Open Grimoire of Dragons

[Sylph]

OOC/Sign-up thread​

In a small quiet village nestled in the forest of Targ Wood, the light of the rising sun batches it, waking few birds from their nests with it's warming glow. A few house holds in the village start to wake, business opening their doors for the day and looking over their merchandise. At the village's Inn and Pub, the Pub owner unlocks his doors for the weary travellers that came at the morning to serve them drinks, listen to stories, and hand out jobs. Upstairs from the bar area are the rooms some clans would take for the night to rest, if they have the gill to do so.

Sitting in the window of one of the rooms is the figure of a dark furred Viera looks out the window, a long pipe in her hand with white smoke wisping out. Her long ears hanging at her sides and a half intrigued look on her face. She closes her eyes and blow some smoke from her mouth and sighs softly as the sun's light creped up the wall of the Inn.

"Looks like a good morning..."

She glanced over to the few members of her clan, noting that their judge was sitting on the edge of his bed with his helmet in his lap. Eyes blurry from sleep, he glanced up at her with a soft grunt as a morning greeting. Rolling her eyes, she slips off the window pane and strolled over, ruffling his messy black hair. With a smirk, she brushes the back of her hand over his scruffy face before giving his cheek a light slap.

"Morning Maes. Ready for today big guy?" she teased, tweaking his ear to annoy him further. He gave her a half-heart glare and reached up, pulling one of her ears back. "Oh shut up Ming. Don't you have things to do today?"

She nodded, motioning to the wall that divide them from the one that joined the night before, a sly look in her eyes. "Well, why don't you wake up our new members while I tend to downstairs...never know, may recruit another member while getting something in me." she grinned. Maes snerks and gets up, pulling on her pony playfully before flicking her nose. "Just makes sure what that 'something in you' is food, less you lower your rep."

Puffing out her cheeks, she walks out of the room and down the stairs, pulling out a chair from a table and ordered a plate. Maes on the other hand left the room and strolled to the door next to their, opening it and lifts his helmet in hand, using his metal encased glove to bang on it as if it were a gong.

"Wake up!"

 

[allitersonance]

Maybe it was the magic, welling up against the inside of Aidan's skin but without a path of escape, that kept people out of his way as he paced by the walls. Maybe it was the anger rolling off him in waves. Or maybe it was just that there was a pissed off white mage stalking along, and people didn't like targeting white mages in case they ended up depending on white magic later.

That hardly helped, since the source of the problem had already come, kicked him when he was down, spat in his face, and fled, taking all of his echo herbs with them.

Not for the first time, Aidan cursed all thieves and fusiliers and moogles everywhere. Carrying the four staffs he'd wanted to use to master more illusion magic was not an invitation to steal from him, dammit. And if that fusilier hadn't cheated and sniped Aidan from a rooftop, he'd have thundagaed her so hard that the only part left of her would be that ridiculous red pom-pom.

Worse than that, they'd ruined his robes. One sleeve was torn from the bullet, and blood stained a thick line down the sleeve. The shot had merely grazed his shoulder, which Aidan knew was a good thing, but the bitch had probably been going for shattering his shoulder. And she had to get him in the morning. This wasn't going to go away on its own until night passed.

If he ever saw either of them again, it would be his turn to make a pre-emptive strike. He'd win any fair battle, of course, but if that was how they wanted to play, he'd be glad to do it in turn.

Freaking silenceshot. That ought to be banned.

 

[Sylph]

Once her plate was brought, she pokes at the eggs with her fork silently. Her ear twitched as she listened to the voices around her. There were some talking about their travels, others about what they dream about. Few made whispered comment toward her in a less than pleasing fashion. She rolled her eyes and pulled her pouch closer to her hip. brushing a finger over the fabric, she smirks when she thinks back to the day she found this beauty. It was a item with a interesting enchantment to hold many items no matter the size and still look no bigger than a coin bag.

"Gotta love magic...crafty Moogles did it again. Or maybe this was Nu Mou made....curious" she muttered under her breath, stabbing her fork into a egg and started to eat her meal with a pleased look on her face. She could hear Maes try to wake the few members that joined. Seems the fair Judge has had little luck in that.

Poor man.

 

[Aisling]

Goooong! goooong! goooong!

"Huaa!" A green Bangaa, who had been sleeping on his belly beneath the covers of his bed, sprung straight up with shock at least a foot into the air. "Hrrmmnnl," he grunted when he landed with his face into the mattress. He composed himself and, sitting upright on the bed, took his green helmet and goggles, which were hanging from one of the bedposts, and snapped them onto his face. Blinking his eyes and getting used to the now-clearly-visible world, he looked over at his new judge and saw him there, holding his helmet in his hand. That must have been the noise he heard. The Bangaa slid out of bed, picked up his cannon and slung it over his shoulder, then turned to face the judge. "Hrmmmnornin', yer honor," he said sleepily, doing his best to be polite and proper. This was his first gig in a bigger clan who actually had their own judge, and he wanted to make a good impression.

