Old World Monsters Act One: Of Pagans

[The Village Idiot]

"Alright", he said with a chuckle, "I could use one". Kneeling down he took his worn tankard from his satchel.

"Make room you two, he said to Manfred and John, "I don't think that bench can take much more" motioning to the bench where Per sat.

Upon hearing this, Agrilos chuckled and nodded. "Aye, I can agree with that. Though my blade isn't for sale, I do stop to help those in need, in exchange for a warm meal, a cold drink, a warm bed, and a good story to tell," he said with a smile. "Good coin isn't unwelcome however," he said while smirking.

"Dont get me wrong, I am not usually for sale, but every so often a hard time will fall, and one man must do what he can to earn his way." He said solomnly

[rhoenix]

"Dont get me wrong, I am not usually for sale, but every so often a hard time will fall, and one man must do what he can to earn his way." He said solomnly

Agrilos nodded soberly. "Aye. Though its true that we all do what we are capable of to survive at times, I do my best not to fight or be involved in combat unless I must - too often, ego and fear drive reasons for fighting."

A sideways smile grew on his face. "I will acknowledge though that sometimes, there is no other choice. I am always prepared for that possibility," he said, while gesturing to his pile of weaponry beside his chair, and rustling his chain mail armor beneath his clothes.

[Rukia]

The officer nodded. "Ah, good then. Well, I'm certain we can set up a safe place for you to stay m'lady. I'm certain your guards are excellent soldiers and will do very well for us." The guard looked over at the five men she had with her and nodded again. "If you and your retinue would follow the others, we'll set you up in the inn."

Wondering if she had been misunderstood in her request she nodded and turned back to her men and spoke to them in Romanian. She entered her carriage and the took off towards the inn passing the others.

After her horses and carriage had been tended to, Krystyna walked in, joining the others in the dining room of the surprisingly large inn. She spoke first to the inn keeper then she moved to where everyone was seated. As she sat at the end of a table she pushed her hood back and removed the veil from around her face.

Smiling sweetly as the barmaid brought her her drink, then looking at the others, she placed her sheathed daggers on the table the jeweled handles catching the firelight. Addressing them all in the most common language she knew, german, "I don't believe that we've been properly introduced. My name is Krystyna Gàspàr, of Romania."

[Comrade Tortoise]

manfred's eyes glazed over

The conversation in this room is a bit awkward

Said the voice in his head. He didnt know how to place why, but the voice was right. The conversation was a bit odd, talk of making their own tales, as if they were part of some traveling minstrel's wild stories, or characters in some written narrative who knew they were characters in a narrative

"A badly written one at that" he muttered out loud

He had scooted over of course. And was busy eying the succubu... er Romanian woman when she sat down and put a bejeweled dagger on the table.

A show of force!

"Or wealth, part of her feminine charm to reel in unsuspecting males" he said in his head to the voice that always accompanied him

With her luck she will get the troll

When she opened her mouth, Manfred payed attention to the real world again, his eyes becoming once more bright shiny and inquisitive

"I am Manfred, out of Bavaria" he normally would have extended a hand, but chose not to, she might use it as an opportunity to steal his thoughts, or belongings....

[rhoenix]

As the Romanian lady entered, Agrilos stood as was polite, his grey eyes regarding her calmly, and somewhat curiously. He watched her set her twin daggers down, and face the gathered folk.

Addressing them all in the most common language she knew, german, "I don't believe that we've been properly introduced. My name is Krystyna Gàspàr, of Romania."

Agrilos smiled, and nodded to her politely. "I'm honored to meet you, Krystyna. I am Agrilos Menshir, of Ireland. Please, join us," he said, gesturing to a chair with a smile. "I presume you are here about the town hiring mercenaries, correct?"

[Charon]

A few other patrons were in the inn at the time as well, they watched the newcomers for some time, trying to figure them out for awhile before finally getting on with their own business of talking of rumors, quietly enough to be a simple conversation but loud enough to be heard to anyone who would bother listening.

"Have you heard of what they found in France?"

"The Catacombs of Toulouse?"

"Aye, some say they're relics from the Romans. Filled to the brim with treasures."

The other patron snorted, "Not for long I'd bet, they're probably already stripped barren by the French bastard."

"No, that's the beauty of it. They're in the Wastelands. Most don't dare to go there."

The patron shivered. "Well of course they don't. That place's been haunted since that dragon died there, and from what I hear a new wizard's taken up residence by the Wastelands as well. That Kang fellow."

"What kind of name is Kang anyway?"

