Jabberwocky (Dark Whimsical RP IC)

[Erhialam]

~~~~~
"Beware the Jabberwock, my son!
The jaws that bite, the claws that catch!
Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun
The frumious Bandersnatch!" - Jabberwocky, Lewis Carroll
~~~~~

The Drunken Wollock Tavern, Shuddersroth

It was raining. Of course it was raining. Knowing my luck, my post'll be too sodden for any of the lot to read. Lyralee Brandywine took another sip of her bumblebeer and adjusted her blue feathered hat to a more rakish angle, for she had said 'rakish' on the advertisement she'd nailed to the wood of the dilapidated sign at the entrance to the village.

Intrepid Adventurers Sought for Grand Mission
Inquire at Drunken Wollock Tavern
- Lyralee Brandywine, Adventurer with the Blue Hat at a Rakish Angle

Now, it had briefly occurred to Brandywine that perhaps she should have put something like "High Probability of Being Eviscerated Brutally" or "You are Likely to Nevermore Return" but that sort of thing often deterred people. Perhaps it wouldn't deter the kind of people Lyralee was after in this particular endeavor. It might even attract them. Ah, well, there was nothing left to do now but wait. Downing the rest of the bumblebeer and wiping her mouth with a sleeve, Lyralee settled herself back into her chair. The inn was empty of patrons with the exception of herself. It's almost as if they wouldn't want to be mistaken for people intrepid enough to answer the ad! The adventurer grinned to herself.

[Danceria]

Squelch-squish squelch-squish squelch-squish squelch-squish squelch-squish...
Mandibles clack as the foreign creature made its way up to the inn, the mud muffling its footsteps until the door opened wide.

Lightning flashed appropriately as he made his entrance, illuminating his one artificial eye. Six graceful feet he stood, well worn but well dressed. Much to the poster's discontent, a navy blue top hat would be worn at an equally rakish angle. Moving forward with all the confidence in the world, the man presented a letter with the seal of the Surveyor Corps.

"So ye be Miss Brandywine..." the man smiled "Th' name be Walter Aonghus Whimsly, member of 'Er Majesty's Royal Cryptid Surveyor Corps, and at times Contract Tester of Garfunkle Suppressor Arms, Ltd. Our credentials are in the envelope."

A moment passed as the man seemed to wait for someone's cue, then frowned and stalked over to the door, where he shouted out. "Oi! Wha's takin' ye so long?!" He would be answered with the sound of clicking, clacking and a strange warbling tune. "Well hurry it up! This is an inn, not a bloody Parliament visit!"

Hesitantly warbling and clacking, a strange creature donned in equally dapper clothing (or whatever could be fitted around the creature) would scuttle in slowly, almost self conscious that it was tracking mud onto the floor of the inn. To those who travel abroad, or reside in the trading hubs like Lonton or New Lancaster City, the creature would be recognized as a Vespimite, Aj'aw'kii or

Walter would sigh. "Tha'll be Kingsbee. Me...associate."

The creature would warble and click it's mandibles and extend it's right appendage, almost as if it were expecting a handshake.

[Erhialam]

Lyralee held out her left hand to where the creature hovered with it's clacking mandibles for a shake. There was a sketch of one of these in her father's collection, but she'd never seen one in...person? In insectoid, might be the better term.

"Pleased to make your acquaintance, Mr. Kingsley," Brandywine said. She picked up the envelope and tossed it carelessly onto the table, offering the gentleman her other hand. "No offense by it, but I've not much use for documents. Doubt there'll even be much need for a charter." At this, a sly little smile played at the corner of her mouth. "But I'd gladly buy you a bumblebeer or something while we wait to see whether we're the only two about with spines."

[Kaltavya]

An Abandoned Barn just North of Shuddersroth

"When will this infernal downpour cease?" Liliana muttered to herself. It had been raining for quite some time, and she was sick of it. Sick of the rain, sick of slipping in the wet mud, sick of this blasted barn she sat outside. She had tried to break into the barn several times, hoping to seek shelter from the rain until it died down. But the doors were locked tight, and no amount of hitting the barn with her pick convinced them to open.

She believed it to be another sign from some all-powerful being, telling her to continue her path of repentance. Or perhaps the owner saw her as a petty thief and locked it up to thwart her plans. Whatever the reason, something conspired against her, and she sat in a slump just beside the barn's doors.

So dedicated to her belief that this was a big conspiracy of some sort, that she had failed to register a hole in the back of the barn. She hadn't bothered checking the back, why would she? The hole was large enough for any man or woman to fit through, and would give them access to the lock on the inside of the barn doors. She hadn't registered how close she was to Shuddersroth either, one could clearly see the dim glow of lights from the barn. Though as far as she was concerned, she was still lost in the wilderness, likely wandering in circles like one of those frightful mushrooms she had seen walking around.

[Drakorvanyia]

An Abandoned Barn just North of Shuddersroth

"When will this infernal downpour cease?" Liliana muttered to herself. It had been raining for quite some time, and she was sick of it. Sick of the rain, sick of slipping in the wet mud, sick of this blasted barn she sat outside. She had tried to break into the barn several times, hoping to seek shelter from the rain until it died down. But the doors were locked tight, and no amount of hitting the barn with her pick convinced them to open.

She believed it to be another sign from some all-powerful being, telling her to continue her path of repentance. Or perhaps the owner saw her as a petty thief and locked it up to thwart her plans. Whatever the reason, something conspired against her, and she sat in a slump just beside the barn's doors.

