A new culture (Open)}{ New member, a new Story.

[sylvaris]

Sylvaris walked slowly through the gates of the large city, he had come to learn was called Tamasha. Either he had entered through the wrong gate, or this place was deteriorating quickly. He looked to his left, at the wreckage, and a smoldering cottage. He could see blood on some of the wood.

Some type of altercation must have happened there.
Hopefully somebody gets there to help them. Sylvaris was thinking.

Heading further, through the second set of gates, he started seeing better buildings, and a bit less poverty-ridden peasants.
Though, the nobles, were just as disgusting. The humans, believing that due to social stature, the could own others, were despicable. The Azair would never go believe such a fallacy.

I still can't believe I lost the damned trail...
I had him, in my sights. Why did it have to happen then?!

In his mind, he was referring to the temperature, just before using his arcane powers, to stop his target in his tracks, to pursue him, the temperature in the area dropped. Canceling out his spell.

Atleast this place is a bit better than the damned hunters camp.

He continued forward, finally nearing a tavern. He stepped in, a familiar aroma reached his nose, the smell of mead. His new obsession, which he knew he'd need to get rid of. He sat down, at an old oak table in the center of the room. He glanced over, and saw a mysterious character, sitting in the corner.

A bit cliche, isn't it?

He walked toward the man.

"Hello."

[Talwyn]

Watching the newcomer enter the inn, Tal pulled his cowl even lower while trying to hide even further in the shadows of the corner he was sitting in. He wasn't in a talkative mood, he never was, but today was even worse. The innkeeper, an old friend of his named Baden, had just informed him that he had heard no new rumors of interest. Which meant he would have to do some more snooping around in Tamasha. And every day spent in Tamasha, was a day where he was on edge, trying to keep a low profile.

Taking a sip of his ale, he noticed the newcomer had decided to grace him with his presence. As the man greeted him, Tal remained silent for a bit, eying the man carefully. There was something strange... There was something strange about his skin. Though he wasn't sure if it was because of the light or not. Either way, the man seemed like a scholarly sort so maybe talking with him would prove interesting for a change and so he nodded to the man. Still not removing the cowl he finally greeted the man. "Afternoon. To what do I owe the pleasure of having such a distinguished looking man showing interest in me?" He said brusquely.

[tazmaniondevil]

As the doors of the inn slowly shifted out wards on their hinges as a figure walked through the door. One or two inhabitants of the tables inside the inn swiveled round to take a glance of the figure. As their eyes opened in horror observing the dragon like man in the doorway. The onlookers invited others in the pub to stare. Drake glared as he returned their gazes before slowly making his way to the barman. The people continued to stare for a few seconds and then slowly made their way back to talking to each other, some laughing at Drake. The bartender also stared at him for a few seconds before whispering "Hey pal, Can you hide that mug of yours or summin'? You're upsetting the customers." He said this pointing to a women who appeared she felt looking at Drake. She rushed to the toilet a few seconds after, obviously doing something disgusting. Drake didn't bother looking to the women. Instead the viciously glared at the barman. "Give me whatever has the most alcohol." He growled not bothering to conceal his face. The bartender, strangely not intimidated by Drake, replied with a glare before fixing up the drink. The bartender put the drink he was currently drinking on the counter before preparing the drink in an overly flashy manor. Drake stared down onto the drink for a few seconds. As from one of his hilts, a hissing could be heard. It got louder and louder until Drake slowly and calmly grappled the drink. As he did this, a dark shock of something quickly and silently whizzed into the drink. Drake smiled and let go. The bartender placed Drakes drink on the counter. "Here you go, Sir" The bartender said in a sarcastic and childish manner. "Thanks" Drake replied in a low and rough voice. He grabbed the drink and slowly strolled to an empty table. The bartender chuckled darkly at Drake as he took a sip from his drink. He put hid glass down and remained smiling. As seconds went by he began to express disgust on his face. He began coughing deeply and loudly and groaned as he ran into the toilets. The faint sounds of vomiting were heard as Drake sat down on a chair with a smile on his face. He took a sip from his drink and grounded his teeth at the bitter taste of the drink. It defiantly wasn't 5% alcohol thats for sure. He lifted the glass up and watched the liquid as he stirred it around by shaking the cup slightly. "That's the stuff" He said again in a low voice, chucking most of the drink down. He closed his eye as he bared the bitterness of the drink. He slammed it onto the table and looked around the tavern. His eyes hovered over the humans and elves as he scanned the room. Finally his eyes came across those who were near the table closest to him. He looked closer at the figures pondering on who they were. He let out a slight "Hmm..." as he discovered the strangeness of both's skins, although compared to himself their skin seemed normal. He returned to his drink, gulping it down and then glanced back to the two. He did this slyly however, not wanting to get caught and seem rude. To be honest it wouldn't do any more harm, what with the bartender incident and all.

