Darkness Breeds Madness
<h1 id="title">Elliquiy Role Playing Forums</h1>
		<h2 id="linktree">Play-By-Post: Light =&gt; Light: Exotic Small Groups =&gt; Topic started by: Jguy on 23-07-2010, 22:17:36</h2>
		<dl id="posts">
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Darkness Breeds Madness</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Jguy</strong> on <strong>23-07-2010, 22:17:36</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The slight tinkle of a bell warns the patrons of the Sleeping Ogre Tavern of a new arrival, many of who ignore it for their spirits and the sight of the waitresses. A homely looking man dressed in traveler’s clothes looks around the bar nervously, as if unsure if he is in the right place. After a momentary pause he makes his way to the bar after some people began to turn to look at the man who was simply standing in the doorway. <br><br>He stands at the counter, hailing the bartender over. “What’ll it be?” the man says, his matted hair hugging his head. The homely man looks side to side, visibly swallowing several times. “Spit it out! I don’t have all day,” the bartender growls. <br><br>“I…uh…I want a…Sleeper drink, light on the juice,” the man says, swallowing on more time, hoping he ordered right. The bartender leers at him for a moment before nodding. He walks into the back, returning a minute later with a mug filled with a dark beer. <br><br>“Drink it all, right now” the bartender tells him, waving off the coin the man is holding in his hand. The man looks very nervous, sweating a little before taking the mug and downing the drink. His eyes scrunch at the taste, trying to hold the fluids down. He finishes with a big sigh and a gag, coughing. <br><br>“You have 5 minutes. 10 if you take good care of yourself,” the bartender says. He looks the sweating man up and down. “Better get going,” he says, tilting his head to a woman in the middle of the hall, drinking her own drink absentmindedly, ignoring the talk around her and the occasional long stare. The man coughs one more time before nodding and walks over to her, adam’s apple bobbing up and down as he keeps down the bile. <br><br>He pulls up a seat and sits in front of the woman, about to say something but her blue eyes seemingly pin him to his seat, his voice suddenly lost. He swallows one more time before speaking. <br><br>“I….I have a job for you,” he says in a low tone. <br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Darkness Breeds Madness</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>cat storm</strong> on <strong>23-07-2010, 22:47:36</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Catherine Stormword sat in the tavern nursing her ale and thinking of her last job.&nbsp; Obviously wanting no company, most people avoided the woman who sat stone faced in her traveling clothes of breeches and linen shirt.&nbsp; She had recovered some documents for a certain Merchant.&nbsp; No matter that the documents would undoubtedly ruin someone else, he had been pleased with her services and her purse was full.&nbsp; She had a bit of time to do as she chose for a while at least and was trying to decide whether to hang around this town for a few more days or move on.<br><br>She glanced up at the sound of the door opening.&nbsp; The man who stood there certainly looked not threat to her, so she went back to her musing.&nbsp; There was an excellent blacksmith here and she could always commission a new dagger.&nbsp; It would mean staying put, but it might be worth it and who knew, the merchant may have another job or know someone who did.&nbsp; She was always at a loss when between jobs, having no family or real friends.&nbsp; Hers was a solitary life and while she might have preferred differently, it was too late to change, or at least so she thought.<br><br>Her ears picked up as she heard the man order.&nbsp; It seemed she may not have any downtime after all, if what he had to say was of interest.&nbsp; She never wanted to appear too eager though, so she sat as if ignorant of his presence until he sat down in front of her.&nbsp; Lord, he looked a mess, and nervous to boot.&nbsp; She shook her head at his lack of subtlety.&nbsp; How on earth did he expect to keep from drawing attention to himself if he was going to fidget and sweat like that?&nbsp; <br><br>Trying to get him to settle down, she turned her stare on him.&nbsp; “Well, don’t just sit there and look like a man with a secret that is about to jump out and scream itself.&nbsp; Lower your voice and deliver your message.”<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Darkness Breeds Madness</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Jguy</strong> on <strong>23-07-2010, 23:22:30</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The man gulped one more time, pushing down the urge to throw up the vile drink he just had. “My name a Michael. I come from a small town called Sirlev. We are a peaceful community of smiths and craftsman.” Michael wrings his hands, showing the calluses from long day’s worth of labor. “People have been going missing lately. At first we thought it was wild animals, but there were no tracks or blood that we could find. It wasn’t until a few days ago that we found out what it was. Drow.” <br><br>The man spit out that last word like a curse, his nervousness and queasiness from the drink momentarily forgotten out of pure hatred and loathing for the dark elves. “One of them had been left behind, Achilles tendon slashed and left for dead. We found her hiding in the underbrush, her hands clenching her eyes. We dragged her out in the sunlight as she screamed and screamed.” He vicious little smile crossed his face before he shook it off, returning to his story. <br><br>“She was a part of the a raiding crew in charge of bringing slaves, specifically craftsmen like us, back to their hell-pits. We…dragged information out of her in ways only smiths can. She told us a lot. She said a war was brewing and her Matron ordered the band of raiders to gather slaves. That night as they were retreating back into their hole in the ground, one of her compatriots slashed her ankles and left her.” <br><br>His eyes got hard as he leaned in close as he fought that swirling in his head. “My town may be small but we are not short on funds. We heard you were the bane of the Underdark…the so-called Blinking Shadow. We are willing to pay whatever it would take for you to find this house Matron and kill her. I don’t know if you will be able to bring our people back but if they are dead, I want their deaths to mean something.” His vision begins to swim as he was on the verge of unconsciousness.&nbsp; <br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Darkness Breeds Madness</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>cat storm</strong> on <strong>24-07-2010, 00:28:09</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Drow.&nbsp; The word alone filled her with disgust.&nbsp; In all her years of adventuring, nothing affected her like that one word.&nbsp; Cat had seen what they did to the people they captured and it wasn’t pretty.&nbsp; Tortured them and worked them like animals until they were used up and then, if they didn’t die from that, killed them for sport.&nbsp; Michael here didn’t need to know it yet, but she never passed up a job that involved killing Drow.&nbsp; It wasn’t that she enjoyed killing, per se.&nbsp; It was just that she saw it as ridding the world of vermin. His loathing was understandable.&nbsp; There was nothing to else for decent people to feel about them but hatred.<br><br>She had heard of Sirlev, as had anyone who valued a good weapon, though she had never visited there, she had seen the quality of their goods.&nbsp; If the drow were at war, they’d certainly have good reason to seek captives from there.&nbsp; Watching him begin to reel from the potion that had been in his drink, she wondered who they were at war with this time.&nbsp; It was always a war with the Drow.&nbsp; They made nothing, grew nothing, contributed nothing of their own, relying on captives and theft for all they gained.&nbsp; It would be a great day when they were eradicated and she hoped to contribute to it.&nbsp; That the village would pay was a bonus.&nbsp; She’d have taken the job for free or at the very least, services.<br><br>Standing up and folding his arms in front of him, she whispered in his ear as his eyes rolled back and his head fell forward.&nbsp; “Their deaths will be avenged.”&nbsp; &nbsp;Cat picked up her pack and approached the bar with a coin in her hand, slapping it down in front of the bartender.&nbsp; “Take care of him and send him home when he comes to.”<br><br>She pushed her way through the door and out onto the street, looking both ways before heading south.&nbsp; She’d find her own way to Sirlev.&nbsp; It was safer than traveling with someone who would only blunder about and draw attention.&nbsp; Stepping back into an alleyway, she seemed to fade into the bricks.<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Darkness Breeds Madness</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Jguy</strong> on <strong>24-07-2010, 00:56:34</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Catherine moved through the alleyways of the town, gliding like a ghost, one hand always on a nearby wall. People passed her by as if she wasn’t even there, lost in thought or conversation. After a few minutes, she came to an inn, the Running Harpy Inn where she was currently bunked at. <br><br>The door jingled as she stepped into the Inn, the person behind the main counter looking up from his bookkeeping. “Catherine! My dear Catherine!” the wizened old man came up to her, giving her a big hug. “I take it that job went well? I haven’t seen you in a week!” he said, looking her up and down like a doddering relative despite the lack of blood relation. “What brings you here? Oh! Before I forget, I got what you requested right here,” he said, cutting her off before she could answer. <br><br>He walked back to the counter and pulled out a weathered but sturdy leather bag. It looked full but he old man seemed to ignore the weight of it as he brought it over to her. “Food stuffs, equipment, tools…everything you requested.” He hands it to her before giving her a big smile. “So, what else can I do for you?” he asks. <br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Darkness Breeds Madness</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>cat storm</strong> on <strong>24-07-2010, 01:47:18</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Catherine smiled, her face softening and her eyes lighting up from within.&nbsp; It was a startling transformation that few people ever got to see, but she had a special fondness for the old man.&nbsp; Things could happen in her profession, less than desirable things.&nbsp; She’d had a job once turn out badly and still carried the scars on her back from the wounds she had received.&nbsp; Unable to visit a healer, she had found this Inn and managed to hold herself up just long enough to make it to the top of the stairs before collapsing.&nbsp; Old Frederic had gotten her into bed and tended her wounds, never once asking questions or letting anyone else know she was there. <br><br>When she had been well enough to get up and get around, he had looked her in the eyes and said, “You talked through your fever.&nbsp; You are welcome here, but your business associates are not.&nbsp; Be discreet.”&nbsp; &nbsp;He’d gotten up and walked out of the room and left her to think, returning an hour later with a tray full of food.&nbsp; He’d treated her like a friend ever since and still asked no questions beyond the general.&nbsp; Frederic performed a few small favors for her now and again, like the gathering of the pack, but she would never ask more of him and they had an easy comfortable friendship.<br><br>“Yes, it went well indeed.&nbsp; I can pay my bill, old man,” she laughed, throwing him a small sack of coin.&nbsp; “That should cover the bag and its contents as well.”&nbsp; Hefting the pack with one hand, she wondered again where the old man got his strength.&nbsp; He was not as frail as he looked by any means.&nbsp; “You’ve done a good job packing I see, it’s a bit heavy, but I’ll be horseback if you can get Garnet ready for travel.&nbsp; I think I’ll be leaving again tonight.”&nbsp; She leaned over the counter, “but not until you and I share a good steak and some ale.&nbsp; How’s that new cook working out?”<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Darkness Breeds Madness</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Jguy</strong> on <strong>24-07-2010, 02:07:01</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Frederic’s old gray eyes twinkled with mirth at her question. “Oh just wonderful! For such a young man he is a natural with foods. Some of the best meals I’ve had in a long time have come from his creative hands.” As he spoke he wandered around the inn, smiling and nodding to the various patrons, two, three, even four conversations going on at once yet never losing track of any of them. <br><br>“I will call for the stable girl to get your things ready. Maryann will love to see you again,” he said, eyes crinkled in a wide smile. He beckoned her to follow as he made his way to his private hall for special guests and friends, the bag on the counter having disappeared during his tirade but he had never made a motion towards it. <br><br>They passed a waitress, waif-thin young lass of about fourteen and he caught her attention. “Oh Susan, can you please ask Joseph to cook up two of his finest steaks for me and a close friend?” he asked. “And have it sent to me in my gallery.” Susan smile and nodded. “Yes great grand-dad” she replied, making her way to the kitchens. <br><br>Looks at Catherine with a smile, “Now no lolly-gagging, we have a lot to catch up on.” He led her to his Hall through a pair of double doors, closing them behind. He motioned her to sit, a plush chair next to a round table as he sat next to her. “So, how are you?” he asks, his fingers crossed. <br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Darkness Breeds Madness</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>cat storm</strong> on <strong>24-07-2010, 02:38:37</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				She threaded her way through the tables in the front room after him, amazed at the warmth and friendliness of the inn.&nbsp; It truly reflected his personality.&nbsp; The patrons and staff were happy and healthy like everything else surrounding Frederic.&nbsp; She was too when she was here, it may not have been a home, for she hadn’t one of those, but it was a sanctuary and she was grateful.&nbsp; <br><br>She had only been in this hall a few times and it always held her interest.&nbsp; It hinted of things in his past that he had never shared with her, and she had asked him no questions, assuming he would tell her or not in his own time.&nbsp; She was terribly curious about the robe and the weapons on the wall, but Cat was not one to meddle in other’s affairs since she expected no one to meddle in hers.&nbsp; She did share a few things with the old man, though.&nbsp; He took such delight in hearing of them, that when she had something she felt safe to speak of, she did.&nbsp; <br><br>“I’m fine.&nbsp; This last job went without a hitch and I have enough money to rest awhile if I wanted to.&nbsp; I’ve heard some rumors of things on the horizon, though and I intend to check them out.”&nbsp; She thought for a moment and decided the risk was worth it.&nbsp; “Have you heard any stirrings from the Drow to the North?”&nbsp; <br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Darkness Breeds Madness</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Jguy</strong> on <strong>24-07-2010, 02:57:35</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Fredric smiled as she said that her job had gone well, he always worried about her like she was one of his own. The smile was quickly wiped from his face along with the mirthful look in his eyes as she mentioned the Drow. His eyes went steely and he leaned forward, looking her straight in the eye. “So…it seems the Blinking Shadow is about to live up to her name once again eh?” he says. He chuckled at the slightly shocked look in her eyes as he leaned back, his serious demeanor calming a little bit. <br><br>He sighed and rested his hands on his bald head, tan from years under the sun. His fingers habitually rubbed the small red mark on his forehead that had been there since what seemed like forever. “Oh don’t be too surprised, I am not as senile as I look,” he says with his old grin, though it seemed a little weary this time. “I’ve known for awhile.” <br><br>He looks around the room, scanning each glass case and picture, remembering days long past. “Yes…I have heard of rumors to the north. People going missing in the dead of night with no sign of struggles, beastly sounds seemingly emanating from the very ground itself and shakes that sound like marching…” His eyes get a far-off look to them before he replies again. “Yes, it is very possible these things could be caused by the Drow.”