So dedicated to her belief that this was a big conspiracy of some sort, that she had failed to register a hole in the back of the barn. She hadn't bothered checking the back, why would she? The hole was large enough for any man or woman to fit through, and would give them access to the lock on the inside of the barn doors. She hadn't registered how close she was to Shuddersroth either, one could clearly see the dim glow of lights from the barn. Though as far as she was concerned, she was still lost in the wilderness, likely wandering in circles like one of those frightful mushrooms she had seen walking around.

Through the rain, a woman donning robes of white and silver, strode silently through the muddy pathway. It was a shame, that the rim of her robes had become stained and dirtied by her travels to Shuddersroth. With her leaving of the Order, there was no way she'd be able to replace them so easily. She was not one to hourde money for herself, at least not to the extent where she'd be able to purchase a new set of the expensive wear. There was nothing to do about it now, though, save for finding some sort of shelter from the downpour. Luckily for her, she managed to spot a barn through the trees, outlined by the faint light of Shuddersroth in the distance. She could stay the night there, and proceed to the town in the morning.

Her luck seemed to be two fold; nearing the building, the woman could see a large hole in the back of the barn. It was probably an old building, then, abandoned and with no owner who would mind her taking a rest in the rafters. Once inside, Ascenia lowered her hood, and shook off the water that had soaked through and into her hair. By the Light, everything was soaked. Her robes clung to her body, and she had no doubt that the bread and jerky she had brought with her was also wet inside her satchel. Perhaps she could find some travelling clothes tomorrow. She set her pack down, and was about to remove her robes so that she may hang them to dry, but was stopped by a banging at the front door of the barn. Curious, now, Ascenia crept over to the great wooden doors, locked only by a wooden beam preventing them from swinging inwards, and peeked through the crack between them.

In the darkness, she could faintly see the form of a woman desperately trying to gain entry. Perhaps in her rush, the woman did not see Ascenia. She was a stranger, yes, but Light be damned if Ascenia was to leave her in the rain. Once the woman had finished hitting the door with her pick, Ascenia believed it safe to let her in. With a grunt, Ascenia grasped the door bar, and lifted it to unlock the entry way. Soon after, she opened the door for the woman with a warm smile. "There was a hole in back, you know." Said she, with a soft, crystalline voice.

[Kaltavya]

An Abandoned Barn just North of Shuddersroth

"When will this infernal downpour cease?" Liliana muttered to herself. It had been raining for quite some time, and she was sick of it. Sick of the rain, sick of slipping in the wet mud, sick of this blasted barn she sat outside. She had tried to break into the barn several times, hoping to seek shelter from the rain until it died down. But the doors were locked tight, and no amount of hitting the barn with her pick convinced them to open.

She believed it to be another sign from some all-powerful being, telling her to continue her path of repentance. Or perhaps the owner saw her as a petty thief and locked it up to thwart her plans. Whatever the reason, something conspired against her, and she sat in a slump just beside the barn's doors.

So dedicated to her belief that this was a big conspiracy of some sort, that she had failed to register a hole in the back of the barn. She hadn't bothered checking the back, why would she? The hole was large enough for any man or woman to fit through, and would give them access to the lock on the inside of the barn doors. She hadn't registered how close she was to Shuddersroth either, one could clearly see the dim glow of lights from the barn. Though as far as she was concerned, she was still lost in the wilderness, likely wandering in circles like one of those frightful mushrooms she had seen walking around.

Through the rain, a woman donning robes of white and silver, strode silently through the muddy pathway. It was a shame, that the rim of her robes had become stained and dirtied by her travels to Shuddersroth. With her leaving of the Order, there was no way she'd be able to replace them so easily. She was not one to hourde money for herself, at least not to the extent where she'd be able to purchase a new set of the expensive wear. There was nothing to do about it now, though, save for finding some sort of shelter from the downpour. Luckily for her, she managed to spot a barn through the trees, outlined by the faint light of Shuddersroth in the distance. She could stay the night there, and proceed to the town in the morning.

Her luck seemed to be two fold; nearing the building, the woman could see a large hole in the back of the barn. It was probably an old building, then, abandoned and with no owner who would mind her taking a rest in the rafters. Once inside, Ascenia lowered her hood, and shook off the water that had soaked through and into her hair. By the Light, everything was soaked. Her robes clung to her body, and she had no doubt that the bread and jerky she had brought with her was also wet inside her satchel. Perhaps she could find some travelling clothes tomorrow. She set her pack down, and was about to remove her robes so that she may hang them to dry, but was stopped by a banging at the front door of the barn. Curious, now, Ascenia crept over to the great wooden doors, locked only by a wooden beam preventing them from swinging inwards, and peeked through the crack between them.

In the darkness, she could faintly see the form of a woman desperately trying to gain entry. Perhaps in her rush, the woman did not see Ascenia. She was a stranger, yes, but Light be damned if Ascenia was to leave her in the rain. Once the woman had finished hitting the door with her pick, Ascenia believed it safe to let her in. With a grunt, Ascenia grasped the door bar, and lifted it to unlock the entry way. Soon after, she opened the door for the woman with a warm smile. "There was a hole in back, you know." Said she, with a soft, crystalline voice.

Liliana looked up at the doors as they swung open, much to her surprise. She could have sworn the barn was empty when she last checked. Perhaps her pleas for help had been heard, and this woman was sent to guide her? Liliana took a look at the woman, she looked like a holy person with her robes. They looked expensive, too. Clearly a woman of such high caliber wouldn't just be out here in the wilds, Liliana thought to herself. This was no woman at all, it was a holy being sent to guide her in this dark hour.

