Briman [RP Heavy Intro Thread]

[tigerusthegreat]

Before you were sent away from the Duchy, you were given a letter of introduction by the Baroness you had saved. She told you to take it to the House D'Trastinora, and tell the Earl, Grinval D'Trastinora, that you are a friend of Ryelia Baroness Greenhill. The letter is sealed in wax with the Baroness's personal sigil, and you have no idea what the letter itself says.

As a Knight-Errant of the Realm, you gain easy access to the Capital and the Noble's District. You are in awe of the massive fort-like homes that the elves have constructed for themselves. Some elven nobles walk on the street with entire squads of soldiers following them. Something strange is in the air, as if there are preparations for a war that nobody sees.

[Exthalion]

The Capital was familiar to Briman, he had grown up a few hours walk from where he now stood. He had seen elves and nobles before, spoken with an heir to the throne of the empire, and faced demons and fey in combat. None of which did anything to alleviate how very out of his depth he was. Everything he was now feeling he had considered intellectually before, but the feelings were totally unknown to him.

Such majesty, such beauty, such wealth, such power, such… such wrongness. His heart seemed to have fallen through him into a pit from the sheer intimidation of it all. At the same time bile rose in his throat as he remembered the hunger and squalor that was only a few hours walk from here. Both parts of him were angry at the other. He was guilty for enjoying the grandeur of what he saw and resentful that he could not allow himself to accept that enjoyment.

Even so, as he worked through his competing emotions, and started to actually look he saw the veneer was thinner then it seemed. In the heart of their power the nobles surrounded themselves with production. The hands of the elves reached to nearly all under heaven, yet could not grasp security for them. Was this fear and suspicion worth the endless toll of blood, treasure, and misery?

He didn’t shake the cobwebs from his mind, that would have picked him out even more so than his race. Looking like you belonged was one of the first lessons his teacher, whose name he had never been told, had taught him. He was no sneak, he had never had the talent for it, but he knew how to walk with purpose and to search out landmarks with a glance as though confirming what he already knew.

It took him longer to reach the House of D’Trastinora then it normally would. He had been careful to avoid getting too close to any of the large noble parties. At last he presented himself to the guards at the gate.

“Sir Clarke to see the Earl.”

[tigerusthegreat]

As you approach the House D'Trastinora, you are taken aback by its grand elegance. It is built as a fortress, as are most elven homes. This one is a strong stone keep, with a solid gatehouse and arrow slits along every open surface. It seems ancient, built in the earliest days of the Empire. Surely this Earl is a powerful elf.

As you approach the gate and announce yourself, you are met by two burly humans. "The Earl is not available at this time. Come back another day."

[Exthalion]

"Would you happen to know when he will be available. My liege the Duke will be most upset when I tell him that ignorance in scheduling led to his message being undelivered.

Or perhaps I could see the Earl's steward? I am certain he is sufficiently important to ensure that the Earl is properly informed."

[tigerusthegreat]

"The Earl is dealing with a family issue, and will not return until tomorrow. You may return then"

[Exthalion]

"Then it seems likely that the reason I am here and the reason for the Earl's absence are related.

Again, would it be possible to see the Lord's steward? My message is of great importance and it is paramount to my Lord that it be delivered quickly."

[tigerusthegreat]

"Fine." The guard retreats inside for a moment, then brings back a third guard. That guard motions for you to follow him inside, down a long hallway. Defensively, the long hallway, with small arrow slits to the sides, and what you are sure are murder holes in the ceiling above, is a great tool. It seems a little ominous that a noble would need such measures, but the house is very old, so perhaps once long ago they were needed...or maybe this man has enemies.

You are lead into a large dining hall. An entire tree burns in the hearth, illuminating the room. The dying sun shines through stain glass windows depicting battle scenes. Even these windows are reinforced with bars, so there is no entry possible there. The bars add to the militaristic feel of the entire home. An old elf woman is standing by the hearth. The guard leads you to her.

"Apologies, Mother Gritham, but this traveler insisted on speaking with the Earl's steward."

The woman turns and sizes you up. "Very well. Thank you Lear, that will be all." The soldier bows and heads back into the hallway. "What is so urgent that it cannot wait until the Earl returns, child?"

[Exthalion]

The knight genuflected. It was not strictly necessary, but he was human and she an elf and the stewards of the mighty were often lesser nobles themselves.

