RP:Grassy Knoll Market

From HollowWiki

Date: Jan 23, 2010

Grassy Knoll - Joining the Chainbreakers

The road through Kelay is down the northern side of this hill, while more hills are to the east. A lushly painted forest grows in the west, but here, atop this knoll, there is no vegetation. Gravel covers the earth, creating an uncomfortable rest spot for everyone. Why this hill is covered in small stones, no one knows. To the furthest south of this area, though still in view, you spot a rather odd looking building of sorts which sports a rather large sign that reads, “Aranhil’s Amazing Aromatic Aerbals.” If you were to enter, you would see many plants, or bins full of freshly picked plant parts; everything from leaves, to stems, to flower petals, to roots, and even mushrooms. You find many bottles placed around the interior, each labeled something else and each with a description. Most of these appear harmless, as if one may use them as a prank on another; however, there are some that express using extreme caution, for they may even take lives. Others of course would save lives, in fact many more of the herbs and potions were for the art of healing than of trickery and pain. You look at the price tags as you browse through the items, and each price seems reasonable enough. You take what you will, paying the man at the counter. A small sign hangs from the counter saying “Restocked Daily,” letting you know that should you buy them out, a new stock would soon arrive. Happy with what you have found you may leave this place back outside and head west, north, or east and continue on with your life no matter your intentions with whatever you may have bought. You can buy items here. a note is here. An Elven Herbomancer is here.


Kain nods. "Hello lad. Seems the slave trader is willin' ta give up 'is evil buisness in exchange fer fifty grand in gold. I left 'im a message in Kelay Tavern. Once I have the money, I'd like fer ye ta be one 'o the witnesses there when I give 'im the coin." He paused, then added, "If yer interrested, 'o course."

Aranhil hurried about the shop, showing the elven herbomancer the new potions he would be selling and explaining what each did as well as restocking a supply of antidotes behind the counter for store use only. It was often that a person without the respect needed for his herbs would smell or bite into one wondering what it may do, at those times it was only his antidotes that would save them. Once things had calmed down another person would enter his shop and professionally Aranhil would stand behind the counter as he was spoken to. Aranhil thought it odd that this one he had just met would seem so trusting of him, but perhaps he had knowledge of Diamond being sold to him. “I am of course interested, but wouldn’t you rather catch him than pay him off? I may have a way to track him as of right now I do believe.” At his words his little pet would scurry into the room, a fox of sorts, and naturally it would run strait to the bin in the shop that held the mint leaves.

Kain smiles. "If what I hear be right, ye tried 'n failed. But I don't plan on just handin' over a pile 'o cash 'n hopin' he'll give it up. Plan is fer the Chainbreakers ta be there in numbers. I drop the money 'n we all back up 'bout fifteen 'r twenty paces. Then he takes 'is mask off 'n walks toward us ta get the money. Straight toward a group 'o archers 'n spell-slingers, with a watcher ta record it all. I'm also gonna request 'e swear 'n oath ta never 'gain kidnap 'r sell another person. If'in 'e want's the money, 'e goes legit. 'N the only way we kin trust 'e be serious 'bout goin' legit, is by showin' 'is face."

Aranhil thought about what he had said, ‘his plan had failed huh?’ he doubted it but then again it has been a couple days since he set his trap, it is possible that he waited too late. “I see, well I am none of those things you need, I can not cast spells outside of the healing nature nor am I a battle hardened combatant. I am a simple herbalist that would like to be sure none of his friends meet trouble in their lives. That’s why I am here after all, my herbs and potions have saved many, though I am sure that some have taken others lives as well.” Aranhil thought instantly of the powders he had hidden away on his body, poisonous of course but they would prove deadly to anyone that inhaled them. Aranhil has never had to use them yet, but should he he wasn’t sure he would be able to let whoever it was die.

Kain nodded. "Ye got a bow, a pair 'o eyes, 'n a reason ta want ta see 'im end 'is evil practices. That's all I ask 'o me Chainbreakers. If ye kin donate, it be appreciated, but not required. Just be there at the trade, with 'n arrow nocked. Ye let me handle the slaver. I want a show of force. He complies, 'r becomes target practice. 'E takes off 'is mask, 'r I take off the porcupine's head. Be ye interrested in seein' 'is face?"


