Baldur's Gate was as ripe as ever, as the wind brought the smell of the day's catch to blow past the watchman. He was escorting a man in shackles, several weeks of scruffy growth on the hair of the manacled criminal as he was steered by a cold, firm hand towards the Harbormaster.
After nearly shoving the grouchy and ill-tempered bandit into the waiting hands of the Harbormaster's guards, Johan leaned back into the shade of the awning over the door. His wrist burned where he had missed a spot with his sun balm, and the thick wool cloak was giving him a frustrating itch on his neck. A flash of color and movement caught his eye, and he started, drawing back slightly into the corner of the entryway as he saw the unmistakable lines of the Lady Narath in port.
When he'd last seen them, before running to hide in Beregost, Johan's companions had...mixed reactions during that particular fight. He wasn't at all sure which of them would welcome the sight of the creature that had been in their midst, or send him away with curses. Living as a watchmen in the southern town had its perks, especially since few there noticed how tired the prisoners were after a night's stay in the cells, but this trip north had suddenly become a great deal more complicated than he originally had predicted the escort duty to be.
So, full disclosure, Johan is a Vampire class, not a Rogue, and was the whole time last game (I decided having him "revealed", at least OOC, would make it easier on everyone, the DM especially, rather than playing basically 2 characters at once). My thoughts were that Johan had accidentally outed his status in some sort of fight or encounter, and fled shortly thereafter. Whether you saw the vampireyness or not and how you reacted or would react I wanted to leave completely open.
Saturday, January 23, 2016
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"I'm ssssurprised to sssee you again here ssso sssoon Johan..." a snakely voice said from the the shadowed space near the dock.
ReplyDeleteJohan stepped back, hand dropping to the hilt of his sword, but he straightened his back and forced his hand to drop to his side. While there might be some spots in Baldur's Gate where stabbing someone who startled you might not be frowned upon, he was fairly sure the front porch of the Harbormaster was the wrong place to do it.
ReplyDelete"What do you want then? If you wanted to put an arrow in my skull, you'd have done so instead of flapping our gums about." He follows down the steps, turning the corner until he can see into the shadowed speaking area, but still staying comfortably out of the range of a quick knifing. The high sun is causing his skin to itch, even under the heavy layers of balm, and that has transferred the irritation to his patience as well.
"Don't be ssso ssserious Johan." The slippery voice said from the shadows. "I thought you vampirezzzz were sssupposssed to be ssseksssy and sssenshhhual. Not grumpy. I'm jusssst ssssuprizzzsd to ssseeee you ssso clossse to sssuchhhh dangerousss locationssss. I sssussspect you might be sssearching for sssome kind of sssuccor? Perhapsss even a ssspecial sssort of assssignment for ssspeciesss sssuch azz yourzzz?" The shape moved in the darkness in such a liquid way as to suggest that it found such shadows to a very native habitat.
ReplyDeleteNarrowing his eyes, Johan snorted. "It's a job, nothing more." He shot a brief glance towards the Harbormaster building next to him. "Just bring the bandit here so he could be expedited to wherever it was he was from, pick up the paperwork, and bring it back to Captain Kerp down in Beregost."
ReplyDeleteHe ducked back into the shadows of the lee of the building, bringing him into enough shadow that he could begin to see the shape of whoever or whatever was addressing him. "Kerp, nor anyone else, need know of who or what I am. He doesn't ask, and I don't tell." His hands crossed across his chest in annoyance, bringing them coincidentally close to the knives strapped under the breasts of his heavy coat.
"Well, sssooo, might you be available for a tasssk more sssuited for one of your kind? There is word that a fabulousss treadzure hasss been found... or at leassst a map to it... might I pique your interessst Johan?"
ReplyDelete"Hmmm." Johan's interest is piqued, and he drops his hands. "Go on?"
ReplyDeleteThe shape in the shadows twisted, thinning to almost nothing. "Any wealth izz sssomething to be ssseatchss for and this ssstashhhh is rumored to be ssstupendouss. A bird earlier was shouting about a place named 'Odin' provisionzzz.' It was clearly an enchantment to hide sssome information. It might be a good plassss to find go and sssneak around and sssee if you can find the treadzzzur map. I won't even asssk for any of the shhhare. I just will aassk for a sssmall favor later."
ReplyDeleteRecognizing the name of the somewhat infamous sporting goods store, Johan chuckled darkly. "Well, my fine shadowed friend, what token will I identify you by when you come calling for your "small" favor? There are many who can meld into the shadows rather than manifesting honestly, and I'd much rather be sure I'm not performing 'favors' for every shadowmage slumming around Baldur's Gate."
ReplyDeleteJohan smiled. "And as much as you may have heard, my 'kind' isn't psychic. Usually."
"Not favorsss... Just one favor. All you need to do is to let me knew who elssse is interesssted in the sssoursssse of the treadzzzur." A bag hit the ground at Johan's feet with a heavy clang. "Plusss ssssomething to help you get started. You can find me anywhere in Baldur'sss gate. Just ask the shhhadowsss for 'Mildred'." At that the shape folded in on itself and had way to nothingness.
ReplyDeleteJohan scanned the empty darkness for a moment, before ducking down to check the bag. There were quite a few silvers in the bag, but more than enough gleaming gold to give him a grin. He stood, double-checked the balm on his exposed hands, and started making his way towards Odin's.
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ReplyDeleteDeleting the three comments that were made on the wrong post.
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