Sylvia folds her arms across her chest and smirks. "Hm. I tell you what... Why don't you decide if he's worthy of joining the guild. Consider it one of your first tasks as Guild Protector. Determine if he would be a benefit to the guild. Give him a task of some kind to determine if he's got what it takes to join us."

She shrugs one shoulder. "If you need an idea of how to test him, you could have him fetch components for us or craft an item of some kind. I leave it in your capable hands, Guild Protector."

Read More...

Zuigrii aproaches before talking. “Fighting is constant but the lines are holding steady. That last shipment should get there before things get too desperate. As for my friends, that’s actually what I wanted to talk to you about. One of the newer members of the party is looking to join the guild. He knows the basics of armor and weapon working and some about working with raw hides and leather. He’s also a skilled alchemist. I don’t know what you would want to do with him but he’s out front. If you want to go talk to him I can take over here for a little bit.”

Read More...

As the ward lowers and the cacophony of sounds explodes out of the guild, there is one voice booming above the noise.

"Get yer ass-! No no no! You hit it like this! Like this! These men need weapons and armor NOW! We don't have time to redo things!"

A tall woman with long blonde hair tied back loosely to keep it out of her face is hammering away at a sword. "Alright. See here? See where it's warped? Don't do that! This is how you do it."

She hammers down hard a few more times before she passes the hammer off to a sweaty young man who is nodding quickly. "Yes ma'am! I see now!"

"Good! Now fix it! We don't have time for mistakes!" She steps away from the forge and looks up, wiping her brow. 

She spots Zuiigri and nods to him. "What are you doing here? I expected you'd be on the front lines with the other Heroes. Ah. Or you need something?"

 

Zuigrii chuckles before saying “We’re at war. Weapons and armor are in constant need of repair but no need to worry about tools. We have plenty. If you want to step inside I’ll go get the guild mistress so we can get you working on things. Help is definitely needed these days.”

As they enter the guild there are soldiers milling about in the lobby area. Some are freshly bandaged, some are resting in the chairs around the room or against the wall, and some are preparing to rejoin the fray. Zuigrii points to an area Morris can wait before lowering the wards and stepping through. For the few moments that the wards are lowered, a cacophony of metal banging and scraping can be heard from the workshop. 

Read More...

He looks her over quickly and nods. "Hm. Well, if you are the fighting type, we could always use an extra hand there. If you're not..."

He suddenly stiffens for a moment before he chuckles. "My apologies. I'm being rude. I should probably introduce myself first before recruiting you to the defense of the town, eh?"

He clears his throat and dips his head to her.

"You may call me Julien. I've been helping defend the town and the barony of Seshtau. I'm a little..." His words drift off and he shakes his head. "Anyways, who might you be? And forgive me for being blunt in asking but can you fight? Do you fight?"

Read More...

Julien squeezes her hand in his. "I-"

He hangs his head and sighs. "I suppose we have been busy, haven't we? I honestly can't remember the last time I-" He clears his throat before lifting his gaze to meet Jade's again. "I know we've both been fighting the invasion so how about we take a break?"

He steps a little closer to Jade. "You need rest if you're going to keep fighting them. Everyone should be safe here so how about we head upstairs?"

Storm raises her hand. "Got a spare room for us? Just long enough for the sun to go down. Then we can head back to Volaire."

Julien looks back at her and nods. He turns, without releasing Jade's hand, and waves someone over.

"See to our friends here. Escort them to the portal if they wish to head back to Volaire, otherwise, get them a room so they may rest."

The Seshtaun nods and turns to the others, waiting for someone to approach them.

Julien returns his attention to Jade. "Have you eaten? Maybe I could make you a relaxing tea and we can eat while we take a break."

Storm looks to the Seshtaun. "Can we get a room til sundown?"

The Seshtaun nods and gestures towards a hall. "If you'll follow me."

"Come on, Saige." Storm shrugs to gently nudge the wild elf. 

Read More...