Holy Being...? Ah! To ask for repentance, obviously! I have abandoned my faith, and this creature has been testing me! A wild conclusion, but wild was all that Liliana dealt in anymore. Quickly, Liliana dropped to her hands and knees, reciting a long-winded prayer from her old order in record time.

"Holy Light! I have strayed from my faith in my darkest hour, and I have suffered under your watch as repentance for this most grievous crime! I humbly ask of you, spare this lost soul from further suffering! I will not abandon my order again!"

[Danceria]

Lyralee held out her left hand to where the creature hovered with it's clacking mandibles for a shake. There was a sketch of one of these in her father's collection, but she'd never seen one in...person? In insectoid, might be the better term.

"Pleased to make your acquaintance, Mr. Kingsley," Brandywine said. She picked up the envelope and tossed it carelessly onto the table, offering the gentleman her other hand. "No offense by it, but I've not much use for documents. Doubt there'll even be much need for a charter." At this, a sly little smile played at the corner of her mouth. "But I'd gladly buy you a bumblebeer or something while we wait to see whether we're the only two about with spines."

After shaking it, Kingsbee awkwardly attempted to sit down on a chair while Walter continued to discuss.

"No offense taken..." The Hunter would return the sly grin with his own, albeit much broader. "But you know how th' Corps is, with their paperwork. Gives the spineless ones somethin' ta' do." he chuckled and sat down. "So what're we up against? A bunch o' Dryads upset o'er somthin'? A massive Land Shark sick of gnawing on tree roots an' small forest animals? A pack of rabid and seemingly innumerable wild Woozles? A Shirkspiker's den been uncovered, an' now it's shootin' up th' place? A flock of Jubjubs harassin' the locals? ...Bandersnatches?"

At the mention of such a deadly creature, Kingsbee sat upright and did a short combination of click-clack and warbling noises.

"Now just because there's bad weather an' there are bristles about don't mean there's a Mistress Thistle takin' over-"

A harsher warble would interrupt him, and Walter raised his hands. "All right, all right, dark skies and lots of gnarly roots are signs of a Mistress Thistle...but, an' I mean no offense to ye, but if only one Hunter's called up th' Corps, can't be all that serious..."

[Barapam]

Miss Stina Stenhierta

The dark botanist cursed as she hurried with her bag in hand to escape the rain. The carriage that had brought her to Shuddersroth had departed right away, and it was up to Stina to find shelter. S/he ran inside the nearest building, which happened to be an inn of some sort. Slamming the door shut behind her, she looked around as water dripped from her wide-brimmed black hat. The tavern was warm and dry, but otherwise just as bleak as everything else in the village. Stina had only been in Shuddersroth for a few minutes, but had already gotten a good understanding of the general atmosphere in the area. "If I didn't know better, I'd think I was in a Gothic novel..." s/he thought to herself. The clientele present was certainly interesting, or at least quite out of the ordinary, even at a quick glance, but the only thing Stina cared about right now was to chase away the cold inside her. So s/he headed to the bar and ordered some glühwein. They didn't have that, but a cup of warm brandy would do just as well. Upon receiving it, s/he held it in both her hands, and sipped it in silence. S/he thought about the message s/he had seen upon arriving. S/he hadn't been able to see the whole text given the bad weather and the sheer speed of the carriage, (It had been a very bumpy and uncomfortable ride. Why had the coachman been driving so fast? Was he afraid of something? Stina cursed his superstition. Clearly the age of enlightment hadn't reached these isolated lands...) but it had said something about an adventure. Well, that was more or less why Stina was here in the first place. S/he'd make some inquiries about it once she felt warm enough. Hmm... This brandy wasn't so bad after all.

Captain Alexandra von Besserwisser

The headless horsewoman had been at the Drunken Wollock for quite some time already, all day actually. Not because she was waiting to meet the mysterious Lyralee Brandywine (a very tasteful surname in Alex's opinion), but because she would've been there anyway, easing her pain and boredom with various alchohlic beverages. That's how the undead hussar usually spent her days, after countless fruitless attempts to track down and kill the jabberwock that had killed her and stolen her head. That was something Alexandra never had forgiven the creature for.

Maybe it would be different this time? Surely the "Grand Mission" mentioned in the ad must mean a quest to slay her old enemy. Alex was convinced about it. What else was there to do in this godforsaken backwater? Besides getting drunk, of course.

She heard voices. Not the "I have a mental condition" kind of voices, but real ones. A man, who's name she did not register, and a woman who appeared to be the very maker of the advert of adventure. Keen on making their acquaintanances, Alex struggled herself up from underneath the table where she had spent the past few hours sobering up (maybe that was the reason why Lyralee hadn't seen her?) and walked over to them, on unsteady legs, knocking some furniture over in the process (it's not easy being blind, or drunk, or as in this case, both blind and drunk). She eventually came up to them, and spoke in their general direction.

"Greetings. I'm Captain Alexandra von Besserwisser, of the royal Gürman hussars. I hear you are looking for capable people, Miss?" She was very softspoken, and if you closed your eyes you couldn't really be sure that she was drunk, or headless for that matter. The woman at the bar, all dressed in black, had noticed, but remained on her place for the moment, watching them discretely. She was slowly growing convinced that she had caught a fever, and was dreaming this whole thing. If Alexandra had seen her she could've told her otherwise, but as mentioned before, she couldn't see Stina, the people she was talking to, or anything else. It was all just a shot in the dark, as always.

