<div align="center">(https://i.imgur.com/zonfpS7.png)</div><br/><div class="floatleft"><div align="center">(https://i.imgur.com/enEjSfr.jpg)<br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">Wealth</div><div class="spoiler_body"><strong>Bank:</strong> 5g 0s<br/><strong>Daily Costs:</strong> 0g 0s<br/><strong>Weekly Costs:</strong> 0g 0s</div></div></div></div><strong>Name:</strong>Noreina Askar<br/><strong>Endurance:</strong>100/100<br/><strong>Stamina:</strong>180/180 (Every Point in Str or Spd increases by 10)<br/><strong>Corruption:</strong>0<br/><strong>Gear:</strong>Here  (https://i.imgur.com/KfR9BGy.jpg) (with a hood)<br/><hr/><hr/><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: times new roman;">The stench of distilled ale and timbered walls assailed the nostrils transpiring to conjure lucid memories of incurring painfully similar barroom circumstances, much preferred to be left forgotten, though inevitability elicited forward and to the forefront of her mind. The comprehensive realities of those fleeting memories of recall forming to become more clear, as the cadenced soul of these mirthful commerical surroundings ensured to play out, persisting ever forward to immerse her in detail of her current circumstance. The present ambiance of her surroundings not unlike a familiar score meant to embolden the recollection of those bygone visual images that loitered in her mind and provided her with minor distraction from the present terms that steadfastly unfolded around her. <br/><br/>Noreina Askar had the adventurous experience of having been to an array of worthwhile places; such places being prosperous and often dangerous ventures, predetermined to offer some form of capricious outcome. And it had been this method of wagering in venturesome precarious conflicts that had become the structure of her furthering life, for nearly as long as she might prefer to recall. However, shameless taverns sullied of parsimonious men and swindling patrons had not been one of such places that she found herself exploring with favorablee inquisitive regard. Even if she had found herself passing through these very same kinds of places, over the course of one too many undesirable times to recount; her experiences in such places as these, inevitability purposed to seek out beneficial information encrypted behind the obstinacy of inebriated minds, or deceptive gimmicks played at through more clear though manipulative consciences, belonging to such characters that abided so frequently to these abodes. The very likeness of this very same, and long overdone occurrence, persisting as some sort of almost undesirable routine that seemed unavoidable to play out in adherence to the greater pursuit of acquisitive ideologies she sought to one day claim in her life. <br/><br/>Often particularly prudent in her business, as much as she was considerate in keeping track of her ventures, and what she had learned from them, it had simply been unlike her to waltz into just about any place on the premise of a carefree step. Her purpose often much more dedicated to some disputable cause that bore a habitual tendency to get her wrapped up in all kinds of disorderly circumstances, throughout the process of her reaching her larger goal. But in many ways that much was inevitable when one possessed a habit of roaming from place to place proposed on some definite motive of covetous intent, cleverly disguised beyond the illusion of some larger more honorable intention. Unashamed of her miserly nature she sought her desires behind the beneficial artifices that were directed by those that prevailed above her; a shadowed monster-hunting society in which she had been unconditionally bound to. As it was that they went about dictating her duty to their undertakings; their purpose to oust a great evil from a vast land that at times she even contemplated might hardly be worth saving.<br/><br/>The details of her surroundings and the reasoning in which had led her to be immersed by them had felt all too overstated. She had not ventured into this bar to indulge in its commodities on terms of leisurely preoccupation. Even if at times she may find some worthwhile purpose in such diversions offered from likewise establishments that might just proffer to alleviate her from the commitment to her more characteristically dutiful strives. Today, she had been lead here with the pursuit to seek answers from the local melting pot of rumored adventuresome gossip. Namely a particular form of gossip that many strangers from distant lands had also commonly pursued in this very same hub of Oar's Rest. By way of being given a tip that simply led into another tip, after some matter of inquiring around with some of Oar's Rest's other well-established denizens, and being set on all matter of tedious fetch quests to attain some truly worthwhile leads, that would eventually result to set her in the right direction she would need to be, she had been lead to confer with a particular man that she had learned possessed some common habit of partaking in the often dissolute indulgences of this particular bar. Seeking him out in need of the insight he possessed provided to further explain the scenario she found herself within.