Redemption's Road [IC]

[Ecnalab]

For centuries the kingdom of Galamont thrived as a bastion of peace and prosperity. Blessed with abundant resources, and wise rulers the people wanted for little. But, like all good things, it had to end sometime.
While the kingdom now bears little resemblance to what it once was, it's tragic decline began with the death of just one person; Queen Celina. No one remembers exactly what she fell ill with, only that her heath declined rapidly, and she soon departed the mortal life, plunging her husband and kingdom deep into mourning. While all the people expressed their sorrow for the beloved Queen, it did little to help young king Uthor, who slipped deep into depression, and in his time of weakness something wicked took hold.
A stranger arrived at Castle Galamont claiming to be a miracle worker, and promised that they could return Uthor's departed love to him. Desperate, and grief-stricken, Uthor agreed to let the stranger into the royal crypt to perform their ritual. But, the stranger was not what they seemed. Upon completion of the ritual, Queen Celina was returned, but not as she had been. Her soul was ripped from it's slumber and she was transformed into a dreadful ghost, cursed to haunt her own palace.
Seeing his beloved turned into such a monster, Uthor fell into complete despair, and the stranger made their move. They revealed that they were no mere mortal, but a demon from the underworld; Malkatet the queen of deception. Killing the few witnesses that Uthor had allowed to accompany they, she then possessed the good king, and proceeded to turn his realm to darkness.
Forty years have passed since that dreadful day, and Galamont is now a shadow of it's former self. Where noble knights once defended the land, now foul orcs, goblins, and other monsters dredged up from the underground now roam the land as the Dark Kings standing army. The poor citizens of the kingdom, once free to choose their own way through life, are now little more than slaves, forced into serfdom from which there is little hope of escape. The few who have some modicum of freedom left are the ones who live in the few towns large enough to support a diverse economy.
It is on a few such people that our story opens. Will they find it in themselves to rise above their means and restore some of the glory to their kingdom that their elders speak of with such fond remembrance? Or, will they allow the corruption of their land to seep into them as well? Only time will tell.

 

[HeroicSpirit]

Melody Gilbrook looked down at her bedridden father-he was asleep, for now, his face gaunt and pale when it used to be full and flushed. Taking a deep breath, she gave a short prayer to the Goddess of Merchants for his good health and lay some flowers she had found in the woods at his side. Sighing, she shook her head-despite her best efforts to find the herbs that’d heal him, she found it a hopeless task-her father was probably going to die, and she was going to bear the burden of responsibility.

After taking her moment of prayer, she slung her satchel over her arm and put on a wide-brim hat. “Bye, dad,” she said, putting a smile on her face. “I’ll be back later.” Then, she left, heading outside as she wiped her eyes.

 

[Keelat]

Tyden eyes were forced to open as the natural alarm of sunlight hit his eyes, another day in hell it seemed he crawled out of his makeshift bed and begun to stretch in the nude. Last night seemed to had been just as tiring as the last and now he seems to be waking up later than usual, he'd haft to try and figure out a way to put an end to that. A yawn escaped his lips as he lazily moved about his home...if you could really call it that it seemed more like a building that he was taking residence in. Very little in terms of furnishing was in here and if there was Tyden would have already tried to pawn it off somewhere for a meal, but what he did leave for the sake of just living about was a chair in a corner a nightstand where he keeps most of his belongings anything else around would just be nondescript or too worthless or heavy to even consider lugging to try and sell. Tyden rubbed the sleep out of his eyes as he dressed himself throwing on his relatively loose top and pulled up some pants, he then snagged at some relatively sturdy-looking leather boots most likely was something he had to swipe as it did look the newest on him. He then grabbed an old tattered cloak just in case if it were to rain today.

Tyden exited onto the streets, taking in the crisp air as he pulled his hood up and began to mosey his way to a nearby tavern if he was going to begin work he wanted to have at the very least something in his stomach. He eyed the passerby here and there making sure no one was to try and pinch some wealth off of him he really didn't feel like chain some punk today. Eventually, Tyden would arrive in the building of a tavern of sorts and it seemed like it was already moderately busy he spoke to no one making a beeline for the owner or at least who he figured would get him some grub. He spoke quickly pulling his hood down so the owner would recognize him as he gave a confident smile "Aye there can a frequent customer get a hot meal to start tha' day?" Tyden would ask looking about the folks before looking back at the owner "Decent start of the day huh...seems ya got a decent bunch in here...any problem I should be aware of?"

