Athkathla II

[CM]

"After saving my life, i will be honored to travel with you.
It would also be safer, you know safety in numbers and all that." says faisal.

"Hmmm i have no idea who to meet, this is my first day in Athkathla so your guess is as good as mine.
But i have heard there is this group the Black Helm which are hiring and paying well.
There are other small groups.
But the shadow theives and Cowled Wizards are the real players in the city"

Confused at the knowledge the youngster has about a city he has just entered, Xandax asks:
"How do you know so much?"

"well like i said the shadow theives were rumored to have killed the prince, so there was a wealth of information about the city and region on everybody's mouths esp if you get them drunk" replied Faisal smiling.

"Also i thought it would be safer to know about the city and region in which i will be working.
So i did a bit of research, cost me alot but it was worth it i think."

Following Xandax's gaze and taking his words, faisal thinks, that may not be a bad idea at all.
Xandax is an experienced fighter, he knows what he is doing, thinks Faisal.
"I agree yes, lets go confront him but with mugs and not with swords as i am in no position to provide you with any help whatsoever if this turns ugly!" replies faisal.
Faisal smirks and says "Plus i would like a bit of rest before the next attack if you don't mind "

[ 07-11-2001: Message edited by: Fas ]

[Xandax]

"I agree yes, lets go confront him but with mugs and not with swords as i am in no position to provide you with any help whatsoever if this turns ugly!" replies Faisal.
Faisal smirks and says "Plus i would like a bit of rest before the next attack if you don't mind”

“Hmm – good idea” Xandax said acknowledging. “No need in causing excessive problems already.”

“Barkeep” Xandax called to the barkeeper “Bring us 3 mugs of your finest ale”
The barkeep came down with the mugs of ale – Xandax payed the barkeeper.
“By the way, my good man, have you seen this person before?” Xandax asked the barkeeper while discreetly pointing towards the cloaked stranger
“No, Sir, I have not.” He replied.
“Thanks” Xandax gave the barkeep an extra gold piece.

“So he is not a familiar face around these parts – that favors us a little more” Xandax mumbled.

Turning his eyes to Faisal “Okay – lets go talk to this stranger, and see if we can get information from him” Xandax said while getting out of his chair.

[ 07-11-2001: Message edited by: Xandax ]

[Craig]

Thryn checks out the two men, one old one young, father and son, no guards?Yes,
Standing up Thryn speaks "Hello"
{OOC i don't want to write more 1 my coisons round and wants a go and i don't want to write more and mess up Xandaxes and Fases ideas

[Aegis]

@Fas+Xan: Are you guys in the Copper Coronet? I'm going to assume so.

Virdel walked quietly int the Copper Coronet, not drawing much, if any, attention to himself. He hhad his cloak drawn up, and had his face covered quite well, and unless someone really took notice, then his race would remain hidden, and all the better. Upon his shoulder, over his cloak, he had white band of cloth, stained red with his blood, a common sight in this bar, so he had no worry of that. He made his way the bar nimbly, avoiding contact with all of the patrons, and avoiding the tables whenever possible. He sat on one of the creaking stools, his face still down, and ordered a glass of wine. Off to the side he saw two man approach a solitary man drinking (Fas+Xan). He kept one eye on them, just out of rudementry curiosity, especially seeing that both had been in a recent battle, obvious because of the marks upon the one man.

His thoughts were interupted as the husky bartender tapped him on the shoulder. Virdel turned to the bartender, but kept his face hidden still. The man placed the glass of wine on the counter, and coughed gruffly. Virdel cought the idea, and reached into his pouch, and withdrew two coppers, and threw them onto the counter. He lifted his wine glss, and taking a sip, he turned back to the room. He watched, and listened with casual interest, not wanting to start trouble right now. He casually sipped his wine, unknowing of what thebartender was currently doing...

*****

Bartender: "I'telling, ye! That's a damned Drow in there!" The bartender spoke panicked, and obviously quite confused. "We should call the guards! And da'.... Da'Black Helm! We can't have a bloody Drow running around da' place!"

Employer: "Patience, Intid. Thank you for bringing this to my attention. I will aprise the approprieate authorities of this. Go back to work." Intid's employer turned, and casually his made out of the back of the Copper Coronet.

That put some confidence back in the husky Bartender, buthe then realized he would have to deal with the Drow for at least another twenty minutes. He sighed, and wiped the sweat of his greasy brow. He took a second to regain his composure, and stepped back into the main room...

*****

Virdel remained sitting at the counter, completly unaware that the bartender had managed to get a look at his face, either way, he was concerned at what he didn't know. His coming had been that of a dual purpose. Not only was he here to try and relax from his encounter with the theif, he was here to find potential clients for his employer. That is why he continuelly found his gaze drawn but to the two men he had seen when he first entered the bar.