[Erhialam]

"A Mistress Thistle?" Lyralee had encountered one before, a couple years back. It was not something she was eager to encounter again. The thorns...The eyes...The voices...

"We're after more than Bandersnatches or Woozles, Mr. Whimsley." Lyralee paused as a dark woman in a gown entered the Tavern, raised her voice a bit in an attempt to dramatically attract the woman's attention. "We're after--"

The clattering crash of a Tavern chair rudely and inanimately interrupted her: Brandywine glanced upwards. " Sweet bloody Borogroves," she cursed beneath her breath, partially out of surprise at not noticing that particular Tavern patron before, and partially because this patron's countenance was rather...startling. It was a woman. Without a head. In a military uniform.

Lyralee had several more moments to collect herself as the woman clumsily approached the table, knocking over seven more chairs in the process; she glanced first at the Tavernkeep to make sure that he didn't have the guilty expression one might have after slipping unnatural things into somebody's bumblebeer, and then at Whimsley, and the dark woman, perhaps to make sure they saw what she saw.

The headless woman inquired whether Brandywine needed capable people. Now, anyone less able to think on their feet might have stammered out their reply, but it could never be said that Lyralee Brandywine could not think on her feet. Or in other, less able positions, for that matter. That run-in with the Mistress Thistle might have been the ignominious end of her Adventuring career had she been inept in her suavity.

"That I am, madam Captain," Brandywine answered, with as much vocal swagger as possible. "I suppose there's no need to dance around my purpose. I'm leading an expedition to slay the Jabberwock, and I need whatever help you can provide."

[Drakorvanyia]

Through the rain, a woman donning robes of white and silver, strode silently through the muddy pathway. It was a shame, that the rim of her robes had become stained and dirtied by her travels to Shuddersroth. With her leaving of the Order, there was no way she'd be able to replace them so easily. She was not one to hourde money for herself, at least not to the extent where she'd be able to purchase a new set of the expensive wear. There was nothing to do about it now, though, save for finding some sort of shelter from the downpour. Luckily for her, she managed to spot a barn through the trees, outlined by the faint light of Shuddersroth in the distance. She could stay the night there, and proceed to the town in the morning.

Her luck seemed to be two fold; nearing the building, the woman could see a large hole in the back of the barn. It was probably an old building, then, abandoned and with no owner who would mind her taking a rest in the rafters. Once inside, Ascenia lowered her hood, and shook off the water that had soaked through and into her hair. By the Light, everything was soaked. Her robes clung to her body, and she had no doubt that the bread and jerky she had brought with her was also wet inside her satchel. Perhaps she could find some travelling clothes tomorrow. She set her pack down, and was about to remove her robes so that she may hang them to dry, but was stopped by a banging at the front door of the barn. Curious, now, Ascenia crept over to the great wooden doors, locked only by a wooden beam preventing them from swinging inwards, and peeked through the crack between them.

In the darkness, she could faintly see the form of a woman desperately trying to gain entry. Perhaps in her rush, the woman did not see Ascenia. She was a stranger, yes, but Light be damned if Ascenia was to leave her in the rain. Once the woman had finished hitting the door with her pick, Ascenia believed it safe to let her in. With a grunt, Ascenia grasped the door bar, and lifted it to unlock the entry way. Soon after, she opened the door for the woman with a warm smile. "There was a hole in back, you know." Said she, with a soft, crystalline voice.

Liliana looked up at the doors as they swung open, much to her surprise. She could have sworn the barn was empty when she last checked. Perhaps her pleas for help had been heard, and this woman was sent to guide her? Liliana took a look at the woman, she looked like a holy person with her robes. They looked expensive, too. Clearly a woman of such high caliber wouldn't just be out here in the wilds, Liliana thought to herself. This was no woman at all, it was a holy being sent to guide her in this dark hour.

Holy Being...? Ah! To ask for repentance, obviously! I have abandoned my faith, and this creature has been testing me! A wild conclusion, but wild was all that Liliana dealt in anymore. Quickly, Liliana dropped to her hands and knees, reciting a long-winded prayer from her old order in record time.

"Holy Light! I have strayed from my faith in my darkest hour, and I have suffered under your watch as repentance for this most grievous crime! I humbly ask of you, spare this lost soul from further suffering! I will not abandon my order again!"

Ascenia was taken aback by this sudden grovelling. Perhaps it was a sign that her prayers were needed in this town, the way this woman begged for forgivness at the sight of a priestly woman such as herself. Managing another smile, she knelt by Liliana, and placed a light hand upon the woman's shoulder. "Rise, child. There is no need to beg for forgivness. Come inside with me, while we wait out this storm." She stood, and turned to traverse deeper into the building, seating herself on a bale of old hay.

She would have shed her soaking robes, but such was inappropriate in front of someone else. Instead, she crossed her right leg over the other, and folded her hands upon her lap. "Why do you ask so desperately for forgiveness? Is there a sin that you have had nagging at your mind?" She tilted her head with a curious pucker of her lip. This woman intrigued her, that much was certain. However, whether or not she was entirely trustworthy, she had yet to decide.

[Kaltavya]

Liliana looked up at the doors as they swung open, much to her surprise. She could have sworn the barn was empty when she last checked. Perhaps her pleas for help had been heard, and this woman was sent to guide her? Liliana took a look at the woman, she looked like a holy person with her robes. They looked expensive, too. Clearly a woman of such high caliber wouldn't just be out here in the wilds, Liliana thought to herself. This was no woman at all, it was a holy being sent to guide her in this dark hour.

