It had been nearly five mestruns to the day since the bard named Susan had arrived in Jastrey. In typical bardish fashion, Susan traveled throughout the shards, seeking tales of grand deeds to commit to verse - in the manner that bards do - to entertain, and more importantly earn coin, food, and lodging - also in the manner that bards do. Susan had come to Jastrey after hearing of the many "interesting things" that happen around it and it's people.
So many "interesting things" in fact, that Susan took up temporary residence in Jastrey over the winter, taking down tales from any who would tell them - and of course performing to cover her expenses in the meantime. Aside from the usual unusual happenings around Jastrey, and the many tales it's heroes could tell, there was the fact that three of these heroes had ascended to immortal status - heralding in the second Age of Ascension. If ever there were a good time to be a bard, and be in Jastrey, now was the time.
Having expanded her repertoire, Susan was preparing to continue her travels. Many were the songs and tales you'd heard over the winter - though there was one in particular that, while she liked it, Susan did not play often. It seems that, in her travels prior to arriving in Jastrey, Susan had overheard a piece written by another bard - who recognized it instantly upon hearing it. Where she heard the song, and who she heard it from - now that's where the adventure begins...
[First of all, I'd like to give credit to Lainey for giving me the idea of having a forum post lead-in to the upcoming adventure "The Coming Storm". After seeing and hearing about how it went, I decided to try it for myself - so, thank you Lainey! ♥
This post is meant to allow the players to fill in any gaps in their knowledge before the adventure, so that hopefully it all makes sense. While you could read through the archived adventures to gain the OOP knowledge, you'd still need a way of knowing it in character.
I tend to "idle" on Orn quite often, so replies shouldn't take too long (if I'm at class or work, I will of course get to them as I can!). Anyone is welcome to participate in this post, as it is happening in the tavern. I do ask that you try to keep things related to the adventure of course, and casual tavern banter can continue in it's own posts. :)
Story actions and Curative/beneficial actions are allowed, but fighting is not - this is a forum, fighty things happen at event, wordy things happen here. :P If you use an action that doesn't gave an obvious cue or result (such as "insight"), I will send a PM to you with the result.
I think that's everything for now, so carry on! :)
-Brian, NCDarkness]
Picking up her cup, Althena frowned down at the cool liquid. Still frowning, she sets it down, and then looked over at the bard. She had noticed the woman had ordered her meal, and, despite etiquette demanding she wait until either invited over or the bard finish her meal, the healer rose, and made her way over to where the bard sat, tuning her instrument.
"Good eve, Susan," Althena said once she had arrived at the woman's table. "I understand you are leaving Jastrey soon. I simply want to wish you safe travels, and that I hope you find yourself within Jastrey once more."
Looking up as Althena spoke, smiling.
"Thank you Althena. I've spent more time here in Jastrey than I normally spend anywhere, but there was just so much to hear; then with winter setting in it just seemed like a good place to stay over. But I think I've enough material to last a good time now, though I'll likely try to find my way back here on occassion - you Jastrey folk are certainly an interesting lot."
Althena smiled at the bard's words. "I had only been in Jastrey a few mestruns before your arrival." She tilts her head slightly, grinning. "When I first arrived, I thought the denizens of this place strange - and yet familiar - and I feared I would never fit in." She shrugs, "I managed to find a spot for myself. And interesting certainly one word for it - both the people and the place." Her grin widens to a bright smile. "I have lived and passed through many places on my way here; I think Jastrey is a good place to settle down, despite all the things that tend to happen here."
Poppy fluttered into the tavern noticing Athena sitting at a table with a bard she had seen a couple times around town over the past mest. She made her way over to the pair. "Morning to you both." She said with a fanged smile. "I don't think we have met before, Susan I think Athena said your name was. I am Poppy." "You must excuse me I am normally much more of an night owl and havent been in town these as frequent these past mests." She chirped cheerfully. "Were do you hail from? Or think your headed next you think?" she ask curiously.
Susan smiles to Poppy.