 

[Sylph]

Maes watched as the new Bangaa nearly leapt out of his hide, trying his best not the smile at the sight. He looks to the other beds, see that it wasn't worth the wake-up of banging his helmet. He clears his throat and leans in the doorway, watching the Bangaa. "Morning to yourself. Lodrick, correct...?" he questioned, looking over his shoulder at the stairway downstairs. "Whatever you may be, the clan leader is downstairs eating a meal. I suggest you grab one yourself. One never knows what the day may hold."

Maes then steps away from the doorway, looking at the closed doors down the hall. He knew the rest of the clan had scattered over the land in attempts to find an answer to the book and the young Nu Mou that held it, but he couldn't quite remember who had stayed with them.

Blasted morning brain.

"Anyways. You should get your gear ready and come downstairs to eat...I have to attend to my mount outside." He tossed over his shoulder, then glanced back at him." One more thing. Be sure the clan leader doesn't start a pub brawl. She has a knack for getting into trouble when bored." he smirked, a light of mischief in his eye.

Meanwhile, downstairs Ming continues to eat her meal. She looks up and scans the pub silently, trying to find some entertainment. After scanning over the travellers and clan members looking for work, she noted a single Hume that looked ready to commit murder. She chuckles as she studies the man, taking him for a White Mage.

"Now...what could make a magic user mad. I do wonder..." she purred, plucking her pouched from her hip and placed it on the table. She opens the pouch and slips her hand into it, pulling out a herb and twirls it between her fingers. "My my my, poor little mage...wonder if he'll notice what is in my hands..."

A glint in her eyes, she watches the Hume Mage to see what he'll do next.

 

[allitersonance]

The presence of the herb itself would not have drawn Aidan's attention - even if he'd had a magic Echo Herb radar, he couldn't use it - but the sense that a pair of eyes lingered on him certainly did. It was a different feeling than the irritated paranoia that the snatches of laughter from around the bar were directed at him.

It was a viera. Dark grey fur, a rapier, and a quiver of arrows. Playing with a plant, twirling it between her fingers. Was that - yes, definitely an Echo Herb. She wore a smirk Aidan didn't appreciate, and she was still watching.

He would not be humiliated. He straightened and strode toward the viera like he hadn't just been throwing a silent tantrum in public, and when he reached her, tilted his head and cocked an eyebrow. Arrogance and somewhat-singed pride despite his condition. He knew the whole demonstration had been directed at him, and he didn't see the need to play along with her game. Either she'd give him the herb he needed or not.

Though the effect was ruined somewhat by the tension in his jaw and the flush in his cheeks.

 

[Sylph]

Ming continued to smile at the young man. She motions to the chair across from her with the herb "Would you like to have something to eat, hun. You look a little tossed about." She purred, twirling the herb still. She motions to a bar waitress, beckoning her to come over when she was free. Ming then turned back to the mute Mage and gave him an easy smile.

"Now...correct me if I'm wrong, but I do think you've fallen under a spell of sorts. From your lack of sound, I'd say you've been silenced. Sad thing really when a user of words can't even do that anymore. And this happened in the morning, didn't it. Sad thing really" She smiled, placing the herb on the table. She then slides it over to the chair across from her, propping her elbows on the table and resting her chin in her folded hands. "But I can help that. Please, do keep me company. At least until the rest of my clan arrives that is."

 

[allitersonance]

Aidan chewed and swallowed the Echo Herb in record time. Upon swallowing, he felt his vocal cords loosen and relax, and he knew he could speak.

"Brilliant induction, really," he said, voice flat. It was a relief he could speak, yes, and he was grateful he was no longer helpless, but the humiliation was still there.

Still, it wouldn't do to aggravate her so soon (especially since some vieras knew Silence spells), so he sat in the indicated chair. He muttered a Cure spell to heal his arm, more to feel the magic work than because he still cared about the bleeding. Silence getting rid of magic - really, that was just torture.

He took a moment to smooth out his dignity, and said, "Your clan, you said?" A pause, then, "It wouldn't happen to be Clan Virtue, would it?"

 

[Sylph]

"Ah, so you've heard of us then. Aye, we're team Virtue. Looking for some work, Mage?" she responded, one of her ears flicking as the bar waitress finally made it over. She motions to Aidan, a easy smile on her face. The waitress slides over to him and leans down, smiling cheerfully. "What can I get you for breakfast, sir?"

