The Sorcerer and the Cup (Xyltha)

Crimson · July 3, 2008, 10:28 PM

Timestamp: The third cycle of Melora. Winter, Era XV Post Fractum.
During The Regency of Milo L'Evienne

The coffee maker greeted Xyltha with a wave of his hand before pouring some of the hazel colored liquid into a separate cup and handing it to the elf lord. Then, he plucked one of the cookies sitting in a basket next to him and passed it to Xyltha. Surprisingly, the cookie was still very warm, almost as if it was just pulled out of the oven. "Enjoy!", he said brightly with a tough of a chuckle in his voice.

"Tell me, Master Elf, what brings you to my side of the Quarter? Do you work, study, or live around here?" His eyes, bright and pleasant, seemed to relish in the small talk and his curly brows only bounced whenever he chuckled, laughed, or simply spoke.

Xyltha Thanole · July 10, 2008, 05:47 PM

Xyltha gladly accepted the cup of hazel coloured liquid, nicely warmed and aromatic. The delicious fragrance of freshly brewed coffee filled his senses. He accepted the cookie as well with a big grin.

"Thank you, sir." He nibbled at the edge of the cookie, letting the morsel crumble in his mouth. The nutty aftertaste went well with a sip of coffee too. As he set his cup down, he replied to the inquisitive coffee-maker.

"Well, I live here, but I've actually started a small farm just outside town. I was just on my way to buy more provisions for the farm, when I passed by your shop, and smelled the sweet aroma of your coffee. So I thought, it's fething cold, why not have a break and settle down for a nice cup of coffee. Which is magnificent, mind you."

He took another sip from his coffee, letting the taste settle on his tongue a bit more. The elfling enjoyed savouring the taste slowly; then he nibbled on the cookie some more.

Crimson · July 17, 2008, 09:46 PM

"A farm?" the brewer echoed "how delightful! You know" he continued, his eyes wrinkling in amusement "my father used to own a farm. Grew graps. Good business. But after the Everwinter" he made a casual 'swooshing' sound as if illustrating the vineyards getting flattened by the eternal blizzards "nothing would grow. Been tryin' to figure a way to revive the old vineyard you know? But been too busy." He smiled, kindly, then contintued to stir the pot of sweet-smelling roast behind his cart.

"Glad to know you like the coffee" he replied with an inclination of his head "so what type of farm do you have? It's barely harvest season, so it's good that you're preparin'. You have any farmhands to help you yet?"

Xyltha Thanole · July 17, 2008, 11:41 PM

Sip and nibble.

Xyltha savoured the combined flavour of the afternoon snack. It was a peaceful respite from his hectic schedule as he went about busily organising his farm-preparation. He listened to the brewer, as he told his tale of paternal hardship against the Everwinter.

"Oh, really? Is it hard to grow crops around here? I just bought the farm as a hobby farm. It's really nothing big, just 5 acres. But it sure cost be a bit, for 4500 crowns! But it's well-irrigated apparently. I planned on rearing some animals, and planting some crops. Nothing concrete yet. Haven't even been there to inspect the place. Would you happen to know what grows well in Jaedaxia's cold climate?"

Sip and nibble.

"I doubt I'll need too many farmhand, being a hobby farm and all. Hmm... Maybe I'll just hire a caretaker or something. So, you turned coffee-brewer after the vineyard fell through? Must have been hard changing professions so suddenly. Why don't you hire someone to develop your vineyard, mister? If you don't have time to do it yourself."

He commiserated with the old man. Ah, but the life of a brewer wasn't all that bad, surely. But still, a life-changing event could be traumatic.

Sip and nibble.

Crimson · July 18, 2008, 01:51 PM

"Not that sudden" the brewer replied with a grin "it was my grandfather who was the farmer, remember? So between him and my father, there was enough time to find another trade." He chuckled then decided to focus on ensuring that the bottom part of his pot didn't blacken. "Hobby farms are nice, but that's some expensive land!" He made a gesture with both arms as if to further his point. "Four thousand crowns is a hefty sum. That's more or less my salary for half the era."

"I'll have some kids work on the vineyard in the Spring" he continued "too lousey a winter to start anyway. And last Era when the Everwinter finally ceased, I was out traveling. Learned a few neat tricks from local wizards and such. You like magic, young lord?" He grinned, a sparkle appearing in his eyes. "They say that the traditional spheres can only produce a single magical reaction -- araclysis they call it -- in one location, at one point in time. Correct?"

