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Post by Kidney on Jul 4, 2020 21:00:48 GMT -8
[Elorit/ ? ? ? ]
"Bizantium...? Haven't heard that name in awhile... But... Oh. How long since you've last been there, out of curiosity?"- A man was away from his home...and its probably been awhile. Question is...how much is awhile?
"Elorit Himarius. Alchemist, distiller, brewer, etc. etc. Dabble in the occult. Although that's a lie, more like stumble blindly through the mire, till I break my head over something magical. With various degrees of success."- he answers, offering his hand to a man, as per the customs of politeness. He had little in terms of distrust towards Darriossir... simply because whatever he could do to him - Elorit already did things worse than that.
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Post by EloHim on Jul 5, 2020 17:52:12 GMT -8
[Elorit/ ? ? ?]
"Well...Don't want to be a bringer of bad news... but last time I heard anything about Byzantium, Turks came in with an army. And they came to stay."- That was the short version. He had forgotten the long one, not without reason. Too much gruesome detail for a mind of a man who found his fortune in times of peace. At least that's what he was way back then.
"Elo? Eh, fair, I guess. Then you are Darrio. Now we’re good to talk.”- he smiles, no venom in his voice or expression. He could allow himself to be...less emotional.
"Tonics? Afraid there is little market for that. Balms and such - yeah, local Sanitarium always needs more medicine. Alcohol - definitely. Tried distilling moonshine in the basement of this very building, actually. Was successful until...outside influence burned my distillery down. What else... Opioids, maybe?"- he says, as if he was talking about some daily occurrence.-"Considering how this whole place is just drowning in depression and everything beyond the walls wants you dead, there's bound to be people who want to just forget all their problems for a time. And since there isn't much of a law down in these parts... I mean, as long as someone does not actively peddle the stuff on the streets, who's there to say no? The only problem is money.”
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Post by porkylabrador on Jul 6, 2020 6:11:12 GMT -8
Kat didn't even try to leverage any of the man's weight where she didn't have to but made a big show of "oofing and ahhing" as they shambled him towards the tavern's entrance. Visibly she went red in the face steadying the injured herald-of-potential-beverages on her own showing she was evidently not begot of Atlas.
As the door swung open the waif was greeted with the fondly familiar waft of stale liquor, body odour and damp wood. T'was enough to bring a tear to her eye. "Kat, like the the ratters." The lass wheezed through her teeth to answer Ezekiel, deciding to untactfully put her talons on Semyon's kidneys and give him a helpful shove through the door.
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Post by Bloodtrailkiller on Jul 8, 2020 12:27:57 GMT -8
|HLOKK|
Hlokk nodded to either man in kind, a delighted grin splitting her square features as she chuckled;
"Borivoi of Bohemia! Are you a knight?" She reached over and knocked a knuckle on his chest before looking to either of the two and swiped a hand over her mouth to tame her smile.
A slightly more serious look flattened her brow and lips as she shut her eyes,
"You will do; I have someone who can take us to the Bandit's Camp..." she vaguely gestured to the glowering Saorise. "... I want to strike them before they strike us again, you know? Plus... there will be good coin, good loot, good glory." Hlokk's deep chuckle escaped her again as she motioned vaguely to the two of them.
"You both seem... strong." She shrugged with a confident glance to her own heaving Hassemesser, "But what do you do..? I swing a sword, hard, and mean. And I can do some field mending, if need." She explained her own skillset as an example as she idly palmed her temple and looked over either of the men with warm, glacial blue eyes.
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Post by ricarditoreyes on Jul 8, 2020 14:25:20 GMT -8
[Joseph]
The coin and loot piqued Joseph's interest - at least much more so the glory. Fame had never been of deep importance to him, though he'd seen his fair share of honorable soldiers who'd die to retain a shred of honor. At the mention of yet another conspirator on this quest, he started to worry that his share of loot might be decreasing with every helpful soul. Surely, such trivial matters like eliminating some brigands did not require a small militia to carry out.
"Well, I have a knack for swinging swords meself. And I'm pretty damn good at it, I assure ya." A casual smirk crossed his face. "I ain't a doctor, but it shouldn't be a problem if I don't get hit." Although that grin still stayed on his face, he said this in a more serious tone. He looks over to his other new companion, waiting eagerly to hear how this man would fit into their merry little bandit-slaying band.
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Post by speakeroftruths on Jul 8, 2020 18:40:40 GMT -8
"Ha! No, no knight," he says, his good-natured grin belying the ugly scar across his face. "Army. A ženista with four sieges under my belt. Well, five, but last did not go well, which brings me here. I would say survived idiocy and bad scouting, others might say deserting. So, I make my way until it is forgotten."
He doesn't bother to wipe the grin from his face as the tone turns more serious, instead reaching out to claim his promised beer from the tray that finds its way over. He takes a deep draught as Hlokk explains, and nods, wiping the foam from his upper lip even as he grimaces at the sour taste. What was Hook cutting this stuff with?