Ming glances to the stairway, the glint off a metal boot catching her eye. She nods her head and hides her mischievous smile, knowing that once he say it her Judge would give her trouble for picking on a mage. She remembered the last time she picked on some hapless fool when Maes was around.

Nearly twisted my ear off, the tin can bastard.

Ming looked back to Aidan, sizing him up once more. "So...you were looking for my clan. May I ask why?"

 

[allitersonance]

"I saw a poster," Aidan said. "It caught my interest."

He glanced at the pin on her cloak again. He'd figured the symbol looked familiar. It was the same clan symbol as the one on the advertisement. Quite the coincidence.

So a clan member (employer? She was wearing the symbol after all) had seen him in his... less-than-ideal state. He cleared his throat.

"I am an expert in certain fields, but I'm currently trying to expand my repertoire of skills. Your poster claimed Clan Virtue would provide access to certain staffs." She, ah, didn't have to know he'd lost his. "My joining is conditional on that. Payment is more negotiable."

And, ah, protection. Yes. Protection from those idiotic moogles and their cheap silenceshot attacks.

 

[Silver]

Anya heard the metal gonging coming from outside her room. She took the Chocobo Knight off her face and her pom-pom flung into her nose. Right, time to wake up... She thought stretching. She placed the hat back on her head and headed down the stairs, floating instead of walking. She went slowly, still not fully awake.

"Do I smell eggs...?" she said ignoring all the others around her, more focused on finding food for her hungry belly. She saw two people at a table, a mage it seemed, and a Viera. They seemed to be conversing about something, and she had to wonder whether to go interrupt their conversation or not. It would be fun to see the confusion on their faces. She snickered quietly, not letting anyone else hear her.

 

[Sylph]

"Aye, we offer training to those that join us. What staff are you after?" She muttered, stabbing an egg from her plate and devouring it. She glances to the waitress again and shrugged, flipping a coin for her as a tip. The waitress nods and walks away to attend to the others in the pub. "So, you weren't hungry then. Up to you really...now, back to the topic of staves. If that is the reason you came, then it's what you'll get. As for pay...well, that is something to be discussed later. During our travels we'll encounter quite a bit of loot here and there. That should more than cover a pay"

Ming then lifted up her cup and took a swig as Maes strolled over, resting his elbow on her head and looking over Aidan. "Hm...you recruited another over breakfast? That was fast, even for you." he chuckled, looking off at the room before them. "The others should be waking soon. The new Bangaa is up, I think the new Moogle is somewhere too."

Ming glanced up at him, batting at his arm so he'd get off her head. "And what of our older members?". Maes chuckled and motioned to the stairs. "Slowly waking and getting ready to meet the new members I hope for their sakes. Hate to see you have to wake up our own members. Last time you did that, one of them found themselves in a pond."

Ming growls a bit and goes back to drinking out of her cup, looking annoyed. Meanwhile upstairs, a figure moves out of the clan room and slinks to the room of the new Bangaa member. Leaning in the doorway, the figure holds his Dragoon helm on his hip.

"Hello there, ssstranger. Ssso, ready to go eat yet?"

 

[Aisling]

(herp a derp I'd kinda given up posting while the forum was spewing 500s at me and then I forgot sorry)

Lodrick nodded enthusiastically to his judge. "Aye, ssir. I think I ssmell a good fry downstairs. A hearty meal'll keep anyone from actin' the maggot," he replied, playing off of the Judge's good attitude. He stood and watched Maes slip downstairs, but decided to take inventory of his belongings before heading downstairs himself. He opened up his pack of ammo, making sure nothing had been misplaced or spirited away in the night. Everything looked like it was there. Thus satisfied, he slung his satchel over his shoulder and made for the door and was faced by another Bangaa, presumably a fellow clan member.

"Hello there, ssstranger. Ssso, ready to go eat yet?"

Lodrick noted the helmet on the other's hip, then looked back up to answer, "Aye, I wass jest headin' down. I ss'pose the others woke up more lively?"

 

[Silver]

Anya was now noticing the people around her. There was now a Bangaa by her and she looked up to him. He was addressing the person in armor with a helmet at his hip. "Well, not that lively." she said to this Bangaa. She yawned largely and walked up to the one in armor.

"Do you know by any chance where Clan Virtue is?" He did seem to be knowledge worthy. She glanced at the Mage and smiled inwardly. This seems to be a good one to bother...

