ROLEPLAY HQ - a-tale-of-dying-magic

This was going to be a big day for Drek. This was the day he spent the past fifteen years of his life preparing for. Getting up, he went through his belongings one more time: Basic rations, simple traveling supplies like rope, a tinderbox, a mess kit, the journal he planned on recording everything from his travels.. Yep, he had everything in there. Looking over at the wall, there hung his trusty axe. Unlike the rest of the Stonesmith clan, Drek had strayed from the path his clan had taken from generations. They were smiths and warriors, but he was more of a scholar and mage, being one of the few Dwarves with magic left in his clan. Much to his dismay, of course. His people needed strength more than ever now, with how they were quickly fading since the loss of their homeland a hundred years ago.. But there had to be a way to fix this. He’d find it, he’d return home, and then they’d get their home back. The dwarf gathered his things and started down the road to meet with the council. They were the ones who would decide whether he could go on this journey. With his father on the council, he was sure that he’d be able to go, but it was a matter of convincing the rest of them that this journey would benefit the Dwarven people. The large stone doors slowly opened as he approached, controlled by massive metal chains that his ancestors had built long ago. The council hall was a beautiful building, with intricate stone carvings and statues, though it was lacking in fancy decorations. Most of their remaining strongholds were like this due to the loss of the majority of their land and wealth.

08:02

Drek stopped in front of a young dwarven woman, asleep on a stool at the beginning of the hall. Clearing his throat, he spoke. “Kabreni. I’m here to see the Council.” Kabreni woke with a start, looking at Drek groggily. “O-Oh! Of course! One moment, please!” With that, she got up from her stool and rushed down the hall. Several minutes passed, with Drek crossing his arms and sighing. He understood that there was someone needed to inform the council when people arrive, but Kabreni was always so jumpy about it. SHe must have been so terrified of the council to be so nervous about people arriving. After long enough, Kabreni returned. “Right this way, sir!” Then, she turned and ran off again. With a nod, Drek walked down the hall after her. Another set of doors opened to reveal a large circular chamber with five older dwarves seated near the front. On the left, Drek’s father, the Stonesmith patriarch, was seated. Beside him, Norebella of the Jadebraid clan, followed by Orizmat Warpike, Galdrei Greyfinger, and Losol Twilightsgale. Most of the other surviving clans did not agree with Drek’s plan, but that didn’t matter to him. He’d convince them, that much was certain.

08:04

“Drek Stonesmith.” He announced himself and walked into the center of the room, kneeling and lowering his head in respect for his elders. After a moment, he was told to stand. “And what do we owe this meeting, Stonesmith?” Jadebraid said, disapproval clear in her tone. “As you know, I have spent the past several years looking into our histories and stories, those that remain intact, at least, in an attempt to find a way to discover the reason for magic fading from our people and the world. I request permission to travel beyond our home to seek the histories of other peoples and races to find more information.” He explained proudly. “And then once I have the knowledge I seek, I will return here and work to restore magic to our people.” “While we don’t doubt your willingness, Stonesmith..” Twilightsgale spoke, “I have doubts about your abilities. Magic has been fading from our people for far longer than you’ve been alive. What makes you think that you’d be able to find its cause?” Drek met Twilightsgale’s gaze. “The fact that I have spent the past fifteen years preparing for this journey. I have spent all this time studying and strengthening my magic. I’m confident that meeting with the other races will let me find more than what’s here.”

08:04

This back and forth went on for several minutes, council members raising concerns about his goals and him refuting them with his own confidence and theories. Finally, he was dismissed from the council chamber so they could deliberate. He was confident that they’d allow him to go, since they’ve been cooped up in the mountains for several decades with very little contact from the outside world. The only contact his people have had is with the Giants, who took them in after their homeland was lost. Even then, it has been a long time since anyone had come from there. After long enough, he was called back in. Jadebraid spoke as he entered. “Drek Stonesmith, third son of Bronir, the council has decided that we will allow you to go on your quest. However, as we are in the Giant’s lands, you will need to get permission from the Giant king to leave his lands.” It was a simple enough demand. Meet with the Giant king, get permission to leave, and then get traveling. It’d be at least a two month trip to the capital of the giant’s lands on foot. Maybe he’d have to get a mount at some point.. Oh well, that was another thing to worry about once he left and had some money to work with. Money would be the biggest issue for him.. “Thank you, Councilwoman Jadebraid.” Drek responded, bowing his head in respect.

08:04

Bronir Stonesmith descended the stairs and spoke to his son. “Drek, are you sure you want to do this? I know you’ve always been so focused on your magic, but this seems reckless.” “Yes, father, i’m sure. Somebody’s gotta do something, or else we’re just going to fade from history. I’ll be careful, i’ll stay safe, and i’ll come back here to help our people. Put a little faith in me, okay?” Bronir smiled. “I know you will, son. You’ve always been headstrong.. Here,” He handed him a pouch of coin, “Take this to help pay for things. Stay safe, my son.” With that, he wished his son a farewell and safe travels as Drek left the room. Now it was time. With a deep breath, Drek left the dwarven kingdom and started down the road south.

( @rosegardens )

The stinging pain clutching Raven’s head wouldn’t go away as she winced. The sun is pouring through the inn's windows. Sitting up she groaned. Her hair was a mess and little recollection of the Night previously. She glanced over to see a woman sleeping beside her covering her mouth as she realized how loud she was. She gently lifted the covers and slid out of the bed. Moving over to the vanity she grabbed a brush and combed it through her tangled locks. She slipped into the restroom and washed her face. She went to her belt and grabbed a bottle off her hip. She popped the cork and chugged the green liquid down as her face distorted in disgust. But the pain of the headache soon faded and she felt renewed. With that done she finished up getting ready for the day. Fixing up her clothes and packing her bag. She moved back into the room quietly as she headed for the door. The woman in bed jostled around the raven stopping waiting for her to settle back down. She soon stopped moving Raven sighed and slipped through the door. Shutting it gently behind her she began walking down the hall then downstairs. The tavern was empty aside from the owner. The man just glanced up at her. She gave a smile and a shy wave as she ducked her head down and left. Once out she could finally breathe. The fresh air filling her lungs was flooded with the smell of smoke and alcohol the previous night. The town was moving as usual stands open for business shouting out their merchandise. As she passed everyone glanced her way. Her appearance was far from the norm. Some describe it as demonic. Feeling the sea of eyes she pulled up her hood hoping to cover her horns but it was a wasted effort. Her stomach loudly interrupted her thoughts with a low growl. Making her stop in her tracks clutching her stomach. As she sighed looking around at the different vendors.