<br/><br/>Seated on a barstool in the center of the pub at the edge of the bar counter, a mere arms reach away from this character-- a husky man named Dedrick-- with an apparently well-reputed though seedy prestige for his ventures in smuggling, left her caught up in the midst of a furthering unwinding conversation. Particularly a conversation purposed to provide suitable grounds to direct her endeavor of plundering the old Dark Castle that sat beyond the dense undergrowth of the dark woods. Up until now, she had felt that she had been sat there for a suitable reason; a means to provide her with easy access into the labyrinth of an abandoned castle ruin, so she might just find a mean to skip over whatever inevitable hindrances might greet her, in the event, she had been bold enough to simply traverse the twisting frontier of forests before the castle, and walk right through its front door. However, as the duration of her conference with this man had endured in persisting forward she had quickly begun to reconsider the real degree of his usefulness. As it were that she had begun to develop a rising suspicion with the authentic claim and intentions behind his words, further adopting a growing suspicion as to why he had been so <em>approachable</em> to provide her with supposedly secret information, simply on the premise of alleged altruistic providence.<br/><br/>Remained only where she was, sat rather leisurely in form, she would raise her hands to the side of her hood, her fingers simply grabbing into the fabric of her cloak as she tugged it down gently from her head, allowing the shroud that lingered over her face to be dismissed and expel the touch of shadowy mystery that formerly beset upon her tender facial features. With the falling passage of her hood she would reach to the top of her head, her fingers sprawling through her breadth of long crimson hair as she dragged her fingers down gently and through the back of it's length, meaning to dismiss any tangles that formed beneath the cover of the hood. As she did this her eyes diverted entirely from Dedrick who sat at her side, averting from her former attention of him momentarily as she gussied up as means to make herself more presentable, meaning to dispel any degree of atmosphere that might feel more imposed of shadiness or disenchantment before she shifted her attention back to him once more. </span><br/><br/><div class="floatright">(https://i.imgur.com/aE73QSA.png)</div><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: times new roman;"><em><strong>"So are you going to tell me where Lord Delafontaine's secret trove is or not?" </strong></em> The words left her delicate lips hinted of piqued opinion as some evidence of her unfolding impatience underlying her inquisitive statement was conveyed by a serious though brusque tone that was onveyed within the inflection of her voice. Awaiting his answer allowed the chilliness of her adhering address to further imply the aura of her mood. The minor shift in her languid body language growing more uptight as her gaze further implied to display some degree of amounting tedium she tried to conceal behind her more sociable frontier. There was a distinct degree of burning passion behind those calloused eyes. Even still noticeable within the obvious discontentment of her mood; its insolent intensity only further made twice more overbearing by that diagonal scar running across the jade gaze of her right eye as her gaze lingered upon him.<br/><br/>"I've already told you where it was, sweetheart." Dedrick's insouciant words were rather prompt to return an answer. His engagement within the topic of the conversation distinctly less absent of any obvious display of concern that so evidently steamed within the temperament of his standoffish company. With the passing of those words, he ensued in his disposition of intransigent composure, simply continuing to indulge in the energy of his dismissive rowdy surroundings as he went about taking a large swig of his ale, dismissing his gaze from her entirely. In her response to hearing this, amid seeing the dismissive actions that followed in suit, her own composure would teeter into a reactive nature of inspection to these details. The tilt of her brow shifting in a display of addled nerve as she found reason to leer her attention upon the presence of her company with the implication of slipping contempt; her arms crossing tightly beneath her chest as she took further means of demonstrating her rigid displeasure with her company and how useless he had been thus far.<br/><br/><em><strong>"No, you have not. You've simply told me of a plethora of abhorrent ghost stories meant to try and scare me off from the pursuit of the treasure. And if I didn't know any better-- which I certainly do-- I'd deduce that your mediocre ghost stories of savage beasts and ghastly figures are exaggerated byproducts spawned from old drunken tales told to keep all the pretty-faced women that walked in here, on the intent of seeking to discover tips of wealthy promise, stuck here engaged in your deplorable company, simply so you could go on dwelling several moments longer in this pathetic charade of indulging in their company." </strong></em> The flood of her words left her lips with unbridled prosecution. Her opinions of the man meant to send her off in the right direction within the undertaking of her plundering of the castle, brazenly demonstrating some keen observation in the man she was forced to speak with and further meaning to dismantle his efforts to delay her from the task-- and that of what real intentions he possessed in allowing his company to her.