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Author Topic: Through the Dark Mountain  (Read 2201 times)

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Offline Xavier Akafur

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Through the Dark Mountain
« on: September 22, 2016, 08:24:44 AM »
The mines of Mount Kakarillion, rich with gold and gemstones that had been thrust up from the earth in ancient ages, had supplied the lands of Ubuir for countless generations. The country had grown fat on the wealth of the mountain, living in peace and prosperity for nearly a century. The nobles held grand festivals and even the poorest of paupers was never left in the cold. Truly, it was a golden age.Now the great curled spire loomed like a threatening claw in the sky, dark clouds and chilling fog settling across the realm. The mines were dark and dormant, echoing the hearts of the wretched souls who still remained here. The golden age of Ubuir was nearly half a century gone, and her cities and ports were crumbling. When the mines closed, the neighboring nations had seen the collapse and had waged a war against Ubuir for her vast hordes of treasure. They had won the war, but it had cost everything. Now the realm was in shambles, the once grand cities wracked by plague and poverty. The nobles have locked themselves away in ivory towers and great castles, though they too are beginning to tarnish.Rumor speaks of a darkness that welled up from inside of the earth, spreading through the mountain and the surrounding lands. The miners all perished of a mysterious illness, and those that attempted to take up the pickaxes in their stead rarely return. Those that do not lose their life lose their sanity, often wandering into villages covered in blood and babbling of demons.This is where we come in. The outstandingly brave or the immensely foolish. Only history will tell. Ubuir still holds many treasures, though only the foolish venture here.

----

Geo dropped the small knapsack of food onto the table, kicking up a small cloud of dust and dirt as the weathered fabric crumpled in on itself. His supplies were almost exhausted, and his pockets as empty as ever. The otterong shook his head imperceptibly, a gesture meant only for himself as he sat down. Pondering his options left little doubt in his mind that he was on the right path, but choosing the more appealing of two highly unappealing options gave him little solace.


The bar's name was The Gronloom, and the rickety old sign depicted a man bent over what might perhaps be an anvil or some other squat object. Geo had no idea what a Gronloom was, in any case. The place was small, and resting on the outskirts of Ubuir it had become a well known base of departure for the desperate or foolish souls wishing to enter there. The locals had mockingly started to call the place The Gron Doom, as most of the travelers passing through soon met untimely deaths seeking fortune in the dead country. Geo was not amused at the name.

Still, even with the grim moniker, the place would doubtlessly be a great aide to him. Venturing into Ubuir was.... unwise, but venturing in alone was suicide. The bar was moderately full this day, and the otterong knew why. One of the local villages had a short crop this year, forcing many unwilling farm boys to pick up swords and try to earn the extra coin to feed their soon to be starving families. Those were the types he needed to avoid, he knew, those with little training or skill. He was no great hero himself, but he would take bets for himself against a desperate teenager with a pitchfork. His forest-green eyes glinted from beneath the brim of his hat as he scanned the room, hoping to find at least a few he could join or gather. He had to leave soon, he knew. His food would last another day, maybe two if he ate lightly. A few slain monsters would net enough gold to keep his stomach full. Dangerous, surely, but a short foray into the dark country surely beat a life of crime and dishonor. His fingers found the necklace over his breast, touching the familiar symbol for comfort... and courage.

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Offline PO5ID3N25

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Through the Dark Mountain
« Reply #1 on: September 22, 2016, 11:36:19 AM »
Gilan sat in a dark corner of the bar watching below the cowl of his hood as a hybrid walked in, as he dropped his belongs on the table they puffed signs of his travel and hardships.

Gilan turned his attention to the rest of the tavern as already damned souls drink and Banty about as if they were not about to enter almost certain death. He chuckled at the thought because he planned to enter as well but, the bar was not a drunken venture for him.

Gilan had stopped at this bar for two reasons the first being there was a upstairs room that he could rent, the second was that a bar such as this was easy pickings for a pickpocket. He stood from his dark corner, as he walked through the bar jumbling past people each time they bumped taking whatever he could money, coins, even a set of bronze cuff links. Some noticed but were to drunk to comprehend it and by the time they sobered up he would be long gone. He then swaggered to the bar and ordered a drink.