 

[Tide Hunter]

Elana slowly wakes up, still lying in her bed. Her bed was a proper bed, with crafted frame and mattress, but the whole affair was still dirty. Even when she and her clothes would get washed, her father had raised her to rub dirt into them. Both to prevent animals from smelling her, and to keep opportunistic eyes off of her. She stretched a little, and rose up out of out of her bed, getting dressed. She puts on most of her outfit, aside from her cloak, and heads out to the kitchen where her mom is preparing a meal. Despite her adulthood, she lives with her parents, helping keep costs down. Her father comes in shortly after, and they greet each other, sitting down and beginning to eat their meal. Elana and her father get a larger portion, to help fuel them for their upcoming hunts. After eating their meals, they chat for a bit, and then go to collect their gear. They have their cloaks, along with thier bows and arrows, knives, traps and trap materials, and a few empty bags, all hidden beneath their cloaks. Their house is near the edge of the town, near the forest into which they'll be heading to hunt.

 

[mazgrenan]

First light and Grushal is stalking the Clementine ghetto, looking for a mark. He had circled the bazaar twice and found to his surprise, a couple of Bluefin bravos with cudgel and blade. The sheep were growing wise to his game. Like squeezing blood from a stone!

An empty street in the company of larks, a lesser man might take that as a blessing. The sharp pangs in his stomach cut his reverie short. He'd be no good running on fumes. First food, he'd passed a tavern a few blocks back...

 

[Ecnalab]

As Melody walked down the streets of Clementine, the town bustled around her as it always did. Early morning was always a hectic time as the shops opened, and early shoppers rubbed elbows to try and get first pick of any new merchandise the shopkeeps had put out. This was, in fact, why she was out so early. The Dancing Goose, the largest inn and tavern in town was well known for stocking rare herbs and plants to season their meals with. If luck smiled upon her then maybe, just maybe, she might find the plants that she was looking for in their store room.

As Grushal turned back down the street, he spotted what might just have been the prettiest thing he had ever set eyes on; a young halfling woman making her way down the street, all alone, and not paying much attention to what was going on around her. Her clothes were to nice to be a farmer, yet too decent to be a brothel worker, and she didn't have the build of a laborer. That only left one option in this town; merchant, and his eyes quickly spotted the hefty money pouch tied at her hip.

"Elana, before we head out, would you make a quick trip into town?" her father asked. "Grimbal said he was expecting some sunweed down at the Dancing Goose, and there's no finer scent blocker."

The owner of the Dancing Goose, Old Grimbal to the locals, turned to Tyden and smiled. "Well, look what the cat dragged in," he said, as he pulled a hock of meat and block of cheese, along with some bread, from the cupboard and began putting together some sandwiches. "Didn't think I'd see you in here so soon after that last fight."

 

[mazgrenan]

Spoiler: Appearance

Grushal is an ebon skinned Dwarf of ill repute. He is garbed in a well worn jerkin, dark hooded tunic, slops, hobnail boots, and rope belt.

Grushal's breath quickened as he caught sight of the pretty midge. Thick hips and a purse fit to burst! By the Gods, his luck had not abandoned him yet! Normally he'd bowl over the broad over but there was the matter of the damned Bluefins, who even now were making their presence known. They had opted to flank the Halfling, idly thumbing pocketed pig iron shivs. So intent on their prey, Grushal had been utterly forgotten.

Stooping low, he snatched a bit of broken brick, a seamless economy of action which brooked no suspicion. His next play would be a risky gambit. Fortune favors the bold. With that thought, Grushal hurled the makeshift missile and rushed to overtake the second Bluefin, vaulting forward with a roar!

 

[HeroicSpirit]

Hearing the sudden loud bellow, Melody yelped in surprise as she saw him vaulting forward. Her instincts kicking into high gear, she dashed towards the Dancing Goose, not daring to look behind to see what was happening-there was no time to think on it, especially when it would be better spent on putting as much distance between herself and the potential danger as she could.

