Well, it seems I couldn't help myself from posting something every five days... So here's a little side project for those who pay attention to my profile, and not my main fanfic.
For those who read my notes before and after many of my chapters, you'll know I am a HUGE RPG/D&D fan. I learned to read from the first edition Basic/Advanced modules (red and blue boxes) of the original Dungeons and Dragons. Still have some of the dice... someplace. ...better find them before I step on a D4. Anyhow, I have made a LOT of characters. Tons of them! Sure, many have been lost to time and poor memory, but some have really been fun. But... What happens after the game ends? The campaign concluded? Do they vanish into the sunset/sunrise/void? Do they wander off into obscurity? File folder? Paper shredder? Eaten by the family rust monster?
What if they, these fragments of your mind, met each other? Would they get along? Pass by without a glance? Draw steel/wand/bow/hand wraps and start an epic brawl? (Or a less epic dagger in the back?)
What follows is just a side project I wrote BEFORE I started Kodori's Epic crossover collection. So yes, it's a little dated, done a totally different style, and has FAR more weird things that can happen. Loosely set in the Pathfinder books, there will be characters from first, second, 3.0, 3.5, fourth (yeah I know...) and fifth editions. And maybe, if this goes on for a while, other table top worlds too.
Note also, this is a SIDE PROJECT STILL! Updates will be SUPER sporadic. This is a 'when I feel like it' thing. And, the first chapter (this one) will be the longest. The other chapters will not be nearly as long as the Kodori fanfic ones (1-5 pages, instead of my usual 12-15 average). This is literally just for fun.
Still rated M though, because not all characters are 'good', and not all adventures are happy ones.
And, since this is a super side project, I'll have a vote too! Since only the intro is really done, and just barely, I'll have a vote on 'who's adventure do we follow', and go from there.
Also! (I'm rambling aren't I? yeah probably...) Since it's halloween, or really close to it (30th, not 31st), I'll call this a Halloween post! Since characters are (usually) just a mask you wear while playing a game, right?
I am Proud to present
A Dermegil Works side project
The Misfits Mercenary Company.
Prolog
The planescape is vast. From the Abyss to Celestia, there are countless worlds from which the (ig)noble trade of Adventuring is plied. Be it saving the land from evil, rescuing the princess, or breaking into the vault of some forgotten lord, there is always a quest to be had.
But what of the people who have a quest, but not the strength to fulfill it? Many a tale starts with the weak asking for help. Or what of the Lord of the land who needs an extra bit of grease for the cogs of his kingdom? Who better than the adventurer to full the needs of the people, big or small?
They aren't always around however. So what's a being to do?
Posted innocently on the market message board, there is a small stack of paper, an advertisement that never depletes no matter how many sheets are torn away. A portal key with directions to a nearby archway that no one seems to notice until they take hold of the flier.
Dragons slain/rescued!
Damsels slain/rescued!
Treasure found/lost!
Backs covered/stabbed!
Doors guarded/breached!
(Almost) No job to big!
(Almost) No job to small!
Welcome to the Misfit Mercenary Company hall!
First drink is free!
Intro
Boros the Big, previously Boros Blackfeather, cleric of the Raven Queen, was a minotaur. He used to be human, but as the saying goes, 'don't put it in your mouth.'
Lesson learned, Boros spent the next few days stuck in a cocoon of some weird webbing as his body grew into what it was now. At least, that's what his brother and sister tell him. Apparently part of the change was he thought he was always a minotaur. All he remembered of the incident was eating something that didn't agree with him, and waking up with his adventurer companions shorter than he remembered them.
But that was in the past. Now, he was the contract headsman for The Misfit Mercenary Company. He was also chief medic, adviser, small scale campaign planner, general quartermaster and bartender.
The bar was on the main floor of a large building located someplace just outside of the material plane. This kept all but powerful extra planar beings, wizards who knew exactly what they were doing, and people with the proper portal keys away from it. This kept the bar from ever reaching capacity. Not that Boros minded. Aside from the annual call for all members of the Misfits to gather, the dozen tables of the tavern floor remained empty.
It was really just to help potential clients relax. The bar was well stocked, the lighting just right, the fireplace always keeping the temperature just so... It was all to set a client's mind at ease, a place where they could sit and conduct business away from prying eyes or potential enemies. It even had back rooms with dim lighting for those who desired it.
There were other things too. Nothing so vulgar or potentially offensive as mounted monster heads, as some of the Misfits themselves were considered to be of the 'monstrous' races. But there were maps of various places that one or more members had gone to. Flags from kingdoms helped or hindered. Weapons from exotic lands made of strange materials. Some strange statues of almost familiar creatures. All these things and more lined the windowless walls. Quietly boastful of the many exploits of the Misfit company.
There were other things here as well, familiar to any tavern. Stairs leading up to what one assumed, and would be correct to do so, rooms for guests and residents. Stairs leading down for the cellar. Doors leading to other facilities for the Misfits. While remote was barely adequate to describe the location, this was home to several dozen people, and while not on a job, they needed to entertain themselves. Be it fun, personal improvement, or a place to delve into the weird things that happened in the multiverse, the tavern was just the front room, the front of a much larger home to the company.
Boros hmm'ed to himself, and turned his horned head towards a board next to the bar.
"Why the grumble?" A voice asked from behind him.
Turning his head a little further Boros replied, "Just looking at the lists... Been a slow month. And the board is filling back up again." He motioned with one of his big hands at 'the board'.
Arranged like one would a collection of room keys at an inn, this board held instead wooden blocks with names on them. At the moment, the board was three quarters full. Though some of the blocks were missing, others were hanging with the name in red ink instead of black. "Aside from a few who are on leave someplace or getting supplies, we've only got... eight people out right now."
"Take a half step back would you?" The voice replied, waiting for Boros to comply before continuing. "Thank you. It's not like we're in need of coin. Sure, we have costs, but considering the last big contract we had?" A pause as a few bottles on the 'wall of drinks' behind Boros clinked "That lord was really happy with us. Let us set up a new gate and everything." Another clink and the sound of pouring liquid. "Try this?"