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« Last Edit: September 22, 2016, 11:38:07 AM by PO5ID3N25 »

Offline Goblin Cat 😸

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Re: Through the Dark Mountain
« Reply #2 on: September 26, 2016, 08:52:37 PM »
 This was the place. Or so Thorne had been lead to believe. He'd only heard rumors in Sigil but he could swear the place had been called the Gronloom? Gron Doom? He shook his head. It had been the Gron something, he was sure of it – the name was unusual enough that he couldn't forget the first part of it, at least. Either way, so far as he was concerned, a bar was a bar and if it didn't hold opportunity for coin, it at least held opportunity for a drink.

 
The serpent stepped into the bar, sickly green eyes scanning the area for any sort of gathering he could nose his way into, black tongue flicking curiously all the while. It was clear from his equipment and leather armor that he was at least not some unskilled farm boy. He'd been on a venture or two... Even if it had just been two. For a moment he lingered at the door as if looking for something before he decided to take a seat at the bar, tail coiling around the barstool. He could look for work and drink at the same time.

Offline Xavier Akafur

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Re: Through the Dark Mountain
« Reply #3 on: September 28, 2016, 05:58:24 PM »
Geo was still looking around the place, slowly surveying the faces and equipment of those present. He was not a particularly worldly person, and it took some tome, but eventually he began to see the signs of something a little extra in the two sitting at the bar. For one they were not equipped with the standard iron swords or simple spears. The canine was carrying a bow that appeared well-made and maintained, and there was a reptilian sort that looked non-native to the area. His weapons were crude in appearance but clearly sharp.

As one of the serving maids walked by he lightly tapped her arm with his cane, then said something quietly to her when she leaned in to hear his request. A coin exchanged hands, produced from a pocket that doubtlessly contained no more than a few other coins at most. The barmaid gave the strange hybrid a curious look before bustling away.

Soon after she was behind the bar, dropping two foaming mugs of ale in front of Gilan and Thorne. She nodded back towards the table where Geo was sitting, clearly watching the exchange. "Aye that strange fella with the stick paid for these, told me to tell you to come have a seat if yer lookin' fer a party." The bar maid sniffed a little at that last bit. "Bit strange hitting on two people at once." She commented, clearly misunderstanding the wording.

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Offline PO5ID3N25

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Re: Through the Dark Mountain
« Reply #4 on: September 28, 2016, 06:31:37 PM »
Gilan peered at the glass from underneath his cowl turning to look at the hybrid. By the looks of him he didn't have much money to spend so he took the ale and swaggered to the table where he kicked the chair around and sat down, reaching into his pocket he produced a coin which he slid across the table to the hybrid saying "you don't have to pay for a audience with me, but I am interested in what you have to offer." As he said this he took a long drink of the ale to show his appreciation for the gesture.


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Re: Through the Dark Mountain
« Reply #5 on: October 01, 2016, 03:56:56 AM »
 Thorne gave a laugh. He couldn't help himself, but he thanked the barmaid all the same and took the mug, turning to glance over his shoulder at the stranger that had requested his presence. He was already in a decent mood, and it seemed as if the ale had only made it better. At the very least being selected so early on in the night had given him a boost in confidence. He was clearly unaware of just how dangerous Ubuir could be, or if he was, he was not bothered by the gloom and doom that loomed over him for better or worse. The serpent took a swig from his drink before he bothered to stand and make his way to the table with the hybrid and wolf, still chuckling to himself at the barmaid's mix up.

 
“I take it someone's looking for a party,” he commented, being purposefully vague. He leaned over the table at the two and gave a wink before he sat down and crossed his legs, stifling another chuckle. “I'm always for a party, especially the kind that turns over coin.”

Offline Xavier Akafur

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Re: Through the Dark Mountain
« Reply #6 on: October 05, 2016, 01:11:38 AM »
As the canine took his seat and slid over the coin, Geo pulled off his hat and dipped a slight bow in thanks, picking up the coin with a deft motion of his paw. The movement was quick and precise, hinting at a practiced skill at such things, the coin virtually disappearing with the motion. "I'm sure it would have been worth the price." The hybrid returned, laying his hat on the table to reveal a head of jet black hair, slicked back from being confined beneath the hat for so long. He seemed as if he may continue, but he was interrupted by the sudden arrival of the serpent.

After a pause, Geo smirked and motioned for him to take a seat. As the serpent sat down he nodded at the comment. "Indeed I am. As is anyone who intends to live after venturing into the dark kingdom." His voice was a slightly raspy baritone, and carried well over the noise of the crowded bar. It seemed, though, that most were absorbed in their own business and paying the trio no mind.
"You two look like you can handle yourselves, as I can assure you I can."

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