Obviously, this was neither brave nor honorable-but neither traits were considered particularly valuable in halfling society, as they were more likely to get you killed than anything else. They were the small race, lacking the strength to fight fairly and come out victorious against the others, so it was only fitting they would instead focus on either evening the odds when needs be, or escape, running away from obvious danger. If they were to do it any other way, it would be considered prideful, at best, and suicidal, at worst.

So, Melody ran, as quickly as she could, to the doors of the Dancing Goose.

 

[Keelat]

Tyden rubbed his chin grinning towards Old Grimbal, his last fight definitely wasn't the worst but it was a damn good one. "Come on Grimbal! You should know by now that I bounce back quick...Hell, the guy I fought sure as hell won't forget it hah!" Tyden laughed as he placed the appropriate amount of coin on the bar to pay for a meal. "I'll just have the house special if ya'd be so kind Grim!" Tyden said before turning his head back towards the doors that had been suddenly whipped open by a halfling who seemed to have been in a rush.

Tyden's eyes laid upon the little lady fora second before his smile resurfaced and he looked back at Old Grimbal, "Looks like ya might haft to make another meal seems like someone else is starving!" Tyden says a bit louder than normal most likely to catch the ear of the halfling as Tyden relaxed in the stool partly hungry yet intrigued as well on what may have spurred the haste from the halfling.

 

[Tide Hunter]

"Aye, I'll go." Elana accepts her father's request, and, grabbing and storing some sunweed in a bag, she heads off. She heads out, still wearing all of her equipment, though her bow is currently unstrung. All of her gear and supplies were kept hidden under her large, thick, and dirty cloak, and she carried on her two blades: one a hunting knife, with a clip-point blade, and an 18-inch hunting dagger, though some would call it a short sword from the size. She leaves the house heading in to town, heading to the tavern. As she arrives near it, the fighting breaks out involving the dwarf. She stands back from it, far enough to be confident of not getting hurt, but even so she stops to watch. Beneath her cloak, her hand moves to the hilt of her hunting dagger, ready to draw if need be.

 

[Ecnalab]

Grushal's brick caught one of the young toughs in the side of the head, and he went down in a heap. His companion, seeing the big dwarf charging straight at him, decided that loyalty was for chumps, and turned to flee, leaving his 'friend' behind. Even if Grushal wanted to chase the gang member down, the young humans long legs would give him a clear advantage in a race. Besides, as Grushal passed the fallen Bluefin, he noticed several purses tied to his belt, likely the result of a long nights pilfering.

"Um, miss, is everything alright?" Old Grimbal asked, as Melody entered the inn. A few patrons paused to look up from their breakfast, but went back to it just as quickly.

Old Grimbal... As long as Tyden had known the guy, he had always been a bit of a softy, especially when it came to halflings.

As Elana watched, the fight was over before it even began, with one side quitting the field. Maybe this was some sort of gang scuffle, or some personal confrontation, she didn't know, but whatever it was it was apparently over.

 

[Tide Hunter]

Elana relaxes her pose, arms returning to her sides. She turns back towards the tavern, walking in and heading towards Old Grimbal, her gaze looking around as she walks to survey the situation and make sure everything is fine inside.

 

[HeroicSpirit]

Melody shook her head. “Not really-I was nearly attacked!” she said, her voice shaky and her eyes wide open in stark terror. “Some dwarf came leaping out of nowhere, bellowing winds! I had no idea what to do other than run into here!”

 

[mazgrenan]

Grushal watched the retreating Bluefin until he was out of sight. Satisfied there would be no
attempt of retribution, he turned his attention towards the fallen cutpurse. Kneeling, the Dwarf
relieved him of his lucre laden sacks and pig iron shiv. He started to walk away before whipping
about and giving him a sharp boot to the ribs.

It was then he caught sight of the surprisingly well armed Elven waif. Thinking of his windfall, he suddenly felt very vulnerable. Tying his jerkin tight to conceal the heavy purses, Grushal drew himself to his full height. The Dwarf's mind was racing, How much had she seen?

He had no hope of escaping that bow. Tact then, the Dwarf decided. He raised an arm, doffing an imaginary hat in salute, "Ma'am."

Grushal began walking towards the Dancing Goose, after all - he had certainly earned it.

 

[Ecnalab]

Grimbol walked Melody to a nearby table, and offered her some water. "Yes, tis a sad state this town has fallen into. Why you never know when you're going to run into some ne'er do-wells," he said, just as Elana, and Grushal walked in.