Jade holds Julien's hand in hers. She weaves their fingers together.

"Selfishly, I want you to stay. I think it would be best for the elders to stay close by in this time."

Jade looks down at their hands and then back up to Julien.

"I miss you as well. We have both been so busy."

Read More...

"Holding." He says with a nod. "They were pushed back some initially but they have been holding steady since with the assistance of the Graveyard's undead."

Storm, standing a bit behind Jade with Saige slumped over her shoulder, jerks her chin. "How is the road to Kog'Thrak?"

Julien glances back at the draconian. "Last I heard from Volaire was that they were holding steady as well after an initial pushback. But I have no clue if the road to the village is safe so I would ere on the side of caution and avoid it if possible."

Julien glances around at the gathered faces before looking back at Jade. "I was going to go check on things in Volaire. I think Calliope will be safest here so long as the fighting stays outside of Umrbis. Unless you need me elsewhere?" He reaches out and takes Jade's hand, giving it a light squeeze. "I will go wherever you need me."

Storm leans over to whisper to Saige. "Want to go hang out in Volaire until we're needed? I could use a nap."

Read More...

She pauses quickly, letting out a slight gasp.

"Oh.. hello. Yes, I guess you could say that... It seems I'm stuck here until this "surrounding" is over"

She pauses to scan his appearance, somehow intrigued and anxious both at once.
Her tail displays a slight sway.

"Do you perhaps know where I should go? Being a 'newcomer'. Or should I just.. roam about?"

Read More...

Not long after Velithra removes her hood and begins walking back through town, a figure approaches her. He is wearing a green tunic with dark brown pants and a favor with black and red on his hip as well as dual daggers sheathed on each side. He has blonde hair tied back into a ponytail, a purple chaos star on his neck, and his eyes are dark and sunken. 

He smiles as he reaches her. "Hi there! I notice you seem... A little lost. Are you new to town?" 

 

The elf hums once, replying after only a brief pause of consideration "I know the basics of both weaponsmithing and armor-craft, most of my experience in that realm has been maintaining my equipment. I thought it likely there were enough experienced smiths here that I would be in the way if I focused my attention that way, so I didn't bring my tools for such with me for"

Read More...

Zuigrii takes a second and looks the elf over. “I know you have a proficiency in alchemy and I see you at least appear to have some knowledge about leather based on your tools. Can you do anything else? Any other handy skills you have? Even just the fundamentals is fine. I’m more than happy to introduce you to the guild mistress. I just need to know what all to tell her before I send you to her.”

Read More...

Jade looks exhausted and battle worn. Her skirt and face are smeared with dried blood and swamp muck. She returns a small hug and nods.

"We got them out. But I think it was a distraction to start the onslaught. How is the front line?"

Read More...

The bearded elf pauses, waving back, and gives a moment for the beastkin to get the barrel set down and the members directed before he fully approaches.

"Good to see you again, Zuigrii. I find myself unoccupied and feel I could be of use here. Who would I speak to about that given the..."
He'd gesture around to the hub of activity
"...Preferably in a more formal sense, so I don't have to do this each time I am free to help."

Read More...

As soon as Jade and crew return to the embassy, not even a full minute after the doors have shut behind them, the embassy doors burst open once again.

Julien steps into the embassy. His clothes and Sehstau favor are spattered with fresh and dried blood and he wields two different daggers in each hand.

He immediately begins barking orders. ”I need a warded room! NOW!”

The Seshtaun behind the desk jumps to their feet with a nod and rushes off.

Julien steps aside, holding the door open with his back, and people flood the embassy.

First to enter are Roman, Calliope, and Korenai. Calliope is doubled over and moaning with deep breaths while Roman and Korenai support her on either side. Julien continues to wave people with Hatilaja markings inside and everyone is either armed or paired with someone who is armed. They rush inside and begin forming a shield around the entrance of the embassy while the trio steps further into the common room.
Julien releases the door to someone else, sheathes his daggers, and charges through the main room at the same moment the Seshtaun from the desk returns.