&nbsp; <br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Darkness Breeds Madness</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>cat storm</strong> on <strong>24-07-2010, 03:09:57</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				In all these year, he had never let one word slip.&nbsp; Cat couldn’t help but be surprised when he came out and admitted that he knew who she was.&nbsp; She had known he knew of her roguish activities, but had not had any clue that he knew the rest.&nbsp; He obviously could keep a secret well.&nbsp; She looked once more at the room’s trappings.&nbsp; Indeed, he could keep secrets very well.<br><br>She leaned forward sweeping her hair back out of her face and lowered her voice.&nbsp; “Since you already know more than you led me to believe, let me tell you this.&nbsp; I’ve been hired by a town in the north,” she held up her hand as he started to speak.&nbsp; “No, I’ll not tell you which.&nbsp; Suffice it to say, the information seems reliable at this point and I’ll be going to check it out.”&nbsp; She hesitated just a moment more, “There is a thought that the Drow are preparing for war.&nbsp; That’s why the increase in captives.&nbsp; If this is true, they must be stopped.” <br><br>“I’m not so foolish as to think I could avert an entire war, but like a wagon, pull the pin on the wheel and the whole thing tumbles to a screeching halt.&nbsp; I intend to pull that pin,” she announced leaning back into her chair, her face set.<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Darkness Breeds Madness</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Jguy</strong> on <strong>24-07-2010, 03:25:29</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He chuckled at her dead-set determination, seeing himself a few decades ago in her. “Oh don’t glare at me like I will try to stop you or something,” he says, idly waving a hand in front of his face to ward of her stares. “I’ve known about you this long but have yet to stop you, why would this be any different?” he said. He became quiet when Susan walked in with a tray with two plates of steaks and two frothy mugs of beer.<br><br>“Ahh Susan my dear! What a blessing to see you!” he says, his kindly manner returning instantly at the sight of her. <br><br>“You are just saying that because I have your food,” she said with a mirthful tease, setting down the food and drinks for the two of them. Fredric made a motion as if he was stabbed in the heart very dramatically. “You wound me my great-grand daughter,” he says. She giggled and left them to their meals. He dug in with gusto, the years not diminishing his appetite in the least. <br><br>“I think I know what pin you must pull,” he says in between bites and drinks. “Every House is lead by a Matron who rules with an iron fist. She will be beset on all sides with people looking to rise to power. If you can pluck her from her throne, the other houses will jump on the remains like ravenous dogs. This won’t prevent the war; just end it without anymore build up. And will result in many, many deaths,” he says with a small grin to her. <br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Darkness Breeds Madness</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>cat storm</strong> on <strong>24-07-2010, 06:24:53</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				“That’s exactly what my contact said.&nbsp; The kidnappings in his town have been the work of one Matron and they have hired me to pull her pin.”&nbsp; She grinned again, thinking of how much she was going to enjoy this job.&nbsp; She tackled her steak with gusto, knowing it may be days of living out of the pack on dried rations and what she could hunt for a while.&nbsp; “You are right, this guy is good.&nbsp; You better keep him happy in the kitchen,” she said, following it with a healthy drink of ale.&nbsp; Not that she wanted to overindulge much in that before she hit the trail tonight.&nbsp; <br><br>“I’ll take Garnet and head up North and see what I may find out.&nbsp; I’d like to do some looking around on my own before I meet with the villagers.&nbsp; I don’t want the Drow warned that I am coming.”<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Darkness Breeds Madness</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Jguy</strong> on <strong>24-07-2010, 06:46:59</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Fredric nods at the praise, “Oh yes. If it is one thing I’ve learned in all my years is to not upset the people who cook your food,” he says. He nodded along with what she said, eating at a steady pace and not having to be stingy with the ale. <br><br>“That sounds like a plan though I doubt anyone in that town knows what you look like. It is always best to scout out the terrain before beginning anything. Look for any hills or rock outcroppings for signs of cave entrances. Oh, and if something is sparsely covered to give the illusion of shadow, check it. The Drow are tricky and the underdark can connect literally anywhere.” He gets off a far off look in his eye before chuckling.<br><br>“Why, I remember one time I once found one hidden under an outhouse! Seriously, they had tunnels that happened to pop up right under it with a secret panel in the bottom to access it outside of the usual method…I guess too many accidents or whatnot.” He laughed to himself, wiping a tear from his eye. <br><br>Both of them ate further, discussing everything but the job as they typically did, trading pleasantries.&nbsp; When they finished Susan came back and collected the plates and mugs before leaving them to their company. “Maryann should have garnet all packed and ready,” he said standing up. “Here, let me show you off. It’s the least I can do.” He helped her out of her chair like a gentleman and led her to the stables. <br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Darkness Breeds Madness</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>cat storm</strong> on <strong>25-07-2010, 20:48:01</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Cat pushed her plate away and downed the last of the ale with a satisfied sigh.&nbsp; Not only might it be her last real meal for a while, it was an excellent one.&nbsp; “You do set a good table, Frederic.”<br><br>“I’d like to think they don’t know what I look like, but I thought you didn’t know about all my activities either.&nbsp; If you could find out, then they might, too.”&nbsp; Laughing heartedly at the thought of a Drow cave under an outhouse, “That’s one entrance I’d stay back from and use the longbow, definitely.”&nbsp; <br><br>Picking up her pack and following him, she entered the stables inhaling the smell of sweet hay and leather.&nbsp; There was no scent quite like a well-kept horse barn.&nbsp; She found Garnet already saddled and spent some time tying on her pack and double-checking all the harness.&nbsp; Lifting his feet, she was impressed once again with Maryanne’s skill with a horse.&nbsp; She held out her hand with a small carrot and whispered in his ear, “Time to go again, boy.”&nbsp; <br><br>Turning to Frederic, she hugged him impulsively.&nbsp; “I’ll be back and there will be far fewer Drow in the world if I have my way.”&nbsp; She mounted Garnet and swung his head around to take him out the back way.<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Darkness Breeds Madness</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Jguy</strong> on <strong>25-07-2010, 21:46:41</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Fredric hugged her tightly, nearly lifting her off the ground. “Oh I shall miss you girl. I trust in your abilities and world will be a better place because of it.” He and Maryann waved her goodbye as she trotted out of the barn. <br><br>Catherine made her way through town, weaving Garnet through the waning crowds as the sun slowly began to set. She passed the city limits with nary a word from the guards, just a simple nod of acknowledgement between them. She made it a few miles outside of town before it became apparent she needed to make camp. After tying Garnet to a tree and setting up camp, including a few booby traps for game and man, she drifted off to sleep. <br><br>The sounds of Garnet munching on grass and the chirping of bird awoke Catherine. She stretched and went to check her traps. Thankfully no one was foolish enough to sneak up on her but she caught a rabbit in a snare. Smiling to herself about avoiding a day of rations, she skinned and cooked the rabbit for breakfast. <br><br>After striking camp, she saddled up on Garnet and made her way down the road towards the town of Sirlev. It was mid-day when she was come upon a curious sight in the middle of the road. Three men, simply loitering around, looking bored. As she neared them they perked up, smiling and exchanging knowing glances. One stepped forward as Catherine halted Garnet. <br><br>“Hello my lovely little lass,” the blond haired man said in a lilted voice. He leaned casually on what looked to be a rather thick piece of wood with banded metal on around the tip. “Me and my compatriots here have hit a spot of trouble it seems. We lost much of saving in a dreadful flooding accident and we are rebuilding as it were.” He turned to his two friends, both of them nodding sympathetically. “Normally we would never stoop so low as to robbing an innocent young woman on the road blind…but this isn’t a normal situation.” The man swung his large club onto his shoulder with surprising ease along with his two friends as they began to circle her. <br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Darkness Breeds Madness</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>cat storm</strong> on <strong>25-07-2010, 22:54:25</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Cat stopped a few yards away and looked the three ruffians over contemptuously.&nbsp; They were big, sure, but a great deal of it was muscle that had gone to fat.&nbsp; She leaned casually in her saddle, slowly and surreptitiously tying the reins to the horn of the saddle. “Flooding you say?&nbsp; Funny, it doesn’t look like it’s rained here in several years, boys.”&nbsp; She drew out the last word, making it the insult she knew it would be and waiting for it to sink in as she turned the ring on her finger a quarter turn.<br><br>Drawing her sword in one hand and her dagger in the other, she signaled Garnet forward with a leap, charging the ringleader and swinging her sword at his head.<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Darkness Breeds Madness</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Jguy</strong> on <strong>25-07-2010, 23:09:47</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The blond man gritted his teeth at the insult as he flexed his muscles. He was taken aback when with a simple gesture she seemed flicker in and out of his sight. “Don’t be fooled lads!” he cried as she charged him, weapons drawn. “Tis a mere trick!” His companions let out a roar of approval for their leader and charged into battle. <br><br>The blond-haired man swung at the lasses head, determined to end this in one blow. He let out a startled cry when it passed clean through her, like he was swinging at air. The same thing happened as his more portly friend took a similar swing at the same time, hitting nothing. The final man had a triumphant grin as he timed his swing better with her blinking, knowing she would be in this world as he connected. Unfortunately, she was more skilled then he thought as she turned away the large club with almost contemptuous ease. <br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Darkness Breeds Madness</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>cat storm</strong> on <strong>25-07-2010, 23:27:14</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Shaking her head at their stupidity and clumsiness she turned the man’s club with her sword, she barreled past, the great horse knocking him to his feet.&nbsp; Throwing her dagger into the other henchman’s throat with such force it buried itself to the hilt with a sickening sound of parting flesh and scraping bone, she turned Garnet to charge the blonde again.&nbsp; She leaned over, swinging around to catch him mid-throat, his blood spewing as he fell, his club still clutched in his hand.<br><br>She looked to where the first man was struggling to stand again, turning Garnet towards him with a twitch of her thigh, noting out of the corner of her eye with disbelief that the blonde was struggling to stand, his hand clutched to hold the wound at his throat.<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Darkness Breeds Madness</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Jguy</strong> on <strong>26-07-2010, 00:00:43</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The blond-haired man was overcome with a mixture of shock, rage, and fear as he watched his friends get ridden down with such ease. He clutched his neck to stem the bleeding, not knowing how much longer he had. He kept a firm hold on his greatclub, his only real possession left to him and waved to his fallen friend as he slowly got up from being knocked over by a horse. He signaled for the both of them to retreat then turned and ran as fast as he could into the nearby woods, his compatriot following behind. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Darkness Breeds Madness</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>cat storm</strong> on <strong>26-07-2010, 01:13:39</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Cat watched the men run off, considered giving chase and decided it wasn’t worth it.&nbsp; Their leader had a good chance of dying of his wound or infection, but even if he didn’t, he’d not be robbing anyone in the near future.&nbsp; The other man had certainly gotten off lightly, but perhaps he’d be wary of ‘innocent lasses’ in the future as well.&nbsp; She was a little disappointed that she’d had to use the ring so openly and then allow them to live, but the chances of them living in an encounter with the Drow were slim and even slimmer that the dark elves would listen if they tried to betray her.&nbsp; Though, if they did and she heard of it, she’d make sure they wanted to die for a good long time before they actually did.<br><br>She dismounted, giving Garnet a good petting and telling him what a good job he had done.&nbsp; He hadn’t even had to break a sweat, but she dug out a small piece of sugared candy for him anyway, letting him crunch away while she retrieved her dagger from the throat of the dead brigand.&nbsp; Wiping it on his trousers and tearing off a piece of his shirt that wasn’t bloodstained, though was certainly greasy enough she noticed with distaste as she cleaned both weapons before&nbsp; putting them away and searching the dead man.&nbsp; <br><br>She pocketed the 15 gold pieces wondering whom they had been stolen from.&nbsp; No matter, it would be foolish to leave them there and she didn’t believe in curses following the money.&nbsp; The three daggers interested her far more.&nbsp; They were masterpieces and she knew they had to be stolen recently.&nbsp; As sloppy as this man was, he’d never have such finely cared for weapons for long.&nbsp; She rolled the body off to the side of the road.&nbsp; If his companions cared for him, they’d come back eventually.&nbsp; She tied the greatclub onto the back of the saddle, mounted Garnet and headed back down the road to Sirlev.<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Darkness Breeds Madness</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Jguy</strong> on <strong>26-07-2010, 01:49:04</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				After that initial excitement, Catherine had a much more relaxed travel along the road. Perhaps word of a dangerous woman on a horse spread or luck was on her side, either way she finally arrived at the town or Sirlev with little fanfare after a few days travel. <br><br>It was a well off town of about 1300 people. It was famous for its well crafted goods, especially weapons. Word had it that the people had helped a displaced clan of dwarves generations ago and they passed on their metallurgy onto them. Either way Sirlev was the place to go. She reached the city limits just past noon as her growling stomach reminded her. The scent of coal, smelted iron, and leather wafted through the air as she was halted by the town guard.<br><br>&nbsp;“Hello Mam,” said the man in front of her. He wielded a halberd casually in his hands as he walked up to her, his chainmail jingling with each step. Two men with crossbows at the ready were several yards away as they watched the exchange. “I’d hate to have to stop you but we seem to be in a crisis lately. What is your business here in Sirlev?”