"But this magic" he produced a simple looking coin but Xyltha could see trances of odd looking symbols carved into it "can alter the Fates themselves, even Destiny if you're witty enough. Do you know its true name?"

Xyltha Thanole · July 18, 2008, 02:09 PM

Xyltha was intrigued. He had a strong interest in all things arcane; in fact one of his (less-often exercised) hobby was collecting magical artifacts. He had never heard of such a coin before. To change fate?! Well, by the looks of it, perhaps it was some Ikos involved - but that it could change fate itself would mean it was surprisingly powerful artifact.

"Wow, I've never heard of that before. What's it called? Where did you get it, Master Brewer?"

He took a closer look at the runes; yet for all his puzzling looks, he was unable to make any sense of what it meant. But then, he wasn't surprised, as he was after all beginning the foray into the arcane.

Crimson · July 18, 2008, 02:17 PM

"It is called The Secret Runes of the Ancient" the Brewer said with a hint of pride in his heavy voice "and I made this coin. Brings me good fortune and makes anything I sell a particularly good hit." He winked. "Now that you know my secrets" he chuckled "care to know another?" He leaned across his cart toward Xyltha then.

If the elf lord decided that learning another secrret was well worth his time, the brewer continued. "But seein' as I'm no warrior of the like" he shrugged "well past my youth and such" he grinned "I'm looking for a brave soul to help me fetch something that was taken from me. By bandits." He said the last part a little worriedly then glanced around to make sure that no one else was listening. "If you find me other coin" he added "I'll make a lucky coin for you free of charge! Anything you like. Better luck with the ladies? Done! Less luck for your foes? Done! Anything you like. What do you say?"

Xyltha Thanole · July 18, 2008, 07:50 PM

The elf was keen to listen more! This was a luck-changing coin after all. Just the name of it sounded impressive! Caught up by the theatrics of the brewer, Xyltha's gullible mind jumped at the opportunity to help the Brewer acquire his stolen coin. He would get one of those coins out of it!

"Really?! You make these coins? Wow, where did you learn the technique from? Yes, sure, I'll help you! What happened?! How did you lose the coin?"

He was already caught up by his imagination, his day dreaming jumping ahead of reality - what kind of coins would he ask for when he find the coin? Luck with the ladies? Against foes? Then another, unlikely request came to mind. He licked his lips, almost afraid the Brewer would say no. Well, he was almost certain he would.

"Can you teach me how to make these coins?"

Crimson · July 26, 2008, 06:52 AM

The brewer chuckled then winked. "Where I learned it is not important. What is important is your help." When Xyltha made it clear that he was willing the older man patting him strongly in the shoulder before nodding thoughtfully, though happily, to himself. "Good good! I lost the coin in the city. Wrong place, wrong time" he shrugged "not much of a fighter, you know? More of a brewer." He grinned before continuing.

"Lost it down by Freeport. You know the way? A bunch of bums rushed me when I was alone one darkening. After a quick drink with a friend. Bad luck, I say, but that's not what my two coins granted. Not protection. Though, I should remember to make one of those once I fetch the right combination for it ..." he trailed off before remembering that he now had some help to find his long lost coin.

"Yes, if you find it I'll make you a coin! With any charm you want on it! For free! Remember that my coin is larger than a golden crown with ingraved with similar looking runes to this" he pulled up the one he showed Xyltha originally then added "and the men who mugged me all have beards! And they smelled like gin! The filthy things!"

Xyltha Thanole · August 30, 2008, 10:07 AM

The elf contemplated on the information provided by the proprietor. Bearded men with gin?! A strange thought came to his mind, a certain racist association long bred into those of his ilk.

"Bearded men! They weren't dwarves, were they? Troublesome filthy rotten no-good things, they are! Which bar did you go to that night, before they rushed you? Maybe I'll be able to find some clues there."

He took another sip of his luxuriously warm, sweet coffee. The aroma was slowly starting to dampen, under the influence of the cold chilly gusts. He picked up the biscuit, and chewed on it thoughtfully, pondering the ramifications of hunting down and dealing yet again with another gang of thugs.

Trouble · September 1, 2008, 03:24 PM

"Pah! No lad, these were no dwarves." The brewer was a little startled by the hostility in Xyltha's voice. He hadn't known many dwarves, but the few he'd known had been honest enough.

