The Way to Go Home (Jorkahn, Any)

[Allyria Allenmorde]

Allyria was sitting at a cafe, dressed in the hand-me-down robes that she so enjoyed, sipping tea. The half-breed was entertained by a story that an old passerby had told her. He was gone now, but the smile still remained on her face. He had told her about a section of the country where a particular type of tea used to come from. The main agricultural product that made the tea had since been relocated, but that didn't change the history involved. To the west, along the Navarran plains was a land formerly known as Westwind. The story went that the land was now forbidden due to its part in a prior conflict.

All of it was heresay. But after the trip she had made into those forgotten catacombs, and to her home city, she was eager to find a new adventure to slake her appetite. She had grown so much stronger since then.

The only thing that stopped her was the need for companions. Her issues in the catacombs could have easily been averted with even one more person to watch her back. Maybe two.

So she put a sign up in some of the local taverns in Morith.

"Help Wanted, Expedition to the West. Seeking Adventurers and others with skill. Fully funded."

It was written in two languages. High Cruic and Drokagr. She had no use for the illiterate. Sadly, she got some of the words mixed up between the two. The only intelligent bits were "Expedition to the west. Will pay."

She did leave the address for the tea shop however. That came through intact.

---

Stm: 179/180
MP: 385/390

High Cruic I (5), Literacy I (5), Drokagr I (5), Knowledge (30), Easy (30)
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Sudden Sight
·

[Jorkahn Wealddir]

Whether or not the boy was the Champion of Jewels at this point in time was irrelevant. What was relevant was the fact that Allyria, the one he knew as Scarlet, needed help with an expedition to the west. She may or may not have mentioned this at the tavern where they met, but that was also unimportant. So was the fact that it couldn't even be said with the utmost certainty that he knew she was the writer of this letter. For all intents and purposes there was a language he couldn't recognize mixed in with a language he could, and he thought to check it out.

Jorkahn was a little better at doing things outside of his comfort zone. Just a few short months ago he never would have gone to investigate a mysteriously vague job written on a scrap of paper found in a just as enigmatic tavern. But that was the old him, this was the new. That having been said the boy was still frozen in place outside the Tea House. The last few months had been so nerve wracking. He had been forced out of his comfort zone so many times and here he was again trying to muster to courage to continue that trend. The lad was shaking ever so imperceptibly, continuously looking from the scrap of paper in his hand and the entrance to the building. He wondered if Tyr would show up too, they had briefly talked about the expedition before the boy had left. Depending on how you perceived the situation it was a sad sight to see, or perhaps comical. Given enough time, however, he entered through the door and into the cafe.

A female Drokagr sipping tea, not much else of note.

---

SM: 79/80

[Tyr]

Wouldn't you know it the Duke had been meaning to get someone down to Morith for a while anyway. The market square held one of the few shops that could reliably supply gold and silver, and there was tell they stocked gems as well. Jewelry was one of the those things he didn't have experience in making, and such was a deficiency that quickly needed correcting. A supply run could be handle by just about anyone though, at least you would hope so, what brought specifically Tyr to Morith was the request of a friend.

And the promise of a good adventure.

The Duke slipped through the open door shortly after Jorkahn, and found the lad lingering by the doorway. "Jorkahn, my good friend, how fares the Champion today?" He clapped an arm around the lad's shoulder and kept walking, trying to lead further into the shop. If there was one thing Tyr could teach it was crafting. Wait, no, boldness. Well, both... but that's not the point. There was only one other patron so that's where Tyr went. As they approached, Tyr raised his other hand in a friendly wave.

"Greetings! Would you by chance be the one looking for some companions?" Tyr didn't know how else to greet the lady. The posted sign didn't have a name attached to it so he was having to guess.

[Allyria Allenmorde]

Allyria looked up as Jorkahn entered the tea shop. She was glad to see him. First because it had been a while since she had met him the first time. Now he was Champion of Jewels. He had fought well, he had even beaten her. It hadn't been too badly. She had a few scratches, just enough for her wind up eliminated. And Tyr, well, he had been with her in the stands as a spectator, and at the taverns after.

