Decadents and Dropouts IC

Trunfor Blackheart

"I don`t know... but it`s just... I don`t know, but I`m remaining alert, just in case."

Narrator - Blades and Mad Dog

"Why hello again, fancy seeing you again." The masculine voice of the wizard Mad Dog broke through the darkness of the street. He smiled at Trunfor and Phyliss, and bowed his head in greeting. He seemed to have been leaving one of the business' on the street. Blades didn't seem to be with him, although he seemed rather calm and relaxed for a man who might seem like an easy target.

"I see you aren't hiding your appearance, it should feel much more comfortable for you."

Approaching, he turned to examine Phyliss.

"Your company seems to have improved dramatically, who is this stunning beauty?"

He bowed his head in politeness towards her.

Trunfor still felt like he was being watched. He needed to find out who or what it was. "Phyliss, go ahead and head to the Inn with our friend, I`m going to stay outside for a little whle and get some fresh air, I`ll see you soon."

He stood there a Phyliss continued on, then Trunfore walked back the way they had come.

OOC: Oh damn messed up ignore my last post I`ll delete it later.

Trunfor was heading off when he was interrupded by the arrival of some stranger, "What do you want?"

Phyliss Ovida

Phyliss stopped, and she saw that the old sailor stopped as well and turned around to her, but kept distance between them. The gorgon had no idea who that stranger was, he wasn't dressed after her taste, but he was polite and mannered. But she could read in Tronfurs expression that something was fishy. But she smiled to the stranger. "Uh, hello there. I am Phyliss. We haven't met before, are you an old friend of Tronfur?" She knew that it was dangerous to give her name, but being the only gorgon in the whole city, or even a larger region, made fake names even more risky.

Trunfor kept his eyes on the newcomer. He was familiar, he had seen him somewhere, but where?

To buy some time Trunfor asked, "What can we do for you good sir, a little odd to be meeting people like us at this time at night-" Suddenly it clicked, NIGHT, these were the men whom had met Trunfor the night of the campire when he first met Phyliss and Gryph.

Trunfor looked at the man in shock, "You, you were the one who met me the night before I met Phylliss and Gryph, and you were the one`s that followed us since!

Phyliss Ovida

Now that was it. Phyliss looked around. Although the sun had gone up before a short time, this alley was so narrow, that it was dark like it were still night. But even with her eyes she could not see another person then Tronfur, the stranger and the old sailor. "Play it cool. We are a strong team." she thought and said:
"I see. We are a bit in a hurry. Maybe you will walk with us and just tell, what is behind all this?"

Narrator - Blades and Mad Dog

Laughing, Mad Dog folded one of his hands inside the sleeve of his other arm. This was his relaxed way of standing. Smiling, he enjoyed the slight shock that Trunfor seemed to display. Walking along beside them, he did as the fair maiden asked.

"Yes, indeed I am. And follow you we did. We waited for a good afternoon to see if you would be back at the camp fire. But you never turned up. Your situation interests me, call me a humanitarian of sorts. Are you still interested in hiding your appearance from the world?"

His explanation seemed flawless, as if it was solid truth that held no lie. But he grinned again. Was he slightly mad?

"So, it is Phyliss...and Gryph...and yourself my friend. A merry band of men...er, men and woman."

Chuckling he pulled out a small shiny stone, metallic gray in appearance that hung from a leather tendon. With several whispered words the stone glowed brightly for a moment before returning to normal. Passing it to Trunfor, he explained its use.

"Put this around your neck, or carry it on you. And when you wish to appear human simply say these short sentences. Hide me for I wish to not be seen. Protect my identity for I wish to remain unknown. Give refuge in my unnatural skin."

If Trunfor took the stone, and did as Mad Dog said. He would turn into a male human, with dark hair and dark eyes. Tanned skin, and a square jaw. A fine example of handsomeness. There was also one other side effect, but it wasn't important.

Phyliss Ovida

The gorgon eyed on the little shiny object. Handsome, and sure of great use.
"Very nice, indeed. But forgive me if I assume that your motives are not only altruistic? A human, helping a demon? What is your price?"
Skandölf kept walking, stoicly. He passed some Taverns, but he sure knew the right place where he was heading.

Trunfor smiled as he recieved the stone, "Thank yu. And I`m sorry for not meeting you from before, but I wasn`t sure if you were a threat to my new friends or not. i was being causious. I promise to make it up to you some day."

