After Vespers before Compline

Log Info

• Title: After Vespers before Compline
• Emitter: Kira
• Characters: Kira, Seldan, Imane, Ashes, Arsia, Wu, Quilani
• Place: A10: Temple District
• Time: Saturday, November 07, 2020, 9:02 PM
• Summary: Silverguard Seldan is out at the Foundtain in the Temple District, when Sentinel Kira arrives with some leftover stew and offers it to him. Imane is also in the area, and drawn to their conversation. Ashes drifts in not soon after. Seldan insists others should have stew, then departs. Conversation turns to Ash's earring, and the fate of Veriford and retired familiars. While this discussion is going on, Merek arrives, encountering a fellow Veyshani and recent arrival to Alexandria, Arisa. Wu nearly falls into the fountain, and Quilani climbs out of the temple of Navos and seemingly escapes. Merek takes Arisa off to an Inn, while Ash upsets Quilani by asking her if she is a big kobold.

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The air of solemn, heavy divinity in the area is often broken by laughter. The dual presence of the deities Althea and Daeus, man and wife, stand towards the center, with their children and their children's temples positioned around them. The presence of the divine is felt not only by their temples, but also by the actions of their worshipers. The great plaza is as a social center, paved in brilliant, white flagstones and covered in benches and sitting areas. Priests, acolytes, and servicefolk of all stripes roam the plaza, going from one task to the other.

At the front of the temples of Daeus and Althea, at the Plaza's centermost point, rests a great fountain, the cheerful waters reflecting the Sun during the day, and the Moon and Stars at night. The fountain is strategically centered, and is oft a place for wisdom and lesson-giving. It is not uncommon for a priest of some stripe or the other to stand there, surrounded by the curious and faithful, delivering messages of hope or contemplation. At other times, it and the plaza become a landscape of celebration of the holy holidays.

Few vendors are seen in the plaza--the nearby temples provide most food or services. Towards the west, the great Bridge stretches across the river, and towards the east, the Redridge mountains. The plaza rests in the midst of it all, the temples massive and grand on the Alexandrian scale.

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-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=  Appearing, in Order  -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Kira         5'0"     120 Lb     Human             Female    Blonde woman in simple robes with an eye patch.
Seldan       5'11"    187 Lb     Human             Male      Ginger-blonde human in armor wearing Eluna's symbol.
Imane        5'6"     105 Lb     Dawn Elf          Female    A blonde elf in a white tunic and black boots.
Ashes        5'11"    177 Lb     Hobgoblin         Female    A somber arvec in grey clothes with a skull face
Arsia        5'6"     102 Lb     Human             Female    A Veyshan almost entirely covered in silks.
Wu           5'6"     155 Lb     Human             Male      Elderly Xian male with a drifting eye and cataracts
Quilani      5'0"     110 Lb     Sith-Makar        Female    A light brown sith makar with robes and big glasses.
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The days are getting more and more chill and, now that the sun has set, even moreso. There aren't too many in the district, though mana lamps keep things lit well enough for travel. Kira enters the plaza from the bridge to the west, carrying a large iron pot and a basket of bowls.

About the only faith still active in the district is the Seeress' temple, cool light spilling from the open doors and down the marble steps, the sound of companionable voices within. Evensong is over, though, and things are settling down there as well. Seldan, wearing only shirt and trousers beneath an open, sleeveless robe that clasps in the front, a midnight-blue thing depicting celestial creatures taken up in silver thread, and low city boots on his feet, sits out on a bench by the fountain, watching charcoal clouds scud across a star-studded sky. The chill of the evening appears to bother him not in the slightest.

Imane makes her way into the area looking like a tourist as she looks up at the various temples and city decore. She occasionally looks down, clearly now knowing to watch where you're going when sight seeing.

Seldan looks down from his stargazing, surprised to be addressed, but his expression clears on spotting the Sentinel. "Thank you, Sentinel, but I am certain that there are yet some in greater need than I." A distinct Myrrish accent colors his tone. "I trust the evening finds you well?"

