Liberty Beguiling

Still smiling widely Azul says "Of course" Azul then shows them to his table and orders a round of drinks for the group and asks "What has brought you to the city"

Xan let's the spell fall, the power draining away from the trio as quickly as it had come, as always the void it leaves is harsh on his soul, the separation from divinity unwelcome. As he moves carefully towards Sval he sees the group start to head to a table, with a raised eyebrow at the Norscan he moves to join them all at their destination.  "It looks like your company will be interesting to say the least, may I introduce myself? I am Xanthos of Macedon, it is my great pleasure to meet you both. I do have some small skill in healing, do either of you need my assistance?" He asks of the elf and the dragonborn.

She follows Azul to the table and places her weapons beside her.  "Other than a bruised ego I am well. a minor problem for a  seldë-va tauno,  child of the woods. I am Luthien a wardancer."

Azul smiles at Xanthos & Luthien. Azul differed from the people of his clan in numerous ways but one of the true joys that he shared with his clan was hearing the stories of fellow travelers. Azul in particular enjoyed hearing the tales of those with the knowledge of magic, curious to determine if they had earned it,  or been blessed with it. Having experienced Sval's healing first hand his curiosity was near boiling over. Azul introduces himself to the pair "Nice to meet you, my new friends. I'm Azul of clan Kassis of the Saramiean deserts." He looks at Xanthos and smiles as he shakes his head "I'm truly grateful for the offer but Sval has been kind enough to see to my injuries already. Do you posses the healing touch as well?" Azul then looks to Luthien and says "There is no shame, the fool while a drunken brute has a very thick skull and wasn't anyone to trifle with. I have not met many elves in my travels. What brings you to Appolis?"

" You're from the desert?" she asks as she pulls off her fur cloak. if it wasn't obvious before that she has small build it certainly is now,  "well I find it easy to believe you haven't crossed with many elves then, I imagine regardless on where my kin are they would be hard to see if they didn't want to be" she says with a grin and her eyes closed, her smile is in a word, different- broad, unrestrained, cheerful. " I come here seeking a better life for me and my people. with the gods willing I hope to gain the tools to aid them." her smile quickly fades and contorts in somber confusion, "I do not entirely know why I came here in particular, I can't say I enjoy it here yet. but hopefully something good will come of me entering this city."

At the bar Aleixo is having a slightly frustrated hushed discussion with the man behind the bar. He shakes his head several times, raises his arms in irritation, gestures at his companions at the table and clatters his shield on the floor tapping his armour. His arms flail wildly as he speaks; the man behind the bar shakes his head equally animated, flicking with his wrist and pointing up the the sky and outside. Eventually Aleixo nods and they both laugh giving a good grip to each others arms in a half embrace. Aleixo pulls off the outer sections of his armour and straps them to the back of his shield with his packs, hefting them into a room beside the bar. A moment later he comes back, a bottle under his left arm, with 5 small glasses pinched on his fingers, his right arm holds 2 tankards, overspilling zythos onto the floor, the man follows behind with three more tankards which they set onto the table. "Xan, Sval, they will look after our equipment for the festival, there is a room there, seems secure enough, but unfortunately we arrive too late and can only bed in the common area." He shrugs. "But no matter, I have a arranged for a meal. Here, let me take your belongings." He smiles. "Then perhaps you would introduce me to our new friends. My apologies, I did not know if you would eat." He looks across the table at the strangers.

Luthien chuckles and waves her hand dismissively at Aleixo. "no need to apologize we're all just getting acquainted. come, sit." she reaches for her weapons and pack and moves them over to accommodate for the newcomer.  she then pulls out an apple and starts eating.

"I am pleased neither of you were seriously injured then, and we can enjoy the far more pleasurable task of eating, drinking and getting to know one another." Xan replies to the two strangers. Turning to Aleixo he waves his hand dismissively "The common room will be fine, I have no items of value anyway, so i have no need for great security and i plan to have enough of that" he points to the bottle in Aleixo's hand "that i will be happy to sleep anywhere." He does hand his pack over to Aleixo nonetheless, as he settles down in more comfort. "Now as much as i wish to hear of the adventures of Sval and Aleixo i also wish to hear of Luthien and Azul, i pray you are all capable storytellers, the road has been quiet of late and i have a wish to be entertained!" He chuckled to himself, as he offers to help Aleixo with the drinks.

