever proved that!"

Kayden: "There's no need to be ashamed of eyes that pretty--ah look
now...you've chased her off..."  Kayden grunts with displeasure and
slumps back in his seat.  "This won't do...this just won't do.  Won't
do."

Jacen: "Oh, honestly..." Jacen lights off after the woman, expertly
weaving his way through the crowd.

* Kayden slaps his thigh with indignation. "Be damned if I'll let the
boy have her...out of his league. Entirely! Be like serving
strawberries to a hog..." Kayden talks to himself, finally lurching
back up from his seat and trailing after Jacen and the girl.

DamaGM: Marl looks at the empty table, the half eaten food, then
shrugs. "More for me, eh?" And he digs in.

DamaGM: The woman heads for the stairs. Before either of you reach
her, the twin with the sword moves to block your progress. He glowers
down at you both.

Kayden: "Pardon, the boy owes that young woman an apology, and I'm
going to see she gets it."  Kayden nods amiably at the sword wielding
twin, and then feints quickly to one side while ducking to the
other...

Jacen: "Hello," Jacen says. "The lady dropped...something...and I'm
just wanting to give it back. Also, I think she took something I said
amiss and I want to apologize...and also...LOOK OVER THERE, IT'S
TEUTOR!" He tries to slip past when the guard is distracted.

DamaGM: Kayden easily slips past the guard, who's too startled to
stop him. And while he's busy fumbling after Kayden, Jacen slips past
him on the other side.

* Kayden climbs quickly--very quickly--up the stairs. His limp has
mysteriously vanished.

* Jacen bolts up the stairs top speed!

DamaGM: The hooded woman is on the stairs, not so much walking up
them as trying to destroy them with her feet. As the two of you
approach, she doesn't turn around. "Can you believe the nerve of that
guy, knocking me over like that?!  I should kill him!"

Jacen: "He didn't mean it, I'm sure," Jacen says, a touch
breathlessly.

Kayden: "That'd be a bit much, don't you think?"  Kayden asks as he
whisks around to stand in front of her.  With a cocky boyish grin he
adds, "Why don't you let me soothe your temper with a drink?  A lady
as beautiful as yourself ought to have a drink in her hand, and a
smile on her lips..."

* Kayden doesn't mention what else he thinks would look good on her
lips...

Jacen: "Aye," Jacen agrees. "Come back down and have a drink. We're
sorry if we upset you," he explains, cleverly spreading the blame.
"Drinks on us, of course."

DamaGM: The woman stares at Kayden, at a momentary loss of words.

DamaGM: And that's when you hear, "Lady Evayne!" Sword-bearer pounds
up the stairs towards the three of you.

Jacen: "And...of course, all we ask in return is that you tell your
fine bodyguard here not to skewer us," Jacen finishes brightly.

Kayden: "You're wondering how I got past your escort perhaps?"
Kayden ventures, still grinning.  As said escort arrives, he adds, "No
fault of his, I can assure you, but when I laid eyes on you I knew at
once I'd curse myself for all eternity if I didn't take the
opportunity to introduce myself."  Here Kayden bows somberly...

Kayden: ...like one might do in an imperial court.  "Kayden Rook." He
anounces as he rises from the bow.

* Jacen gives Kayden a vaguely annoyed look. "And I'm Jacen."

Kayden: "The boy meant no offense.  He's simple.  That's all."
Kayden pats Jacen comfortingly.

* Jacen opens his mouth to protest, but so great is his indignity that
he can only gape...looking very much like the simpleton Kayden claims
he is.

DamaGM: The woman, Evayne, continues to stare at Kayden. Her hands
clench. She shifts her weight, slides her cloak out of the way
(revealing the chain mail and shortsword she wears beneath) and says,
cooly, "Be you of the Light?"

* Jacen immediately nods. "Very much so," he assures her. "Quite
light, me. We. Both of us."

* Kayden mulls this over with a serious expression. "I certainly be
not of the Dark--if that's what my lady means." He grimaces a little
at Jacen's answer. "Some of us have to settle for twilight my lady.
But rest assured, I mean you no harm. Only pleasantries." Kayden
smiles.

DamaGM: "Pleasantries?" She rakes both of you with a fierce glare.
"Pleasantries, I have no need-" She breaks off abrubtly, listening
intently.

DamaGM: Both of you hear a shout. "SHEV! BLOODY MURDER! SHEV!"

* Jacen 's mouth opens in dismay. He looks at Kayden and says,
"Jasper..." And with that he's off like a shot, running down the
stairs and for the inn's door.

DamaGM: Evayne looks at her comrade, nods, and sprints up the stairs.