Kira makes her way across the plaza towards Althea's temple, her route taking her by the re (re?)built fountain. It's a constant reminder of many things, and widens her smile. Her face brightens more at the familiar, if not so recently so, sight of Seldan. "Good evening, Silver Guard Seldan. Are you hungry? There is some stew left, though it's not hot any longer."

Imane glances over at the sudden conversation nearby and glances up to see if there is something to be seen up there. She stops nearby but not so near as to intrude on private conversation.

Vespers has finished at the Temple of Vardama, and Compline will be later, so the faithful have some time to themselves. Ashes puts it to good use performing one of her favourite activities, which is haunting the Temple District down the mountain. Largely grey, in skin and clothing, she blends well with the darkness and is only occasionally silhouetted against lighter temple facades. She moves quietly and at a pace similar to the breezes, so it can be startling when she appears, especially as the first visible aspect is usually the white skull on her face.

"I like cold stew," the mourner says, answering Seldan and Kira, moving to where she is visible. She has an unusual affectation this evening, a lizard hanging off one of her large goblinoid ears, just like an earring.

"There may be, but that doesn't make you any less deserving. It would be rude to-oh!" Kira does start some as she first sees the painted skull after looking to the voice. "I'm sorry. You startled me." She sets the large pot down and gestures to it. "Please. You are welcome to some, though there isn't much left." Kira takes a moment to glance about for others who might be lurking hungry or cold. She spots the blonde sildanyari and beckons to her with a smile. Not knowing whether Imane might be hungry or cold, she invites, "Would you like some stew?"

"You are kind, and not rude." The painted skull takes a moment to register for Seldan, and he frowns warily until he hears the voice. _Ah, the Mourner._ the gesture says wordlessly. "Her light upon your path, Mourner," he greets. "An unusual adornment," he adds by way of curiosity. He does not seem to have seen Imane yet.

Ashlee crouches down, gets a bowl and transfers some of the stew into it. As more has been offered around, she is careful to leave enough for the two others. Presumably, Kira has eaten, as the mouner doesn't leave a third serving.

Standing, she slowly takes a spoonfull, chews and then swallows it. She nods towards the Silverguard, "Hello."

Another spoonful, chew, swallow. She takes her time and seems very disciplined about it. When her mouth is clear again she says, "He's a retired familiar."

Imane glances over at Kira and smiles taking a few steps closer, "Very kind of you to offer, but I am fed. Thank you." she nods at Seldan and does a double take a the lizard, "A retired familiar? They don't usually retire..." she trails off and shrugs instead leaving the rest go.

"Eat your fill, Mourner," Kira offers to Ashes after others have declined. The stew isn't extraordinary and there's enough for a bowl or two left in the pot that may have held dozens' worth. She looks between the three, somewhat confused or curious on the comments. "Retired familiar?"

As others have asked the question on his lips, Seldan merely nods, listening as he awaits the answer. The stew is forgotten.

"His master was punished." The mourner says, crouching down to top off her bowl. She'll be working at it for a while at her present pace. "I asked if Carbuncle was going to be also, and was told it isn't usually done. So I asked if I could adopt him."

She takes another bite, chewing and thinking things over. It's enough of an answer she could stop, but there would be follow up questions. Her time as an investigator demonstrated there are usually follow up questions. Best to head them off. "He was running a long con in Mornhaven, using an illusion and charm spell to romance the daughter of a minor noble. The Noble was a Baetriov vampire, and he was trying to find out the secret. A group I was with killed the vampire, we ran into him weeks later trying to find out the necromantic secrets. We brought him back to the Temples."

Kira quietly follows the explanation, waiting for the pause for, well, follow up questions and comments. "That's very generous of you. Oh! A vampire?! That's horrible..." After a moment, she might still not quite follows. "So ..Carbuncle ... is being cared for by you while his owner is in the temple?"

Imane looks from Kira to Ashes then back and nods in agreement with the question, "Don't they share a link that might make punishing the mage dangerous to the familiar?"

