@JackieCat @Whim @Hakan @Aura !
Finishing up her last batch of potions, Olwen corked the final bottle and labeled it. She now had plenty of potions for her quest. More than enough, actually. The only problem was being able to carry it all for now, although once she hired mercenaries and the like she could dole out to them some of the load she carried. The working table still had leftover bits of herb and plant roots on them, as well as several vials of magical water from the Meeting Place.
Cleaning all that up and putting everything back where it belonged, Olwen picked up her bag, her ritual knife inside it in the front pocket and made her way out of the laboratory. Passing by many mages both senior students and novices alike, Olwen nodded her head at them all as she made her way to leave the building. Her superiors had already briefed her on everything and that she was to meet a fellow mage, some kind of flesh-shaper she was told, named Ellis right outside the doors of the school. He would serve as adequate muscle for her and the others she would no doubt be hiring.
All the gold Olwen carried to hire the mercenaries was heavy which she carried in a separate sack inside her bag, but she dealt with it. She was to pay each mercenary a total of 150 gold suns up front and after the mission was through, an additional 50 gold suns would follow that. It would be a dangerous undertaking and she had to hire as many as she could find. She just hoped she wouldn't accidentally come across a thief though, but Olwen made sure the money was well concealed. Plus the summoning stone her teacher helped her craft would also prove useful, it summoning a celestial archon if she would need to call upon its services for any reason. It was just a precaution really.
Exiting the double doors, her feet touching the stone steps, Olwen looked around for this Ellis guy. She flipped her black hair back as a gust of wind blew it in her face, before once again trying to spot the man she had been given a description of.
Ellis was lounging on a stone bannister, using over-stuffed pack as a pillow. It made for a comfy one wih changes of clothes and food and alchemical accouterments and books in case he grew bored. He wasn't particularly thrillled about the journey. Magical artifacts, especially inorganic ones, weren't quite his forte. He reminded himself the whole endeavor might earn him a few favors down the road. And as a silver lining he just might see some new or interesting creature in the field, but that was probably too much to hope for!
Then he caught sight of the bloodmage he was to meet. She was almost as delicate-looking as he was. He didn't doubt she was severe; you had to be if you had a pretty face and wanted to be taken seriously. It was then Ellis wished he arrived late. It was her expedition, of course, and it would be a miserable affair if he started off earnest and servile. At the very least he wasn't going to stand up!
"You're Olwen?" the young man called out from his perch, brushing red-curls from his face with a lazy smile. "I'm Ellis Hargrove. I'm to accompany you collect the pendant and runestones, though I've not been briefed beyond that."
Olwen's green silver-flecked eyes then rested on the young man with a mop of red hair. He was currently lounging about on his pack, using it as a pillow and looking quite comfortable there as though they didn't have some important mission to go on. Olwen frowned, but answered him all the same.
"Yes, I am Olwen." she said, eyeing his fancy clothes of waistcoat and silk tunic. Olwen's own garb was currently a red crimson robe of satin with the school's emblem embroidered on the front. "And yes, that's the mission. I can tell you more of what we have to do, once we get going."
Seeing as how the other mage made no attempt to get up then, Olwen crossed her arms over her chest and rose an eyebrow. "Well, are you going to get up or are you just going lay there all day? The artifacts won't find themselves." she quipped, flipping her hair back once more as the wind blew a strand of it in her face again. Olwen hoped that he wouldn't be as difficult on their quest as he was being now, but she supposed she would just have to see.
With a sigh Ellis leapt down from the bannister with a fluorish, bouncing on his heels. She was as terse as she looked. "Well its a pleasure to meet you too.
"And I assure you I'd every intention of getting up once I know where we're going. You're toting along some other hirelings I gather?" The youth took a step toward the cobbled streets of Jadenshine. He was hoping they'd be meeting somewhere nice for dinner - he could use a good meal before they went off into the unknown.
"Oh, I had no doubt that you were just all excited to go. As obviously lying down on the ground like you were could only be indicative of such a thing. Having a great time sunbathing, I assume?" Olwen's voice was filled with sarcasm, the sass just dripping from her tone in big drops of derision.
"And yes, we are to hire whoever is willing to join us. It will be a dangerous mission after all." She shook her head and moved onto the streets, hefting her bag over one shoulder as it was pretty heavy.
"Our first stop will be to search the city here for mercenaries and other able fighters. Then after that, we will head on over to the next district and continue our search. We would also be smart to check out the various taverns and the like to talk to people there and find out more about where these artifacts are likely to be hidden and what exactly we'll be up against. Surely, someone somewhere would know something."
Olwen glanced at Ellis then, noting his slim appearance and colorful choice of clothing. It all spoke of style and grace. The blood mage supposed she should know more about her traveling companion as much as she could, and asked him the first question that came to her mind then. "So, you're a flesh-shaper, huh? What exactly do you do then? Reassemble body parts? Make golems of living flesh?"
Their school did in fact have a couple golem crafters that she knew of, one was rather surly in manner. The other she did not know much about except that they were both men. The ratio of male to female students at the academy leaned more toward the male spectrum, but with that said, there was no shortage of female students either. Just way more male mages and apprentices. In Olwen's mage group, there was one other female student besides her there, the rest being male including the teacher. At least most of the males there were good-looking and made for some nice eye candy, she thought with a smile.