“This way Lord Julien!”

Julien nods to them and turns to Roman. ”Go with them!”

Roman gives no indication he heard and instead begins walking with Calliope and Korenai down the hall with the Seshtaun.

That is when Julien finally notices Jade.

”JADE!” He turns to her and rushes up, throwing his arms around her for a brief hug before he pulls back again. ”Leib Olmai started sending out constructs and pushed our line back again. I thought it best to move our people back to the embassy for the time being. Calliope just went into labor.”

He looks her over. ”Are you okay? Did you save them?”

Read More...

The smoke billowing out of the chimneys is the first sign that can be seen of the hive of activity that is the artisan’s guild. Approaching the door, a cart can be seen getting loaded with repaired arms and armor to return to the frontlines. Zuigrii can be seen carrying an entire barrel of arrows by himself to the cart before sending it off. As he notices Morris approaching he waves to him as he starts directing members back to work inside. 

Read More...

Morris... is the thoughtful sort. One who normally does not act without at least some consideration, unless pressed to. However, when the Heroes return from the Gathering of the month of Vaelora, and he knows he won't be able to return to his preferred comfortable camp... He decides to put his skills to use. He knows the artisans are going to need as many hands as they can get to help weather the siege, and that merely joining a guild does not bind him to stay in one place for too long... and with him unable to safely pursue his private endeavors, he opts to travel towards the Artisans guild. dressed for alchemical work and keeping his tanning tools on his hip as well, in case those are more relevant for whatever reason.

As he approaches, he eyes the exterior, a light hum on his lips.

Read More...

She growls lightly out of frustration, looking down. She ponders for a moment before sighing.

"I.. suppose I should just stay then, hm?"

Her tail swishes a few times before she walks back towards the town. She pauses to look around, gripping her belt.
She then continues on into town, following the unknown paths upon her.

She takes down her hood, her ears perking up, perplexed at all the sounds surrounding her.

Read More...

Zukar listens quietly and then nods at the dismissal.

"Right. Of course." Zukar pushes up out of the chair. "Thank you for taking the time to speak with me Baroness. I hope I was of some assistance."

He bows deeply at the waist and then turns to leave the office, waiting for the ward to be lowered.

Zukar exits the Baroness' office, back straight and chin high. He exits the Seshtau embassy...

And steps into the Foresetidale embassy, arms raised.

Immediately, eyes stop on his face and murmurs break out.

"Is that-?"

"Is he crazy?!"

"What is he doing here?!"

A couple of guards look to one another before they break away from their stations and walk up to Zukar. They exchange glances once more before pulling out a pair of shackles.

“Lor-” The guard clears his throat. “Tristan, you realize you are trespassing, right?”

Zukar nods. “I am.”

The guards exchange looks one more time before one of them reaches up to take Zukar's arms and begins shackling his wrists together. 

The guard mumbles. “Man, what are you doing here?”

“I need to speak with Warlord Shi’Kari.” Zukar declares.

“You know she hates you. She hates your whole family. Why-?” The other guard leans in and murmurs to him.

“It is about the safety of the kingdom.” Tristan says clearly.

The guards take him by the arms and begin walking him through the embassy towards the cells.

“Alright then. Your funeral.” The guard shakes his head as they disappear further into the embassy.
 

Read More...

Jade sighs as she sees Zukar melt in front of her.

"Now that I have a diffrent truth in front of me I was already shifting my opinions in my head. I am still wary of them, so don't misunderstand that. But I am open to a different approach now."

Jade lowers her hands to her lap and softens her gaze.

"All we can do now is wait. I have already told Jedash to reach out to me if he needs help with their current situation. I am aware now of what is happening. So until they come to me saying that they need help, my main focus will be the war."

Jade straightens herself in her chair.

"Unless there is more you wish to discus, I think you should probably go see to Vesta. You know how these things weigh heavily on her heart."

Read More...