Kayden: Kayden's smile drifts into a resigned look of unhappiness.
"That'll be my cue m'lady."  He bows again as she flees and heads
leisurely down the stairs to meet the Shev.

DamaGM: Back in the tavern, nobody seems alarmed. Apparently, their
own noise has served to muffle the cry.

Kayden: "Haven't you heard?"  Kayden calls out loudly as he tromps
down the stairs and out the door.  "The Shev have arrived..."

DamaGM: "Aye!" One man calls back. "And this time we'll get 'em good,
won't we lads! Kick 'em off our lands for good!" The others respond
loudly, "AYE!"

* Kayden strolls out of the inn and has himself a look around--
squinting into the distance so hard that his eyes all but disappear
into little slits.

Jacen: Jacen bursts out of the inn doors and looks around, equally
for their ex-tablemate as for rampaging hordes of savages bearing down
on them.

DamaGM: After few minutes, however, Jasper comes puffing up.

Jacen: "Oh, there you are. I'd thought the Shev got you."

* Jasper says through gritted teeth, without stopping his run back,
"They went north.  Track tomorrow.  Someone hurt... now..."

Kayden: "You'll have to speak sense if you want to make it."  Kayden
counsels sagely.

Jacen: "Oh, so they...were here." Jacen sighs as Jasper whings past.
"Well, that was embarrassing. You got so wrapped up in that lady that
Jasper got all the action."

Kayden: "Do I look as if I care to chase after a horde of
barbarians?"  Kayden looks at Jacen incredulously.  "If they come,
I'll be waiting.  Otherwise I'm more inclined towards food and
drink...a nice hay loft for my old aching bones.  I've crossed blades
enough for ten lifetimes, I'm in no rush to do so again."

* Jasper continues running, but manages to utter cohearently "Two...
continued north.  One came from the roof, covered in blood.  Someone
is hurt or dead."

Jacen: "But...but we're supposed to be -heroes-," Jacen complains.
"Blast it..." He takes off, following Jasper.

* Kayden steps away from the inn, backing up and trying to get a good
look at the roof.

DamaGM: Jasper charges up the stairs to the second floor, with Jacen
following. It isn't hard to find the room in question: Evanye, the
twin with the Sword, and Lime are all gathered around an open doorway.

Jacen: "Jasper," Jacen calls as he catches up. "Jasper. Hang on. Why
did you run off like that? Was it...oh hello again." The last phrase
directed to the swordsman.

DamaGM: Kayden, there is a ledge overhanging the door and continuing
around the entire building. It's big enough to support a person.

* Kayden walks around the building slowly, looking for a way up onto
the roof.

DamaGM: The swordbearer glares at Jacen. Evayne is speaking to Lime,
"...must know about this, understand?" Lime nods, and Evayne turns to
face Jasper and Jacen. "What do you two want?"

* Jasper tries to move forward to see what he knows must be a grisley
scene...

Jacen: "Oh, you know. A pile of gold, a nice little villa in the
country with a...a wife. And kids. And perhaps a pet or two. Same as
anyone, really."

DamaGM: The only way up from the ground is via the back, where, if
particuarly athletic, a person could leap from the stable's roof onto
the ledge.

Jacen: "A few songs and books written about me, maybe."

Jasper: "I saw the attacker..." He wheezes.  "Let me through!  If the
victim isn't already dead I may be able to help..."

DamaGM: Swordbearer casually blocks Jasper's view.

Jacen: "Why, what do you want?"

DamaGM: "There is no victim," Evayne snaps. "And even if there was,
how would *you* be able to help?"

* Kayden stares for a while from the stable's roof to the ledge.
Finally he grunts with irritation and waves his hand as if to say,
'I'm too old for this.' Having given up on acrobatics he strolls back
into the inn and goes to finish off what's left of his stew.

DamaGM: Marl is asleep at the table, Kayden's empty bowl half-cradled
in his greasy, dirty fingers.

Jasper: "There bloody well was a victim."  Jasper growls,  "I just
saw a Shev drenched in someone else's blood jump off the roof and run
off with another.  And I am skilled in the healing arts.  I wield the
power of... er..."  He glances nervously at the robed woman.
"..leaches."

* Jacen opens his mouth...then for a wonder closes it with whatever he
was going to say unsaid.

* Kayden rakes his fingers through his hair. So much for dinner. So
much for getting laid by half-dragon girls...and so much for filling
his threadbare coin purse with some weight in silver. "Tsss, Barmaid,"
Kayden waves the wench over.

DamaGM: "Leeches," she says disdainfully. "I fail to see how
*leeches* are going to help in this-" She breaks off abrubtly, staring
at Jasper, then shakes her head. "No matter. This is the Church's
matter, not yours. Leave. Now."