Holy Being...? Ah! To ask for repentance, obviously! I have abandoned my faith, and this creature has been testing me! A wild conclusion, but wild was all that Liliana dealt in anymore. Quickly, Liliana dropped to her hands and knees, reciting a long-winded prayer from her old order in record time.

"Holy Light! I have strayed from my faith in my darkest hour, and I have suffered under your watch as repentance for this most grievous crime! I humbly ask of you, spare this lost soul from further suffering! I will not abandon my order again!"

Ascenia was taken aback by this sudden grovelling. Perhaps it was a sign that her prayers were needed in this town, the way this woman begged for forgivness at the sight of a priestly woman such as herself. Managing another smile, she knelt by Liliana, and placed a light hand upon the woman's shoulder. "Rise, child. There is no need to beg for forgivness. Come inside with me, while we wait out this storm." She stood, and turned to traverse deeper into the building, seating herself on a bale of old hay.

She would have shed her soaking robes, but such was inappropriate in front of someone else. Instead, she crossed her right leg over the other, and folded her hands upon her lap. "Why do you ask so desperately for forgiveness? Is there a sin that you have had nagging at your mind?" She tilted her head with a curious pucker of her lip. This woman intrigued her, that much was certain. However, whether or not she was entirely trustworthy, she had yet to decide.

Liliana followed the woman inside the barn, and knelt across from her, laying her warpick aside; it was a heavy item, and she tired of carrying it for the moment. The Holy Light had already started asking her questions, many questions already. Another test, clearly! She wanted to know if Liliana recognized her sin. Knowing this unfact, Liliana immediately went back to grovelling at the woman's feet.

"Ah, of course! Divine Being, I experienced a great loss recently, and rather than attempt to overcome it to prove my faith I fled. I fled and I denounced my faith in a rash, selfish way. I abandoned the corpses, looted the dead, looked for new purpose. But my faith is renewed! A town lies somewhere in the distance, I have seen it. I will offer my services there, without thanks or praise, all so that the Order may one day take me back!"

I hope this is enough that my meager self can offer. I have come far, and I am clearly making progress. May I soon find that town, however far it may be right now. She thought to herself, once again oblivious to the fact that she could see the glow of the town from where she was sitting.

[Zane Winchester Scott]

Shuddersroth Main Road

An odd, crooked figure in a cloak and shadowy hat carries a small puppet theatre cart down the road. He yells, "May joy bless you all, no matter how dreary the day!" and stops carrying the cart, waiting for a crowd.

[Barapam]

Captain Alexandra von Besserwisser

"Splendid!" Alex said to her soon-to-be-employer. "You, see I have a personal vendetta against the Jabberwock... I'ts responsible for my current state, you see, so it'll be a true pleasure for me to accompany you on your expedition. I would also like to add that I have nearly a century of experience in hunting this beast." So far a completely unsuccessfull hunt, but Alexandra didn't think there was any need to let Lyralee know that little detail.

She then meant to put her right hand on a table she thought was near, but ended up leaning into the empty air instead. Luckily she realized her mistake in time and managed to regain her balance half a second before she would've fallen, but unfortunately it still made her seem clumsy and awfully unprofessional. She had to hope that Lyralee hadn't A) noticed, B) didn't care about it, or C) had seen it, disapproved of it, but still were too afraid of being in front of something so unnatural as a headless being, to make that change her mind. Alternative C was often the most probable one in similar situations... but as long as it ended with the result Alex desired, there was no reason to complain.

Stina Stenhierta

The curious botanist meanwhile, had gone more curious as her drink warmed her up. Gracefully, silently and almost ghostlike, s/he had moved from her place by the bar over to the small group. Still holding her brandy, s/he listened attentively to the man with the strange pet, the woman who seemed to be the boss, and the headless Gürman woman. What they spoke of was nothing s/he knew of since before, whatever these things were, they were nothing that existed in the flora or fauna of her native Svyten. Stina waited until they were all done until she raised her voice.

"Excuse me", she said, almost shyly, with a pretty little smile. "I'm Stina Stenhierta, primarily botanist, but I also do research about animals... what are these land sharks, woozles, shirkspikers, jubjubs, bandersnatchers, Mistress Thistles, and jabberwocks you are talking about, if I may ask?"

[Erhialam]

"Good to have you aboard," Brandywine declared cheerfully. Turning at the approach of the other woman in the tavern, Lyralee arched a brow.

"You must be from a fair ways away if you've not heard of any of that, Miz Stenhierta, especially the Jabberwock. It tops them all in terms of 'monstrousness', if you can believe the stories. Nobody who's ever gotten a good look at it has ever told those stories, though, if you catch my meaning." With a glance at Alexandra, Lyralee added, "Well, barring the good Captain here, I suppose."

Sitting up straight in the chair, Lyralee grinned. "It burbles as it comes, and it's got eyes of flame, or so those campfire yarns say. We take it down, we get the glorious honor of being the ones that did it." A peal of thunder erupted outside, adding a pleasing amount of dramatic effect to the statement.

"I can't guarantee we all won't get snickersnacked in the attempt. As a matter of fact, I can nearly guarantee that we will. Brutally. But we'd love to have you, Miz Stenhierta, if you wanted to be along."

[Zane Winchester Scott]

"Good to have you aboard," Brandywine declared cheerfully. Turning at the approach of the other woman in the tavern, Lyralee arched a brow.

"You must be from a fair ways away if you've not heard of any of that, Miz Stenhierta, especially the Jabberwock. It tops them all in terms of 'monstrousness', if you can believe the stories. Nobody who's ever gotten a good look at it has ever told those stories, though, if you catch my meaning." With a glance at Alexandra, Lyralee added, "Well, barring the good Captain here, I suppose."