"Well," The brewer started a bit sheepishly," I was out by the docks and I stopped in at the Whale's Wharf." HE continued quickly, "Not generally my sort of place, you see, but I had gone down for some fresh oysters and I was a little thirsty, and it seemed like it might be fun... I don't know if the cretins stalked me from there, or if they picked up on me somewhere between there and Freeport, but, well, the end result is the same!" He recovered from his embarrassment and smiled at Xyltha.

The Whale's Wharf was one of the more disreputable pubs in Jaedaxia, the drinking spot of Sailors, Longshoremen, Pirates and trouble makers of all sorts. It was said to be a good place to fence stolen goods or to buy them. It was said to be a good place to buy just about anything you might have a need for.

Xyltha Thanole · September 14, 2008, 04:51 AM

OOCSorry for the delay. Thanks for taking this up, Trouble.

The elf's face lit up with the intensity of one taking in all the information he could. Xyltha's mind, having refreshened with the aid of a good shot of caffeine, buzzed and whirred away as he analysed the information. The typical seedy tavern of cretins and buggeries that plagued cities empire-wide - that was his destination. Though he had not heard of the Whale's Wharf up til now, he doubted he would have much trouble finding his way there. With a few direct queries at the denizens of the seedy quarters, he would be sure to find his way in no time.

"I will get your coin back for you, my good man. Just await here in your coffee-stall, with another of those piping hot mugs for my return."

He took a last sip of the dregs in his coffee mug, the bitter taste a poignant counter to his excitement at this latest turn of events. Munching on the last morsel of his coffee roll, he waved good bye to the brewer, and headed out the door - towards the Whale's Wharf.

Trouble · September 14, 2008, 09:41 PM

Xyltha did not have any trouble finding the Whale. As he wound his way through the cold Jaedaxian streets he asked now and again for directions. Now and again he received a gruff description for directions, and on a couple occasions he received a horrified look that suggested that the implication that the subject if his question might know where the whale was was an insult of unprecedented proportions.

After finding the port itself it took no time to find the ramshackle structure with the sign half hanging and half rattling in the harsh winter wind. The port was crowded and there were people occasionally coming and going from the Whale as well. Most appeared to be rough looking seamen or dock workers. There was a man laying in the gutter at the corner of the building near a puddle of what appeared to be vomit slowly freezing on the street. As the door would swing open a whiff of smoke could be caught and a blast of noise from the din within the pub would leak out as well. Why a good man like the brewer might have been drawn to find a drink in a place like this was anyone's guess.

Xyltha Thanole · September 20, 2008, 09:33 AM

Once more, Xyltha plunged himself into the murky underworld of scallywags and thugs. He was all-too familiar by know with such disreputable environs, having had previous misadventures along similar lines, which would put him in good stead - or so he hoped. Through asking the denizens along his sojourn, he was able to discern the location of his destination, the Whale, and found it with little trouble.

Of course, now the hard bit was just beginning. The rundown place hardly looked out of place in this part of the port, and as he sidled his way gingerly past vomit and coffee-coloured stains (what in Telath's....!) towards the front door of the establishment, he could feel eyes on his person. He felt like he was sticking out like a sore thumb, what with his outlandish mannerisms and fashion sense. He shrugged off his discomfort, shouldering it like a man. He had a mission to complete, and wasn't about to leave this place without some much as a good sense of where that Lucky Coin had been taken.

Pushing open the doorway, and through the crowd of sea-going folks and other scruffy thugs alike, he made way for the barkeep. Like last time, he had half a mind to purchase a flagon or two of their best ale and start doling out portions to the other patrons in exchange for much-needed information.

Trouble · September 21, 2008, 03:07 PM

Xyltha opened the door of the Whale and was hit by a blast of smoke, thick and acrid. As his eyes adjusted to the darker interior he saw that there was a man sitting at a table to the right of the door by himself. He looked like a large man and his hair was very blond. A bit further into the bar on the right was the bar proper. It was long and made of wood. There were bottles on a shelf behind the bar. A heavy man, partially balding was wiping a glass and putting it away. Several men sat at the bar, each involved in his own drink and thoughts. To the left were tables with benches in the center of the room. There were a couple tables that had chairs and the walls were lined with shorter tables and benches. The bar had a fair crowd and the din of that crowd eased slightly upon his entering. It picked back up quickly enough when the bar crowd had collectively decided that he was an uninteresting arrival, though he did catch several sneers sent in his direction.