Automatically, Boros reached his left hand under his right shoulder and took hold of something. Bringing it forth, it was a thick glass mug, about a quarter full of something blue. "Thanks." He said before tilting the mug and dipping his tongue into the liquid. A short pause to make sure nothing bad happened, he took an actual sip, then finished the rest, hmm'ing thoughtfully. "We should make that a special. Pretty smooth. What is it?"
The voice started to reply, but was interrupted by a gentle humming noise coming from an archway standing freely just to the side of the bar. The archway was made of what looked like braided wood, metal and ice, and was big enough to easily accommodate some one a little bigger than Boros's nearly 9' tall frame.
With a dim pulse of light, a man appeared in the center of it, looking momentarily confused before his eyes adjusted and took in his new surroundings. He was well dressed, not in traveling clothes but what looked like a mix between a military uniform and court clothing. The dyes used, red and brown with a nice green trim made the man easy to consider 'nobility'. In his hand he held a sheet of paper, with the Misfit's advertisement on it.
"Ah, welcome sir. My name is Boros. Please, sit, tell us your troubles, and we'll see what we can do for you."
For a half second, Boros was worried the man would step back and flee back through the portal. But he seemed to steel himself, clenching his empty hand into a fist for a moment, and stepped forward, taking a seat on one of the bar stools. "First drink is free." Boros continued, putting another glass mug of 'blue' in front of the man.
The man accepted the mug with a slightly trembling hand. With a curious sniff, he sipped the drink and smiled slightly, a little of the tension draining from his slender frame. "That's... Unique." He started, his voice matching his figure, thin and light. "So... This is a mercenary company? The Misfits?"
Boros nodded, "As you can see just from myself, we don't have a single theme. And I see the portal didn't upset you overmuch, so you understand we aren't from any one place either." At the man's nod, the minotaur continued, "So, let me ex..."
The portal, its wood/ice/metal frame glowing slightly, hummed to life again. A brief swirl of blue and black light filled its boundaries, and a large, heavyset man stepped through. Dressed in a faded salt stained blue overcoat with black trousers, the man's attire and weathered face spoke of a lifetime at sea. The man took off his hat, a faded black tricorn, and started towards the bar.
"Actually, I'll demonstrate directly. I mean no offense by taking this man's request first." Boros looked away from the portal to the man before him, who nodded in understanding. "Captain Oakknot!" Boros greeted, waiting a moment before reaching under his arm again with the opposite hand and plunking one of the thick glass mugs down on the bar top.
"Boros!" The voice, like the man was big and weathered, used to shouting orders over a storm or in combat. He stomped over, taking taking a seat next to the nervous noble, giving the man a cursory nod of greeting and taking up the mug. "Blue? What alchemy is this then?" He took a sip, then downed the entire thing. "Blessed be! I know this fruit! Not sure what else you mixed with it though."
"You do?" The voice behind Boros asked, "One of our number brought some back but the label was washed off. Sweet, but didn't have enough kick I guess."
"Xian! Still stuck to this walking wall then?" Oakknot asked, though his voice made it sound as if he knew the answer.
The noble was looking quite puzzled at this, and Boros sighed, half turning to reveal what looked like an elf, stuck to his back like a conjoined twin. Watching the colour drain from the noble's face, Boros hurriedly explained, "A wizard did it. He lost his heart, but mine is big enough for two."
Xian waved a thin arm. His body was attacked to the minotaur from the middle of the back down to just below the hips. He was dressed in what looked like black silk, to match the Minotaur's own clothes. But they were clearly two different shirts. "He tends bar, I mix drinks. Put a bit of a damper on our traveling, but at the time, I couldn't object. Another glass?"
Wordlessly the noble nodded, and Boros continued his talk with the Captain. "So, what brings you about today?"
"Well, its that season again. Weather is warming, sea is smoothing, time's right for diving." The captain replied, putting a worn silver coin on the bar top, motioning his head to the noble as Boros put a second mug down in front of him. "So as usual, I'd be asking for the blue lass. She about?"
Boros nodded after a quick glance to the board of names. "Wouldn't doubt she's in the pool. Brother?"
Xian chuckled, "A summons for Foam." He said, bringing his hands together with a sharp 'clap'.
A few moments later, as the two patrons sipped their drinks and Boros cleaned a mug, one of the side doors opened, admitting a lithe figured blue skinned girl with slightly pointed ears and long green hair. Her clothes, a short sleeved shirt and tight fitting shorts, also looked to be silk, though a slightly darker blue than her skin, and tailored to keep what looked like gill slits exposed on either side of her abdomen and throat. Upon seeing Captain Oakknot, her green reptilian eyes lit up, and her fine boned face broke into a smile.
"Captain!" She said, bounding over, leaving several wet foot prints on the floor, and hugging the Captain tightly.
Oakknot smiled just as wide and accepted the hug as if it were ritual, "Ah, you're still all wet! Make's no difference, really, but that fresh water you have here would ruin my reputation if the crew caught scent of it!" He gave the shorter girl an affectionate pat on the head and then put a hand on her shoulder to give himself a little space. "Still as young looking as ever." He commented, then frowned slightly, brushing the back of a finger tip over her upper arm.
"Oh..." She looked shy a moment, before taking another half step back and turning slightly, revealing a half dozen small circular scars on her upper arm. "Was an octopus on my last outing. It was reallllllllly big." She made a 'this big' motion with her hands out almost as far as they could go, "The head was huge! Didn't taste very good either." The Captain nodded, and she continued, "So what's the job this time? Old wreck? Undersea cave? Pirates?"
With a laugh Oakknot held up his hands in a gesture of submission, "Lass! I'm getting a little old for pirate hunting. No no, this time it's pearl diving." Foam pouted slightly, but the Captain pressed on, "We got given rights to an area for a favor. So we have this huge spot no one but they and I know about. But honestly, most of the crew haven't a clue how to do this sort of thing. I mean, we just eat oysters, not farm them."
Foam pouted slightly, giving a brief look to Boros, who had seen this sort of thing more than a few times. At his nod, she looked back to the Captain, "I want... three pearls from what we gather, my choice. Plus the usual fee, not payable in pearls."
"But..."
"And! I'll help you sell them after, just to earn that bonus. This shouldn't warrant the 'dangerous deposit' so you should make out well if your information is right." Foam talked over the Captain's protest easily, the tone of her voice switching from 'friendly' to 'business' instantly, "Annnnnd!" She held up a finger, "I get to steer the ship for half a day, of my choosing."