10:24

We’ll best she stock up on some food while she was in town anyway. She slid over to one of the food booths. It had many fresh pastries and goodies. Getting up to the front she smiled. “Could I get three of those pastries they smell delicious?” She smiled, handing over the coin. The man smiled and chuckled. “They are delicious enjoy those.” He said as she smiled and soon began to walk away before something caught his attention. “Hey little miss that gemstone on your neck. Is that moonstone? Those are awfully rare now.” Raven quickly tucked the moonstone on her necklace into her top. “Oh it’s not real, I got it from a drunk and just thought it was pretty.” It was a lie, it was a genuine article but she doesn't want strangers to know that. Anyone around them could have heard the comment and that sure did frighten her. The man sighed. “Keep that thing safe, it's pretty no matter what it is.” He sighed giving her a wave. Raven was pissed she could just feel the gaze of those that overheard those words. A man in the city wouldn’t understand the importance of the moonstone. She pulled her cloak over her front and slipped into the crowd weaving through the people. She shoved part of the pastry in her mouth as she slipped down an alley. She soon was out of the main city and into the woods nearby. She briskly walked, still feeling uneasy about being exposed like that in such a busy place. Moonstones are believed to be magic. That remains to be seen and could be entirely false but they do fetch a pretty penny.

10:24

She continued on hoping she was far enough from the city to relax. She leaned against a tree and began to eat her pastry. “Quick ones aren’t ya you little minx.” Before she could even process it he’d grabbed her hand. Her pastry dropped to the ground. She looked into the man’s eyes but she couldn’t recognize him. “You were a little flirt last night all over me. You wanted me so bad but then you took that gnome girl to bed. Should have known you were just a tease just using me to buy you a drink.” Raven’s blood boiled as soon the events of the night before came rushing back to her. Her and the gnome woman hit it off talking and drinking when this drunk man stumbled up to them and asked Raven to go upstairs with him because it would be the best she’d ever had. When she refused and he got violent the owner had him thrown out of the tavern. “When I heard that baker talk about that pretty little stone on your chest I realized it was you.” He chuckled as she began to struggle in his grip. The man kept chuckling, the sound becoming more uncomfortable the more he did it. “Just let me go, I will give you all of it.” She said looking around but no one was in sight. He moved his hand to her shirt as he ripped the front of it roughly. Exposing her as well as the pretty stone between her breasts. “I think I will just take this and everything this petty little body of yours has to offer.” With those words her blood ran cold and something snapped inside her. “GET OFF ME!” She said driving her knee into his groin and pulling out her knife.

10:25

The man fell to his knees groaning. He looked up at her shouting back. “I’ll fucking kill you.” She drove her leg back and swung, kicking him in the jaw. The crunch of a bone could be heard as she did it. And then she was off sprinting away from him, knife in hand. But the man behind her wasn’t far. That rush of adrenaline coursing through his veins as he rushed to chase after her. She was panicking. “Someone please help.” She shouted hoping someone or something would help her. @Cecil-Cola

The dwarf was silently looking at his map as he walked down the road, tracing his route from the dwarven stronghold for probably the fifteenth time today alone. While he was confident in his own abilities, especially with all that he has learned about his powers over the past fifteen years.. There were things he could do that many people couldn't even come to understand because most didn't understand magic any more. It had been several hours of straight walking, with very little variation. He recorded everything out of the ordinary he encountered in a leather-bound journal that he bought with money made from helping his folks at the smith's shop in preparation for this journey. Unfortunately, there wasn't that much he encountered out here. Just the usual travelers, for the most part. There was someone who tried to mug him early on in the day, but one flash of his greataxe and the man went running. You don't fuck with a dwarf with an axe. Drek was interrupted from his musings by shouting up ahead. What the hell was going on? There normally wasn't all that much going on here, he thought.. Glancing up, he saw that there was a woman running from someone, clothes torn as the man slowly climbed to his feet, cracking his jaw back into place with a growl. Then, he started running after her, shouting something about how he was going to kill her. Shifting his foot, a section of the earth quickly rising and literally sliding down the road with him on it at a rapid rate, stopping just past Raven and splitting into several large stones. "What the hell's going on here?" The other man slid to a stop, staring down Drek. @rosegardens

Raven kept running; she wasn’t sure what this man had up his sleeve or if he was just a crazy drunk. Nonetheless he terrified her. Feeling someone get in between the two of them she stopped still clutching her knife as she stood behind the dwarf. The man ran and stopped in his tracks in front of him. “Fuck you can use magic.” He said almost terrified. “She stole that necklace from me. You can’t trust those horned things. Just hand it over and maybe I won’t go talk to that gnome about it.” Raven cracked her neck pissed as her hold on her knife tightened. Before she could stop herself she was rushing forward toward her attacker. Once she got a good angle she threw the knife. It flew through the air and lodged into his throat. The man clutched his now gushing throat. Gripping his fingers he pulled out the knife as the blood spurted out. He gasped and gagged and soon fell to the ground writhing in agony. Raven looked at her hands as they trembled. She pressed her hands to her face as she began to weep falling to her knees. Her moonstone still hung down over her breasts as she just continued to cry softly. Completely forgetting that another man was before her. She looked up and jumped a bit. Scrambling to cover herself with her hands. “H-he was gonna…” she trailed off as the tears fell. “Thank you.” She said looking at the ground shaken up by the endeavor. @Cecil-Cola