Sitting up straight in the chair, Lyralee grinned. "It burbles as it comes, and it's got eyes of flame, or so those campfire yarns say. We take it down, we get the glorious honor of being the ones that did it." A peal of thunder erupted outside, adding a pleasing amount of dramatic effect to the statement.

"I can't guarantee we all won't get snickersnacked in the attempt. As a matter of fact, I can nearly guarantee that we will. Brutally. But we'd love to have you, Miz Stenhierta, if you wanted to be along."

A group of tall figures in cloaks and large hats appear. They walk stiffly towards the group, except for a small one in a much nicer silk cape and hat, features hidden.

[Vulkata II]

Somewhere in the woods
Thomas Tickwork was wandering in a random woods trying to find a town that would either buy his watchful pigeons or at least send messages using them.

The mud on his boots and the wheel of the cart was slowing him down but his pigeons looked curiously the woods.

5 out of the 15 watchful pigeons were fit for service wearing a tiny little helmet like their maker and fitted with a braclet letting anyone know who they belong to while the rest are either to be sold or released.

Thomas stopped his cart. He looked around and took a deep sigh.

"Maybe i should've been a farmer, at least then i would have an honest pay" and then he continued wandering trying to find a random town.

[Kitzerland]

Somewhere in the woods
Thomas Tickwork was wandering in a random woods trying to find a town that would either buy his watchful pigeons or at least send messages using them.

The mud on his boots and the wheel of the cart was slowing him down but his pigeons looked curiously the woods.

5 out of the 15 watchful pigeons were fit for service wearing a tiny little helmet like their maker and fitted with a braclet letting anyone know who they belong to while the rest are either to be sold or released.

Thomas stopped his cart. He looked around and took a deep sigh.

"Maybe i should've been a farmer, at least then i would have an honest pay" and then he continued wandering trying to find a random town.

A small shape erupted from the undergrowth near his cart and sprinted around the old man a few times before coming to a stop by his feet. A magnificent rack of horns, glistening with dew, arc into a spiraling set of points toward the top of the animals head. Were one to trace back downwards, they would find a small lagomorph, of the rabbit variety, to which the horns were attached. The small creature had brown fur, ruffled by its violent exit from the foliage, and green eyes that twinkled with mischief. (To the extent that a rabbit's eyes can twinkle with mischief.) The rabbit either smiled or bared its teeth, it was hard to tell, revealing dozens of tiny points, shining in a vaguely menacing manner. His mouth opened, revealing a small pink tongue. He spoke in a sing-songy voice, in a way that seemed to mock the old man. "Come! Follow! There isn't much time! Hurry!" and proceeded to speed off along a barely visible path into the distance.

[Vulkata II]

-snip-

Thomas was lost.

Not only that but he either is losing his mind and sanity talking to no one but his pigeons or a rabbit with hoens was talking to him resembling his voice in a way as if he had grown old.

Did he want to follow this rabbit? Maybe. Does he have a choice? Most likely not and hurried chasing the rabbit causing more and more mud to stain his pants and with the bumpy ride some of the pigeons flew instead and some recording the message with the same voice.

"Come! Follow? There isn't much time! Hurry!" Some of the birds said as they flew and followed their master run following a strange rabbit.

[Danceria]

"Good to have you aboard," Brandywine declared cheerfully. Turning at the approach of the other woman in the tavern, Lyralee arched a brow.

"You must be from a fair ways away if you've not heard of any of that, Miz Stenhierta, especially the Jabberwock. It tops them all in terms of 'monstrousness', if you can believe the stories. Nobody who's ever gotten a good look at it has ever told those stories, though, if you catch my meaning." With a glance at Alexandra, Lyralee added, "Well, barring the good Captain here, I suppose."

Sitting up straight in the chair, Lyralee grinned. "It burbles as it comes, and it's got eyes of flame, or so those campfire yarns say. We take it down, we get the glorious honor of being the ones that did it." A peal of thunder erupted outside, adding a pleasing amount of dramatic effect to the statement.

"I can't guarantee we all won't get snickersnacked in the attempt. As a matter of fact, I can nearly guarantee that we will. Brutally. But we'd love to have you, Miz Stenhierta, if you wanted to be along."

A group of tall figures in cloaks and large hats appear. They walk stiffly towards the group, except for a small one in a much nicer silk cape and hat, features hidden.

Walter leaped back at the sight of the headless figure, staggering into his hapless companion and crushing the chair. Upon recovering this, Walter quipped.

"Ma' always did say tha' bumblebeer will make ye lose yer 'ead..."

This all of the sudden sparked an insatiable curiosity in Walter, as he seemed to peek down the void where the person's head might be. Muttering along the way, he deduced that this was neither a homonculi, an automaton, or a fleshwight. He would've even stuck his head in where the neck would be, and peer into the seeming void, had Kingsbee not yanked him away. With a brief set of clicks and warbles, Walter regained his composure.

"Ah, Jabberwocks, Y Ddraig Goch, Monstrum aggestis, take yer pick o' name. Nasty creatures." he produced a small and well worn leather book filled with several drawings, and flipped to one. "Never take 'em on alone. Contrary to yer "campfire yarns", nobody's gonna go 'ome in a box."

Walter would turn to Miss Stenhierta, and smile "By yer accent, I take it ye an the..."Captain" are from th' Gürmanaes... Skaldonivean?"