Merek is someone that looks Veyshan, in fact it is quite likely he is, while he takes a moment to walk along the streets, hands to pockets of the dark attire which he wears, black-golden wings upon his back while he has luminescent golden eyes. There's a cavalier hat which he wears along with what looks to be a beltcape. He has a cigarillo inside of his mouth, seeming to take a break while he leans along an alley not far from the main area of the district.

"They do. That's why he's upset and I'm letting him bite my ear." Ash says, no inflections to her words, very monotone. She takes another spoonful of stew, signalling an impending silence. Before she puts it in her mouth she adds some more, "I've used some spells to communicate. I'm not sure what the punishment was. Necromancy is mortal but Veriford didn't do any, just research and Liatris didn't want to follw-up on punishing his con game."

Now she takes the bite.

Wandering through the temple district, looking rather lost, is a young woman clad in light, airy silks, covering her hair, most of her head and face except for her eyes, and wearing simple sandles. She has that sort of 'glancing about and aimless' look that those new to any city tend to get, and eventually heads for the direction of the strategically centered great fountain at the center of the plaza. She glances back and forth, looking from building to building, street to street and alley to alley. "Not as crowded, but twice as cold, and still rather confusing." she mummers to herself, with a thick Veyshan accent. Glancing ab out, she sees someone with a familiar-look to them leaning along an alley. "Are you from the Gold Coast?" she asks. She reaches into her silks. "You know where I can buy a map? Two silvers." she asks. "Trying to get my bearings."

GAME: Merek rolls craft/cartography: (2)+8: 10

Seldan bows, "I must apologize, but I will need to step out. I look forward to speaking to you again Sentinel." The Silverguard turns and leves.

"Oh," Kira accepts the explanation and nods, though it's fairly obvious she doesn't grasp all the nuances of the magical connections referenced, nor perhaps necromantic allegations. "I hope they're treated justly and fairly, all."

Imane nods a little but shrugs too, "Well, the necromantic arts ARE never viewed in a good and wholesome light, so it's likley that this individual will be punished to some extent.. However, if he committed no crime greater than the search for knowledge, well, then perhaps it will be mitigated somewhat?"

Merek looks then to Arsia, and lifts a brow in thought while he watches the woman. Then he dips a nod, while he takes a map from a pack, it's not a great map, well it's general directions. "Ah, I can show you around better," he notes, then nodding, "My family was from Tashraan and also there, we then moved to Rune. Merek," he offers, husky drawl in his voice, the accent upon the gentle r rolling, "If you'll come with me?" Then he walks along into the main Temple District, "That way is the Temples, further on," he notes, pointing to a building in the distance, "Is the Pub, where they have an Inn." There's a wave to Ashlee and Kira, and anyone else there, "Kira, Ashlee." A nod also to Imane.

Ash stares at Kira, chewing until she hits a satisfactory amount, then swallowing. "I have to trust that they are."

She looks at Imane, staring at her for a little while, "Hopefully." The lizard does not add any additional commentary, he continues to hang from her ear. She doesn't turn towards the man when he arrives, simply acknowledging him, "Hello Merek. There's stew."

Nodding back at the man, Arsia replies. "Arsia al-Salik, daughter of Tawheed." she offers, in reply. "A pleasure to meet you, Merek." Neither her family name nor her father are anything special; she's just a bit more formal then some, there's nothing to recognize unless one is very, very intimate with importers in Tashraan. "Ah, yes, an Inn would be quite good. As well as to know the temples. It is not good to fail to honor the divine." She glances over those near the fountain as he approaches it.

Imane hears the voices of others and turns to see who's recently arrived just in time to see Merek nod. She returns the nod and glances at Arsia in the process before returning to Ashes et al, "So, does the ear biting help him to relax thene?"

Merek looks between the people at the fountain, while he offers a nod along to each of them, then he adds to Arsia, "Pleasure to meet you as well. I can assist you in purchasing your own place in the pub when you like, it's not all that expensive." He does take a drag from the cigarillo while he thinks about it, "We have Temples and sacred grounds to all but the gods of the evil pantheon," he notes.

