conversations: human
conversations:  You are all of great renown in Varisia or at least in Magnimaar. You have fought battles that will keep you written down in history. But most you have not fought yet. And one of the most perilous of those was written down to be when you claered hook-mountain. It began when you were all called to meet in the city hall of Magnaimaar by the mayor-Haldmeer Grobaras. When you arrive at the hall where a feast has been prepared you find he is already sitting there.  "Hello, I trust you are comfartable. You are all some of Varisia's most infamous heroes and that his why I called upon you, but first let us dine." 
conversations: Thattaman:
conversations: human
conversations:  Sargov 
  
  The homunculus sat at the far end of the table, away from his gracious host.  Even dressed in his finest he was out of his sorts, Sargov was not a gentlemen of refinement, and that showed through as he wiped a greasy strand of hair from his face.
  
  He tried not to show his embarrassment as he sat there.  Awkwardly he served himself some food and waited till everyone else was served before starting.
conversations: shugyosha:
conversations: human
conversations:  Zidra  enters next. Her dark, unadorned robes contrasting her sparkling silver hair and delicate features. She looks around a brief moment, as though deep in thought. She smiles a gentle smile, thanking the host and taking her place at the table.
  
   "At least Mr. Birdkiller is here. Good evening to you sir!"  She says pulling a pocket journal from her oversized sleeve with one hand and beginning to slowly eat with the other. Her tone may be taken as sarcastic by some, but the earnest look in her eyes suggest otherwise. She goes from reading her book, eating, looking at newcomers, and back to her book again several times.
  
  ---
  
  OOC: Yes, you will all have nicknames. No i don't care if you don't want one.
conversations: Axinian:
conversations: human
conversations:  Red 
  
  Red paused in the doorway, looking warily around the room, uncertain of what exactly came next.
  
  She should have worn a dress. A nice dress. You were supposed to wear pretty things when you got asked out by important people. But it'd seemed so silly when she'd gotten the invitation - to spend money on something she'd only wear once for someone she didn't really know (or care for). And just what would she have done with the dress later on? She couldn't wear it to work. It was already hard enough being the shortest human sell-sword she knew. She didn't need any more teasing about 'being a woman' either.
  
  Taking a deep breath, Red approached the table and greeted the mayor politely. Too late for regrets now. At least she'd polished her armour and her clothes were cleaner than they'd been in weeks.
  
  Red frowned at the feast arrayed on the table as she made her way to an empty chair. Rich person food. No wonder the mayor was fat. Odd company too. The archer champion didn't seem like he wanted people to talk to him. And why was the tiefling lady reading a book at this time?
  
  Nevertheless, Red smiled shyly at her dinner companions as she took her seat.  "Hello." 
conversations: maggie_mcknife:
conversations: human
conversations:  Zidra looks up.  "Hi Red!"  she says jovially before scribbling a note in her book.
conversations: Axinian:
conversations: human
conversations:  Samael sits rather stiffly at the table. If it wasn't for a thin, darting tail emerging from his lower back or winged growths protruding from his shoulder blades, the man would be the stereotype of Chelaxian appearance. His skin is stark white, and his short, well groomed hair is a deep brown. The tiefling has large, warm eyes. His thin, wiry frame reaches average height, and is cloaked in black silk.
  
  Formal dining reminded him of home, and the great banquets his family hosted while he was secreted away in some corner. Aware of proper dinner etiquette, he waits for the everyone to be served before timidly nibbling at the food.  "Have you reconsidered your stance on donating city funds to the Church of the Sarenrae, sir mayor?"  He asks, with a hopeful look on his face.
conversations: Iron Victory:
conversations: human
conversations:  Red 
  
  Red watched with frank curiosity as the tiefling lady did her writing. Writing at dinner too? The monks who had raised her with wouldn't have approved of doing so many things while eating. Not that she'd cared much about what they did or did not approve of back then anyway.
  