She wasn't sure if they were here for the adventure she had planned, or if they were just here for tea. Then Tyr boldly strode up to her and had even waved at her. He brought up the adventure.

"Oh! Oh oh oh! You're here for that. Good good. Ok, yes! I am looking for companions for an adventure. Please, sit. Both of you. Um... tea?"

This was so very exciting. Allyria had thought that no one would join her expedition. That perhaps even a cruel joke would be played. That would be the worst. But here were two people she knew, or were acquainted with rather, and were looking to be a part of the expedition. She was just nervous about this. Anything could sway them away from the trip.

A girl arrived with two more cups of tea.

"I suppose you're wondering what the sign meant by west. Not as far as the bone wastes. But pretty close to the Darthaks. There's a lot of places out there that are unexplored with a sizable amount of treasures. So this expedition is going to where this tea comes from. Or at least came from before wherever they moved the crop to."

---

Stm: 179/180
MP: 380/390

Sudden Sight
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[Jorkahn Wealddir]

Champion, huh? He still hadn't grown accustomed to being referred to as such. It was such a grand word, one that he didn't feel he deserved. However he didn't have long to wallow in his surprisingly morbid self depreciation as Tyr was dragging him further into the building. Regardless the boy seemed to loosen up the moment he heard the craftsman's voice. "A little n-nervous, but when am I not?" He said this just loud enough for the Duke to hear, the next bit was a bit louder. "I don't think I will ever get used to hearing that."

He didn't have enough time to say much else before Tyr introduced himself to the Drokagr woman. As soon as her attention was pulled away from her tea the skittish young man took a slight step backwards, partly hidden by his larger companion. When tea was offered Jorkahn meekly nodded and sat down. He made sure he was the furthest away from Allyria with at least Tyr between the two of them. It wasn't that he expected the woman to attack him or anything, he just didn't feel comfortable around strangers. The lad took a small sip from the tea. The look of surprise on his face at how delicious it was would be quite apparent if he didn't have a large hood covering half of it.

The Champion of Jewels, king of the introverted, kept his mouth closed and let Tyr do all the talking. He was content glancing nervously around and sipping at his tea. Just because he had gotten better at handling people he didn't know didn't mean he could be as bold as Tyr. He was working on it!

---

78

[Deleted]

An expedition to the west... There were mountains in that direction, and where there are mountains, there are gems and metals; two things she was presently short of despite the fact that she was opening a shop to make jewelry. It was also an opportunity to practice her magic, something she had not really had the opportunity for since returning from the academy. Once more she was in a strange city, but the journey had not been quite so bad this time. It took her a while to find the café, she was perhaps not the best at navigating the city streets, but in the end she made it. Entering the café, she scanned the room. She saw another of Elkagr descent, hopefully he was responding to the expedition as well, at least then she would have pleasant company on the road.

The rest of the patrons seemed human save for a grey skinned girl, "Drokagr." She unconsciously muttered under her breath. She cared about as much for the Drokagr as she did the humans, tolerable as long as they were useful. Not sure who she was meeting, or if those who she intended to meet were even at the café, she coughed a bit to get a touch of attention before she addressed the shop, "Ahem. I saw word of an expedition to the west, supposedly we are to meet here. I do have the right place, no?"

[Tyr]

Tyr sat in the offered chair and gratefully accepted the tea. He had a bit of a thing for tea you see, it was quite good and lacked the mind slurring effects of wine and beer. Plus when it was as good as Vindicont tea tended to be, why wouldn't you drink it? Jorkahn had taken a seat beside him, but across from their potentially soon-to-be-financier. It was expected, but not the greatest of things. There would be time for getting the lad to be more confident later though, right now it was time to get down to brass tacks. Although iron ones would probably be better. Steel was just a waste of resources.

"A good destination indeed, we may even find ourselves able to visit Kel'Alee for supplies while that far out. Wonderful place that city, very kindly people. But I'm getting ahead of myself. My good lady I am Tyr, and this is my companion Jorkahn. You may know him as the recently crowned Champion of Jewels." The Duke didn't like drawing too much attention to who he was, it tended to make people treat him differently. Not that his name was common. Making Jorkahn the subject of conversation would be good for him though, it would give him something to talk about. "Who might you be?"