Aranhil thought for a few moments as he eyed the dwarf. He considered several possibilities and ran them through different scenarios in his head. Only after a span of several seconds did he speak, “I have a bow, though I am not well versed in its mechanics. Sure, you can count me in, as for gold come back in a day or so and I should be able to spare you some coin.” In fact Aranhil had already planned how that day would end, assuming the slave trader was legit he would die. The arrow would be dipped in a dragon blood mix and then heated so it stuck to the metal as tree sap to a passing animal. The second the deal was made and his mask removed he would plant the arrow in his heart, the only way to make him truly honest. Aranhil smiled on the inside at his plan, it was truly basic, but no one would consider such foul play from the nicest Herbalist in all of Kelay and Larket.

Kain nodded. "Welcome to the Chainbreakers. As of this moment, I have the amount 'e asked fer, but the best bait fer a snake like this is plain 'ole greed. That pile 'o money needs ta be temptin' 'nough fer 'im ta show up with 'n armed mob 'o Shainbreakers." He grins, and in that grin, Aranhil saw a momentary look of permission, then he turned and added, "We don't have any specific time 'r place set yet, but I plan on makin' sure as many 'o us 'r there. I'll let ye know."

Aranhil nodded to the man and then would very casually grab a bottle from the shelf and toss it his way. “Hang onto that incase you find yourself inhaling any of my powders, it will save your life.” He hoped that the man had caught the silent warning and so when it would happen at the right time and place he may play it off as a bad trigger upon his crossbow. “Oh, and be sure not to spread my name around as being part of you, the day it comes I shall be the one behind a mask.”

Kain chuckles. "Yer a Chainbreaker now. That's all the name need be givin' fer any 'o us." Slipping the bottle into a pouch, he turned back and apparently began looking over the merchandice, softly uttering, "Course, If'in ye want's ta leave 'im a little extra gift in the bag 'o gold ye contribute... well, how would I know about that?" Returning his voice to It's normal volume, he adds, "Got a lot 'o nice merchandice, but I got's ta say. Some 'o these things look ta be a bit on the dangerous side." Looking at the poisons, then to a jar of mint leaves, he winks, then shakes his head. "Think I got's enough fer now. But I'll keep ye in mind next I run low on healin items... oh wait. What does ye charge fer Snowflake Seeds, 'n how many ya gots?"

Aranhil smiled at the dwarf, he was the first of his kind he had ever met, though he knew them well enough from his studies. After checking a rather long piece of parchment handed to him by the elven herbomancer he would look up to Kain and reply, “We have only 136 left at this moment and they are sold for thirteen gold and two silver pieces. If you wish to make a purchase would you be kind enough to do it with him, it is why he is here after all.” He had indicated the only other one behind the counter.

Diamond entered, but in a different way then any other person would expect for someone to enter a shop.One hop, two hop, three hops. From one foot to another she hopped from one piece of ground to the other. There was obviously no point to this, and the elf continued even after she entered the store. Her own buisness was to herself until she ran into an object( eh, something lets just say) " Ack!" The elf falls to the ground and grunts. Diamond stands and brushes the dirt off of her dress and replaces the circlet on her head. Her eyes look about until she sees Ara. And in which, she waves, but doesn't move from where she was...cause there are other people there.

Aranhil: The elven herbomancer raises a hand to any that may be speaking to him and then with only the following words he would walk outside the shop, “I’ve had enough of him.” He would return later only with a small trophy, a Black Helmet of sorts. And after throwing it in a pile with the others he has collected from other Scouts he would turn back to any that he may have seemed rude to before and ask their apologies before continuing with business.

Kain nods politely to the youth who came skipping in, then turned to the Pixie. "Posted amount has been gathered. I'll let you all know when and where we'll be meeting for the exchange."

Gogo nods,"kain".