<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Darkness Breeds Madness</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>cat storm</strong> on <strong>26-07-2010, 19:41:13</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The rest of the journey having been pleasant, Cat was still pleased to see the town ahead of her.&nbsp; It would be nice to get off the horse for a bit for one thing, and she couldn’t help the excitement that rose as she thought of her mission.&nbsp; Soon, she would be killing Drow and that was something to look forward to.&nbsp; <br><br>She gave her best look-at-me-I’m-so-charming smile to the guard, hoping he fell for it and didn’t ask anything more than the simple tale she told him.&nbsp; “I’m here to visit the smiths.&nbsp; I would like to commission a new sword and possibly another blade or two, depending on what is available.&nbsp; The reputation of your crafts is well known.&nbsp; I also need the recommendation of a good inn, not too expensive, but safe for a woman alone.”&nbsp; Let them think her harmless and a bit helpless.&nbsp; It was a tactic that worked many times over for her and no doubt many another woman throughout the ages.<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Darkness Breeds Madness</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Jguy</strong> on <strong>26-07-2010, 20:51:24</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The guardsman looked her over as she spoke. His eye caught the hilts of her weapons and smiled. They were was Sirlev made. He had no doubt that she was here for the weapons but her overly innocent tone was at odds with the way she held herself. Back straight, piercing eyes, the way her muscles in her arms corded as she held the reigns…he was certain she could handle herself. Either way she didn’t seem one to cause trouble and her skin was a fair tan, so points in her favor. <br><br>He nodded to the guards behind him and they lowered their weapons. He stepped aside, waving her ahead. “Welcome to Sirlev. If you are looking for an inn I recommend the Cheerful Dagger in. Look for Henry. He’ll take good care of you.” <br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Darkness Breeds Madness</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>cat storm</strong> on <strong>26-07-2010, 22:39:55</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Cat bestowed something close to a smile on the guard.&nbsp; It was obvious that he didn’t entirely buy the act, but he had come to some conclusion that she wasn’t a threat, or at least not the one he was guarding against at the moment.&nbsp; She eased Garnet forward, inspecting the town as she searched for the Inn.&nbsp; She wanted to stable the horse and find a place to work out of before anything else.&nbsp; And some food, her stomach was reminding her that it was well past time for lunch.&nbsp; <br><br>It was tempting however to stop along the way.&nbsp; She had already seen several smiths and shops displaying blades and there was just something about a new dagger, sharp and gleaming that brought a hint of warmth to her.&nbsp; No matter what happened on this mission, she would be back to explore the wares.&nbsp; In fact, if this turned out well, it might be a good place to base out of, she thought, not able to even think the words ‘make a home.’&nbsp; <br><br>Spying the Cheerful Dagger and noting that it had its own stables, she dismounted and led Garnet in through the barn doors.&nbsp; She may be hungry, but only an idiot or a lout failed to care for their mount first.&nbsp; The barn itself smelled sweet and the place was immaculate.&nbsp; She approached the groom and arranged for a place for her horse, whispering in his ear that she’d be back soon with a treat.<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Darkness Breeds Madness</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Jguy</strong> on <strong>26-07-2010, 23:03:49</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The groomsman took the horse with a smile, rubbing the neck of Garnet. “Oh you are such a handsome animal aren’t you?” he said, speaking to the horse. Garnet seemed to understand him as he snorted and nodded his head, tapping the ground once with his hoof. He turned to Catherine, his young features alight with joy. “Don’t worry mam, I will take good care of him, you have my promise.” <br><br>He was about to say more when Catherine’s stomach interrupted him with a loud growl. He held it in for a moment but managed to contain it to a small chuckle. “You should head in miss, the lunch rush is over so you should be able to get a meal pretty quickly,” he said as he began to lead the horse into his stall. <br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Darkness Breeds Madness</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>cat storm</strong> on <strong>26-07-2010, 23:21:41</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Cat tossed him a coin and a grin, “Thanks.”&nbsp; She let herself into the inn, looking about to find it near empty, but clean and well kept.&nbsp; The soldier had steered her well, she’d have to remember that if she came back into contact with him.&nbsp; Seeing no one about, she sat at a table in the center of the room, stowing her pack underneath and waited patiently.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Darkness Breeds Madness</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Jguy</strong> on <strong>26-07-2010, 23:28:53</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				A small man, a very small man came walking up to her, tip of his head just barely above the tabletop. “Why hello there!’ he said with a smile, looking up at her with big round eyes. “Welcome to the Cheerful Dagger, can I interest you in the house special?” he asked. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Darkness Breeds Madness</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>cat storm</strong> on <strong>27-07-2010, 02:15:09</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Cat returned the gnome’s infectious smile.&nbsp; She seemed to be finding herself doing that a lot lately.&nbsp; She wasn’t sure what had gotten into her, but no doubt it would pass as soon as she went to work.&nbsp; “Yes, I’ll take the special and a room, and my horse is already in the stable.&nbsp; Are you Henry?”&nbsp; 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Darkness Breeds Madness</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Jguy</strong> on <strong>27-07-2010, 02:46:47</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The small man beams, his big smile growing even bigger. “Why yes I am!” he says, stroking his twin forked beard. “I see that my reputation precedes me. Well I will have to live up to my myth!” he says, striking a pose. He bursts into laughter and slaps his knee. “Ahh lass, I shall get you the special and make arrangements to get you a room.” He leaves her soon after to the back kitchens. <br><br>As she waits for her food, it gives Catherine some time to look around the inn. It was a rather cozy looking abode, made in a style that allowed for many different clientele. There were shorter, wider tables for the smaller races, a large fireplace to warm the room in the winter seasons and artistic decorations pulling from many cultures: Dwarven statues, Elven woodworking, Gnomish ingenuity, and Human practicality. It seemed the Henry loved to make his place a mixing pot of people. <br><br>As Catherine examined the room, Henry returned with a plate resting on his shoulder. He slid it in front of her with a big smile. “Fresh venison with greens and spring potatoes grown from my own garden. I guarantee you’ll love it,” he says. “Oh and here is the key to your room,” he says, handing an iron key to her. “You will be upstairs, room 6. You can pay for your meal and stay at the front desk,” he says walking away, waving to her. <br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Darkness Breeds Madness</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>cat storm</strong> on <strong>31-07-2010, 22:27:20</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Catherine laughed merrily with the little man.&nbsp; He seemed to bubble with life and goodwill.&nbsp; Part of it, of course, was that he was a gnome, the other was that he obviously really enjoyed what he did.&nbsp; She looked around and could see why.&nbsp; The inn was clean and well lit, yet cozy with all the comforts for whatever race you belonged too.&nbsp; It reminded her of Frederic’s place she thought with regret, since her staying here would be a sham.&nbsp; She was sure she wouldn’t find another place this nice.&nbsp; At least she would be able to come and go some to keep up the appearance.&nbsp; <br><br>Henry placed a plate of the most delicious smelling food in front of her and she dug in with the hunger that only a journey can give.&nbsp; His cook was even better than Frederic’s and she scraped her plate clean, considering asking for more.&nbsp; She decided it was probably not a good idea, since she would need to be in top condition for the upcoming and inevitable fighting.&nbsp; Drow never went down too easy and especially not in numbers.&nbsp; <br><br>After she ate, she picked up her pack and the room key, climbing the stairs to number 6.&nbsp; She needed to make contact somehow with those who were hiring her and wondered where to begin.&nbsp; As she stepped into the room, she was pleasantly surprised to find it not only clean, but with small touches that made it more than just another inn.&nbsp; &nbsp;The bed was well made and the linens spotless.&nbsp; She set her pack down and laid back with a sigh as she sank into the mattress.<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Darkness Breeds Madness</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Jguy</strong> on <strong>31-07-2010, 23:29:24</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Catherine was more exhausted then she realized, and with a full stomach, drifted off to sleep with nary a thought. What seemed like moments she opened to her eyes to notice that the sun was beginning to wane. She sat up straight, silently cursing herself for drifting off so easily. She calmed down when she realized that in the waning light was the perfect time to search for a contact without being noticed. <br><br>She stretched and left her room, looking back at the bed with slight hesitation before making her way out of the Inn. She was stopped for a moment by the greeting of the nice receptionist before making her way out. She still had an hour or so before the sun would be fully set so she had time to find a contact. Deciding it’d be best to keep up pretenses in case she was being watched, which she always assumed she was, she went in search of a smithy. <br><br>It did not take long for her to find one. Sirlev was known for them. She followed the light of the furnace and the smell of coal. An open air smithy was what she came upon, a large man hammering away at a blade, folding it then hammering again. He was certainly built like a blacksmith, barrel chest and arms like tree trunks. His head and face were smooth, lacking all hair and covered in a sheen of sweat. His eyes flickered up to her before going back to work. <br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Darkness Breeds Madness</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>cat storm</strong> on <strong>02-08-2010, 19:22:15</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Cat leaned against a post and watched the blacksmith work for while.&nbsp; There was something beautiful in the care it took to make a blade, each motion repeated over and over until the metal bent to the will of the maker.&nbsp; She knew he was aware of her, but neither said a word until he finally quenched the blade in the bucket of water he kept standing beside the fire with a satisfying hiss and outpouring of steam.&nbsp; <br><br>She stood upright then and hailed him, “That’s fine work you are doing.&nbsp; A lot of care goes into a blade like that.&nbsp; Do you have any finished pieces to show?”<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Darkness Breeds Madness</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Jguy</strong> on <strong>02-08-2010, 19:55:22</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The large man gave her a cursory glance, eying her up and down. The weapons at her side, the way she held herself, all indicated she was no lass simply interested in shiny things. “Yes, of course I have some finished pieces,” he says in a gruff tone. “I normally do commissions but when inspiration strikes I make what comes to me.” He lets the blade continue to cool as he takes his smock off and hangs it on a nearby hook. “Come, I’ll show you,” he says. He turns around and walks into the main building. <br><br>Catherine quickly follows and finds herself soon surrounded by a rather vast amount of sharp metal hanging on the walls: Daggers and swords of all shapes and sizes, vicious looking axes and almost elegant pole arms. The smith chuckled at her surprised look. “Inspiration strikes me quite a bit,” he says. “Feel free to look around, if anything catches your eye we can negotiate price.” With that, he heads into the back room, out of sight. <br><br>Catherine takes her time appreciating the craftsmanship of various weaponry, hardly paying mind to the two men taking over by a particularly large axe. She looks almost longingly at a rack of daggers when the men catch her ear. <br><br>“…are worried. They have no idea if we are going to be attacked again. I hope whoever that so called ‘Shadow’ is gets here soon.”<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Darkness Breeds Madness</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>cat storm</strong> on <strong>02-08-2010, 20:26:42</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Cat looked over the weapons, admiring the craft of the maker.&nbsp; He truly was a fine smith.&nbsp; The two men in the corner largely ignored her, allowing her to follow their conversation.&nbsp; So, it was no secret that she was expected.&nbsp; That could make things even more difficult if everyone in town was expecting her.&nbsp; She needed to do her work in secret.&nbsp; She also needed more information.&nbsp; How to get them talking to her?<br><br>She reached for a dagger, knocking the whole rack to the floor in a clatter.&nbsp; “Oh my, I’m so sorry.” She started picking them up accidentally kicking them under the men’s boots.&nbsp; “Excuse me.”&nbsp; <br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Darkness Breeds Madness</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Jguy</strong> on <strong>02-08-2010, 20:45:06</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The men look down at the clumsy woman as she starts to pick up the knives, grinning to themselves. “Oh let us help you with that!” said the tall one with moppy brown hair. His shorter companion nods as they bend down to help pick up the sharp weaponry. <br><br>Catherine does her best to act demure and thanks them profusely. They were too distracted by their good luck to notice her somewhat stilted acting. Soon they had all the daggers were back on the rack, no worse for wear. The tall one gives Catherine her best smile. “You don’t seem to be around from here, why don’t me and Joe here take you to get some drinks?” he asks. <br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Darkness Breeds Madness</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>cat storm</strong> on <strong>02-08-2010, 21:03:47</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Cat tried hard to keep a pleasant and feminine look on her face and not roll her eyes.&nbsp; “I just got into town a few hours ago and I’d love a drink.&nbsp; The road can make one powerfully thirsty,” she said looking from one to the other.&nbsp; It always made her laugh to think how easy it was to get a man to take you to a bar.&nbsp; They didn’t even consider it might be a ruse.&nbsp; <br><br>“The blades are wonderful.&nbsp; I may be back if my luck and my money hold,” she said to the smith with a wink, curling her arms into the crooks of the two men’s arms and pulling them to the door. “And just where is this bar with a good ale?”<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Darkness Breeds Madness</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Jguy</strong> on <strong>02-08-2010, 21:30:12</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The short one grins a toothy grin at her question. “Why the best ale in the town, at the Cheerful Dagger Inn of course!” he says jubilantly, unable to belief his luck at the two of them landing such a woman. Catherine keeps the same smile plastered on her face, trying not to give it away that she’d already been there, though truth be told she didn’t know about its reputation for ale. <br><br>The three of them enter the Inn and Catherine was glad that the receptionist wasn’t there so she could slip in without notice. They sit down at an empty table and the tall one orders a round of their best ale for all of them. “So what brings you here to Sirlev?” he asks her as the waitress goes to get their drinks. <br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Darkness Breeds Madness</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>cat storm</strong> on <strong>02-08-2010, 23:34:13</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Sitting there in the very inn she had come to in the first place, Catherine felt a bit silly.