   "Miss... Zidra, yes? What sort of book... is that?" 
conversations: maggie_mcknife:
conversations: human
conversations:  Sargov 
  
  He ignored the barb from Zidra.  WIth keen eyes he watched the other, just keeping silent... until he made awful slurping sounds as he drank his soup.
conversations: shugyosha:
conversations: human
conversations:  Zidra replies to Red's question excitedly:  "Oh I keep all sorts of things in here! I guess you could say it's a journal."  After Samael enters, she adds  "Oh! And I haven't put Sunny here in it yet."  She quickly scribbles something into the book.
  
  
  ---
  
  OOC: Yeah I'm switchin' to normal blue because Navy basically just looks black.
conversations: Axinian:
conversations: human
conversations:  Red 
  
  A faint crease appeared at Red's brow. That didn't quite make sense.
   
  "But why do you have to write stuff down? Can't you just keep it... in your head?" 
  
  She glanced across the table at the quiet archer champion as she spoke, flashing him a brief but warm smile. It was good to know that someone was enjoying the food more than she was.
conversations: maggie_mcknife:
conversations: human
conversations:  Zidra tilts her head, looking contemplative for a moment.  "You can't keep  everything  in your head! Besides, it's more fun to write stuff down." 
conversations: Axinian:
conversations: human
conversations:  "Are we all comfotable? Then I shall begin. As some of you may know the Hook Mountain is a dangerous place, most of all for the residents of Turtleback Ferry. We know of this danger, so we put up Fort Rannick and employed the Black Arrows to help defend Turtleback Ferry. However, we haven't had any communication with them for a long time so we have elected to send you to see what is happening to Fort Rannick and is the worst comes to the worst then you'll have to retake it from the Ogres the dwell there." 
conversations: Thattaman:
conversations: human
conversations:  Red 
  
  It took Red a while to figure out that the mayor didn't actually mean that the Black Arrows were ogres and that he wasn't telling them everything. She lifted her head ever so slightly and frowned.
  
   "... I'm sorry. I don't... understand. You think that the ogres... took over the fort?" 
conversations: maggie_mcknife:
conversations: human
conversations:  Sargov 
  
  The ugly man stopped slurping long enough to hear that there might be some killing of ogres.  He was about to say something when Red asked his question.
conversations: shugyosha:
conversations: human
conversations:  "That isn't the only possibility but they are the greatest threat round there. It's more likely that they're just being especially quiet or maybe bandits have attacked. Just be wary of ogres in the vicinity." 
conversations: Thattaman:
conversations: human
conversations:  "I somehow doubt ordinary bandits could stand up to the Black Arrows... but I guess we'll know once I take a peek over there."  She does a little arcane flourish with prestidigitation to indicate she's talking about her spells.
conversations: Axinian:
conversations: human
conversations:  Sargov 
  
  In a gruff voice he asks,  "What is the standard method of communication between here and the fort?" 
conversations: shugyosha:
conversations: human
conversations:  Red 
  
  Something still didn't quite feel right in Red's gut, and it wasn't from the food. She folded her arms and glanced uneasily at the others, waiting for the archer champion to finish his question before speaking, her voice low but sharp.
  
   "Mister Mayor... Why us? How come you can't... send regular soldiers?" 
conversations: maggie_mcknife:
conversations: human
conversations:  Zidra blurts out in response to red:  "Because we're awesome?!"  She tilts her head and smiles.
conversations: Axinian:
conversations: human
conversations:  Samael sits in silence, with a concerned look upon his face.
conversations: Iron Victory:
conversations: human
conversations:  Red 
  
  Red didn't quite understand what being awesome had to do with it. Usually when someone bought her food or drink before telling her she'd been chosen to do something for them, there was always something else they weren't telling her. Nevertheless, she kept her peace, simply giving Zidra a slightly puzzled look before turning back to the mayor.
   