Kain smiles. "Hello Gogo. Need... oh, seems you just bought everything ya need." he chuckles. "Oi, bit frazzled, but things be lookin' good. Should be all ready in less then a week."

Gogo exits.

Aranhil turns as he his ears hear the disturbance in the store. He almost shouted to get out thinking whoever it may be was perhaps a child. Then upon seeing Diamond he would wave to her in reply to her own wave and then call her over to him.

Diamond slid over to Aranhil slowly, never taking her eyes off of hte dwarf- another race she had never seen before.

Aranhil smiled at Diamond, “You should be careful in here you know, you were lucky you didn’t bump into something more dangerous. Or are you just looking for more ways I can help you?” he would laugh then, joking he was but it was beginning to seem that way. “So tell me, what do you think of my shop?”

Diamond wrinkled her nose and shrugged, " um...sorry...I was kinda looking for you and got bored..." Her eyes then wandered about and with an approving nod and a smile she spoke, " Its nice here."

Kain watches the young woman looking at him. After a moment he asks. "I got's somethin' in me beard 'r somethin'?" Running his fingers through it, he shakes it a bit, trying to free whatever might be there. After a few moments, he looks at the youth again and asks, "Did I git whatever t'was ye was lookin' at, lass?"

Aranhil turned to kain for a split second and laughed at the thought of the dwarf playing with his beard and so said, “Yes you do, a bit of pixie dust it appears.” Then aranhil titled his head only just slightly before he asked, “Why were you looking for me?” Suddenly the fox like creature he had before sprinted back into view, this time from the other side of the counter, it seemed to have a little bit of mint leaf stuck to one of its teeth. Aranhil would chuckle lightly forgetting his question to Diamond has he lowered himself to pick him up. “So Diamond, do you like him, I got him for you?”

Diamond stared at the dwarf a bit more and shook her head, " N-nothing." Yet again the woman was shying away from strangers, like she always did," You had nothing in there...No worrys..."

Aranhil ooc: I suggest a posting order. Aranhil, Kain, Diamond. agreed? if Dawn joins she can be tacked on the end.

Kain chuckles. "Well, the way ye looked at me, thought there musta been somethin' there, 'r was it just ma beard that caught ye attention?" he asks the young woman. "Name's Kain, explorer 'n student 'o the blade. Plan on puttin' the slave trade out 'o buisness fer good here shortly."

Diamond turned to the dwarf, disregarding the fact that he introduced himself, " You wanna get rid of the slave buisness." A smile spread across her lips, and mindlessly she rubbed at her neck. and then, her attention was brought to Aran, " I just thought it would be nice to find you rather you find me. And...." She stared at the fox and frowned, " You really don't have to...you have done enough for me, really. But he is cute."

Aranhil smiled at her, “Foxes are among my favorite animals and I know you don’t know many people in these lands, or at least don’t remember them. I figure this way you always have a friend of sorts around if I cant be.” The fox would hop from Aranhil’s grasp to the floor where he would then sniff lightly at Diamond before running around her and through her legs in an excited fitt of sorts. “He hasn’t been named yet, so name him what you will, and don’t worry about it, you know I don’t mind helping you all I can.” The dwarf was suddenly one of the last things on his mind at the moment.

Kain chuckles, thinking he recognized the look, having only recently seen it on Dawn's face. "Love," he says softly. "There's somethin' no'one kin buy." Looking at Diamond, he said, "Ye seem happy ta hear 'bout the slave trade closin' down, lass. Would ye like ta be there as a witness when it happens?"

Diamond looked down at the fox and gave a small and confused giggle, " Um..okay thank you then, Ara.." After the fox stopped doing circles around her she reached down and picked up the fox, cradling it even though it squirmed, " I will name it...Aran?" Then a serious look came to her face, turning to Kain, " Of course I would. I wouldn't mind helping either...for good reasons too."