(First post Hope you don't mind me dropping in, needed somewhere to start)

[sylvaris]

"Distinguished? Ha! I'm nothing more than a mere vagrant." said Sylvaris, lowering himself to the chair nearest him.

He finally took a moment to look around the tavern. The majority of things he saw, were to be expected.The usual big, yet unusable axes and swords. The mediocre tapestries, and the drunkards on the stairs going towards the rooms.

"So," He said, trying to figure out what was under the cowl. "What brings some one such as you, to a place of such low demeanor as this?"

At that moment, Sylvaris felt something, something that felt like a dark misuse of the arcane. Although, not the type he could use. With just a glance to the want-to-be dragon behind him, he carried on his conversation with his dark friend opposite the table.

OOC: Talwyn, what's the hyperlink code? I can't find it to get my character bio in my signature

[Talwyn]

OOC: [*url=LinkToBio]Display text[*/url] Remove the *'s they are just there to "break" the code so I can show it ^^

Tal was paying more attention to the dragon like person then he did to Sylvaris. He was certain the man had done something to the barkeep, one of the few persons he considered to be a friend. He had to admit, tactful wasn't in the mans dictionary and it often made him look rude and unfriendly. He shrugged and figured that was probably the reason this had happened as the dragon person seemed to settle down with his drink, apparently trying to prevent any other trouble.

Focussing back on Sylvaris he gave a thin smile. "What brings me here? The rooms are cheap and clean, the food is great and the innkeeper knows how to keep his mouth shut when overhearing things not meant for him. Plus... he generally knows the latest rumors that would be interesting for me." Reaching out with his hand, he introduced himself. "Talwyn, Talwyn Grayoak."

[tazmaniondevil]

(HAVE FUN READING IT SUCKERS! jokes, but it is quite long.)