"Damned if I know, he probably picked it up when he travelled to the other worlds."

---------------------

In another corner a pair of merchant looking fellows spoke as well, in the language of Italian.

"Mehmet is on the move again."

"That bloodthirsty demon is always on the move. They took Corinth two months ago, d'you hear of that?"

"I've heard worse than that. I heard from a Genoese man that the Turks have found Eden."

The one merchant took a long draught from his drink. "Christ in Heaven."

The other nodded. "And what's worse is he said they managed to break in. Mehmet's eaten from the Tree of Eternal Life and the Tree of Wisdom."

Both merchants looked extremely pale. "Christ preserve us. There's nothing we mortal men can do to stop him now."

The merchants took long drinks from their mugs and asked for another round.

---------------------

As Visira sat down on the bench opposite Per, the sound of creaking and straining wood could be heard from the bench the three travelers sat on now. Apparently they were in good luck that Per had chosen the sturdier of the two benches.

A trio of barmaids returned to the table where the group sat, placing down hot food and cold mugs of ale for everyone sitting down. One of the younger ones curtsied and smiled at the group.

"Is there anything else you'll be needing while you're here M'lords?"

[Shark Bait]

A few other patrons were in the inn at the time as well, they watched the newcomers for some time, trying to figure them out for awhile before finally getting on with their own business of talking of rumors, quietly enough to be a simple conversation but loud enough to be heard to anyone who would bother listening.

"Have you heard of what they found in France?"

"The Catacombs of Toulouse?"

"Aye, some say they're relics from the Romans. Filled to the brim with treasures."

The other patron snorted, "Not for long I'd bet, they're probably already stripped barren by the French bastard."

"No, that's the beauty of it. They're in the Wastelands. Most don't dare to go there."

The patron shivered. "Well of course they don't. That place's been haunted since that dragon died there, and from what I hear a new wizard's taken up residence by the Wastelands as well. That Kang fellow."

"What kind of name is Kang anyway?"

"Damned if I know, he probably picked it up when he travelled to the other worlds."

Per listened carefully to the conversation accross the inn his ears perking up at the mention of great treasures.

"It can't be that easy" he thought "Stories of hauntings sometimes are little more than a few creatures of the night trying to sound more terrifying than they are. Even if there is more that kind of treasure would certanly be worth the risk, and if nothing else that would be quite a story to tell. This wizard though why is that name familiar, and where have i heard it before? Could he be the one who builds the golems?"

Per blinked and tryed to clear his mind of dizzingy thoughts of treasure and wizards as the Bar maid placed a plate in front of him as well as a cup of ale.

One of the younger ones curtsied and smiled at the group.
"Is there anything else you'll be needing while you're here M'lords?"

"Larger portions perhaps" Per thought to himself "thats the trouble with human lands, human sized portions"
Not wanting to damage the warm welcome they had recieved he smiled chearfully "Thank you no" he said with a kind grin as he lifted his cup to take a "small" drink.

[Rukia]

As the young women started to walk away Krystyna noticed the slightly disappointed look on the largest mans face. She reached out a hand and caught the young barmaid by the arm and spoke to her. "The large man in the corner brought his own cup, why don't you keep that filled? Also, he probably has a big appetite as well. bring him a couple more helpings." She brought out a small purse and handed the girl a few coins. Curtsying she walked away and Krystyna took a drink from her own glass.

She smiled and spoke Agrilos. "Yes I am indeed here to help the town. I tend to go where the money is at. Unfortunately, I think the guards at the gate misunderstood me. It is I who wish to fight, not the men with me."

When the women returned with Per's extra food and drink she tipped them all again, and smiled. "Keep that coming until he's had enough, please."

[The Silence and I]

As Visira sat down on the bench opposite Per, the sound of creaking and straining wood could be heard from the bench the three travelers sat on now. Apparently they were in good luck that Per had chosen the sturdier of the two benches.

Already nearer one end of the bench John slides away from Manfred and Visira so as to place himself directly over one of the bench's legs.
"Not trying to be anti social," he mutters to Manfred and Visira, "I'm just not too trusting of this bench after the sound it just made." He pats the bench leg under him as a visual aid.

A trio of barmaids returned to the table where the group sat, placing down hot food and cold mugs of ale for everyone sitting down. One of the younger ones curtsied and smiled at the group.

"Is there anything else you'll be needing while you're here M'lords?"

He smiles warmly back at her and says "to be served by such fine hospitality is more than enough for the likes of me." He raises a mug to his lips and sips appreciatively.

