Dannock
Posted: Tue Aug 09, 2011 12:37 pm
After another uneventful day working security at the mines in Chisel Town, Dannock finds himself sitting alone at a corner table drinking down the last of his favorite drink . He finds that he likes this little gathering place. The people and beings that frequent here are just average people: miners and working class mainly. For a brief time, they gather here and forget the ever present threat of death that exists everywhere on this planet.
Dannock has been in Chisel town for about a week. His wanderings have led him here where, for a time at least, he can feel as though he is making a difference. Most days at the mine are uneventful, but many times the miners are attacked by roaming parasites and the occasional demon raiding party. Dannock hasn't had to deal with one of the latter yet, but in this world it is only a matter of time.
The owner of this bar--for lack of a more accurate description--is called Jermander. By human standards he would be called bulky. He has aged most ungraciously. What remains of his hair has been cut short in an attempt to hide his baldness and his face is furrowed with frown lines. But, he is a good man, and in exchange for breaking up the occasional disagreement amongst customers he allows Dannock to eat and drink his fill and live in a spare room.
There was one such disagreement tonight but nothing serious. Just an argument that got out of hand. One of Dannock's armor clad fists on the shoulder of each was enough to quiet them down.
As Dannock is about to refill his cup a tall skinny man in a worn brown cloak approaches and asks if he can join Dannock. Dannock motions to a chair across the table, "Please, have a seat. My name is Dan, how may I help you?" The man places his hands on the table to steady himself as he takes his seat and Dannock notices that his hands are smooth and slightly stained with an inky black substance in places. His robes are worn and dirty from travel and one sleeve seems to be slightly singed by fire. To Dannock’s discerning eye, it appears that the man is in his middle years. He has neatly trimmed black hair and is skinny for a human, but not unusual on this harsh world.
"It is my pleasure to meet you Dan; my name is John." the man begins politely as he motions to a serving girl for something to drink. "I saw how well you handled yourself earlier and was wondering if I might engage your services for a few days?" He seems polite, but he occasionally looks over his shoulder as if checking to see if anyone is listening. He also looks a bit nervous, but that could just be the reaction of facing the giant suit of armor sitting in front of him.
"My brother and I aren’t from around here. We just came into town with one of the returning mine caravans. A number of days ago we received word that our mother has fallen gravely ill and we are trying to make it to Worldgate to hopefully be with her at the end or to put her affairs in order if we don’t make it in time." The man pauses to take a drink of the water that has now been placed in front of him. "Forgive me for my abruptness and lack of pleasantries, but if you cannot help me then I need to try to find someone else. We are in need of someone with your skills to escort us and see us safely there. Unfortunately, we have nothing to offer in payment immediately, but when we get to Mother’s home I’m sure we can find something in her belongings to make it worth your time." The man finishes with a hopeful longing in his eyes as he waits to see if he needs to move on to someone else or go find his brother to let him know that he found someone to help them.
Dannock takes but a moment and decides to help. "Give me a moment to let the owner know I am leaving and then we can be on our way. I can meet you outside in a few or someplace else later if you wish."
"It is getting late, and I have some preparations to make. I will meet you here at first light." The man replies with a subdued smile. "Thank you very much for your generosity and I look forward to our time together." The man makes a hasty retreat through the tavern doorway after looking up and down the street.
After the man leaves, Dannock goes off in search of the owner and quickly finds him in his usual spot in the kitchen. It's amazing what this middle aged round man can do with grubs! "I'm sorry to see you go. Will you be coming back this way? Where will you be heading?" He asks with interest. He has been living here for most of his life and the only excitement he sees are the stories told to him by passing men at arms and other travelers.
Dannock is happy to talk to innkeeper about his journeys. He tells him of the people and places he has seen. He tells the man that the job will be as a guard for a caravan heading to Worldgate, not that he had planned on going back there this soon. If nothing catches his interest he will head back in this direction.