Drake returned to his drink finishing it off again before looking back to the two. At this time, he noticed the gaze of one of them looking to him. Although Drake was used to this, he still couldn't help but feel agitated. Sighing with an annoyed tone he looked to where the bathroom doors were. He could still hear the sounds of the bartender finishing off from throwing up. Drake closed his eyes and let a smirk crawl across his face. People staring at him constantly, Drake could take, people being revolted by him, he just manages to hold on but making fun of him or discrimination for how he looked was crossing the line. Drake must admit, he isn't the most pleasant guy in town, or as referenced by others "Thing" "Creature" "Monster", but he surely doesn't deserve levels of this racism. He watched as the barman came stumbling out, wiping off a yellow lump liquid off of his mouth. He just managed to make it to the counter without toppling over and held is head for an obvious reason that he had a headache. Serves him right... Drake thought tipping the last couple of tiny drops of his drink into his mouth People should know, I don't take kindly to bullies. As he couldn't help overhearing the other strange colored men's conversation, he heard the positive description of the barman. "How could anyone befriend that racist..." He began not bothering to add on an offensive adjective. He said this rather loudly for talking to himself and a different table of people chuckled pitifully and mockingly at his comment. Drake snarled slightly at this but then took a deep breath and calmed down. He looked back to the other two to his right. As he got a good look at one ,who was the one who just talked, black smoke started emitting from it. "Urgh..." Drake said aggravated gripping his hilt. D-m-n... k-l- de-o-...! A dark voice said in Drakes mind, obviously getting cut off. ..What was that?! Drake thought looking left and right. He still saw that black smoke was emitting from the sword. He gripped it strongly with speed and a look of struggle suddenly entered his face. After a few seconds the black mist covering the floor, connected to the sword, set on fire. As the flames moved along the darkness, the darkness disappeared. Finally the flames disappeared as the smoke was gone. Drake lay back on his chair and inspected himself. He was much more darker then usual and he panted slightly. He looked up from this to see some of the people in the tavern's eyes fixated on him. He quickly and swiftly shifted his head upward slightly gesturing them to go a bout what they were doing. However, the bartender did not and began walking over to him. "Look what mess you have made!" He said with high authority in his voice and pointing to the charred black floor. Drake rubbed his forehead. "Look, I didn't mean to do it, I'll hand you the money to get it fixed." Before Drake could rummage for his money the bartender grabbed him. "You are a little nuisance red skin. I'm usually a nice person but when you come in here, poison my drink and burn my tavern you have to deal with me!" He said gripping Drake by the shoulder and shoving him further into the chair.
Drake raised his eyebrow slightly to what the bartender said. I doubt you are nice seeing as you're grappling me... Drake thought staring into the alpha male and commanding eyes of the bartender. "I'm sorry I in no way meant to damage your tavern!" Drake said trying to calm the bartender down "I have know idea what you are talking about with the poisoning but i assure you i mean no harm." The bartender snarled slightly "If you are so sorry... Maybe you can fix all this mess and i won't get the authorities. You can start with fixing that floor, then you can start adding on a new section to the tavern for non-smokers and another for better bathrooms."
"What?!" Drake belted outraged as half the happy drinkers watched the scene "I didn't do that... I just accidentally charred the floor, it's not that bad!" The bartender tightened his grip once more. "I don't take kindly to you tomato face" The bartender whispered as Drake growled at the racist comment "Call me a racist if you want i don't care." The bartender was obviously angered from all the commotion, so much so that he would be willing to black mail to get his revenge. "C'mon.." said Drake trying to hide his loss of patience and trying to sound as pathetic as he could "You're a good guy you are not gonna' do this... I'm sorry for making you angry but i know this is just your anger talking and not yo-" The bartender cut him off by grabbing his throat "Shut up tomato face..." Drake had had enough anger formed in his eyes as he warned the bartender using his eyes that if he didn't let go there would be a fiery outcome.

(Phewie that took long but worth it. One of yous should probably stop the fight before the bombs com' a dropping XD)

[sylvaris]

"Hello Talwyn, I'm Sylvaris, the rest of my name is better suited for another time." Sylvaris said, gesturing towards the ruckus behind them. "Are you going to go help? or am I?"

Sylvaris stood up, not even waiting for an answer.

"Might I ask why you feel the need to cry out how pathetic you are?" Sylvaris asked the bartender. "It's quite sad really, he offered to make amends, and you can't get passed your childish demeanor?"

"And who the hell are you?!" The bartender yelled. "Borth! Get out here, we've got some trash to get rid of!"

And at that call, a large man, weilding an axe much more effective than the decor, charged out of a door behind the bar, and launched himself over it. Shortly after realizing the situation, he began to throw himself at Sylvaris.

"Talwyn! a bit of help? I didn't want to fight anyone, and his form, brutality, is not quite my strong suit." Sylvaris urged, while slowly getting closer to not being able to dodge anymore swings from the axe.

"ANY TIME NOW!"