"Is a good thought. Myself and a preacher in steel, we held this place against four with nothing but luck and gods that night. With full gear? Camp will fall."
He drinks again, lighter and with more caution, bracing himself against the poor excuse for ale, before setting the mug down with a thump.
"I am decent with my axe. Strong. Real strength, though? I have taken four castles and lived to tell of it. I know fire. Powder. The pick and the ram," One of the clay vessels is pulled from his bandolier and set on the table in front of him. "I make these myself. Is a tricky business, for sure. But I yet live, because I am lucky and I am good. You seek not only to kill, but to take a fortified position, you will want these skills."
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Post by Bloodtrailkiller on Jul 8, 2020 19:23:19 GMT -8
|HLOKK|
There's a growing pride and appreciation for the men before her as they say their piece, a brow cocking upwards to subdue her smile,
"Good! You'll be great to take care of any..." She waves her hand vaguely, "... defenses these bandits have up in place."
Hlokk's measure shifts slightly as her mind drifts to Borovoi's history, her features don't chill though her eye seem to sharpen and cool as her humor fades to basic good-naturedness.
"What matters is that you're here now. And that you will fight."
She sniffs before shifting to nod to Joseph; a man of tamer descriptors, quieter, subtle yet no doubt boasting some measure of confidence in his smirk that matched the curve of his sabre.
"And you... it'll be good to have someone quick. I'd like to have another shooter with us but, ah... you'll do."
Hlokk's features grow grim as her head shifts to rest on her left shoulder, her thoughts shifting in kind as she looks to the door. Strong men, good ego, and a weathered air about them... They were the definition of mercenaries. Coin meant more to them than Glory and Grudges. Meant their loyalty hinged on what was promised.
"... I've led men before." She began with a nod, closing an eye to rest as she slumped a fist against her cheek again.
"I know gold will bring you with me. But if you trust me. If you stay with me, through this fight and more, I can promise you more than just gold. I know of treasures beyond your imagining." Hlokk gestures to her Hassemesser,
"I may swing a greatsword, but for much of my youth I studied ancient lore; many spoke of this place."
Her brow furrows and she suddenly takes to her feet and seizes up her blade, dragging it across the ground with a rumble before putting out her fist between the two,
"JOSEPH! BOROVOI!" She demanded, "I swear to you, stay by my side and you will see riches beyond your imagining!"
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Post by rosallora on Jul 8, 2020 19:38:26 GMT -8
[Saoirse]
They seemed a storied sort, she thinks, drinking her ale. The slippery condensation pools on her fingertips as she considers the consequences of this journey. What it will ask of her. What waits at the end. Death, nothing but it. For the people she called family, as loose and awful a family could be. More a pack of half-rabid wolves, tearing at each other for fun and decorating each other with scars if only to make their counterparts look more experienced. More dangerous.
She near jumps when she hears the change in Hlokk's voice. The woman puts a thumb and forefinger to the ridge of her nose at hearing her declaration. And if there was none? She rolls her eyes. The woman would have them thinking that they were ransacking some king's castle, not a bandit camp. And though there had been plenty of money to go around during times of plenty, and there was still some there, she hardly thinks "beyond imagining" was a BIT far. More than a bit.
"Hell," she mutters, taking a deeper drink.
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Post by ricarditoreyes on Jul 9, 2020 0:31:59 GMT -8
[Joseph]
Though Joseph wasn't exactly new to the mercenary business, it was difficult to say the offers perpetuated by Hlokk did not tempt him in the slightest. Many a companion had tried to tempt him with promises of gold, fame, and glory. Unfortunately, they never lasted long enough to uphold their end of the bargain. Though he must admit, she did not seem like your average soldier. Apart from the air of confidence and certainty she released with every word, there seemed to be a degree of experience in combat. It seemed like she would prove a worthy companion in the end. It also seemed as if, at least for now, she had assumed the role of leader in their small group. Joseph didn't have a problem with this.
As he took another long sip from the pint already in front of him, Hlokk had decided to so exuberantly announce their agenda. While he had almost spit out his ale in surprise, it would be a lie to say it didn't get him excited in the slightest. Of course, he wasn't nearly as enthusiastic as she was, and chose to remain in his seat for the time being. "Hmph. Alright then." he says, his tone generally indifferent, but one could hear a slight excitement in his voice if they listened carefully. "I'm in. Ya won't regret takin' me along."
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Post by speakeroftruths on Jul 9, 2020 1:58:55 GMT -8
[Borivoi]
For his own part, Borivoi has not been a mercenary that long at all. What he has been is an engineer, a sapper, under the worst sort of fire with the highest mortality rates. When he hears Hlokk speak of riches, trust, and treasures, he is thrown backwards in time. These were the promises that they always made, to the bright-faced youths conscripted into service against their will. Especially those sent to the engineer's corp.
