New Isra
Committed
Roleplay posts: 71
Biography: This account represents the NPCs and locations associated with New Isra!
Allegiances: Isra
Registered: Mar 16, 2021 22:30:20 GMT -5
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Post by New Isra on Nov 10, 2021 0:32:41 GMT -5
After the Mess Tent began to show holes, construction was started on a more permanent structure to serve the same role. Four walls and a roof, with tables inside, and great big doors to handle dense throngs of hungry citizens. Centralized cooking and eating is the way to go in the early days of a settlement, and this building will likely serve thousands upon thousands of meals in the days to come.
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Nina
Dedicated
Roleplay posts: 289
Registered: Apr 4, 2021 10:46:08 GMT -5
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Post by Nina on Mar 4, 2022 16:38:51 GMT -5
((ooc: for Srlojohn))
The Mess Hall was the heart of Port Argentium. Arguably, the real choices were made in the Basilica (or rather the 5 foot radius defined by Naoki), and the Bonfire's sacred nature turned it into the soul of the land. But the Mess Hall had a heartbeat. From dishwasher to duke (occasionally in the same person), to loggers to lovers to lawmakers, cultists and charlatans, community garden workers, surgeons and seamstresses and sailors alike, everyone needed to eat. (Apart from the walking armour on the training grounds, but that was because he'd never tried Missus' Hoggard's Surprise Soup, a raisin-like old lady with a ladle would tell you).
Some days there was plenty in the Surprise Soup, from fish caught on the Depravity and the occasional bird-dragon brought down by the hunters' traps. Some days there was little more than hot water flavoured with greens and whatever bits of grease could be scooped from the bottom of the pots. Some days there was nothing. Nina had tasted plenty, and she had tasted hunger. Some days she had left early so there would be more for somebody else. She was one of the lucky ones. She could often find something to eat in the forest, even if it was just peeling the bark off a tree.
Some days she could even add stuff to the pot. Although it was much harder now, after Gray had woken up. A few of the kitchen-hands knew her, and waved as she walked in.
As she walked along the Mess Hall's dark floor, between candle-lit shadows cut by sunbeams from the narrow windows, people chatted, advertised, gossiped. The smell of food filled the space. There was a plank of wood along a side of the room, turned as soft as cheese by its travels as a hull piece of the Depravity, in which people stuck messages with pieces of barnacle. Not that all could read. Nina briefly checked that her little poster was still in place. Onwards, there was the Speaker's Corner, a large box with footprint marks on top. That's where people advertised trades or skills, where apprenticeships were offered, where life stories were shared in hopes that someone had heard of someone who'd met their family.
That's where one of the cooks would step on to announce a lucky day, or that the food was out. That gave the corner a near mythical-status. Nina had never climbed the box.
She did now, just after helping down an old lady who'd shared information about her spinning circle.
“Hello folks.” The candle placed just near the box, highlighting the speakers in a warm aura, but making it difficult to see outside. “My mentor and I will be holding a meeting about magic in three days. Everyone interested is invited, whether you can do magic or not. If you want to know more, just talk to me now, I'll be over there.” She gestured to a nearby table, as much as to warn off somebody in the queue eyeing her unprotected bowl.
“Your mentor. That fella in gray, ain't he?” A voice from the audience called. Nina narrowed her eyes, but a dusty sunbeam sliced her field of vision. She nodded.
“He's a slob.” The foreign voice called.
Nina felt her pulse drop. In the village-empire, everyone depended on everyone. That accusation was nearly criminal.
It was also, in a way that would be too sensitive to defend, absolutely true.
“If anyone has anything to ask about the meeting on magic, I will be over there.” Nina repeated, trying to hold back the tension in her voice.
Her steps down the box felt heavy, the dark wooden floor too wide. With a spoon in her hands, Nina decided that she wouldn't cry.
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Podor Helver
Established
Roleplay posts: 11
Age: 48
Registered: Feb 20, 2022 8:58:22 GMT -5
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Post by Podor Helver on Mar 4, 2022 19:37:53 GMT -5
“If anyone has anything to ask about the meeting on magic, I will be over there.” Nina repeated, trying to hold back the tension in her voice. Her steps down the box felt heavy, the dark wooden floor too wide. With a spoon in her hands, Nina decided that she wouldn't cry. From above her the scent of pipe tobacco would fill her nostrils, it's warm smell comforting her after being jeered so.
"Should be damn ashamed of themselves." A gritty male voice said, it's owner sitting down across from her.
"Podor Helver. Your name lass?"
