*Crystal's Ruin*

[Vau]

*Vau hungrily tears into the ham, quickly and violently devouring some of it and then just as abruptly stops. He stares into the fire again with a puzzled expression...*

*growl* So... what now...?
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"Was tust du, Was fühlst du, Was bist du, doch nur ein, Tier"



Gary Smith, Derby Referee, TGG

[Palthera]

*Crystal shrugs, a slightly tricky manoeuvre when leaning against another and she almost overbalances.*

We eat dinner, and enjoy life as it is. Try not to die. You know, we continue as we normally do. Odd and occasionally bloody but working in our own way.
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Crystal Rose Fleetfoot
Travelling Entertainer
Captain of the Tesrae Militia
Littlest Damn Hero

(Cara Dutson BR08)

[Vau]

*Vau instinctively drops his dagger and reaches to support Crystal as she threatens to overbalance. Once she is steady his now warm arms continue to hold her gently. His brow furrows in incomprehension at her instruction to "enjoy life as it is" but he says nothing but.*

Akh Crystal-az
_________________
"Was tust du, Was fühlst du, Was bist du, doch nur ein, Tier"



Gary Smith, Derby Referee, TGG

[Fraser]

*A rider approaches the ruin, coming in at a fast canter. As he approaches he slows down, so that by the time he reaches the ruin the horse is at a walking pace.*

*He glances around for a moment, then calls out*

Crystal? Are you there?

[NPC]

George's voice echoes around the stark stakes of the orcish fortifications, looking more forboding now that the ribbons have faded. The only answer is a gentle breeze from the east...

...until a sound half audible and half fancied seems to lie on the wind, the sound of a throaty growl of something large and dangerous, dulled by distance, perhaps?
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(Ref NPC)

[Fraser]

*Under George the horse bucks, unsteadying George, who still manages to retain his seat. He stretches forward and soothes the horse with a reasuring pat and speaking comforting words*

*From where it is strapped to his back, George unhitches his staff, holding it in his left hand, tip dipped towards the ground*

*Slowly he dismounts, tethering the horse to one of the stakes. Pausing momentarily with a sad smile to inspect one of the bedraggled ribbons, he then slowly picks his way around the defences towards the entrance, and glances inside.*

*There being nothing of immediate interest, he props his staff against the wall withdraws from a bag at his side a small parcel. This he leaves just inside the doorway.*

*Then, poking the cauldron that still hangs over the fire, he takes it to the well and begins to withdraw some water*

[NPC]

She's not here, my frriend...

*The voice comes from a grizzled old man in leather armour leaning between the evil looking stakes...*

...and if I vere you I vould not be leaving things for her here, she can be gone for veeks at a time.
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(Ref NPC)

[Fraser]

*George starts, having thought there was no one around. As he turns, he trips slightly landing just next to the opening of the welll, the cauldron sent spinning onto the ground. He speaks from the ground as he picks himself up.*

Well, praise be to Tralda, in that case she may be back this very afternoon.

*Winking through one good eye, the other covered by a bandage, George holds out his hand*

Good to meet you, my names Amadan. Now, would you care to take tea with me?

[NPC]

*There is a twinkle in the old mans eye as he looks at the young mage with amusement.*

Amadan? Then you may call me Sharkû of Longstor, and yes I vill take tea vith you. Is that vhat you left inside the ruin or do you have something you vish delivered to ... her?
--
Sharkû of Longstor (Ref NPC)

[Fraser]

A pleasure to meet you.

*George continues to speak as he picks up the cauldron and takes it to the fire*

And what I was leaving for Chrystal was a bag of spices. They came from a place called Mithim, thought she might have a use for it. They are dried and sealed so should last a while untill she gets back.

*As he regards the cold firepit, George's hand instinctively goes to his scroll case. Then he sighs slightly and instead withdraws two flints. After some desultory banging, he looks back at Sharkû*

I say, can you help? I'm not used to this method of starting fires?

[NPC]

Mithimese spices? That's qvite a gift.

*Sharkû takes a firebow from his pouch and with a thin stick and stone he quickly sets the tinder burning with sinewy arms.*

Tells something about a young man's purpose does a gift like that...

*He breaks off as the growl is heard slightly more clearly now, guttural and feral. Then he smiles without amusement.*
--
Sharkû of Longstor (Ref NPC)

[Fraser]

*George looks up as the growls washes over them, though without any panic. He moves to comfort the horse which had begun to shift nervously. He loosens the saddle strap and as he does, withdraws a parcel from the saddlebags.*

Hmm, that doesn't sound like anything I've heard in these parts before. Do you know what it is?

[NPC]

Yes, that vould be my 'nephew', he follows me around sometimes.

So do you know the girl that lives here? Vhat is she like?
--
Sharkû of Longstor (Ref NPC)

[Fraser]

Your nephew eh? I would ask if he would like to join us, though he sounds happy, wherever he is at the moment.

*George also withdraws from the saddlebag a small box, opens it and removes from the padded interior withdraws two pottery mugs and brings them back to the fire.*

Aye, I know of Crystal. I've visited her a few times, fought with her occasionally. Most of the time she hangs around with a half orc whose damn terrifying. Though, he is rather pious towards Lady Crowa.

*Peers at the water as it begins to bubble*

Are you a local man? Do you know of Crystal?

[NPC]

*The old man smiles and scratches his short white beard.*
Yes I think my nephew vill be qvite happy vere he is for a vhile at least, especially if you are terrified by half-orcs.

No I am not a local man, but by the look of you I have lived many more years in Derwentshire than you have been alive. However, I did travel a long vay to reach here many many years ago.

I have never met the girl, I have only heard about her through reputation, though that reputation may be unfairly biased. That is vhy I vas vanting to hear another persons opinion. Perhaps you vould know another side to her?
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Sharkû of Longstor (Ref NPC)