"A pleasure to meet you Poppy. Yes, I am Susan, a bard, and as a bard i hail from everywhere."
A soft laugh.
"As for where I'm headed next, I might find my way back towards Rica - the Sultan of Quito is quite fond of fantastic tales, and has been known to pay handsomely for new song and verse - so perhaps the adventures of the good folk of Jastrey may be heard within his halls."
Althena smiled as the fae walked over, nodding her own greeting. Turning to the bard, she says, "I would imagine some of the stories you found in Jastrey would cause the Sultan to wonder if they are true or merely a bard taking poetic license." She grinned, glancing slightly at their vampiric companion. "Especially when you consider simply the racial diversity of this relatively small town."
Creeeeeak...
The tavern door slowly swings open. From behind it emerges Blaise as he enters the tavern. The ifrit looks paler than ever; it's been mests since anyone has seen him. Many hadn't seen him since Garen's death and the incident at the tree.
"Ahh... I do enjoy small talk," exclaims the sprite, his voice steady and confident. As he draws closer, it becomes noticeable that his hands are almost completely covered in black soot and calluses. Despite the pallor on his face, the ifrit exhibits an almost eerie attractiveness; it seems as if his facial features had minutely adjusted over the mests.
Blaise comes to a stop near the conversing party, making fleeting eye contact with each participant. Resting his elbow on the polished hilt of his saber, he speaks, "It must be ages since I've had a strong brew. I trust you all weathered well through the winter?"
Susan was caught a bit off guard by the change in complexion of the ifrit, but smiled and nodded slightly to the fellow bard.
"Well enough. It has been some time since I last saw you about; I trust you've been keeping well?"
Looking to Blaise's hands.
"I see you've been practicing something other than your musical talents?"
"No, afraid I cant speak for this years ale nor it's strength." She said shaking her head at the sprite. Poppy studies Blaise face hard for a moment before brushing it off to speak to the other bard at the table
"Ah Rica is always as busy as it is equally in colourful people." The fae said laughing " Oh though that reminds me what is that song you sang when you first entered town? It was a beautiful ballad. I may have to get a copy to add to the music archive at the mage tower." The fae said with a warm smile. "With your name attach to the record of course." she said nodding.
"You've heard correct. I've stayed here for a good time and have certainly enjoyed the hospitality and tales of the people of Jastrey, but I think the time has come to spread those tales to other lands."
Looking to Poppy as she asked about the song, tensing slightly when she spoke of attaching Susan's name to it.
"While I agree that it is a beautiful piece, I wouldn't feel comfortable with my name penned to it." Looking back to Blaise. "The bard who originally created it should be given the proper due."
Althena watches as the ifrit enters and joins them, quietly taking in his changed appearance. She had not spoken with the sprite since shortly after the bard's appearance in Jastrey. Although not invited to do so, Althena settles down in a nearby chair. She frowns slightly at Poppy's choice of wording, that Susan take credit for the ballad, but quickly turns to regard the younger woman as she directs the credit back to Blaise. "You are very honorable, Susan," the Ixifar healer comments as she settles more comfortably, gazed fixed upon the bard.
Blaise shifted uneasily at the mention of the song. The ifrit knew this was coming, and was prepared for it, but the sudden mention caught him off guard. He quickly regains his composure. "If it's all the same to you," Blaise muses, turning to Poppy, "I would rather this song not be stored in the archives. As much as enjoy creating historical records for posterity, this composition of mine... I would prefer if it remains an oral tradition." He gently turns to face Susan. "That is not to say I don't want you to perform it, of course! To censor a bard's repertoire would be a crime most heinous."
Looking to Althena, a slight nod.
"It is often hard to pin down the original source of some songs and tales, but whenever possible I like to know; it can add even more to have the tale of the piece itself."
Susan smiled, a look of relief as Blaise continued.
"Most generous of you, to be honest I haven't played it during my stay after we first met becauseI was afraid I'd upset you. It would be an honor to carry it on for you."
Bowing her head slightly to the fellow bard.