Again his thoughts were interupted by the bartender. Virdel turned to meet him, cloak down.

Virdel: "What now...." Somewhat annoyed by this interuption, Virdel was in no mood to be trifled with, or to be even remotly pleasant.

Intid: "Ye be wanting another drink?" As the bartender spoke, Virdel caught the slight quiver in his voice, and realized what had happen.

He swore to himself, and stood up from the stool. That was twice today he had let himself slip! He dropped the half full glass of wine, letting it crash to the floor, and drawing undue attention. His hand's dropped to his scimitar blades, and loosing them from their scabberds, he turn quickly on his heel, and made his way to the door. As he swung the door open, he was met with the fine armour of a gaurd of the Black Helm!

Virdel: "Damnit!"

He, luckily, he surprised the man, which gave Virdel the advantage. He slashed his left scimitar at the man's exposed kidney, as it was only a half-plate being employed in these three particular men. He felt the blade connect, but wasted no time to see what damge it had down. He jumped back again, and took off through the corwded bar, no alive with cheering and provokation. These men were riled up at the current prospect of a fight, and bets could be heard being placed. Virdel ran his way through the bar, and to the kitchen, and back door, were he was met by two more gaurds. Bad idea, he thought to himself, and turned as quickly as he came. His only other option was upstairs.

Virdel bounded his way through the room again, and up the stairs, where at least if a fight was forced, he could something of an advantage. Behind him, two gaurds pursued. Virdel, knowing this, took advantage of it, and stopped dead at the top of the stairs. With his two scimitars, he swung them high, and braught them down on the unsuspecting gaurds shoulders, stunning him. Virdel then kicked the stunned gaurd down the stairs, effectivly breaking his next.

If he had known the layout of the Copper Coronet, he would have know of the second set of stairs. Again he made his way off from the conflict, but ran right into another gaurd. Virdel's face thudded into the hard steel. He stumbled back, stunned at his stupidity. He felt the blood rush to his head, and his hood fall back from his face. He blinked for a second, but that was all it took. The man approached him, his large battle-worn axe raised high above him. Virdel, even dazed as he was, saw the attack, and kicked back. The axe made contact with the wooden floor, and sent splinters through the air, but it was also lodged in the floor. Virdel smiled at his twist of luck, and saw his oppertunity. He used his right scimitar, and in a streak of metal and light, he brought it across the throught og the man. He then took off again, crawling out one of the windows of the top floor, and off into the slums, where he could effectivly hide, and make his way back to him employer...


Few, that's a long for me. Hope you all enjoyed.

[Craig]

Thryn, no longer interested in the two men speed after the guards.And checking the body of the guard, and again it had the same key Then he saw a flash of lighting out of the window,
"Wait" Cryed Thryn
{OOC damnit

[ 07-11-2001: Message edited by: craig ]

[Aegis]

@Craig: Ummm.... Virdel is long gone. Also, he isn't so much an enemy, it's just the Black Helm were told to go after him by the owner of the C&C.

[Craig]

{OOC i hated editing that

[Magus]

@Fas: Your homeland really is a foul word in Athkatla

@all: Just so everyone knows, this is the correct spelling of the city we’re in: ATHKATLA. I finally got around to looking it up, as I constantly misspell it too.

@Xandax: quote: "Or maybe this stranger is in need of help, this seems like the city where people come for solving their problems." People come to a city on the brink of revolution to SOLVE their problems?

@Xandax + Fas: You continue doing a superb job.
*****

As the drow gets away, a band of stout-looking adventurers rises from their table.

“How about we’s go teach that darkling a lesson, me boys? I’m sure the Black Helm would be paying mighty well for that one’s head on a stick!” a well-armored dwarf boasts, grinning. The rest grin back, restless after days of dull inactivity. The veteran group includes the dwarven fighter, a human swashbuckler, a darkly clad assassin, a black priest of Cyric, and a mysterious mage, whose face is concealed by the large hood of his blood-red robe. When he stands, a look of fear crosses several nearby mage’s faces, and they quietly move away from him. The group throws down a couple of gold and leaves to track down the escaped drow.
{Faisal, Xandax, and Thryn can talk to/confront them before they leave}
*****

Kierran is amazed by the guard’s single-handed disposal of the band of skilled assassins. This Calahan would make a fine ally indeed in this foreign place...

“Ye rascal, ye’re going to get yerself killed wandering ‘round here like that!” Shocked, Kierran spins around to see none other than Old Fitz.

“Er...sorry about that. Do you know anything about what just happened here?” Kierran asks, motioning to the fresh corpses of the fallen assassins.