Azul nods at Alexio introducing himself and then says "Welcome, and thank you for the drink." Azul sips on his glass of Zythos and chuckles at Xan's storyteller comment. He says "Among my people I have some talent for the art, but as you probably noticed it doesn't translate well to Hellenian."  Azul then gives a brief accounting of his travels from Sarameia, touching on the perils he faced in the desert and how he linked up with Xenian merchant company. Joyously highlighting his adventures protecting the merchant caravan as he made his way to Hellania. Ending with a truncated version of his battle with the Harpies. He finishes saying "Now, I'm preparing to meet with General Alanis, to hopefully make a name for myself and assist her with her quest to bring order to the north."

Aleixo takes Xan's pack and anything else he is handed, lifting it up over the table and holding it across his arm like it contained nothing but feathers. Without his armour covering his limbs, his huge frame can be seen bursting out beneath his tunic. As he turns to the place the items in the store, his back and shoulders ripple with the movement. His calves too, look ready to burst forth beneath his skin. He returns a moment later taking a stall and quietly listening as Azul speaks. He pours a glass of ouzo for each person from the bottle, passing it around the table. As Azul finishes he grins. "Some honourable work. Very impressive for an individual. A toast before the tales continue if I may." He holds up the newly filled glass. "To new friends, and the fortune of a chance meeting."  He downs the spirit, wincing at the sourness and quickly washing it down with a large gulp of the zythos. "Agh." He shakes his head. "We had heard of this news when we entered the town. It seems everyone is talking of it. We too intend to learn more of it, if it is as is said, that it is to tame the wild lands to the north, this seems to be honourable work, but I have learnt the folly too many times of assuming things such as this to be as they are said to be. We must peer beneath the surface." He points knowingly around the table with his glass, swishing it a little and spilling some over the table before taking another long drink.

Xanthos sits back a little nursing his drink, then joining Aleixo in the toast. "Very wise, your road could be dangerous. I wonder what lurks out in the wild. I may come along to see what this is all about." Sipping his zynthos he runs a hand through his shoulder length blonde hair, the white eye seeming to glow in the varying light of the taverna.

Luthien listens intently to Azul story and praises his storytelling. Then she goes on to recount her own journey although mostly uneventful she mentions she snuck into a bandit camp and freed a captive of theirs before running off with their food and throwing what ever clothes they weren't wearing high in the trees. she laughs at the thought of the state she left them in. she then describes her life in her village,  "My mother was a shadowdancer, a title given to the leader of the wardancers, "  she then goes explaining without asking first if anyone knows what a wardancer is. She goes on how they are the servants and worshippers of the Elven trickster god. The Wardancers lead the Elves in music and rejoicing, and perform the intricate dance rituals that re-enact the history of history, a form of storytelling more important to the Wood Elves than the more conventional method of writing  She joins Aleixo in his toast before answering him and Xan "I've heard word as well of the generals intentions. I admit I'm curious on how she plans to deal with her supposed taming the north. I agree there is most likely more to this than what is publicly known. If you all are going to her speech mind if i tagged along?"

Petros's cell is dimly lit by a grating high up on the wall. It contains a bucket and a pail of water, but is otherwise empty, but for a pair of iron rings set into the rear wall. After what seems like a lengthy wait, the Aasimar heats the clicking of boots on stone coming his way.

Azul raises his glass and says in draconic  "to yinigeld, tiichi,& vivex" pausing and then adding in Hellenic "To health, honor, and success" a modified version of his clans toast. It was generally said To health, honor, and the clan. The clan reigned over all, you were expected to sacrifice your honor only if it was necessary to protect the clan,and give up your health to protect either. Azul was no longer apart of the clan, but was happy to hear these travelers were interested in the same mission. He enjoyed having traveling companions especially ones with interesting stories like this. He looks over at Luthian and says  "I would be honored if we were to travel together." shifting his gaze back towards Xan   "I am curious as to why we are needed to pacify the North as well, but hopefully it is for a just cause. This could be a great way for us all to cement our names in scrolls of Hellinian history."

