Affliciton

[Shapsters]

Bombur prayed to the gods that his fellow Dwarfs soul would reach the heavens, he wasn't much of a religious dwarf, but seeing someone like that would make any man pray. He shook his head as he stood up, he was about to turn back to his new friend when he noticed an attractive young Oktra talking to him, Paldo's face was rather red and Bombur chuckled,

"I'll leave you two alone." he said walking past the two young ones, winking at Paldo as he lumbured toward his fellow dwarf, "Hello there friend, I am Bombur Trollslayer, son of Fili Ironforger. What would your name be?"

 

[SamuelT]

Alexia smiled.

"Further than far, it feels like I've crossed half the world and hundreds of paths on my way here. Though not from any forests. I lived at the foot of a mountain."

She coughted, still trying to get the taste and smell out of her system.

"Tell me, do you practice magic? I've yet to meet another Oktra magician apart from my parents."

 

[Aqualung]

As Bombur passed, the small Oktra watched him move away with a blank stare, unsure of what he was thinking. The mention of mountains, however, made Paldo's heart skip a beat and his attention turned back to Alexia. He had never seen mountains- mostly just forests smaller than his own and endless plains. Perhaps they would come across some in their journey?

"I try," replied Paldo to her inquiry, a little embarrassment showing in his cheeks. "I am a little poor at it, though... Small things, such as unlocking doors, I can do just fine; but when it comes to the larger spells, I usually need to be in a state of panic to get anything done!" He chuckled warmly. "But I haven't heard of this before- I mean, where I am from, almost every Oktra practices magic, to a degree.

"You're probably rather good at it, aren't you?"

 

[Time Travelling Toaster]

Arriving outside the dining area the group paused before the doors swung open to reveal a feast that could feed an army for weeks.

One of the chefs step out and bows to the approaching group.

Welcome to the hall, may you enjoy your meal and if you wish anything not there, request the dish to one of the workers here and if it is plausible it shall be made, he bows again before disappearing through a side door to his kitchen.

Spoiler: OOC

I'm leaving soon so this is to set everyone up to have a chat etc for a while till I can move the RP in a day or so...

 

[SamuelT]

Alexia was about to answer when she smelled the scent of food ahead. It was entrancing, and when the doors were opened she almost laughed out of delight. Almost every single thing edible she could think of was on the tables. The scent was simply delicious. Her answer was lost in a few seconds of mumbling and distractions. Then the snapped out of it and turned her gaze back to Paldo.

"I've been raised with magic, it's almost like breathing with me." She said with a small giggle. "But anything greater than...say turning lead into gold need alot of focus."

 

[Aqualung]

"That's... amazing," Paldo replied, half to his fellow Oktra and half toward the scene before him. Food! SO MUCH FOOD!

He hadn't eaten in quite a few hours, since before he had been taken by the king's guard and traveled the long road here. By now, his stomach was moaning in protest, and abruptly growled at the scent of the tables.

"Excuse me," he said as though hypnotized, walking past Alexia and toward the table. He had to climb up one of the chairs, but once he was on top, he began to grab foods from every platter and pile them onto his plate no matter how far down the table they were. Once he was satisfied with the small mountain on his plate, he sat, his eyes barely visible over the top of the table. He looked to Alexia and waved happily. "It smells better from here, you know!"

 

[LockHeart]

Stepping into the hall, Korgan heard Bombur's greeting. Turning towards his fellow Dwarf, he nodded his head in greeting.

"Greetings Bombur Trollslayer, son of Fili Ironforger, I am Korgan Thoral, son of Gorek Thoral, Ironclad warrior of Clan Azaghal. I must say, it is good to meet a fellow Dwarf here, I thought the stench of those Elven fairies would become too strong to stand on my own. I hail from the city of Baranzibar, whereabouts do you come from Bombur?"

Setting the tips of Snaga down on the flagstones, Korgan extended his hand to the other Dwarf.