Well, it was more like "Who mi-?" before someone else showed up and forcibly got the attention of everyone in the room. Apparently it was another potential traveling companion. Marvelous!

[Allyria Allenmorde]

Tyr was introducing himself to her, and Jorkahn was standing around like he did in the tavern. Awkward and invoking the idea of a stumbling kid in her mind. That was fine, Tyr's boldness would make up for Jorkahn's lack of. They were like a coin with complementary sides. Then the newcomer came in before Tyr could ask Allyria her name. The Elkagr seemed to demand an answer with the way she phrased her question.

Maybe she's hoping we're not the expedition?

"Yes. This is the right place. I'm Allyria Allenmorde, of A&F Ventures. A&F Ventures will be funding the expedition. If we need any supplies we can get them here in Morith before we get going. Good to meet you all!"

Being chipper does not suit me.

"Why don't we sit and discuss what we'll need?"

---

Stm: 178/180
MP: 375/390

Sudden Sight
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[Jorkahn Wealddir]

Jorkahn took a few more sips as Tyr spoke. That is, until the Duke mentioned the boy's title. The Champion choked on his tea and coughed a few times to clear his airway. It wasn't particularly loud, those around him may think he just drank too fast. But that wasn't the case, as his glance to the craftsman suggested. The rather androgynous boy's nervous demeanor had only deepened. He felt like he had to live up to his title now and that, to him, put a lot of undue pressure on him. Granted, if he weren't so timid in the first place he may have even enjoyed the recognition.

Instead the lad fidgeted awkwardly in his chair, often looking towards the ground away from the piercing gaze of the stranger sitting across from him. He didn't realize how rude he was being, nor did he mean to, it was more a small amount of ignorance and a hefty lack of self confidence. The Elkagr woman suddenly grabbing everyone's attention didn't help ease his anxiety either. There were too many people in this room! Normally that wasn't such a bad thing, but it was highly likely he had to converse with them all, or interact in some way.

The boy's mind was racing so fast he almost missed Allyria's introduction. The boy began to take quiet, deep breaths in an attempt to calm himself down. For now his eyes were affixed to the ground. Doing a real good job, buddy.

---

77

[Deleted]

She was most certainly hoping that those present were not the expedition.

To her dismay, the drokagr was not only part of the expedition, she appeared to be leading it. A careful observer may have noticed in that moment of realization that she flinched, almost turning around to leave before her more pragmatic side reassured herself that she really needed to go on this expedition if she hoped to establish her business beyond just having a workshop. With the slightest twinge of defeat, "Very Well."

She approached the table, waving the barista to bring her a cup of tea as well. "I am not sure what one should bring for such an endeavor, so I will defer to..." a slight pause as she nearly cringed when the final word fell off her tongue, "you." Addressing the drokagr who had identified herself as Allyria.

Her disappointment that the expedition was to be led by a drokagr was almost matched by her disappointment as to the identity of the elkagr blooded boy she had noticed before. Champion of Jewels, so he was the champion of wacking someone with a stick. It merely proved that he took after his lesser half and their barbaric tendencies, and to let that peasant speak for him only added to her disappointment. The tournament had no beauty to it, no purpose, and therefore no reason for her to attend. She had intentionally avoided Sorath in her journey south so as to avoid the blubbering fools who thought such events worthy entertainment. 

She turned her nose up at the group ever so slightly when her tea arrived.  Crossing one leg over the other as she sipped the just palatable beverage.

[Tyr]

Tyr had received many carefully crafted snubbings in his lifetime so far, this one was simply better hidden than most others. It was clear the newcomer wasn't quite...pleased with the group, though any more than that was only a guess. Not that it mattered much, Tyr planned on being his pleasant ol' self all the same. It would make it harder to get Jorkahn to open up though. Having someone dominate the conversation was a surefire way to shut the lad down. An apparent lack of confidence you see.

