P94


94 Squabbling johnb (Admin)
Ravn's group stands discussing the nature of human existence and the role that men and women play in it, while Mandrake fiddles with the door. After a brief inspection he announces that it is not trapped and opens it a crack. At the other building Kerim and Callum still dither at the foot of the ladder, while Rolf and Madelyn look on.
Yippie I'm back. Kerim Alakani
Kerim smiles at Callum. "Effendi, you do not offend me, besides it is wisdom that say I should go first. No offence but the grace you possess at times is best left for the pack." picking up a little on past events in the group. Kerim sheaths his sword, pulls out his Katar (small punching dagger) holding it between his teeth, making the image of a marauding pirate almost complete. He gives Callum another smile, tests the ladder for stability briefly and then ascends it to whatever treasures or danger lies above, still managing a smile somehow.
The Ladder johnb (Admin)
Ah, a test for stability, not for strength. As it was the Ladders saved vs Kerim with a 16 . So .. The ladder creaks as Kerim climbs up it and at one point an ominous crack resounds around the room, as a rung almost fails, but Kerim manges to scramble past it safely. All there is on the mezzanine floor is the three empty barrels that he could see from the ground.
What's behind door no.1? Ravn Ashengrey
"Excellent, good Mandrake!" Ravn pats the gnome appreciatetively on the shoulder. "Now let us see what hides beyond!" He pushes the door open with the blunt end of his spear and peeks inside.
behind the door .. johnb (Admin)
As Ravn peeks through the door he sees a corridor running across in front of him. There are two doors, one hanging slightly open the other closed, in the opposite wall.
Easy does it Ravn Ashengrey
Carefully prodding the floor with the butt end of his spear, Ravn moves through the door, peeking briefly to the left down the corridor as he moves across to examine the hanging door on the other side, to the right. The rune caster is happy to be a little distance away from the argumentative women and their seemingly incessant need for something to bitch about - and preferably the ways of men, apparently. He smiles at the weakening sound of their voices and gently prods the door open. Now, let's see what we have here..?
Ravn's door ... johnb (Admin)
... creaks open as he pushes it. Inside is a sparsely appointed bed chamber - a single bed, chair and desk with ewer and bowl, a manekin armour rack and a various (empty) sword and shield holders attached to the walls. Above the table is a stylised painting of a bearded man's head. The bed is neatly made, but the room is covered in dust.
The Goddess of War Edgar
Outside, Edgar picks up on something Elsbeth said to Master Ravn. "You must tell me more about the Morrigan ... when it is more convenient, of course," he adds, knowing this is neither the time or the place, but wishing his interest be known.
All clear Kerim Alakani
Kerim, looks disinterestedly about the barrels, wrinkling his nose as the anticipation of a find has gone. Before any more can ascend he is down in a jiffy, not the type where a rung gives way I hope. Once down he heads off to Rolf to report his finding, or lack thereof. "Effendi warden, one might assume from the lack of all that we find that whomsoever that dwelt here once had time indeed to plan their departure, had such a vessel that could bear the larger part of their belongings. There is little left and no sign of struggles. Surprised I can't be that little else could dwell here with that Siren and her chicks. The brood indeed would demand much food and one might assume the area clear for as far as they might bother to fly within half a days flight." Kerim looks at the bothered Warden, having listened on this and previous occasions to his concerns regarding leadership and decides to offer his advice. "As warden have you not the power to appoint others to station of rank or duty and thus divest the task of burdening all the worry? Of us here, few are in service, most by self invite. Burden not yourself with our personal dilemma's, the duty you bear is to the land." Kerim nods slightly to Rolf "Indeed I have your lords benefit of levy rights, though need be known travel be better than the desk my family wishes."
Instructing the instructor? Elsbeth
Elsbeth smiles at the bird. "And I was thinkin' I should be askin' ye for more on the Goddess!" she replies with a laugh. "It would be my honor, little friend. I'm thinkin' we'll both be learnin' from that!"
I'm somewhat returned Rolf
Rolf waits patiently with Madelyn as the others go about their business of searching and guarding. He shares with her but a few words, enjoying a quiet time with her near. The peace is interrupted by Kerim, who returns with a report. Rolf's features stiffen again, assuming the guise of the group leader, not the unschooled youth his feelings for Madelyn turn him into. He nods in response to Kerim's report. He'd not been expecting to find much of use other than shelter. The town looked to be fallen due to disrepair, not destruction, more likely peacefully abandoned, not fled. As Kerim speaks of Rolf's duty, the warden listens patiently, though it's clear that the words have little affect to the stern ranger. "My thanks for your advice, friend Kerim, but Sir Richard has placed a charge upon me. It is not my place to pass that charge onwards, even in part."
Agreed Kerim Alakani
Kerim bows slightly to Rolf, contentedly accepting Rolf's decision, "Indeed Effendi Warden Rolf, the choice is yours as you see. It is certain indeed you know best how your duty lies, not I. I have only the view of an outsider, a view I thought might perhaps by chance bring upon you relief from your burden. Troubled you are, this I can see plainly." Kerim nods slightly again to Rolf, this time smiling. "Now to business." he says, looking out at the ship on the water. "A fine scout we have in the mystical Raven that has the tongue of a human. Believe I do that we can make fair advance now the siren's are despatched. It is said that never making it to market shall win you no sale." Kerim still smiles, standing aside Rolf and looking about wondering where everyone else has gotten themselves to.
Snooping some more Ravn Ashengrey
Ravn passes a thoughtful remark to himself as well as to his twain companions in the doorway as he moves down to the end of the corridor where yet another door conceals a room or more. "Most odd mixture of practices, I think, you should see for yourselves - the rooms, bedchambers by the looks of it, have paintings of godly images, Norse gods mind you. In my homelands, one would never PAINT a god but rather carve the image into rock or wood or something durable like that. Paintings are for artwork and boasty proclamations in a king's hall. To me, this suggests that this must have been the residence of someone of Norse blood whose ways was already then influenced by another culture - or someone who ran out of rock." He rubs his thin beard in thought. "Then there is the choice of motive. Whereas in the North people align themselves mostly with all the gods and none in particular - except for the priests, of course - these schamber seem dedicated to separate gods: Forseti alone in one, then Heimdall's seeding along with Odin's quest and Balder's revival - the combination makes little sense to me other than speaking of mankind's birth, life-long quest for knowledge, and the promise of being recalled from Hel, but this is a most untraditional interpretation of the sagas. Much more so for not speaking a word of Raganarök. Most untraditional.." The rune caster thinks aloud some more as he nears the door at the end of the corridor, still prodding the floor with his spearend. "The first chamber must have been that of the gothi chieftain seeing himself as a bringer of justice and peace, yes. The second chamber then that of someone schooled in the tradition, well, at least enough to construe a creation theory of his own - a caster like myself, mayhaps? Likely. Then behind this door must be.." The tocking of his staff against the floor stops as he realizes. "By Odin, Thor and Frey! The Court of Gods! Could it be...?" He carefully opens the door, full of anticipation, and looks inside...