Narrator - Blades and Mad Dog

Noting the tone in Phyliss' voice and listening to her words, Mad Dog nodded to himself. Of course her words were full of wisdom, why would a simple human help those unlike himself. "The world is as vast and diverse as the universe is large, with many different races and cultures. Should we all dislike those different to us, simply because they are? I hope to think we shouldn't. Are you any different to me when we think about your right to live freely? Are you more evil than a murderer? Are you more dangerous than an expert warrior? Or more seductive than a trained Olgar Priestess?"

Grinning at her, he chuckled. "Perhaps on that last one you are. But my point stands. We are all children of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars, we have a right to live how we choose, and to exist in peace."

For a man who gets paid to send me to their slumber so others can slaughter them, he had a rather odd way of thinking about the world. But how much of what he spoke about was truth...and how much simply lies to gain her trust.

"Trunfor was born who he is. But he finds pain and suffering due to this. Due to other races and their inability to see beyond his outward shell. I don't believe he should need that stone...but if it makes him feel more accepted, why should I keep it from him when it costs me nothing but a polished stone and some words to make."

Phyliss Ovida

Phyliss smiled at his words, but she was not relieved at all. She had the feeling that his compliments were sincer, but she thought that he might think she was naiv.
"Very nice said. Still, If you are so generous yourself, is there anything we might do for you?"
Another thought came into her mind. She had introduced herself, maybe Tronfur did before, but the stranger mentioned Gryph. She hadn't spoken of Gryph, and he could not know from Tronfur as well. He must have spied on them before, and was well informed. Very dangerous and alarming.
"By the way, I didn't get your name. Would you mind telling me again, please?"

Trunfor Blackheart

Trunfor repeated there name to Phyliss for her then looked around. "I think we should catch up with the other Phyliss, I haven`t heard or seen Gryph in awhile."

Trunfor calmed his mind as he prepared himself for his spell. If anyone attempted to attack them, he would be ready for them.

Phyliss Ovida

"How far do we have to go, sailor?" called Phyliss to Skandölf.
"Only a few meters. The place is not ladylike, but you sure can handle that." said Skandölf.
"I hope we meet him soon, too." said Phyliss. She still had a bad feeling of Mad Dog. Although he seemed friendly and helpful, he knew to much about them. And he surely hadn't pursuit them over the long way just to give Tronfur a present. And were was that drow? They always seem to dissapear just before a catastrophe happened. Lin dissapeared without trace just before the shapeshifter tried to capture her for slavery. Relic just dissappeared before poor Marcus was overrun by Haerdon and his horde. Then she dissapeared again this morning, and the unknown drow with Mad Dog was missing now. What next?
"There it is." said Skandölf. The stood before a tavern. There had been a brawl before, but only some traces like broken glasses and cursing, bruised men were left.
"Let us get inside." said Phyliss.

Trunfor followed Phyliss to there destination, that fit the description the sailor gave. He was right, it was very unladylike. Trunfor looked around at his other companions watching there every move.

Phyliss Ovida

Skandölf entered first, then followed Phyliss. She heard Tronfur entering behind her; Mad Dog was maybe behind him. She looked around in the rather dark tavern, and she spottet Gryphs huge shape. Then she stiffened, her eyes widened in shock, and she squealed "Haerdon!". Then her eyes narrowed, and she said again "Haerdon." but this time in a cold voice.

Haerdon saw her as well, and lowered her eyes. "Allright, go ahead and kill me and see what happens. A bunch of monsters murdering a barbarian who sits peacefully at his table drinking beer. The whole town will cry for thy evil blood."

Phyliss hesitated, because he had a point there. If she would attack him, she would have everybody against her.

"I guess I don't need your bargain any more, drow." said Haerdon to Relic.

"Bargain?! What bargain?" snapped Phyliss.

Trunfor was confused at Phyliss`s reaction to the stranger. However, when he heard about a bargin, and saw Phyliss`s reaction, Trunfor grew very suspicious of Relic, Gryph, and this Haeron character.

Trunfor glared in anger and moved in front of Phyliss to protect her. If anyone was going to try to attack her, they`d have to go through him. To keep secrecy and avoid letting the other know what he was planning, Trunfor used his telepathy spell and spoke to Phyliss.

««Phyliss, it`s me Trunfor, using a spell no time to explain, I fear we`ve been betrayed. If a fight beaks out, run and `ll hold them off.»»

Trunfor prepard his other spells then addressed the others, "What is the meaning of this?"

-Z-

"I'm not an expert in ships, but there don't seem to be any problems with the boat." Zahn had finished his inspection of the ship with Macaroy. The boat was not far from the guildhouse in the guild's personal docks. It was a secluded section of the docks that kept pedestrians out. It would make things easier for Phyliss and her friends to get underway.