 

[SimpleChimp]

Eiravel found himself at the table in between the princess and the tiny female Oktra that was sitting next to Paldo. He made sure the princess had gotten her food before her selected his own. He selected an entrée that appeared to be a human version of one of his most beloved Ef dishes and start to dig in.

He looked around at the uncivilized eating practices of the lesser races while he ate with true and proper etiquette.

"It's good" He said to the Princess, "But nothing like my mother made."

 

[ae86gamer]

Arri looked at the food, which was so different from Elven's usual cuisine, and immediately became homesick. She pushed the thoughts from her mind and ordered a small salad. Her etiquette was perfect, just like it had always been. She was a princess after all.

"It's good" Said Eiravel "But nothing like my mother made."

"Tell me more about your mother". Arri said, somewhat embarrassed that she just blurted it out. "Forgive me. I should not be asking you about your personal life. It was rude and I'm sorry."

 

[SimpleChimp]

"She hasn't been the same since . . ." Eiravel looked off into the distance, "She used to be so bright, now she just sits of the porch looking at nothing and just trying to remember what she- we lost."

He started to push the food around his plate, "She never cooks any more, the servants do, but its not the same . . ." He dropped his fork and took a long drink from his cup of spiced wine, "You should eat more than a salad, Gods know when we are going to get a properly cooked meal once we leave."

He picked up his fork and forced himself to eat more.

 

[Kinguendo]

Lucidas takes a seat far away from the others, grabbing a medium sized meal and kept a large goblet next to him that he constantly refilled with wine anytime it became empty... which was quite often.

He realised that keeping his hood up was quite rude and said "Forgive me." as he took his hood down finally allowing people to see his face properly, although he didnt look around to see if anyone had noticed as he was fully aware that his eyes were completely different to what any race was used to.

 

[lostclause]

Erir took a choice selection of food and decided to join the other Oktra. It was rare to see others of his race outside of their settlements and so he wondered at what brought them here, apart from the universal summons they all shared. Seating himself next to Paldo, they exchanged greetings and pleasantries as they ate.

"If you don't mind my asking, what brings you both into these human lands?" he asked.

 

[ae86gamer]

"I'm sorry to hear about your mother. It must be very hard for you to see her like that. Perhaps over time she'll return to her previous self."

"You should eat more than a salad, Gods know when we are going to get a properly cooked meal once we leave."

"I'm not very hungry", Arri said as she pushed her plate away. She looked around the table, taking a few moments to look at everyone, before finally stopping at Lucidas. He had taken his hood off and she finally got to see his face.

"So, where are you from Lucidas?"

 

[Kinguendo]

"So, where are you from Lucidas?"

He looked up, quite surprised by the question. He then composed himself and replied "I am from nowhere, I am an exile... I exiled myself sure, but still. I guess you are wondering about my hometown, it was a small village that few people knew of. It trained magicians exclusively, everyone there was a powerful magician and I was trained by one of the most powerful... but that wasnt good enough for him...". Lucidas clenched his fists as his eyes began to exude white light and the flames of the candles in the room froze yet still emitted light.

He quickly stood and left the dining hall, once he reached the courtyard he fell to his hands and knees and the earth around him began to quake and burn. The flames grew larger and began to spread, reaching across the floor like the roots of a tree.

Lucidas came to his senses as he realised the flames were spreading dangerously close to the castle, he reached into his pocket and pulled a single glove out. Putting it on and pulling it tight he whispered "Levis...", a blast of air shot out and extinguished the flames immediately.

 

[Time Travelling Toaster]

Fredrick sat slightly away from the others, flicking pieces of his food around with a chicken leg that he had been eating.

Leader? I don't know any of these people enough to care for them, let alone lead them into battle against who knows what? he wonders idly changing his gaze between members of the group. His eyes once again settled on the Oktra trio before snapping to his plate as the leg slipped from his grip.

His changing focus caught Lucidas leaving the room.

"What's up with him?" Fredrick asks the room, pushing himself away from the table ready to follow him if needs be.

 

[LockHeart]

Watching the mage storm out of the hall, Korgan narrowed his eyes. They narrowed further as he saw gouts of flame flash from the courtyard outside. He grunted and resisted the urge to spit.

"Mages... Pah."

Turning back to his plate, he continued to carve up the rare steak that lay in front of him, swigging from a flagon of ale as he did so. Turning to the small Oktra that he had seen talking to Bombur earlier, who now sat next to him, he dropped his voice in a mock-conspiratorial tone, though he still remained suspicious of the little creature.

"Say what you like about these humans, they know how to feed a warrior."

 

[Aqualung]

As Paldo proceeded to stuff a massive peach into his mouth that was easily the size of his fist, when another Oktra, to his surprise, popped up onto the seat near him. The fellow began, "If you don't mind my asking, what brings you both into these human lands?"

Forcing the peach down his throat- which was a little painful- Paldo replied, "I was minding my own business, wandering the road when I was swept off my feet- literally! To be honest, I still think that kingly fellow picked the wrong person."

Reaching across the table to great a handful of grapes, another dwarf leaned in at the same time, a suspicious smile on his face. He muttered his words into Paldo's ear, evoking a small grin in response. "They know how make a good pie, too, trust me!" He winked and, grabbing a fistful of large rosy grapes, he fell back into his seat and began to nibble on them, taking two bites for each massive juicy fruit.

Looking to both Korgan and Erir, he choked a minute on a particularly large grape before choking out his name for them and anyone else curious enough to hear. Wiping a hand on his vest, he turned to Erir- the closest- and shook his hand vigourously before returning happily to his food.

Spoiler: OOC

I'm a little confused. Apparently, Korgan, Erir, and Alexis are all sitting beside Paldo. I know he's a great guy and all, but you gotta share seats! XD Lock, mind if I just put Korgan across from him?

 

[LockHeart]

Spoiler: OOC

Yeah, no worries

"They know how make a good pie, too, trust me!"

Korgan noted the little man's grin and gave a small smile, despite his usually dour appearance. Even though the Oktra was magically charged like most of his kind, Korgan thought he seemed like a decent enough person. For an upworlder. He watched as Paldo choked slightly on a peach.

"I shall have to try some of this pie sometime, though one thing I do miss from home is a plate of roasted grox."

Korgan sighed, pushing his thoughts away from those of home. He looked towards the Oktra again.

"So where do you come from, upworlder?"

 

[Aqualung]

Chuckling at the title of 'upworlder', Paldo turned to Korgan and forced down another mouthful of food before answering.

"There is a forest, very very far south of here. It rains often, but on the days when the sun shines through those impossibly tall trees, it's... a stunning sight, truly!" He reached to place more fruits and nuts on his plate, leaving a noticeable absence of meat. His movements were a bit slower, as he seemed to be filling up a little.

"But my trees are probably no match against your mountains, are they? Now those, I hear, are tall!"

 

[LockHeart]

Korgan chuckled as he listened to Paldo's description of his homeland.

"I've still not got used to this water of yours that falls from the sky."

He took another mouthful of steak and washed it down with a swig of ale, smiling as he heard a mention of the mountains. Setting down his flagon, he burped.

"Ah, you speak truly Paldo. The Durnhold mountains are truly a sight to behold to any upworlders who travel to them - the writings of my people tell us that the Gods of Stone raised them as their spears in their wars against the Gods of the Upworlders in the time when the world was void, and even now they stretch high enough to pierce the sky. The scriptures tell us that the peaks of the mountains are still rich in diamonds and precious metals left there by our Gods when they forged their spearpoints in the great depths of the world. But it is deeper that you will find the things that truly awe you - great cities carved into the rock, inhabited by countless numbers of my people. The mountains are truly wondrous places when the Dwarves are present. Immovable, timeless, with hidden depths and wealth beyond measure..."

Korgan jerked himself out of his reverie.

"I apologise my friend, speaking of home often leads me into a maudlin daydream..."