DamaGM: As if to emphasize her point, Axe-bearer steps out of the
room and glowers darkly at you both.

Jacen: "Wait...wait," Jacen implores. "Lady Evayne...if there is a
life at stake here, then surely any man's aid is needed? Just let him
look. What harm is there in that?"

DamaGM: The barmaid, who looks extremly tired, walks over to Kayden.
"Yes?"

Jasper: "No." He says resolutely.  "If someone is alive -please-, in
the name of the light let me try to help..."

Jacen: "Ay!" Jacen agrees. "Perhaps Jasper is here by Karla's will,
even if he is not with the Church!"

Kayden: "I'd like a room for the night...any place will do.  Stables.
Commonroom...I'm not picky.  Whatever you have."  Kayden murmurs.

DamaGM: Evayne's glare softens. Slightly. "There is no one to help
here," she says quietly. She nods to both of you and walks into the
room, shutting the door behind her.

DamaGM: The barmaid sighs and looks around. "Good thing yer not
picky, sir. Rooms'er full. Yer sittin' on yer bed." And with that, she
walks off.

* Jacen puts his hands on his hips and sighs.

* Jasper sags.

Jacen: "A good job trying though," he tries to comfort Jasper.

Jasper: "I figured as much when I first saw the Shev.  He was
drenched in enough blood himself... I doubt the victim was alive even
then."

DamaGM: The two twins continue to glare at you both. It might be a
good idea to move along...

DamaGM: Wringing her hands and muttering to herself, Lime walks away.

Jacen: "It's a little odd though, isn't it?" Jacen asks, pulling
Jasper away back towards the stairs.

Jasper: He heads down the stair and adds thoughtfully to Jacen, "Keep
an eye on who -doesn't- come to breakfast, if you don't mind...  I'd
like to figure out who is dead.. so I can start working on why."

* Kayden shrugs and tries to make the best of it. He shoves all the
food and clutter to one side--Marl's side--and then lays down his old
wool blanket over the table. His bed mad, Kayden crawls up on the
table and stretches himself out on his back. He undoes his scabbard
from his swordbelt, but only to lay it over his chest and cross his
arms possessively atop it.

Jacen: "I mean...the Shev aren't folk that go for assassination that
I know of...hang on. You think I can tell, out of this huge crowd, who
doesn't come for breakfast?"

DamaGM: By now, the hour is growing quite late, and those fortunate
enough to have rooms have left. The rest of the crowd has bunkered
down where they sit, sat, or have passed out, depending. If you plan
on sleeping tonight, it looks like you'll be joining them...

Jasper: "No, and neither can I."  he responds calmly.  "But the two
of us have a better chance of noticing any one person missing than
either one of us."

Jacen: "I...suppose. I'll try. Anyway...better get going now. Nice
meeting you." He scurries off to bed down next to Kayden.

* Jasper looks for a reasonably clean out of the way spot to sleep.

DamaGM: You all soon fall asleep.

DamaGM: Night passes.

DamaGM: Abrubtly,  in the middle of the night, someone screams, "SHEV
ATTACK!" and the door the tavern bursts open, revealing two struggling
figures. One is clearly Shev, no mistaking the fur clothing or the
double handaxes he wields.

DamaGM: The other, appears to be another Shev, dressed simiarly and
wielding a sword. And as you all watch, he decapitates the axewielding
Shev and charges into the room, scremaing bloody murder.

* DamaGM declares gaming season closed.



	DamaGM: Outside, full night has set. The air is crisp and
	cool, with a faint trace of the sooncoming spring rain. The
	sky overhead is empty of clouds, but full of thousands of
	stars.

	* Jacen pauses at the doorway of the inn and looks around to
	see if he can see Kayden.

	DamaGM:  There are virtually no people out, except Kayden.

	DamaGM:  Voices drift from around the corner of the tavern: a
	man's and a woman's.

	* Kayden limps along towards the corner of the tavern. As he
	gets closer he slows his step to a quiet measured tread, and
	leans forward to listen in...

	Jacen: He trots after his mentor and quietly takes up a spot
	behind and just to his right. "Everything all right then?" he
	asks quietly. His manic energy seems to have focused now; no
	longer the prancing jester.

	* Kayden turns to scowl at Jacen and holds his finger to his
	lips.

	* Jacen nods and clams up.

	DamaGM: Man: "My apologies for the short notice, Mistress
	Lime."

	DamaGM: Woman(Lime): "Nonsense, nonsense. Always 'appy to
	'elp the Church, I am." Her voice, however, clearly states
	that she's not the least bit happy.