The Captain stood there with his mouth open for a moment, eyes twinkling, before shrugging and extending a hand, "Deal, Miss Foam."
"Yay!" Foam cheered, instantly back to her energetic attitude. She took hold of the Captain's hand and shook it. "Deal is done! Let me get my things, and we can go."
After she had left, this time running up the stairs, Captain Oakknot said with a sigh, "Her mother was blessed, and her father a fool, for leaving her behind." He chuckled, "Was that helpful at all? He looked first to Boros, then to the noble. "Not common to let a man step ahead in line, am I right?"
The noble nodded, extending a hand to the Captain first, then to Boros, "Yes thank you. I think I understand how this works. "Peconnal Omstraguard. Northern kingdom of..."
Oakknot waved his free hand as he shook with Peconnal. "Wouldn't matter where you're from my lad!" He pointed his thumb over his shoulder at the gate, "Adamai Oakknot. You're in good hands here, what ever your need."
Peconnal looked at the gate and chuckled, "Suppose it wouldn't matter, would it..."
Foam returned then, her clothes the same but for an additional cloak, belt, backpack, a slender barbed spear and a curved dagger. "All set!" She said, walking over and taking her name block off the board and stowing it in her pack.
Peconnal watched the Captain and Foam until the flash of the portal had taken them away. Blinking the afterimage of light from his eyes he turned back and looked up at the minotaur Boros. "I think I get the idea. I tell you what the problem is, you make a suggestion on who might be best to solve my problem? Is that it?" He took a sip from his mug, this time without the nervous edge.
"Exactly. We have a wide variety of people here. I'm sure some one on premise or at least easily called for can get what ever you need done. We also see to small military operations, cave clearing, village founding, merchant escort..." Boros trailed off as the noble raised a hand and nodded his understanding.
"My situation is this. As you might have guessed, I am of noble blood. My parents have planned a grand gala with all the usual things that go with it." Boros nodded to show his attention, and Peconnal continued, "Now, it's not that I do not like women." The young noble frowned as he heard Xian chuckle though he continued, "But there aren't many at court, and while I do not think I am being displayed for marriage just yet, father has dropped heavy hints that if I cannot find a partner for the ball, one will be supplied."
"And this is bad... Why?" Xian asked before Boros could.
"It would be some what embarrassing, for both myself and the chosen lady." At this Peconnal deepened his voice slightly, "Son, you will take Lady so and so to the ball." He sighed, sipping again, "For me, it would imply many things. An interest in other men, lack of social graces, or that I do not care enough about my kingdom to put forth the effort. For whomever the lady is, an order such as that would be irrefutable, but would probably snub some other noble of his dance partner."
"I see. So you are opting for a third option. Buying yourself a date." Boros was impressed by the young man's glare. "What? It's a good idea." Boros answered, raising both hands in surrender. "You couldn't just hire a local girl. Anyone who might know her would see the ruse. I am assuming there are no local noble women suitable for you?"
"As I was about to say to Captain Oakknot. Mine is a northern kingdom. A little remote for most, and while I appreciate the hardy northern lady, very few are of my age, and none were available at first glance."
"You aren't exactly dressed for the cold, if I'm guessing right about your meaning of 'northern'" Xian replied.
"Correct. I heard rumor of your company from a traveling merchant from the south. I came here from the southern most town on my kingdom's border. It's not as cold, and sees far more trade than my home."
Boros nodded and the man continued, "Even now, ships arrive from nearby lands for this gala. While remote, my kingdom has a solid trade on ore, rare lumber and fur. So I am guessing this party has trade negotiations happening in the back rooms. This brings me to the second part."
The noble finished off his mug but waved off a refill, "My father holds a near monopoly on some of the things we trade. While the people are happy with him, other family members aren't so inclined to sit and watch him become even more successful. He shares, but not enough for some. I have at least two uncles, one aunt possibly a cousin and maybe even my sister, who would love to see things fall to them instead of me."
"Oh I think I know who to suggest for this one..." Xian said with a smile in his voice.
"So you need some one who can play at court, keep up with politics, and possibly defend you or your family from a potential knife in the back?" Boros asked, getting a nod for each point he made.
"Well, I'll admit I'm not ready to take the seat my father sits upon, it is only just. And my father would be cross with me for saying so, it's mother who knows the heart of the business." Peconnal admitted.
"Raan?" Boros asked over his shoulder.
"A summons for Raan." Xian answered, clapping his hands together. "Should we warn him about Raan?"
"Warn me about what?" Peconnal asked, brow furrowing.
"Warn him about what?" A new voice asked before either Boros or Xian could reply. This voice was slightly deeper than the noble's own, and was attached to a rather sturdy looking man. "A customer?" He asked, closing the door Foam had used earlier behind him.
Peconnal blinked and looked at the man. Black hair down to the shoulders, smooth skinned face, slightly tanned skin, a smile showing perfect teeth. The man before him exuded a confidence that was almost intimidating as he stood casually, leaning on a short wooden practice spear as if it were a cane. He was dressed in a strange suit of leather armor, almost as many straps as leather plates, and wore a gauntlet on his right hand that was plated nearly up to the elbow. His feet made no sound as he approached the young noble and extended his unadorned hand.
"Raan. Pleased to meet you."
A little stunned, and obviously worried the bartender was trying to pull one over on him, he extended his hand, "Peconnal Omstraguard." He did note Raan had a good handshake, the confident manner didn't seem to come from making everything a contest. He looked to Boros, who looked back with a 'trust me' look in his big eyes.
"Take him to one of the back rooms. Let him explain and you'll see why he looks so... Skeptical..." Boros said to Raan, holding out a mug of blue for him, and refilling Peconnal's mug while waving off the young noble's search for his coin purse.
Letting go of his hand, Raan nodded and looked at the noble a moment, before stepping aside and motioning towards the back of the main room. Raan followed behind him, stretching out his shoulders as he went. Upon entering the room, Raan motioned again to a single table lit by an overhead lantern. "Have a seat, tell me your story while I cool off a little."
