The First Blight: Curse of Dumat [RP/Closed]

[Cinnonym]

Thaedrin paused, running his hand along the pint glass in front of him. He considered telling the man it was none of his business, but, aside from rude it was also hypocritical at this point.

"My motives were not so different from your own." He stood, nodding his head towards the others, "Come, all of you. You'll walk to the docks, and you will have your pick from what was left behind in the warehouses." As his Wardens made the way toward the door, he continued, calling back their attention, "But there is more. Once you've selected what you'll be taking with you, you will be responsible for filling the empty wagons nearby with the gear we'll send to Weisshaupt. This is not a time for leisure, in spite of your current accommodations, and I hope that the weight of every sword or mail shirt you salvage reminds you of your brothers and sisters in our order. Now, begin. Constable Alrik will oversee you, and bring you to the ship when you have finished."

 

[Rosen2012]

So the new comer and Theadrin were fighting Darkspawn for glory? Ulrin almost laughed at the idea of it but kept his chuckles to himself. Glory? What was so glorious about the joining and Dumat haunting your dreams? If it was a glorious venture then why force slaves into the ritual, shouldn't all the smug human bastards be lining up to fight. He considered the Constible for a moment and shook his head. Perhaps even the humans trick other free men into being bound to this fate.

He left his breakfast half eaten, meanial labor at the docks sounded more inviting than pretending he was comfortable here. He turned his attent to Ghil, "Are you wearing that robe down to the docks?"

 

[ShadowFolk]

It was horrible of her to have forgotten, but in the grand setting they were in it slipped her mind that there were other Wardens facing the same danger they were. Just because she was happy didn't make everything good and well.

As told, the elf went in search of new equipment. It differed greatly from the staff she'd picked in Weisshaupt; this one was extravagant. Sulahn'nehn felt a sense of pleasure just holding it. Next, of course, came piecing together an ensemble that was practical and fit. As much was she wanted to stay in flowing dresses, it was clear it would get in the way somewhere down the line.

Sulahn'nehn gravitated towards the proper knives to look them over. Was one better than any other?

 

[Cinnonym]

Ghil's shoulders lifted and sank in what was, besides a grunt, quickly becoming her most common means of communication. "I asked slaves for pants, they keep giving me dresses. So, this is what I will be with the wearing until there is much else." Picking through the warehouse, for her, was more enjoyable than their time in the merchant lord's manor. The clothing was fine and the armor finer, though it took much searching to find a good piece that wasn't merely decorative. Sulahn'nehn across the way caught her eye, and she nudged Ulrin gently with an elbow. "What is Soola needing with the daggers?"

 

[Rosen2012]

Ulrin shook his head. Of course they kept giving her dresses, it was a bit amusing to him, he couldn't help but chuckle as they rifled through the warehouse's goods.

"What does she need with them?" He glanced up at her, "She said it was for combat but, I susspect something more. If she wanted a weapon for combat why steal a dinnerware knife?" Again he let out a grim chuckle and shrugged, "I used to steal them to fight, when I was on the run. But that was more savage. Acts of violence and hatred... I wonder if shenhas such desires."

 

[Cinnonym]

Ghil's expression hardened at the tale and she eyed Diocles's back curiously, "Does she have need to be frightened? I was of the thinking that she liked the skinny man. Or... has the blood mage touched her again?"

 

[Rosen2012]

Ulrin looked to the archer and then nodded at Ghil in agreement. "If there was anyone that deserves Sulahn'nehn's it is Theadrin. Not that he is undeserving of our hatred as well. But, as much as I hate to say it, she is overwhelmed with affection for Diocles. She won't be stabbing him... At least not until he does something foolish and wrongs her." The elf turned his attention back to the items before them, "Which considering his behavior, that's not too far in the future. "

 

[Slycne]

Jarrik had little need for equipment, seeing as his armor and weapons were all polished and shimmering back at the manor. While not technically a warden, he saw little cause to stay behind otherwise, it would have been boring and Thaedrin didn't seem the sort to argue semantics with.

Reaching the warehouse, he took the opportunity to peruse the piles and crates to assemble a semblance of a traveling kit. In truth, it was more to try keep his attention focused and busy his mind with other musings. First, there was the joining and all that entailed - was becoming a warden worth that risk, but the more pressing matter was why the Alamarri woman, Ghil, was barely dressed.

It wasn't as if Antivan City was without its carnal pleasures, the fine wine trade, lavish merchant lords and local pirating being a perfect melding to support such activities. This was coupled along with the pleasantly temperate climate in the area keeping shear clothing in fashion, but the utterly nonchalant nature about her was most perplexing. Well that and remembering how she'd cleaved those darkspawn practically in two. Is she ever caught his gaze lingering, he'd quickly shift his eyes as if suddenly interested in say that flint right there.

'Actually, some flint and tinder wouldn't be a bad idea to bring along.' And he promptly dropped the items into the pack he was carrying. Satisfied, Jarrik took to moving a pile of mail shirts to the wagons. Though each one weighed nearly 30 pounds, and he was making frequent trips back and forth to move the whole lot of them, he didn't appear to outwardly tire.

Upon passing Sulahn'nehn, Jarrik stopped to shift the armored jackets he was carrying and to ask. "So is that normal for her?" Motioning to Ghil with his head, and hoping his curiosity stayed outside her hearing.

 

[FortyThree]

Diocles remained ignorant of those speaking of him. He was in another place as he examined a new bow. It was longer stronger than his old bow. It, too, was a recurve, but the composite materials allowed for a stronger draw. Skilled craftsmanship allowed for a better arrow rest so the feathers would strike less upon release. It was in every way superior to his family bow, which was now lost. And he hated it.