He watched her throw her knife into the man's throat, and the man started to die. With a huff, he turned to the woman and crossed his arms. "Did you actually end up stealin' anything? The fact you killed him so quickly doesn't exactly make any better for you." Sighing, he watched as she broke down. As much as he wanted to keep his distance from people while on this mission of his, he couldn't help but feel bad for her. It seemed that the man had attacked her, and she was just scared. Reaching into his bag, he pulled out a traveling cloak and tossed it to her. "Cover yourself. Did you have an extra set of clothes to wear?" It's not like he had very much he could spare for anyone larger than a dwarf. After all, it's not like the dwarves get many visitors, so the tailors never need to make clothes for anyone bigger. @rosegardens

She quickly accepted the cloak covering herself. “I know it doesn’t but no one believes teiflings anyway.” She said as she stood up wobbling a bit. “He drunkenly wanted me to bed him last night and I refused. He came after me and ripped my shirt he wanted my moonstone and to take me in the woods.” She said her voice shaking. “He even threatened to go after the girl I stayed with last night. I know I shouldn’t have done it but I don’t regret it. He was scum.” She grumbled as she looked at her body. “I have a shirt I can change.” She said as she turned and pulled off the ripped shirt and pulled on her new one. “Thank you I’m not sure what he would have done if he had gotten to me.” She said shivering. @Cecil-Cola

He listened to the woman as he watched the man struggle as he bled to death. Walking over to him, he drew his axe and cut off his head to end his suffering. Humans can't hold their alcohol, the disrespectful piles of shit. It made them do stupid things such as this.. Once she had gotten dressed again, he turned back to her, arms crossed. "Nothin' good, i'm sure. What're you even doing out here?" @rosegardens

Raven relaxed a bit as she looked over to him. “I’m just on my way to the next city. I’m a bard I just go place to place singing and making money.” She said with a sigh. “What about you? Why are you out here alone. I suppose your more equipped for it than I but nonetheless.” Her moonstone hanging over her cloths as she talked. “How can I repay you for helping me. If it’s within reason I will make sure to do it.” She said with a small smile. @Cecil-Cola

"You look very under-prepared for traveling on your own. Pick some stuff up in the next town." He said, looking back down the road. ..The dwarf didn't think that it'd be wise to tell about his mission to a random stranger he met on the road. "..I'm headed to the capital. I have business with the king there on behalf of my people." It was enough of a truth for now. When she asked how he could pay him back, he looked over her for a moment. "Well, for one, keep that little necklace of yours hidden. That's drawing too much attention to yourself. Just stay safe and don't get yourself killed, ya hear me?" @rosegardens

Raven smiled this man she knew little to nothing about almost seemed like he care for her well-being. It was more than enough to get a smile out of her. “Well seeing as we are both just traveling maybe you’d want to stick together till we get to the capital. It’s a ways away and we can hit a few towns as we go. If you don’t mind having a companion.” She smiled leaning a bit as her cleavage could be seen a bit better. Hearing his comment about her necklace she nodded. And tucked it into her shirt once more. “I can’t promise anything but I can promise you won’t regret letting me tag along.” She smiled wildly. @Cecil-Cola

"..I don't see why we couldn't stick together." While he noticed her leaning forward, he looked away, having a feeling like she was trying to hit on him. Were all the taller races like this or something..? With a shake if his head, he glanced back at her and then started walking. "Don't cause too much trouble, and maybe i'll let you stick around until the capital." @rosegardens

Raven noticed his averted gaze and made note of it. She readjusted and buttoned her top up a bit more. She smiled hearing his answer. “Oh you look like you need a little bit of trouble in your life.” She joked as she moved ahead of him a little. “So the next city is a few hours away if you don’t mind spending the night in one of the inns. Oh and don’t worry I can cover the cost of the room.” She said as she walked. Turning her head forward. She hummed softly to herself. It was a common song most people knew. Catchy and repetitive. The humming showing off a bit her smooth silky tone. Only better when she puts words to the sound. @Cecil-Cola

He was getting a sinking feeling that he had made a mistake agreeing to travel with her until the capital. It was going to be a long three months.. He took a moment to clean the blood off of his axe and bury the man's body using his earth magic, giving him a prayer to the Stone Father, the dwarven god of creation, before he continued. "Try to get one with two beds, got it? Human beds aren't built for two people.." He grumbled. @rosegardens

Raven watched as he used magic she herself could use some but she tried to do it sparingly as it drained her very quickly. “You really have the hang of using your magic very impressive.” She said her head still facing forward. “Of course, please tell me if I ever overstep boundaries I know my actions are a bit much sometimes.” She said as she slowed to walk beside him. “I try to stay at non-human owned inns. I’m far more accepted among the other races. Aside from elves and or uptight groups.” She said. “I promise you their beds are much stronger.” She smirked as she covered her mouth to laugh. @Cecil-Cola

"I've spent all my life learning how to harness the magic in the earth. How to speak to it, shape it to my will, without exhausting myself. After all, i'm not drawing on my own mana reserves." The dwarf explained as he walked, clearly proud of his talents. Few dwarves could manipulate the earth in the way he could. Fewer still knew of what he was truly capable of. He didn't show much of a reaction to her first comment, but the second one caused him to raise a brow at the woman. Not only did she not understand what he meant, but she also took it in a completely different direction? By Asohilda's grace, if he were a dimmer dwarf, all of what she was saying would go right over his head- and not because he's short! With a sigh, he grumbled. "This is going to be a long trip, I swear.." @rosegardens

Raven smiled. “Maybe you could teach me a thing or two. Whenever I use magic it completely depletes my energy, that's why I save it for when I really need it.” She said walking along. Hearing him grumble she giggled a bit as she moved a little further ahead. Pulling out an instrument from her bag. She strummed it and began to softly sing. She was a little bit away so it was a bit harder to hear. @Cecil-Cola