Still pensive about having a man suggested for his task, Peconnal repeated what he had told Boros and Xian. Meanwhile, Raan had leaned his spear against the wall and placed his gauntlet on the table in front of the free chair opposite the young noble, and had started stretching out his arms and legs. He was always facing the noble though, to show that he was paying attention. Finally Peconnal stopped and Raan said, "Well, I understand what that look was about. Fair enough, I'd be a little puzzled too given how I look at the moment." Raan looked down at himself, rolling his shoulders one last time with a satisfying 'pop' of a joint loosening up. "Allow me to explain... Actually, it would be faster to show you, then explain." With a smile, Raan reached around to various straps on his armor. With motions speaking of a lot of practice, he made a dozen quick adjustments, and with a final smile to his bewildered guest, he changed.
It was subtle at first. Easily dismissed as a trick of the bright but slightly fluttering lantern light that filled the room. But over the span of a few breaths, Raan went from a slightly above average height, tan skinned black haired man of wiry build, to a slightly below average height, ebony skinned woman with bright blue hair, softer build and modest bust.
He, now She smiled at the young noble's poise as he took in her change. More than once Raan had to calm down a suddenly panicking customer after a change so dramatic.
"We have magic such as that where I am from. It isn't common, mind you, but... Your illusion is very good. I've not seen one do that without an incantation first, though." Peconnal said his look impressed, but not surprised.
"It's no illusion. Here. Don't be shy, just don't squeeze either." Raan replied with a smile, standing next to the man and taking his hand. She smiled at his slight blush as she took his hand and placed it over her heart. She held his hand in place as she changed again, this time into a pale faced balding man with a thin beard and a fresh looking pink scar that ran from eyebrow to chin. This change did startle Peconnal, and he drew back slightly before catching himself. Raan let him go, changing yet again to the woman from a moment ago.
"Doppelganger?" The noble asked, his face going a little pale, but he covered it up expertly by taking a sip from his mug.
"Distantly. I cannot change my clothing, but my appearance... I can look like anyone I can imagine, within reason. I cannot change my height or build overmuch, but hair, skin, eyes, ears, voice, man, woman, I can be anyone the occasion demands." Raan replied, changing the appearance of each named feature as they were mentioned until it looked like Peconnal was looking at himself across the table. "Even my voice." Raan said in Peconnal's voice, "Still have your doubts about me as a dance partner?"
"Please don't do that?" the young prince looked a little distressed at looking at himself in fighting garb, and Raan changed again, this time to bald woman with darkly tanned skin and blue eyes. "I'm convinced you can pass as... well, anyone, now. But what else can you do? I'm hoping against it, but it likely won't be a boring event. Last time I lost a cousin and two aunts. Unfortunate accidents you see."
"Well." Raan's voice was suitably exotic for her current form, accented just so it was obvious that the common tongue wasn't her first language, "I am passable with a few weapons, but I was also a student in a war mage academy." At Peconnal's questioning look she explained, "Military school for magically inclined people like myself. Instead of learning to swing a sword to the point where you can defend yourself without thinking, I have drilled with combative magic to the point where it is second nature to cast. I didn't start with that however... My kind generally end up on the streets at some point or another, and until I caught the eye of a local baron, stealing from his kitchen while he himself was sneaking in a midnight snack, I was a passable thief." Raan smiled, "Able to steal more than just bread and the like. When the baron noticed I had suppressed his magical warding on the pantry, he had me enlisted, instead of executed."
"A lucky turn of events, I'd say?" Peconnal asked with a hint of hesitation.
"Mostly. He found other uses for my many forms." She waved off his look of disbelief and added, "A court spy, not a courtesan. He was happily married. Though I have been a courtesan, when the occasion warranted." She added thoughtfully, tapping her chin, "both male and female. Across a table or a pillow, so much can be told if your looks catch the right person's eye."
This did make the young noble blush, making Raan laugh musically. "So, do I meet your approval?"
Peconnal made an effort to calm himself, finishing off the rest of his drink as he composed himself, and replied. "Yes. And that look of yours gives me an idea on how to explain your sudden appearance in court, without making some one vanish while you take their place."
"Oh, do tell?" Raan replied, smiling a brilliant smile while leaning forward.
"First a geography lesson." Peconnal started.
For the better part of an hour, the young noble and Raan talked. Peconnal told her about the his home land in the north, the trade hub a week's horse ride south of that, and the various lands he knew of in and around the area. For the most part, Raan just listened, occasionally asking questions on political situations or trade that came from each region. Afterward, Raan shed the thoughtful look on her face and said:
"I think I have a plan."
Pecconal raised an eyebrow, and motioned with his hand in a 'go on' manner, and Raan continued. "So, I apparently look like one of these desert people from across a small sea, who like to trade in things your people don't get a lot of, right?"
"Salt, dyes like this green I have, easily workable ornamental stone, a few spices, yes." Peconnal confirmed.
"And, while the north trades with them, they do so indirectly due to..."
"Difference in climate, for one. The word 'frost' was new to them when our peoples met. We also have a different common religion." Peconnal replied.
"But, they also have a some what... Prolific nobility. The various lords having many wives and children." Raan smiled, "Making it easy for some one like myself, to be one of them. Discarded as the sixth child of a merchant prince, told to make something of myself or not return." She paused as the young noble chuckled, but continued, "And since I had no wish to be just some girl who had to rely on father, I left and started trading. Now I look to open a new route and out do my father out of spite."
"You're having fun, aren't you?"
Raan returned the man's smile and added, "All we need now is a poor merchant who has the goods but not the buyer."
"The markets can be some what aggressive, so we might have luck there." Peconnal confirmed, "The trading houses occasionally have unprofitable members blacklisted, and the very unfortunate are sold to the boats or docks as slaves to pay for their debts."
"Let me get my things. I think however, this might need a deposit." Raan replied, standing gracefully and stretching her arms above her head.
"I heard that mentioned when... Foam? Was hired. What is it?" Peconnal asked, trying not to look like he was admiring the woman as she collected her gauntlet and spear.
"It's basically... In case one of us ends up killed." She shivered, rubbing her wrist as if remembering something, "It covers most of what Boros or one of our other priests need for bringing one of us back. It goes towards the regular fee if no one dies, so don't worry. Give Boros a brief summary of what to expect, and he'll decide."
Wordlessly he nodded to her, opening the door to the room with a small formal bow and a mumbled "Princess Mar'hut'zar," and letting her past him. This earned him a smile and a pat on the arm as she passed."