OOC: apparently, we've found the origins of the modern day bouncer :3

[Talwyn]

Letting out a big sigh Tal drank the last bit of his ale before he slowly got up and walked over, stepping in. Looking at the barkeep, he sighed again, balled his fist and hit him straight in the face, followed by quickly turning around and doing the same with Drake. "Did that knock some sense into you Baden? The guy apologized for the burn marks and offered to pay for the damage caused. Its not like you to lose your cool like that my friend." As he said that however, he turned around to face Drake once more.

"As for you. I am willing to believe the burned floor was an accident. But don't lie about the poisoning. You put something in Badens drink and don't you dare deny it. I felt the magical energy and from the way this fellow glanced at that moment, so did he." He said while gesturing at Sylvaris. A glance from underneath his hood aimed at the axe-wielding ruffian caused him to back down as well. In fact, most of the guest seemed to pointedly ignore what was happening now that Talwyn had stepped in. The other regulars had learned to fear him.

Not that he had encouraged it, but the few times he had gotten in a bar fight had never ended well for the one opposing the hooded stranger. Most of the patrons had seen him shrug off being stabbed multiple times. Of course non of them knew this was merely a by product from his stone skin.

Either way, he reached out his hand to help Baden back to his feet. "Dammit Tal! You hit like a brick you know." A disapproving "ahum" sound from Talwyn made Baden face Drake and he finally apologized. "Yes, yes, just pay for the damage caused and we'll call it even. My friend here is right. I lost my temper... Just DON'T touch my beer again, ever. You hear?" With a glance towards Tal to see if he approved he turned around and walked back to the bar while muttered "Atleast YOU have the decency to hide your differences Tal..."

Confused, he never had been the sharpest knife in the drawer, Borth looked around slightly disappointed he didn't get to fight anyone after all. "You'd better put that thing away before you hurt someone Borth." Tal casually remarked as he walked back over to his table and called out for another ale. Falling back in his chair he waited for Sylvaris to rejoin him. "So... were where we?"

[tazmaniondevil]

Drake was about to, well, do what he does best when the bartender and him were interrupted by a blue fist slamming square on into the the bartenders face. Drake watched as if in slow motion as the bartender tumbled to the floor.

Attempting to inspect the culprit, Drake never had a chance as the same fist slammed into his face as well. Drake being caught off guard was hit cleanly and he fell backward with his head pummeling to the hard floor.

As the bang shook his head, his skull shook around wildly. He closed his eyes in pain and then opened them. His eyesight was fuzzy and he couldn't hear well due to the current low co-ordination of the brain. He could still hear muffled voices in the background. Drake cringed again in pain and felt the back of his head. He felt a liquid and as he brought it back to his face he could see and hear the distinctive smell and appearance of blood.

Drake looked up to see the man who punched him swivel to look at him also. "As fo- -ou. I a- wi-llin- to b-lie- t-e bur-ed f-o-r w-s -n -ccident. Bu- do-'t -i- a-out the poi-oni-g. Y-u pu- -om-thing -n Bad-ns d-ink an- don'- -ou -are deny it. I felt th- magi-al en-r-- and from th- way this f-l-ow glan-ed - that m-ment, so -i- he." Is only what Drake could hear due to his muffled hearing.

He managed to work out it as the scene continued. The man pointed over to another one obviously preparing to fight. He watched as the man who took at both him and the bartender helped the bartender up. They appeared to be good friends although it's surprising how someone could make friends with a racist like that.

He watched and listened as the bartender apologized and then once again commanded that he left him alone. Drake nodded still on the floor but coming back a bit. The man warned the bartenders "bodyguard" as he sat down obviously carefree.

Drake sat up touching the back of his head again.
Why did that guy punch me?! Drake thought obviously not thrilled with the fact he was wounded I was the victim there....... I sounded so pathetic then... But who is that guy!

His hilt began glowing this time. It lured Drake as he became more focused on the sword. He wantsss a fight... The voice in his head hissed Well we'll show him what TRUE POWER I- Drake gripped the sword tightly somehow cutting off the speech.