"Well I can start us off. Having gone on a brief trip with my friend here I cannot stress the important of a good tent to sleep under, and a bag to sleep in. Quite refreshing when you lack a home and hearth." It also gave him a small bit of business, but it wasn't really enough to matter. Tyr turned to Jorkahn as a way of drawing the lads focus from everyone else. Keep him grounded to someone he was comfortable with. "Could you pass me the tent please?" Don't ask him to demonstrate it, he'll shut down. Ask for it, he'll show it off in passing. Small steps.

Tyr unclipped the tin lantern hanging off a latch on his side. He left it unlit but placed it gently on the table as well, swapping it for the delicious cup of tea resting there. A brief sip soothed his throat and he continued. "Lanterns help for those of us lacking sight in the dark, and are much easier to carry than a campfire." A wide grin accompanied the joke, and Tyr settled in to receive reactions and ideas. Maybe they would suggest things he could make for the trip. Other people were a fantastic source of new ideas.

[Allyria Allenmorde]

Allyria thought about it for a moment. Just a moment. It was an anxiety clad moment, but anxiety could be her armor sometimes. She would acknowledge it. That the Elkagr woman made her a little nervous with her behavior. But it was Allyria's expedition, or rather A&F's expedition. And as one of the owners of A&F, she could call the whole thing off, or eject someone at any moment.

Tyr made some suggestions then. Some good ones. Allyria was perfectly capable of seeing in the dark, but she was unsure of the others, his suggestion indicated that humans, as she had thought, were not so. Neither were Elkagr as far as she remembered, but at times she had a hard time remembering such things when she hardly thought about it herself. Camping gear would also be necessary. The tents and the lanters were a must.

"Ok. We'll need some tents and some lanterns. I'll put those on the list. We'll need weapons and possibly armor. The last time I went... treasure hunting I came upon some unsavory... characters and was glad for my own equipment. I recommend everyone be armed and armored to their personal liking. A&F Ventures will pay the bill for any new acquisitions in that department. We will need food and drink most certainly, as this mission could be considered very exploratory. My map shows that there's nothing out there, not even counties or small villages. Which, land like that would be invaluable."

She spread the map across the table, carefully lifting her tea, and the other items and placing them over top. She pointed to a location nearly due west.



"Our destination is this rock formation here, due north of Black Crag Rock, which is here."

She pointed out the two locations on the map with her finger.

"Somewhere between three hundred and four hundred miles, depending on which route we take. We could trek overland, which could take more time considering the Navarre region here is very hilly, much like the rest of Havenaild. Or we can go north to Sorath, then west to this Duchy here, then southeast to this other duchy, then northwest to our destination. It looks like a road connects that rock formation and that duchy, so the traveling may be easier. But we might run into bandits."

She quieted for a second, then wanted to address something and produced a document and read from it, filling in various blanks.

"As this expedition is run by A & F Ventures which is fronting the funds for it the gains from the expedition will be split five ways after A & F Venture's expenses are met. Each fifth goes to each of us individually, and one fifth goes to A & F Ventures as profits. Current allocated budget for the expedition is five thousand Ritz. By signing onto the expedition each of you waived your survivor's rights in the event of your death to any additional benefits other than the fifth you would receive from participation, should the expedition be successful. Should the expedition be unsuccessful no acting member of the expedition is required to pay back any money spent by A&F Ventures for the expedition."

Then she placed that on the table, and signed the first line "A&F Ventures", then the second line her own name with a quill she produced and had dabbed in a well of ink she also produced from her pockets.

"So long as there are no disagreements about the contract, we will return here in two days to begin the expedition. Does anyone else have any ideas, or requests, or questions?"

Please don't, I'm done talking.