"I doubt you'd be able to channel energy through the earth like I can, it's a special connection dwarves have to the land because of our origin. Not just anyone can do it. You're better off just asking one of those fancy elven mages how they channel their magic.." He knew that he'd eventually be meeting with the elves someday.. They were rumored to be one of the races that still had magic, and he wanted to figure out why. But that was still months away.. When she pulled ahead, he didn't stop her, putting his map back in his bag and continuing on. What she did while walking didn't really matter to him, as they wouldn't be sticking around forever. As long as her actions didn't cause him a bunch of trouble, she could do whatever the hell she wanted. It'd be another hour or so before they reached the town, he reasoned, and dusk would be an hour and a half, maybe two, so they needed to get going. @rosegardens

“I wasn’t talking about that. I just meant channeling your magical energy into preforming something. I can barely do it. The motions are they same for you as they are for I it’s just a matter of different outputs.” She said. Raven was a bit ahead as she continued walking. She just took in the surroundings as she continued. She then glanced back to her companion. “Well tell me a bit about you. I want to know who I’m traveling with.” She said with a smile. “I’m but a traveling bard making money and having fun where and when I can have it.” She smiles looking at him. “If you really don’t want to tell me anything by all means stay quite and brooding back there.” She jokes. @Cecil-Cola

He doubted that the movements were the same, to be real. Each spell he used had different movements he had to make, but perhaps he could help her with smoothing out her moves to make her mana efficiency higher. "I'm not brooding." He protested. "I'm just a dwarf trying to help his people in whatever way he can.. Simple as that." He didn't need to go into too many details for now. "Name's Drek." @rosegardens

Raven chuckled. He was cute when he was annoyed. “I’m a teifling, no one trusts me by default.” She said trying to make a joke of it. “My names Raven.” She said as she walked matching his pace as she faced forward. “What kind of things do you like. Or just like to do in general.” She said trying to just make normal conversation. @Cecil-Cola

"Yeah, well most people are self-centered bastards." He grumbled, looking off to the side. "..Other things of note are that i'm a scholar with a focus on magic. I also have a damn good knowledge of the histories." He explained his knowledge with his hands behind his head, looking up at the sky. ..Of course, there were things he wasn't going to mention, but that was his business, not hers. @rosegardens

“Most people are self centered bastards.” She replied back. “With the dissipation of magic it’s only made people worse. Tension is high and everyone doesn’t give a shit about everyone else.” She said walking along. “I could see that, you are quite good with the stuff. Is that for fun or mostly just for gathering knowledge?” She questioned. “Do you have a partner? Someone your going to come home to?” She asked curious. If he was a taken man she would step back from how she’s been acting. @Cecil-Cola

He understood much more about the fading of magic than he thought most people ever would.. He had spent more than a decade studying it, and the whole reason he was out here was to learn more about it. Magic fading made people angry and bitter, since they lacked power they once had in their histories. "I study with purpose." The dwarf said proudly, though he wasn't going to go into many details. "I'm always looking for new things to learn about magic." As for her final question.. He looked at her and raised a brow. "How is that any of your business?" @rosegardens

Raven nodded. The more than man spoke the better the idea of him she got. It was going to take some time to really get him into a comfortable spot with her. And it’s going to be quite awkward and stiff between the two of them otherwise. “It’s not but I don’t like flirting with taken people.” She said walking. “I’m curious though. Your so serious and into your work, I’m sure you deemed the prospect as less important than your studies.” @Cecil-Cola

Well, she wasn't wrong there. The Stonesmith clan had been a lesser clan until recently, so it wasn't like there was must prestige in a relationship with him. And he had always had different goals than most dwarves, who were focused on improving their clan's craft. No.. He had greater ambitions than that. "..It has been, and still is." He replied. @rosegardens

Raven nodded she figured as much. “Even just for fun, don’t tell me your a virgin.” She said almost alarmed. But he didn’t seem like he was but she also wouldn’t be surprised if so. She was clearly thinking about it. “You know never relaxing really takes a toll on you. Especially if your carrying the weight of something this important.” She said looking over at him. @Cecil-Cola

He looked at her, baffled. "..Is this what you people think about when you meet someone new?" Letting out a sigh, he just shook his head, not answering her question. If everyone outside of the dwarven stronghold could not focus like this woman, it'd be nearly impossible for him to get anything done.. "I have my ways of 'relaxing' that doesn't involve sharing a bed with someone I just met." By the Stone Father, this woman was relentless. @rosegardens

She chuckled shaking her head. “No probably just me or maybe a a small amount of people.” She said chuckling. He was so serious such a stick in the mud this guy was. “Got it so virgin I presume.” She smirked looking over to him. “Is this what all dwarves are like? “ she said with a sigh. Maybe traveling together wasn’t a good idea they are almost complete opposites. @Cecil-Cola

He looked at her like she had just slapped him. "Don't you assume things about me!" Such a rude woman, assuming that he had no experience just because he had better things to worry about.. "And no, not all dwarves are 'like this'. We just don't rush into things like you shorter-lived races do." With a scoff, he crossed his arms and eyed her. Dwarven love was something special, and they lived so much longer than most races. It didn't do them any good to rush into a relationship when they had several hundreds of years to find their true partner. Drek was young for a dwarf, after all, and had spent most of his life studying instead of smithing or fighting, like most of his brethren. Yeah, he had fooled around with a couple of lasses throughout his early adult years, but they never really tended to catch his eye. @rosegardens

Hearing him get all puffy about her assumption she couldn’t help but giggle. “I’m sorry it was a joke.” She laughed. “I wouldn’t call it rushing into things when the point is just to have fun. I never asked if you’ve found your true love.” She sighed. “I don’t see sex the same as most I understand that. I see love as a luxury I can’t have anyway so I have no use in waiting for a miracle to come along. “ she said on a more serious note looking off. She saw a man so focused on his studies he was naive to the world around him. @Cecil-Cola