"I will be down shortly." Raan said as she turned to go upstairs.
Boros watched the two part and rumbled out a chuckle, making Xian ask, "It isn't that kind of back room, right?"
Peconnal must have heard him as he approached, because he blushed furiously and nearly dropped the two mugs he was holding in one hand. "No no. Nothing like that. What an amazing person though." He commented, putting the mugs down and reaching into his jacket. "So I'm supposed to outline what might happen and you are to decide if I need to make a deposit?"
"Ah, she has a plan then. If you look close enough, you can tell what is really under Raan's mask." Boros said, starting to clean the mugs, "So, do tell."
The young noble explained what might be ahead. Boros simply nodded his big head understandingly and waved off the need for a deposit saying, "If she can't handle that, it comes out of her pay. Take these however, and keep one yourself." He knelt down and rummaged under the bar for something before standing again, placing two small white squares on the bar and a small glass bottle with a green liquid in it. At the noble's questioning look, Boros picked up one of the little tiles and said, "It's like a potion, but you never need to drink it, just tap it, but..." He picked up a tile carefully with his big fingers and pressed it against Peconnal's shirt front.
Looking down the young man blinked in surprise as the little white tile seemed to pass through his clothing and into his body. He was looking like he was about to panic when Boros put a hand on his shoulder and explained, "You can't pay us if you end up dead, right? It isn't very strong, but all you have to do is tap that spot twice and it goes to work. This here is a fairly strong antidote. Works on most anything that isn't instantly fatal. There's enough in there for two sips."
Peconnal blinked as he took in this information and gave a nod, "Free of charge I hope?" He said half jokingly, "Things like this fetch a dear price where I am from." He picked up the other square and put it into a pocket. The vial followed, placed into a pouch at his hip.
"On the house." Boros said with a smile, "I think your dance partner is ready too." He motioned to the stairs at the end of the room. "Looking exotic there Raan. Desert nomad?"
"Princess." Raan corrected with a smile, approaching the bar and reaching up to give the bartender's chin hair a little tug. "Lord Omstraguard has invited me to a gala, and it would bode ill to not look the part, wouldn't you say?"
Peconnal looked at Raan as Boros chuckled and covered his chin with an offended sounding 'no pulling!' She had changed her clothes into something that looked almost exactly right for what he had seen of the desert people. Cream coloured pants that were slightly baggy but hugged her hips. A nearly black shirt that did a lot more hugging and left her midriff exposed, and a light brown shawl that covered her bald head, shoulders, and hung down long enough to almost be a cape.
"A well dressed traveling Lady to be sure." Peconnal said after a few false starts. He then noticed a well worn backpack leaning against her leg, "Ah, um, all set then?"
Raan was just about to reply, when the gate sparked to life again. After the swirling light finished filling the frame of the braided gate, a group of four well armed people of wildly different shapes and sized walked through. Raan and Boros smiled as they did, three of the four newcomers cheering as they spotted the big minotaur.
"Do those barbarians know how to throw a party or what?" Started the biggest of the group. Almost as tall as the bartender, he had a short crop of blond hair, wore thick leather armor with metal plated boots and bracers. He also had four swords, long bladed scimitars on his back and currently had one big arm under the shoulder of one of the others. "Boros! Give me a hand with Crag would you?"
Crag, and in fact all of them, bore signs of not just a party, looking tired and pleased with themselves, but also hard combat. Blood, mud, twigs, little stones, what looked like pine needles and in Crag's case, bandages. Boros stepped around from behind the bar and helped ease Crag into a chair.. "Jake, what the heck happened? You could have at least tossed him into a pond first... All of you could have actually."
Crag, though looking like he had been beaten with most of a forest, then went to a party after, raised a hand to Boros and in a deep defensive voice said, "This," He motioned to himself, "Happened after the party." Boros recoiled slightly, and even Peconnal, who was still sitting at the bar could smell alcohol past the mud and pine scent of the second biggest of the four. Unlike Jake, who had fair features, Crag was bald and looked to have a statue like texture to his skin, almost as if he were born from a smooth rock face, instead of a woman. "Something in the beer... Fell down a slope near the portal. Don't feeeeeeeeeeel a thing..." The big man then promptly passed out with a smile on his face.
Raan had approached the young noble at the bar and was leaning against it. In a quite voice she said to him, "That reminds me, do not let me get drunk."
Peconnal didn't turn to look at her, instead eying the last two of the incoming party who were approaching them, and asked in an equally quiet voice, "Can't hold your liquor?"
Raan was also eying the two. The first was a burly looking orc. While usually a redundant description of the orcish race in general, he was the kind of burly that looked like it would make another burly orc turn around and go back to lifting boulders for another year. His thick hide armor was the most blood spattered of the four and none of it looked to be his. He leaned two great axes against the side of the bar and squinted at the young noble with what could only be described as a hungry glare.
"Little man..." His voice was as mean as his looks, unpolished and thick. "Raan's customer?"
To his credit, the (in comparison) delicate noble didn't shy away, though his voice betrayed his nervousness, "Yes."
The two looked at each other for a long moment, the noble gripping his mug tightly while holding his place, and the big orc glaring at him while his breath seemed to turn to frost in the air between them.
The orc then stuck out his big paw of a right hand and said, "Be nice to her. Pay fee after. Or I be grumpy."
Peconnal nodded, a little too swiftly, but the orc didn't seem to notice, and shook the offered hand. Noticing the return grip was even the young noble even managed a smile as he replied, in a rough sounding language. "Walk in glory." He said in orcish.
The orc smiled broadly and turned to Raan, who's slender hand had found the least dirty bit of the orc's shoulder, "I like him. Don't break, or no pay right sister? Ow no kicking!"
Raan had given the orc a friendly pat on the shoulder, then at his comment kicked him in the shin. "Go get cleaned up, you smell like... Well, an orc. Honestly..." The orc used a big hand to pat Raan's side in a friendly but 'any more and you'd get dirt on you' way, and left, picking up one of the axes as he went.
The last of the four was a being that the young noble had never seen the like of. She, at least the curves were right if it were human, looked like a cross between a human and cat, if they were to grow up standing on two legs instead of four. She had been putting things on the bar top while the orc had been sizing up Peconnal. She had just stripped off a long dark green cloak as they finished.