"This one begs your pardon your Grace, if he has assumed too much. This one was sent by order of his Excellency the Duke of Khem and her Grace Baroness Greenhill after being granted a title of knighthood. This one's most undeserved and generous elevation was due to this one's handling of a delicate family situation. This one therefore assumed that the purpose of his mission was to be of similar use to his Excellency the Earl.

This one comes with a letter from her Grace the Baroness of Greenhill."

He carefully withdrew the letter, with seal unbroken, to display the mark upon it.

[tigerusthegreat]

"I will make sure my son is aware of your message." She smiles wryly. "So you are the 'upstart man who saved the Duke's daughter instead of dying like he well should have.' The Duke has sent a message ahead of you, knowing his daughter's intentions. I will tell the Duke to send for you when he returns."

[Exthalion]

"It has been my experience that dying when other people wish it for me has proven difficult. I hope that will not be a detriment to whatever service I might perform for the Earl.

A thousand thanks your Grace. It is my pleasure and honor to be of service to his Excellency the Earl and to yourself your Grace."

He bowed deeply.

"If you will grant this one pardon to leave I shall depart to secure lodging for myself and to await his Excellency's summons."

[tigerusthegreat]

The elf woman nods to you and the guards escort you out.

[Exthalion]

As he was escorted out the gates Briman considered the state of his finances. The one thing he most certainly could not do was go home. He turned to one of the guards.

"Excuse me, but would you happen to know of some affordable lodgings nearby. I am expected to be ready to present myself. Not in the noble district of course."

[tigerusthegreat]

The guard directs you to an inn on the edge of the Merchant's district, bordering the noble's district. When you arrive there, you notice several large wagons parked out front, loaded with all kinds of goods. It seems to be very much a working inn, where merchants and laborers stay from out of town to service the noble district.

[Exthalion]

Though he didn't reach for the money pouch under his tunic the impulse was there. Staying at an inn was an extravagance. His parents had never had enough disposable income to risk not impressing on him the value of a copper. From an early age he knew that the difference between frugality and even the slightest excess was going without food, sometimes for more then just that day.

Even so, he didn't really have much choice. He could find someplace out of the way and sleep on the ground. It would not be a good sign to the Earl though as the messengers had to find him. He debated for a moment then turned his ring so the sign was inward. This close to the noble district it was likely to get the price raised rather then lowered.

He made his way to the door and looked around at the crowd, making sure this was the sort of place he could spend his money on. Noticing someone who appeared to be the innkeeper he made his way forward.

[tigerusthegreat]

You find the innkeeper rather quickly, he is the fat man wearing a heavily mended apron. Before you can ask anything, he tells you "A room alone is five gold, two if you're willing to share. Supper is five silver, and another two for breakfast, and ale is a copper a pint."

[Exthalion]

"Shared room, no food." He reached into his sleeve and brought out two tiny golden coins. Less then half an ounce between the two of them yet it was still painful.

"I am expecting a messenger tomorrow, asking after a sir Clarke. Please send them to my room. Until then, where will I be staying?"

[tigerusthegreat]

The innkeeper shows you to your room. It is small, barely fitting the two beds and a wardrobe in it, with a window that shows into the merchant's district. You can hear the cries of hawkers and a few minstrels playing on the streets. One of them announces a gladiatorial match to be held that afternoon between Stony Dave and Tiny. The innkeeper assures you he will let you know if any messages come.

[Exthalion]

"Well, nothing for it then. Heads I see about going to the game, tails I don't." He pulled out a silver and sent it spinning through the air.

[roll0]

"Who am I to argue with a face like that?" he said while looking at the face on the coin. It was a strong featured elf who managed to ooze contempt for anyone so petty as to trade in silver.

On his way out he informed the innkeeper where he was going. That done he started walking in the general direction of the match and silently hoped there was some free seats used by the poor.

[tigerusthegreat]

The match is free for all to enjoy, and you find a spot to stand without too much obstruction of your view. It is clear that the combat will be between two dwarf slaves, as they are brought together in shackles into the middle of the ring. There is a man nearby taking bets on the match, and another selling refreshments.