[Charon]

The young barmaids did something that in any other situation would have been considered odd. But as it was, deep seeded superstitions die hard. With as polite a smile as she could muster the young barmaid refused the money.

Although she did indeed bring back more ale and food for the unusually giant man, she and the others once again refused the money, and as they moved on to the other clients some at the table could hear the women murmuring about Gypsy's money.

[rhoenix]

Listening to the talk resuming around them, Agrilos listened in with half an ear even as the folk at or near his own table went about their own conversations. As the barmaid came by to offer drinks, he politely shook his head. "Naught but watered wine for me, please. I don't drink often, and so I'm a lightweight - I wish to have all my wits about me when the fireworks happen tonight."

He did focus on Krystyna completely as she replied, and noted how she offered unrequited kindness to Per by making sure the large one's tankard and plate were full.

She smiled and spoke Agrilos. "Yes I am indeed here to help the town. I tend to go where the money is at. Unfortunately, I think the guards at the gate misunderstood me. It is I who wish to fight, not the men with me."

He responded first by nodding slowly, looking her calmly in the eyes. "Fair enough, then. Mayhap we can talk this unruly bunch out of raiding this town ever again, but if not, I'm sure you and your two blades will be handy."

[Rukia]

The young barmaids did something that in any other situation would have been considered odd. But as it was, deep seeded superstitions die hard. With as polite a smile as she could muster the young barmaid refused the money.

Although she did indeed bring back more ale and food for the unusually giant man, she and the others once again refused the money, and as they moved on to the other clients some at the table could hear the women murmuring about Gypsy's money.

The romanian woman sighed. She was used to it but still found it insulting. Her money was as good as everyone else's and had been earned honestly. She grumbled something in her native tongue and instead handed the money to Agrilos. "When we leave from the table please be sure and leave this for the maids. They will never accept it from me. And believe me I am more than skilled with my weapons."

[Comrade Tortoise]

Manfred listened to the rumors spoken by the other patrons intently. But they were not his concern. Eventually perhaps, but not now. He had more important things on his mind. Like current employment, making sure the church didnt get him, making sure Paul was training well and didnt fall into the clutches of a gypsy...

It was then he noticed the Bench creak. This would not do. Especially now that people were moving around to avoid it snapping.

He sighed. He was enjoying the lucid period (even if not exactly alone in his head) between bouts of mania. There was a chance that if he used magic he may fall off his mental rocker.

He responded brifly to the barmaid as she came by

"I am fine my dear. But thank you." he would be sure to tip her well before they left. He didnt like making a spectacle of gratitude.

Once the girl was in the back, manfred closed his eyes and made a fist with his right hand and placed it against the palm of his left. Both touched the center of his chest. Then he floded his hands as if in prayer, separated them and positioned them palm up flat, with his elbows on his stomach. He spread his arms shoulder length and pulled his hands straight up, parallel to the floor. This happened very quickly, his hands seemed almost a blur to those watching. He then spoke words in a language none but he knew.

The dirt floor under his bench, and the one per occuppied wavered for a second. Quivering as if it was water struck by a tiny pebble, then it rose up. Rose up far enough to begin physically supporting the seating portions of the benches. In about a second and a half, the bench was fully supported by earth the legs of the benches actually subsumed by it.

"That should work... now we need not worry about the benches collapsing"

"As for talking monsters out of raiding this town... You and I both know that wont work. They will have to be put down... of course..." he got a wicked grin as the insanity took him. "they may...even in death...be useful..."

[The Silence and I]

Putting down his drink John addresses Per across the table:

"Per, you'll forgive my asking I hope, but I can't place your accent and I've traveled both far and wide so I can't help but wonder at its strangeness! As a traveler I must ask: what land do you come from?"

His face is intent, but with simple curiosity and nothing more.

Of course, as he finishes speaking Manfred starts throwing magic around. But John never breaks his gaze despite the odd interruption, he seems to have an almost single-minded focus.

[rhoenix]

The romanian woman sighed. She was used to it but still found it insulting. Her money was as good as everyone else's and had been earned honestly. She grumbled something in her native tongue and instead handed the money to Agrilos. "When we leave from the table please be sure and leave this for the maids. They will never accept it from me. And believe me I am more than skilled with my weapons."

Shrugging, he accepted the money. "Fair enough. As for you being capable with your weapons madam, I make no judgements - some of the very best warriors I've ever met enjoyed misleading their opponents into underestimating them."

"As for talking monsters out of raiding this town... You and I both know that wont work. They will have to be put down... of course..." he got a wicked grin as the insanity took him. "they may...even in death...be useful..."

