IC "I Like Swords" Northern Exposure

[jafred]

Gjenge is typically more well known as the village of ravens and recently dead. Wars have been fought in the waters off its coast, and more than a few have made tidy sums stealing trinkets and coins from the corpses that come floating back to shore. The shorn cliffs that leer down on the village from the immediate west are home to numerous caverns and trails where others have gone missing either by accident or unknowable design.

Life in Gjenge has always been bitter and humorless, though those that live here for any length of time grow accustomed to the fortunes of war and weather. Barely able to keep its own crops growing for its meager population, hunting for meat is a traditional way of keeping adventurers fed at its three drinking halls - the Sore Boar, the Red Whale, and the Den of the Mourning Wolf. These establishments always have a warm hearth and a spot on the floor available, and it's where adventurers most often come to trade tales of the surrounding monstrous activity.

The Red Whale is where we find a disparate gathering of travelers and adventurers, huddled around their meager cuts of goat meat and potatoes.

The fire is keeping the room pleasantly warm, keeping the midnight chill outside where it belongs.

[Smileybastard]

Bjorn

Bjorn gobbles up his meal. He learned long ago that use it or lose it. He has no great need for money, but he longs for ... work is the wrong word. Battle. A chance of battle.

His eyes wander across the other occupants of the Red Whale and wonders who here feels as he does and who are mewling cows.

[Oseyerys]

Aidan

As the caravan enters the city, Aidan admires the buildings and the civilization here. He doesn't often go into the cities but when he does he likes to admire it all before going back out into the wild, his home. He turns to Svanhildr, the companion he came to know on his journey escorting the caravan of people from Stokksyr and smiles. Aidan thought these people were crazy for trying to journey by land and into the wild but they had explained that they could not afford a ferry. So he had helped them, and it proved to be beneficial for he came to know Svanhildr. The two had guided the caravan to The Red Whale for some food and warm accommodations. It was a tavern that the ranger was familiar with and he knew that the place was amiable and that the caravan would be taken care of there.

"We made it", he says as he goes to order two drinks for them from the bartender, "These crazy people actually made it."

-1 sp for 2 mugs of mead.

[Athaleon]

Kailis

A man with obvious elven features sits alone at the counter slowly sipping his ale, listening intently to one conversation, then the next, never speaking. His carefully neutral expression betrayed no hint of motive.


Sorry, the OOC thread fell off my Subscription list for some reason.

[Redi]

Svanhildr

Finally, the caravan arrived, it was time. I'm longing for a long bath and a good meal.

Following Aidan, Svanhildr enters the tavern.
"You sure do know how to please a lady" she says with a large smile to Aidan, as he offers her a cup of mead.
She then sit, enjoying the pleasure of rest after a good trip.
After a few sips of mead, her expression grows dark, as she loose herself in her own thoughts.

[Oseyerys]

Aidan

After a few sips Aidan sees his companion's expression grow sullen, "Hey, this is a time for happiness. We did almost the impossible, we got a caravan of people across the wilderness. You tell me how many escorts can do that. You were invaluable and I was fortunate to have met you on the journey or the job would have been much more difficult. What's wrong?"

As he talks to Svanhildr, Aidan glances at the couple with their newborn child, whom he had helped deliver on the journey, with satisfaction.

[Redi]

"Our encounter was fortunate, i agree, but i was thinking about the ones without an escort, being assaulted by bandits or wild animals. My family died this way, and the memory of it still stings.
If only we could form a larger group to make roads safer in the whole north ... I dream of a whole army of mercenaries, devoted to protect the simple folks and to eradicate bandits.". Svanhildr says, a mournful look on her face

[Smileybastard]

Bjorn

Bjorn perks up when he hears the tales of conflict with bandits. He rises to his feet and walks over to the two and leans on his long axe. "If you need another fighter, you don't look further than me. I'm Bjorn Knutson."

[Oseyerys]

Aidan

Aidan nods knowingly at Svanhildr's comment, "It is difficult. You can't be everywhere at once and I do know of rangers who travel the wilderness doing what we do. I've met some on my travels and they are good men, unfortunately the needs of the people and the dangers of the landscape require more than we are able to give."

Aidan is then interrupted by a large man walk up to him and Svanhildr and address them, inquiring about work and bandits, "Well met Bjorn Knutson", the warden says smiling then gestures to the commoners who had entered the tavern with him, "Unfortunately we have only just come back from escorting these fine people from Stokksyr. But please, have a seat and join us. You seem like a man who yearns for excitement and adventure, and that is someone with whom I can share a drink."

[Smileybastard]

Bjorn

Bjorn sits with a big grin on his face. "And I with anyone who craves to protect others through battle."

[Athaleon]

Kailis

The half-elf finally gets up and takes a seat closer to the chatty group. "I overheard, there was to be excitement and adventure with your party. Happens I'm in the market for that sort of thing." He downs the rest of his drink before continuing. "If you need another strong sword arm and some other talents besides, I'm your man."

[Oseyerys]

Aidan

The ranger then looks at the newest addition to their table and grins, "Yes, please, come join us! It has been some time since I've enjoyed the company of some adventurers such as yourselves. Please, sit down and share a drink."

He then addresses the two newcomers, "My name is Aidan Wolfe and if we're going to be sharing a drink we should get to know each other no? I am a warden, trying to maintain the balance of nature in the hostile wilderness."

He then looks to Svanhildr, giving her the stage for her introduction.

[Redi]

"Name's Svanhildr Frea, i'm an caravan guard, and also a dancer, trying to bring some happiness into this harsh north"

[Athaleon]

"I am Kailis. Pleased to make your acquaintance." He smiles ruefully. "I guess you could call me an adventure-seeker. Got no trade, no mission. I just go where I can see some more of this world of ours, and get paid to do what I do best."