Roasted Nuts

Tenebrae - Friday, April 11, 2014, 3:26 PM

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-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-<* A07: Fernwood Pub *>--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-

The common room of the Fernwood Pub dominates the inn, spacious and airy because of the high, vaulted ceiling. Ornately carved beams of dark, polished wood form a lattice overhead, supporting the arched roof two storeys above the floor. To the right of the double-door entry is a spiral staircase, winding upwards to a balcony that rings and overlooks the main area. Large windows at this level grant an excellent view of the river to the west and colorful market stalls to the north and east. An air of coziness is salvaged by keeping the pub dimly lit; parchment-shrouded mana lanterns hang at intervals from the base of the balcony, nestled amongst lush, magically propagated ivy and ferns that grow over this false demi-ceiling and the struts that support it.

The bar is sleek and simple, comprised of meticulously polished black lacquer. Tables are set under the darker niches formed by the balcony floor as well as on the balcony itself. A few are deliberately sized to accommodate halflings and gnomes, but the majority are meant for human-sized individuals. A large common table is on the main floor, set before a semi-circular stage situated against the western wall. Beside it, with pipes mounted upon the wall and running up past the balcony and almost to the ceiling, is a refurbished pipe organ made to look like the one lost when the Fernwood was destroyed during the Merkabah Siege.

The door has to open all the way to admit Altar into the Pub, half way and a side step wouldn't do it for him as he is broad and does not squish. Fortunately no one was parked against the wall or otherwise in the way, so there's plenty of room. Once inside, Altar takes a step toward the pipe organ side of the room to clear the doorway, and looks around carefully, clearly not in a rush.

Mikilos lingers at a table near the bar proper, idly roasting and shelling nuts for later consumption. Not an unusual activity, though elss common as the weather warms. But most people don't use their bare hands for the roasting bit.

Altar stops scanning the room when he gets to the hand-roasted nuts. Maybe he was looking for something else, maybe he was just looking, but that's where he stopped. He slowly makes his way through the bar, going around tight places between patrons rather than pushing through them. Eventually he gets to the table with all the nuts on it. "I'm not sure I've ever seen anyone roast nuts by hand before."

Mikilos mmmms absently. "Not too uncommon at the Academy, simple enough spell. Though is the one fire mage who roasts as he chews. Not sure I could handel that. Want some?" The elf glances up, blinking absently.

Altar shakes his head, and takes a seat across the table. "I have no need for sustenance. I only come here for the conversation. So far every time I come here, something new is happening. I thought most people prefer their nuts roasted slowly, how could one do that while chewing them?"

Mikilos shrugs. "Chew slowly? I'm not too clear on how it all works myself. Anycase, you're quite welcom to join for conversation or elsewise. I am Mikilostravia Abrioudelanarchie Mithralla, Builder Arcane. Though just 'Mikilos' is fine."

Altar leaves his left arm dangling due to the shield attached to it, but rests his right hand on the table as he settles in. He takes a moment to process the name before replying. "Yes, I think I will stick with Mikilos, I fear I would do nothing but butcher your full name. I am Mourner Altar, I bear no other names or titles."

Mikilos grins a bit. "Give it time. Titles have a way of gathering, like dust. Can ask Lady Sandy about that."

Altar doesn't move anymore once he's settled in, no shifting or tapping or even blinking, his mouth moves to speak, and that's about it. "I have no interest in titles, I only started using the word Mourner after my arrival here. I was surprised to discover that the Dread Lady's symbols painted on every side were not enough to make it obvious that I have dedicated my existence to her, so I have adopted the use of the word Mourner to be more clear."

Mikilos mmms. "When comes to titles, you're not always given a choice in the matter. Again, can ask Sandy about that. And titles can clarifiy details. For instance, by looks alone, I would have been inclined to guess you an Absolution."

Altar says, "That is the same misjudgment that caused me to begin using the word Mourner. Apparently it is uncommon for Mourners to wear heavy armor, but it comes naturally to me, like a second skin. What does your title mean? Builder Arcane.""