The owner listens attentively as he works in the kitchen, occasionally proclaiming his disbelief at some of what Dannock is telling him. Later, having finished cleaning up for the night, he invites Dannock to join him for a late night drink of an alcoholic beverage that he was saving for a special occasion. He refers to it as a thing called Vodka; explaining that it was given to him as a payment from a man that stayed at the inn years ago. As vodka goes, it's a good bottle, but may not be to Dannock's taste. The two talk well into the night before the innkeeper finally bids Dannock a good night leaving Dannock plenty of time to get a little rest and then meet his new employer for their trip.
Dannock is ready and waiting outside the inn before the sun rises. Right on time, two men walk up the street. One is the tall man, John, that Dannock met the previous evening. He is now walking with a staff in one hand and an awkward looking pack over his shoulders. The pack itself isn't so awkward, but whatever's in it seems to sit funny. The other is a shorter man that is also wearing a pack. Neither man has any visible weapons, except the staff. John introduces the other man as his brother Harvey. Harvey seems a bit shy as he looks up at Dannock. He nods politely but doesn't say anything.
As they walk off, Dannock asks, "John is there someone or something I need to be on the lookout specifically for?" as he takes better look at Harvey's pack and sees that it is a plain brown leather pack that looks full and heavy. John's pack is full as well, but the bottom bulges out funny…as if a large round object about the size of a human head rests there.
A look quickly passes between Dannock's two new companions before John responds, "No, we just wanted the extra help. You know, with all the beasts and demons roaming about I want to make sure we get where we're going in one piece."
As they walk, John occasionally gives a worried glance back down the path they have just covered. He seems mildly agitated as his staff clicks along the ground keeping cadence with his short steps…at least short in comparison to Dannock's.
Dannock gives John a hard look. "Let's get something straight right now; I don't care what you are carrying, so long as it is not stolen. I do not protect thieves. I can tell you are looking for someone or thing, following you. To protect you properly I need to know what you are expecting. And if nothing else talking makes the journey go that much faster."
"Umm…" John starts intelligently "No, nothing stolen. Just… well… my wife didn't really want me going… ya know… with the recent demon raid in that mining town. I'm afraid she might try following us even though I told her she needs to stay and take care of our sick daughter." Dannock can tell that the man is thinking frantically and probably isn't telling the complete truth.
Dannock has been in Chisel town for about a week. His wanderings have led him here where, for a time at least, he can feel as though he is making a difference. Most days at the mine are uneventful, but many times the miners are attacked by roaming parasites and the occasional demon raiding party. Dannock hasn't had to deal with one of the latter yet, but in this world it is only a matter of time.
The owner of this bar--for lack of a more accurate description--is called Jermander. By human standards he would be called bulky. He has aged most ungraciously. What remains of his hair has been cut short in an attempt to hide his baldness and his face is furrowed with frown lines. But, he is a good man, and in exchange for breaking up the occasional disagreement amongst customers he allows Dannock to eat and drink his fill and live in a spare room.
There was one such disagreement tonight but nothing serious. Just an argument that got out of hand. One of Dannock's armor clad fists on the shoulder of each was enough to quiet them down.
As Dannock is about to refill his cup a tall skinny man in a worn brown cloak approaches and asks if he can join Dannock. Dannock motions to a chair across the table, "Please, have a seat. My name is Dan, how may I help you?" The man places his hands on the table to steady himself as he takes his seat and Dannock notices that his hands are smooth and slightly stained with an inky black substance in places. His robes are worn and dirty from travel and one sleeve seems to be slightly singed by fire. To Dannock’s discerning eye, it appears that the man is in his middle years. He has neatly trimmed black hair and is skinny for a human, but not unusual on this harsh world.
"It is my pleasure to meet you Dan; my name is John." the man begins politely as he motions to a serving girl for something to drink. "I saw how well you handled yourself earlier and was wondering if I might engage your services for a few days?" He seems polite, but he occasionally looks over his shoulder as if checking to see if anyone is listening. He also looks a bit nervous, but that could just be the reaction of facing the giant suit of armor sitting in front of him.
