Subject: Chapter 1: Preparations 1,790 views

[Weasel]

"Hmm." she mumbles as she looks at her plain attire. "My hope was to blend in. It seems I have failed." she adds with a grin.

"It was also my hope to be an unknown in this tournament. And the first people I see peg me for a contestant. It seems my skills of deception are lacking."

"Are the two of you entered?"

[Shiv]

"Nah, you probably fit right in Jade. Although if ya' want to make sure you don't look like a mercenary, I suggests gettin' some sleeves for thet shirt, and try to not look like a prowlin' wildcat when you move. Also, summing people up with your eyes is a dead giveaway." Bloodgaze spits to the side, into the water next to the ship. "Although, I guess only seasoned warriors like me and Rayne here wold notice. You probably look normal enough to the townspeople." She says with a grin.

"Anyways, me and Rayne here jus' arrived for the tournament", she explains casualy while leading the group back towards the street. "I'm here to pick up some new adventuring buddies, and maybe compete in the tournament. In either case, a spectacle like this is sure to bring in some emplyyers and good swordarms, so it seemed like a good idea."

[Black_Hawk]

"I am here for somewhat of the same reason," Rayne says with a slight smile at Bloodgaze's summation. "A mercenary or Ex-Merc i am not, though picking up travel companions after or before the tournament would not be a unfortunate event." Rayne turns to Bloodgaze and her's new new acquaintance. "I do not suppose you are of the kind to champion sorcery, divine, or other powers in the tournament, from your looks anyways. That is a pity, seeing as I would like to know how they are going to run it for that sector."

Scratching behind one ear, she continues, "But, i think that i ramble. Anything other than the tournament bring you to this place perchance?"

[Weasel]

Jade raises a brow at Bloodgaze's spit, but then is forced to fight back a grin.

"The tournament is my only concern, and no, I am afraid I do not dabble into the mystical. Though I must admit I've always had a certain curiosity for such things. The mastery of ones mind and body are so closely related, yet... the Weave. It is the Weave, isn't it? It's a very difficult concept to grasp."

She casually walks with the other two woman away from the docks. As they go she studies the townsfolk. She's seen people from this area before, but never in abundance. When she travels, Jade always finds interest in the differing style of dress.

"Excuse my bluntness, Rayne. But your markings... are those to denote your tribe or some order you belong to?"

[Black_Hawk]

Rayne grins a bit at Jade, indulging her curiosity. "No, I'm afraid not." Rayne holds up her right arm, showing the intertwined flowering vine and letter-chain. "This is the vine and chain of my own devising. The Vine is signifying the continuation of life and a unending search for the light of knowledge. The chain is symbolic of The strictures set within ones own mind, which limit ones capabilities. The letters of the chain form a mantra written in Celestial, Sylvan, Draconic, and my birth language, Illuskan: Through discipline of the mind, strength. Through Knowledge, power. With power and Strength come duty. I seek, protect, and create for the Light."

That being said, she lowers her arm. "I have another tattoo on my back for the god of the trade in which my work coincides: Moradin."

With a shrug of her shoulders and a flicker of eyelids across eyes, she calls a single Tattoo from where they are hid under her chainmail. "These, are a different matter." Holding out the back of her hand, her companions can see a black Tattoo in the shape of a sunburst, which seemed to have migrated there down her arm from her right shoulder. "These are... power stored for a later use." With that, Rayne blinks twice and creases her forehead slightly. The tattoo loops back up her arm and out of sight.

"Now it is my turn for a question," Rayne says with a smile, "Does your garb have anything to do with where you come from? That ribbon seems... a bit out of place with the rest of the outfit, if i may say so." Rayne Grins.

[Weasel]

"I can appreciate your mantra. Very similar to my own beliefs." she says with an approving look to this new acquaintance.

She laughs slightly at mention of her garb. Reaching back, she pulls her tied hair over her shoulder. Taking a piece between her fingers, she shows the women a part of the needlework inscription.

"I suppose it does. Sometimes I wrap it around my fists and forearms. Other times my waist. I would show you the rest, but it is quite long. And tied throughout."

Throwing her hair back over her shoulder she continues, "The words stitched upon it are many, and have many teachings. Some almost identical to your tattoo, Rayne. Hmm."

Her eyes wonder for a moment in thought, but soon return to the road.

[Shiv]

"By the way...", Bloodgaze intones over her shoulder as the three of them walk down the road, "...who was that guy who got off the ship before you? I thought he had the smell of an employer about him, and I need to know if my sense were right. Was he some merchant? Some rich guy?". Her tone is casual, her gaze focued on the bustle of the street ahead.

[Weasel]

"Ha. Neither... that I know of. Just another contender. And barely that if I'm not mistaken."

She lets a sly grin escape her lips but does not elaborate.

"Do we have a destination? Or are we simply wandering? If so, could we see where this tournament shall be held? I wouldn't mind getting a feel for it."

[Black_Hawk]

"Now that that has been mentioned, i don't believe that i am aware of the location of the arena in which we will be fighting."

Rayne turns to Bloodgaze.

"I believe you have been here the longest. I do not suppose you would care to lead the way?"

[Shiv]

The tall Barbarian scratches her head, lightly tasseling her otherwise completely straight locks. "Uh, yeah. The thing is I arrived last night, ate a cold meal and fell asleep in the bath", she intones in a slightly appologetic voice. "So I really have no idea of where the grounds are, but I guess that they'd have to build them outside the city, yah? I don't think they have a place big enough inside the city proper."

A small mischeivous glint comes to her eyes. "We could just grab someone on the street and ask", she smiles.

[Black_Hawk]

"You seem to do well grabbing people out of the street, so i will pass the honor onto you." Rayne gives the group a bit of a smirk. "My people skills are, through no fault of my own, not the best in the world."

[Weasel]

A quick smile flashes across Jade's face.

"I am sure, anyone would know. Besides us."

She keeps walking down the street, but now begins looking about for any sort of sign, or flyer.

[Shiv]

Bloodgaze shows her agreement through actions, not words.
"Hullo' there. Which way to the tournament grounds?", she asks a passerby on the street, stopping him with a suprisingly firm and strong hand, for a woman of her lanky build, on his shoulder. "We've jus' arrived you see, so we're feelin' a bit lost", she adds, indicating her two newfround friends with a nod of her head.

[Racer Xonclar]

Bloodgazes firm grip lands on the shoulder of one of the dock workers. His head snaps to her with a not to pleasant look, clearly thinking she was someone else. His eyes relax a little as she explains. His eyes look to each of you at Bloodgaze's nod but he pulls his eyes away from Rayne slower. "I'm not quite sure where the grounds be, but I know they were building something to the north of the castle. Hells if I know what it is though. I ain't enterin' unless there's an amateur barfightin' competition." He smirks a little before continuing. "I think there might be somethin' outside the northern gates too...considering lots o' lumbar was taken out there."

[Shiv]

"Much obliged", Bloodgaze grins to the man. "If yer ever lookin' for a good barfight, come look me up. I'm always ready for a good tumble". Giving the man a quick pat on the shoulder she turns to her two new companions. "So there you have it. Which one do ya' want to try first? I'd say outside the gates since they probably can't fit the tourney ground inside the city walls. But if you guys want to check out the Palace -since it's probably closer- I'm up for that too."

"It's not like I have much else to do 'till the tournament starts", she adds with a sly grin.