Darl
Forum rules
NOTE: All posts, including minor edits, go to the Ivy and Chrome Yahoo group unless you select the "Do not send to Yahoo Group" option below the reply text box.
NOTE: All posts, including minor edits, go to the Ivy and Chrome Yahoo group unless you select the "Do not send to Yahoo Group" option below the reply text box.
Re: Darl
Darl smiles back at the question.
"Ah, but you misunderstand." he responds. "The curse you speak of came from that worthless earth artifact ... and I felt having it here might perhaps help with the identification and removal." He pauses just a moment with a large smile, and then adds softly, "To be honest, it was actually the cross that I intended as the test."
Darl sets the TW staff he acquired from John and Harvey up on the table. "But to business, then. I have no shortage of items for barter ... the cross and this staff for start, as well as a couple of bloodstones. I would not object to walking out of here an item or two lighter than I was when I walked in, and perhaps down one curse as well ... and am also willing to exchange an item of value for a few items of lesser worth."
Darl also pulls out one of the bloodstones he took from John and Harvey, and sets it out beside the staff as he continues. "I also seek a metal bracer or other means to mount a bloodstone on my person, so that it is not so easily removed by a cutpurse ... I would not make such requests if I did not have the means to reward you for your time and efforts."
"But as a large part of what I seek is information, I would need evaluate the value of what I receive before finalizing any offer or exchange. Again, I do promise to make it worth your time ... so ... what can you tell me of this curse?"
"Ah, but you misunderstand." he responds. "The curse you speak of came from that worthless earth artifact ... and I felt having it here might perhaps help with the identification and removal." He pauses just a moment with a large smile, and then adds softly, "To be honest, it was actually the cross that I intended as the test."
Darl sets the TW staff he acquired from John and Harvey up on the table. "But to business, then. I have no shortage of items for barter ... the cross and this staff for start, as well as a couple of bloodstones. I would not object to walking out of here an item or two lighter than I was when I walked in, and perhaps down one curse as well ... and am also willing to exchange an item of value for a few items of lesser worth."
Darl also pulls out one of the bloodstones he took from John and Harvey, and sets it out beside the staff as he continues. "I also seek a metal bracer or other means to mount a bloodstone on my person, so that it is not so easily removed by a cutpurse ... I would not make such requests if I did not have the means to reward you for your time and efforts."
"But as a large part of what I seek is information, I would need evaluate the value of what I receive before finalizing any offer or exchange. Again, I do promise to make it worth your time ... so ... what can you tell me of this curse?"
Re: Darl
"Ah, but you misunderstand." Darl responds. "The curse you speak of came from that worthless earth artifact ... and I felt having it here might perhaps help with the identification and removal." He pauses just a moment with a large smile, and then adds softly, "To be honest, it was actually the cross that I intended as the test."
"Yesss, perhaps I can remove the curse...but should I involve myself, I wonder? Perhapsss by removing your curssse I bring trouble down on myssself." The wormspeaker responds. "I will think about helping you in this matter."
Darl sets the TW staff he acquired from John and Harvey up on the table. "But to business, then. I have no shortage of items for barter ... the cross and this staff for start, as well as a couple of bloodstones. I would not object to walking out of here an item or two lighter than I was when I walked in, and perhaps down one curse as well ... and am also willing to exchange an item of value for a few items of lesser worth."
The wormspeaker gingerly picks up the staff and examines it. She runs her fingers over the inlaid metal on it. "Techno-wizard item of ssssome ssssorts. By the design, likely a weapon. Not my area of exsperteesse. You will need to seek guidance elsewhere for this item." She sets the staff back down on the table.
Darl also pulls out one of the bloodstones he took from John and Harvey, and sets it out beside the staff as he continues. "I also seek a metal bracer or other means to mount a bloodstone on my person, so that it is not so easily removed by a cutpurse ... I would not make such requests if I did not have the means to reward you for your time and efforts."