This sword, the deceiver, it talks... Thought Drake concerned And it seems to want to kill. I guess you wouldn't expect anything less from a weapon but, it sounds, mad!

He took his mind off the sword and focused again on the stranger. Drake stood up shaking his head and body and getting back to reality.

Drake walked up next to the man observing what he was doing before saying "I guess I owe you a thanks..." Drake was trying to look pathetic before which he didn't enjoy doing but trying to explain how he was pretending and how he could handle it on his own would make him seem even more pathetic.

As Drake said this the voice carried on Thanking... him? He attacked you, he thinks he's tough lets go show him who's tough! Drake slowly took a deep breath trying to make the voice exit. He couldn't risk getting tempted right now.

"So, thanks. But, answer me this. Why punch me?" He said more firmly and sounding slightly aggravated. Yes that's it... go on. KILL HIM! The voice spurred on. Drake quickly and swiftly gripped the handle of the sword with force attempting to stop the voices.

(Better? )

[sylvaris]

Sylvaris sat back down, to a much warmer table than it had been before. The man before him, seemed to have come out of some kind of shell.

"Not too sure where we were, but let's just restart. Talwyn, you seem to be the type of person who would know about things happening. Are you?" Sylvaris felt the look of eagerness enter his gaze. He did care this time, maybe this man had heard of the raid on his village.

Then again... Almost nobody from this part of the continent has ever heard of the Azair... We kept to ourselves... Why did they come for us!

He shook the thought from his mind.

Talwyn looked like he was about to answer, when the dragonkin from earlier came up to them.

"I guess I owe you a thanks..."

Sylvaris looked at Talwyn, not focusing on him, the dragonkin, or the conversation at hand. He was only thinking to himself. Of the trials, and his deteriorating state of health.

Winter is coming... that means TideBreaker will be in danger of losing it's magic. I can't go on using my arm every winter...

Sylvaris came back into reality, he looked at Tal again, and noticed that, the way the like shone on his skin, it seemed almost as if it was stone. It was smooth, as it should be, but looked grainy, it was blue as well. All-in-all, it looked like golem skin.

This thought alarmed sylvaris. Golems are known to be volitile... He decided to get better acquainted with the man, So as to find more out about him.

"Talwyn, and you, dragonkin, might you wish to go on a walk?"

I've got questions.. for you both

[Talwyn]

Taking another sip from his new ale he noticed the dragon person approach the two of them. He narrowed his eyes a bit and prepared himself for trouble when he saw the man grip the handle of his blade, though he didn't move yet.

"Why? Like I said, you did something to Badens drink. I'll admit my friend doesn't seem like it today... but he is quite the accepting sort of guy, usually anyway. Some of us here owe him a lot, and we don't want some wise guy making life difficult by placing attention on this place cause you want to pull some magical pranks."

Focusing his attention back to Sylvaris, though he remained watchful of the dragonkin, Tal merely shrugged in response to his question. He had failed to notice however, that his cowl had gone up a bit during "scuffle", allowing Sylvaris a small glimpse of his face. "That depends on what these "things" are, but generally, no, not really. So explain what you mean with "things" and I might give a better answer. As for that walk, I think I'd much rather stay inside."

Dropping his voice to a whisper, he went on. "If whatever you wish to discuss is somewhat... delicate... Well... the other people here tend to avoid me and as such, so long as you whisper they won't hear you. Especially with the ruckus they make. If you want to err on the side of caution however... I have a room here we could use, but thats as far as I go. Not only will my dinner be served any moment now, the less time I need to spend outside the safety of the shadows the better."

[tazmaniondevil]

Drake barely listened to the man with the blue skin as he went on and on. Drake inspected his claws whilst clicking his knuckles and coincidentally enough when he was finished the man was finished.

I should of just left... Drake thought sighing. He looked to the man who offered the walk. "It will do me better then being 'ere" Here said in an annoyed tone.

Drakes hand remained around his sword, the deceiver and the other rubbing the back of his head for a moment. Just then Drake almost collapsed on the floor as dark lightning surrounderd his arm and hand and shot down into his sword.