Mikilos nods, and ponders a moment. "I suspose Kerbasy is the only Mourner with whom I've a real familiarity. Anyway, is a moniker of my own crafting. I am a craftman, and a wizard. I make use of my arcane abilities to build things, but magical and mundane. Mostly magical, as that tends to be where the profit lies."

Altar says, "Interesting, a self made title. I suspect some of Vuk's titles are also self made. I'm not even sure he knows what all of them mean. I certainly don't remember them all. Now that I think about it, I wonder if they're ever the same twice?"

Mikilos chuckles softly. "I don't think all of Vuk's are self made. Some were imposed upon him, which trigger further gains. Where the whole mess has ended up recently, I don't care to guess."

Altar says, "I couldn't begin to guess either. What sorts of things do you make? Do you have a shop like Hassan's discount magic emporium?"

Mikilos says, "I have Mithralla Merchendise, which has served the greater Alexandros area for nearly a decade. I havn't had a chance to visit Hassan's place yet, so not sure of any similarities."

Altar says, "I think Hassan's place travels around in the donkey cart with him, so there may not be many similarities. Do you make everything magical, or do you focus on weapons or potions or something else?"

Mikilos mmms. "I tend to consider myself a swordsmith first and foremost, but actual sales are distinctly less focused. I've made a wide range of items, belts to enhance physical properties being one of the more popular. But arms, armors, potions, scrolls, and an assortment of other magical items. A few mundanes items as well, though those don't tend to be as popular."

Altar says, "It sounds like you do indeed make a little bit of everything. Next time I am in the market for something magical I shall have to compare your prices and selection with Mourner Kerbasy's wares."

Mikilos nods. "Kerbasy does good work. Naturally, are some items more suited for his skill set, and some better suited for mine. But whichever, I'm happy to offer what advice and recomendations I can. But anyway, what has you out an about in Alexandros?"

Altar says, "I came here to learn more about the life of fleshies. Life and death are an integral part of the Dread Lady's business, and yet the finer details of life are alien to me. Things like roasting nuts slowly or quickly, why some fleshies drink to deliberate excess and others cannot help themselves, or do not drink at all. Since I have come here, I have met a wide variety of people, even a halfling that plays fetch as a dog does, with her mouth."

Mikilos blinks a few times at that last bit. "Either I havn't met that particular individual, or someone was -very- drunk... It really should eb easier to guess which."

Altar says, "She was not drunk, in fact she didn't even go into the bar, she stayed outside playing with her wolf until the client arrived. Speaking of unusual people, you seem to be unusually large for an Elf. Are you half Giantborn?"

Mikilos grins. "No, certainly not half. I wouldn't exclude the chance of jotun somewhere in the ancestory, but there's nothing recorded. The Elves of Mithril have long been of mighty stature, though admit my personal forte lies not with physical might."

Altar says, "Size and strength do not always run together. I was designed for both, but only because both are useful in war."

Mikilos nods. "There is a certain corolation, but not a distinct link. As Lucht, gnomes, and goblins are all swift to point out."

Altar says, "As a wizard and arcane builder I assume your forte lies in magic, knowledge and perhaps research, in addition to the crafting of course? Did you say you craft mundane items as well, like armor and weapons for example?"

Mikilos nods. "Swords, mostly. But also backpacks, dresses, horseshoes, a few parts of airship engines. My intrests are fairly wide, and i tend to delve into whatever topic happens to catch my focus."

Altar says, "Airship engines? Now that is interesting. I've never ridden in an airship before, are they very complicated to build?"

Mikilos nods. "Very much so. I'm quite capible of constructing specific parts detailed to me, but how all the parts fit together, and just how many of what all parts are needed, are beyond my understanding. Even with experts, they have a bad habit of crashing, exploding, or elsewise being involved in serious troubles. Though with bandritry and monsters so common these days, I can't really say they any more dangerous than other means of travel. And airship remains one of the fastest means of long distance travel."