The ship itself was plain and simple. Just like Macaroy described, in fact. There was a single mast in the center of the boat for a square sail. Four long paddles were secured in place along the sides of the deck. They wouldn't get the boat moving much, though, they were designed to help with the more delicate steering needed in certain parts of the river.

The aft of the ship was elevated about 8 feet higher than the deck, with a simple ladder to get up there. The elevated aft was also where the wheel was. The elevated section was where the stairs were to get below deck to the hold. The hold was completely empty, but had plenty of hooks, holes and rails to rig anything from cargo and hammocks, to prisoners. The only problem Z saw was with the height of the hold. It was just barely 6 feet from floor to ceiling down there, a perfectly reasonable size for humans, but not likely to be comfortable for Gryph.

"So, we have a deal?" Macaroy was standing on the pier as Zahn finished his inspection. There were only two guards from the guild on the docks, and Macaroy had shooed them away when they tried to follow her and Zahn. They hadn't gone too far, though.

Zahn hopped off the boat and on to the pier. "Yes, this will work perfectly. One question, though. Since this ship's former captain was...less than popular, would we be better off changing the ship's name?"

Macaroy laughed. "Now that's bad luck, Zahn. Don't worry, though. Um, the captain rarely registered the boat with the same name twice. So, uh, I don't think anyone but him knew what the real name of the ship was. And since it isn't marked anywhere on the ship, you're free to call her whatever you like. Now come on back to my office to finalize the deal. We're making good time, you know. I was worried I wouldn't have enough time to get proper drunk tonight."

"As long as the booze is cheap, I'll buy you a round after we finish our business." Z gave a small smile and followed Macaroy back to the guildhouse.

Phyliss Ovida

Phyliss was alarmed by now, and she put a hand on Trunfors arm. "Stay cool." she whispered, but her squirming snakes betrayed her calm face.

Gryph

He grinned and got to his feet,

"Well Haerdon, I am glad that got sorted out, now I know for sure who you are. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Gryph, the half-dragon that knocked out your partner, burned and killed your men and will not allow you to get to Phyliss without a fight."

Gryph picked up his ale and drank it down,

"Would be a pity if this turns out to be a fight, I really like your kind and do not wish to harm you."

He grinned suddenly,

"And I know that you don't have Phyliss' vampire friend with you, her smell is not on you and to capture and travel with her you would have needed much more than just yourself, you came alone as the only smell you bear is that of a horse."

Phyliss Ovida

Phyliss felt relieved, because she never thought that Gryph would betray her. She wasn't so sure of Relic, and waited for her answer. Still, she tried to hide the fear in her voice when she asked what troubled her most. "What is with Verialyn?"

The Narrator - Haerdon

Now Haerdon saw his last trump slipping. He wasn't surprised to much of the half-dragons reaction - he had suspected him from beginning. But he knew he was right about the vampire. Verialyn had stormed through his men, cutting through them with a sword she had gathered. And she drank the blood of a man she killed outside, before she escaped over the wall. So Haerdon stood up and said nothing. As long as he provided no violence himself, the monsters would be very stupid to attack him. There would be an outrage, even in a town and place like this. Men slaying a man is one thing - a gang of a gorgon, halfdragon, demon and a drow a different. There came a thought in his mind. Maybe he could use the drow to get them up against each other.

Gryph

"She got away Phyliss, you can see that in his eyes. Look I don't know what happened between you two, but this game has to stop. Haerdon you have pursued her for how long? You have your horse and is that not all a man need? A horse, a sword and a place to lay his head? Why pursue a path that could lead to your demise? And believe me, if you continue this pursuit you will come to an end...an abrupt one."

Gryph rested the palm of his hand on the pommel of the short sword he used as a dagger, his words emphasized by this almost innocent action.

The Narrator - Haerdon

The barbarian knew quite well that he wouldn't stand a chance if his enemies would team up against him. The halfdragon offered him a chance to escape, if he played along. If he got alive out of this, there might be a later chance to capture the gorgon. But she was the key to it, he had to persuade her to let him go. She hadn't said a word after she put her question in the room, and the drow was still silent herself. Lying about the vampire as hostage was no more use, the halfdragon shattered this plan. He could plead, but what barbarian would plead before a woman, gorgon or not? Never! He waited for the drows reaction. Maybe he could put same blame on her, to provide a conflict betwen the monsters, giving him a chance to escape.
"You brought me into this mess, drow, now get me out again or stand with me!"

Trunfor relaxed a little when he heard Gryph`s comment, but still remained warry. He looked around for anymore sighs of trouble, keeping his eyes on this Haerdon guy. He wasalso interested in what relic had to say.