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Nina
Dedicated
Roleplay posts: 289
Registered: Apr 4, 2021 10:46:08 GMT -5
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Post by Nina on Mar 12, 2022 17:28:51 GMT -5
It felt like a sunspot falling on her shoulder.
“Nina.”
The girl raised her eyes, to meet the owner of the voice.
“Mister Helver. Many people are a bit on edge.” She said, perhaps as much for herself as for him. She shrugged and half-smiled.“That's good, actually, shows that they have enough energy to come out of survival-mode.”
Nina looked back down, noticed the spoon in her hand, and brought it to her lips. It had gristly, chewy bits in it. A heart? Flavoured with wild garlic, too. Man, she'd missed this.
“Did you want to ask about the magic thing?” She shook her head. “Not that I mind you coming here just to share kindness.”
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Podor Helver
Established
Roleplay posts: 11
Age: 48
Registered: Feb 20, 2022 8:58:22 GMT -5
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Post by Podor Helver on Mar 27, 2022 14:17:38 GMT -5
It felt like a sunspot falling on her shoulder. “Nina.” The girl raised her eyes, to meet the owner of the voice. “Mister Helver. Many people are a bit on edge.” She said, perhaps as much for herself as for him. She shrugged and half-smiled.“That's good, actually, shows that they have enough energy to come out of survival-mode.” Nina looked back down, noticed the spoon in her hand, and brought it to her lips. It had gristly, chewy bits in it. A heart? Flavoured with wild garlic, too. Man, she'd missed this. “Did you want to ask about the magic thing?” She shook her head. “Not that I mind you coming here just to share kindness.” Podor put a hand to his scraggled chin, "well, depends on whether ye're willing to take an old sailor on for a tutor." He chuckled before blowing a smoke ring. "but i'm more than happy to provide a friendly face, as ugly as it is."
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Nina
Dedicated
Roleplay posts: 289
Registered: Apr 4, 2021 10:46:08 GMT -5
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Post by Nina on Mar 31, 2022 13:42:10 GMT -5
A tilt of the head. A closer look, following his hand.
“I don't know yet if there are going to be students,” Nina admitted, fiddling with a braid adorned with pieces of shell. She pulled it against her neck. “Others, I mean. I'd love to learn.” If the man could teach. Curiosity was evident in her voice. “What sort of magic do you do?”
Her hands twirled around, seeking words.
“I, myself, I guess...sensing? Sensing. I guess that's my 'speciality'.”
She really hoped there were going to be others.
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Podor Helver
Established
Roleplay posts: 11
Age: 48
Registered: Feb 20, 2022 8:58:22 GMT -5
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Post by Podor Helver on Apr 3, 2022 17:39:52 GMT -5
A tilt of the head. A closer look, following his hand. “I don't know yet if there are going to be students,” Nina admitted, fiddling with a braid adorned with pieces of shell. She pulled it against her neck. “Others, I mean. I'd love to learn.” If the man could teach. Curiosity was evident in her voice. “What sort of magic do you do?” Her hands twirled around, seeking words. “I, myself, I guess...sensing? Sensing. I guess that's my 'speciality'.” She really hoped there were going to be others. "well, I do elemental magic, learned it as a sailor." He explained, puffing a smoke ring. The ring would then burst into flame, then transform into water. The ring would fall towards the table and right before it the ground it would turn into stone. He picked up the ring of rock and motioned for Nina to extend her hand. If she did, he'd slide the small ring onto her ring finger, and if she looked, she'd notice a what appeared to be a small transparent crystal in the top.
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Nina
Dedicated
Roleplay posts: 289
Registered: Apr 4, 2021 10:46:08 GMT -5
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Post by Nina on Apr 13, 2022 14:26:30 GMT -5
The ring of smoke ignited the wonder that Nina had for magic. She watched, open-mouthed, as it went from crackling flame whose heat brushed her face, to rippling rain, to stone reverberating as it rolled on the wooden tabletop. It touched some kind of longing deep inside her. Her shoulders instinctively bent to bring her closer, her neck arching slightly. Yet she hesitated. The girl's eyes pinned the ring now on her finger, her gaze going through it at points. She had stretched out her hand almost in reflex, but one had to be mindful of potentially cursed items.
“That's amazing.” She spoke, once assured that there was no obvious ill intent about the object's aura. The ring was the colour of smoke, made of smooth stone as cool as rain. “My parents were...sailors, as well. My dad could do magic, but nothing like this...,” she stuttered, “nothing this varied.” The great Navigator could change weather across an entire coast, often by accident, but controlling a saucepan's worth of water was too much for him. Nina watched Podor's hands carefully. “It looks like you're very skilled. What drives you to share this knowledge?”