---

Stm: 176/180
MP: 370/390

Sudden Sight
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Literacy I, High Cruic I, Knowledge:30 = 40 Threshold

---

If there were no arguments Allyria would write four checks to the adventurers, each one totaling 1250 Ritz, and addressed individually to them with their names. If she did not know the person's name she would ask it so it could be written on the check.·

[Jorkahn Wealddir]

The more Nadera talked the more uncomfortable the boy became. He grew up around the high and mighty, high ranking elkagr, government officials, the rich, famous, and profoundly skilled, it was very easy for him to pick up on a person looking down on him. It was one of the reasons he was so timid, a person with his personality was often easy pickings for the pretentious. He wasn't likely to respond with wit or sarcasm, a perfect dummy to unleash one's aggressions upon. So, the boy would react on instinct, just like he would around his father's peers. His brain began to shut down and a placid look started to adorn his face. He was entering his own world, hiding his emotions, that was until Tyr brought reality back to the forefront.

Jorkahn's eyes snapped open and his head whipped around to look at his friend. After taking a moment to process what the man had said the boy nodded and meekly stated, "O-oh, of c-course!". Nearly fumbling from his nervousness the Champion pulled out the rolled up tent and passed it on to Tyr. Once that was done he also pulled out the sleeping bag, thinking the Duke may want to show them off as a package. The warrior sat back down after his purpose was fulfilled and was about to start returning to his trance when Allyria began to speak.

Since she was the benefactor, and she didn't speak to them with thinly veiled contempt, he was a bit more respondent to her. She also said something that interested him. Treasure hunting? What did A&F ventures do? He supposed it should have been more obvious given the particulars of their meeting right now, but it still made him curious.

The boy listened with surprising interest as Allyria explained the specifics of their journey. He looked over the map as she pointed things out and nodded accordingly. When all was said and done, and she asked for questions, the boy responded immediately. "I have one question, what does A&F ventures do, e-exactly." The question came out of his mouth before he even realized. His stutter was due to him realizing that he was asking a question to a stranger half way through. His face instantly grew red and his eyes moved to the floor. There he was, fidgeting again like a guilty pup.

---

76

[Deleted]

She listened to the peasant as he mentioned the necessity of tents and sleeping bags, and she found nothing wrong with his logic. He brought up the necessity of lanterns, and while she agreed that they were easier to carry around than a campfire, it gave her inspiration for her own potential contribution. She drifted off a bit as the drokagr began speaking she caught the general idea of the mission, but she was working out the arcane furmulae in her mind. Details, details, blah blah... allocated budget 5000 ritz... blah bl... and she choked on her tea. The formula put on hold, the drokagr had her full attention. With that much money she would be able to make some amazing things. Her mind raced at all the possibilities.

She had no problem signing the contract, the terms sounded quite fair, and it was more than she had expected... already much more and they hadn't even left yet. "I only have one question, is there some place around here where I can set up shop for the next couple of days. I would like the opportunity to create some of my own equipment with the provided funds." As she waited for a response the formula kind of worked itself out in the back of her mind. She pulled out her dagger, perhaps she could at least give it a try...

---

Attempting to enchant the dagger into a light source...
Arcane Magic I; Thaumaturgy I; Artificing I
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Skill save: threshold 10 ·

[Tyr]

The growing list of required items brought a wider smile to Tyr's face. Every part of it was right up the Shaper's alley. Being able to have his creations proven in the field would boost his own confidence in ability, and add to the reputation of his creations. Having someone else's money to burn in the creation of such things was a strange idea though. The funds he was being provided were almost insignificant, but it seemed like it might be rude not to use them. Such a weird circumstance. As everyone took their moment asking questions Tyr muddled over a few points of the plan, head bent in study of the map. He did indeed have a few ideas.

"Do we have horses available? With time I could get the wood together for a cart. Packing provisions would be simple then, with space left over for whatever treasures we might happen upon." Backpacks would be similarly useful here. The Central Market sold leather didn't it? "I could make some decent travel packs for our little adventure as well..." It was then he chose to look up and saw the dagger out in the open, and his smile vanished. It was a bit disconcerting. Why brandish a weapon in the middle of a tea shop?

"Excuse me miss, do you need help with that blade?" There was a dark tone to Tyr's voice, a sort of dismissal coupled with the best commanding tone the Duke could muster. This wasn't just some seedy tavern, weapons weren't required among such polite company. "I'm sure there would be a better time, yes?"