Posts made by Malyvern

By now the entire tavern has their eyes on the two demons. Malyvern shares a knowing look with Rikki and smiles at her introduction.

“You've got everyone's backs up,” says Malyvern to the pair of demons either side of him with a slight chuckle. “You know I've spent some time on Tartaros. Can't find Agony Branch nowhere else, and it's an essential ingredient in some potent potions," the mage muses. "I'd wager you’re taking a mighty risk coming to a human tavern like this.”

Ixuo however, has not stopped watching the pair of demons since they appeared. His grip on his axe is as tight as when they were confronted by the arachnid earlier in the day. He looks to Glim and Telwath with a snarl that says “what’s that blasted mage doing now?”

[OOC: We have a discord, Bessworth. You're welcome to join us there https://discord.gg/Wh6s5hF)

Malyvern takes a seat next to the demon. His posture is relaxed. “Empty glass?” he says, comfortably, “this round’s on me.”

The mage tips his hand to the bartender, who is doing his best to remain calm. This isn't the Singing Grotto, where they're somewhat used to the occasional demon. The bartender sets down two shot glasses and with a wave of the mage's hand, a flame appears above each one.

Thank you @Prometheus, and well done to all others who have contributed to the community. I'd like to give some recognition to @WhoAteTheCat, @Mimi, @TwentyOneBones and @Retias who have worked incredibly hard to bring the story to life in The Arcanist's Mill, a roleplay based in the world of Fractured that is open to anyone to join.

Ruve takes note of Glim’s offer and returns to the rest of his trading company. He suggests that they are somewhere outside of the town and says that he will be back in a few days to discuss arrangements.

Back in the tavern, Alexander the Bard continues to play tunes and the mood is merry. The patrons of the Arcanist’s Mill are otherwise undisturbed by the events outside.

Malyvern settles in for another cloudy cider, and sits at the bar.

Ixuo sits with Glim, “I’m tired of these human drinks, boss,” he says, “we need to find somewhere that sells Arborean grog.” He motions to Telwath and places his elbow on the table, "how about a challenge to test the new one?"

Malyvern places a bottle of freshly brewed Dovetail Brew next to the sleeping Erwydra, "this should help with her hangover," he says, speaking from experience.

--

“Thank you for your audience, Sir Glim,” says the well-dressed man, “you may call me Ruve.” Ruve extends his hand to the Nheedra. He needs to tilt his head high to maintain eye contact as he talks. “I hear you and your men recently traversed the frigid mountains,” says the merchant, “A friend of mine told me of your professionalism in carrying out the job."

He produces a map with a very long line across it. In the middle of the map is Kuasrine, and at the very end, way past the the frigid mountains, sits Avermore.

“There are five wagons in total and seven caravans, with a crew of nearly a hundred," Ruve continues, "collectively we are known as Rhila Trading Company and we are transporting valuable supplies intended for the families caught up in the civil war in Avermore. We unfortunately lost our escort as we arrived here, struck by some kind of spider in the woods outside the town.”

"Wagon's all busted up, could do with the coin," says Ixuo.

"After hearing your words on the podium, I knew for sure you and your men would be the ones to hire," says Ruve, "simply name your price, sir."

[This is a set up for a future story, but it will be a while before this happens. There is still much to explore in the Arcanist's Mill, and the surrounding town.]

Malyvern produces the grimoire from his pocket and chants an incantation in an unknown dialect. A small shield resembling a bubble appears around the mage and the beastmen, protecting them from the rotten missiles being hurled their way.

"Damn humans," says Ixuo, "should have cleaved the lot of them." He wipes some of the mess from his brow. He is still covered in green ichor from the run-in with the arachnid. "You handled yourself well there," he says to Telwath, "got anything in that pouch of yours to take away this damn smell?"

Glim’s men await by the wagon, and they have perched themselves by the tavern. A well dressed man with a feather in his cap is standing with them and by the looks on their faces, they are already tired of his words.

“A moment, sir” says the well dressed man to Glim, “for what it’s worth, I agree with what you said up there on the podium."

"Garh, get out of our damn way," says Ixuo, "I've had enough of your kind for one day."

@docbilbo Sounds great! We have an Erwydra who uses restoration magic travelling with us in our tavern roleplay. You'd be more than welcome to join us! The Arcanist's Mill

The crowd doesn’t seem pleased with Glim’s words, but some among them appear to agree and the man loses his grip on their attention. The mob appears to disperse, and there are mumblings from the crowd directed at the leader,
“Vachan,” says the bald revolutionary to the man in the black robe, “think we’re done here today.”

Ixuo paves a way through the crowd for Glim and Telwath, using his arm to push people aside as they jibe and jeer at the trio.