Althena merely raised one brow at Blaise's words, but kept silent on any thoughts she may have regarding that. The ballad was Blaise's, and she felt the ifrit was more than generous in offering the bard license to perform it. She almost chuckled, however, at Susan's admission of not wishing to upset her fellow bard. She had easily sensed the ifrits ill-ease and was grateful the female bard had - seemingly and likewise - sensed it.
"It is a lovely ballad," the healer remarked quietly and carefully, glancing around the tavern. "it touches the heart, stirs emotions and gets the mind pondering. Few songs can claim such. And fewer bards have such skill."
Lyra sat quietly a few tables away, listening with her head tilted slightly. Her expression was full of curiosity as she observed Susan and the others, though she would quickly drop her gaze if she feared someone might look her direction. While she recognized the faces and had some idea of the names of those gathered around Susan, she appeared to have no intention of joining the conversation. The shy little water sprite had made infrequent visits to Jastrey over the winter, usually following along behind Ohren, and had mostly kept to herself.
A voice rises above the din in the tavern, "...and then the Prince said, 'that's not a dwarf, that's my wife!', so needless to say, the royal family was NOT amused and the jester was soon dancing a jig. After a 13 foot drop with 12 foot rope". Looking around, Vyr shrugs his shoulders and the flickering fireflight is reflected and broken up by his obsidian form. Faint etchings of spiderwebs cross his shoulders and the mithril inlaid therein aborbs the radiance.
Seeing he still has an audience Vyr thinks a moment and says, "I recall a tale from my youth that I think is appropriate for the situation."
He stands up and takes the stance of a practiced orator, clears his throat and begins. "There once was a man from Nantucket whose....wait that isnt right...now how did it go?"
Holding his chin in his hand Vyr stares up at the ceiling then proclaims, "I remember!" A strong baritone voice emits from the golem, and by the look in his eyes, he is surprised as well:
"Listen to me"
"And I'm sure you'll agree"
The bravest soul in eternity"
"Wasn't a warrior"
"Or cleric of faith"
"A wizard of power"
"Or rogue of fine tastes"
"Neither a king"
"Or champion of law"
"But the first who devoured"
"Clams and oysters raw!"
A frown touches her lips as she turns her head toward the loud and strangely rambunctious golem. Shaking her head ever so slightly, she turns her head back toward her companions, briefly catching the eye of the shy sprite she had seen - and yet had never met - flitting about Jastrey every now and again. Her lips turn upwards, and she gives the sprite a welcoming smile and gently motions with one hand before she turns her attention back to the bards and fae at the table.
Her weight shifts uncomfortably as the Ixifar wordlessly invites her over. The chair beneath her creaks slightly, though it was doubtful such a slight noise could be made out over Vyr's verse. She glances over her shoulder, surely the invitation was meant for someone else, or perhaps she misinterpreted the gesture. Her eyes lingered on Althena for a moment, as though guaging the healer's approachableness, before assessing the others in the group. The sprite appeared conflicted, her body language a mixture of hesitation and curiosity. In the end caution won out and she remained where she was, more comfortable simply listening.
Althena sat at her usual table within the Shady Corner Tavern, nursing a cooling cup of tea. She had heard word that the traveling bard, Susan, was preparing to leave Jastrey, and she had hoped to be able to say her farewells before the younger woman left. The ixifar healer had, admittedly, tried to avoid contact with the bard, interacting very little with the younger woman. Although she was still quite curious about how the woman knew the obscure song she had sung when she had first arrived to Jastrey - when the healer simply sat at a table, and listened as the talented songstress sang the heartbreaking words - knowing how well the words and tune affected someone she would have liked to consider a friend, she decided not to pry (although she would admit, if only to herself, she was concerned about any questions the bard, herself, may have asked). Being a naturally and overtly curious person in nature, the healer decided that the least contact with the bard, the less likely curiosity would get the better of her.
However, it did plague Althena that she had not been as welcoming to the bard as she would have liked. Susan had seemed nice enough, curious – a necessity of her chosen profession – and quite talented.
And so Althena sat, hoping for an opportunity to bid her farewell.