From the bridge comes an older man dressed in armor with crossbow strapped to his back. He pauses every now and again to peer about with squinted eyes, searching for landmarks and signs. Several tiems her dodges about someone or thing at the last moment. And so it's almost not a surprise that he skids to a halt at the edge of the fountian with a windmilling of arms. "Gah!"

"Yes. He believes if he takes me down he'll eat for a year." Ashlee replies. She gives the lizard a little tug, he does seem quite attached. In the darkness, she's looking rather skeletal, and well dressed. Just some regular old undead out for a stroll. Everything she says is monotone. Seeing Wu about to fall in, the mourner holds out her arm to stop him, pushing back on his chest. "Careful."

Arsia nods to Merek. "Roughly what I might have expected." she comments. "I'd appreciate the help." She glances towards the older man as he almost slams into the fountain. "Watch yourself, Elder. Are you alright?" she asks him. Her gaze darts towards the lizard hanging off of an ear. "Interesting." she comments. "I follow Althea, but all the gods are above us. I see piety itself as more important then which you venerate. But her dedication to family and protection are appealing, as someone who comes from a large family."

Wu, the elder in this case, takes a step back and cants his head to the side at an odd angle? "What?! Elder? Who's that? Me?" He squints then at Ashes and nods. "Thanks to you, lady. They keep moving the darn fountian every time it gets destroyed, I swear." He reshrugs the bow strapped over his shoulder, a motion that seems more muscle memmory then thought.

Merek looks to the fountain, then to Wu, nodding that the man is alright. Then he takes a look to Arsia, while he seems to consider her words, "Well, learning about the gods is useful, I follow Eluna." Then he shifts the wings back away, while he yawns, "Welcome to the city! You will find a lot of things to do, if you know where to look."

Imane wanders off.

"That's you, yes." Ashlee says, returning the squint then holding her arm out for Wu to take. She does so obviously, putting her elbow right in front of him. "Come with me."

It sounds very ominous. All she takes is a step to turn Wu away from the fountain. "The Feiu of the Tears. I have a crossbow too."

Arsia glances towards Wu and then Ashlee, her eyes and what can be seen of her brows furrowing slightly in confusion. Eventually she shrugs, and turns back to Merek. "Ah, the seeress, goddess of magic and dreams, yes?" she asks.

GAME: Quilani rolls acrobatics: (18)+1: 19

Wu brushes into the arm offered by Ashlee and peers down and then follows the arm visually to it's person. Then upwards into the skull-covered face. The eyes narrow to slits and he hmms. "I seem to remember a thin lass like you. You should eat more. Nearly skin and bones." He takes hold of the arm without complaint and then blinks. "Vardma?! Wait now.. I'm still alive and kicking, no need to hurry things along by shooting me!"

While the night likely goes quite casually, some folks are out on a mission. Of....dubious importants. From the second story of the Temple of Navos a window is opened and a bedsheet filled with knots is tossed out of it. A rather small looking sith-makar wearing robes very...very...very carefully lowers herself, backside first, out of the window. A casual observer might call her careful, but any practiced acrobat could tell that she's just shy of absolutely seizing up.

After a climbing down at a speed that a sloth would likely be bored of, she finally hits the ground, doubling over and placing her hands on her knees as she apparently calms herself down. She reaches up a casual hand to resteady her glasses and then reaches inside of her robes to put book back into her backpack with a small sigh of relief. Mumbling something under her breath, she starts to lean back to tug on the bedsheet rope, but doesn't quite dislodge it. Pulling harder, she hisses with effort and eventually gives up, wadding up the 'rope' and throwing it back up into the room.

After looking around, she slowly (and totally honestly) makes her way towards the fountain, only pausing to look back at the Navos Temple to make sure nobody seemed to be coming out of it this hour.

Merek dips a nod to Arsia, while he seems to think about it, then he watches Quilani while she comes from that place next to the building. "What," the man then would note to the woman with him, "Ya, that's right. The lady of the Moon along with dreams, I am one of her Seers as well." There's a nod.

Ashlee, decides to indulge herself a little. In complete monotone she says, "Are you sure? Some dead don't realize it. I think you should eat some stew to be sure."