Giving the mage the same blank and somewhat tired look Agrilos had given him earlier in the day, he just stared unblinkingly into Manfred's face for a few moments before speaking. "It may work, it may not. We may find out if they have a leader to be spoken with, a base of operations to be shut down, a supply line to be disrupted, a purpose to be changed, or a grudge that can be resolved; or we may not. We will assuredly find out none of those things by treating them as..." he deliberately paused for a moment before finishing in a lower voice. "...the Inquisition treats rogue mages. I do not arrive quickly or hastily to conclusions, and I would ask that you do the same."

[Shark Bait]

"Per, you'll forgive my asking I hope, but I can't place your accent and I've traveled both far and wide so I can't help but wonder at its strangeness! As a traveler I must ask: what land do you come from?"

Per looked up from behind the gigantic mug the barmaid had filled at the kind request of the gypsy. "I come from the north my friend, much farther north than most most have traveled" Per smiled happily [norse] farther north than men usually live[/norse] [german] as you see my home language has a most pervasive tone, makes it difficult to pass as a local[/german]

[Comrade Tortoise]

Manfred's eyes turned from their normal color to a a wintery hue of grey and glazed over as he stared, unblinking into Agrilos' eyes. He tilted his head, and the air around everyone became cold. So cold that their breath could be seen despite the firelight. The humidity in the air dropped out and formed a chilled mist along the floor

"Rogue Wizards... Rogue Wizards... yes... " his breathing got heavier. Unlclear whether it was the reaction of fear... or longing. "The reason the Inquisition is so heavy handed with them is very simple. They cannot be reasoned with. A wizard who has descended that far into madness is a being of such power that armies cannot stand against them, Dragons fall to them in a frenzyof mutually assured destruction. But that can be useful yes? The reason we are allowed to exist by the church even... The real problem is much more horrific yes? It Is what these twisted creatures, mad with power will do on a whim. Transfigure their most trusted servants into undead, slaughter an entire city, impale thousands of children on the pikes of the soldiers who died to defend them, in an orgy of blood that makes the depravity of Vlad the Impaler look like the indiscretions of a mischievous child. Chances are... I will be guilty of the same crimes. But that day... is not today

These monsters are little different. There is only one solution. Putting them down like rabid dogs."

He leaned back on the bench. Contemplatively

"What will they do if they have a supply line to cut? You will have to fight your way through them to get to it. then defend the only large cache of supplies that they can claim in order to survive. This village. How do you propose getting to their leader without cutting your way through them? Surely you cannot expect to negotiate on behalf of this village. Not in good faith anyway. What will they do? Disband to be hunted by the inquisition one by one? Perhaps starve? As for a grudge, the only grudge that is of any consequence is the fact that they are hunted and trying to survive. They have nothing to lose, and everything to gain if they grind this village to dust and take over the region. Unlike many creatures, these ones I imagine lack the luxury of being able to hide and survive among the human population. It is tragic as it is the injustice of the Inquisition that is getting everyone into this mess... But that does not change the fact that the injustice is in place. Ergo, they must die"

As soon as he finished that sentence, the air re-warmed instantly, his eyes returned to their normal color, and the mist dissipated.

[The Silence and I]

Per looked up from behind the gigantic mug the barmaid had filled at the kind request of the gypsy. "I come from the north my friend, much farther north than most most have traveled" Per smiled happily [norse] farther north than men usually live[/norse] [german] as you see my home language has a most pervasive tone, makes it difficult to pass as a local[/german]

Now John's interest seems to grow and his expression widens.
[German]"From the North? I too am from the North, perhaps even as far as you. I was born in Finland, do you know the language?"[/German]
[Finnish"]I recognize vaguely your native language, it is old and rarely spoken, yes?"[/Finnish]
[German]"Your tongue sounds a little like what the Swedes speak, they would trade with my home town when I was little. Before I left for more populous lands."[/German]

As he speaks Manfred's further display of power starts to catch his attention. As the air chills he makes a small gasp and seems to hold his breath, perhaps to avoid a fit of coughing by the look on his face. Once the chill passes he clears his throat and directs his voice to the wizard:

"Even as considerable as your power must be, sir, would it not be wiser to restrain yourself? We may need your full powers at a later time and these displays only weaken body and mind. Not that the benches weren't asking for some support!" His words are light and well measured. It is council, not a demand.

His face never fully turned away from Per but now he directs it back towards the large man expecting his answer.