"Ahhh.... that, I can indeed help with." Her eyes widen in anticipation and eagerness, reflecting the midday light spilling in through open doorway. "I have some items already....hmm...." She looks at Darl's wrist and arm, judging it's size. "Hmmm... perhaps not.... For you, something special, I think." She pauses in thought before continuing "Yesss... I can make you a wonderful bracer to wear on your...upper arm, perhaps?"
"But as a large part of what I seek is information, I would need evaluate the value of what I receive before finalizing any offer or exchange. Again, I do promise to make it worth your time ... so ... what can you tell me of this curse?"
"The curse...hmmm... let me see." The Wormspeaker concentrates while muttering to herself. "Yes, I see...." She looks up at Darl sharply. "A tracking spell of some sorts. Everywhere you go you leave a trail behind....and you've led the caster straight to me! I do not thank you for that." Her voice has gone steely cold as she now eyes Darl with some dislike. Her previous sociable merchant persona has been replaced by something...colder...more calculating.
"Yesss, perhaps I can remove the curse...but should I involve myself, I wonder? Perhapsss by removing your curssse I bring trouble down on myssself." The wormspeaker responds. "I will think about helping you in this matter."
Darl sets the TW staff he acquired from John and Harvey up on the table. "But to business, then. I have no shortage of items for barter ... the cross and this staff for start, as well as a couple of bloodstones. I would not object to walking out of here an item or two lighter than I was when I walked in, and perhaps down one curse as well ... and am also willing to exchange an item of value for a few items of lesser worth."
The wormspeaker gingerly picks up the staff and examines it. She runs her fingers over the inlaid metal on it. "Techno-wizard item of ssssome ssssorts. By the design, likely a weapon. Not my area of exsperteesse. You will need to seek guidance elsewhere for this item." She sets the staff back down on the table.
Darl also pulls out one of the bloodstones he took from John and Harvey, and sets it out beside the staff as he continues. "I also seek a metal bracer or other means to mount a bloodstone on my person, so that it is not so easily removed by a cutpurse ... I would not make such requests if I did not have the means to reward you for your time and efforts."
"Ahhh.... that, I can indeed help with." Her eyes widen in anticipation and eagerness, reflecting the midday light spilling in through open doorway. "I have some items already....hmm...." She looks at Darl's wrist and arm, judging it's size. "Hmmm... perhaps not.... For you, something special, I think." She pauses in thought before continuing "Yesss... I can make you a wonderful bracer to wear on your...upper arm, perhaps?"
"But as a large part of what I seek is information, I would need evaluate the value of what I receive before finalizing any offer or exchange. Again, I do promise to make it worth your time ... so ... what can you tell me of this curse?"
"The curse...hmmm... let me see." The Wormspeaker concentrates while muttering to herself. "Yes, I see...." She looks up at Darl sharply. "A tracking spell of some sorts. Everywhere you go you leave a trail behind....and you've led the caster straight to me! I do not thank you for that." Her voice has gone steely cold as she now eyes Darl with some dislike. Her previous sociable merchant persona has been replaced by something...colder...more calculating.
Joe - Administrator
Re: Darl
Darl tilts his head, his sharp teeth chewing slightly on his bottom lip as he ponders the wormspeaker's last statement. "Well ... that is extremely unfortunate ..." he responds, "And unintenional, I assure you. I do not mean to bring you any trouble."
"That said, if that trouble follows based on the simple act of me passing beneath your door, then the damage is already done ... and removing the curse will not change that, no?"
Reaching back into his cloak, and pulling out the gemstone hidden within, he sets it down upon the table as well. "In any case, I'm sure you would be interested in knowing just who might follow after me ... let us handle the rest the business at hand, remove our selves to another location, and take care of the curse elsewhere, shall we? Thus, the track which entered shall be matched by one in the other direction ... and while we relocate, I shall tell you what I know of the caster."
"That said, if that trouble follows based on the simple act of me passing beneath your door, then the damage is already done ... and removing the curse will not change that, no?"