"Peconnal, this is Shard." Raan introduced the cat folk woman, "She says... Hello, and you handled Trug well."
Peconnal was confused for a moment, then noticed Shard's hands make quick motions in the air as Raan spoke. "We have orc tribes trade with us on occasion. Never been so... Close to one though." Shard's shoulders shrugged twice in succession, "I have never seen one such as you before though..." He gave the woman a closer look. Instantly he guessed where her name came from. Her exposed fur was gray with white, almost silver patches, making her bare arms and shins look like broken glass being thrown through a shadow. Aside from the soft looking fur however, her face was the most 'inhuman' feature. He had once seen a large cat from a traveling band of entertainers. That cat had looked perpetually bored in its cage, with its liquid gold coloured eyes and triangle ears. Shard looked almost the same, aside from the fur pattern, though her eyes held far more intelligence in them. The rest of her was covered in a form hugging set of leather armor with a wide belt at her hip holding a mostly empty quiver of arrows.
"Don't stare please." Raan said.
"Sorry." Peconnal apologized, a slight blush passing over his face before he recovered and offered a hand. Shard blinked at him, then looked down at the hand before taking it. Aside from the soft fur on the back, it felt like a normal hand to the noble. "A pleasure."
Shard's mouth curled up slightly at the edges and her hands moved again for a moment, "Indeed. Good luck. Need a bath." Raan translated, before moving her own hands a moment, making the cat woman do her silent laugh again. The two girls gave each other a short hug and Shard left, gathering up a long bow and pack from the bar.
"She can say two words. Otherwise she is mute." Raan explained as they watched Shard's retreating back.
"Guessed as much when you started speaking. I swear, I've had so many surprises today. Minotaur at the bar, with some one attached to his back. A shape shifter. A stone person, a short giant, and now a cat woman."
"Jake is actually a half giant." Raan said, picking up her pack and shouldering it easily. "Cragerslauger, or Crag as everyone calls is from a people that are probably descended from stone giants, and Trug is like me. Only he grew up among orcs." Raan explained, looking over to Boros and Jake tend to Crag, who while wasn't asleep anymore, was certainly not going anywhere for the moment. "Shall we go?"
"Yes, before anything else happens? I think this drink is the only thing that's kept me from panicking." Peconnal replied, standing up off the bar stool.
"Hey boys! We're off." Raan said, picking up a wooden block from the board of names and putting it in a pouch at her hip.
"Have fun! Don't die!" Xian said to them as they headed to the portal. Boros just waved a hand between wrapping bandages around Crag's chest and holding him up so Jake could assist.
Boros was putting away his medical bag when Shard returned to the room. Looking much better for her bath, she had also put on a loose shirt and pants, both a light green, and hadn't bothered to put any shoes on.
"Sister. Looking much better." Boros said cheerily waving a hand over to Crag, who was sitting comfortably in a big chair. "If he wasn't still half drunk, I'd have had Jake toss him into the bath too, but then he'd probably end up trying something, and I'd have to bring him to the cathedral for the serious healing."
Crag chuckled, "Nope. I'm not that drunk. Besides, her fur is so much nicer dry... Shutting my mouth now."
Shard gave Boros then Crag a patient look then flashed a quick set of hand gestures.
Wordlessly Boros smiled his bull headed smile and nudged Xian, who delivered a mug to the former, who then plunked it down in front of the cat woman. "Try that. It agrees with everyone so far." Boros said.
Shard eyed the blue liquid a moment, sniffed it, and then lifted the mug enough so that she could touch the contents with her tongue. Her eyes then squinted in displeasure and she put the mug back down, flicking her free hand rapidly in sign.
"Too swe... no, sour? Huh. Well okay then, your usual. Water is boiling." Again there was a 'nudge delivery plunk' and Boros put a small wooden box down in front of Shard.
Shard gave a silent impression of a pleased sigh and took the box and a fresh mug. As she made her way to a small stove near the fireplace she gave Crag a 'no hard feelings' pat on his bald head and set about making tea.
"Tea?" A new voice asked from the stairwell. "Does Meep's nose lie?"
Shard glanced over to the voice, giving her version of a smile, rolling her eyes and returning to her tea making. The figure descending the stairs was short. A shade over four feet tall. Not only that, it was a kobold. The dragon descended lizard people of the dark mountain caves just about anywhere in any realm you could name. A far cry from an actual dragon, and usually very meek looking, this one held itself with a confident posture, his longish snout sniffing the air as his slender fingered hands adjusted his simple sleeveless shirt and tightened the simple rope holding up rough spun pants. "Meep welcomes cat lady back." Meep said with a small bow, "The rest too. No trouble on trip?"
"I too am curious." Another voice said from the door near the bar, "I was unable to go with you, but have been eager to learn how things went. This man was dressed similar to the kobold, but was human. Despite the difference in race they both had rough skin, one scaly the other weathered to the point of almost looking like tree bark. "And is that tea?"
Shard flicked out a few quick gestures and went back to tending the stove. Boros translated, "Bring your own cup." To which he put down two clay cups on the bar top.
The newcomer picked them both up with gnarled hands, mumbling a greeting that was respectful but brief, "Boros, Xian." Before heading to Shard and Meep.
"Snapdragon." Boros mumbled back with a nod to the man.
"As always your tea smells wonderful." The man, Snapdragon said, watching Shard's hand as it moved in sign, "Please slower... Ah, you're welcome. I am always on the lookout for good food and drink."
Shard didn't look at him, almost pointedly so, and poured out the tea into the available cups. She then walked over to Crag with an extra cup in hand and placed it on the table he was still half sitting half draped in a chair next to. At the sound of the cup being put down he slowly drew himself back into a more upright position and said, "Well, you know what the mission was, right?" Crag asked the man as he came over to the table.
"Barbarian tribe having trouble with orcs?" Snapdragon asked.
"Orcs, ettin, and a small goblin tribe. Serious numbers, thrown boulders, a serious try for the lands the barbarian tribe was on. Our contractor actually came from a near by town, basically a merchant who traded with the tribe who didn't want his supply disrupted. He was the one who could read our advertisement, after all."
"Meep remembers fat man." The kobold said, "Smelled funny too."
