The frozen hearts of Alleria Prime

[Jarradium]

Timestamp: Early Winter of Era I of the Celestine Mandate (current Pattern), Era XIII Post Fractum.


The winter was beginning to settle in over prime and already the chills of the night had claimed a couple of older lives of the poor. The frosted streets at night were else quiet and dark as many of the lamps along the streets went out prematurely. However, there weren't many foolish enough to go out at night and risk, at the least, catching a nasty cold. No, at night, most of the citizens both great and small retired and rested until the day begun.

However, not everyone was sane and not everyone was smart. In fact, there were some that were trying to make opportunities in the darkness and cold. Winter, despite its cold, was the perfect time for people to travel at night and not be seen. The hobbits were out in number. They had a big plan ahead of them, one which they intended to see through to the end.

So they moved on to the tavern where they were to meet up and scout for targets. The Crown Inn and Tavern was the only place which remained open all night during the winter and the only place where people would go to for warmth and safety. So the halflings, all 6 of them made their way to a table and each ordered a pint of beer with which to drink and proe their manliness to one another. Each wore rather simple clothing. Rugged up with a thick coat, and a simple shirt, their hands were coverd with leather gloves to improve their grip and keep them warm against Winter's caress.

No one paid them any heed as they went about their drinking and talking. They seemed to be not a threat at all, and not worthy of notice by most. However, they noticed everyone around them, gauging whether or not they would be a worthy target for tonight's big plan. Tonight, the grand theft they had been planning was going to take place.

[Gopal Pappu]

It was a little nippy out. Cold? That was pushing it a little bit. Sure, he had been playing games with those little clouds that formed out of his own breath all brightening, and since the suns set it had only gotten colder. But, he was used to to such cold. Nothing rips warmth from bones as cold water, and unlike most creatures out this darkening Gopal was fortified against such col waters. Compared to that chill, this was a minor discomfort.

The cold posed no problem, but Gopal did have a problem. What is there for a recent immigrant (and wearer of puffy clothing) to do on darkenings when he cannot sleep? Well, the obvious answer was go to the Crown Inn and Tavern. And getting lost in a strange city is an activity best left for when the suns shine in the sky to guide one home, the stars often lie about the very short distances.

Once he arrived at the famed establishment, dragging his favorite new toy behind him, he had a vast selection of tables and peoples to play with. One group stood out. A collection of the short ones, not the G-ones... the other ones. You know, the ones that were half a big as the big ones... What were they called again?

Whatever, they were there and Gopal had questions. He meandered though the crowd, simultaneously at a good clip and stopping to smell the roses as only the Otter-folk can. When he finally reached the table, after a most circuitous trip, he set his new favored toy firmly on the floor. Leaning on the massive pole-arm (which was about a head taller than he himself) he looked down (but not that far down) upon he collected denizens of the table.

"What'cha doin'?" was the first question out of his mouth. It was fairly obvious that the very fuzzy young Lutran was getting dangerously close to start asking a battery of questions that wouldn't end for several brightenings. Though they wouldn't know it yet, Gopal was very interesting in how Halflings managed to travel so fast with such short legs.