"If this is what you seek then I wish it for you too. For me, knowing that the hard work had been worthwhile will suffice. I do not judge only to say that I have no wish for fame, only that the deeds are done." Xan quietly replies, hoping to not sound like he is being overly virtuous. "I found in my youth that goodness often had a reward that I did not care for. I prefer to keep myself to myself in my latter years."

Sval also didn't care about fame. He only needed to keep moving. Stay idle for too long, and the strange energy in his chest got restless.  "I hope that the general is talking about some beasts or monsters, and not people that would rather be left alone,"  he says.  He looks at Xan. "Latter years? What in the name of the gods are you talking about? Surely you'll live forever," he says, smiling.

Azul nods at Sval's comment and says "I pray that will be the case. Fighting people, even people who have done terrible deeds with their lives, makes for a hard nights sleep. But those are worries for tomorrow" He says with a smile as takes another drink of ouzu

Aleixo nods along, grunting in agreement as he dips bread into the bubbling hot lamb stew that has been placed in front of him. Washing it down with more of the beer interspersed occasionally with another shot of ouzo for the toast. Licking his fingers as he finishes the stew he grins at Azul's words. "I sleep easy knowing I have fought honourable battle. Those that haunt me are when the wrong choice has been made, this is why Sval and I are more cautious when taking work." He stands. "Now shall we see what the festivities have to offer?"

Sval finishes the drink and wipes the froth from his mustache. "Let me change and put my weapons and armor in the storage room," he says. "I'll be right back." He stands and heads to the storage room. He removes his armor and shirt, revealing that the blackened scars on his face start at a point of cracked, blackened skin directly above his heart. He rifles around in the bag, realizes that his only other shirt is a tattered ruin, and puts his other shirt back on. He leaves his bow and quiver, but keeps the sword and belt. He then puts his cloak back on and heads back out to the table.

Torchlight flickers and the Lord Mayor Samaras steps into view, flanked by a pair of his guards. He eyes Petros with a cold stare. "I hope you aren't enjoying the accommodations too much?" He remarks drily. The streets outside are full of dancing, music and colourful decorations. Vendors sell masks, mementos and delicious smelling food to anybody passing by and the people are clearly in high spirits. Nevertheless, the mood gradually grows more sedate as the travellers make their way up through the town towards the richer district where the Lord Mayor's mansion is to be found. Here, the flavour of those moving through the streets changes, developing into an eastern-bound current of the well-dressed and the armed-and-armoured alike. Eventually, they arrive outside the wrought metal gates to the mayor's front gardens. Today, the gates are open and inside the walls this evening's guests mingle and drink while they wait for the event to begin.

Sitting on the overturned pail, Petros stands when the Lord Mayor comes into view.   Giving a medium bow, Petros replies to the Mayor's question with a grin.  "While I prefer slightly stronger wine," he says, gesturing to the water bucket, "the firmness of the bed is just right," he continues, tapping the floor with his boot.  "In all seriousness, you can tell a lot about a man by his dungeon.  Yours is well kept. Spartan but not cruel.  Efficient and workmanlike.  I think, sir, if we had not got off on such a wrong foot, I would quite like you."

Azul carefully takes his armor off, examining each piece to make sure it was in good working order. He didn't like leaving his armor, he had rarely been without it in the three years since he left his Clan. The chain mail had become like a second skin, the only piece that he had brought with him from his home. He carefully stacks the chain mail on top of his shield, placing his vambraces and helmet on top of the pile.  He lugs the shield pile and his spear into the storage. He wasn't happy about it, but seeing the other two humans store their armor. Azul thought it was the custom and he desperately wants to fit into his new home so he leaves his armor behind as well. Leaving his sabre attached to his belt and placing his silvery grey cloak of protection over his tunic. This had been quite the prize to find hidden in the Harpies treasure horde. It gives him some reassurance to know that between this and his spell work he shouldn't be caught completely unprepared if they are attacked.  He meets the others and heads down to the festival where he is awed by the revelry. Humans more than any race he has encountered knew how to let go and enjoy their life. Unsure of how to join he looks to his companions and says "What do we do first? The mayors speech should be soon do you want to get in position?"

Aleixo nods, slicking the grease from the end of a wooden skewer he had bought on the walk up, his hunger still not satiated it seems. "Yes! We should hear what he has to say for certain. It would be a shame to miss the opportunity." 