<br/><br/>Noreina was no stranger to crooks and philanderers-- characters that liked to play games and take advantage of the naive-- and prey on the inexperience of others that might have found themselves involved in the seedier circles of unlawful, or morally grey, business ventures when left with no other choice.  Admittedly, there had been times when she had walked on the thin line of those circles herself, having sparingly and exceptionally possessing something of a habit of taking up less than commendable tasks, or providing less than preferable favors, if it provided her with spare coin when she might only desperately need it. That said, she did have a choice here, she just preferred to possess the convenience of a shortcut; especially if she just might be able to. However, Dedrick and this whole circumstance of trying to negotiate some means of compromise that didn't entail any further setbacks in the process of her responsibility-- to purge the evils slumbering within the castle and its adjacent forest-- had proven most stubborn and effective in keeping her from that task. And perhaps more importantly, her own less spoken intentions to pillage the castle dry, on the premise of her own acquiring self-gain to make off with a large portion of the loot she might come to find. Assaulting the castle was hardly just about a cause to slay foul beasts for the sake of goodwill. As much as it was a risk that might serve to pay off and get her out of this cycle that the church and society had her perpetually stuck within, as she went about doing their unruly bidding. And with that being a factor within her little revisit to societies home town, Noreina would rather not waste any more time than she needed in seeing these actions come to fruition. The persistent degree of Dedrick's stubbornness quickly proving to become more than she cared to adhere to.<br/><br/><em><strong>"Now wasn't that a mouthful. But anyway, if I told you where it was then it wouldn't be a secret would it, doll? But I'll tell you what: myself and a few of my boys are going to make a move on the castle. We got a secret way in that coincides with one of our usual routes by the edge of the woods. And I've seen those blades latched to those delicious hips of yours. We could use some protective detail. Why don't you tag along with us and well consider giving you a minor cut?"</strong></em></span><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: times new roman;">Rigorously unconcerned by the belligerence of her words, Dedrick returned his response on a second swig of his ale. The consequent gulp seemingly finishing off the beverage as he put forth an offer. In the presentation of his offer, he would turn his dismissive indolent gaze upon her, finally making eye contact with her momentarily. The implications of his words worked quickly to inspire some sense of cognizant conclusion that was made evidently prompt in displaying the derisive detail of her adapting expression. Informed of some degree of his further intentions, and what they might just suggest, provided to her a candid means of reactive response.<br/><br/>The former headstrong element of her stature yielded with unwind as she was overtaken by hearty impudence. Her chin just raised, her eyes shifting in displeasured drift as she became amused and equally repulsed by the possible prospect of adhering her sword to a presumptuous criminal, colluding her cause with a band of fair-weather men of who's apparent leader thought he was immune to consequence. While Noreina had not been native to Oar's Rest, the organization she had been wrapped up in-- The Sisters of Night-- had been stationed in the rural town. And while the extent of her knowledge of the town's history had remained reasonably limited, one thing she was certainly educated of was the town's culture; it's certain underhanded corruption among a fair number of its citizens nearly emulating of other crummy places in the country she had been, over the course of several different expeditions.<br/><br/>She knew more about him than he might think; Dedrick had been more than a simple smuggler. He had a rather entrenched reputation as a man who was often exempt from the oppression of the law. His finesse to acquire things for people-- both of the good and the bad sort-- was unparalleled by any other smuggler in the town. Noreina was well aware of his ability to remain invisible to the law, as it was commonplace for him to provide favors to those that should waver criminal allegations against him. Naturally, this aspect about him made him feel untouchable; a man who was rarely met with the reality of being refused; one who could simply endure to pursuing his endeavors without much hindrance, so long as he kept the right people happy. However self-reliant and bellicose as she had been, Noreina was a woman with principles and it was unlike her to bend them at the cost of taking on great risk that she might otherwise be able to avoid.<br/><br/><em><strong>"I'd sooner go on a frolicsome adventure with a corpse than venture into that decadent castle with you. You might be able to take advantage of naive adventurers, but I'm hardly a naive sell-sword looking to become the accomplice of a glorified criminal. You'll have to broker a better deal than that if you want any means of compliance from me. Let's say you are charitable with an honest word-- the details of this secret entrance-- and I'll venture in alone and give YOU a cut instead?"