 

[HeroicSpirit]

Melody, nodding, took the glass of water and immediately began drinking it down.

As she finished, she then quickly saw the elf and dwarf walk in. Immediately, the halfling yelped, jumping back and tumbling down on to her back. The glass fell to the floor, shattering, scattering the floor in broken shards as the now frightened halfling pointed at Grushal. “That’s the dwarf, master Grimbol!” she shouted.

 

[Tide Hunter]

When Elana had been posed, ready to draw, her cloak had only shifted enough to show that she was reaching to her side where there was an ambiguous weapon. Her bow was hidden behind her beneath the cloak, and partially unstrung, needing a few seconds to be restrung if she were to use it. Even besides, by the time the Dwarf had turned and given a salute, Elana had already turned and walked into the tavern. She'd seen Grimbol with the halfling, and was walking towards the bar area to wait for him to finish with what he was doing, but partway through the halfling shouted. She turned, first towards the halfling, then towards the dwarf she was pointing at, poised in a cautious stance.

 

[Keelat]

Tyden watched on from his stool amused before he felt it was time he'd take the opportunity to possibly make some profit off of this. Tyden stretched out the few morning aches on his body as he stood from his stool as he looked over the two individuals that had walked through the door. One had been a dwarf fella and the other was a cloaked woman possibly human or elven though looking over her general frame he was leaning towards elven. It wasn't until the frightened halfling shattered her glass of water and shouted Tyden's suspicions that caused the young man to give a fiery look towards the dwarf then back towards Old Grimbol before speaking "Aye Grimbol seems like ya gotta trouble maker on yer doorstep how much are ya willing ta part wit for someone to take out the trash?" He said popping his knuckles slowly as he watched the dwarf's movements carefully. He wanted Grimbol's okay to be rid of the troublesome Dwarf but he was aware of the tried and true sucker-punch routine and was not planning to give the dwarf the pleasure of any of that.

 

[mazgrenan]

Grushal felt his face grow hot, fingers
reflexively brushing the shiv in his
pocket. No. He'd gotten his money and at
relatively little risk. Best to press on
with the long con.

"That's a helluva hero's welcome for
the one who saved your life!".

He leans conspiratorially toward the
Elf, "Milk drinkin' merchants
startle easy."

"Whiskey sour bar man! Put it on the
midge's tab.

Now seated, he idly fingered the shiv
in his pocket. Playing back the Human's
words in his head. He couldn't very well
let such a thing go. Wouldn't be long
before the Bluefins found their nerve
and then it'd be him lying in the street.

Turning towards the man, he drew the
tarnished blade, inch-by-inch.
"I've gut two filches already boy.
No need to add your name to the list."

 

[Ecnalab]

"Tyden, sit down, you're not in any shape to be getting into another scuffle," said Grimbol, as he helped Melody to her feet. "As for you, Grushal, what have you been up to that's got this lady so flustered?" That was Grimbol for you. It didn't matter if you had been to his place once, or a hundred times, if he knew your name, he'd treat you like family; and he didn't like it when family fought.

[Sorry for the delay on this post.]

 

[HeroicSpirit]

“Well, you roared up quite a bluster with a brick in hands! I’d think you’d realize what a fearful sight that could be, espeshushy for a halfling like myself!” Melody said, slurring her words accidentally as she was brought to her feet. “So please, settle down, at the very least! I don’t want to stir up my vigors too mush!”

 

[mazgrenan]

Grushal placed his shiv flat on the
bar. Satisfied the bartender would
keep the hotblooded Human in check,
he addressed the proprietor.

"The midge was being shadowed by two
Bluefin goons."

He shrugged noncomittally.

"Almost considered it a civic duty."

The dwarf tilts his hand in rapid
succession, his gesture obvious.

"Blues will be looking to make an
example. Girl like that, with
her head in the clouds? Better
hire an escort before she ends up
on her knees."

The Dwarf puts more bass in his voice, stressing his words.
"Someone reliable, who knows the
area well."

