I'm Drue in Town

Log Info

• Title: I'm Drue in Town

• Emitter: Ravenstongue

• Characters: Ravenstongue, Drue

• Place: A07 - Lower Alexandria Market District

• Summary: Pothy wants fresh snacks, so it's off to the Market! Ravenstongue and Pothy meet Drue there and they chat about the things going on in and around Alexandria recently. Eventually, Pothy finishes his snack, and Ravenstongue encourages Drue to seek out the Explorers' Guild to start contributing.

-=--=--=--=--=--=<* A07: Lower Alexandria Market District *>-=--=--=--=--=--=-

Just west of the Northern Highbridge and east of the arena, commerce blooms. Noisy and bustling, most anything may be purchased here for a price. Vendors from all cultures sell their wares from exotically colored carts, and the smells of different nations and far-off city-states mix with local ones from Alexandria and its riverbanks.

For all its commerce, visitors are advised to keep hold of their purses. Even the merchants possess a certain, cunning look. Most are positioned at carts or stalls as opposed to a formal storefront, with trade here being mobile, and visiting from all parts of the world.

Though the quality of goods suffers here compared to Upper Alexandria, the options are more diverse. Too, the oversight of the Watch is slightly less, and during times events are held at the Arena, chaos abounds. After dark, the square becomes a hangout for bards and other entrepreneurs whose business is best conducted by night; the shadows at the edges of the square often contain furtive figures engaging in their own brand of business.

-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=- Dramatis Personae =--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-    
Drue                 6'2"     172 Lb     Human             Male          6'2", human male with brown hair, amber-hued eyes.                         
Ravenstongue         5'0"     99 Lb      Half-Elf          Female        Short half-elf girl with violet eyes and black hair. 
-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-

It's a beautiful winter afternoon in the Lower Markets, which is to say that the blue sky, free of clouds to hide Daeus's brilliant rays, is enough to lure people out of their houses despite the freezing wind that carries drifts of snow with it from time to time.

A half-elf dressed in a comfortable wool dress and cloak for the winter wanders the marketplace, although her steps truthfully do have a purpose to them. The white raven on her shoulder peers at the various food stalls with an intense gaze, his blue eyes honing in one one particular vendor. "Snacks," he says.

"You want to try that one today? Okay, Pothy," the half-elf woman replies, coming up to the vendor. The person working the stall gives them both a familiar greeting and a sample of chicken and roasted vegetables on a stick for the raven to consume. Apparently, this is a ritual of theirs.

Walking through the square with a slow, comfortable stride is Drue. He's dressed in simple but well-made clothing, flowing with bright colors all under a thicker cloak to ward off the worst of the chill. With his gaze taking in the square he makes his way towards the vendor stalls, nodding to Ravenstongue as he stands nearby. "Greetings. It's a wonderful day, all things considered right?" Looking to the stall and the vendor running it he gives a nod, waiting his turn.

"Wonderful day, all things considered," the white raven mimics, an almost perfect imitation of Drue's voice. This earns him a little look from Ravenstongue, who just shakes her head and giggles.

"Sorry, Pothy likes to imitate people from time to time if they use words that match up with how he's feeling," the half-elf woman replies. "It's a nice day indeed. Just wish that spring would hurry up already."

Her violet gaze returns to look at Pothy. "What's the verdict? Are we actually ordering something from here or getting another sample elsewhere?"

Pothy considers this for a moment. Then he nods. "Ordering," he says, mimicking Ravenstongue's words.

There is a look to Pothy and Drue laughs. "Indeed." Looking to Raven next he nods, "Yeah I could go for some warmer weather. Though there is good in all things with moderation I guess." Looking up to the sky and letting the warmth of the sun wash over his features he nods.

"What's on sale here today? Something warm and filling we'd hope right?" Reaching for the pouch at his waist he pulls it free and opens it to look within. "Perhaps some tea would go well with something."

Ravenstongue gestures to the chicken and vegetable kebabs, practically stuffed from end-to-end on their sticks, that are grilling in front of them at the stall. "Well, I'm about to get one of those for Pothy, and they're a favorite of ours since they're pretty cheap and filling. Pothy will eat anything, but since we came to this city, he's become a little whimsical about what he wants to eat on a day-to-day basis." Ravenstongue smirks as she looks back at Pothy on her shoulder. "You used to eat whatever I put in front of you, you little pit."