Aranhil’s smile about the fox and its name would fade at Kain’s question and Diamond’s answer. “No Kain, she can’t be there, not if the masked person we spoke of before will be there as well.” He had hoped he caught the hint. But in case he hadn’t he would speak once more to Diamond, “You must not go, Something could go wrong and a fight break out….just don’t go..” He was in fact the masked one, Fertangle’s mask would cover his face as he himself brought the slave trader to his knees, the onlookers would know only that it was a masked man who had done it. But surely if she was there she would recognize him. And he did not want her thinking any less of him.

Diamond oocly has to go. Sorry, can't wait for Kain's post. Pretty much will happen: She gets upset about being denied able to go. Says she will anyway and leaves : D Thanks for the rp you two

Kain frowned at Aranhil. "You worry 'cause she were one 'o the ones 'e nabbed 'n put up fer sale. Same with me sister Dawn. Ye don't think it be right she should get ta see the face 'o the man that brought such misery inta 'er life? As fer a fight, aye, it be a possibility. I can't guaruntee there won't be a fight, but I kin promise ye both, ain't no Chainbreakers gonna die. Hurt mebbe, but none 'o the Chainbreakers is gonna die. Cause by the time he fires one arrow, he'll be shot full 'o arrows 'n spells, twon't be nuf 'o the bugger ta make a second shot." Removing his right gauntlet, he extended his hand toward Diamond. "Ye be a Chainbreaker now, lass. If ye come or not, be up ta ye. But it be a choice onlt ye kin be makin' fer yerself. I be worried 'bout Dawn, 'n I ain't gonna force 'er ta be there. But I think i'd be good fer her. Bury the past, 'n put 'n end ta the mystery behind the mask."

Diamond pouts and crosses her arms, " I will be there, whether anyone cares or not. Like Kain said" She remembered his name, quite a surprise, " I would love to see his face. And I mean, a fight isn't that bad. If in any case I will run, I promise." Teh hand was shaked and a smile was placed on her face," Thank you, sir." And then, with a small pouty olook to Aranhil, she storms off

Aranhil hangs his head his eyes now taking in the view of the floor. “Kain, would you put Dawn’s life at risk if you could help it? For that’s what this is, you do not know that this slaver will come alone and without friends. You are assuming that he will, you may be very well walking into a trap, taking all those that want to stop him to one spot at one time, it’s the perfect vantage point to take out all that oppose him.” Rising his head to look once more at the dwarf, his eyes hardened now as if at any moment he may act. “You will not let her go! Nor will you feed her any of the information in anyway that will hint at where it might be.” Aranhil’s small seed of hatred that had been planted so many years ago was finally being fed, for the first time.

Kain looked at him calmly, his reaction only furthering Kain's belief. "Ye love 'er. It be plain ta see," said in a calm voice. "As fer Dawn, I should indeed like for her to be there, but I'll not force any 'o the Chainbreakers ta be there. What I offer is a choice, the exact opposite 'o what the slaver dealt with. This may be 'er only chance ta close that book 'n put it behind 'er fer good. Ye gonna deny 'er the chance ta make 'er own decisions? Do that, ye might's well stick that shock collar back on 'er. Save yer anger lad. Ye know who done earned the full force 'o yer rage." Kain chuckled darkly. "'N as fer it bein' a trap... we got a good mix 'o archers, 'n warriors, healers too. But I ain't gonna walk up inta a kill-zone. Ney lad, my life be the one at risk, if anyone."

Aranhil’s blood was boiling, “You are a fool Kain! Do not tell me what I should and should not do!” He turned and nodded to the keeper meaning to take care of the shop. He stormed for the exit himself now. “I swear to you Kain, you best not let her attend. If you do, then I shall not attend, it’s the only way….” He was trying to protect her in all realities but not from the slave trader or a surprise attack. Instead it was from himself, there was a reason he was a simple Herbalist now, it meant he would loose control less often. It meant, the ones around him would never not be hurt. Aranhil exits.

Kain calls out. "It's the only way what!" Following after Aranhil, he called for him to stop a moment. "What be ye really afraid of? Her seein' that bugger die? Or ye losin' control 'n attackin' 'im? Face 'n conquer yer fear 'afore it tears ye apart 'n ye become useless ta the lass."