[Exthalion]

Briman looked at the slaves, one or both about to die soon, and sent them a silent thought. They would not ever hear it, but perhaps beyond this world their spirits would understand. I do not know you, and it is likely I never will. But, I will stay here and watch so that at least one person will be here who hurts when you hurt and mourns when you pass. Everyone deserve at least that.

He walked up to a fan and asked, "What can you tell me about the combatants?"

[tigerusthegreat]

"Stony Dave is the champion, he hasn't lost a match yet. He just broke the record of four matches without a defeat. Tiny there used to be the champion. He took sick after winning his third match a week ago, and he's just now recovered enough to fight. Nobody much cares if the sickness got him or not, but nobody wants to see a half-hearted ill fighter...isn't good sport. My money is on Tiny, he bit off his last opponent's fingers. Stony Dave is tough, but he's not vicious enough to win."

[Exthalion]

"Anything else? Do they have any particular skills? Preferred weapons? I don't suppose either would be here if they were just went at each other like animals."

It wasn't much, almost nothing, but it was a start. A tiny movement from creature to person. Then again, magic already proved that.

It was quite a bit of work what the elves had done. Here were a people even more miserable and oppressed than the other elvenoid races, by which the downtrodden could confirm to themselves that things could be worse. Yet here were voices that were not being heard, and the world was poorer for it.

[tigerusthegreat]

"They get whatever the masters think they should have. Heard its knives this time."

[Exthalion]

"Pity, they will likely both die in that case. Do their owners get a decent take? With this turnover rate I don't see much value in investing in them."

Briman was beginning to get a little ill. He had seen death, killed people himself, but this! This was a sort of murder where everyone present shared the blood guilt.

Was there hope for anyone, when this is when they chose to defile themselves with? For a little demon I slew many, is there not here the cult of a Demon Prince?

[tigerusthegreat]

"The ones who fight are those who won't work. Their cost is already lost to their owners, so why not recoup that by letting them die for the crowds."

[Exthalion]

"I see."

That said he found a seat and waited. When the competitors came out he did his best to commit their faces to memory. He didn't know their real names and it seemed demeaning to refer to them by their slave monikers. So he simply thought of them by their features.

When it was over, he returned to the inn. He found a private spot out back and threw up. Then he went to bed early, lying awake for a long time and thinking about what had happened. He didn't know if the slaves had been religious so he said a brief prayer to any gods they might have worshiped.

As he drifted off he had a single thought, Yet another credit is added to Accounts Due. Small, in a relative sense, but the books will be balanced.

[tigerusthegreat]

The fight is fairly long and brutal. Each dwarf is armed with a small knife, and they cut each other to ribbons. There is a great deal of blood, and the whole crowd cheers heartily. Tiny, however, gets the upper hand, slicing deep into Stony Dave's beard in a strike that seems just to be a cosmetic wound, until Stony Dave starts coughing up blood, and blood leaks heavily from under the beard. He falls to the ground, dying, as the crowd cheers his fate.

When you return to the Inn after the spectacle, you receive a note from the Earl. It says simply for you to return to his estate tomorrow if you are interested in a job exploring some ruins in the orc lands for artifacts and fossils of an ancient era.

[Exthalion]

After making himself presentable, without the benefit of magic, Briman made his way to the Earl's residence. He supposed he could always be walking into a trap, so called to mind a few spells which might expedite his escape if need be.

[tigerusthegreat]

Earl Grinval actually meets you in the gardens outside his house. "I have had a break-in recently, so I do not wish very many to see the interior of my home, for fear of others hiring a thief." He looks you over. "I think you will do. I'm offering you five hundred gold, payable when you return, to help an associate of mine investigate the ruins in the orc lands. I believe they hold some more secrets than they have already given up, and I'd like to preserve those artifacts before someone decides to level the ruins and build something over them. Are you interested?"

[Exthalion]

"My lord, I am at your disposal. That I might be of better service to you, are there any particulars on what I may find and arrangements to bring them to you or too your attention or what I am to do if your belief proves true but impractical for transport?

Additionally my lord, if it is permissible and according to your good pleasure, may I know how you have come to this belief and what it is you expect to be there? I wish to be fully prepared to carry out your wishes."

[tigerusthegreat]

"I am sending an expert to collect the artifacts, so there is no need for you to worry, just keep him alive. Return here in an hour and the rest should be ready."

[Exthalion]

"Thy will be done, your Grace."