It's Kira's leftover stew, and cold, but there's a serving left and Ashes offers it to Wu."

The ashen Arvec misses the escape from the temple, but notices the sith'makar approach the fountain. She turns back to Wu, "Eat." Arsia tilts her head slightly to Merek. "I am honored, seer." Her gaze shifts back to the others again, but she still mostly looks confused when it comes to the gathering.

Wu blinks and then sighs. "Fine fine. I'll eat if you eat, skinny lady. Just to keep everyone from panic! Don't want no calls from the masses about undead walking the streets or things like that."

He takes the offered bowl of stew and brings a bite up to his nose first to take a smell. Could be poison you know...

Quilani takes a seat a small distance from the others and pulls out that book, once again passing a glance towards the Temple of Novos. She flips to a few pages in and begins to read a passage, but shortly after, stops, draws out a pencil, and starts to write something. The few of the others she glanced at, she actively avoided their gaze, keeping herself mostly busy on her work.

It's not poisoned. The stew smells nice. It is cold, which has made it congeal around the meat chunks. It's still palatable, perhaps enjoyable, depending on one's taste. Ashlee watches as Wu eats, "I already ate." She demonstrates an empty bowl. The note-taking draws her attention, but her only response is to stare silently as Quilani writes things down.

Merek offers a nod to Ashlee and to Wu, then looks to Arsia, "Would you like to find a place at the Inn now, so that you can get around easier?" he asks.

Arsia nods her head. "Thank you, Seer." she replies. "I would appreciate that."

Wu shrugs at the stew and takes a bite, and then another.. and another in a rapid fire way. He turns about and sits down, Almost missing the edge of the fountain. A few moments later the stew is gone. Eaten like a soldier while marching.

"Mm.. Was good." he hands over the bowl towarsd Ashlee. "My thanks and now you know I'm not no undead, right?"

"I know." Ash says flatly, adding, "You're just close."

She stares at Quilani some more. She's adventured with a few sith'makar, who are much larger in general and less 'bookish'. In fact, she's not sure the warriors she knows can read. Generally, she leaves meeting people and introductions to when she goes on adventures. Eventually someone will ask her 'what's up with your face' or scream 'need healz now'. It's a holdover habit from when she rode with the cavalry. Many, many, different cavalry groups.

Ashlee touches Carbuncle, who is still playing the earring. While she might like to meet Quilani, the only thing she can think to say is 'would you like to bite my ear?' The mourner is quite sure this is unacceptable. She sneaks a grey pamphlet out of her satchel and flips it open, looking for something helpful. With a black on grey in the dark, its unlikely she's going to see anything at all.

Quilani does keep a decent eye on the world around her, and after a few casual glances, she picks up on Ash's insistent looking. The sith-makar adjusts her glasses and takes a deep breath, placing her book in her lap and raising an eye ridge towards the strange woman. Finally she speaks, her voice a touch squeakier than one might imagine for her type.

"Is there a reason you are staring at me so intently? Does my appearance upset you?"

Arsia says, "Anyways, its very late for me, goodnight all." She looks at Merek, "Would you show me to that Inn?"

It takes a bit but Merek shows the woman the way. It's not too long a trip, and once he makes the place all settled in for the woman, he comes back. At this point it might be a bit after people's greetings though.

"Ehh?" He turns about looking past the new speaker. Sort of at but not quite. "You talking to me? I'm not lookin at ya. Well now maybe." He wipes at his face with fingers and cleans them off on his pants. Classy.

"No." Ashlee says, in an automatic monotone. Incorrectly, as she does have a reason, but now she's messed up and has to answer the second question which definitely is, "No."

Drat! That sounds decidedly unfriendly. She makes a mental note to ask someone with great skills to help her out. She glances at Merek, but he's headed out. Her friend Sabina? Sabina admitted to being a friend. She would be a good one to ask. So instead of saying anything further the skull-faced Arvec looks down at her pamplet some more and pretends to read it. It's entitled 'How to Act like a Normal Person', a very popular missive from the Vardama temple. It has no guidelines regarding wearing small animals as earings however. Ash thoughtfully gives Carbuncle a rub and a friendly squeeze.