You see, it's not like Nina could stop Podor if he wanted to teach. Besides, judging by some of the people she'd invited to the seminar, she wasn't exactly scraping the bottom of the Ethics barrel there, she'd broken through and was shovelling her way down to Hell.
But she wasn't going to promise active support to someone of whose character she had no knowledge. It would have been awkward if this sweet old man turned out to be a wizard supremacist, though...
“Even if the seminar gains interest,” Nina explained, “I can't pay you what you're worth. I can't, in fact, pay you anything.” She nervously pulled on one of her braids, one of the set she used as an abacus, and flicked the beads up as if to mark a zero. “Honestly, you'd be better off going to the leader of this settlement for that.” Nina said, awkwardly fidgeting with the ring.
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Podor Helver
Established
Roleplay posts: 11
Age: 48
Registered: Feb 20, 2022 8:58:22 GMT -5
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Post by Podor Helver on Apr 13, 2022 14:46:46 GMT -5
The ring of smoke ignited the wonder that Nina had for magic. She watched, open-mouthed, as it went from crackling flame whose heat brushed her face, to rippling rain, to stone reverberating as it rolled on the wooden tabletop. It touched some kind of longing deep inside her. Her shoulders instinctively bent to bring her closer, her neck arching slightly. Yet she hesitated. The girl's eyes pinned the ring now on her finger, her gaze going through it at points. She had stretched out her hand almost in reflex, but one had to be mindful of potentially cursed items. “That's amazing.” She spoke, once assured that there was no obvious ill intent about the object's aura. The ring was the colour of smoke, made of smooth stone as cool as rain. “My parents were...sailors, as well. My dad could do magic, but nothing like this...,” she stuttered, “nothing this varied.” The great Navigator could change weather across an entire coast, often by accident, but controlling a saucepan's worth of water was too much for him. Nina watched Podor's hands carefully. “It looks like you're very skilled. What drives you to share this knowledge?” You see, it's not like Nina could stop Podor if he wanted to teach. Besides, judging by some of the people she'd invited to the seminar, she wasn't exactly scraping the bottom of the Ethics barrel there, she'd broken through and was shovelling her way down to Hell. But she wasn't going to promise active support to someone of whose character she had no knowledge. It would have been awkward if this sweet old man turned out to be a wizard supremacist, though... “Even if the seminar gains interest,” Nina explained, “I can't pay you what you're worth. I can't, in fact, pay you anything.” She nervously pulled on one of her braids, one of the set she used as an abacus, and flicked the beads up as if to mark a zero. “Honestly, you'd be better off going to the leader of this settlement for that.” Nina said, awkwardly fidgeting with the ring. Podor laughed, a deep, heartwarming thing. "Didn't expect you to lass, the shores provide all an old sea dog like me needs anyhow. I just want someone to heed my words before I grow so old they have to send me to the deep. My own never paid me much mind anyhow. Now they've all washed away." The last part was a bit solemn, but it quickly passed. "In the end, they made their own choices and it's all we can do in this old world of ours. I just hope others will make wiser decisions than they did."
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Nina
Dedicated
Roleplay posts: 289
Registered: Apr 4, 2021 10:46:08 GMT -5
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Post by Nina on Apr 21, 2022 3:45:47 GMT -5
Nina looked down in her soup bowl and nodded. She wanted to express her respects but had never been good at words. The breath held in her chest felt awkward.
“Are you from the world of Isra, Mr. Helver?” Is what she ended up asking.
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Podor Helver
Established
Roleplay posts: 11
Age: 48
Registered: Feb 20, 2022 8:58:22 GMT -5
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Post by Podor Helver on May 3, 2022 13:10:21 GMT -5
Nina looked down in her soup bowl and nodded. She wanted to express her respects but had never been good at words. The breath held in her chest felt awkward. “Are you from the world of Isra, Mr. Helver?” Is what she ended up asking. "I've been there, aye, but I'm no native." He said, answering her.
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Nina
Dedicated
Roleplay posts: 289
Registered: Apr 4, 2021 10:46:08 GMT -5
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Post by Nina on May 5, 2022 13:25:14 GMT -5
The spoon stopped halfway between Nina's bowl and her lips.
“I'm sorry.”