He took the bow regardless, finding a quiver to match and a suit of chainmail as well. Shortly thereafter he joined Sul, forcing a smile while he spoke to her of the blades.

"You'll want something light enough you can hold up to your eye line for a few minutes at least. Daggers-That's a knife with two edges-are better at thrusting to penetrate armor and easier to learn, but I prefer a curved knife. A wide slash is much harder to dodge, and it takes very little force to cut. They're also better for parrying and self defense. A miss leaves you vulnerable, though, as you can end up over-extended with your blade facing the wrong way."

 

[duckflesh]

Alrik finally appeared, seeming none the worse for wear after his late night escapades. He swapped his tattered armor for a new set, tightening it over his shoulders, before sitting in a corner and seeing to his axe with a whetstone.

Whether he was lost in contemplation or listening in on the rest of them was hard to say.

 

[ShadowFolk]

Sulahn'nehn nodded her head, keeping her eyes on the weapons in front of her. There were only two women in their group so there was no need to actually look at Ghil. "I think it is normal among her people."

The elf was surprised to hear Diocles speak up, she was beginning to think he was unwell from how quiet he'd been. Although, she could still have been right, the bright smile he'd always given her was a little stiff. Sulahn'nehn wanted to question this, but as he'd mentioned keeping up appearances she didn't want to bring it up. Besides, he was attempting to teach her something about daggers.

She nodded along with the information, trying to retain it as quickly as it came. Light and curved, light and curved. There was a bit of just lifting up the knives to feel their weight before settling on one. "Is this good? I think it is light enough. Is this safe to carry around without a..." Sulahn'nehn gestured about something like a sheath.

 

[FortyThree]

"Sheath. You could put it through a belt fairly safely, but it would still be possible to fall on it and cut your leg, so it would be a good idea. I'll see if I can find some."

Diocles first picked up two heavier knives Sul had passed over-khukuris, he thought he remembered them being called. He liked a blade that worked for utility and combat, more than anything. Before leaving he picked out a few smaller blades including daggers weighted for throwing and the tiny chakmak and karda. He gave Jarrik a nod as he went to search for the scabbards.

 

[Cinnonym]

Over the next half hour, Ghil had procured pants, boots, shirts and mail. There were pieces of plate she tested with a firm kick before attaching to her person. Her sword she replaced as well; though she still had the old one back at the manor, she?d taken poor care of it along the way. By the time she emerged with armfuls of armor and sword belts to throw onto the wagons, she was covered head to foot with the robe in a pile in the corner of the warehouse somewhere.

After load five or six, the work became grueling instead of merely repetitive. Thaedrin, meanwhile, could be seen across the docks, speaking with a few Imperial soldiers beside a lean schooner that would carry them across the bay.

?Slaves could have done this,? Ghil muttered to whoever was nearest, ?He is being purposeful.?

 

[FortyThree]

Having found proper sheathes (Returning one to Sul) and equipped himself, Diocles aided Ghil in carrying equipment. He took less in each load, but made quicker trips, and he too was beginning to tire. He nodded to Ghil with a slight sigh.

"He's just expressing his authority, reminding us he is in charge. .. He isn't wrong to do so, you know."

 

[Slycne]

"Well he is an Atlus." Quipped in Jarrik as he unloaded more cargo into the wagons, not sure if the barbarian woman even understood the meaning.

He wiped a tattooed forearm across the red sash he wore over his brow before continuing. "They think everyone that isn't from some line of magisters that can trace their lineage back to First Archon Darinius's second cousin first removed is considered beneath them."

 

[ShadowFolk]

Sulahn'nehn's nose scrunched up over the menial labor. Why should she have to do heavy lifting, the very thought repelled her. Thaedrin stood as far away from actual work as he possibly could and Diocles was defending it. "What purpose does waving his title about serve right now?" she scoffed, "Do not speak to me of magisters. I do not think any one of us here need you to lecture us on magisters."

Her expression changed to mild confusion, the words that just left her mouth had not been quite right. She pressed her fingers to her temple and went off to actually do a bit of work.

 

[FortyThree]

Diocles shook his head, apparently not noticing how unusual Sulahn'ehn's comment was.

"I'm not saying he deserves his rank because of his lineage. I'm saying that as long as he has that rank, we must follow his command. It's basic military discipline, necessary for combat functioning. Better a sub-optimal commander than none at all."

 

[Cinnonym]

"And that does not keep you from saying the jokes." Ghil looked him over, an expression of perplexed surprise on her face. It seemed unusual for the archer to be so... practical. The next load in her arms was dumped onto the wagon and she turned to clasp Sulahn'nehn's shoulder gently. "You must fix my hair. Yes? Come and sit with me now."

 

[FortyThree]

"Nothing keeps me from 'saying the jokes.'"

Diocles gave a brief grin before going back to hauling equipment, leaving the women to their frivolity in peace.

 

[ShadowFolk]

She opened her mouth, ready to ask Diocles why he was so adamant on Thaedrin showing his rank, but then chalked it up to the Constable saving his life. And nearly killing the rest of them. But, saving him nonetheless. And on that note, she remembered that she was the one who had done away with the demon in the first place, so her word should have some more weight- and where were these thoughts coming from? It'd been a weird morning. Sulahn'nehn was glad to have Ghil as a distraction.

After getting her hands on a brush, she sat behind Ghil and ran it through her hair. It was very calming, at least for her. Shortly thereafter, the elf ran her fingers through the barbarian's hair, loosely braiding it. "Oh, blast it all. You wouldn't happen to have a bit of tie would you?"