How does one convince these children to fling themselves into digging a trench to the enemy fortifications? What masterful orator could lead them, under cannon fire, volleys of arrows, and boiling oil to attempt to breach stone walls thicker than the miles they had marched from their family farms? The answer sprung from Hlokk's lips. Promises of gold and glory, that those who breached the walls would be held above all others when the spoils were counted and the treasures numbered. Never mind the fact that a good half of them were expected to die, or that, should the undermining be successful, they would be the first to encounter the enemy, or even that they would likely never spend their riches before the army threw them against the next fort.
And of the brave and boisterous fellows that made these claims? One such bombast stayed behind in the officer's tent. The names of the other three decorated their respective keys beneath Borivoi's armored coat.
He can think of only one response to such bold claims made at such a volume. His chair scrapes across a floor scarred and stained by conflict and spill both as he stands, toasting with his mug as his grin widens.
"My imagining is large. I stand with you!"
He takes a long swing, and thrusts his free fist into the space between before slamming the empty mug onto the tabletop.
"Gold to our fold, woe to our foe!"
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Post by Bloodtrailkiller on Jul 9, 2020 7:16:23 GMT -8
|HLOKK|
"SKÁLD!!!" She laughs with punctual 'HA's, as her knuckles quickly knock against either man; against Joseph's forhead, and against Borovoi's stein. Their words are enough, her heart and mind secured in their jubilant oaths.
"Then it is settled." Hlokk sighs, her features placated and warm as she lets some of her weariness show before jutting a thumb over her shoulder to the Tavern door.
"I will go and get food, torches... shovels, bandages. Things for our venture..." Hlokk pulls out the key and raises it so the Sapper and the Soldier could see,
"... Room Six, we're bunking there for the night. Try not to break anything, eh?" She laughs lightly as she turns, her Hassemesser almost knocking into Borovoi's mug, as she takes long strides towards Saoirse.
With two knocks on the table, she then lets the key drop onto the table infront of Saoirse.
"Get to know eachother." She says warmly, though her eyes are frigid and stern towards the Bandit; almost commanding. "These Wealds will test us."
She wastes little time before moving on towards the exit of the Tavern, halfly raising a fist in the air as she sighs and departs to gather supplies for the Expedition...
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Post by rosallora on Jul 9, 2020 20:30:59 GMT -8
[Saoirse]
Her own gaze towards Hlokk was hard, but she glances to the other men and she feels that she doesn't scowl quite as much. For all their bravado, they did seem solid stock. And why not, then, should she just plunge herself into the ether? This all made so much sense. Obviously.
She drinks, and picks up the key.
"Seems we're sharing a room. Hope you both like sleeping on the floor." She twirls the block of metal in her hand, then grasps it firmly.
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Post by ricarditoreyes on Jul 9, 2020 21:17:08 GMT -8
[Joseph]
Joseph only looks up from his drink once the woman was already stating her business with him. He hadn't noticed her prior, although there wasn't much he could've gathered from her anyways. At a quick glance, all he noticed was her attire - which seemed to be similar to what a hunter would don. Of course, he realized that she was likely the extra soul Hlokk spoke of earlier. Her tone seemed generally indifferent, and he couldn't blame her. Given the uncertainty of this business, tight companionship is considered foolish by many.
Due to his state of mind, it took a while for him to process what she meant. Again, one couldn't blame her for being weary, sharing a bed with dangerous strangers isn't something Joseph would do. At least not while sober. "Damn. S'pose it can't be helped" he says. He didn't mind sleeping in partial discomfort, his years on the road attuned him to sleeping on all types of unstable, hard surfaces.
"Don't suppose we've met. Name's Joseph. Guess we'll be workin' together for now."
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Post by speakeroftruths on Jul 9, 2020 22:43:43 GMT -8
[Borivoi]
"Ha! I have my own room, though I suppose I should let my roommate know that bed is free while I am away. How are you called?"
Borivoi gives the woman a once-over with his eyes, shrugging internally. She looks like a scrappy sort, not dissimilar from the bandits themselves. Such strange bedfellows (or floorfellows as the case may be) this place pushed together.
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Post by rosallora on Jul 10, 2020 6:37:54 GMT -8
[Saoirse]
"Saoirse." She rolls her shoulders, putting down her empty stein. "I don't suppose either of you fine gentlemen would be kind enough to help me get this refilled. I want to sleep before we head out into the woods, and I'm going to need some help with that kinda particular task." She knocks the key against the side, and the sound is surprisingly tolerable. A low kind of bell. She raises her eyes to the two of them, trying not to think too much about what was going to come ahead. If she woke up hungover, that was the state of it. And two ales would hardly do that to her.
"I find myself without two pieces t'knock together."
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