 

[Sylph]

"Glad to here that. Namesss Greed. Hope you enjoy your time with usss in-" Greed was cut short when a small Moogle walked over, asking him if he knew where Clan Virtue was. Suppressing a smirk, he kneels down to their level as best as he could and motion to the stairs that lead to the dinning area. "They are downssstairss. Just walk over to the Judge and cocky Veira. Can't missss them." he hissed, getting back up and turning to the stairway. He chuckled under his breath, picking up the spear leaning against the hallway wall on his way.

Downstairs, Maes pulled out a seat for himself, waving the waitress over and ordering himself a meal. He then leans on his elbows and looking the Mage over silently. "So, you wanting to join the clan? You'd have to swear the oath when the time comes."

Ming rolls her eyes and flicks the man's ear. "Don't mind him, he usually not so serious this early in the morning. But he's right, you'd have to swear an oath after breakfast...for your safety in the most part. This will be dangerous stuff we do"

 

[allitersonance]

"Those are acceptable terms," Aidan said. "I'm not overly concerned about the order I learn spells in, but I'd like a Crown Scepter in particular. If you only have more common staves at hand, a Firewheel Rod will do." Which he should not have needed stupid moogles. He hoped they encountered a horde of mooglebanes, though he didn't really think mooglebanes ate pompoms. Well, may they encounter a thousand firagas on their pompoms.

He raised his eyebrows at the mention of an oath. "I'm ready for that. Well, I will be, assuming it's reasonable." And of course it would be dangerous. Something inside him twinged - excitement?

 

[Silver]

So, that ones name is Greed? Alright then, at least he knew where I should be headed... She thought heading downstairs. Floating slowly she decided to listen to the conversations of others as she got closer to the area.

As she listened around the conversations, the Viera and Judge were there as Greed had said, as well as him. She heard parts of the chat, hearing the words 'oath,' 'Firewheel Rod,' and something about being reasonable. She landed on feet and realized she didn't have any money with her. She sighed as her stomach growled and walked near the table.

The food she spotted on the table and that made her hungrier. She placed her hand on the pouch that contained her three daggers she juggled at times. Maybe I could put on a show and get some money from these people... Being a Juggler moogle she could do it, but she didn't know if it would be worth it, so she walked up to the table, hopefully annoying one person at this table.

 

[Sylph]

"If you consider staying alive reasonable, then yeah. It is." Ming sighed, leaning back in her chair. She tapped her finger on her pouch, scanning the man before him silently. He seemed easy enough to figure out, seeing as he was under a silence spell when they met. Ruling out a threat of him being from a rival clan looking to get their special member for coin. "Fire Rod we'll have on hand, Crown Scepter is stored in one of our other hide outs...can't carry everything at once. Never know if a tricky thief is near to snatch your stash of goods. Lucky for you, the Crown Scepter isn't far from here." She purred, slipping her pouch off her belt and rested it on the table. She opened the pouch and slide her hand in, fishing through the enchanted holder until her fingers curl around the shaft of a staff. "There we go..." she muttered, pulling the large staff from the small bag. She places it in front of him, smiling as she leans back in her chair. "Anyways...the oath is to keep you from dying. You swear it to the tin can here and boom, done deal. You just have to go by the guidelines he sets for each battle so you can be safe-"

"And if you break those rules, then you lose your boon that helps you in your battle. Once you are defeated, no amount of magic can bring you back into battle. Don't worry though, you'll just be taken to a pocket dimension until the fight is over...can't judge a clan if they die left-right and center" Maes chuckles, placing his helmet on the table. "So...what's the next step, Ming." he questioned, tapping the top of his helm with a metal finger.

"Simple enough. Try to recruit more into the clan in the next few moments, then move out. Got to hit the road sometime...maybe pick up a job or two along the way for some coin. Might hit the market in Camoa to find some gear we don't have. Maybe the markets will have anything new..." she pondered, a slight smirk on her face. Maes rolls his eyes, looking over at Aidan. "As you can tell, she likes to collect things she can't use herself. Helps the clan members in a way I guess...but sometimes I think we should just keep our gil in Greed's gullet where he keeps his personal funds"

"Not a bad idea if I sssat ssso mysself, Judge." hissed from the bottom of the stairs, a smirk on his face. He makes his way to the table and stabs his spear into the floor board, placing his helm on the end. Pulling out a chair, he sits himself down and yells over to the waitress his meal order. From the corner of his eye, he notices the small Moogle. Motioning to the waitress, he signals that the order will be two plates. "Hungry, Greed?" Ming asked, looking at her nails. He chuckles, rasing his voice a bit for the moogle to hear. "Nah, jussst thought maybe sssomeone elssse may be hungry...one thinking about joining Clan Virtue. Never know who may need a meal, ya know?"