[Comrade Tortoise]

The mage seemed to snap out of a dream. He shook his head, as if to clear drowsiness before responding

"What? The last I remember was telling Agrilos that talking to the raiders probably wouldn't work, then something about rogue wizards..." It was clear that he honestly only had fuzzy memories of what he had just done.

"As for the chairs... I would rather use a bit of power than suffer the ignamity of having a bench collapse as I sit on it" He knew he didnt actually have to worry about running out of magic... but he was not going to let them in on that little secret

[Shark Bait]

Now John's interest seems to grow and his expression widens.
[German]"From the North? I too am from the North, perhaps even as far as you. I was born in Finland, do you know the language?"[/German]
[Finnish"]I recognize vaguely your native language, it is old and rarely spoken, yes?"[/Finnish]
[German]"Your tongue sounds a little like what the Swedes speak, they would trade with my home town when I was little. Before I left for more populous lands."[/German]

[German]Sadly no I never learned the language of the Fins[/German]
[Portuguese] we found other trading partners, when we needed to trade on rare occasions[/Portuguese]
[Russian] Or when there was a war that looked as though it might turn us a profit[/Russian]
[German] though here i find it useful to speak in this land's native tongue[/german]

[Comrade Tortoise]

[Portuguese] I thought this language would come in useful...[/portuguese]
[Italian] Though I have always found Italian to be more useful[/italian]
[greek] And of course for dealing with the church there is this and[/greek]
[latin] Latin[/latin]

[rhoenix]

The mage seemed to snap out of a dream. He shook his head, as if to clear drowsiness before responding

"What? The last I remember was telling Agrilos that talking to the raiders probably wouldn't work, then something about rogue wizards..." It was clear that he honestly only had fuzzy memories of what he had just done.

Continuing to regard Manfred with a blank look, Agrilos still hadn't blinked, despite the sudden chill. He replied after a few moments of silence with a smirk. "Of the many things I could reply with to your outburst, the most appropriate would be to say that your reasons to slay those you consider to be less powerful than you are themselves a strong argument as to why you should not be acting rashly."

He appeared to relax somewhat. "It would be foolish to assume that this problem of Wittenberge's can be solved with words alone, but it would be equally foolish to assume that this problem cannot be solved by words alone. I will wear my weapons, I will be ready to fight, to kill, and to die tonight - but I will not do any of those things needlessly, for they are not my only options - merely the most final ones."

[Rukia]

She hardly noticed the cold, but knew that if anyone cared to take notice of her lack of breath she would have to answer to them and possible have to defend herself. She quickly brought her glass to her mouth and pretended to drink until the cold went away.

Her eyes bore into the wizards and she poke to him in greek. [Greek] "What a foolish thing to do! Do you wish to bring about harm on us?! Just because the church looks to you for assistance does not mean the rest of us are so lucky. Look around you, notice the company you are in be weary of it, use caution."[/greek]

She calmed herself and spoke again, this time to everyone. "Please excuse my outburst." She bowed her head. "I have become very uneasy of wizards who do not use caution in public."

[Comrade Tortoise]

[greek] I dont even know what I did! All i remember was Agrilos saying something about Rogue Wizards and something snapped in my head and i lost control. There is a reason I use magic in public. So they know what to expect The people expect strange things to happen, because it is common knowledge that wizards are crazy, if I had done... whatever it is I just did in public without them knowing there was a wizard, that is when the mobs come. And if that happens the rest of you, even you" he said pointing at her directly "will be the last thing on their minds"[/greek]

"Expecting lack of restrained, indeed sanity from a wizard is like expecting a magpie to stop collecting shiny objects"

[The Silence and I]

[German]Sadly no I never learned the language of the Fins[/German]
[Portuguese] we found other trading partners, when we needed to trade on rare occasions[/Portuguese]
[Russian] Or when there was a war that looked as though it might turn us a profit[/Russian]
[German] though here i find it useful to speak in this land's native tongue[/german]

John answers in Russian but it is a little halting, he hasn't fully mastered it:
[Russian]"Ah, we have at least one other common tongue I see. What you spoke before, that was not quite Spanish. Portuguese, I would guess, they are very close. I think you said something about finding different trading partners--I, uh, ...[German]... 'presume,' I can't recall the word in Russian,[/German] [Russian]...you mean Finland? Different than Finland? Ah, I think I see. Sorry, my Russian is a little rusty and I never learned Portuguese; Spanish was usually close enough in my travels."[/Russian]

He takes a sip from his mug.

[Spanish]"You can understand this maybe? Spanish and Portuguese are very similar. I am impressed by your mastery of Russian, it is considered hard to learn."[/Spanish]