“Ye better not be getting fool notions in your head, young ‘un. Best for us all that ye stay clear of this poor city’s troubles. But if ye really have to be know, that there’s the handiwork of one damn good fighter. Goes by the name of Calahan. He be one of the higher ‘ups of the Black Helm I told you ‘bout. One of the lieutenants he is. And looks like some fool Shadow Thieves paid the price for crossin that one.”

“I thank you for your information, Old Fitz.”

“Bah! Ye don’t need to be thanking this old man. Just keep yer young arse out of trouble, and I’ll be happy. Now let’s get a move on. Dawn’s a’coming soon, I’d wager.”
*****

Magus stands in his study as dawn arrives in Athkatla.

“I think it’s about time I checked out the situation in Athkatla for myself,” he mutters to himself, quickly gathering the necessary items for a brief trip.

-Then I shall accompany you.- comes a whisper in his mind.

Magus smirks, turning to face Void, his hakeashar familiar. Slanted red eyes peer back at him, shining with a ruby-red light from a mass of writhing shadowy vapors. A creature of powerful magic, Void has served Magus loyally for a time now. Though “served” may not exactly be the right word. For Void most definitely has a mind of his own, and is no mere lackey for Magus to order around. His skill in psionics nearly rivals Magus’s, a fact made ruefully apparent to many of the Rift’s guests. His favorite hobby seems to be harassing its infrequent visitors, though a few of Magus’s close friends have penetrated Void’s formidable unfriendliness in the past.

Even Magus cannot budge Void when he’s made up his mind, and this time he doesn’t even try. He nods, and they teleport away, arriving in the Copper Coronet an instant later.
*****

Edit: Corrections have been made to allow for the little "bar brawl"

[ 07-11-2001: Message edited by: Magus ]

[ 07-11-2001: Message edited by: Magus ]

[ 07-12-2001: Message edited by: Magus ]

[ 07-12-2001: Message edited by: Magus ]

[ 07-14-2001: Message edited by: Magus ]

[Magus]

{Don't mind my "edit" Craig. It doesn't really matter after all. Go ahead and follow Virdel if you want, but it'd probably be better if you stayed in the Copper Coronet, for now.}

[Xandax]

Originally posted by Magus:
<STRONG>&lt;snip&gt;

@Xandax: quote: "Or maybe this stranger is in need of help, this seems like the city where people come for solving their problems." People come to a city on the brink of revolution to SOLVE their problems?
&lt;snip&gt;</STRONG>

{OOC: Well my character dosen't know this - has no preknowlegde of Athkatla.
All he knows is he is there to find "fun", and has met Fasial who are there to find money. - so I'd say it is a valid statement }

****

Xandax and Faisal walked towards the cloaked man. Xandax could feel the eyes of the man examining him.
”Hello” the cloaked man said.
“God day, Sir” Xandax said “Seeing as my friend and I, are new to this area, and somehow has ended up with an extra mug of ale, we were thinking if we might join your table?”

The quest for information from this character was all but a failer. All he said was his name “Thryn”.
Asked what he was doing in Athkatla, Thryn replied. “I’m here to sell something”.

What this something was Faisal and Xandax didn’t get to know because suddenly there was commotion in the Copper Coronet.
Another cloaked man ran through the bar with a couple of armoured men following him and in the doorway another armoured man lay dying.
Instinctly Xandax drew his sword and readied his shield – then remembering Faisal state he yelled out.
”Faisal get in the corner behind me”

The area was falling apart, all around all the other patrons in the bar was fighting each other, and one of them came menacing towards Xandax and Faisal.
“Don’t kill him” Faisal cried out as he saw Xandax about to charge the man.
Hearing Faisals words, they made perfectly sense to Xandax.
“Of course they would be blamed for the death of this man and properly some of the others if they were to charge.” Xandax though - “Wise kid.”
Using his shield Xandax incapacitated the attacking patron.
The area was starting to calm down a bit, as Xandax examined the body of the dead guard in the doorway. The dead guard had an insignia on his uniform. “Hmm – a black helm, this was the group, Faisal had mentioned” Xandax noticed a dagger on the dead man which he took “Can never get to many weapons” He smiled to himself.

Suddenly another band of adventures were working their way out of the Coronet.
“How about we’s go teach that darkling a lesson, me boys? I’m sure the Black Helm would be paying mighty well for that one’s head on a stick!” One of them said.

”Darkling?” Xandax thought. “A Drow, here?”

“Wait” Xandax called out to the band of adventures. Waiting to see their response.
Xandax lowered his sword, but still wielding it in his hand, just in case of trouble.

[ 07-12-2001: Message edited by: Xandax ]

[Aegis]

Virdel made his way down the twisting streets of Athkatla with little trouble. He had long lost his pursuers, and was making his way back to his employer, and report the incident with the lone gaurd and Shadow Theives. As he weaved through the streets, not so much running, but almost in a jog, he rubbed the side of his face. He was careless enough to let himself run into a full plate of steel. Not the brightest move. His entire body was aching, not only from the two fights he had, almost consecutivly, but from his carelessness. He would take along time cursing himself over this one.