&nbsp; At least that helped her keep up the farce that she might actually be interested in the company of these two.&nbsp; She ordered her ale and smiled a lot, wondering how long before her face actually began to hurt from the unaccustomed act.<br><br>“Oh, I came to look at the weapons.&nbsp; I’m from a small village and my father is a merchant.&nbsp; He sent me to look around and see if there were any good deals to be had.&nbsp; The smiths of Sirlev are famous, you know.”&nbsp; She smiled gratefully at the waitress as she brought their ale, sipping it with a long internal sigh.&nbsp; <br><br>She leaned forward, her eyes wide, “I heard some strange rumors on the road and people kept telling me it wasn’t safe for a woman alone anymore.”&nbsp; She looked right and then left and leaned even closer.&nbsp; “I heard there were Drow in the area.”&nbsp; She nodded and sat up, sipping her beer<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Darkness Breeds Madness</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Jguy</strong> on <strong>03-08-2010, 00:02:51</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Her companions seemed oblivious to her blatant lie, proud at the compliment of their home town. “Not just the smiths’ lass!” says the short one, downing a big gulp of ale. “Some of the best craftsman in the land are here too. I myself am a potter of great renown and my friend Benjamin here can work glass with the best of them.” They both laughed jovially until she asked about the drow. There demeanor became much more sober. <br><br>“Aye lass, you came at a bad time in this towns’ history,” Joe said, a deep sigh escaping his lips as he looked out the window, into the waning light. “Those black devils stole in at night, grabbing whoever they could before disappearing. We lost five smiths and three craftsmen though I don’t know if they deliberately targeted them or just grabbed who they could. I wish I knew why they target Sirlev.” He downed a big gulp of his drink as if trying to make sense of it all. <br><br>Benjamin nodded in agreement. “That drow woman who got left behind crowed like a rooster after we got done with her,” he said with a dark chuckle. “She had no idea why Sirlev was targeted, just told to grab whoever but she was bottom ranked even someone tried to take her out.” He said, not knowing drow culture very much. “The city council pooled some money and went in search of some sorta guy nicknamed “The Shadow” or whatever. I just hope he can live up to his reputation,” he says. <br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Darkness Breeds Madness</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>cat storm</strong> on <strong>05-08-2010, 22:55:11</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Cat sat back with her ale, sipping slowly.&nbsp; "I've not heard of this 'Shadow.' What is he, some sort of hunter?" she asked, trying to act as if she was really only casually interested.&nbsp; <br><br>The inn was beginning to fill with customers now and she was hoping to keep them talking to see if anyone else joined in with talk of the Drow.&nbsp; 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Darkness Breeds Madness</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Jguy</strong> on <strong>06-08-2010, 22:04:03</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Benjamin nods, “Aye, he be a fierce hunter indeed. He said to walk through the very walls of castles like a ghost, merging with the very stone.”<br>Joe shakes his head, “No no, he doesn’t merge with the stone, he is a shadow, hiding in the dark of peoples very footsteps. He’s said to reach out and strangle you from a shadow of a lamp!” <br><br>“How is that even possible? A lamp would cast too much light!”<br><br>“But the person in front of the lamp would cast a shadow you idiot! And then he reaches out and strikes!” This went on for several minutes as the two friends bickered back and forth on the legend of the shadow. At one point Joe said that he could hit a fly with a dagger in a wind storm with his eyes closed while Ben proposed that trying to strike him was like hitting air, it’d just go straight through him. <br><br>As they talked a high pitched, yet throat laughter came closer. “Oh my dear, don’t be listening to these two. They are drunk off their asses.” Catherine whirled around to see who was talking to her be saw no one…until she looked down. It was Henry with a big grin on his face. “It’s good to see you so soon again,” he said. “While you were away, someone came looking for you…something about a commission you were asking about. He is waiting for you in your room.” He patted the two men on the lower back, wishing them well and left them too their devices. <br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Darkness Breeds Madness</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>cat storm</strong> on <strong>06-08-2010, 22:40:26</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Cat laughed along with the two men, their stories sounding wonderful, wondering what they would think to know they were drinking with the Shadow now.&nbsp; Likely they would be surprised to no end to find out their legend was the slight woman finishing off her ale.&nbsp; Rising and leaving a coin on the table, she leaned over the two men, “It’s been nice, but I have business to attend to.”&nbsp; She called to the waitress, “Another couple of ales for my two friends here,” and hurried off before they could stop her.<br><br>Climbing the stairs quickly, she steeled herself.&nbsp; This is what she had come for, what she had been waiting for, yet, it also meant that things were about to start happening and she needed to be alert.&nbsp; She swung open the door to find a man sitting in the chair beside the window.<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Darkness Breeds Madness</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Jguy</strong> on <strong>06-08-2010, 23:08:19</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The man sat staring out her window, as if lost in a thought. He slowly turns toward her as she enters, a smile on his face. “Hello Catherine,” he says, voice of a man who’s seen too many years. He chuckles at her slight shock that he knew her name. “Don’t be too surprised, I am the man who sent my younger brother to find you and hire you after all. He arrived not shortly after you did on horseback, talking of someone who met your description."&nbsp; <br><br>The elder stood, pushing up on creaking legs and smoothing out his pants and jerkin. He reaches up to rub his graying beard, as if a habit of many years. “I convinced my fellow councilman that we are in need of someone like you with specialized talents” he said in a steady tone. He walks up to her with his hand out. “I am Leom."<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Darkness Breeds Madness</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>cat storm</strong> on <strong>06-08-2010, 23:30:48</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				This is why Cat usually kept two rooms, she hated thinking someone could be going through her things.&nbsp; She held out her hand, taking his and shaking it firmly, not one of those limp ladies’ handshakes that she detested on the rare occasions when she had to deal with that type of woman; the useless and decorative. <br>&nbsp;“And how is Michael?&nbsp; Last time I saw him, he was asleep on the tavern table.&nbsp; It’s nice to hear he got home in one piece.”&nbsp; Taking a seat on the other chair, she crossed her legs and sat back.&nbsp; “I hope I can help.&nbsp; I’ve heard a few rumors of what’s been happening here.&nbsp; I need a bit more information, though.&nbsp; I’d like to hear it from you….and your offer of course.”<br><br>She sat back and waited to hear what they would offer her.&nbsp; She hoped it didn't include some city guardsmen.&nbsp; They were usually worthless.<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Darkness Breeds Madness</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Jguy</strong> on <strong>10-08-2010, 22:08:01</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Leom nods and goes back to his seat. “He is fine. He wasn’t expecting that the drink he was given contained a poison that would cause him to pass out but he is none the worse for wear.” He leaned back in his chair and regarded her with gray eyes. They raked her up and down, examining her. He seemed to like what he saw as he continued. <br><br>“The drow we captured told us a good deal. I take it you are already were told that they are massing for some sort of attack. Normally the thought of drow killing drow brings a smile to my face but they are using our town to help fuel it. If it escalates, they all will need to capture more and more slaves. Our town will eventually be wiped off the map. We are craftsman, not warriors. Ironically enough, we can only supply others to fight, not ourselves. That is where you come in.” <br><br>He stoop back up and started to pace around the room, looking like he needed to walk as he talked. “From what we gathered from the drow, her matriarch is who ordered this build up, intent on taking advantage of a weakness in several other houses. She is powerful but not untouchable, especially to someone with your talents.” He pauses a moment, chewing on his bottom lip. “Your biggest issue will be getting to her, specifically past her bodyguard. The prisoner did not know much about him except that he is a demon sent by Lloth herself to guard her most important daughters.” <br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Darkness Breeds Madness</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>cat storm</strong> on <strong>19-10-2010, 02:31:39</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				“The thought of drow killing drow ALWAYS brings a smile to my face.&nbsp; Almost as much as killing them myself does. “&nbsp; Cat grinned as she watched him pace the room.&nbsp; “The issue of how I’ll get to her is not one I need to go into detail with you about.&nbsp; Suffice to say that I will, and that I’ll kill her,” Cat said confidently.&nbsp; “I hadn’t heard about the demon, though.&nbsp; That’ll cost you extra.”&nbsp; Cat was worried about a demon, but not because she hadn’t faced one before and defeated it.&nbsp; She just wasn’t sure she had brought what she needed. <br>&nbsp;<br>“Speaking of costing extra: What’s the offer on the table?&nbsp; I’d like to say I’d do it for free, since it’s drow, but I’m for hire here.”&nbsp; Cat grinned again, thinking that with a demon in the mix, it might be quite a while before she had to work again after this job.<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Darkness Breeds Madness</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Jguy</strong> on <strong>27-11-2010, 21:02:04</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Leom ran a hand through his graying hair and nodded. “Yes yes, of course. I would not have thought otherwise,” he said. “The town council has allowed me to make an offer that is in matching with your reputation. They have allotted the sum of 10,000 gold for you for your quest. This should be enough to cover any supplies and needs that you should have.” He takes out a piece of vellum paper that has various signatures at the bottom. “This is a writ of credit to withdraw your sums from our banks. It is for half of the amount. The other half will be given upon completion of your journey and your return.”<br><br>As Catherine looks over writ of credit, Leom speaks up again. “We have hired you a guide that can help with your journey to the Underdark. She is….uh…a native of there. You two shall meet up soon before you head out.”<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Darkness Breeds Madness</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Opheliac</strong> on <strong>29-11-2010, 08:19:56</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The human man was rather odd as she plied her talents upon him. Talking quite a bit as she needled in the vibrant red ink between the crimson lines of a sun at dusk over a mountainside along the crest of his back. The artist in her was very pleased at how this tattooing was progressing. The man she was inking was a very good canvas... Nice skin, didn't flinch when the needle bit... He was still talking though. The word "money" caught the gloaming's ear and suddenly she was very, very attentive.<br><br>"I'm sorry, I was concentrating on your artwork. Could you please repeat what you just said?" the artist asked. "Shira, don't space off on me. I was trying to hire you for a job. And not an ink slinging either." "You have my full attention now..." Shira spoke defensively.<br><br>"The next town over, a day's walk. Sirlev. An adventurer will need a learned guide through the underdark. You'll receive an equal amount of pay as the adventurer, in the same terms. Half now, half when you return."<br>She thought about this for a moment. Shira'nuar was quite capable of guiding an adventurer through the deep, dark recesses of Faerun, for she had lived in the Underdark for at least a humans lifetime. Her intuition hinted that there was more to the story, however. "What is the catch, Erven? I have the feeling that this is not going to be just a walk in the dark." Shira asked warily, expecting an answer she would not enjoy.<br><br>"Drow." "Then no." "Specifically, the adventurer is supposed to kill some drow queen who's minions are capturing Sirlev's artisans." <br><br>Thin, slightly lavender hands kept plinking away at the needle, the ink sinking into the skin with each prick. Silently, the tiny woman finished the coloring of the tattoo, and painted a soothing balm over the image to help keep the tattoo from scarring or leeching the ink out. She knew how well it worked, for the balm was used almost on a daily basis on her own skin, for she was also a canvas with which she plied her craft. Images covered her small frame from forehead to toes, some writhing with magical power, others the same color as her flesh, yet glowed with different shades as her skin shone from within. Nothing was hidden behind clothing either, for the woman proudly showed her artwork, protecting the modesty of others with a simple tribal style chest wrapping of diaphanous silk, nearly transparent, and a small skirt made of the same material covering a more opaque undergarment conceiling her womanhood. Using mirrors, she helped Erven view the image on his back, and he smiled and nodded his approval. <br><br>Erven is the one who breaks the silence first, speaking as he slips a jingling coinpurse into Shira's satchel of inks and needles while she cleans and packs away what she had been using. "I hope that you are not wandering in your mind's labyrinth again, Shira, and are reconsidering your hasty denial of this offer." "Do you think this adventurer will be successful?" "Honestly? If you could get The Shadow to that witch... I think they might be successful. Yeah." Shira continues her musings, for she had heard of a Shadow before, usually in the same breath as 'killed drow'. <br><br>Slipping her satchel over her shoulder, and whipping the bearskin over her pale shoulders, Shira approaches the door to Erven's door, and pauses with her hand on the latch. "Okay. I'll go. You have the first half of the pay?" His knowing smile causes her to sigh. "Of course not. I'll have to go to Sirlev to get it." She opens the door and hides her eyes from the glare of the setting sun, pulling the muzzle of the bearskin cloak's hood over her sensitive eyes. A soft whistle summons her companion from the thatch roof's overhang, the gentle curving shape of a nine foot wingspan, a jet black creature appearing to be a manta ray. She strokes the leathery underbelly of the sinister, the empathic link bleeding into her mind of affectionate devotion. <br><br>"Come Whisper. We have a task to perform in the next town." Whistling a merry traveling tune, she untucks her jet black feathery wings from under the cloak, and sets off towards Sirlev.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Darkness Breeds Madness</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>cat storm</strong> on <strong>30-11-2010, 03:45:00</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The rogue thought about the offer and tried not to grin, sitting there with a perfectly blank face.&nbsp; Ten thousand in gold would go a long way. However, she wasn’t too keen on the expenses coming out it.&nbsp; Who could know in advance what those may be.&nbsp; Besides, this town was full of the best smiths and armors in the realm.