Malyvern meets them at the crowd’s edge with a stalk of Ostrich in his hand, and mess around his lips,
“Thought it’d get a bit hairy there for a moment,” says the mage.

The man looks at Glim maliciously, but his point has been made and the people drawn to his cause, "then go in peace friend, but do not come between us and our goals. We will meet again, I'm sure."

A friendly face moves through the crowd, a Chadra clad in leather armour forcing his way through.

“Come with me, boss,” says Ixuo, “we saw you getting up on that podium and mustered the men back at the tavern." He smiles at the Udoadra, and nods in approval.

The man takes Glim’s paw with a wink. The bald man from the night before eyes the Nheedra with suspicion.

“With the help of this beastman and his kin, we will rid this land of lords and take it for ourselves. We will rain fire on the nobles, and reduce their palaces to ashes,” the man announces to the crowd.

The crowd erupts into a frenzy, "kill the lords!" they chant. Malyvern can see that guards have begun to move towards the hall and are attempting to disperse the angry mob. There aren't many of them, however, and would likely be overrun.

"Ah, I see we count a beastman amongst us," the man says with a loud, crackly voice, "welcome brother. Your kind have long realised our vision to live in harmony with the land." The crowd erupts in a cheer for the Nheedra and the man beckons Glim to him, "step up onto the podium with me, for we share common goals you and I."

Having acquired the salted ostrich and a couple of coffee rolls, Malyvern makes his way towards the crowd. He can see Glim up ahead, it’s hard to miss the Nheedra.

“It is this fate I solemnly assure you,” the man announces, “that when the time comes you make your reckoning.”

The mage looks on, still munching on the coffee rolls in bemused interest.

“No longer shall you serve the princes of this land, rise with us as we did in Avermore and take what is rightfully yours.” The man’s words hang in the air as his gaze stops at the Nheedra. Some of the people in the crowd turn to see what has caught his attention.

A large crowd has gathered and is being addressed by a tall man with a black robe. The bald revolutionary and his two skittish friends from the night before are at his side. Shouts of “ORA!” can be heard. Meanwhile however, Malyvern is famished and this is worsened by the alcohol in his system. Before he allows for the crowd to take his attention, he wanders through the market to peruse the goods on sale.

“Hm, blanched salty & sour pigeon, cooked fennel frog, tea-smoked Northern-Style mutton…” Malyvern ponders for a moment, and brings his hand up to his jaw. He looks as if he is about to announce something profound.

“How much for the salted ostrich?” he says to the merchant,
“Two gold, lest you’ve got somethin’ to trade,”
“How about a wager?” says Malyvern, and he produces a mug from the tavern.

Malyvern and his companions step out into the street.

The light is blinding at first, and the mage's stomach groans with the weight of the cider. After a few moments Malyvern’s eyesight adjusts and immediately the smells of various fresh produce is prominent. It’s market day in Kuasrine and merchant stalls are filled with a variety of vegetables, meats, fish and handmade trinkets. Magical implements drained of their magicka are scattered amongst the baked goods.

“Hm, wonder if I can find some Wyverne soup,” Malyvern thinks. A particularly nice, handcrafted scepter catches the mage’s eye, “only good for a mantle piece nowadays.”

"Fair dues to the winner," Malyvern says, glad he didn't announce his bet choice. The sounds from outside grow louder and the mage turns to the Udoadra,
"We are about to see what the noise is all about outside, Telwath," says the mage, "perhaps you would like to join us?"

Malyvern studies the herbs he was handed by Telwath,
"Is this Attiorice and Priyiosia?" he mumbles, and sifts through the bag with gleaming curiousity, "Cleceasia, Ogliomom, Lishomric, Venom Cress.... you can only find these on Arboreus. Thank you friend," he smiles, "these are essential ingredients for Dovetail Brew, and I feel our Erwydra friend is going to need one of those when she awakens." He places the bag in his inner right pocket and silently places a bet to himself on who will win the drinking competition.

A clamouring sound can be heard from outside the tavern,
We should probably check out what that is once the beast-kin have settled their introductions, he thinks.

Welcome to the Fractured forum, @thebardflaim. Have you thought about what race you are going to play?

Welcome DocBilbo! What kind of character are you hoping to play as Rikki Fey?

If we are talking about top-down, isometric RPGs then we can include the likes of Pillars of Eternity, Divinity: Original Sin and the original Black Isle games (Baldur's Gate, Icewind Dale etc.). These games feature turn-based combat, but also incredibly well written characters and stories.

“We would always welcome another, my friend,” says Malyvern. He pushes one of the spare ciders towards the Udoadra. “Malyvern they call me here,” says the mage, and he names each of his companions.

“As you can see,” he says, “we count many amongst us from Arboreus. What do you call yourself?”