"My brother and I aren’t from around here. We just came into town with one of the returning mine caravans. A number of days ago we received word that our mother has fallen gravely ill and we are trying to make it to Worldgate to hopefully be with her at the end or to put her affairs in order if we don’t make it in time." The man pauses to take a drink of the water that has now been placed in front of him. "Forgive me for my abruptness and lack of pleasantries, but if you cannot help me then I need to try to find someone else. We are in need of someone with your skills to escort us and see us safely there. Unfortunately, we have nothing to offer in payment immediately, but when we get to Mother’s home I’m sure we can find something in her belongings to make it worth your time." The man finishes with a hopeful longing in his eyes as he waits to see if he needs to move on to someone else or go find his brother to let him know that he found someone to help them.
Dannock takes but a moment and decides to help. "Give me a moment to let the owner know I am leaving and then we can be on our way. I can meet you outside in a few or someplace else later if you wish."
"It is getting late, and I have some preparations to make. I will meet you here at first light." The man replies with a subdued smile. "Thank you very much for your generosity and I look forward to our time together." The man makes a hasty retreat through the tavern doorway after looking up and down the street.
After the man leaves, Dannock goes off in search of the owner and quickly finds him in his usual spot in the kitchen. It's amazing what this middle aged round man can do with grubs! "I'm sorry to see you go. Will you be coming back this way? Where will you be heading?" He asks with interest. He has been living here for most of his life and the only excitement he sees are the stories told to him by passing men at arms and other travelers.
Dannock is happy to talk to innkeeper about his journeys. He tells him of the people and places he has seen. He tells the man that the job will be as a guard for a caravan heading to Worldgate, not that he had planned on going back there this soon. If nothing catches his interest he will head back in this direction.
The owner listens attentively as he works in the kitchen, occasionally proclaiming his disbelief at some of what Dannock is telling him. Later, having finished cleaning up for the night, he invites Dannock to join him for a late night drink of an alcoholic beverage that he was saving for a special occasion. He refers to it as a thing called Vodka; explaining that it was given to him as a payment from a man that stayed at the inn years ago. As vodka goes, it's a good bottle, but may not be to Dannock's taste. The two talk well into the night before the innkeeper finally bids Dannock a good night leaving Dannock plenty of time to get a little rest and then meet his new employer for their trip.
Dannock is ready and waiting outside the inn before the sun rises. Right on time, two men walk up the street. One is the tall man, John, that Dannock met the previous evening. He is now walking with a staff in one hand and an awkward looking pack over his shoulders. The pack itself isn't so awkward, but whatever's in it seems to sit funny. The other is a shorter man that is also wearing a pack. Neither man has any visible weapons, except the staff. John introduces the other man as his brother Harvey. Harvey seems a bit shy as he looks up at Dannock. He nods politely but doesn't say anything.
As they walk off, Dannock asks, "John is there someone or something I need to be on the lookout specifically for?" as he takes better look at Harvey's pack and sees that it is a plain brown leather pack that looks full and heavy. John's pack is full as well, but the bottom bulges out funny…as if a large round object about the size of a human head rests there.
A look quickly passes between Dannock's two new companions before John responds, "No, we just wanted the extra help. You know, with all the beasts and demons roaming about I want to make sure we get where we're going in one piece."
As they walk, John occasionally gives a worried glance back down the path they have just covered. He seems mildly agitated as his staff clicks along the ground keeping cadence with his short steps…at least short in comparison to Dannock's.
Dannock gives John a hard look. "Let's get something straight right now; I don't care what you are carrying, so long as it is not stolen. I do not protect thieves. I can tell you are looking for someone or thing, following you. To protect you properly I need to know what you are expecting. And if nothing else talking makes the journey go that much faster."
"Umm…" John starts intelligently "No, nothing stolen. Just… well… my wife didn't really want me going… ya know… with the recent demon raid in that mining town. I'm afraid she might try following us even though I told her she needs to stay and take care of our sick daughter." Dannock can tell that the man is thinking frantically and probably isn't telling the complete truth.