Reaching back into his cloak, and pulling out the gemstone hidden within, he sets it down upon the table as well. "In any case, I'm sure you would be interested in knowing just who might follow after me ... let us handle the rest the business at hand, remove our selves to another location, and take care of the curse elsewhere, shall we? Thus, the track which entered shall be matched by one in the other direction ... and while we relocate, I shall tell you what I know of the caster."
Re: Darl
"You know who cursed you? Curiousss." She responds thoughtfully. Her gaze is intense as she stares at Darl. "Go. Leave me. I will meet you down the street in a few minutes and we can take care of our business. Go out the door and to the right. Keep walking for five blocks then take a left. You'll find an Alley on the right. Go down the Alley and take the third door on the right. It opens into an abandoned warehouse. Wait there for me if you wish the curse removed."
Joe - Administrator
Re: Darl
Darl gathers up his things, returning them to the pockets within his cloak.
"Understood ..." he responds, "... and prudent. Not only does this ensure the trail ends elsewhere, it grants you an opportunity to watch and see whether I am being followed currently."
Darl smiles. "That said, I am fairly certain I'm not ... I don't believe the caster would be so bold as to wander the morning markets. But if perchance I am wrong, and they are watching ... then I should perhaps leave with something more than I entered, so as to complete the impression that my stop here was simply for barter." He fingers the clasp fastening his cloak. "A new clasp, perhaps ... or a dagger ... nothing of significant worth, but worthy enough for me to admire it outside, ensuring it is noticed. Simply for the show, mind you ... to be returned to yourself immediately at the warehouse, of course."
Pausing for a moment to measure the wormspeaker's reaction to his request, he will then either take whatever item might be offered, or head back out of the shop and start off towards the warehouse the shopkeeper described.
When he gets to the corner with the ally, he will not turn down it ... opting instead to walk past the alley for a minute, then abrubtly turning around and progressing back up the street; watching for any signs of potential pursuit before turning down the alley checking out what sort of trouble he may be getting himself into ... but then again, wormspeakers were generally the good guys, right?
"Understood ..." he responds, "... and prudent. Not only does this ensure the trail ends elsewhere, it grants you an opportunity to watch and see whether I am being followed currently."
Darl smiles. "That said, I am fairly certain I'm not ... I don't believe the caster would be so bold as to wander the morning markets. But if perchance I am wrong, and they are watching ... then I should perhaps leave with something more than I entered, so as to complete the impression that my stop here was simply for barter." He fingers the clasp fastening his cloak. "A new clasp, perhaps ... or a dagger ... nothing of significant worth, but worthy enough for me to admire it outside, ensuring it is noticed. Simply for the show, mind you ... to be returned to yourself immediately at the warehouse, of course."
Pausing for a moment to measure the wormspeaker's reaction to his request, he will then either take whatever item might be offered, or head back out of the shop and start off towards the warehouse the shopkeeper described.
When he gets to the corner with the ally, he will not turn down it ... opting instead to walk past the alley for a minute, then abrubtly turning around and progressing back up the street; watching for any signs of potential pursuit before turning down the alley checking out what sort of trouble he may be getting himself into ... but then again, wormspeakers were generally the good guys, right?
Re: Darl
Darl gathers up his things, returning them to the pockets within his cloak. "Understood ..." he responds, "... and prudent. Not only does this ensure the trail ends elsewhere, it grants you an opportunity to watch and see whether I am being followed currently."
"My thoughtsss exxactly." the Wormspeaker responds with a sly look to her eyes.
Darl smiles in return. "That said, I am fairly certain I'm not ... I don't believe the caster would be so bold as to wander the morning markets. But if perchance I am wrong, and they are watching ... then I should perhaps leave with something more than I entered, so as to complete the impression that my stop here was simply for barter." He fingers the clasp fastening his cloak. "A new clasp, perhaps ... or a dagger ... nothing of significant worth, but worthy enough for me to admire it outside, ensuring it is noticed. Simply for the show, mind you ... to be returned to yourself immediately at the warehouse, of course."
