Errissa heads outside and looks at the array of plants in the garden. Plenty of elfroot for potions and salves. Embrium for balms and other various potions. Deathroot for toxins. An alchemists wet dream. Helga walks out into the garden and begins to preen some unhealthy limbs from a berry bush. "You tend to the garden?" Helga nods and Errissa chuckles "A dwarf with a green thumb. What irony." Helga laughs and she smiles "Oh trust me, the irony is not lost on me. In Orzammar the only thing you can grow is glowing mushroom. I found once I was here on the surface that I was quite the herbalist and I had a green thumb. I had a great tutor. Man by the name of Goron. Elven, city elf, one of the few to rise to a respectable status due to his natural skills. He was a very capable mage as well and he served as an advisor to the Viscount of Kirkwall." "Kirkwall? The human city in the Free Marches?" "Yes, that den of despair and iniquity was where I started. It's typically where most dreams go to die, but for me it started me down a path that led me back to my brother, then where I am today."
Ordinarily a social person, getting to know Helga was actually nice. She realized that these people would be risking their lives alongside her, so she patrolled the grounds where she saw Lisette and Amere having a bow and arrow competition. Amere was a really well trained shot but Lisette was simply one grade better. Amere turns to her and she shrugs, having hit a perfect bullseye on the 30 yard target. Amere leans against the bow a little "Well I can't help that I was trained in so many other disciplines of combat that I'm not a particularly honed shot." "What kind of disciples?" This question draws his attention to Errissa "Well, I am an expert at hand to hand, thrown weapons, bomb making-" This made Errissa wince "daggers, the bow, and combat magic." "You're a mage?" "At first glance you may mistake me as a typical assassin. But yes, I am a mage. But combat magic is messy and dangerous, I don't resort to it unless I have to. Unlike most mages I can focus it directly out of my hands, usually with cone spells or minor elemental projectiles." "A staff would make your magic much more potent." "Oh, I know that. And that is why I don't use my magic. Want to try the bow? Should your magic fail you, a back up discipline is always a good thing." Errissa smiles "Not today, maybe in the future." Lisette puts a hand on her arm and hands her a bow. Errissa smiles "Alright." She takes the arrow she is offered, and Lisette guides her hands to help her knock the arrow, aim and then fire, just shy of the center ring. Errissa smiles "That's all there is to it?" Amere smirks "I missed my chance to stand close to you and hold your hands sensually as I lined up the perfect shot to your heart." Errissa narrows her eyes and he chuckles "It was a joke, please do not use your newfound skill to put an arrow through my heart."
Errissa watches Maxis and Neros, using training swords, furiously engaging each other. Neros already had welts on his arm and a big bruise on his chest, while Maxis seemed to not be even sweating. Her defensive stance was very effective, and she effortlessly blocked Neros' two handed wooden sword, getting another strike from her sword. Neros did not seem phased and Maxis drops her stance "Alright big guy, time for a break." He nods and heads towards Errissa, picking up a book he left on the table, before walking to the garden and reading as he picked berries and tossed them in his mouth. Maxis turns to Errissa "Were you hoping to get to know me?" Errissa nods and Maxis motions to the training weapons on the rack by the table "Then pick up a weapon and come over here. We can talk but not without a weapon in your hand." Errissa picks up a bo staff, balanced and well made. She walks into the arena and eyes Maxis closely "Grey Warden huh?" "Yes." Maxis steps in with a lunge which Errissa deflects by spinning her staff, trying to smack Maxis in the head with it but it hits her shield instead, and Maxis steps in with her shield instead of her sword knocking Errissa back "What did you do before then?" "Mercenary work." Maxis charges at Errissa who dodges to the side and strikes her in the back of the leg, making Maxis falter but she turns and swings, hitting Errissa in the side with her weapon and Errissa groans from the pain as the bruise begins to form on her side. Errissa holds her side a little "Be careful. I am a delicate flower." Maxis smiles, and Errissa smiles as well. Good to know she had emotions after all. Maxis sighs and sits at the table after racking her training weapons "You're not bad." "Well, when you are a mage you tend to draw attention to yourself in a fight. It helps to be prepared to defend yourself at close range." Maxis nods "I have only been with the group for about a week. Ever since the catastrophe at Ostagar." "Even amongst my people word of the blight and the battle has spread. You survived that mess?" "I wouldn't say I survived, but I'm still alive." Errissa knows all too well what she means.
With Salvador passed out drunk, Draven was last on her list of people to meet and greet with. Ever since he saved her Errissa had been trying to decipher his demeanor, but like all good rouges his personality was an ever shifting thing. She walks over to Neros "Tell me about our fearless leader." "Go meet him yourself." "But a rouge leading a mercenary band that actually does good?" And a shemlen at that, she noted to herself "Rouges have the perfect mindset to be leaders. Warriors struggle to strategize in the middle of a fight due to the overwhelming adrenaline, which is the primary thing keeping them going in a fight. Mages are intellectually adept at planning and strategizing, but Draven has the right amount of creative forward thinking that allows him to excel at controlling the fight, which is why we respect him so much and we look towards him as leader. Is he the strongest of our group? Perhaps not. On his own, he is not much of a challenge. But, he is the leader nonetheless." Errissa nods and Draven walks outside and smiles at Neros who goes back to reading "I hear I am a subject of discussion. Perhaps I can get in on this talk?" Errissa shrugs "I'm getting acquainted with everyone. I know all I need to know about you though." Draven smiles "Oh what a shame. And here I was wanting to put on a show for you. My life story, by Draven." "Do you have a last name?" "No, I sold it for this spiffy armor." "You're impossible to talk to." "I'm impossible to hate though and you know it. Witty banter helps lift the spirits doesn't it?" She couldn't disagree.
A man approaches the cottage and Draven turns to him. He is rather small for a shem, wiry build, mousey features. If he had pointed ears he could pass as a city elf. Draven calls out "Good to see you Flynt." Draven walks towards him "Errissa, come meet Flynt." They walk to him and Flynt grins "Great job Draven. The Midnight Crows are looking better than ever. All of Denerim and beyond is seeking us out with contracts for bandit groups, darkspawn nests and other various quests. Some escort requests for various locations." Draven takes the stack of writs that explained out several of the contracts and the contacts connected to these contracts. "Impressive little brother. At this rate we will be able to build a larger base of operations out of gold. Brother, this is Errissa, a recruit we picked up this morning." Flynt holds out a hand and she takes it graciously. Not being a fighter, Flynt had soft hands. He looked maybe 20-25, at least 5-10 years younger than Draven. "Flynt is the face of our organization. He meets alongside me with contacts to arrange payment, and discuss the details of the contracts. Speaking of, I need to go through these, see which ones are best for us to take up, then I'll start sending you guys out on your missions." "Seperately?" "No. That would not be a good idea. You will travel in pairs, and the pairs I choose will be chosen based on the mission at hand and your skills. So don't worry, I know exactly what I'm doing."