Any further questions was interrupted by the new arrivals. A wordless glance would be had between Kingsbee and Walter, Kingsbee's antennae twitching slightly.

[Zane Winchester Scott]

A group of tall figures in cloaks and large hats appear. They walk stiffly towards the group, except for a small one in a much nicer silk cape and hat, features hidden.

Walter leaped back at the sight of the headless figure, staggering into his hapless companion and crushing the chair. Upon recovering this, Walter quipped.

"Ma' always did say tha' bumblebeer will make ye lose yer 'ead..."

This all of the sudden sparked an insatiable curiosity in Walter, as he seemed to peek down the void where the person's head might be. Muttering along the way, he deduced that this was neither a homonculi, an automaton, or a fleshwight. He would've even stuck his head in where the neck would be, and peer into the seeming void, had Kingsbee not yanked him away. With a brief set of clicks and warbles, Walter regained his composure.

"Ah, Jabberwocks, Y Ddraig Goch, Monstrum aggestis, take yer pick o' name. Nasty creatures." he produced a small and well worn leather book filled with several drawings, and flipped to one. "Never take 'em on alone. Contrary to yer "campfire yarns", nobody's gonna go 'ome in a box."

Walter would turn to Miss Stenhierta, and smile "By yer accent, I take it ye an the..."Captain" are from th' Gürmanaes... Skaldonivean?"

Any further questions was interrupted by the new arrivals. A wordless glance would be had between Kingsbee and Walter, Kingsbee's antennae twitching slightly.

The trio of taller figures seem to lose their balance and readjust themselves several times. The small figure seems to glide forward with unsettling ease. He looks at anything that the party before him has that reflects light.

"Hello," he says, as a wide grin of crooked teeth shows slightly, oddly well polished "I see you have what belongs to me. You seem new around here, so you haven't heard about the laws. Let this be a warning." With that, one of the figures produces a sword from his cloak, and some straw and crow feathers leak out. "This here is a scarecrow. They expect anything you own that is valuable to end up in their pockets, or this will be you." The small figure pauses. Then pulls a wand from his front pocket and stabs the scarecrow. It screams demonic howl and black smoke flies erratically from it. The smoke leaves a dead, bright bird, and a scarecrow frame. "Now, to be taking those valuables..." He hits Kingsbee with his wand and Kingsbee disappears. "Stop them from taking it back!" The smaller figure then summons a cage that holds Kingsbee on a cart, and one of the taller creatures carries it, and the small figure disappears, leaving one alone with the group.

It holds up a sign that reads, "I have an appointment with my chiropractor in 30 min. So, I will just surrender and leave. Also that thing he stole is under that trapdoor over there" it raises its arm to point at a trapdoor with a huge neon sign that points at the trapdoor and reads "SECRET OUTPOST!!!" In comic sans MS. With that, the final figure gets onto a carriage and goes to his appointment.

[Barapam]

Stina Stenhierta

Stina smiled at Lyralee and Walter. "Yes, you are correct. I'm from Svyten, a kingdom in Skaldonivea, north of Nedmark and Gürmany. I'm on a worldwide journey to discover new species of plants, and it would be an honour to be a part of your team." S/he emptied the last of her brandy but held on to the still warm cup for a little while longer. Despite Lyralee's warnings, Stina wasn't the least afraid, only curious and expectent for the adventure ahead of them.

Captain Alexandra von Besserwisser

"True, but technically I didn't live to tell the tale either..." she said in response to Lyralee's earlier comment, and then turned to Walter and raised him a finger of warning. "I'll forgive you for such talk this one time, because we haven't met before, but I'd like you to refrain from such 'jokes' in the future, thank you!" She said it sternly, but still politely, maybe due to what he had said later. Alexandra always liked to talk about her homeland, patriot as she was. "Yes, I am. From Bärlin actually. Lovely city. Last time I saw it anyway."

Whatever Alex had planned to say after that, she forgot it. Now, she couldn't see what was going on, but she could hear that it was trouble. While Stina had no idea what to do and remained still and silent, and maybe even a little scared, Alex drew her cavalry sabre.

"There's no such law!" she shouted, and rushed forward, wielding her sword. Unfortunately she didn't hit anything but air, and eventually she understood that the creatures already had left, and calmed down somewhat. "They'll say anything these days to fool tourists..." Alex was her usual angry self again. "A word of advice... trust no one in this village. And out in the woods there are even fewer honest people..."

[Kitzerland]

Thomas was lost.

Not only that but he either is losing his mind and sanity talking to no one but his pigeons or a rabbit with hoens was talking to him resembling his voice in a way as if he had grown old.

Did he want to follow this rabbit? Maybe. Does he have a choice? Most likely not and hurried chasing the rabbit causing more and more mud to stain his pants and with the bumpy ride some of the pigeons flew instead and some recording the message with the same voice.

"Come! Follow? There isn't much time! Hurry!" Some of the birds said as they flew and followed their master run following a strange rabbit.

The rabbit bounded through the trees, leaping over fallen logs and bushes. He abruptly arrived at an end to the tree line and skidded to a stop next to an coursing river. He nimbly hopped across a dead branch that had fallen over the thick, burbling stream and ran away into the distance, where the lights of the town were visible. The rabbit called back to Thomas "Follow meeeeee" before finally disappearing into the horizon.

[Drakorvanyia]

Ascenia was taken aback by this sudden grovelling. Perhaps it was a sign that her prayers were needed in this town, the way this woman begged for forgivness at the sight of a priestly woman such as herself. Managing another smile, she knelt by Liliana, and placed a light hand upon the woman's shoulder. "Rise, child. There is no need to beg for forgivness. Come inside with me, while we wait out this storm." She stood, and turned to traverse deeper into the building, seating herself on a bale of old hay.