"Hmmm... Leave that bloodssstone with me for mounting. I will hold that for collaterrral in exchange for..." She reaches inside a nearby display and pulls out a dagger "...thisss." It's not an ornate dagger, but appears to be made of good quality metal. The handle is ruin carved bone with a small gemstone set atop the claw-like metal pommel.
{OOC: I'll leave it to Darl to decide if the exchange is worth it, but I will continue on with the story.}
After the exchange (or lack thereof) Darl leaves the shop and starts off towards the warehouse the shopkeeper described.
Arriving at the corner with the alley, he barely favors it with a glance before instead walking past. He then abruptly turns around and progresses back up the street; watching for any signs of potential pursuit before turning down the alley, but seeing none. There are many other people on the street, and most at least glance his way as he passes them and give him a wide birth, ducking there heads as if trying to be insignificant. This type of reaction is what one would expect of a society that fears for it's life every day, especially when confronted with an eight foot tall creature that more closely resembles one of the The Horde than it does anything remotely human.
Darl arrives at the warehouse without incident and without noticing anybody following. A plane handle on the door turns easily in Darl's hand strong hand, but the minor grinding sensation as it turns would indicate likely infrequent use.
"My thoughtsss exxactly." the Wormspeaker responds with a sly look to her eyes.
Darl smiles in return. "That said, I am fairly certain I'm not ... I don't believe the caster would be so bold as to wander the morning markets. But if perchance I am wrong, and they are watching ... then I should perhaps leave with something more than I entered, so as to complete the impression that my stop here was simply for barter." He fingers the clasp fastening his cloak. "A new clasp, perhaps ... or a dagger ... nothing of significant worth, but worthy enough for me to admire it outside, ensuring it is noticed. Simply for the show, mind you ... to be returned to yourself immediately at the warehouse, of course."
"Hmmm... Leave that bloodssstone with me for mounting. I will hold that for collaterrral in exchange for..." She reaches inside a nearby display and pulls out a dagger "...thisss." It's not an ornate dagger, but appears to be made of good quality metal. The handle is ruin carved bone with a small gemstone set atop the claw-like metal pommel.
{OOC: I'll leave it to Darl to decide if the exchange is worth it, but I will continue on with the story.}
After the exchange (or lack thereof) Darl leaves the shop and starts off towards the warehouse the shopkeeper described.
Arriving at the corner with the alley, he barely favors it with a glance before instead walking past. He then abruptly turns around and progresses back up the street; watching for any signs of potential pursuit before turning down the alley, but seeing none. There are many other people on the street, and most at least glance his way as he passes them and give him a wide birth, ducking there heads as if trying to be insignificant. This type of reaction is what one would expect of a society that fears for it's life every day, especially when confronted with an eight foot tall creature that more closely resembles one of the The Horde than it does anything remotely human.
Darl arrives at the warehouse without incident and without noticing anybody following. A plane handle on the door turns easily in Darl's hand strong hand, but the minor grinding sensation as it turns would indicate likely infrequent use.
Joe - Administrator
Re: Darl
Opening the door cautiously, Darl looks inside. His superior night vision reveals that the a few random crates and other debris are litter the mostly empty building. He detects no heat variance that might indicate a warm blooded creature is hiding in the dark room.
Joe - Administrator
Re: Darl
"Hmmm... Leave that bloodssstone with me for mounting. I will hold that for collaterrral in exchange for..." She reaches inside a nearby display and pulls out a dagger "...thisss." It's not an ornate dagger, but appears to be made of good quality metal. The handle is ruin carved bone with a small gemstone set atop the claw-like metal pommel.
OOC: Does Darl have any idea what the two bloodstones he recovered actually do? Are they greater or lesser bloodstones? If he has any idea what they do, that may impact which one he decides to leave behind.