"Had good money though." Boros added from the bar, changing the tone of his voice to something with more bluster, "'I'll even pay half up front! Those barbarians have no idea how popular the things they sell me are. I'd be ruined if they were overrun!' Couldn't say no to that." He finished in his normal voice.
They all shared a chuckle, though Shard's was silent and Meep's was more of a 'yiyiyi' sound.
"So we got together Shard, myself, Jake and Trug. Oh, Jake has the other half of the payment." Crag mentioned before continuing, "And we set out to see what was what. It was the usual thing: Smart and strong orc beats people into line. Thinks up actual plans. Organizes. You know."
The others nodded, experienced mercenaries all.
"Well, Jake held and organized a defense. Trug led from the front." Shard interrupted with a couple of hand signs, "Yes, way up front. While Shard and I scouted ahead and hunted for anyone giving orders. Once that was done it was just mopping up. Leaders were slain, orcs fell on each other to determine who was the new leader, and were swept aside by the barbarians we were working for."
Again a series of nods.
"Then Crag gets drunk at the party, and falls down a hill on the way to the portal." Jake said with a laugh as he emerged from the door beside the bar. "Oh yeah here." He added, plunking down a leather pouch that jingled pleasantly on the bar top. "Sure, our one major mishap happens AFTER the fighting..." The half giant stomped over to the table chuckling. "We avoided a rock slide, ambushes, a pack of wargs, those weird cat...dog... things that one of the orcs had as pets, and this lug slips down a hill." He was clean again, his fair featured face smiling broadly. He had returned without his armor and now wore a simple pair of leather pants and woolen shirt. His swords, all four, were tied together with the belt he had worn, and held in one massive hand.
"Yeah well, tell us about those scratches on your back?" Crag motioned with his cup at the bare chested half giant. "Your still bleeding a little. Have a care for the next person doing the laundry."
"Those happened during the party, not after." Jake said defensively, putting his swords on a nearby table and sitting down. Shard made the loudest noise she had made all night, palming her face with a silent sigh.
"Anyhow." Crag continued, "I might have had too much to drink, but as orc armies go, it was a smooth job."
"Trug smells tea!" The big orc said as he entered through the side door. Shard didn't even look up as she signed something, "Okay!" Trug replied, collecting a cup from Boros as he went by. After collecting his cup of tea and plunking himself down on a chair he said, "Was hardly a fight! Crag and Shard cut the head off snake too soon!"
"Yes well, we didn't want to overstay our welcome." Crag replied while Shard nodded once, "We aren't as durable as you are."
"Bah!" Trug grumbled, but relented.
Then the portal hummed to life. As per usual, the swirl of light expanded from the middle and a figure stepped through. But before anyone could get a good look at who or what it was, there was a distressed cry and an orb of darkness enveloped the area. The magical darkness suddenly appearing made the assembled Misfits look at each other, then back to the portal, before Boros spoke, "Ah, a Dark elf."
After a moment, and a rustling of fabric, the magical darkness vanished, revealing the tall slender form of the predicted dark elf. Looking like a near perfect statue carved from onyx, the female elf was dressed in the white spider silk robes of a priestess, though the motif on her dress didn't look like the ones commonly worn by the worshipers of Lloth. The dark elf lowered her hands from the black bandanna she had tied around her eyes and looked around, speaking a few words in a strange language.
A moment of silence followed as Shard emptied her cup, looked to Boros, and stood up. Boros sighed and started in a halting voice, "I speak a little under common."
Shard stood in front of the dark elf and gave a respectful bow, signing something quickly before her.
The reply was more signing, before the dark elf spoke again, using the same language as Boros did. "I require the best fighter you have." Her voice was arrogant, common for the women of dark elf society, who ruled over the male half of their society and usually executed people when things weren't done to their liking.
Shard made some more gestures, to which the dark elf considered then signed back. The arrogant look on her face breaking into a little smile, as they 'spoke' back and forth. "You're well spoken for an outsider." She said after a few short exchanges. Shard took that moment to relay that to Boros, who sighed quietly.
"I see. So you need a strong fighter for a tournament." Boros started, before Snapdragon sighed and stood as well, making a chopping motion towards the minotaur, who fell silent.
"Yes." the guest replied simply, "Who is your strongest fighter available for single combat?"
A pause as they all looked to each other, before they all pointed across the room to what looked like a statue of armor made for a large cat. All interlocking plates, smooth sides and sharp angles. "But." Boros said before the dark elf could finish taking an angry breath, "You cannot hire out our bouncer at this time.
"Test me." Snapdragon said. It was rough, but unmistakably the same language the dark elf had used first. This made everyone in the room look at him in surprise as he stood. "He," Snapdragon started, pointing at Jake, "Is large, fights well, but better fighting in a team, than alone. He," Pointing now at Trug, "Can fight for days at a time, but is prone to giving into his rage, and does better against many at once. This one," He pointed to Meep, the dark elf making a sound of disgust, "Is an amazing fighter for his size. Fast, crafty, he can do much more than his size suggests. But has a soft heart. He," This time pointing to Crag, "Is perfect for fighting in adverse conditions and able find the best paths to take down an unsuspecting foe. And she," He placed a hand on Shard's shoulder a moment, "Is able to put the eye out of a moving target at a hundred paces."
Getting over her moment of surprise, the dark elf sneered at Snapdragon, taking in his ugly weathered face and body, "And you?" She put a hand on her hip and looked down at the man who was a head shorter than her, though much more solid.
"Spent a few years fighting in a pit for my food." He extended a hand to the dark elf, "Test me. If you can touch anything other than my hands, with anything except your hair or clothes, I will step back and let our boss suggest some one else."
Shard, while unable to speak, certainly understood, and had been translating to Boros, who sighed and spoke haltingly in under common. "It is as he says. Of all of us, he would be my first pick for what you ask. But let him prove it, if you doubt."
"Fine. Anything but your hands, with anything but my hair and clothes?" She replied, dropping a hand to her hip where a curved dagger rested.
Snapdragon nodded, "Take my hand, and it begins. I will not attack you but you may use anything you wish." He looked to her, then extended his left hand, to accommodate for the dagger meant for a right handed draw.