"Snacks!" Pothy says. He will not confirm nor deny this, apparently.

Ravenstongue looks to Drue. "I'll get you one too, if you'd like? Got more than enough money from my last adventure," she says.

Drue grins then nods to Raven. "I don't think it's polite to turn down an offer like that. Thank you. I'll make sure to return the favor by securing a drink for you and your friend. Just tell me what you'd both want." Looking between the pair of them he laughs softly adding, "Though I'm guessing Pothy there doesn't drink ale or the like?"

Suddenly seeming unsure of his own take on the bird, the man studies it for a moment before looking back to Raven. "Though from this conversation, I'm thinking I could be wrong." Grinning he looks to the vendor then back to o Raven, "I'm Drue."

"He's not really one for alcohol, surprisingly," Ravenstongue says, smiling as she looks at Pothy. "And I'm not much for drinking, either. So just water will be fine for us both."

The half-elf looks back to Drue and nods. "You can call me Ravenstongue, or Cor'lana," she says. "They mean the same thing, roughly. The raven's Apotheosis, but that's a mouthful, so he's just Pothy."

She briefly turns to the stall worker and orders two kebabs, which are quickly finished off and handed to her. She holds one out to Drue and the other's held out for Pothy. The bird eats astonishingly quickly, his beak snapping around the chicken and vegetables and tearing them off the stick.

"Are you an adventurer too?" Ravenstongue asks after a moment. "I know most active adventurers here, but sometimes I meet a new one and it's exciting." She smiles.

Drue nods to the pair at hearing the introduction. Smiling to the bird he then nods to Raven in greeting. When handed the kebab he smiles wider and lifts it in thanks to the vendor as well. "Smells great." Looking back to Raven he doesn't eat even as Pothy quickly devours his own. Instead, it appears the human is waiting for Raven to have her food as well.

"I am an adventurer though I've been away in deep meditation and training for some time. I've thought it now time to explore once more. Find where things will lead me." Shrugging a bit he looks back to her, "But if you need companions in your future adventures, I could potentially be of help."

"We'll see what adventures bring," Ravenstongue says with a smile. "I end up traveling with a lot of the same people for the most part--not by choice but by sheer fate, it seems. Life is funny like that."

She doesn't seem interested in sharing Pothy's kebab--and it well and certain could be called Pothy's kebab, as he is almost halfway through it and shows no sign of stopping. But she doesn't appear to notice Drue waiting on her to eat, or at the very least, doesn't comment on it.

"I've only been in Alexandria for just a bit short of a year," Ravenstongue elaborates, "but I've gone on a few expeditions with the guild since then. All very enlightening. Odd things are happening as of late, so I say we need people more than ever."

Drue nods as he listens to Raven speak. "A year is a good amount of time when one is adventuring. I'm sure a lot has happened in that time." Still not touching his kebab, he doesn't look at it or comment as he waits. "I'd be curious to learn more of those odd happenings."

Finally looking to his kebab he smiles then holds it out in offering to her when he realizes she's not eating. "Please, eat. It's not polite for me to eat if you're not. I'll get myself some tea." Nodding in her direction to show he means what he's saying he adds, "We can sit and chat more."

Ravenstongue smiles politely as she shakes her head. "Ah, no, please, don't worry about me eating. I am... Well, it's a long story, but I have a... Let's call it a 'condition' that causes most food on the mortal plane to taste almost flavorless. I usually eat my fill at home before I bring Pothy out to the market."

She indicates a table nearby with a sweep of her hand as she sits down. "As for the strange happenings... Well, there's a number of them I can discuss. There's been much that has happened in this past year. Most with a talent for spellcasting were experiencing awful nightmares until a few nights ago," Ravenstongue says. "The statue of the Princess in the Memorial Gardens was found defaced a few days ago, as well."

Drue works out getting himself a small wooden plate to rest the kebab on that he puts on the table. There is a quick exchange with the vendor that leads to some tea for the man and water for Raven and her bird. Placing the mugs down he settles in and nods to Raven, listening to her words. "This plane? Where..." Trailing off he doesn't press for more information on that.

Instead he listens to the rest of what she has to say, cupping his hands around the warmth of his steaming mug. "Strange. No one knows what it means I'm assuming?" Tilting his head a bit to the side he thinks over the situation. "Did the dreams all have meaning that you heard?"