He came a large, well maintained, building on the corner of the Gate district. He casually aproached the building, and took the brass knocker in hand, and slammed it upon the wooden door. He only waited a few seconds before he heard a response.

"Who're ye?" came the response, somewhat muffled, but audible, even if barely. A grizzled old man poped his head to a slit in the door. Virdel hated dealing with Sadem. Always so uncouth, and vulgur, much different then what this Drow had become.

"Let me in, Sadem." Virdel replied coolly. "I am back from Ferchens's mission."
Sadem looked him over, and his eyes went wide when he saw the bandage on Virdel's arm, and the large bruise over his left eye.
Virdel heard a chuckle, Sadem obviously finding it funny that the dark Elf had been hit. With the chuckling, he heard the wooden door creak open, and the light from inside filled the street. Virdel made his way in, past Sadem, and to a room in the back. In but a few moments time, he was standing before Ferchen, and awaiting to report his mission.

Ferchen looked up from her chair. Her appearance cought Virdel off every time. She looked to much like a debutaunt, and she just didn't look as if she had been an adventurer, and warrior since her early years. Those thoughts quickly faded when he remembered her killing an agent who betrayed her, and the rest of the orgainization. She stood from her chair, and made her way over to Virdel, and stopped just in front of him. The top of her head only reached the tall Elf's chest, but this didn't stop her from being an imposing figure. She stood far enough back, that neither party had to tilt their head to make a eye contact. A pleased smile overcame her face after studying Virdel's grim one.

"So the mission was a success?" Ferchen asked, a question that was always never necessary when it came to the Dark Elf. Not once in his three years of service to her, and her cause had he failed her, in anyway. She turned her head from Virdel's grim expression, and towards his wounded arm. Her smile quickly faded when she saw the bandage. "Your hurt, someone catch you off gaurd?" If anyone either then herself had asked that question, Virdel would've slit their throught. But Fercen was different, more then just an employer to him. She was also the first human to accept him, even though he was Drow. His thoughts were interupted as he felt her soft hands untie the field dressing, and examine the wound.

"It's nothing to be concerned about" Virdel mentioned. He felt Ferchen rub the wound, playing a small game she always did when he came back wounded. She enjoyed this game, and even though Virdel wound never admit it, he did too. "The man you sent me to follow, the one from the Black Helm" Virdel said this with all intention of getting back to buisness. Ferchen got the hint, and released his arm, and took a step back, brushing a bit of her auburn hair out of the way in process. "The Shadow Theives did attack him." Virdel's look then turned to one of confusion. "But the man was not killed. Instead there about eight dead Shadow Theives this night, all killed by one man. I have seen a feat like since I saw the Ranger, Drizzt Do'Urden, in combat."

Ferchen nodded, and turned to a ledger on her desk. She quickly jotted down a few comments, and turned back to Virdel. "Anything else to report?" Virdel nodded, and went into accounts of the cloaked figure he pursued afterwards. Again he earned more nodding, then a smile from Ferchen. "Thank you Virdel. As always, you have been a good agent. You serve the Ranger well." She smiled again, and realized how close this man held on to Drizzt. His obvious hero in life, and his cause for fleeing the Under Dark, and Drow society.
"Okay, Virdel. You may go now. You have Melikki's love. Again, we are sorry to keep you in Athkatla, butwe feel their is some unnatural force in here." Virdel turned, and began to walk out of the room. Ferchen stpped him one last time. "Perhaps one day you'll drop your fighters spirit, and join me... er, us in the Rangers." She smiled, and Virdel left.


@All: So you all know, we are not the only ones reading this. I have recently took it upon myself to submit this, as we go, to www.FicFiction.net . I just thought it would be neat to have are game being read as a story, and if anyone has objections, I can easily take it off the site.

[Craig]

Distracted by the cloaked figure Xandax didn't notice Thryn running after him and was surprised not to see Thryn.
***

Thryn did not see the figure leave but he had gone, to where he did no know, but he couldn't give chase, the suspicions would grow and that would not be good,
He returned and spoke to The man"You and your friend?Do you know that man I may need to speak to him, by the way what is your name?as I have told I am Thryn i come from reaching wood.I have lied i am not here to sell anything I have some busines with the black helm, i was hunting a mage of theirs he had cursed my forest and held the town near it at ransom he did in the end dispell his foul magic but,"
"Yes"asked fasial
"Many of my fellow elves have been permently cursed and have come for revenge.

[Aegis]

@Craig: That last post of yours fell of few short of a six pact. Ya mind clarifying?

[Craig]

Can you?

[Aegis]

@Craig: Can I what?