Altar says, "I was teleported to Rune and back once, I imagine that's much more expensive than airship travel, but it must also be faster and safer. Also difficult to move large amounts of stuff as I understand it. Are airships good for cargo or do they have to remain lite?"

Mikilos ponders a moment. "Quite depends on the design. Most these days are built for heavy cargo, and can haul many tons of goods. Personal craft tend to be a great deal smaller and lighter, though as I understand a fair bit faster."

Altar says, "That sounds very much like ships. I suppose that's among the reasons they are called airships. Have you built parts for many airship engines?"

Mikilos shakes his head. "Not the sort of technology I really favor, but back in the Sendor War, the results were rather more important than personal preferences."

Altar says, "Well, thank you for your entertaining and enlightening conversation Mikilos, perhaps another day I will ask you about the Sendor War. I believe it is about time for an appointment I have no intention of being late for."

Mikilos nods, seated with Altar at a table near the bar proper. "Teh War makes for a bit of a lengthy tale. But will keep for another time. Fare well, Mourner Altar."

Altar gets up from a table near the bar, where he had been having a conversation with Mikilos. "Fare well Mikilos, Builder Arcane." he then makes his way slowly out of the pub, careful not to run into or trample over any of the smaller, squishier people moving around the place.

Tyrianna makes her way into the Pub. She had to depart suddenly earlier but the large half-orc lass has returned. She glances around for a moment taking in the pub.

Mikilos has a fair sized pile of roasted nuts before him. Not an unpopular activity around here, though less so as the weather warms. However, most people make use of the fireplace, not their bare hands.

Tyrianna steps more into the place and then does cock her head to the side, "Nice nuts." she says to Mikilos as she gets a little bit closer.

Mikilos glances up and grins. "I like to think so, but may be bias. Care for some? I've got plenty."

Tyrianna cocks her head to the side and then nods and settles down near by, "Thank you. I am Tyrianna, in service of Dana." she offers, though she doesn't exactly look like a priest, so something else maybe.

Mikilos nods. "Mikilostravia Abrioudelanarchie Mithralla, Builder Arcane. Though just 'Mikilos' is fine. In what manner do you serve the Giver of Fruits, if you don't mind my asking?"

Tyrianna smiles, "I work as a guide and hunter, seeking to keep cityfolk from despoiling the wilds, and fostering better understanding between the two." she says softly.

Mikilos nods. "A worthwhile task. My place is in the city, but my sister serves as an Essence."

Tyrianna nods her head and smiles a bit, "I have done it for a while, have pretty good knowledge of creatures and tracking and all of that, with some blessings from Dana as well."

Mikilos nods. "What brings you to the city today? Anything particular?"

Tyrianna shakes her head, "Not really, figured this was the best place to be if I am to help fullfill my duties." she shakes her head a bit, "I have been staying here a little."

Mikilos nods. "Is a good tavern, lot of history to it. Or at least to the name. This particular building is fairly new, the older ones burned and destoryed."

Tyrianna cocks her head to the side, "Does that happen often, the burning and destroying?"

Mikilos shakes his head, then shrugs. "Not too often, but more than is typical for a long standing Inn. Twice since I'ev come to the city."

Tyrianna nods her head, "Interesting. I haven't been in many cities, grew up on the borders." she shakes her head a bit.

Mikilos grins. "I grew up in SilverMoon, came here when I was of age to make such choices for myself. Havn't had reason to leave."

Tyrianna nods, "Well we are all drawn by different reasons for differnt things."

Mikilos nods. "Though when you break it all down, the reasons tend to be very much the same. Hunger and fear, under most of it all."

Tyrianna smiles and nods, "Well for most, I just believe this is where my goddess wanted me to be."

Mikilos nods, frowns mildly, and shrugs. "I tend to pick my own path. I resepct Navos, and the Guardians of Magic. But they aren't Animus."