IC:
Darl pauses only momentarily, hesitant to give up such a valuable item ... but he knows he could always retrieve it later, and it was a small price to pay relative to one of his other posessions (and ridding himself of the Shade). Placing the bloodstone back on the table, he takes the dagger that is offered to him. "And does this dagger have any special properties I should know about?" he asks as he makes the exchange.
Once outside the shop, he stops and holds the dagger up, as if admiring the sparkle of the gems against the wormwood sky; essentially showing off his supposed purchase to any potential watchers, just as he had proposed. After a moment, he tucks the dagger away and heads down the street.
*skip forward*
> Opening the door cautiously, Darl looks inside. His superior night vision reveals that the a few random crates and other debris are litter the mostly empty building. He detects no heat variance that might indicate a warm blooded creature is hiding in the dark room.
Darl closes the door securely behind himself, and scans around for signs of any other entrances/exits. Not a good place to find himself, if the Shade was indeed close on his heels ... he wanted to make sure noone could enter the building without having to at least open a door and alerting Darl to their presence. Looking around, he sizes up the general width, length, and height of the building; suddenly feeling very vulnerable.
"I will not stay long," he thinks to himself as he moves to the center of the room. Brandishing the TW staff in one hand and his throwing blade in the other, he allows himself to slowly start counting to one hundred, with a shadow meld spell ready on the tip of his tongue.
OOC: Does Darl have any idea what the two bloodstones he recovered actually do? Are they greater or lesser bloodstones? If he has any idea what they do, that may impact which one he decides to leave behind.
IC:
Darl pauses only momentarily, hesitant to give up such a valuable item ... but he knows he could always retrieve it later, and it was a small price to pay relative to one of his other posessions (and ridding himself of the Shade). Placing the bloodstone back on the table, he takes the dagger that is offered to him. "And does this dagger have any special properties I should know about?" he asks as he makes the exchange.
Once outside the shop, he stops and holds the dagger up, as if admiring the sparkle of the gems against the wormwood sky; essentially showing off his supposed purchase to any potential watchers, just as he had proposed. After a moment, he tucks the dagger away and heads down the street.
*skip forward*
> Opening the door cautiously, Darl looks inside. His superior night vision reveals that the a few random crates and other debris are litter the mostly empty building. He detects no heat variance that might indicate a warm blooded creature is hiding in the dark room.
Darl closes the door securely behind himself, and scans around for signs of any other entrances/exits. Not a good place to find himself, if the Shade was indeed close on his heels ... he wanted to make sure noone could enter the building without having to at least open a door and alerting Darl to their presence. Looking around, he sizes up the general width, length, and height of the building; suddenly feeling very vulnerable.
"I will not stay long," he thinks to himself as he moves to the center of the room. Brandishing the TW staff in one hand and his throwing blade in the other, he allows himself to slowly start counting to one hundred, with a shadow meld spell ready on the tip of his tongue.
Re: Darl
OOC: Sorry for the delay, been working long hours.
IC:
Placing the bloodstone back on the table, he takes the dagger that is offered to him. "And does this dagger have any special properties I should know about?" he asks as he makes the exchange.
The wormspeaker makes a face that must pass for a reassuring smile. "No, nothing you should know about."
---> fast forward to the warehouse
Darl closes the door securely behind himself, and scans around for signs of any other entrances/exits and sees the glowing heat outline of a huge double door in the back large enough to drive vehicles in and out of and a smaller man-sized door next to it. Not a good place to find himself, if the Shade was indeed close on his heels ... he wanted to make sure noone could enter the building without having to at least open a door and alerting Darl to their presence. Looking around, he sizes up the general width, length, and height of the building; suddenly feeling very vulnerable. The room is approximately 75 feet by 75 feet and over a couple dozen feet tall.
"I will not stay long," he thinks to himself as he moves to the center of the room. Brandishing the TW staff in one hand and his throwing blade in the other, he allows himself to slowly start counting to one hundred, with a shadow meld spell ready on the tip of his tongue.