&nbsp; &nbsp;It’s wasn’t as if they couldn’t outfit her and this guide for free.&nbsp; And how did she know the guide was even going to be worth a damn when the fighting got tight.&nbsp; She could end up having to try to take on a demon, drow and all the while be having to watch out for someone else.<br>Catherine cleared her throat and leaned forward, “I’ll admit you’ve offered a fair amount in gold, but the expenses should be on the town.&nbsp; It would be different if you had to purchase them elsewhere, but you have all the resources right here.&nbsp; Throw in weapons, room and board while I am here and you have a deal.”&nbsp; She paused a moment, then added, “For the guide, too,” before leaning back in her chair with a smile playing across her lips.&nbsp; <br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Darkness Breeds Madness</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Jguy</strong> on <strong>01-12-2010, 23:50:58</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Leom swallows a little and nods. She had him over a barrel and she knew it. “Room and board are inconsequential, so that can easily be covered. Same with the guide since I doubt you two will not be here for very long.”<br><br>He walks over to the window and looks out into the night sky as the sun has set. “Weapons will be an issue. I cannot command any smith or shop keeper to give you weapons and with our current state of affairs, I don’t know how much the city coffers can spare to equip you and your guide outside of the twenty grand. Any other time it’d be easy but we’ve taken a big hit with the loss of our citizens. I believe that you could convince a few of our smiths to do it out of pragmatism or vengeance. Talk to Jacobs down the street. He does a lot of commission work and one of the captives taken was his younger brother.”<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Darkness Breeds Madness</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Opheliac</strong> on <strong>06-12-2010, 03:09:30</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The doors to the Cheerful Dagger open, bringing in a curious couple. A wavey&nbsp; flitter of darkness and a small woman glowing with a soft green purple light, breathing heavily with her exertions. The tavern becomes awefully quiet, Whisper taking up a position nustled against the ceiling as Shira hopped up onto a bar stool. "Salad and Wheat Ale, please barkeep. A plate of wild mushrooms for my companion, if you have any." The chubby bartender stares at the small winged woman who even while sitting at his bar can barely peek her head over the top of the bar. "How many seasons have you lived, child." "93." "Uh. Grub and pint, comming up." The man goes and hollers back into the kitchen for some rabbit food, and sets a glass of local ale in front of the gloaming. A few minutes later, a pile of shredded lettuce leaves and a diced tomato on a plate are placed in front of her, and she nibbles on the ruffage. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Darkness Breeds Madness</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>cat storm</strong> on <strong>07-12-2010, 23:57:54</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Catherine stood up smiling and extending her hand to grasp his.&nbsp; Shaking it, she said, "Thank you, I think we have a deal.&nbsp; I'll talk to Jacobs and a few others if I find something we need."&nbsp; She knew of several things that would come in handy and the town was well equipped. Now, if she could just meet up with this guide and evaluate whether it would be someone useful or someone she had to babysit, things could get moving.&nbsp; <br>&nbsp;<br>Turning him slightly and slowly guiding him to the door as she spoke, she added, "When will I meet this guide of yours?&nbsp; How will I know him?&nbsp; Or is it a her?"&nbsp; <br><br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Darkness Breeds Madness</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Jguy</strong> on <strong>15-12-2010, 03:11:06</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The elderly man shakes the Shadow’s hand and nods. “It is definitely female. It will not be hard to spot her in the least. She is a Gloaming if I am correct in the naming. Just look for the woman with wings. Oh, and she’ll be covered in tattoos.” With that, Leom took his leave, exiting the inn very mentally exhausted. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Darkness Breeds Madness</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>cat storm</strong> on <strong>15-12-2010, 04:34:30</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Catherine was glad the negotiations were over and he was gone.&nbsp; She had a lot of preparing to do before she went after the Drow queen.&nbsp; "A Gloaming," she thought to herself.&nbsp; It might not be as bad as she feared.&nbsp; They hated the drow&nbsp; almost as much as she did and would certainly come in handy as a guide to the Underdark.&nbsp; Things weren't as bad as she thought when he first mentioned a guide.&nbsp; She was hungry though and knew from long years of experience that it was best to eat well when the food was available.&nbsp; It'd be nothing but trail rations again soon. <br><br>She checked her daggers, more from habit than anything else and slipped out the door on her way downstairs to the pub. Just as she rounded the bottom stair, she noticed the beautiful creature at the bar and grinned. Things were beginning to happen fast now.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Darkness Breeds Madness</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Opheliac</strong> on <strong>15-12-2010, 05:47:11</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The salad was bland, without any sort of dressing or seasoning, and not the freshest leaves of cabbage or tomatoes either. A quick casting of Prestidigitation does the trick, snuck in while the barkeep wasn't looking at her. Nibbling her greens quietly, she started thinking of her off again-on again lover... Aegina. Thinking of the soft touch of her sun kissed skin, the silkiness of her curly brown locks, the small meadow she called home where they had their arguments and the passionate sessions of bliss as they made up again. It was times like this where Shira hated the wanderlust that afflicts her species, and missed sleeping in the shade of a tree, curled up in the warm embrace of her nymph. Taking out one of her thin sheets of tattoo design paper, and her sketching lead, she began to write out a letter to Aegina.<br><br><table class="bbc_table"><tbody><tr><td>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; </td><td>Sweet love,<br>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; I miss you terribly. I would come to visit you for you are only a full day's flight away, but I have been hired to guide a mercenary into the caverns of the Underdark to hunt drow. As soon as I return from below, I will visit you, my love. Dream of me fondly. For I dream of you in your most exquisite... Twined around my body as we sleep peacefully beneath the branches of the great oak.<br>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; I love you.<br>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Shira'nuar </td><td>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; </td></tr></tbody></table><br>Just as she finishes signing the letter, her eyes catch a woman who has just come down from upstairs, turning towards the tavern main. Smiling softly, she kisses the letter and folds it tightly. "Barkeep? Can I bother you for a small piece of raw meat?" The barkeep stared her down as if she was an Illithid or something, and went into the kitchen. When he returned, he practically threw the tiny bit of cubed beef at her, and sent her a glare that read as 'Don't ask for anything else, outsider.' Still smiling, she paid for the meal and went right outside the tavern door, where she held her arm up and blew a soft whistle, almost a coo. The soft ruffle of feathers and return cooing sound&nbsp; was all that Shira got to warn her before the small barn owl landed on her arm and started nosing for the small cube of meat. Offering the snack to the owl, she stroked its back softly, then tied the tightly folded letter to its leg. Whispering softly into its ear, she lifted her arm and the bird flew off... to a small glade a full day's flight away. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Darkness Breeds Madness</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>cat storm</strong> on <strong>19-12-2010, 16:53:27</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Catherine walked slowly down the stairs as if preoccupied, though actually keeping a keen eye on the inn’s inhabitants.&nbsp; She immediately noticed the small woman at the bar, her black, feathery wings gleaming in the firelight and the soft green glow emanating from the gloaming’s own skin.&nbsp; Just as Catherine decided to take a seat at the bar, the small woman took a piece of meat from the bartender and exited through the front door.&nbsp; Noting how rude the man behind the bar had been, Catherine looked at him appraisingly for a moment, then announced loud enough for the owner to hear from his table in the corner, “Since I prefer civility with my service, I suppose I’ll have to go elsewhere to spend my coin.&nbsp; I’d think that attitude could get a bit expensive for a business in the <em>hospitality </em>field.” <br>" Let him think about the loss of room and board for two in a time of troubles," she thought to herself smugly, knowing Leom had already made the arrangements. Looking over at the owner and giving him a pointed glare, she exited the front door and quickly spied the small woman as she released an owl from her lavender arm, wondering who she was sending messages to.&nbsp; Catherine knew she had no need to fear it be in collaboration with the enemy since Gloamings hated drow as much or more than she did, but any message could be intercepted and she’d hate to have the mission compromised.&nbsp; Sighly softly, she walked over and looked down at the woman.&nbsp; Beginnings were such delicate things.&nbsp; <br>“I haven’t eaten yet and I have a firm policy of doing so whenever I can.&nbsp; There’s another inn up the street and I’d be honored if you’d join me at a back table, ...<strong><em>in the shadows</em></strong>, so to speak.&nbsp; My name is Catherine.”&nbsp; She nodded and walked on, letting the other woman make up her own mind whether to follow or not.&nbsp; <br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Darkness Breeds Madness</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Opheliac</strong> on <strong>19-12-2010, 22:22:14</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The woman behind her, Catherine, had been deathly silent. Shira didn't even know she was there until she had offered her invitation to dinner elsewhere. The gloaming's feathers ruffled in her surprise, and not a second later Whisper glides through the door, reacting from the empathic link they shared. "Does this inn serve a decent salad, Catherine? The one here was rather... bland." The short woman follows behind, watching the human lead her. 'She moves with grace, and practice. Probably who I'm supposed to lead into the Realms Below... Although, the emphasis on "<em><strong>in the shadows</strong></em>" helped give that away,' Shira thought to herself. Standing as tall as she was though, she couldn't help but watch the soft rocking motions of Catherine's hips, for her eye level is right about where Catherine's thighs meet. 'Cute butt too.' She smiled as she thought this, which earned a playful smack from Whisper's tail as the deep bat floated above her.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Darkness Breeds Madness</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Jguy</strong> on <strong>22-12-2010, 22:00:35</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				As Catherine stormed out of the inn, Henry made a big show of shooing her off, saying that ungrateful guests were not welcome here. When no one was looking, he gave her a little wink and a quick grin before going back to work. Now anyone who remembered her would think of an uptight foreigner and not someone hired by the city to protect them from the drow. An ideal cover. He patted the back of the barkeep. “I know it was hard to act in such a manner my friend, but if the Gloaming had stayed any longer there might have been a lynching. The crowd was practically staring death into her back” The man nodded with a sullen look on his face. “I know, but I hate treating anyone that bad.” Henry gave him one more consolatory pat on the back and thought that the barkeep deserved a small bonus in his pay this week. <br><br>Catherine and Shira along with her pet made their way through the town, small torched along the path lighting their way. They looked for an inn that was not too big or filled with people as to remain as inconspicuous as possible, hard as it may be for Shira and her bat. The finally come to a out of the way tavern, nestled in the back of town surrounded by houses and business that did not seem to be doing as well, relative to the success of the town anyway. An old sign swung from above the door, with a dead stump painted on it, its paint chipping. <br><br>The door of the tavern opened with a creak and inside was barely more lit then the night itself, figures huddled over small candles of their tables throughout the inn. “Whada want?” said a man at the door. He was whip thin with a large scowl on his face. His hair was ragged except for the large bald spot in the middle and it looked like he hadn’t shaved in months. <br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Darkness Breeds Madness</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>cat storm</strong> on <strong>24-12-2010, 01:32:31</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Catherine looked at the man long and hard.&nbsp; It couldn't be helped though, they needed privacy to talk and the Gloaming with her pet was just to conspicuous in town.&nbsp; "We'll take a table in the back....far in the back.&nbsp; And bring us some ale and whatever passes for your best food," she said, her voice carrying all of her natural authority.&nbsp; It wasn't wise to look weak in a place like this.&nbsp; <br><br>She turned to the Gloaming.&nbsp; "I can't guarantee the food will be any better.&nbsp; Hell, it's likely to be worse, but at least we have some privacy to speak." she said in a low voice as he showed them to a table in a corner so dark she could barely see the woman across the table from her.&nbsp; At least her guide had enough sense not to glow in public.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Darkness Breeds Madness</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Opheliac</strong> on <strong>24-12-2010, 18:30:10</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				With her natural glow dampened, her ashy grey skin blurred into a the darkness a little, the pattern of her shape broken up with the tattoos, making her hard to see even in this hazy light. She was trying to prove a point, childishly, she knew... But she wanted to let the Shadow, Catherine, know that shes not the only person who can do a disappearing act. Whisper floating above her was all but invisible, and silent as death itself, despite the fact that it covered over 3 booths in this dingy little bar, nobody seemed to notice it... or cared. Either way.<br><br>"You speak as if this is the assassination of a human lord or a dwarven thane... Not just a mercy killing of some Goddess damned ilythiiri. Id also expect that you would be herald as a savior of sorts, as opposed to some guild enforcer undercover." Shira spoke low and quiet, just in case there were some clever ways of overhearing things nearby.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Darkness Breeds Madness</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Jguy</strong> on <strong>24-12-2010, 21:04:01</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				After the two had taken a seat and spoke at some length, the scraggly man return with two big cups of ale and two bowls of what looked to be stew. “’Ere, two ales and <em>what passes for our best food</em>,” he said in a mocking tone. He turned to the gloaming and gave her a stare. “Now I don’t care if yer 12 or 112, if you pass out from this yer getting thrown outside on your ass.” <br><br>He started to walk away before turning back to her. “And if this damn bat here shits on anything in my building, not only are you cleaning it up, your tab just got doubled!” He walks away and around to other customers, talking to them in a low tone and slapping a few upside the head who were getting a little too rowdy. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Darkness Breeds Madness</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Opheliac</strong> on <strong>25-12-2010, 05:45:58</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The gloaming grins playfully, and nods at the barkeep. "You bartenders are always more than you seem, arn't you?