RP:Aolor the Neck Row Mancer
This is a Necromancer's Guild RP.
Summary: Aolor approaches Larewen under the belief she is a white drow and asks for her tutelage in the arts of necromancy.
Hanging Corpse Tavern
This once-timber tavern has been rebuilt in sturdily vitrified blackstone and imbued with powerful protective magics that prevent occult fire and several other potentially harmful spells being cast within its walls. No effort has been spared to make what might otherwise be a bleak interior comfortable. The bar is made of polished stone with an oaken inlay, the space behind filled with a bustle of attractive barmaids, sundry barrels and a dazzling array of coloured bottles that glint in the light cast by a large wrought-iron candelabrum suspended from the ceiling overhead. Here, the one-eyed Steadman stands, ready to take orders for food or drink. Beyond the bar, stout tables are firmly bolted to the floor, though the high-backed chairs are freestanding. The hearth is a true feature, seeming to be cast from black lava into the shape of a colossal, laughing goblin's head, its maw gaping wide and deep, usually containing a merrily crackling fire. A delicious scent of roasting meats drifts in from the kitchens and a winding staircase leads to rooms upstairs. To the south are set cellar doors, usually kept locked unless a special event is taking place. The walls are hung with thick, richly woven tapestries depicting persons and events in the history of Vailkrin and the Vampiric race. There's also a notice-board near the entrance, where one may leave messages. Unobtrusive but ever-present are the security staff, staunch fighters ever ready to toss troublemakers out.
Larewen sat quietly upon one of the chairs nearer to the hearth, her gaze fixated upon a necromantic tome. Before her was a full glass of bloodwine, barely touched. Was it her first? Or was it the last of a bottle now taken away? Truly, it didn't matter. The elf was, most definitely, caught up in her studies though, and paid little heed to her surroundings.
Aolor waddles through the tavern doors, soot covering his skin and joining parade of other filth on his clothing. Aolor's bare feet carry him to the bar and he reaches up onto one of the stools and pulls himself up. Standing on the stool he looks to Steadman and places a few coins on the table “Ale lots. Chicken... lots”.
Larewen heard the gnome's order, smelled the proffered chicken, and not even the chatter of the few patrons that were currently present could cover the sound of his eating. The elf leaned forward and then twisted so that dark eyes could fall upon Aolor. A brow raised upward, but for the moment the necromancer simply watched him.
Aolor takes a chunk from the meat then places the piece onto the plate in front of him. The dark gnome turns still standing on the stool and looks at Larewen “Why you look at Aolor? Aolor amusing to white drow?” he turns his back on her but only to take a drink of ale and grab the chicken from the plate. With half-eaten bird in hand he turns back to look at the woman.
Larewen couldn't hold back the sudden bout of laughter that bubbled from the depths of her throat. "White drow?" she echoed in his direction, the mirth she felt audible in every syllable. It was even more amusing for the fact that in the war between her kind - at least while she was living - and the drow, she had sided with the latter. White drow was almost accurate, in its own way. Her head tilted to the side. "Drow are not white, little one."
Aolor narrows his eyes in a glare. “Drow white, Drow black. Duergar gray duergar white. Gnome white, Gnome black like me.” he takes a bite out of the chicken and tosses the remaining bones to the side “You never answer why you stare at Aolor?”
Larewen watched as the bones were cast aside, her lips pressing into a thin line. The gnome ate like an animal, as far as she was concerned. His glare was met with a narrowed stare of her own and a flash of fang behind pale lip. Clearly, he was a less intelligent creature - his manner of speech assured the necromancer of that. "I often stare at animals that wear clothes," she replied tartly.
Aolor takes his turn to laugh “Kettle calling pot black no?” he points “You call Aolor animal yet you have teeth of dog” the gnome turns back to the table and grabs the tankard of ale with both hands and lifts it to his lips downing the last of the dark golden liquid, turning around he glares at her “Because you sit with your book you think those who don't work from book are animals. So Aolor work in mines, makes Aolor animal? Hmm? Aolor know more then book could always tell you”
Larewen remained bemused. "Teeth of dog? No, dear. Those are lycans, and I've no relation to those furry beasts," she replied with the same acidity in her tone. A glance was cast toward her book then back to Aolor. "Even I, a leech upon the living, eat more cleanly than you do; it has nothing to do with the books." Her head tilted to the side, a sneer curling her lips. "What knowledge, praytell, could you impart on me?"
Aolor looks back to the chicken “You bury yourself under rock so heavy you can't move and then I watch see if white drow eat like she high and mighty. And if Aolor such animal why you give ass of rat what Aolor would have to teach you. If white drow excuse, Aolor must continue to be animal.” and he turned his back on her one more time only with out turning back around.