Quilani gives off her best glare, but eventually draws her attention back towards Wu when he speaks up, lifting her less-than-pleased tone.

"I...hadn't been. I was merely wondering...n-nevermind."

She just shakes her head towards him and then resumes her glare-down at the woman, slowly sliding that black-bound book back into her backpack. Catching onto the title of her book finally ceases her intent gaze, crossing her arms.

"And here I thought I didn't get out much. I can give you a few mild pointers, starting with answering the question if you would be so kind. What about me unsettles you?"

Merek, upon coming back to the place, would begin looking to Ashlee and Quilani, "Did I miss anything?" he asks, lifting a brow while he crosses both of his arms thoughtfully.

Ashlee folds her pamphlet back up with a crinkling of paper, and shoves it into her satchel. She takes hold of the strap firmly. Her other arm hands loose at her side. There's a slight ruffling of her clothes, and a rather large house centipede emerges and then coils around her neck like a choker. It rotates in place around her throat, then stops, head facing outwards.

Ash stares at Quilani. A question was asked and the mourner is certain the answer isn't something she should say. However, she can't think of an easy out. If only there was someone who needed assistance finding their way to an Inn, that would be her excuse. So, without waiting further she speaks.

"Are you a small sith'makar or a big kobold?"

Quilani blinks at the question. Her face shifts between a few different emotions. First was anger. Her ear fins close up, her eyes narrow and she takes a deep breath, as if she was about to bellow something. Then, self-restraint. Her lips tighten as she tenses up, making her look stiff and pensive. Then finally esxasperation. She stands up, crosses her arms over one another and then tosses them out to her sides while shaking her head.

"I am -not- going to dignify that with a response. I suggest you study that book as hard as you are able miss, because you are in actual sore need of lessons."

With that said, she storms off, passing by Merek and pointing a straight finger at the offending woman in response to his question. Her snout turns to a tight and heavy frown as she retreats, heading back into the city proper.

Ashes decides... big kobold.

Merek looks over to Ashlee and back then to Quilani when she begins walking by while he comes back. "Are you okay?" he asks of the Sith'Makar, "Ah, peace on your nest!" the man offers with a little wave. He manages recognizing the woman as sith'makar, while he would watch Ashlee, nodding a bit.

"Oh." The ashen Arvec says. It would have been much easier to touch her and get the answer. Next time, that will be her strategy. As the lizard woman has left and she has no current conversational topics for Merek, Ash finds herself at the fountain with a blind old man who likely needs some assistance, getting somewhere.

"I can see in the Dark, where do you want to go?" she informs Wu. He launches into the rambling discourse the elderly have perfected. She need not trouble herself, he can see just fine, who put that fountain there, it's a specialized crossbow you see, mind the cat, isn't the moonlight wonderful, and excuse me madam. The last two were related to the same lamp-post, proving his protests to be a little empty.

The two head off to wherever Wu needs to be.

Dramatis Personae

Arisa

This young woman stands about 5'6" tall, and is wearing a light blue silk tunic, embroidered with delicate thread set in interwoven patterns. The tunic is set rather tightly around her, hanging down to just about her upper thighs. Set underneath the tunic is a pair of matching pants, very loose-fitting and billowy. The tunic itself barely covers her shoulders; while the pants hang just along her lower hips, with the tunic resting partially atop it. Mostly obscuring this, however, are several layers of semi-translucent silk wraps and veils. Mostly they wrap around the tunic; around her waist and neck and upperbody, but also drape over her arms - and there are several layers of them. A thicker fabric, usually light in color, is draped around her hair, the sides of her head, and her mouth.

The overall effect of this is that mostly her face and body is obscured. Her arms are visible beneath silk veils, and her ankles are visible, as well as her eyes and a few small bits of thick, dark hair.

She has light dusky-colored skin, almond-shaped green eyes set under thick lashes, lined with black layers of kohl. She has no jewelry.

Ashes

Kinda...

https://tinyurl.com/vtfcgsb - Image
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bubOcI11sps - Music Vid