With a bit of a grimace, she extended her left hand as well and they clasped hands as if sealing a bargain. But when she tried to move her hand, it was as if it was encased in stone. He wasn't squeezing, but she could not slip out of his grasp. There was no pain, but even with her slender fingers she could not even begin to slip from his grip.
For his part, he simply looked her in the eye and waited. He didn't have to wait long, as she first tried to use her other hand to grab his forearm. With a smooth motion, he took a half step and gave her grasped hand a slight twist, throwing off her balance and causing her to abort her attempt at grabbing him to keep from falling.
And so it went. Each time she moved to touch him with her free hand, he would take a half step, give a subtle twist and disrupt her motion. Once she even stumbled, nearly crashing into a chair, but Snapdragon's grip on her hand stopped her and he actually helped her keep from falling.
Redoubling her efforts, she tried elbowing, kicking, kneeing, even once trying to spit on him. But each attack was met with either that same move and twist, or his free hand catching her attacks with an open palm.
In frustration, she stepped up her efforts and suddenly the pair were enveloped in an orb of magical darkness. The others in the room still heard the shuffling of feet, the rustle of clothes and the slap of a hand batting away an attack. Slowly Snapdragon's body emerged from the orb of darkness, and finally the two were fighting in the light again. Then with an angry grunt, the dark elf drew her dagger, only to have it nudged out of her hand with contemptuous ease.
Losing her composure almost completely, the next time she attacked, and had her hand twisted, she ignored her balance pushed herself at him with all her strength. There was a moment of silence as the two stopped moving. Snapdragon had one foot on the floor, the other pressed against one of the room's support pillars. His one hand still held hers while her free hand was above his head also against the pillar, but his other hand was now resting edge wise between the dark elf's breasts supporting almost all her weight. Her desperate attempt to win had left her with only one foot on the ground, the other having slid out from under her.
"It certainly wouldn't have been a solid strike, but you almost had it." He commented with a hint of praise. "Shall we continue?"
He made no motions while the dark elf righted herself with a frustrated look. "No." He let go of her hand, and her face held obvious surprise as she found that aside from her ankle, she was in no pain.
Trug applauded them loudly, while Crag and Meep did the same, but with less gusto. This earned them a glare from the dark elf as she straightened her outfit. While she regained her composure, Snapdragon went to the bar and collected two mugs, and with a polite wave to the dark elf, he proceeded to one of the back rooms.
As the two entered the room, Boros commented quietly, "Well, that went better than expected..."
"Yeah." Xian replied, "New record too."
"Record?" Jake asked.
"A new record." Snapdragon said as he pulled out a chair for the lady and placed a mug down. "I am impressed." He added before sitting down.
The dark elf looked dubiously at the mug, and sniffed at its contents. Looking pleasantly surprised, her voice lacked the irritated edge from before. "Record?"
"Yes. The trick to my technique is that so long as you care about getting hurt, you will never win. How is your ankle?" He asked, leaning back in his chair slightly and taking a small sip from his mug.
"A minor inconvenience, nothing more." She also took a sip, smiling slightly, "Mushroom wine, an interesting thing to stock above ground. So now we negotiate?"
"Yes." Snapdragon's speech was smoothing out slightly, "I know a little already, just by your dress and the dagger you carry."
"Oh?" The imperious air about her was cracking under Snapdragon gaze, but she held on to it as best she could.
"Yes. You are most likely of a minor house. Who holds no rank in the great city. Your robes to the spider queen signify you as a priestess, but again, with no status other than that. The dagger, and not a whip say you are also of a minor rank among your peers." Snapdragon said, "This tells me you are looking for a way into the ranking of great houses, and to the head of your house's leadership as well. Very ambitious, very dangerous."
"I am impressed." She replied, "I assume you have spent time among us? A slave perhaps?"
Snapdragon's smile twisted his face into something almost demonic looking, "Yes, I have. Long enough to learn your language at least."
"Very well. There is a tournament being held by one of the lower ranked houses, in a bid to increase their standing. I plan to act on behalf of my house, and take their holdings. Kill their Matron, clergy, guards, children, everyone."
"And afterward you and yours move into the vacant house."
"Yes."
"And my role?"
"You are going to be my fighter. Our house lacks any real talent in that respect. Yes, we have a strong house guard, good stables for the riding lizards, and a solid trade for wine and mushrooms." A pause, "My house needs a reason to be there."
"Hm, and you are hoping a chance to assassinate the Matron comes about during the tournament itself?" Snapdragon asked.
"She will be watching the fights, making public appearances, negotiating trade. It is a big event, and there will be opportunity enough." She replied with a smile, sipping from her mug again.
"Hm. I have some... Conditions then." This froze the smile on her face, but Snapdragon continued, "I will not throw a fight. I fight to win, and a loss means I was not good enough."
"Fighter's pride hmm? How droll." She mocked back.
"Fighter's respect." He corrected, "Next, I am under your command only. If some one from your house tries to over rule an order, you may collect their body when you see me next." This got a slight look of shock, then one of cool calculation from the woman, "I will give you something to prove who you are to me. I am familiar with shape shifters and illusion, so something only you and I know about will prove who you are, so there are no misunderstandings."
"Interesting. You really have dealt with us before. Such prudence." She replied with her slight smile returning.
"I learned much in the time I spent in your slave pits. I have no love for your kind. But I am a mercenary, and will do my best to not dishonor the company."
"I can respect that, human." She replied, "Very well, I accept your conditions. I will not tell you to throw a fight, though I might ask for... An example to be made."
Snapdragon chuckled darkly.
"And only I hold your leash." She paused a moment, then added, "Any thing else?"
The man considered, "If everything goes to plan, I'd like a half day of your time."
This took her aback. She looked at his face, into his small brown eyes, and saw nothing untoward in them. With a shrug and a slight frown, she extended a hand, "Fine. I, Halisstra Teluan accept your terms."
"Excellent." Again they shook, this time without the impending contest between them, "I must collect a few things, especially if I am visiting the underdark." A pause, "A silly question, so I hope you forgive me, but, do you like spiders?"
NOTES!
Who I write about next is up to you guys. Pay attention, there were a LOT of characters mentioned, and yes, they are ALL going to be up for the vote. Again, must warn you all, updates will be 'when I get to it'. Don't be mad, I write a lot as it is. :)
Party on. There are at least four characters who can heal in that room, and none of them are dead.