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Darkness Breeds Madness</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>cat storm</strong> on <strong>25-12-2010, 16:52:12</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Catherine almost choked on the ale trying not to laugh at the barkeep.&nbsp; The delicate little creature in front of her was right, he was more than he seemed to be.&nbsp; She looked around the tavern's room, noticing that it was almost impossible to get a good look at any one of the current customers, wondering if it was by design, accident or magic.&nbsp; Taking a spoonful of stew into her mouth, she was quite pleasantly surprised.&nbsp; It wasn't fancy, but it was excellent.&nbsp; <br><br>"I haven't saved anyone here yet, and announcing our presence just makes it easier for some low level henchman to make a name for themselves with a well placed dagger in the back.&nbsp; I prefer to rely a bit more on the element of surprise." Catherine replied to the Gloaming.&nbsp; "Besides, what they don't know can very well hurt them."<br><br>Leaning forward to make sure that the small woman was the only one to hear, Catherine told her quickly of the deal she had made for them.&nbsp; She hadn't planned on a guide that was so conspicuous, and said so.&nbsp; "Look, I'm still human and can be killed.&nbsp; That's why I prefer to work in secrecy, but you do stand out a bit, so I think it's time to get out weapons and go after this drow queen who thinks to rule above land as well as under."&nbsp; Her grin was not one of delight, but rather one that showed her anticipation.&nbsp; "I don't know about you, but I'm ready to kill more than a few of them."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Darkness Breeds Madness</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Opheliac</strong> on <strong>27-12-2010, 00:03:26</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Honestly, Catherine. I dislike killing anything. It is not in my nature. This will not impede your mission however. I'll still guide you into the Realms Below to your target, and defend both myself and you rather ably. If there was any creature I'd rather bring grievous bodily harm to, it's Ilythiiri." She nibbles on the bread that came with the stew, a thick cornmeal based biscuit that was sweet and delicious. "I do believe you are correct on my not being welcome much in this town. It's a shame, for I am as much an artisan as the people this town is known for." She smiles and winks, displaying an ink etched hand. "We should leave soon after finishing our meal here, unless you would like to finish the night out in a bed. We should also see about obtaining a riding lizard saddle and harness... You'll need it."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Darkness Breeds Madness</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>cat storm</strong> on <strong>30-12-2010, 01:04:06</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Catherine admired the ink on the small woman.&nbsp; It was some of the finest work she had ever seen.&nbsp; While she loved&nbsp; personal adornments such as these and had often longed for one, she kept to her guns on "no identifying marks."&nbsp; Besides, one could never trust the artist not to embed a cantrip along with the ink.&nbsp; She realized she was being cautious, but still, she had yet to meet someone trustworthy enough to allow them to place <em>their</em> work on <em>her</em> body.<br><br>"Well," she assured her guide, "If it goes well, you'll not have to do any killing.&nbsp; I'll take care of that, but it is nice to know you can handle yourself and that I'll have someone at my back if,...and probably when, I need it."&nbsp; She smiled, liking this woman very much.&nbsp; "As pleasant as another night in bed would be, I think we have work to do.&nbsp; As you say, we need a saddle and I need to visit a blacksmith named Jacobs.&nbsp; I think that's the first place we need to start. Let's get started with supplies and then we'll move to the information that we need to find our way. "<br><br>She took a second of the biscuits and crumbled it into the stew to soak up the rest of the savory liquid.&nbsp; It took a lot of food to fuel a fighter and they'd be on short rations in the underdark.&nbsp; She had no plans to eat anything that may have been fouled by the dark elves, who often took great delight in contaminating the food of their human slaves. Wiping her plate clean and washing it down with the thick, dark ale that complimented the sweet biscuits, she looked at her companion again and suddenly laughed and leaned forward.<br><br>"Shira, my dear," she said in a low voice with a hint of anticipation and excitement to it, "Let's go get ready to kill a queen." 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Darkness Breeds Madness</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Opheliac</strong> on <strong>09-01-2011, 22:58:08</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				She chews the last of her cornbread, and ponders a bit. "Which Val'sharess are you supposed to be assassinating? And do you know what part of the Underdark she's in? I can guide you, but it may be a long jouney if she's next to the Imaskari lands. Im rather short on what's supposed to be going on exactly. All I was told was that I'm supposed to be your guide in the deep, that you will be killing a Val'sharess, and that I'm getting paid the same that you are." She takes a small chunk of the stewed beef, and holds it up for Whisper to nibble on.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Darkness Breeds Madness</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>cat storm</strong> on <strong>09-01-2011, 23:15:12</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Catherine laughed at the little woman with such big attitude.&nbsp; No wonder they had called for her.&nbsp; It was going to be delightful working alongside her as well as killing more drow.&nbsp; <br><br>"Truth be told, Leon didn't mention the Matron's name.&nbsp; As soon as we get packed up, we'll stop by and get all the information they got from that tortured slave and then head out.&nbsp; Really, one drow bitch is much like another.&nbsp; Though, this one seems to have a demon helping her.<br><br>Catherine picked up her pack and tossed a few coins on the table leaving a nice size tip.&nbsp; The place didn't look like much, but the food was good and filling and they'd had the privacy they desired.&nbsp; <br><br>"It's dark enough you might as well come with me," she told the gloaming, giving her the respect of assuming she'd handle the bat without being told to keep it unseen. This woman might be small but obviously could handle herself well.&nbsp; Catherine found herself becoming excited about having a companion on this mission.&nbsp; It had been long years alone and longer still since she'd found someone intelligent.&nbsp; <br><br>They made their way through town sticking to the side streets and alleys until they came to a small blacksmith shop. The forge was shut down but there was a light still inside. Stopping to make sure they weren't being observed, Catherine was finally satisfied and knocked on the door.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Darkness Breeds Madness</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Jguy</strong> on <strong>18-01-2011, 01:48:27</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Loud footsteps could be heard from behind the door as Catherine knocked again. “Yeah yeah, I’ma coming. Coming here at all manner of hours,” came a voice from behind the door, slightly muffled. The door opened a crack to show Jacobs, clad in white nightwear and a small sleeping cap a top his head. He peers through the crack to look down at the small woman and even the smaller gloaming. <br><br>“What do you want?” he says in a tone that didn’t show much trust in the two of them. <br><br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Darkness Breeds Madness</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>cat storm</strong> on <strong>18-01-2011, 01:58:55</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Catherine looked at the man in his nightcap and sleeping gown, trying to keep a straight face.&nbsp; She'd hardly get what she wanted by laughing, yet it was hard not to do so.&nbsp; Men's knees looked so silly.&nbsp; <br><br>"I'm sorry to disturb you so late at night.&nbsp; We have need of secrecy and the cover of darkness.&nbsp; Leom sent us," she added, hoping that would gain them entrance.&nbsp; <br><br>It seemed to work, as he swung the door open wide enough for them to enter.&nbsp; She looked around, interested in how he kept his shop.&nbsp; It was neat as a pin and gleamed almost as brightly from the polished counters as from the weapons on display.&nbsp; <br><br>"I'm...Well, I suppose Catherine will do.&nbsp; We're in need of weapons and information"&nbsp; She picked up a beautiful dagger with an engraved ivory handle.&nbsp; The workmanship was exquisite, though the ivory would shine in the darkness if any light found it.&nbsp; It was more suitable for a townsman.&nbsp; She placed it back on the counter and picked up another with a black handle of some material she couldn't place, testing it for balance.<br><br>"I understand your brother was a victim of the drow kidnappings," she said, turning to face him again.&nbsp; "My friend here and I intend to stop them.&nbsp; What can you tell us about it?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Darkness Breeds Madness</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Jguy</strong> on <strong>18-01-2011, 02:10:59</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				“I can tell you that they scream like the bitches they are when their kneecaps are broken,” he said with a dark growl, letting the massive hammer he was holding one handed beside the door down to rest against his side. “I don’t like it when people visit me at night, but since Leom sent you I guess I can give you a pass.”<br><br>He turned to look at the Gloaming, a sharp look in his eye. “You try anything I don’t like, this here hammer is replacing your head.” He said. <br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Darkness Breeds Madness</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Opheliac</strong> on <strong>18-01-2011, 02:40:03</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Shira flashes her most charming and disarming smile, hoping that the aura of goodness she has helps prove her innocence. "I would do nothing of the sort. I'm shopping too, for I'm to guide Catherine on her hunt." Lacing her tattooed fingers on top of her head so Jacob could easily see them at a glance, Shira slowly wandered through the shop, gazing at the sharp and pointy things he sells. Several items catch her eyes, including a few thin needles originally intended for fine embroidery, but would easily make for fine inking needles for her art. "How much for the needles here? These very thin ones? Oooo.... and that curved dagger there. The small one."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Darkness Breeds Madness</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Jguy</strong> on <strong>18-01-2011, 03:05:20</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The blacksmith lets out a deep huff and loosens his grip on his hammer. A customer is still a customer after all. “Each needle is made of high quality steel with silver plating for decoration. 5 gold per needle,” he says.&nbsp; He looks back to Catherine. “What weapons do you need and what kind of information do you need?” 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Darkness Breeds Madness</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>cat storm</strong> on <strong>20-01-2011, 00:38:04</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Catherine could almost understand his gruffness.&nbsp; He had lost a brother to the drow and there were two odd women in his shop in the middle of the night.&nbsp; However, they needed to get on with things and she wasn't one to waste time coddling someone unless there was profit in it, so she got right to the point.<br><br>"I'm always in the market for good daggers and where we are going I need some small throwing knives that can't be seen in the dark.&nbsp; We also need to know anything you know about this drow queen...her name, where to find the entrance to her caves?&nbsp; Things like that."&nbsp; She stopped to let him reply, but before he could she added, "And we are in need of a riding lizard/saddle harness.&nbsp; Know anyone who can help us out with that?"<br><br>Now that she was ready to begin, she had become impatient.&nbsp; It was time to go get this done.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Darkness Breeds Madness</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Jguy</strong> on <strong>01-02-2011, 00:24:05</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Jacob nodded and started getting to work showing off his wares. He walks to a wall covered in various daggers and short blades, pulling down several. “This selection of daggers is light, perfectly balanced, and is darkened to hide any glint. I got the idea from them after a raid on some smugglers by the guard were almost foiled by the shine of the guards steel.” He grabs one of them and hurls it across the room, striking a very pockmarked target near the bull’s eye. “Each of them, for you, is 200 gold.”<br><br>He grabs another one, much more fluid and streamlined then the previous one. “This one is not darkened, I’d hate to see it smudged with dirt but do with it what you will.” He turns it around in his hand, examining it like he would his own child. The pommel was simple but it had small engravings etched in that looked like a gust of wind. “This one is special,” he says simply as he hurls it as well at the target. This one hit dead on the target. He turned his back to the target and held out his hand to the side. The dagger wobbled in the wood for a second before flying back end over end and almost gracefully placing itself back into his hand. <br><br>“Guaranteed to return to you after every throw and even improve your aim. 6000 gold.”&nbsp; He walks to the back of his shop, returning with a map and a stick of charcoal in his hand. “This here,” he says, marking an X on the map, “is where we found the drow,” he says spitting on the floor. “Tracks lead up here towards the mountains,” he says with a long black line leading north. “They stop somewhere around here but we think they erased their tracks.” He circles a general area near the mountains where the tracks stopped. “All the bitch said about the entrance was that it was within the rocks and without the rocks whatever the hell that means.” He flipped over the map and wrote down “Chosen Lover of the Demon Spider”. “That is what apparently your queen’s name is. I don’t speak that flowery language of the elves nor whatever passes for speech they have down in the caves, but that is the closest we could translate it to. I don’t know how that will help you.”<br><br>A look of concern crosses his face. “I do know of a man who could help you with those saddles if he were still with us. The master leather worker of this town was taken in one of the raids. I do believe his apprentice can help you, his name is Hunter. The shop is on the edge of town, cannot stand the smell of it,” he says. “At best is they could modify a horse saddle but I’ve never heard of anyone riding a wee lizard before.” <br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Darkness Breeds Madness</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Opheliac</strong> on <strong>04-02-2011, 04:04:58</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The short woman stands on her tiptoes to peek up at Jacob above the counter. "Not a wee lizard. A riding lizard. As long as two men your size laying down, if you include the tail. The 'dark ones' use them as mounts down below, as they can carry a rider up cave walls and across ceilings." She smiles cheerfully at him, then looks down at the map. "Hmm... I won't be able to tell if there is a workable entrance there or not. Sometimes, the ilythiiri clerics use magics to widen tunnels for passing, but the magic wears off quickly after they are through. If you could please, Mr. Shopkeep, I'd like those needles, about a dozen or so, and either that throwy knife, or that curved dagger there in the case. The nice lady here will tell you all about the deal we've got for equipment while we are doing this mission for the town." With a merry grin, Shira waits for the assumed coming hammerblow.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Darkness Breeds Madness</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>cat storm</strong> on <strong>04-02-2011, 04:51:38</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Catherine suppressed a laugh at the little woman before her.