	* Kayden mouths 'church' at Jacen and shrugs his heavy
	shoulders.

	* Jacen frowns.

	DamaGM: Man: "Thank you. Unfortunetly, we won't be able to
	return the horses..."

	DamaGM: Lime: Bah! Like I'll miss 'em. Lazy good for
	nothin's. Was gonna turn 'em into stew anyway..."

	DamaGM: Lime: "But, then... is it true? About the Shev
	attacking Maun?"

	DamaGM: There is a long, drawn out silence.

	DamaGM: Man: "I'm not at liberty to say, Mistress Lime." The
	man's voice has become stiff.

	* Kayden nudges Jacen with his elbow and turns back towards
	the inn. He limps steadily back to the door, and re-enters the
	crowded tavern.

	* Jacen waits for a moment...then backs away and follows Kay
	back inside.

	DamaGM: Lime: "Of course, of course..." The rest of the
	conversation is trails off...

Top





	DamaGM: Anyway.... Outside, night has fully fallen.

	DamaGM: The air is crisp and cool, with a faint trace of the
	sooncoming spring rain. The sky overhead is empty of clouds,
	but full of thousands of stars.

	DamaGM: There are virtually no people out.

	Jasper: I run out toward the town a few yards, and then
	circle back and hunker in the shadows near the door, trying to
	determine just how much trouble I'm in...

	DamaGM: You hear, not voices, but a slight scuffling noise
	from somewhere above you.

	DamaGM: There's a ledge directly above you, overhanging the
	doorway. If you leave out from under it, there wont't be any
	place to hide.

	DamaGM: It sounds like footsteps. Whoever's making them is
	moving parallel to the wall, headed for the corner of the
	building.

	Jasper: I move toward the same corner, trying to stay in the
	shadows, so if anyone comes down they might miss me.

	DamaGM: No problem! The source of the noise continues on, and
	you follow near silently.

	DamaGM: The footsteps lead you around the building, towards
	the rear of the complex,  and the stables...

	Jasper: Continuing on around... keeping an eye out for any
	obvious means of moving up or down from the second floor.

	DamaGM: At the rear of the building the footsteps stop.

	Jasper: Hmm...  I listen for a minute.  If I don't hear
	anything else I'll try to get a peak at whatever's going on
	overhead.

	DamaGM: There is a moment of silence. Then you hear a sharp
	whistle. A second whistle sounds somewhere around the actual
	stable area.

	DamaGM: The first whistle is repeated, this time longer and
	more complex.

	DamaGM: Again, it's echoed.

	Jasper: I try to hide behind something to remain out of sight
	of whatever may be in the stable itself.

	Jasper: I also try to remember the patterns of the whistling.

	DamaGM: The patterns are fairly easy to remember.

	DamaGM: As soon as the second echo fades, there's a scuffling
	above you, and a figure drops from the ledge to the ground.

	Jasper: I try to get as good a look as I can while staying
	out of sight...

	DamaGM: It's a man, but dressed like none you've ever seen.
	All of his clothes are made of animal furs, and amongst the
	furs a broadsword is strapped to his back. He's tall, very
	musuclar, with very light hair. He is also covered with blood.

	DamaGM: The man walks towards the stables.

	DamaGM: And that image is enforced when another man, this one
	even larger than the first, dressed the same, and bearing two
	handaxes, steps out from the shadows surrounding the stables
	to meet him. They begin to talk quickly in an unknown tounge.

	Jasper: Is there any obvious means of getting back into the
	building from here?

	Jasper: On the off chance the victim could be saved?

	DamaGM: The only way back inside from here is through the
	rear door, which faces the stable. Both men would definitly
	see you if you went that route. The other alternative is to
	head back through the front door.

	Jasper: Jasper inches as close to the door as he can
	manage... and then screams with operatic intensity "SHEV!
	BLOODY MURDER!  SHEV!" before running inside.

	Jasper: His intent is to reach the room with the window from
	which the Shiv appearantly exited.

	DamaGM: Immediatly both men swing towards you.

	DamaGM: One man snarls something.

	DamaGM: And then both run. Away.

	Jasper: In the same direction?

	DamaGM: Yes. They're both headed away from you and the inn.
	It looks like they're headed north, out of town.

	Jasper: Dang... I guess I'd better follow them long enough to
	get the slicer-dicers on the right track...

	DamaGM: You give it your best shot, but you're quickly
	outdistanced just outside of town. But, you've got a good idea
	of what direction they're headed in.

	Jasper: As soon as it's clear that I'm not catching them and
	nobody else is coming, I run back to the inn and try to find
	the victim

	Jasper: As soon as possible, and then upstairs to the room
	the guy must've come from.

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