</strong></em> Demonstrating her own mettle she retorted back; her words were saturated with haughty defiance. The audacity of boasting the sheer intensity of her strong will was flagrantly displayed, even when faced against unfavorable terms of negotiation.<br/><br/><em><strong>"So what they say about you is true then? You Demon Widows and your affinity to attracting all kinds of unruly monsters. Bet you enjoy their company more than you think? What are you really looking for in that derelict castle, girl? Is it gold and treasure or some formidable beast to teach you some respect?"</strong></em> A coarse curt laugh predetermined those words with flagrant resound; the once more privy element of their conversation beginning to become twice more heard, even among the more rowdy atmosphere that befell around them. In the hearing of those words no means of similar amusement would come upon her disposition. Instead, the sheer distinction of those words brought upon opposite tidings that were quick to plague the former moderate cheeky amusement of her mood.<br/><br/>Dedrick's words were nothing more than a deliberate attack against her; his particular use of the word <em>Demon's Widow</em> an audacious derogatory attack on her and association to the monster-hunting organization she had been in subjugation to. Globally the organization was known for its deep interest in the extermination of monsters. The chosen warriors of the society were picked under very specific terms; each of them being women who, at some point in time, had horrific experiences with demonic creatures. These experiences were thought to be a kind of tethering from mortal soul to demonic presence that would inevitably and indefinitely have the victim colluded perputally with dark forces. The ecclesiastical upper society that governed and directed these chosen warriors-- the sisters themselves-- believed that their tether to a demon would inexorably lure out other dark forces; their chosen fighters used as lures to draw out other forces of the worst evils, dispatched to places in the world that had been corrupted by the presence of dark creatures. <br/><br/>Like in an insatiable temptation-- a beacon meant to entice and bait out monsters-- these creatures would incur on the lives of the Sisters, wanting to ravage and consume them for themselves where others had failed. There had even been times when the directors in the organization had deliberately used the sisters to lure out monsters, leveraging them as a host that provided them with some control over their enemies. The term <em>Demon Widow</em> had come from the society themselves, but sunk into the place of common knowledge of folks that had heard tales of the sister's endeavors. The term possesed anything but pleasant implications for a Sister affiliated to it's defamatory terminology that many simply thought dictated a woman's avowed bind to a terrible creature or legions of them. The majority of common folks simply undermining the strength and feats of the Sister themselves, and that of their efforts, to simply often seeing them as little more than as whores to indomitable evil; a fetching allurement that possessed an ominous shadow ripe with atrocity and unsightly perversion that often followed in their steps.<br/><br/>Noreina would need to hear no more. The disrespectful degree of Dedrick's words bringing a swift and precipitous resolve to her negotiating conversation with him. Without word nor warning, she would extend one of her feet forward into the legs of the barstool he sat upon. With such force she would ram her boot into it, the force of it sending him clean off the barstool and tumbling into the ground as the stool teetered off-balance, both him and the stool hitting the floor with a loud crash and noticeable fuss. Shifting place in her own seat she would come to her feet to stand over him, her eyes narrowed in spiteful address as she loomed down at the miscreant before her, fully aware that several eyes of other patrons had turned to the sight, the once noisy semblance of bar decreasing considerably in adherence to the scene she had created.<br/><br/><em><strong>"I'm no modest woman. Call me whatever reprehensible things you like, but that is not one of the terms I will accept. I'm no strumpet that willing lays with horrors. And you will not disrespect me as such."</strong></em> Dictating some means of uptight dignity she would bring one hand to the curve of her slender hip, the other reaching to the back of her cloak as she pulled the hood back up upon her head; all while she loomed over him with a slight lean toward him, as she meant to forcibly demonstrate this moment of prevailing him and savor it momentarily.<br/><br/><em><strong>"I'm done conferring with you. I'll figure out where the treasure is on my own, rather than continue pandering to a deprived stooge like you. Save your coppers and your bullshit for whore who will believe them."</strong></em> In her parting words she would let her other hand slide up from her hip and reach to the hood, both hands coming to fix the hood properly in place as a shadow was cast upon her face once more. Turning lastly she would walk from the scene with a confidant sassy step, her hips swaying in her exit as she looked outward into the cloudy daylight, moving forth to venture wherever her steps might eventually take her.<br/></span>