Fun, huh? That's what these people were worried about? Just simple, naive 'fun' while his people suffered and marched ever closer to extinction? Sighing inwardly, he supposed he couldn't blame most people for not knowing his people's plight. It wasn't something that would exactly be well-advertised, especially with how secluded the dwarves had become since the war with the human empire. "..Well if you're hoping to get a lot of action with me.." He sighed, shaking his head. "You're more than likely going to be disappointed." It wasn't that he couldn't see her as any form of attractive.. But he had no interest in rushing into things. Take him to dinner first all that, right? "Let's just keep moving. We'll be getting to town soon." @rosegardens

Raven chuckled. “Oh don’t worry I wasn’t planning on trying to seduce you.” She said as she chuckled. “But maybe we could find a nice dwarven girl at the tavern.” She joked and soon kept pressing on. She was going to give him a bit to himself as to not completely deter him from wanting to travel together. The time passed and soon they were not to far from the small town Raven intended to stay at. She could make some quick cash while they were there. “Alright we aren’t to far out. Is there anything you needed to get while we are here?” She asked. @Cecil-Cola

'Wasn't planning on trying to seduce you', huh? Yeah, right.. It was clear that she was one of the flirty types.. And what part of their conversation made it seem like he was even looking for a partner right now? The dwarf's eyebrow raised as she made her joke, but he didn't respond to it as they kept moving. It didn't take too much longer before the town was approaching quickly, Drek letting out a quiet sigh of relief. It hadn't been an easy walk, and he wasn't all that used to traveling constantly yet.. But he'd have to get used to it. "..Some travel rations should do it. I can buy my supplies, then we'll get some rooms at the inn and set out in the morning. That good with you?" @rosegardens

Raven smiled. She stretched as she made her way into the village. Finding herself the tavern and inn. The place was warm and bustling with clearly just the inhabitants of the village. They turned seeing the new comers. She strode up to the bar keep and smiled. “Can I get two mugs of your favorite brew please.” She smiled sitting down at the bar. A girl across the bar catching her eye as she offered her a little smile as the girl blushed and looked away. Once the mugs were set she handed one to Drek. She took her own and began to drink. The foam covering her lips as she sighed with a smile. @Cecil-Cola

It didn't take long for him to go get his supplies, since he couldn't really carry all that much on his person without making it too difficult for him to move effectively. It was a shame that he didn't have a horse to carry his things, since it really limited what he could bring with him. Once he finished purchasing supplies, the dwarf walked into the inn and noticed the tiefling talking with a girl across the bar. The fact that she blushed and turned away told him everything he needed to know about the nature of the conversation.. Drek walked over to the bar and hoisted himself up into the seat, looking down at the mug placed in front of him by Raven. He really doubted that this would be any of the good stuff, and he was more of a wine man himself.. But alcohol was alcohol, and he knew how to drink. Reaching forward, he took the mug into his hand and took a long swig of it. "Bah, this stuff's weak. Humans don't know how to make a good brew." Very few races could make alcohol as strong as what the dwarves made in their heyday. Exporting drinks had once been one of their major money makers, combined with their artisan goods, and it gave them a reputation as fine craftsmen.. But those times are long gone, with the current state of the race. Very few people actually knew what a dwarf was nowadays.. With a sigh, he took another swig. @rosegardens

The woman Raven was talking to was awfully close to her now leaning against her even. But raven paid little kind to it as she spoke to her companion. “I don’t drink this to get hammered i drink it cause it tastes good.” She chuckled. “My friend owns this tavern and she’s a half orc but seems she’s not in town this time around.” She said as she looked off zoning out a bit. The woman looked up to her giving raven a little tug. “Are you going to sing. I want to hear your voice.” The woman said cupping raven’s cheek. She smiled and gently pulled away. “Of course darling.” She offered her a wink as she moved to her small satchel she opened it and pulled out a lute. Clearly to big to have fit in the thing. She began to play it as the heads in the tavern turned to look at her. She made her way to a little stage on the far side of the tavern. Moving onto it sitting in the edge she began to play a little louder. Now adding in her vocals she began to enchant the crowd with her voice. Her gentle tone. The woman at the bar now next to Drek leaned against it with a big smile. Finally noticing the dwarf she looked at him. “Hm she usually travels alone why are you with her?” She said confused. Raven sang beautifully. (A rendition of Pricilla’s song in the Witcher for reference) @Cecil-Cola

He disagreed that it tasted good- It wasn't strong enough to have the flavor. After all, he was a dwarf, and dwarves knew their beer. The dwarf took another sip as the two women talked, just listening to the conversations in the tavern. It seemed that Raven planned on performing, which made the dwarf turn slightly as she moved to the stage to begin playing. It didn't sound terrible, at least.. But the lighter tones of a feminine tall folk didn't seem to catch his attention too much. When the other girl asked him a question, he glanced up from the mug to look at her. "..Found her on the road. Safety in numbers, simple as that." Drek had a feeling that this girl had some kind of feelings for Raven, or it was just another person she was being overly flirtatious with, so he made it clear that he didn't have much of an interest in the tiefling woman. @rosegardens

The woman turned her head a little confused. This was the man she traveled with. But he was so stern and cold very different from her. “That makes sense I suppose.” Soon Raven’s song came to a close and clapping could be heard throughout the bar. Men and women handed up their coin to Raven as she took it with a smile sliding it all back into her satchel. She lifted her hands and clapped starting up a rhythm adding the sound of her foot hitting the ground. She began to sing a common song. Many joining in on the fun as they stomped their feet and clapped. Soon most of the bar was singing along. Raven made her way to the girl and offered her hand. The girl accepted blushing and giggling as she was twirled into raven then twirled outward. She looked over to Drek and gave him a flirty wink before laughing looking back to her dance partner. Hopping up onto a table she offered her hand to the girl begging to dance as the bar cheered and laughed. A few times the girl almost fell of the edge of the table but every time Raven caught her. Be it with her tail or hands. Soon she dipped the girl holding her as the song ended. Pulling a rose from what seemed midair she handed it to the girl. She jumped off the table the girl in her arms. Setting her down she graciously took the coin she was offered once more. She looked so happy as people talked with her and laughed. The tavern scene being the one she was most comfortable with. She soon breaking away to come back to the bar. @Cecil-Cola