Azul nods and walks through the revelry over to where the mayor is slated to give his speech.

It's difficult to tell in the dim light of the cells, but Petros could swear he saw the the corner of the mayor's mouth twitch in an involuntary smile. "Mr. Pantelis - that is your name, is it not? I have to say that until this afternoon I'd had the pleasure of being blissfully ignorant of your exploits, but here we are. Now, I'd more than half a mind to have you castrated in the town square," Samaras pauses for a moment to let this sink in. His stony gaze gives Petros no doubt that he means every word. "However, the people don't take it too well when I geld a man during a festival of love, so perhaps you can be useful to me in some other way. They say that you are a man of many skills, and I have a proposition for you..." Drawn by the promise of a most dangerous task and an equally substantial reward, would-be heroes of all stripes have gathered at the Lord Mayor's mansion. In fact, some of the less civilised characters among them are growing restless. "Where are they?" An enormous woman dressed in hides can be heard to complain. "This is taking forever!" "If you can't be patient, nobody is keeping you here," a finely dressed gnome snarks back at her. "Just go back to whatever hold you crawled out of. Take that tone with the general, and she'll teach you some manners quickly enough." "All right, you little toad," the woman barks back at him. "Just shut your trap. If you can't, I'll help you!" "Quiet, they're coming!" Hisses another onlooker and the hubbub falls to a murmur as the Lord Mayor and the General stride out of the mansion's front door to stand atop the stairs leading up to it. "Greetings everyone!" Samaras declares. "I am Lord Mayor Ioannis Samaras of Appolis and this is General Jacinth Alanis. Welcome to my humble above." Alanis smiles warmly at the gathered people. "We thank you for responding to our call. We need only the best for this task, and I see true heroes before me. Strong and fearless. Exactly what Appolis needs!" "Thank you, General," Samaras continues, "now to the point. North of here, just beyond Appolis's borders lies wild and disputed territory, long claimed by many other states, but never truly taken. Suffice it to say that if anyone with enough courage and power were to seize these lands and claim dominion over them, then none of the Hellenian states would be able to challenge them. Of course, Appolis would be the first to recognise the legitimacy of this new state, as well as the noble title of its founder." The Mayor pauses briefly to let the significance of this statement take hold. " Unfortunately , one serious obstacle stands between you and this title - a force of bandits that have established themselves in these lands and hold sway over them. Their chief considers himself the rightful owner of these lands and nobody has yet been able to challenge his power. Bring me his head and you'll be able to return north as ruler of your own domain!"

"What makes him a bandit?" Sval wonders aloud in his native tongue, just loud enough for his voice to carry in the silence between the mayor's stanzas. Sval's eyes go wide as he realizes that he's interrupted and many in the crowd are shooting him dirty looks. Oh well, he thinks. May as well jump in the hole you've dug.  In Hellenic, he asks his question again. "What makes him a bandit? What did he do aside from claim unclaimed lands?"

Petros is relieved to hear the Mayor thinking along the lines of using him for something rather than permanently...disfiguring him.  Wanting to cement his usefulness in the Mayor's eyes, he calls on the gods to speak on his behalf, causing whispers testifying to Petros's greatness.  "I am that, Lord.  That and more.  What is it you wish of me?"   

Silence falls on the mayor's gardens as the gathered soldiers of fortune turn to look at Sval with a range of expressions that vary from amusement to outright anger. Samaras merely scoffs and continues his speech. "This man preys upon our trade and consorts with fell powers!" He declares vehemently. "He is a foul cultist said to wear a goat's skull as a mask and horns upon his head! Such a blight upon Hellenia cannot be allowed to exist as our neighbour." Behind the mayor and the general, just inside the mansion's large double doors, stands Petros. His wrists remain manacled and he is under escort by a pair of guards, but he is nominally 'free'. The Lord Mayor has agreed to release the charlatan on the condition that he find a group to accept him as a companion for this venture.

"Interesting move." Aleixo raises an eyebrow as he mumbles to his friend. "You don't want us to take it? We can go and investigate in any case."