She stared at the spoon, before letting it go back down. Blinked. She had misunderstood, surely. Perhaps he's meant 'land' – there were differences between Isran as most people spoke it in Port Argentium, and the Old Traders' tongue she knew from back home. It's not as if the Isran Empire had been all there was, back-
“I'm sorry, did you just say that you've been travelling between worlds?” The girl asked, with a look as if the ceiling had just turned to pomegranates.
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Podor Helver
Established
Roleplay posts: 11
Age: 48
Registered: Feb 20, 2022 8:58:22 GMT -5
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Post by Podor Helver on May 5, 2022 14:57:08 GMT -5
The spoon stopped halfway between Nina's bowl and her lips. “I'm sorry.” She stared at the spoon, before letting it go back down. Blinked. She had misunderstood, surely. Perhaps he's meant 'land' – there were differences between Isran as most people spoke it in Port Argentium, and the Old Traders' tongue she knew from back home. It's not as if the Isran Empire had been all there was, back- “I'm sorry, did you just say that you've been travelling between worlds?” The girl asked, with a look as if the ceiling had just turned to pomegranates. Podor threw up his hands in mock surrender. "aye lass, you're got me." He puffed another smoke ring, the cloud slowly making it's way to the sealing. "My lovely lady would guide me though the seas between the worlds. Rough it was but she'd guide me and my prow the right way every time. Now way of going back now, if that's what you're hoping."
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Nina
Dedicated
Roleplay posts: 289
Registered: Apr 4, 2021 10:46:08 GMT -5
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Post by Nina on May 30, 2022 14:17:26 GMT -5
“No, I...”
Could she believe it? The old sea dog, a traveller between worlds. A traveller, like herself.
“Colour me surprised, that's all.” Nina focused on swirling the spoon in her bowl. “I was just wondering if...if you'd ever been in my world...” The soup swirled, “...but how could I ask you about a place that doesn't even have a name?” Metal clanged against ceramic, and she twitched.
Nina lowered her voice. Some people around were so bound to their roots, that if word got out, they might harass Podor Helver for the smallest chance of stepping onto Isran soil after floods retreated. “I guess I'd almost be afraid of returning. There are so many worlds.” Her hand unfolded, fingers sketching a spiral. “Worlds within worlds. Worlds that split in two upon the the taking of a single choice.” She broke an indistinct vegetable with her spoon. Her voice cracked a touch. “I'd be so afraid that I would land in a world that is exactly like mine, except that no one knows me.”
There was something like the closing of a door in her mind. The realization that, truly, she was cut off from her previous life, apart from one single assassin. That bothered her, and it was a surprise. Nina had thought herself beyond roots, a plucky tumbleweed carried to where the wind took her. Her clenched fingers told her it wasn't exactly like that.
She pushed those thoughts aside. Helver's lady, the thought. At first, the girl had suspected her to be a ship, but something about the phrasing didn't quite match.
“Your lady. Who was she?” Nina asked.
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Podor Helver
Established
Roleplay posts: 11
Age: 48
Registered: Feb 20, 2022 8:58:22 GMT -5
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Post by Podor Helver on May 31, 2022 16:27:05 GMT -5
“No, I...” Could she believe it? The old sea dog, a traveller between worlds. A traveller, like herself. “Colour me surprised, that's all.” Nina focused on swirling the spoon in her bowl. “I was just wondering if...if you'd ever been in my world...” The soup swirled, “...but how could I ask you about a place that doesn't even have a name?” Metal clanged against ceramic, and she twitched. Nina lowered her voice. Some people around were so bound to their roots, that if word got out, they might harass Podor Helver for the smallest chance of stepping onto Isran soil after floods retreated. “I guess I'd almost be afraid of returning. There are so many worlds.” Her hand unfolded, fingers sketching a spiral. “Worlds within worlds. Worlds that split in two upon the the taking of a single choice.” She broke an indistinct vegetable with her spoon. Her voice cracked a touch. “I'd be so afraid that I would land in a world that is exactly like mine, except that no one knows me.” There was something like the closing of a door in her mind. The realization that, truly, she was cut off from her previous life, apart from one single assassin. That bothered her, and it was a surprise. Nina had thought herself beyond roots, a plucky tumbleweed carried to where the wind took her. Her clenched fingers told her it wasn't exactly like that. She pushed those thoughts aside. Helver's lady, the thought. At first, the girl had suspected her to be a ship, but something about the phrasing didn't quite match. “Your lady. Who was she?” Nina asked. Podor raised his bushy eyebrows. "My lady? Well, let's just say she's more scales than skin eh? Maybe you'd like to meet her after yer grog?"
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