By the time she was done with her first song, Drek had ordered himself a glass of wine and was sipping on it as the next song began and the tavern began to get truly lively. Now this was something he had to give the taller folk.. They certainly knew how to party, for a bunch of non-dwarves. The tavern was much livelier than even the busiest dwarven inns lately. Another sip of wine, and he noticed the flirty wink from the tiefling. Like, she couldn't focus on her own dance partner right now? What was her fascination with him, anyway? Was it the fact that dwarves weren't seen all that often? Was she just interested in him because he was an oddity? It'd certainly be a possibility.. But at least she was making a lot of coin for herself.. It had only been a handful of days into his journey, and yet he already could tell that money wouldn't be much of an issue.. Maybe he'd just have to play along with her games, just to not have to worry about money.. @rosegardens

Raven wasn’t particularly interested in Drek in the same way she was interested in others but he definitely intrigued her. She wanted to know more about him. But also teasing him was fun. “Well you seemed to not join in on the fun not into this kinda thing.” She questioned. Before anything more was said a man pushed his way in between the two of them. Raven already taken a bit off guard. “Excuse me I was talking to him do you mind.” She said as she began to move away from him. The man stopping her. “Oh what the half man.” He said chuckling. She froze and grabbed the man by his collar and pulled him down so only he could hear her. But just from her body language anyone could tell she was livid. She finally released the man and he looked a bit taken a back as he slowly began to walk away. She looked back to Drek. “I’m sorry people can truly be disgusting.” She said as she drank from her mug. Before she could say anything else the girl from earlier latched on Raven’s arm. “Come on you promised.” She said her breasts pressing against her arm. Raven chuckled. “Give me a bit darling then I will be up.” She said with a smile as the girl scurried away. Raven handed Drek a key. “Room 5 is all yours.” She smiled. @Cecil-Cola

"I'll admit i'm less of a partier than most of my race, but I still know a few good tricks. I just don't get involved until i'm a few glasses deep." It was a simple enough explanation, and not too far from the truth, either. Then someone pushed past her and said something about him being a 'half-man', which caused his eyebrow to twitch. Before he could do anything, though, Raven grabbed the man by the collar, and Drek could only assume, unleashed a series of threats directed at the man for his rude comment. "While I appreciate the sentiment.." He reached down and picked up a small stone he tracked into the building, casually just tossing it aside. Then, ignoring all laws of physics, hit the man lightly in the back of the head, utterly confusing him since, when he looked back, Drek hadn't even moved. "I can defend my pride in my own ways. Thanks, though." The girl from the bar then latched onto Raven's arm, and the way she moved and talked, Drek assumed that the tiefling had chosen a lover for tonight, one who was very keen on spending the night with her. Taking the key from Raven, he just chuckled. "You shouldn't keep your little friend waiting, I don't plan on leaving this spot for a few more hours. I'm not even tipsy." @rosegardens

Raven sighed. “That guys a dick.” She watched the Little Rock fly as she giggled. “He’s the same type of man to call me a she devil. So I feel I have to say something.” She shrugged. Raven turned back to the bar and grabbed her drink. “Eh I don’t need those who have had more than a few drinks. I will give her a bit she will be asleep when I get up there. If she still wants me in the morning I’m all hers.” She chuckled. “Do mind if I sit with you a while longer?” She said looking to him with a small smile. “Anyone in the bar catch your eye.” She gently elbows him joking. @Cecil-Cola

"Oh, don't get me wrong, he absolutely is a dick. People like him deserve to lose theirs." He took a sip of his wine, setting the glass down afterwards. "I just don't want others to fight my battles for me." It wasn't like a strong, dwarven man to rely in others to solve their problems. "She seems pretty infatuated with you, and that's not even considering the drinks. Seemed almost offended that I was traveling with you." Another sip of wine, and he let out a quiet sigh. Tall folk just didn't know how to make the good stuff. There was this one wine he usually had- Heart of the Forge, it was called- that could really put some hair on your chest.. This bland stuff just didn't compare. Her question shook him out of his musings, and he glanced over. "Yeah, sure, go ahead." The dwarf turned back to his glass, staring down at the liquid in it. "Nope. I'm just wondering how these humans made this wine so bland." @rosegardens

Raven rolled her eyes a bit she wasn’t a girl to hold her tongue in the presence of someone like that. “She’s complicated, she used me as a rebound when her husband up and left her but now every time I come in town she acts like I’m hers. I’ve told her every time it’s only for the night. “ she sighed. “Hahah really that bad to you huh?” She giggled. “You have to let me try some dwarves brew I need to know how it compares.” She smiled. @Cecil-Cola

He wasn’t all that knowledgeable about the ‘rebounding’ when it came to relationships, honestly. Any relationships that he ever had never ended up in a bad break-up, since they were never all that involved. Simple shit, like hand-holding and maybe a one night stand or two, but nothing more. Emotional attachment wasn’t really Drek’s thing, since he was always more focused on preparing for this journey of his. Maybe that wasn’t much of a good thing, huh? The dwarf took a long drink of his wine at that realization. Oh well, it was far too late to fix that. He was already on this journey, and there wasn’t much of a dwarf in sight. Very few people even seemed to give a shit about dwarves out here, really.. A glance toward the other man just proved his point. Drek sighed, looking over at Raven at her question. “The dwarves know how to make the best brews out there. Something about what the tall folk do to ‘em just doesn’t make it work.” He glared down at the drink in his hands. “Maybe it’s the fact that you don’t live in the mountains..” He wasn’t a brewer, so he didn’t know all the different aspects that went into making a good drink.. But this just wasn’t right. “You sure you wanna stay down here the entire time? It’s gonna take a whole lot of this to get me anywhere close to tipsy, and I need to relax after that first leg of the journey.” @rosegardens