She would have shed her soaking robes, but such was inappropriate in front of someone else. Instead, she crossed her right leg over the other, and folded her hands upon her lap. "Why do you ask so desperately for forgiveness? Is there a sin that you have had nagging at your mind?" She tilted her head with a curious pucker of her lip. This woman intrigued her, that much was certain. However, whether or not she was entirely trustworthy, she had yet to decide.

Liliana followed the woman inside the barn, and knelt across from her, laying her warpick aside; it was a heavy item, and she tired of carrying it for the moment. The Holy Light had already started asking her questions, many questions already. Another test, clearly! She wanted to know if Liliana recognized her sin. Knowing this unfact, Liliana immediately went back to grovelling at the woman's feet.

"Ah, of course! Divine Being, I experienced a great loss recently, and rather than attempt to overcome it to prove my faith I fled. I fled and I denounced my faith in a rash, selfish way. I abandoned the corpses, looted the dead, looked for new purpose. But my faith is renewed! A town lies somewhere in the distance, I have seen it. I will offer my services there, without thanks or praise, all so that the Order may one day take me back!"

I hope this is enough that my meager self can offer. I have come far, and I am clearly making progress. May I soon find that town, however far it may be right now. She thought to herself, once again oblivious to the fact that she could see the glow of the town from where she was sitting.

"Flee no more, child. I would be more than. Happy to guide you, mortal as I am." It was hard for her to retain a decent composure, and even if it was rude, she broke into a fit of laughs and giggles. Ascenia placed her hand atop Liliana's head.

"Oh do rise, you need not prostrate yourself before me. The town is not too far from here, Shuddersroth, no? I was on my way there to preach for my lord, the Light, for I am but a humble servant of His." She looked off to the side as the last few chuckles escaped her lips. "Why don't we head there now? It should only take but a few minutes, I'm sure we could brave the rain for at least that long."

[Kaltavya]

Liliana followed the woman inside the barn, and knelt across from her, laying her warpick aside; it was a heavy item, and she tired of carrying it for the moment. The Holy Light had already started asking her questions, many questions already. Another test, clearly! She wanted to know if Liliana recognized her sin. Knowing this unfact, Liliana immediately went back to grovelling at the woman's feet.

"Ah, of course! Divine Being, I experienced a great loss recently, and rather than attempt to overcome it to prove my faith I fled. I fled and I denounced my faith in a rash, selfish way. I abandoned the corpses, looted the dead, looked for new purpose. But my faith is renewed! A town lies somewhere in the distance, I have seen it. I will offer my services there, without thanks or praise, all so that the Order may one day take me back!"

I hope this is enough that my meager self can offer. I have come far, and I am clearly making progress. May I soon find that town, however far it may be right now. She thought to herself, once again oblivious to the fact that she could see the glow of the town from where she was sitting.

"Flee no more, child. I would be more than. Happy to guide you, mortal as I am." It was hard for her to retain a decent composure, and even if it was rude, she broke into a fit of laughs and giggles. Ascenia placed her hand atop Liliana's head.

"Oh do rise, you need not prostrate yourself before me. The town is not too far from here, Shuddersroth, no? I was on my way there to preach for my lord, the Light, for I am but a humble servant of His." She looked off to the side as the last few chuckles escaped her lips. "Why don't we head there now? It should only take but a few minutes, I'm sure we could brave the rain for at least that long."

"Ah, of course My Lady! Right away, we shall get you to a fire, for you look sodden from this rain! N-not that it undermines your holy radiance, that is!" Liliana scrambled to her feet, hefting up her warpick and resting it on her shoulder. As far as she knew, this woman was a holy spirit, and she intended on dedicating her life to it as thanks for accepting her repentance. She finally looked outside the barn, noting that Shuddersroth was indeed a lot closer than she originally thought. Clearly her lack of faith had sought to blind and trick her, she quietly thanked the spirit that accompanied her once more.

"Let us travel then, a fire and food would be a welcome blessing for this weary, lost pilgrim." she moved to open the door, causing an abandoned boot to fall from the rafters. Hopefully the rain would let off soon, and they could enjoy a day without it.

[Vulkata II]

Thomas was lost.

Not only that but he either is losing his mind and sanity talking to no one but his pigeons or a rabbit with hoens was talking to him resembling his voice in a way as if he had grown old.

Did he want to follow this rabbit? Maybe. Does he have a choice? Most likely not and hurried chasing the rabbit causing more and more mud to stain his pants and with the bumpy ride some of the pigeons flew instead and some recording the message with the same voice.

"Come! Follow? There isn't much time! Hurry!" Some of the birds said as they flew and followed their master run following a strange rabbit.

The rabbit bounded through the trees, leaping over fallen logs and bushes. He abruptly arrived at an end to the tree line and skidded to a stop next to an coursing river. He nimbly hopped across a dead branch that had fallen over the thick, burbling stream and ran away into the distance, where the lights of the town were visible. The rabbit called back to Thomas "Follow meeeeee" before finally disappearing into the horizon.

Thomas took a deep breah and stopped for a second, the watchful pigeons that flew circled him like vultures waiting for him to move and he saw the light of a town.

"Thank you rabbit" he saw the stream in front of him and whistled to call his pigeons and they all went back into the cart.

Thomas took one step seeing how deep the stream is and slowly made it through the other side and then walked into town with a new found hope.