Azul nods along though he doesn't think the Mayor would truly let a sell sword rule a province, even as a puppet. But that doesn't concern Azul he wasn't interested in ruling, being known as the man who vanquished this foul bandit and founded a new nation was more than enough incentive for him. This would be quite the tale to add to his legend. He much preferred fighting monsters but rationalizes that the way the mayor describes this brute he is more beast than man. His new found friends seem skeptical but they seemed to be the cautious types Azul smiles and reaches up to pet Sofia and then shouts out to the crowd in his gravelly accented voice "Hear me, I am Azul of clan Kassis, I will be the one to slay this fiend and bring you his head. Bringing glory to the great state of Appolis!"

Azul's statement brings a round of cheers from many. " I will, of course, be the leader of this team," declares the arrogant gnome who previously argued with the barbarian woman. "Don't worry though. I'll make it worth your while to help me." "We haven't yet begun, and you already speak of divvying up rewards," mocks a Dwarf. "What makes you think that you'll even succeed? There's little point in arguing over who gains the title when you'll most likely lose your lives out there." General Alanis clears her throat loudly and silence falls over the crowd once more. She takes a long pause, waiting for the voices to die down as everyone directs their attention towards her. "Over the course of your expedition, it will be up to you as a team to decide which of you is best suited to lead. Nevertheless, we do have standards to maintain. This town has seen many celebrations of adventurers, but granting a title to a bandit lord... that's one thing that has never happened here, and it won't while I still breathe."

Azul smile widens as the crowd cheers. He adds "What more can you tell us of this bandit lord?"   He pauses and then adds "We do not even know his name"

"Do they intend to send us all, like a small army. I think we might do more harm to each other than the bandits can do." Xan whispers to Sval, "This might not be the way to succeed.."

"He calls himself 'Capricornus'," Alanis answers loudly for all to hear. "He claims to rule by divine right, but he is nought but a mortal, a thief and a bully who will find his end at that of a sword or rope." "Thank you, with all my heart, for replying to this call," the mayor adds. "The flare in your eyes reveals your courage. The unshakeable will that distinguishes true heroes! I look at you, oh champions of Appolis, and doubt not for a second that you will be victorious. So venture forth towards your feat! Go, and return in triumph!"

Azul hearing Xanthos shouts out "are we all being sent together or will we open this hunt up to competition and let individual teams compete for the glory?"

"I leave your choice of company to your own better judgement, " the mayor calls out, imitating the general in answering the question for all involved. His mouth curls in a cunning smile. "Choose your allies wisely. To the victor, the spoils! To that end, you are all invited to dine with us this evening and get to know one another better." Behind the mayor the double doors swing open to all. "Welcome to Dimotikó Mégaro!" The general and the mayor turn to enter the building and Samaras nods to the guards watching Petros as they do so. "Turn him loose," he tells them quietly. "Time to see who has the heart to take in a stray dog."

As the groups enter, Petros steps up near the door almost as if he owns the place, greeting folks as they enter.  He is sizing up the groups and attempting to give off the impression that he is somehow part of the Mayor's circle or at least some important person of some sort.  As the groups enter, again Petros calls on the gods to create voices, mingling with the crowd's noise, adding exclamations of "that's Petros!" and loud but furtive outbursts of "we must secure Pantellis for our team," and the like.

Aleixo holds Sval back for a second. "We should go and see what this is all about, eat the food and listen carefully. Then tomorrow we can leave ahead of the others, find out about this bandit king first hand and then pick our side." He taps him on the chest with a firm backhand. "But lighten up eh? This is a festival after all!" He laughs and leads the way in, keen to meet new people and sample some more food. He heads straight to investigate the food on offer, laughing gleefully and greeting people with a lighthearted friendliness. 

As Petros enters the room the swell of voices rises slightly. Xanthos looks around and smiles then chuckles, "I think we should talk to that young man. I dont know if he is capable or not, but I like the idea that he'd conjure voices to self promote himself- it's all a spell if you hadn't realised " he tries not to sound too smug but only partially succeeds. "As a bare minimum I'm sure he is entertaining company. He may also be better versed with these people we might work for."

Looking up from the cup of wine he is inhaling, washing down the half handful of dry biscuits, Aleixo grins. "Of course Xan, invite him over!" He holds his arms out wide, stuffing the remaining biscuits into his mouth and taking some olives. 