Raven sighed as she leaned against the bar. “Well I just want to give it at least a few more minutes. Then she might be asleep by the time I go up there.” She said as she downed the rest of her mug. It didn’t take very long for hers to be filled again as she began to drink it down. “What time do we need to leave tomorrow?” She asked as she continued to drink. “We should probably look into two horses because walking this entire journey is going to be quite the endeavor.” She said with sigh. “Also you just call everyone tall folk? What about gnomes or other races along those lines. Is there any parameters on the tall thing.” She said as she did start to feel that little buzz as she was drinking quite fast. “Thank you for earlier.” She said feeling a little fuzzy. “You seem like a good guy. Even though you don’t like me.” She said as she finished another mug. @Cecil-Cola

"I get wanting to get a free bed out of it and all, but you don't really seem that interested in what she has to offer otherwise. Seems like a waste of time, if you ask me." He commented between sips of his wine. "Ideally we'll be outta here before ten, but who knows? And about horses? I don't really have the money to pay for a good horse. I'd rather put that money towards food and a warm bed while i'm in towns than a horse like that." The dwarf shook his head simply. This was a several month trip, and he didn't think that there'd be many opportunities to make some extra cash, so he had to be careful with his spending. "What? Of course I don't call gnomes tall folk, or halflings for that matter. If it's bigger than a dwarf, it's usually either a monster or one of you tall folk. Really makes me wonder how you don't get knocked on your ass from a single blow, all your weight's so spread out through those lanky bodies of yours. Gotta be solid, like a rock." Another few sips of wine. "No need for thanks. Any dwarf worth his stone would've done the same thing." A brow raised as she said he didn't like her. "Who said I didn't like you? Dwarves are just slow to trust. If you tall folk cared enough, you'd know that." @rosegardens

Raven chuckled. “I’m no noble but I’m not down on cash either. I can get us two horses no problem. It’s not a big deal I promise if you don’t mind riding a horse. “ she said looking down into her mug. She listened as he spoke her ears twitching occasionally at what he said. “See I don’t have much weight here.” She said grabbing onto her chest which was by no means small. “Most of its her~” she said as she grabbed her butt a bit. The alcohol had sunk its teeth into her for sure. She even finished her mug in hand calling for another. Raven poured her movements far more wobbly and disoriented. “Everyone takes time to trust.” She said protesting. “I want to learn if you’ll have me~.” She said giving him a drunken smile. She almost fell out of her stool a few times catching herself just barely. But soon she was drinking a new mug of ale. @Cecil-Cola

He shook his head. "Don't wanna make you spend that cash. Besides, i've never gotten along with horses. Damn things are crazy, I tell you." Bad experience as a young man, never went back.. When she started groping herself in public, Drek looked away quickly. "We are in a public space, dammit! Control yourself, woman." He knew that tall folk couldn't handle their alcohol, but damn, this had to be a special case. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed her drinking again and shook his head, taking the mug from her. "Alright, that's enough for you. Off to bed with you, any more and you'll be dead come morning." @rosegardens

Raven had drank to much to fast. Especially in the town they were in. Their ale had a higher alcohol content. On top of that shed neglected eating besides a pastry from this morning. She pouted as her drink was taken away. “Drekkkk~ that’s not fair.” She said as she tried to take it back but to no avail. She got distracted smiling at him. There was no way she’s be able to go to bed on her own. She would fall or do something stupid. @Cecil-Cola

Letting out a sigh, he shook his head. "Come on. Let's get you to bed. Where's that woman's room?" He wasn't supposed to be a babysitter, dammit, and if this was going to be common, this was going to be a much longer trip than he planned for. It wasn't the easiest thing to bring her upstairs, due to his size in relation to her. But dwarves were strong, and it was her fault if she got beat up a bit by getting dragged. Letting out a harsh sigh, he just shook his head and brought her to his room instead, plopping her down on the bed and sitting down at the desk. Then, he spent the next hour writing in his journal, wondering what the hell he'd do about him sleeping. @rosegardens

She was a bit groggy going to the bed and weirdly climbing up onto it. Almost completely falling off a few times. She curled up in a ball on top of the covers. “Come cuddle.” She said mumbling and outstretching her arms. To no avail as she began to sleep. She slept for a hour or so before she woke sitting up her cloths in a little bit of a disarray. She still had alcohol in her system. “Drek come sleep, we are adults I will stay on my side you can stay on yours.” She said yawning as she moved to the far side of the bed. @Cecil-Cola

"Dwarves don't cuddle." He mumbled to himself as he wrote the events into his journal. It was important to chronicle his adventures, in case he failed so whoever attempted after him knew where not to look. Setting down the ink pen, he leaned back in his chair when he heard her moving behind him. Come sleep, she says. We're adults, she says. Well, she obviously was drunk and he suspected that she'd try and make a move in the middle of the night.. Ugh, whatever. Climbing into the bed, he closed his eyes to sleep. It was going to be a long three months or so.. @rosegardens

Raven did as she said she remained on her side and didn’t try anything in the middle of the night. She only occasionally rolled in her sleep. She did mumble things in her sleep. They were quite but still there. “Please don’t leave me.” She mumbled quite a few times before moving away. In the morning she still laid on her side. Her too had slid down partially and her cleavage was very deep. @Cecil-Cola

He awoke with a groan, rolled out of the bed with another- human beds were too far off the ground, he swore- and rose to his feet. Glancing back to the bed, he quickly looked away when he noticed what he was eye-level with, tossing the blanket over her to cover her. There wasn't time for that, dammit. He needed to prepare to leave. Climbing back to the desk, he lit a stick of incense and closed his eyed to pray to the Stone Father, his patron god. It was a part of his daily routine, and he'd be damned if he missed it. After about three minutes of prayer, Drek went about getting dressed and then went down to order breakfast, eating in the common room while he waiting for the woman to wake up. @rosegardens