"I'm feytouched," Ravenstongue says, choosing to address the first statement. "I have fey ancestry, and my exposure to Quelynos and my fey ancestor recently means I've undergone some physical changes. I say that because, well, demonic activity has been an issue as of late--so people are relieved to learn I'm being influenced by the fey and not by fiendish agents."

Pothy finishes his kebab, leaving behind only the stick. Not a single sinew of cooked meat or piece of vegetable remains. His pale beak is, however, a little colored with vegetable residue. Ravenstongue wipes it off him with a simple prestidigitation cantrip. "I experienced the nightmares," Ravenstongue says, looking back at Drue. "Everyone reported that they felt like they were being hunted. That was the case for me, too. But I was one of the first to experience the catalyst."

Her violet eyes go deadly serious as she says, "I believe the Tyrant sent the nightmares to us, because I was there when he threatened us in that first dream. I consulted with Archmage Mikilos, who was there too, and he confirmed it."

"I see," Drue says with a slight nod of his head, showing that he's paying attention and listening. The talk of fey ancestry seems to draw his attention, his gaze shifting from Raven to her bird then back, a smile following as she speaks of it not her connection to fiendish agents. The smile fades as she speaks of those nightmares, his lack of information on this topic making him much more interested in learning more.

"Wow... That's some pretty terrible stuff." Frowning, he sips his tea then pushes the plate closer to Raven and Pothy for either of them to eat. "So the question that follows is what is the best course of action from here? Fight back?"

Ravenstongue doesn't take the plate. Pothy, however, happily takes it. The half-elf wasn't kidding when she called her raven a bottomless pit, it appears.

"That's the thing," Ravenstongue says, a note of confusion in her voice. "The nightmares just abruptly stopped a few days ago. Then the Princess's statue was defaced. Some of us believe that the Tyrant's son, the Nightmare, is responsible. Or so Mikilos seems to believe."

She reaches out and pats Pothy on his silky white back feathers, the bird croaking happily as he's pet. "It's too soon to act. We need to know more."

Drue is happy enough with his steaming tea. Searching Ravenstoungue's features as she speaks, he nods his head then says softly back, "Makes sense. Figure out what's really going on before reacting. Though if those with spellcasting were the only ones with strange dreams, I wonder what that would mean for trying to use spells to investigate the source of the trouble."

Looking down to his tea he studies the steaming contents within his mug for a long moment. "I'm not sure how I could help or if I can, but if you need people, I'd try to help where I can."

"Anyone can help, Drue," Ravenstongue says softly, offering Drue a reassuring smile. "I'm nowhere near as accomplished a magician as Mikilos, for instance, but there's always something that can be done. You don't need to be the best warrior or the best spellcaster to make an impact. Sometimes just having an extra set of eyes to look at books or marching into a relatively innocuous cave to retrieve an artifact saves time for the powerful people."

She finally takes a sip of her water. Once she sets her cup back down, Pothy drinks from her cup. The half-elf doesn't seem to mind. "The issue with spellcasting is part of why we're being so cautious," she says to Drue, addressing his earlier point. "Wasn't that long ago that we were dealing with a demon duke. Summoning and teleportation magic is banned in the city as a result now."

Drue nods, "Yeah that makes sense. That's what I meant. I can help in the mundane sense without the magic." Smiling he lifts his cup and sips at the tea within. Slowly lowering it back to the table he listens to the rest of what Raven has to say. "I can't even imagine facing something so terrible and powerful. A demon duke must be a fearsome enemy." Shaking his head he smiles, "But yeah. Sign me up."

"Then you should make contact with the Explorers' Guild, if you haven't already," Ravenstongue says. "They're the people that handle the adventuring contracts, typically. Or you could speak to someone at the Temples of Althea and Eluna--the poor people at the Temple of Eluna had their hands full when the nightmares were in full force."

She pats Pothy on his little fluffy head again, the raven croaking. "Have you gotten your fill?" she asks him, then she rolls her eyes. "What am I saying. Of course you didn't. I'll have to bring you back home so you don't bankrupt me."

She looks back to Drue and smiles. "I ought to get going, but it was nice to speak with you, Drue."

Drue nods his head and replies to Raven, "I'll do that. Great idea." Pushing out of his seat he stands when Ravenstongue speaks of getting on her way. It's a polite gesture that is followed by a nod of his head to her and her bird. "It was a pleasure to meet you both. I look forward to working with you or chatting more in the days and nights ahead." Smiling he waits for her to take her leave before he will return to his seat and his tea.