Larewen lifted her shoulders in response to Aolor's words. "I always practice my manners when I dine, even if I've gone years without food," she said coolly. As for what Aolor might teach her... "Curiosity; those that seek knowledge do not neglect a source simply because they behave in such manners. Not if it is truly what they seek."
Aolor purses his lips and smiles while still turned away from her “Easy to say when you haven't had to. You leach upon others life, do so for a year then we shall see how important manners are when white drow is given first blood.” he lifts the goblet to his mouth and takes a drink “Aolor go after knowledge and get in trouble send down to mines as punishment”
Larewen offered Aolor another fanged grin. "I have endured such torture before, and I was still a lady when I fed once more," came her reply. His explanation as to why he was in the mines piqued her interest. "What sort of knowledge were you after?"
Aolor turns around still holding the mug of ale in both hands “Aolor see words of old book like that,” he points to the tome “Aolor would read dark fire tower until fire tower relight. Would read books all time to one day use what black drow know to use against them to run away”
Larewen rose from her chair then, a wave of her hand sweeping the books away from the table and into another dimension for storage. Her glass of bloodwine was snatched up and the elf drew nearer to where Aolor sat. Relocating atop one of the barstools herself, she fixed her stare upon him. "And now that you're free, what will you do?"
Aolor turns his gaze to look upon her following her until she sat. Noticing that even while he stood on the stool he was perhaps only an foot or such taller then when she sat. He hid a smile at even this small non-existant accomplishment. “ Now Aolor eat chicken. And Drink ale. After that Aolor don't know. Aolor no longer want to clean after black drow and no want to work in mines. So, Aolor don't know what to do after chicken and ale”
Larewen hmmed softly. "Did you learn the magicks you wanted to use against them? Or did you find another way out?" the elf asked.
Aolor shakes his head from side to side “Aolor only do one thing before go to mines. When gray Duegrar try to whip Aolor for no gold, Aolor say words from book and big boom cause mines to close in. Many black and white gnome die in cave. Aolor crawl out. Don't think black drow know Aolor from Quatix so Aolor leave for freedom and come get chicken and ale after taking Duegrar gold.
Larewen was amused once more, though whether it was at the mention of death and destruction caused by the gnome's toying with things he didn't truly understand or by the fact that many died was hard to tell. "Well, the 'white' drow as you call them are actually called elves. Or elf, if it's just one. The elves and drow hate one another." She sipped her wine. "Have you thought about continuing to study magic?"
Aolor shook his head “If Aolor go to Drow house Aolor be killed. And Aolor know no other where to find books.”
Larewen offered Aolor another fanged grin. "If you wish to study magic, there are guilds that will teach you. In Xalious, there is the Mage's Tower, where students of magic learn. For those that prefer darker arts, there is also the Necromancer's Guild. I am a member of both," she said.
Aolor considered a moment taking another sip of his ale putting the empty mug on the bar top ready to be filled again. “Neck row mancer” he pauses as if having heard the word before “When Aolor was smaller, Drow say scary neck.... that thing... was coming. They were scared. Aolor want Drow scared of Aolor. Aolor Dark gnome, so Aolor think Dark magic work better” at that he gets a glint in his eye as if a scene were playing in his imagination.
Larewen did not show any further amusement in his words, but rather intrigue. She nodded as he spoke, passing her stemmed glass off toward Steadmen for a refill. "I could teach you," she said after a few moments, thoughtfully.
Aolor watches her glass being filled thinking to himself as he watches the red liquid fill the bowl. He turns to her “Aolor don't have to be...” he pauses a moment then places an index and thumb over his upper lip where fangs would be, were he to have any. “No miss respect but Aolor like chicken over wine”
Larewen blinked at him, a brow raising. "No. I don't exactly have a taste for the blood of gnomes," came her reply, a bit harshly. She was a particular woman, after all.
Aolor chuckles a bit “What you need from Aolor to teach?”
Larewen offered a thin smile to Aolor. "Time and effort, that is all," she answered before lifting her chin. "My name is Larewen."
Aolor nods “Today a good day for Aolor to meet white..... er.. Vampire Larewen”
Larewen nodded to him. "Yes, perhaps it was."
Aolor sits almost confused for a moment “So, what happens now?”
Larewen responded with a lift of her shoulders. "For now, you continue your meal. I ought to seek one of my own." It was with those words that the necromancer stood to her feet and began to move toward the exit. "You'll find me here quite often, Aolor."
Aolor said to you, "Aolor look forward to it Larewen."
Larewen dipped her head once more and slipped from the building.