Just as he reaches 93, the door he entered slowly opens. He sees the shadowy outline of the wormspeaker momentarily silhouetted in the doorway before the door closes and the warehouse is once again plunged into darkness. The darkness lasts only momentarily before a bright lantern flicks on and the area surrounding the Wormspeaker is bathed in a circle of light.
"Don't want to turn the warehouse lights on, might attract unwanted attention." The wormspeaker addresses Darl. "Now, about that curse..." She gestures for Darl to approach as she walks further into the room and places the lantern on a nearby crate.
OOC: Likely lesser bloodstones, but without randomly testing them Darl doesn't have the knowledge to determine exactly what they do.OOC: Does Darl have any idea what the two bloodstones he recovered actually do? Are they greater or lesser bloodstones? If he has any idea what they do, that may impact which one he decides to leave behind.
IC:
Placing the bloodstone back on the table, he takes the dagger that is offered to him. "And does this dagger have any special properties I should know about?" he asks as he makes the exchange.
The wormspeaker makes a face that must pass for a reassuring smile. "No, nothing you should know about."
---> fast forward to the warehouse
Darl closes the door securely behind himself, and scans around for signs of any other entrances/exits and sees the glowing heat outline of a huge double door in the back large enough to drive vehicles in and out of and a smaller man-sized door next to it. Not a good place to find himself, if the Shade was indeed close on his heels ... he wanted to make sure noone could enter the building without having to at least open a door and alerting Darl to their presence. Looking around, he sizes up the general width, length, and height of the building; suddenly feeling very vulnerable. The room is approximately 75 feet by 75 feet and over a couple dozen feet tall.
"I will not stay long," he thinks to himself as he moves to the center of the room. Brandishing the TW staff in one hand and his throwing blade in the other, he allows himself to slowly start counting to one hundred, with a shadow meld spell ready on the tip of his tongue.
Just as he reaches 93, the door he entered slowly opens. He sees the shadowy outline of the wormspeaker momentarily silhouetted in the doorway before the door closes and the warehouse is once again plunged into darkness. The darkness lasts only momentarily before a bright lantern flicks on and the area surrounding the Wormspeaker is bathed in a circle of light.
"Don't want to turn the warehouse lights on, might attract unwanted attention." The wormspeaker addresses Darl. "Now, about that curse..." She gestures for Darl to approach as she walks further into the room and places the lantern on a nearby crate.
Joe - Administrator
Re: Darl
Darl's unease quickly rises as the wormspeaker approaches, his mind racing impossibly fast; as if somehow disconnected from the regular timestream. His sense of utter vulnerability continued to rise; heighted by the realization that he wasn't as fully in control of the situation as he would otherwise have liked. A hint of distrust begins to build deep within his conscience. Thinking back to the dagger, he mentally evaluates the weapon's quality; attempting to assess whether it truly was worth the exchange or was potentially enchanted ... as either might go a long way towards convincing him that the wormspeaker was playing him on an even field. (OOC: recognize enchanted items 17%, recognize weapon quality 37%).
... wait ... was she missing her earlier lisp?
"Forgive me ..." he states before approaching the wormspeaker, "But before we continue, I must insist on another test. My name, your name, and what of my offer you seek most at the conclusion of our transaction?" he questions. "I would at least like to know just how much lighter one might expect my load to be, once our exchange is complete."
Inwardly, he listens very carefully to the wormspeaker's response, attempting to determine if he was being overly paranoid; or if infact the wormspeaker had lost her original lisp ... which would indicate perhaps that this was not the one with whom he had started this discussion.
... wait ... was she missing her earlier lisp?
"Forgive me ..." he states before approaching the wormspeaker, "But before we continue, I must insist on another test. My name, your name, and what of my offer you seek most at the conclusion of our transaction?" he questions. "I would at least like to know just how much lighter one might expect my load to be, once our exchange is complete."
Inwardly, he listens very carefully to the wormspeaker's response, attempting to determine if he was being overly paranoid; or if infact the wormspeaker had lost her original lisp ... which would indicate perhaps that this was not the one with whom he had started this discussion.