  "... Mister... Sargov asked a question?" 
conversations: maggie_mcknife:
conversations: human
conversations:  "We usually have a messanger who comes every month or two. But he has not come for four months and we have become slightly concerned. The reason I chose you is because of the great things I have heard about you and the soldiers are for protecting Magnimaar and the surrounding area." 
conversations: Thattaman:
conversations: human
conversations:  "See? Awesome!"  Zidra says happily, but not condescendingly.
conversations: Axinian:
conversations: human
conversations:  Sargov 
   "Four months is quiet a bit of time,"  the ugly man said,  "Have you sent anyone else up there?" 
conversations: shugyosha:
conversations: human
conversations:  "No. They are usually very quiet and as I said before, our soldiers are needed here." 
conversations: Thattaman:
conversations: human
conversations:  Red 
  
  Red sighed and shook her head. Something about the whole thing still didn't sit right in her tummy. It sounded like the mayor was just being lazy. Even so, a bad request for help was still a request for help.
  
   "Um... Are you expecting us to do this... for free?"  She stared glumly down at her plate, her voice soft, almost embarrassed to ask the question. This whole trip sounded like it would take some time. She'd have to hold off all other job-offers. And it wasn't as though she had all that much cash to spare at the moment.
conversations: maggie_mcknife:
conversations: human
conversations:  Of course not, you will each be given 750 gold peices to pay for both the expenses and just to pay for your services." 
conversations: Thattaman:
conversations: human
conversations:  Red 
  
  She pricked up her ears. 750 gold? That didn't sound too bad. Especially if it turned out there were no ogres and things to bother with.
conversations: maggie_mcknife:
conversations: human
conversations:  Sargov 
  
  The hairs in the back of his neck stood when he heard his answer.  Things didn't sound good.   "Fine, we'll start tomorrow,"  he says and he puts aside his soup bowl and starts on another round of food.
conversations: shugyosha:
conversations: human
conversations:  All the while Zidra has been scribbling in her journal. Now that things are wrapping up, she asks  "Who's the head honcho at the fort? I can check up on him to see how things are going before we skeedaddle." 
conversations: Axinian:
conversations: human
conversations:  "The man in charge is commander Bayden, but I have not heard from him in a long time." 
conversations: Thattaman:
conversations: human
conversations:  Sargov 
  
  He nods as he continues to eat.  The ugly man is willing to listen to any more questions, but all in all he is ready to start the adventure.
conversations: shugyosha:
conversations: human
conversations:  Red 
   "... Um... How are we going... to get there? If it is... important, we shouldn't... walk." 
conversations: maggie_mcknife:
conversations: human
conversations:  "I can provide either a horse each, or a boat to travel along the river that leads there, depending on which you would rather take." 
conversations: Thattaman:
conversations: human
conversations:  Sargov 
   "Horses, I hate water,"  answers Sargov.
conversations: shugyosha:
conversations: human
conversations:  "Horses are more fun I think." 
conversations: Axinian:
conversations: human
conversations:  Red 
  
  Red liked horses. They were such powerful and fast animals. She merely smiled to herself.
conversations: maggie_mcknife:
conversations: human
conversations:  "OK, horses it is. I'll have them for you by tomorrow." 
conversations: Thattaman:
conversations: human
conversations:  Time Skip 
  
  You arrive at the stables at the outskirts of Magnimaar, a stablehand is waiting for you. "Ahh, there you are. I've heard stories about some of you. Your horses are here. Take your pick."
conversations: Thattaman:
conversations: human
conversations:  Sargov 
   "Thanks,"  the archer says gruffly and mounts the beast.
conversations: shugyosha:
conversations: human
conversations:  Red 
  
  Red eyed the stablehand, wondering exactly what stories it was that he had heard. Nevertheless, she smiled and nodded her thanks, going for the smallest horse of those available.
conversations: maggie_mcknife:
conversations: human
conversations:  Zidra takes whichever horse is darkest.
conversations: Axinian: