Frederick's face lit up
to Erik
"The Franz's Pride? Aha! I rode on that fine vessel once - to Araby!"
to Erik
"The Franz's Pride? Aha! I rode on that fine vessel once - to Araby!"
VAU: The Tale of Ivana Hoompalotte - Game Thread
- Thread starter Disciple of Nagash
- Start date
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The masquerade of murder returns! A new game of Vampires Amongst Us has begun. Unmask the killers, trust no one, and try to survive the night. Find out more and sign up now!
- Status
Erik beamed "We only made three trips to Araby so I must ask where you the man who talked to the Efreet, the man who bedded the Sultans daughter or the man who had us steal and smuggle thousands of rolls of Araby silk?" Eriks eye twinkled "They where all great adventures"
Frederick burst out laughing, then hushed Erik with a grin on his face.
"If only it was the Sultan's daughter! I was the one who had that silk smuggled!" Frederick looked around, still smiling. "Can I tell you a secret?"
"If only it was the Sultan's daughter! I was the one who had that silk smuggled!" Frederick looked around, still smiling. "Can I tell you a secret?"
Still grinning, Frederick replied,
"The smuggling of those silks was actually under order of the empire, to improve relations with Araby. The border control weren't told of course, but the idea was from the politicians. Real sneaky buggers, aren't they?"
"The smuggling of those silks was actually under order of the empire, to improve relations with Araby. The border control weren't told of course, but the idea was from the politicians. Real sneaky buggers, aren't they?"
'Finally a man of action!' Kristof exclaimed enthusiastically-hefting his warhammer onto his shoulder and walking over to Christof. 'While we still have our full number we should rally and fight back against the fiend rather than bicker and point fingers.'
A look of pride etched on his face he spoke gravely to Christof. 'While I yet live I shall fight with you against the evil that has been arrayed against us.'
A look of pride etched on his face he spoke gravely to Christof. 'While I yet live I shall fight with you against the evil that has been arrayed against us.'
spineyrequiem
Necromancer
Tuomas laughed a little. 'Fools.' he said. 'Didn't you see that fog just now? She has enough magic to surround this whole building with mist without even breaking a sweat. Didn't you see those two men she slaughtered? She could take both your stupid heads off without pausing for breath, before you even drew your swords. Besides, her power's likely great enough that anything you tried with those weapons wouldn't do a thing, she'd just walk right up the blade and slash you open bare-handed with a smile on her face! Even if you did kill her, what then? How many other vampires are there in here with us? Do you really want to find out by them all attacking indiscriminately after the death of their liege? I certainly don't. If I did not have such a strong belief that someone else, I shall not say who yet, is a vampire, I would vote for your deaths now, just to save us from your self-destructive stupidity.'
In support of Tuomas
Gurter apologetically re-echoed the man's speech.
"I must say I agree with the concept, if not the sentiment. We cannot attempt an assault until we are certain that there are no vampires remaining amongst us. I for one do not want to be cut down from behind before I can even call out to Ulric."
To all present
He looked around at the remaining members in the room, searching in vain for those that were not there.
"Can someone remind me what reasons the various members of our entrapment who have retired to their rooms without explaining themselves or their background gave?"
Gurter apologetically re-echoed the man's speech.
"I must say I agree with the concept, if not the sentiment. We cannot attempt an assault until we are certain that there are no vampires remaining amongst us. I for one do not want to be cut down from behind before I can even call out to Ulric."
To all present
He looked around at the remaining members in the room, searching in vain for those that were not there.
"Can someone remind me what reasons the various members of our entrapment who have retired to their rooms without explaining themselves or their background gave?"
Pietr Von Carstein
Varghulf
Tormund began laughing heartily.
"You think we could kill the wench? Hah! I'm generally not one to shy away from a fight, but even I know when the odds are that stacked against me. She woould rip us apart before we knew it."
Tormund paused to refill his flaggon.
"Our only option is to play her game and hope for the best."
"You think we could kill the wench? Hah! I'm generally not one to shy away from a fight, but even I know when the odds are that stacked against me. She woould rip us apart before we knew it."
Tormund paused to refill his flaggon.
"Our only option is to play her game and hope for the best."
NicholasLeMort
Skeleton
Previously...
Nicholas was still standing next to the Masque and the knight of the Lady of the Lake, whose name had still not been revealed to him.
"Hmm, it's disappointing that the weather is overcast today, that way the vampies will still not be exposed to direct sunlight. Maybe we should still try it though, as some of us might show some sign of weakness."
Just as he finished his sentence a deafening roar of thunder flashed through the room.
"I see that luck is not on my side today, I'm guessing the weather is more than just overcast right now."
He looked down at the floor, seeming disappointed that his theory wouldn't work. He seemed to be lost in his thoughts. After a moment he snapped out of it when the sudden ruckus alerted him that something important had happened. Apparently, the Masque had finally revealed his secret.
(To the crowd) "Are you all so surprised? When I first talked to him, or rather her, I assumed she was a man just like all of us, but I didn't know for sure and so I didn't exclude any possibilities. After all, a woman can be just as potent as a man in all respects, have we not just seen what our hostess can do?"
Without waiting for an answer, Nicholas turned his head when Duality came up with his idea.
(Whispering) "It's quite ironic for the creature I took as a lunatic to come up with the best plan I've heard all day."
He chuckled to himself slightly, without visually showing a grin on his face.
Now...
The discussions seemed to be raging all around, when Nicholas heard his name cast as a vote in a group just a few paces away from him. He gently walks over to them and intrudes into the discussion:
"I'm very sorry for interrupting here, as I know I hate it when others interrupt my conversations, but I heard my name said out loud here, so I assume I can join in? Oh, and by the way, please call me Sir Nicholas, not Nick, as I don't want to get too friendly with anyone in this room before I know who the vampires are."
Nicholas adjusts his shirt and the sheath of his sword before continuing:
"I don't have anything against my name being cast as a vote for who is to be killed, for we all have our own free opinions, at least where I come from; though who knows in what hell hole we are here."
He shakes his head lightly, as if awakening from a bad memory.
"But still, let me defend myself. The reason why I refuse to smoke the pipe is not out of knightly principles, for I am not the typical kind of knight you are used to from Bretonnia, like my fellow countryman over there (nodding at Abel). It is out of personal principle, conviction if you wish to call it so. And regarding the weather, I see your point that a cunning vampire could come up with a trick like that, but as we can all be sure that this is the work of Dark Magic, anyone that heard of the sunlight theory could have blackened the sky."
Feeling that he explained himself enough, Nicholas walks to the table where Duality is gathering people to tell their story and listens to everyone in turn carefully.
Nicholas was still standing next to the Masque and the knight of the Lady of the Lake, whose name had still not been revealed to him.
"Hmm, it's disappointing that the weather is overcast today, that way the vampies will still not be exposed to direct sunlight. Maybe we should still try it though, as some of us might show some sign of weakness."
Just as he finished his sentence a deafening roar of thunder flashed through the room.
"I see that luck is not on my side today, I'm guessing the weather is more than just overcast right now."
He looked down at the floor, seeming disappointed that his theory wouldn't work. He seemed to be lost in his thoughts. After a moment he snapped out of it when the sudden ruckus alerted him that something important had happened. Apparently, the Masque had finally revealed his secret.
(To the crowd) "Are you all so surprised? When I first talked to him, or rather her, I assumed she was a man just like all of us, but I didn't know for sure and so I didn't exclude any possibilities. After all, a woman can be just as potent as a man in all respects, have we not just seen what our hostess can do?"
Without waiting for an answer, Nicholas turned his head when Duality came up with his idea.
(Whispering) "It's quite ironic for the creature I took as a lunatic to come up with the best plan I've heard all day."
He chuckled to himself slightly, without visually showing a grin on his face.
Now...
The discussions seemed to be raging all around, when Nicholas heard his name cast as a vote in a group just a few paces away from him. He gently walks over to them and intrudes into the discussion:
"I'm very sorry for interrupting here, as I know I hate it when others interrupt my conversations, but I heard my name said out loud here, so I assume I can join in? Oh, and by the way, please call me Sir Nicholas, not Nick, as I don't want to get too friendly with anyone in this room before I know who the vampires are."
Nicholas adjusts his shirt and the sheath of his sword before continuing:
"I don't have anything against my name being cast as a vote for who is to be killed, for we all have our own free opinions, at least where I come from; though who knows in what hell hole we are here."
He shakes his head lightly, as if awakening from a bad memory.
"But still, let me defend myself. The reason why I refuse to smoke the pipe is not out of knightly principles, for I am not the typical kind of knight you are used to from Bretonnia, like my fellow countryman over there (nodding at Abel). It is out of personal principle, conviction if you wish to call it so. And regarding the weather, I see your point that a cunning vampire could come up with a trick like that, but as we can all be sure that this is the work of Dark Magic, anyone that heard of the sunlight theory could have blackened the sky."
Feeling that he explained himself enough, Nicholas walks to the table where Duality is gathering people to tell their story and listens to everyone in turn carefully.
Duality's been listening intensively on everyone who has been telling about their backgrounds. Now he stands up from his chair, the glove doll still on his hand.
"I'm glad so many of you have come forward with your stories, as a matter of fact, I'm positively surprised that so many did. I didn't think my words would have much weight as, well, my person is rather contradictory."
(Towards Kristof's general direction)
Duality points straight to Kristof with the glove-doll, the puppet knight lowering it's lance.
"Please, tell me good sir. On a scale from one to ten, how threatening do you find this puppet at this moment? Any other swordmaster with initiative can answer too."
"I'm glad so many of you have come forward with your stories, as a matter of fact, I'm positively surprised that so many did. I didn't think my words would have much weight as, well, my person is rather contradictory."
(Towards Kristof's general direction)
Duality points straight to Kristof with the glove-doll, the puppet knight lowering it's lance.
"Please, tell me good sir. On a scale from one to ten, how threatening do you find this puppet at this moment? Any other swordmaster with initiative can answer too."
NicholasLeMort
Skeleton
Just as quickly as Nicholas started putting faith in the lunatic, he goes back to disregarding everything he says.
"Who would think a glove puppet is threatening?", he said softly.
"Who would think a glove puppet is threatening?", he said softly.
Kristof looks at the glove puppet with hardly concealed contempt.
'I don't know what your game is fool, but I find your puppet about as threatening as a limbless snotling. So somewhere between 0 and 1'
'I don't know what your game is fool, but I find your puppet about as threatening as a limbless snotling. So somewhere between 0 and 1'
*To duality*
"Yet the second vote against someone can only be placed after the first ... The blood is on the hands of both!" Alessandro replied. He sighed, clearly exasperated with the situation, before turning to Wilhelmina as she spoke.
*To Wilhelmina*
"Well, as for my life story, it was relatively simple until ... Last year, or there abouts.
"I grew up in Averland, with my mother and her second husband. My mother always told me he was not my father, but she'd never tell me why he wasn't there. He was a good man, to my mother, but I always felt he resented my presence. See, it was my grandfather's wish that everything went to me, his first grandchild, when he ... Passed on into Morr's Gardens. Yes, we were wealthy ... But we were generous to those who worked for us.
"Anyway, last year, when I turned sixteen, my mother finally told me why my father had been absent all my life - he was dead. The year I was born, he was summoned to the court of Baron Hugo von Hardon. It turned out he'd been accused of ... Of being a vampire, an evil, undead, blood-sucking fiend. Within days, he was dead ... Skinned by the beasts he was trapped with, and proved human ... But still dead. My mother received his body and said she'd wept for nearly a week before the tears ran out.
"Anyway, after that I started acting more ... Rashly, than before, and so was sent to Estalia, where my father had originated from, before imposing a self-exile on himself," Alessandro sighed and drank deeply from a pitcher of passion fruit juice that he had just found. "Well, I went to see my other grandfather, and my uncles and aunts, and truly enjoyed myself, learning the ways of the diestro, but ... I found myself longing to hunt the creatures that preyed on my father. I did find the trail of a particularly sadistic female before being invited here, but that was the closest I got ... It does lead me to wonder why the Lady Ivana truly is ..." Sighing again, he drank yet more and laid his sword flat on the table.
"Now, could you forgive me being so discourteous as to ask for your story?"
"Yet the second vote against someone can only be placed after the first ... The blood is on the hands of both!" Alessandro replied. He sighed, clearly exasperated with the situation, before turning to Wilhelmina as she spoke.
*To Wilhelmina*
"Well, as for my life story, it was relatively simple until ... Last year, or there abouts.
"I grew up in Averland, with my mother and her second husband. My mother always told me he was not my father, but she'd never tell me why he wasn't there. He was a good man, to my mother, but I always felt he resented my presence. See, it was my grandfather's wish that everything went to me, his first grandchild, when he ... Passed on into Morr's Gardens. Yes, we were wealthy ... But we were generous to those who worked for us.
"Anyway, last year, when I turned sixteen, my mother finally told me why my father had been absent all my life - he was dead. The year I was born, he was summoned to the court of Baron Hugo von Hardon. It turned out he'd been accused of ... Of being a vampire, an evil, undead, blood-sucking fiend. Within days, he was dead ... Skinned by the beasts he was trapped with, and proved human ... But still dead. My mother received his body and said she'd wept for nearly a week before the tears ran out.
"Anyway, after that I started acting more ... Rashly, than before, and so was sent to Estalia, where my father had originated from, before imposing a self-exile on himself," Alessandro sighed and drank deeply from a pitcher of passion fruit juice that he had just found. "Well, I went to see my other grandfather, and my uncles and aunts, and truly enjoyed myself, learning the ways of the diestro, but ... I found myself longing to hunt the creatures that preyed on my father. I did find the trail of a particularly sadistic female before being invited here, but that was the closest I got ... It does lead me to wonder why the Lady Ivana truly is ..." Sighing again, he drank yet more and laid his sword flat on the table.
"Now, could you forgive me being so discourteous as to ask for your story?"
(To Kirstof)
"Well put sir, excellent threat evaluation. You certainly have the keen eyes of a hardened fighter."
Duality takes the glove puppet off and folds it back into the sleeve-pocket. After he's done, he continues to speak to Kristof.
"That is about the same evaluation you will get from our hostess even if you combine your strength and go waving your weapons at her. Make no mistake, she will pick the life out of as easily as you would pick a flower. My intention is not to intimidate, but to point out your folly in thinking that anyone you could pose a threat to her with your weapons. Surely she would have had them confiscated at the entrance if it was so, no?"
"Well put sir, excellent threat evaluation. You certainly have the keen eyes of a hardened fighter."
Duality takes the glove puppet off and folds it back into the sleeve-pocket. After he's done, he continues to speak to Kristof.
"That is about the same evaluation you will get from our hostess even if you combine your strength and go waving your weapons at her. Make no mistake, she will pick the life out of as easily as you would pick a flower. My intention is not to intimidate, but to point out your folly in thinking that anyone you could pose a threat to her with your weapons. Surely she would have had them confiscated at the entrance if it was so, no?"
Frederick sighed.
to everyone with some sort of weapon
"At least you have the presence of cold steal to at least give you the false promise of defense. What do I have? naught but my words."
to everyone with some sort of weapon
"At least you have the presence of cold steal to at least give you the false promise of defense. What do I have? naught but my words."
Abel had been listening to those coming forth to tell their stories. He heard a few men talk of attacking their hostess. To these men he spoke first.
"Sirs, already have I exclaimed my desire to face our hostess as a warrior. However I must agree with those others who have spoken against it. Surely if our weapons were a danger to her they would have been removed. Though my heart breaketh to admit it combat with the beast is not the best course of action...for now."
Abel then addressed the main group.
"My tale is simple. I am Sir Abel Amarande, humble servant of the Lady and the King. I am the third son of my father, a baron in the dukedom of Quennelles. The earnest desire of my heart was to do well in his eyes yet for all my efforts it was not to be. My father had praise only for my oldest brother, Michel.
Determined to show my father that I too could bring him joy I set aside my other duties and began to search for the cup of the Lady. In dreams and visions I have heard her voice and seen her light. She has led me around Bretonnia and each place I went I acheived great deeds of valour in Her name. Yet nothing I have yet acheived has granted me sufficient grace to sup from her vessel. The last time She appeared to me was to command me to come here. I can only assume Her purpose is for me to assist in uncovering the darkness that rules this place and to destroy it if possible. I pray that I may be worthy of Her."
Abel's last sentence was delivered with a voice quivering as a single tear fell from his left eye.
"Sirs, already have I exclaimed my desire to face our hostess as a warrior. However I must agree with those others who have spoken against it. Surely if our weapons were a danger to her they would have been removed. Though my heart breaketh to admit it combat with the beast is not the best course of action...for now."
Abel then addressed the main group.
"My tale is simple. I am Sir Abel Amarande, humble servant of the Lady and the King. I am the third son of my father, a baron in the dukedom of Quennelles. The earnest desire of my heart was to do well in his eyes yet for all my efforts it was not to be. My father had praise only for my oldest brother, Michel.
Determined to show my father that I too could bring him joy I set aside my other duties and began to search for the cup of the Lady. In dreams and visions I have heard her voice and seen her light. She has led me around Bretonnia and each place I went I acheived great deeds of valour in Her name. Yet nothing I have yet acheived has granted me sufficient grace to sup from her vessel. The last time She appeared to me was to command me to come here. I can only assume Her purpose is for me to assist in uncovering the darkness that rules this place and to destroy it if possible. I pray that I may be worthy of Her."
Abel's last sentence was delivered with a voice quivering as a single tear fell from his left eye.
(To Abel)
"Cheer up, young knight. Don't lose heart. My sire spent well over fifteen years searching for the Lady, but he never gave up. I served as his squire for the last eight years of his quest, so I was not there at the beginning. At that moment he already had an iron resolve. I believe that is exactly what the quest is about. Might I ask, how long have you been on your search?"
Duality comes a little closer to Abel and whispers:
"And between you and me, I think I know why it is that way. She is fickle and does things totally on her own pace. I believe that's why she is called the Lady of the lake."
Then his thoughts seem to trail off and a light smile comes to the left side of his face.
"Oh, I remember we had a similiar quest as we were young in our village. We had a game called "the Duke of the Pond" where one of us would steal a pitcher of ale from the tavern and the rest of us were waiting beside a pond nearby. The chosen knight had to bring the ale to the rest of the group and we would then share the jug together. Oh, those were the days when you got drunk from naught but a sip of strong ale."
"Cheer up, young knight. Don't lose heart. My sire spent well over fifteen years searching for the Lady, but he never gave up. I served as his squire for the last eight years of his quest, so I was not there at the beginning. At that moment he already had an iron resolve. I believe that is exactly what the quest is about. Might I ask, how long have you been on your search?"
Duality comes a little closer to Abel and whispers:
"And between you and me, I think I know why it is that way. She is fickle and does things totally on her own pace. I believe that's why she is called the Lady of the lake."
Then his thoughts seem to trail off and a light smile comes to the left side of his face.
"Oh, I remember we had a similiar quest as we were young in our village. We had a game called "the Duke of the Pond" where one of us would steal a pitcher of ale from the tavern and the rest of us were waiting beside a pond nearby. The chosen knight had to bring the ale to the rest of the group and we would then share the jug together. Oh, those were the days when you got drunk from naught but a sip of strong ale."
Abel's face darkened slightly.
"Though I have pity for thy grave condition do NOT make light of the Lady in my presence. And to answer thy question it has been 6 years since I set out on my quest. I thank thee for thy words."
"Though I have pity for thy grave condition do NOT make light of the Lady in my presence. And to answer thy question it has been 6 years since I set out on my quest. I thank thee for thy words."
Placing a hand on Abels shoulder "easy my friend, any acts now may be misconstrued later. Once we get out of here there will be a time for upholding ones honor." Erik paused as he drained his full tankard and belching loudly continued now to everyone who would listen.
"It seems some in the room have their first vote, but no one has the stomach to cast a second. None of us want blood on our hands but I feel I would rather have it on my hands" Chuckling slightly " Then have it stain the floor"
"It seems some in the room have their first vote, but no one has the stomach to cast a second. None of us want blood on our hands but I feel I would rather have it on my hands" Chuckling slightly " Then have it stain the floor"
Borgo hasd been listening intently to all the tales being told, all the while eating the finest mutton and supping his legendary ale. He put down his tankard and made ready his pipe. Lighting it, he rose out of his chair (for all the good it did him, being the same height standing as those sitting) and began his story.
"I am all up for a good tale, we Dwarves love stories and epics of days gone and ages past. My name friends, is Borgo Brewermann. I am the finest Dwarf brewer this side of the Grey Mountains and I have been perfecting my trade for many a year. I was born to a high family in our society and grew up, like many of my kin, in great halls carved into to the very hearts of the Grey Mountains. My father was a brewer, and my mother, a jeweler by trade, worked for him as a Brewery assistant. She knew the trade well as she spent many of her formative years as a barmaid while training in the art of silversmithing. It was from them that my appreciation for the finer things in life rooted itself in me.
I spent many a year, after qualifying as a brewer, refining my signiature ale. I travelled the world of men seeking the finest ingredients to add to my recipe. My search led me into the realm of Bretonnia where I spent many a fine year supping the delights of Artois. I fell in love with the realm and the chivalric values it upheld. It was there I met a young brewer by the name of Stella de L'Artois. She introduced me to a new type of grain that had such a profound effect on my ale, it found its way into my secret recipe. I spent several years in Bretonnia working on my ale and brewing for a local inn who supplied both peasants and their lords.
My journey then took me back to the Empire where I found myself in the company of monks. They kept me sheltered for a small fee, that I would be their brewer in residence. They supplied me with all the ingredients I asked for and even taught me a few tricks themselves. It was a culture shock for me as I am not a man of any faith in particular, but I enjoyed my time there and miss the tranquillity and the opportunity to refine my craft for their pleasure as much as my own. I developed a new ale of which I have a small keg here which I called Bo's Gaaten, a blonde Abbott ale I concocted in the garden there. Eventually I moved on in the hope that my newfound skills would bring me the same kind of reknown as a Mr Josef Bugman. Alas it has not, though I have not fared badly. I take my wares all over the world and supply to nobility. It was that very reason I found myself catering for her Ladyships ball. That ends my tale for now."
Borgo stepped forward, bowed, and retuned to his seat, his tankard and a plate full of mutton.
"I am all up for a good tale, we Dwarves love stories and epics of days gone and ages past. My name friends, is Borgo Brewermann. I am the finest Dwarf brewer this side of the Grey Mountains and I have been perfecting my trade for many a year. I was born to a high family in our society and grew up, like many of my kin, in great halls carved into to the very hearts of the Grey Mountains. My father was a brewer, and my mother, a jeweler by trade, worked for him as a Brewery assistant. She knew the trade well as she spent many of her formative years as a barmaid while training in the art of silversmithing. It was from them that my appreciation for the finer things in life rooted itself in me.
I spent many a year, after qualifying as a brewer, refining my signiature ale. I travelled the world of men seeking the finest ingredients to add to my recipe. My search led me into the realm of Bretonnia where I spent many a fine year supping the delights of Artois. I fell in love with the realm and the chivalric values it upheld. It was there I met a young brewer by the name of Stella de L'Artois. She introduced me to a new type of grain that had such a profound effect on my ale, it found its way into my secret recipe. I spent several years in Bretonnia working on my ale and brewing for a local inn who supplied both peasants and their lords.
My journey then took me back to the Empire where I found myself in the company of monks. They kept me sheltered for a small fee, that I would be their brewer in residence. They supplied me with all the ingredients I asked for and even taught me a few tricks themselves. It was a culture shock for me as I am not a man of any faith in particular, but I enjoyed my time there and miss the tranquillity and the opportunity to refine my craft for their pleasure as much as my own. I developed a new ale of which I have a small keg here which I called Bo's Gaaten, a blonde Abbott ale I concocted in the garden there. Eventually I moved on in the hope that my newfound skills would bring me the same kind of reknown as a Mr Josef Bugman. Alas it has not, though I have not fared badly. I take my wares all over the world and supply to nobility. It was that very reason I found myself catering for her Ladyships ball. That ends my tale for now."
Borgo stepped forward, bowed, and retuned to his seat, his tankard and a plate full of mutton.
Abel shrugged.
(To Erik)
"Thou speakest truly. Let us concentrate on finding the nosferatu."
Having said that he moved towards Sir Nicholas LeVert.
"Sir Nicholas. Thou sayest that thou art not a 'typical' knight of our fair land. What setteth thee apart? Art the chivalrous methods of Gilles Le Breton beneath thee? Where did thou comest upon thy 'principles' that forbiddeth thee from taking the pipe in an effort to prove thy humanity? Thy tale leaveth much to be desired."
(To Erik)
"Thou speakest truly. Let us concentrate on finding the nosferatu."
Having said that he moved towards Sir Nicholas LeVert.
"Sir Nicholas. Thou sayest that thou art not a 'typical' knight of our fair land. What setteth thee apart? Art the chivalrous methods of Gilles Le Breton beneath thee? Where did thou comest upon thy 'principles' that forbiddeth thee from taking the pipe in an effort to prove thy humanity? Thy tale leaveth much to be desired."
Wilhelmina frowned "Thats quite a distressing story" she said after a brief pause "made although the worse that you now find yourself in a similar prediciment to your poor father. My tale is far less bloody but strangely has few bizzare conincidences..."
"My parents died when I was a young child, nothing more dramatic than a riding accident for my father, followed a few years later by mother after a brief illness. I was taken in and raised by my uncle Wilhelm, a wealthy but generous man. Uncle Wilhelm was kind and generous and a great patron of the healing works of Shallya, to the extent that he even paid to have a hospice built in our home town. It was his great wish that when I was old enough I too would tend the sick and continue his good works."
Pausing for a sip of her wine, she continued "However,my uncle was stricken down with a bizzare form of leperousy that could not be cured, no matter how desperately he tried. He eventually became bitter and withdrawn from society, forced to wear a mask to hide his deformity. He hardly spoke to me from that point on and when I was of age I was sent of to begin my training in the healing arts. What I hated more it was hard to say, the constant stream of blood, filth and sickness I was forced to deal with daily or the fact that I was to have no choice in my future."
"However, just under year or so, uncle Wilhelm vanished under strange circumstances. No body was found but it was reported that he is as dead as you can get. As his sole heir, I inherited his sizeable fortune, which he no doubt wished me to put to good use.""I fear your opinion of me fall even lower, if that is possible, when I tell you what happened next. I'm not a wicked person but an existance of nurse maiding the dying was not for me, I wanted to experience life. So I told the hospice to shove it and went out and bought the biggest...erm, drinking club I suppose you could call it, I could afford. And very succesful I have been, well up until this point. I had heard the countess' parites were legendary and so I pulled all the strings I could to get here and "borrow" some ideas. That is proving to be a very poor decision.""What I'm going to do?" she whispers quietly to herself, her voice trembling with emotion
"My parents died when I was a young child, nothing more dramatic than a riding accident for my father, followed a few years later by mother after a brief illness. I was taken in and raised by my uncle Wilhelm, a wealthy but generous man. Uncle Wilhelm was kind and generous and a great patron of the healing works of Shallya, to the extent that he even paid to have a hospice built in our home town. It was his great wish that when I was old enough I too would tend the sick and continue his good works."
Pausing for a sip of her wine, she continued "However,my uncle was stricken down with a bizzare form of leperousy that could not be cured, no matter how desperately he tried. He eventually became bitter and withdrawn from society, forced to wear a mask to hide his deformity. He hardly spoke to me from that point on and when I was of age I was sent of to begin my training in the healing arts. What I hated more it was hard to say, the constant stream of blood, filth and sickness I was forced to deal with daily or the fact that I was to have no choice in my future."
"However, just under year or so, uncle Wilhelm vanished under strange circumstances. No body was found but it was reported that he is as dead as you can get. As his sole heir, I inherited his sizeable fortune, which he no doubt wished me to put to good use.""I fear your opinion of me fall even lower, if that is possible, when I tell you what happened next. I'm not a wicked person but an existance of nurse maiding the dying was not for me, I wanted to experience life. So I told the hospice to shove it and went out and bought the biggest...erm, drinking club I suppose you could call it, I could afford. And very succesful I have been, well up until this point. I had heard the countess' parites were legendary and so I pulled all the strings I could to get here and "borrow" some ideas. That is proving to be a very poor decision.""What I'm going to do?" she whispers quietly to herself, her voice trembling with emotion
Frederick raised an eyebrow at Wilhelmina's story.
"Most people thusfar were merely lured here, but you say you came of your own volition?"
"Most people thusfar were merely lured here, but you say you came of your own volition?"
"That is a most unfortunate story, indeed. It is a great shame that you would lose all who were close to you.
"And no, my opinion of you does not fall to learn you purchased such a place. I have visited a few myself, and they can do just as much to aid the ailing as any priestess of Shallya," he said with a wink.
"And please, do not take this wrong, but we are all suspicious of each other, I am sure ... Frederick has a point ..."
"And no, my opinion of you does not fall to learn you purchased such a place. I have visited a few myself, and they can do just as much to aid the ailing as any priestess of Shallya," he said with a wink.
"And please, do not take this wrong, but we are all suspicious of each other, I am sure ... Frederick has a point ..."
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