 

[Keelat]

Tyden looked towards Grimbol and gave a smile before speaking up " I hear ya Grim was just trying to prevent trouble before someone got hurt is all." He said watching the dwarf seat himself on the bar before his eyes laid on the shiv that he had placed. He had figured the dwarf was armed but he didn't expect the small blade must have had it nicely concealed in either case if there was a scuffle Tyden may have been left with a cut or two. He listened to the dwarf rattle on about the halfing perhaps needing an escort and how it had to be someone well versed in these parts, "Lemme guess are you proposing yerself then? No offense but you've probably already shafted yerself when it came to first impressions!" Tyden said with a hearty laugh before seating himself back at the bar where his meal was just having one stool between himself and the dwarf. "But ya got a point there dwarf if the little lady needs some escorting it'd be better to ask some of us lovely dirtbags!" He said gesturing towards himself and other random patrons in the building.

 

[Tide Hunter]

"Hm." Elana's pose relaxed as Grushal explained himself. "Sensible," is all she says, and she says so rather softly. She turns and walks to the bar, taking a seat 2 stools away from Grushal, though she's still looking at Grushal, Tyden, Grimbol, and the halfling who's name she doesn't know. It's a passive interest, but since she does have business with Grimbol, she's largely waiting for the situation to conclude.

 

[Ecnalab]

As she sat down, Elana heard something. It started low, barely noticeable at the edge of her hearing, but quickly built until she could pick it out from the background of the patrons. It was a low rumble, like thunder, but constant.

Grushal also noticed something. A steady vibration in the ground that any dwarf would notice as the tremor of many footfalls.

Everyone else was put on alert when they heard the horn; the shrill squealing call of a goblin horn. It would seem that the tax collector was coming today. The local tax collector was a portly goblin that regularly came into town, along with a couple dozen helpers, to accept tithes from the local businesses and farmers in the name of the king.

 

[mazgrenan]

GRUSHAL springs up, tucking the shiv in his sleeve. "Trouble on the horizon."

He looks to the BARMAN, "I take it your accounts are settled?"

The Dwarf is thinking of his recent haul, weighing whether to lie low
amongst the patrons or trying to find a crawlspace to hole up in.

Gods he dreaded a sleepless night in the sewers of Clementine,
disease ridden Mutants and gypsies for company...

Spoiler: OOC

Depending on the answer, GRUSHAL will either pay
for use of the backroom or attempt to fast talk MELODY to
follow him to the sewers.

 

[Tide Hunter]

At the rumbling, Elana appears to grow rather shocked. She's never actually seen the collection, having either been in the woods hunting or been told to stay down in her room whenever they came around. None of what she has under her cloak is coin, and she doesn't have anything that would normally be used in trade aside from the sunweed for Grimbol, and even then, it's of little value beyond those jobs that find a use for it. She tries to keep herself calm and steady her breathing.

 

[Ecnalab]

As everyone watched and listened, the sound of thundering hooves grew louder, and louder. This seemed to be an awful lot of goons, even for the tax collector. Glancing out the window, they could see a long stream of goblin riders pouring from the woods just outside of town, many of them bearing torches. At the sight of it, old Grimbol went white as a sheet. "Oh gods, that's not the tax collector," he choked.

 

[HeroicSpirit]

Fear in her heart, Melody ran behind the bar, knowing that if she was seen by the goblins, they’d probably strip her bare and rape her, before taking all her money and items.

Looking up at Grimbol, she said in a hushed tone, “please, tell me where I can hide...”

 

[Keelat]

Tyden's brows furrowed after hearing Grimbol's discovery, he began to rush over and peek out of one of the windows to confirm the older man's words. He saw the numerous lights of torches in the distance and grimaced, knowing that collection was for sure not on the goblin's mind. "What the hell...are they planning to torch this place?!" Tyden gasped in shock as he slammed one of the windows shut and cursed under his breath before he looked back towards the bodies that remained. It wouldn't be long before the entirety of the place was under panic, and Tyden knew this he'd need to act fast before the worst of this situation were to arrive. His thoughts raced on the possibility of fleeing as horrible as the thought may have been the chaos would be a decent enough cover to disappear into the forests, and it'd make it harder for any riders to pursue. Tyden was confident that if people would stay indoors and defend, they'd surely perish from the fires. "Grim...everyone, we need to get somewhere safe quick, or we're through!" Tyden said quickly before grabbing at his cloak that he had sat on the bar and tossing it on his shoulders. Thankfully most of his belongings he had on him so he needn't worry about leaving valuables something others didn't have such a curious luxury.