Raven eventually rolled out of bed a hangover in tow as her head pounded in pain. She noticed Drek wasn’t in the room. She only hoped he didn’t actually leave. She moved over to her things and began to get dressed properly. Getting on her more travel friendly attire. She popped the cap on a little bottle she had and with it’s awful taste her hangover began to fade. She grabbed her things and began to make her way downstairs. She came in to find Drek with a smile. “Morning.” She said as she came and sat beside him. She got the attention of the innkeeper who brought her, her own plate with some various things. She began to eat as she sighed. “I’m sorry I got drunk on you last night.” She said pushing her food around a bit as she glanced over at him. @Cecil-Cola

Considering the fact that most of his things were still in the room, including his bag, his weapon, and a couple of loose personal effects, it was highly unlikely that he would have left at this point, unless he had left all of those behind. When Raven came down the stairs to the common room, the dwarf raised his mug of water to her in a simple greeting. He didn't stop her when she moved to sit beside him, and seemed content to continue his meal. "I wouldn't bother apologizing. It's a tavern, and it was late. That's what these kinds of places are for, after all." It hadn't really bothered him, especially since he was a dwarf. His people were known for getting drunk and partying late into the night, so he was used to it. Even if he was more mild than most of his kinsmen. "If we end up sticking this out for more than a few days, i'm sure it'll be a common sight. Especially if we find some of the good stuff." Nothing could ever top the dwarven wine that he drank back home, but maybe he'd find something that'd come close.

23:02

After giving her a few minutes to eat her food, and him enough time to finish his, Drek pulled out his map and laid it out on the table. "If we keep on the main road we're on, we'll be able to make it to the next town in.. I'd say four days. We'll need to stock up on supplies to make it there, but I can hunt and forage to make up for what we can't afford, if anything. I don't expect any major trouble along this road, nothing out of the ordinary, that is. At most i'd expect the odd group of bandits, but that's nothing I can't handle." As he explained this, he pointed out the route he planned to take them on, along with various points he expected there might be trouble. Planning these kinds of things was something he had spent years preparing for, since he knew that this journey would be a long one. It'd be stupid of him not to prepare for it accordingly, or have the skills to take each day in stride. Years of training and experience finding his way through long-forgotten tunnels and along sheer mountainous cliffs made this kind of planning simple. Commonly travelled roads had their own dangers, but they'd be nothing compared to the kinds of dangers that his people had faced historically. Monsters from the deep, treacherous mountain paths, humans, drow.. There were many difficulties that his people had faced throughout their long lives, and many of those skills had been passed on to him by his father, or by all the research he had done with what little remained of their histories.. Shaking himself from his musings, Drek looked up at Raven. "Any objections?" @rosegardens

Raven smiled. “I wonder how you are drunk. Your so to yourself normally do you loosen up a bit.” She joked as she just continued to dig into her food. After a bit of idle chit chat and silence she perked up hearing the crinkling of paper. She looked over the map and took in there plan. It was simple enough with the two working together especially, they should be fine there are some things that do worry Raven. “We still need to proceed with caution monsters are the unpredictable ones. In my travels usually they are what cause the most issue. Humans are sloppy but they can be worse than monsters. If we just keep our wits about us then we should be fine.” She sighed as she did appreciate being accompanied. “No objections here.” She smiled at him warmly. She really wanted him to like her just a little. Just enough to smile when she does something stupid. Eventually she’d hope they would at least be friends but from the looks of it he wasn’t an easy guy to be friends with. An orc woman came out from the back room. Bag of things in hand she set it down in front of Raven. “Here sweetheart your payment for yesterday. Threw in some stuff I think you’d put to good use. Maybe some stuff he would enjoy as well. Be safe dear.” She smiled as she made her way into the back room once more. Raven opened the bag her eyes going wide as she froze. She gently slid her hand in the bag and pulled out a long dagger. The hilt was a little worn and needed some adjusting. But it had a beautiful carving at the end of it. The blade itself was a sharpened tooth of a large monster. She looked to Drek with a twinkle in her eyes and a big goofy smile. The blade wasn’t necessarily special but more durable and very cool. She slid the bag over to him. “Go on you can look through it too. I’m sure there’s something that tickles your fancy in there.” She giggled as she began attaching the blade to her hip once she slid it back in its sheath. @Cecil-Cola

"When dwarves get drunk, we tend to get wild. It's in our blood, after all." He mumbled. "Though i'm definitely not the most wild of all my kinsmen." With a shake of his head, he kept anything else to himself. There was still a certain extent of him not trusting this woman, not out of dislike or anything like that. This world was full of people who hated the dwarves, or wanted them dead, or wanted to manipulate them.. The list goes on. Him keeping a quiet distance away from the woman emotionally was for his safety, more than anything else. And, to a certain extent, hers. Him trying to find out why the magic was fading would draw plenty of attention to himself from unwanted parties.. Particularly those damned Drow.. who always seemed to be places they shouldn't be, in his limited experience and the experience of the traders who returned from the outside world. After explaining his plan to Raven, he heard her comment. "Monsters.. Yes, they can be more dangerous than humans if they're agitated. Especially those that have not-so-evident abilities." Drek had read so many stories of violent, powerful monsters that wandered the world.. And how he hoped to avoid them at all costs. The remark about people wasn't lost on him either, to which he nodded solemnly to. Rolling up the map, he put it away as an orcish woman brought a bag of stuff out, raising an eyebrow in both her and Raven's direction, especially once she started digging through it and pulled out a monster-tooth dagger. "..Payment for yesterday? I don't know what kinda stuff you got yourself into.. Whatever. None of my business." He wasn't sure where this stuff came from, or if it'd even be a good idea to use any of it, but he might as well look through it and see what was being offered. @rosegardens