Drake groaned slightly at this and gritted his teeth attempting to stand back up. The sword was sucking some of Drakes energy into itself.

Finally the sword stopped and Drake breathed in deeply. A menacingly laugh came from the sword but this time it was out loud. Drake stood up staring at his sword.

"I hate it when that happens" Drake said to himself observing his arm. He looked back to the man with the blue skin. "I understand what you mean about that..." He said walking over to the counter and placing down some coins "But for your own safety i'd advise you not to do anything too rash..."

Drake gestured to the other man to come for the walk he asked for. He walked towards the door and leaned against the door. "You should know never to play with fire." He said in a half jokily manner yet still slightly serious.

[sylvaris]

"Well then," Sylvaris whispered to Talwyn. "We'll save our chat for a later time."

He followed the dragonkin to the door glancing around at the people watching him. Nothing but upper peasants he thought.

Doubtful anyone but these two, will have anything useful to me.

He and the drake walked out into the cold fall night. He could feel Tidebreaker getting colder in his hands. His weapon, would only be useful as a walking stick tonight. He realized, he'd never been in the section of town that Drake had been leading him to. He stopped the drake, mid-step and stared at him, trying to figure out how he would word his question without giving his true intentions away.

"I.. Have a few questions for you." he managed to pull out of himself "Up in the North, where I'm from, there used to be quite a few tribes, and races. Including mine."

He felt his anger rising, as he remembered the day, it being the reason he had learned of the arcane, and for him being where he was tonight.

"I've been searching, for a reason why.. one of them, began a conquest, invading and taking over every tribe. We knew they were being commanded, by an empire, for they had resources, that they shouldn't have had."

He looked around, more people were investigating him, no doubt querying about his skin, which, in the moonlight had grown even more fluorescent.

"I need to know who was commanding them. And why. What do you know?"

[Talwyn]

((OOC: I'll stop posting until your character gets back. Tal is in his room so not much chance to interact with anyone
))

Talwyn nodded to Sylvaris and went on to enjoy the remainder of his ale in solitude. Just as he was about to wonder when his dinner would be ready, Baden came back from the kitchen with a plate of delicious looking food. After finishing his dinner, he brought the plate back to the bar. "I'll be in my room Baden, if that fellow that was sitting with me earlier comes back, send him up will you?"

Taking of his cowled cape, he hang it up by his bed as he always did. Lighting the candle on the little table, he rummaged through his carry sack, and pulled out several scrolls, followed by some ink and a pen and started yet another attempt at translating them.

[tazmaniondevil]

Drake tapped on his hilt as the man spoke, making a scraping noise when the claws passed each other like two knives clashing. He lifted his other hand in front of him and inspected them and just then let out a little ember from his mouth. He continued blowing on the claws until they turned from black to a pure hot red.

It didn't matter if he missed his claws and the fire touched his skin as he had become resistant to extreme heats. He continued to listen to the man intently whilst watching the commoners of the village stare at them as they walked past.

As the man went on he seemed to get more angry and passionate. Drake honestly couldn't care less as he blew fire on his other claws. Finally he observed his fiery claws and scraped them across a tree to test them. As he did this the cuts where he indented his claws scratchings sizzled and slowly burnt through the tree. They stopped a while in however and the tree remained wounded.

The man had finally finished talking and ended with a question to Drake but he did not answer for a while. They continued to stroll silently for about seven seconds before Drake finally spoke. "And what makes you think I would know such a thing...?" He said keeping his eyes on the road they were heading down.

"Anyway... I have heard of many civil wars between races or hostile take overs happening alot... What happened to you was not uncommon." Drake stopped in his tracks and swiveled round to face the man.

"Many things have been happening like this... and I do not know why..." Drake looked deeply at the man "I have no idea about that tribe and it's not my problem!" He informed staring at the man for a few seconds before glancing to the onlookers.