&nbsp; She was so cheeky and confidant.&nbsp; It was so nice to find a woman so in possession of herself.&nbsp; It would make the task before them more pleasant.&nbsp; Though, she meant to have that throwing knife for herself.&nbsp; <br>“Jacob, it’s true. I asked for the price of weapons to be thrown in to the deal since we are risking our lives for the town.&nbsp; Liam said it would be up to the shopkeeper. I assure you, we will do everything we can to bring your brother back to you alive or make the foul elves pay dearly.&nbsp; I fully intend to bring back the head of the queen and will drop it at your feet personally if you wish,” she grinned at him.<br>“Oh, and I’d really like that throwing knife and one of the plain dark ones as well,” she added. <br>“Then, I suppose we better go visit Hunter.&nbsp; I’ve never ridden on a flying beast before and I think I’d like some support.” she smiled down at the gloaming. “The map will make more sense as we get closer, I’m sure.”<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Darkness Breeds Madness</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Jguy</strong> on <strong>06-02-2011, 07:41:04</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The jaw of Jacob clenched and unclenched, as if he was chewing on a bad thought. He was silent for several minutes as he stared at the two smaller woman and his weapons, back and forth again. After a bit longer he took a deep breath and went behind his counter and grabbed a small box. He opened it and inside was a much smaller dagger and a few small rolls of paper. He took them out and placed them almost reverently on the table. He took the enchanted dagger along with an identical one from the shelf and placed them on top of an unrolled paper.<br>&nbsp;<br>“To kill the ones who took my brother I’d open up my shop to the demons of hell themselves but even then I don’t know you or care to know you,” he says. As he speaks he pricks his finger with the tip of the small blade and smears it over the hilts of the daggers. He scrolls several lines of blood on the paper and intones some words underneath his breath. A small surge of power can be felt around the shop, like that of ozone. Jacob quickly rolls up the paper and places it back in the box.&nbsp; He places the dagger in front of the table, presenting them to the two women. <br><br>“These daggers are on the house on the condition that you personally return the head of the queen along with the body of my brother, alive or dead, to me.” He says with a stern demeanor. “Keep them on you at all times. I will know if you lose them,” he says and nothing more. “The rest of the things you want you can pay for, they are chump change compared. 300g even for throwing knife,” he says addressing The Shadow. He turns to the gloaming, his jaw clenching again. “50g for a dozen needles and 300g as well for the boot dagger,” he says motioning to the one she mentioned earlier. <br><br>“If you want to see Hunter you better get going quickly,” he says. “There is a curfew now and guards won’t take kindly to anyone walking around at night after all the attacks.” <br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Darkness Breeds Madness</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Opheliac</strong> on <strong>06-02-2011, 08:27:49</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				With a glance at Catherine, she takes the offered magical dagger, and hands out a small ruby worth about 55 gold to Jacob for the needles. "With this, I wont need the boot dagger. And frankly Jacob, I'm slightly offended. If the guards caught us outside, its because either we wanted them to see us, or we want to die at the hands of the drow who have clearly shown they are more capable than the guards here." She shakes her head at the shopkeeps hateful look. "I'm going to see Hunter. I'll meet you there, Catherine." She turns her back on Jacob, puts the needles in her tattooing box, and leaves.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Darkness Breeds Madness</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>cat storm</strong> on <strong>06-02-2011, 09:17:40</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Catherine chuckles at the gloaming's last words for a few moments even after she had left.&nbsp; Then she turned around to face Jacob with her face set.&nbsp; <br>"If I wanted to evade your town guards, they'd not know what hit them until I had them trussed and lined up on the town square for all to see and even then they'd not know who or what did it.&nbsp; I've hunted and killed drow for a long time, my friend.&nbsp; It's not by coincidence that I'm here.&nbsp; Your town is paying good money for our services because we are quite simply the best."<br>She placed a letter of credit down in front of him, pulling a pen from inside her clothes as well as a small dagger.&nbsp; Twirling them back and forth over the back of her hand and through her fingers, she grinned at him, then before his eye could follow the movement, threw the dagger into the wall and signed the paper.&nbsp; <br>"I'll take the dagger.&nbsp; I hope to bloody it soon.&nbsp; And I'll take your other dagger as well, but I guarantee you, the only thing that will prevent me presenting you with that head is my own death and I'm not ready to die so decide what you're going to do with the ugly bitch when I bring it to you."<br>With that, she took up the two knives and left to find the leather shop.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Darkness Breeds Madness</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>cat storm</strong> on <strong>06-02-2011, 23:44:50</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				She slammed the door behind her.&nbsp; He may be scarred by the things he was imagining as his brother's fate, but there was no need to be nasty about it.&nbsp; Sighing, she looked around for the gloaming.&nbsp; She just wanted to get out of this town and get on with the job.&nbsp; Too much contact with these people was rubbing her the wrong way.<br><br>The little woman and her companion were nowhere in sight.&nbsp; Catherine was surprised to find that she missed the little woman's company.&nbsp; It was so nice to have someone competent and intelligent around, especially when having to deal with the kind of dolts most people were.&nbsp; Maybe with this job she'd be able to spend some downtime in the country, just relaxing with the sounds of the forest around her.&nbsp; <br><br>"Well," she thought, mentally dusting herself off.&nbsp; "The only way to get it done is to have it begun."&nbsp; She headed for the outskirts of town, hoping to catch up with her guide.&nbsp; After walking for awhile, she caught the first whiff of the tanning vats and knew it wouldn't be long before she reached her destination.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Darkness Breeds Madness</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Opheliac</strong> on <strong>07-02-2011, 00:17:36</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Shira watched as Catherine slammed the door to the armourers from the nice vantage of Whisper's back. Floating silently in the darkness, she had decided to make it a point that she could be sneaky just as good, if not better, than 'The Shadow'. Flying about ten feet above the woman, she stayed quiet, and almost had her deep bat tap the huntress on the shoulder as a jest, but that would ruin the whole point she was trying to make. The stench of caustic potions and other leathering chemicals made the druid gag. They reeked worse than her bear cloak! Once the door to Hunter's shop was in view, the gloaming decided to roll of of Whisper's back, and shift into a riding lizard before she hit the ground. The sudden impact of a 500 pound lizard right behind Catherine should surely get her attention. The dark grey reptile was about 16 feet long from snout to tail, and had curious designs etched into its scales, vaguely reminicent of the tribal pattern tattoos that covered Shira's body.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Darkness Breeds Madness</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>cat storm</strong> on <strong>07-02-2011, 00:22:56</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The whole way there Catherine had been so engrossed in her thoughts of retiring to the country and getting away from towns and the stench of&nbsp; ignorance and unwashed people that she had failed to notice the gloaming tailing her in the air.&nbsp; The thump of the lizard landing behind her was impossible not to notice and brought her out of her reverie with dagger in&nbsp; hand, a split second from throwing it when she realized what, and therefore who, it was.<br><br>"Nice," she said curtly, pursing her lips.&nbsp; "Change back before you scare someone."<br><br>With that said, she turned her back and opened the door to the leather shop.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Darkness Breeds Madness</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Opheliac</strong> on <strong>07-02-2011, 00:36:53</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				With a hasping sound almost like a giggle, she raises a clawed pad, and words swirl onto it in glowing violet lines. [Hunter needs to know how to attach saddle. Will need fitting]. Winking at Cat, she quietly pads past the side of the tanning hut, back towards where she assumed the stables to be. Looking around, until she found an empty stall, she climbs in and settles into the hay. <br><br>Whisper tags along beside her companion, tapping her once on the hand, to get her attention. Once again, the glowing purple lines appear, this time on the deep bat's belly. [Found a stall in the stable behind tanner. Should be safe out of sight here]<br><br>(DM Note: These notes are Prestidigitation spells, cast on herself and shared to Whisper. Whisper and I can speak telepathically via familiar bond.)
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Darkness Breeds Madness</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Jguy</strong> on <strong>07-02-2011, 00:58:40</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The sounds of metal falling on the ground and a muffled curse come from the darkness of the tanning shop. Light blossomed from the back of the shop as a figured stepped forward. “Whoever is out there, we’re closed. If you don’t leave now….I’ll….I’ll have to use force,” came a slightly stammering voice. <br><br>Catherine stepped into a darkened corner of the shop as Hunter stepped forward. He was pudgy with thick arms and greasy hair. In his hand he held a lit candle and in the other a hatchet. His face was pale, darkened only by the wisps of hair that looked to be just coming in. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Darkness Breeds Madness</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>cat storm</strong> on <strong>07-02-2011, 01:08:05</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Catherine shook her head, saddened at the look of the boy in front of her.&nbsp; For, he was really just out of adolescence and still a boy. He was also a very frightened boy with a hatchet in his hand who was very likely to panic.&nbsp; Fear did strange things to people.&nbsp; Some it hardened and sharpened into fine steel and others seemed to fall apart.&nbsp; He was the falling apart type, she was certain.&nbsp; Though she was here as a legitimate customer, one of them could get hurt rather badly, mostly likely him and that would mean no saddle.<br><br>"I'm no enemy.&nbsp; I'm a friend," she said softly, ducking sideways to avoid a possible swing from the weapon in his hand and coming into the light, both hands raised before her.&nbsp; <br><br>"And a customer."<br><br>She took another step forward into the light. <br><br>"I apologize for the late hour of my visit, but Jacobs down the street, and by way of him, Liam, sent me to you.&nbsp; I need a saddle."<br><br>She waited, every nerve ending active and ready to disarm him should he make the wrong move.<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Darkness Breeds Madness</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Jguy</strong> on <strong>07-02-2011, 01:20:46</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Hunter jumped a little at the sudden voice and appearance of Catherine. His grip tightened on both the hatchet and the candle but it didn’t stop him from shaking more. “W-who are y-you,” he said with a stutter of fear. His eyes were darting all around the room. “We’re closed….come back in the morning. Any s-saddle you need will be there in the morning,” he says, his Adam’s apple dipping low as he tries to swallow some of his fear. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Darkness Breeds Madness</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>cat storm</strong> on <strong>07-02-2011, 01:26:01</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Keeping her hands up where he could see them and her voice calm, she answered him.<br><br>"I'm Catherine.&nbsp; I think you may have heard of me.&nbsp; The town hired me to kill the drow that have been preying on your town and who hold your master."<br><br>She smiled at him, still keeping her voice low and steady.<br><br>"The saddle may still be here in the morning but I cannot be.&nbsp; I must be off if I am to gain an element of surprise over the foul elves.&nbsp; I'll pay you double the cost of the saddle and your labor if we can do this now."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Darkness Breeds Madness</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Jguy</strong> on <strong>07-02-2011, 04:43:22</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The young man, boy really, swallowed again and shook a little less. “I haven’t heard of a-anyone that was hired to h-help us clear the drow,” he said. “But then ag-gain I don’t hear much out here. The s-smell doesn’t usually al-low for long conversation.” It appeared his stutter wasn’t just from fear. <br><br>He put down the hatchet and began to walk around the room, lighting candles here and there. With the last one he puts the candle into a holder and turns towards Catherine, getting a better look at her. He swallows again. “W-what d-do you need?” he asks, now having a hard time meeting her eyes. <br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Darkness Breeds Madness</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>cat storm</strong> on <strong>08-02-2011, 03:05:57</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				She looked at the boy for a long moment.&nbsp; She could smell his fear oozing out of his pores even over the tanning chemicals.&nbsp; This is why she killed drow.&nbsp; Not just for what they did to their captives, but what they left behind in their wake as well.<br><br>"I need a saddle for a riding lizard.&nbsp; If I'm to go underground, I have to have one.&nbsp; I've never ridden one before, so bareback won't do and I need it now, so you'll have to work the night.&nbsp; I hear you are excellent with leather," she added, hoping a shot of confidence would help the boy.&nbsp; She decided it couldn't hurt at least.&nbsp; <br><br>"My 'mount' is in your stables.&nbsp; Grab whatever you need and let's go look at it, shall we?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Darkness Breeds Madness</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Jguy</strong> on <strong>08-02-2011, 23:30:57</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The boy gave a nod and scurried around the room, getting his supplies. His arms were filled with various tools and measuring devices as he came back around.&nbsp; “I-Ive never h-heard of a riding l-lizard, but if it’s big e-enough to sit on, I should b-be able to make an s-saddle,” he says, a hint of confidence coming back to him. <br><br>Catherine gave him a small smile in return and opened the door for him, leading him out into the stalls. She led him to the stall the shape-changed gloaming was. “S-so where is this riding lizARD!” he says with a shout at the end as he sees all five hundred pounds of Shira. <br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Darkness Breeds Madness</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Opheliac</strong> on <strong>08-02-2011, 23:42:48</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Shira rose her head from the hay at the shout, standing up on her sticky pads with a little stretch. Mimicing what she had seen in the past, she tasted the air, the&nbsp; cautiously came foreward to the gate of the stall and narrowed her yellow reptilian eyes, sniffing at the boy.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Darkness Breeds Madness</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Jguy</strong> on <strong>09-02-2011, 05:32:41</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Hunter’s eyes bugged out as he saw the lizard rear up and get closer. He started to move backwards before tripping on a misplaced tool and falling onto his rear, his gear falling all around him. “G-g-g-g-get it away from me!” he says in a high pitched shriek as he start scrambling backwards, his ghost pale face visible in the dim light. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Darkness Breeds Madness</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Opheliac</strong> on <strong>09-02-2011, 05:43:41</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Seeing the boy's fear, Shira flopped back down onto her belly, head laying on her front limbs. Her eyes tracked Hunter in the darkness easily, but Catherine was harder to see. She didn't show up in the infrared spectrum that this lizard (and the drow, Shira noted) see in. In regular light however, she could barely make out the huntress's shadowy form.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Darkness Breeds Madness</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>cat storm</strong> on <strong>09-02-2011, 18:52:25</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Catherine looked down at the boy at her feet and shook her head.&nbsp; They'd never get anywhere if he didn't grow a backbone.&nbsp; She reached down and hauled him up by his shoulders.&nbsp; <br>"She's gentle and she won't hurt you.&nbsp; Come on, I need a saddle for her now."<br>Her voice had lost some of the gentleness that she had approached him with in the shop and become steelier.&nbsp; She really didn't have time for this nonsense.&nbsp; <br>"She won't hurt you, but I might if you don't get a grip on yourself and get to work.&nbsp; People are dying and more will if I can't do my job."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Darkness Breeds Madness</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Jguy</strong> on <strong>10-02-2011, 02:58:33</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He was shaking in her grasp like a leaf but he was able to pull himself together, relatively speaking anyway. “O-ok,” he says. He gather’s up his tools and gear and nears the large lizard. “G-good lizard,” he stutters out as he nears the transformed Shira. He lays his gear next to her and gives her a small pet as he works through his nervousness. <br><br>“This will take time regardless of how fast I work,” Hunter said in a sudden clear voice as he set down to get to work. “Rushing me will just end with the saddle falling apart at the worst possible time.” With that, he got to work. <br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Darkness Breeds Madness</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Opheliac</strong> on <strong>10-02-2011, 03:19:31</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				She stands up lazily as Hunter gets close, allowing him to do his business with measuring and fastening saddle straps and such like. The golden eye on the other side, away from the boy winks at Catherine rather un-lizardlike. Whisper on the other hand, recieves a telepathic command to float above the house in the darkness, and watch for anything out of the ordinary.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Darkness Breeds Madness</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>cat storm</strong> on <strong>10-02-2011, 03:34:30</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Catherine was glad to see him get a hold on himself.&nbsp; Like all craftsman, as soon as he had his tools in his hand, he became more confident.&nbsp; He was right, though.&nbsp; There was no hurrying the job, or she'd be dumped in a cave somewhere as the saddle fell apart with her on Shira's back.&nbsp; While there had been things to do and people to see, she had been able to deal with the delay.&nbsp; This waiting was interminable though and she paced the stable with a restless energy.&nbsp; Every so often, she'd go over to see how the boy was coming along, but it seemed to make him nervous, so she quit watching and went outside to look around.&nbsp; She knew Whisper was about somewhere scouting the area and keeping lookout for any intruders.&nbsp; She thought about going into town for a drink, but felt she should probably stay with Shira in case the boy got cold feet again.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Darkness Breeds Madness</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Jguy</strong> on <strong>10-02-2011, 06:28:43</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Hours passed as Hunter worked as efficiently as he could. Sleep was starting to get to his eye grew heavy but thanks to an occasional nudge from Shira whenever his head dipped too low he was able to stay awake. <br><br>Soon arms were too heavy with sleep to continue but no matter, he was done. “It’s all finished,” he said in a tired, exhausted voice. “I’ve never done anything like this, or this quickly, but it should suffice for now.” He props himself up against the wall of the stall, a deep yawn overtaking him. “This’ll cost you 50g for the work and the rush job. Leave it on the counter inside,” and with that, he fell asleep. <br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Darkness Breeds Madness</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Opheliac</strong> on <strong>14-02-2011, 06:18:42</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				With Hunter asleep, Shira shifts back into her natural peppy gloaming self, and carries the saddle over her shoulder, leaving 75 gold pieces on the counter inside. Meeting up with Cat out front, she waves herself and Whisper over. <br><br>"I've paid the cute sleeping boy for this saddle. We can head on towards the mountain range. I recommend flying there, as it will be faster than overland travel... Less things in the way. Whisper's big enough that you can climb on his back with no real slow down. I'll shapeshift so the saddle doesn't interfere, and lead the way. Lemme see the map again so I can try to memorize the landmarks?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Darkness Breeds Madness</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>cat storm</strong> on <strong>14-02-2011, 06:37:17</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"I'm more than ready," Catherine says, pulling out the map and handing it to Shira.&nbsp; While the gloaming studied the map she examined the saddle, a little leery of the flying part.&nbsp; <br><br>"I've never flown before," she mused.&nbsp; "This should be interesting."&nbsp; <br><br>"I'd like to get as close as we can tonight. Maybe even get inside, if we can find this mysterious entrance."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Darkness Breeds Madness</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Opheliac</strong> on <strong>14-02-2011, 06:46:43</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Drow are more likely to be active at night. Like myself, they are blinded by bright light, such as daylight. We'll fly near the area, but I wouldn't recommend going inside or even to the site yet, unless you want to get shot down... Well, unless you want me shot down out of the sky. As long as your hanging on to Whisper, the hand crossbow darts won't even be close to you. As for flying, just hang on tight. He'll be accomodating. Especially if you sing to him. He likes that." She studies the map a bit, and points out where she thinks they should land and make camp. "I think here will be best. Its about halfway up the mountain, so we'd be in a good spot to see if there are any drow patrols protecting the entrance, and if the entrance is above us, then we've cut out half the hard part, mountain climbing. What do you think?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Darkness Breeds Madness</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>cat storm</strong> on <strong>21-02-2011, 18:28:56</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"I think you're the guide and I'll follow you until we get within killing distance of drow," Catherine said, eying Whisper with trepidation.&nbsp; She was still a bit unsure of this flying, having always relied on herself.&nbsp; She wasn't even that fond of horseback, since horses could shy in a fight and one could find oneself having to try to dodge weapons and control a panicked animal.<br><br>Shaking her head as she came to a decision to just go with what had to be done she looked at Shira, "No....It's a good plan.&nbsp; Let's get started.&nbsp; No more delays."<br><br>She adjusted her pack and approached Whisper, giving the creature the respect it deserved for allowing her to ride it, "If you'll do me the honor of allowing me to fly you, I'd be most grateful."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Darkness Breeds Madness</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Opheliac</strong> on <strong>08-03-2011, 05:24:41</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Whisper dips low and tilts so Catherine is leaning against him, then tipping over softly with a gentle cradling motion, as if rocking a baby on his back. The wiggling flutter of his wingspan is reminiscent of a manta ray swimming through the air, his sides flowing up and down. He lifts back up about 10 feet, letting the woman get a comfortable grip as Shira shoulders the saddle then shifts again into a dark brown bat with long claws and ears three times the size of her head. The druid mage's gear disappears within her coarse fur, and she leads off towards where she pointed at the map, keeping a casual pace for Whisper since her hunting bat form is much faster than his.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Darkness Breeds Madness</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>cat storm</strong> on <strong>10-03-2011, 03:52:47</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Catherine mounted Whisper with trepidation, but he was so gentle with him she didn't even realize they were in the air at first.&nbsp; Then she made the mistake of looking down.&nbsp; Her stomach turned over as the land rushed beneath them.&nbsp; She closed her eyes until her stomach settled, knowing they weren't very high or going very fast, thinking she was going to ask for a flight bonus next time she saw Liam.&nbsp; <br><br>Gripping Whisper tightly, she peeked through her eyelids to see Shira in her bat form leading the way.&nbsp; She thanked the Goddess that all she had to do was hold on, closing her eyes again and burying her face against her mount.&nbsp; Even the opportunity to kill Drow was hardly worth this.&nbsp; She began to mentally inventory their equipment to keep her mind off the fact that her feet were no longer on the ground where they belonged.&nbsp; <br><br>Her fingers began to cramp from holding so tightly and she wanted to call to Shira and ask how much farther they had to go, but that would have meant sitting up.&nbsp; She certainly hoped flying would be better once they were in the Underdark and there wasn't so much open space around them.&nbsp; <br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Darkness Breeds Madness</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Jguy</strong> on <strong>17-03-2011, 20:15:30</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The trio flew for some time, with Catherine clinging desperately to the back of Whisper, trying to shut the world out. Time passed slowly for the three, the trees below them becoming a slow blur as they flew. Several times Shira had to stop and consult the map to get their bearing much to the chagrin of Catherine. Every stop and take off was a fresh batch of fear to the point where Shira just told Whisper to slowly circle overheard so that Catherine didn’t get any false hopes of ending her nightmare. <br><br>After what seemed like forever to Catherine, Shira called for a stop. It was still the middle of the night and several hours before sunrise, but they had arrived at the spot on the map the Gloaming guide had indicated to be the best spot to set up for camp and scout the entrance to the Underdark. Shira and Whisper landed on the forest floor and Catherine practically threw herself off to get the feel of solid ground beneath her feet again. <br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Darkness Breeds Madness</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>cat storm</strong> on <strong>26-03-2011, 09:48:23</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				As Whisper came to a stop on the ground, Catherine slipped off his back, unsteady on her feet as they hugged the ground.&nbsp; Yet, taking a deep breath, she let it out with a sigh as the ground seemed to become solid and her balance was restored, as well as her stomach.&nbsp; Remembering her companions, she turned to Whisper and thanked the creature who she knew had taken great care to make it as painless as possible for her.&nbsp; For, while Catherine was usually brusque with humans and could flay an enemy with her tongue; she was usually pleasant and well mannered with those creatures who displayed no avarice and killed only for food.<br><br>"Shira, I can't say I enjoyed any of that, but we have covered a lot of distance very quickly.&nbsp; Did you see anything that looked like it might be this entrance from the air?" she asked as she began to search for the best place to position themselves. <br><br>She hadn't been on the ground but a few moments, but her senses had gone back on alert as the prospect of the task ahead them was so close.&nbsp; She hoped there were villagers left alive to rescue after she killed the Drow queen.&nbsp; She'd seen what they did to their captives and not all humans were able to stand up to such treatment for long.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Darkness Breeds Madness</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Opheliac</strong> on <strong>31-05-2011, 18:29:44</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Shifting back into her normal form just before she landed, Shira shakes her head. "I saw and smelled nothing out of the ordinary. So far, it looks like the forest. Still, I would recommend no campfire tonight and keeping watch while the other sleeps, just in case. If we look during the daytime, we will be able to see further, as well as the elves being further inside away from the light." Setting the saddle down off her shoulder, she rolls her shoulder for a bit to ease the muscles from carrying it, and finds a flat spot on the ground. With a dip of her fingers into a pouch at her side, and a flip of the wrist, suddenly, there was a tent on the flat spot of ground, with two bedrolls inside. "Whisper, keep first watch. Wake me if you find anything notable. Catherine can take second watch in about 3 hours. I'll take last watch, so I can prepare my spells as well." The gloaming crawls into the tent and starts pulling out her needles and inks, her skin glowing slightly from within with just a faint luminescence. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Darkness Breeds Madness</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>cat storm</strong> on <strong>09-07-2011, 21:19:23</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Catherine smiled at Shira.&nbsp; She sure knew how to set up camp in a hurry.&nbsp; She knew she should get some sleep, but it felt so good to be on the ground.&nbsp; If she trusted her guide, and so far she had found much to trust in her, a little walk wouldn't hurt.&nbsp; After all, she did know how to be quiet in the forest and she really needed to stretch her legs.<br><br>She looked once more at the tent and thought of the waiting bedroll, but her legs were stiff and if she slept now they'd get worse.&nbsp; Besides, she might find some sign of trails or such, or just some berries in the forest.&nbsp; She slipped between two trees and began to look around.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Darkness Breeds Madness</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Opheliac</strong> on <strong>10-07-2011, 07:59:34</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Shira watched as Catherine stalked off, curious, but willing to let her do her own thing. The needle bit into her skin like a mosquito's bite, leaving a blue prick on her backlit lavender skin. She continued with the self marking, eventually tracing a small design of a flying bird of prey, just waiting to be filled in later. She sets the ink and needles back into her bag, and leans back, pressing the salved linen against her arm, eventually drifting off to sleep.
			</dd>
		</dl>
		<div id="footer" class="smalltext">
			
			<span class="smalltext" style="display: inline; visibility: visible; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><a href="https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?action=credits" title="Simple Machines Forum" target="_blank" class="new_win">SMF 2.0.19</a> |
 <a href="https://www.simplemachines.org/about/smf/license.php" title="License" target="_blank" class="new_win">SMF © 2021</a>, <a href="https://www.simplemachines.org" title="Simple Machines" target="_blank" class="new_win">Simple Machines</a>
			</span>
		</div>