Once everyone is inside, Petros joins the large woman in line and engages her in conversation--asking her all about herself, what she thinks about the mission, complimenting her ideas, etc. He also engages in some light flirtation as he slowly nurses a wine.

The woman, it turns out, is called Amiri. "That mayor likes his words," she notes, rolling her eyes. "'Allies'. 'Spoils'. I can't fill my belly with pretty words... but a banquet? Now you're talking!" She claps Petros good-naturedly across the shoulder, sending him stumbling forwards a step or two. "Who're you travelling with, anyway?"

Petros replies, "well, the Mayor wants me to gather the best team, so he can be sure of its leader.  The others?  Well, we let the others distract our quarry so we can make the kill and reap the rewards.  You look like just the sort to be on my team.  Strong.  Direct.  You zero in on the important things, eh?" he says, raising his glass.  "What do you say?"

Sval makes a show of stumbling back from Aleixo's chest tap, but laughs and follows the crowd into the banquet. He stands with Xan and Aleixo, cautiously sipping his wine, and raises an eyebrow at Aleixo's ravenous pursuit of his food. "Watching you, you would think we had not eaten in weeks," he says, and turns to Xanathos. "Granted, it's mostly been road foods, but gods, where does he put it all?" He watches, with some interest, as he spies the man that Xan pointed out to them speaking to the heavily-muscled woman from the crowd. "We should invite him over before he becomes to caught up in his current...erm... venture. "

Azul separates from his new found friends, they are good company but their interest seemed to be focused on the food table. Azul was much more interested in scoping out the competition, he always had a knack for spotting gifted warriors. So he picked up a glass of wine and nursed it as he walked around the room evaluating the other adventurers present. Hoping to identify those who seemed the most formidable out of the crowd of adventurers. As he walks around he keeps hearing mention of a man named Petros and how he must be invited to any team who hoped to have a chance at succeeding. Azul for a moment was enamored and wanted to meet this man who had developed such a legend. But after a moment he notices that the voices all have a slightly odd inflection and how the voices almost seem to be speaking directly in his head. Something that most wouldn't notice but those who have trained in spell craft can spot. This is magic at work, Azul nods and smiles thinking very clever. He walks back to his new found friends just in time to hear Xan's analysis of the spell and says "Quite right my new friend. I agree I think someone cunning enough to promote himself in such a manner would be invaluable to any team." Azul pauses and looks for a second uncomfortable, absentmindedly petting his owl. And adds with his gravelly accent more pronounced  "While we are only newly acquainted, after hearing your stories. Working in concert we can be quite formidable, and should easily be able to claim this lout's head. If we work together, we can truly leave our mark on this land" He adds a sly smile at the end

"I don't even need to think!" Amiri bellows back at Petros with enthusiasm. "I'm coming with you. As for the little toad," she adds, glancing sidelong at the arrogant gnome she had argued with before. "I'll be sure to hang his rotten guts from the trees! Haha!"

"Excellent, Amiri.  What do you think about those two over there?  The blonde woman and the dark haired elf?  Or maybe that group?  They look like they can handle themselves," he says, pointing over towards a few humans and a bluish-tinged brass dragonborn with an owl perched on his shoulder.

"The night is young, we can get talking to him later." Xan says reaching for food as he sits next to Aleixo "I dont see you rushing to get him, mind you if I was your size I'd need to eat more too." The aasimar watches Petros as he eats, noting the man look in his own direction, but continuing to enjoy the food provided.

"That one," Amiri emphasises, pointing clearly across the room at Aleixo with no attempt at subtlety whatsoever. " He looks like he knows how to fight and how to have a good time! Haha!"

"I agree.  Good eye.  Shall we go recruiting?"   Petros walks over towards the man Amiri pointed to, tossing a grape up into the air in a casual arc to land in his mouth. "Excuse me gentlemen, but we couldn't help but notice the obvious ease and familiarity you have with your weapons.  You look like men who know how to handle yourselves, which is just what I'm looking for." Turning to Aleixo with an extended arm, he continues. "Especially you, good sir.  Your casual confidence doesn't go unnoticed by the discerning eye, and your gustatory gusto caught my friend's attention.  Nice to make all of your acquaintances.  My name is Petros, and if you are interested, the Mayor would like me to get to know you all a bit better."