"You expect me standing at attention? I don't even know where all his power you're ferreting out is going!" he sniped back with a wry smile, stretching lazily as they walked.
Ellis' eyes lit up and the youth grew more animated at the to explain his craft, "As for me? I don't do anything horrid like graft limbs together, that's hideous! Its more like gardening; you plant a seed and allow the natural healing of a body to change it. I take a living thing make it grow larger or smaller, add characteristics of other animals, or change the species all together. Theoretically adding even a minute amount of elf or fey blood to a human would have astounding impact on the aging proccess.
"I'm much better at changing my own body, for the moment," he added sheepishly, after that mouthful. "So you draw magic from blood? Your blood?"
Sauntering through the streets the pair approached one of Jadenshine's more up-scale inns. It might have been able to pass for a manor-house by itself. The establishment was a favorite of the younger nobility, and social-climbers looking to join them. The young man had enjoyed it the few times he'd been. There might be a few flashy swordsmen amongst the rakes and gamblers. He tugged Olwen's sleeve.
"Gardening, huh?" Olwen shook her head, but asked another question. "So, what can you change yourself into? A monkey begging for a banana? An ape beating his chest in arrogance?" Olwen smirked at him as she said this.
"As for myself, yes I draw my own blood for numerous purposes. The most common usage is my healing potions that contain a tiny bit of my own blood in them. I use this..." she paused and got out her ritual knife to show Ellis, "To draw my blood with." The knife itself had a plain black handle carved with the runic symbol for 'blood' engraved on the base of it.
Putting her knife back in her bag, she followed the other mage to the inn. A rather plush looking place it was, draped with flowers and adorned with elegant gray and white statues at the entrance to it. The doorknob was of an elaborate griffin's head carved out of bronze. Entering inside, the first thing that Olwen noticed was the spacious look to it all. Couches and tables with chairs were situated in the common room and in the back was the innkeeper behind a long brownish counter, currently serving ale to some patrons.
One man with a black patch over one eye saluted Olwen as she came in, drawling out in a tone which clearly showed he thought he was hot stuff, "Hey babe. Wanna see a nice big pole?"
Olwen rolled her eyes and replied back, just as sassy as ever. "Sure, where's the guy who has such?"
Black patch man simply scowled at her and muttered something under his breath that sounded suspiciously like "feisty wench" before turning away to find easier pickings. Olwen merely continued on and sat down at the bar.
To Ellis she said, "So, you come here often?"
(OOC: Let me know when and where would be a good spot for the next adventurer to make an entrance!)
The scrawny youth rolled his eyes. He'd been compared to a lot of things before but never an ape! "I suppose I could, though I prefer to blend beauty and practicality. No sense in turning into some ugly, hairy monkey, mm? Aesthetics are important you know." He dug back with a small smile, briefly wondering what sort of person would put themselves through bloodletting like that.
Ellis glowered at the man with the eye-patch. The clientele was rougher than he remembered Olwen could take care of herself, at least. "I used to. I suppose they're letting anyone in these days. Maybe they've let in the sort we need."
Ellis' eyes wandered to the bar, avian statues carved into its corners. The young man walked toward it. He could use some wine. Also they should probably ask the bartender if there are any sellswords about.
"Let's hope so." Olwen flagged down the barkeep and ordered some house ale, which was three coppers. Once it was served, she turned back to Ellis. "And yes, I don't doubt aesthetics are important." Whether she was being sarcastic or completely serious or not was difficult to determine.
Looking around she sipped her ale, admiring the architecture of the stone birds. They resembled griffins, just like the doorknob to the establishment depicted. Both had jade encrusted eyes, which was a trademark of the province itself, aptly named for the green gemstone.
When the barkeep came back around, she asked him about hirelings. "You wouldn't happen to know if there are any mercenaries around here, do you?"
The barkeep, a grizzled man with gray hair and a beard, responded in the affirmative. "Why, yes, as a matter of fact I do believe I saw at least a couple around here earlier. Not sure where they went right off-hand. Maybe they'll turn up soon. Just keep an eye out for them."
Olwen thanked him and tipped him a silver coin to which the innkeeper gladly pocketed with a thank you as well. She looked around, keeping her eyes peeled for any such sorts.
((Let's let
@JackieCat respond now, okay? :) ))
Faelis Gindien stepped through the door and looked around, eyes raised. It was a considerably fancy place, and the handsome elf assumed that most of the patrons here would have some money on them, money he could steal. But Faelis was not looking for a victim to steal from, he was looking for a job. A honest job. Well, it didn't have to be honest, but all the same, he walked up to the bar and sat down on a stool.
He leaned on the bartop, brushing his long black hair from his golden eyes, the many beads, bones and rings in his hair tinkling quietly.
He waited for the bartender to come over and then he ordered a drink. When the bartender handed him the ale a moment later Faelis stopped him as he turned away. "Is anyone here looking for a mercenary, or anyone else to do a job?"
The bartender nodded. "As a matter of fact, that young lady right over there asked me not two minutes ago about a mercenary. I don't know what kind of work she needs done, but she needs someone."
"Thanks," Faelis stood up, taking his drink, and started for the woman the bartender had pointed out. As he walked over he brushed off his short black leather long sleeved jacket and brushed back his hair again.
He approached the woman and the young man she was with and leaned against the bar next to her, setting down his drink. "So, you're looking for a mercenary?" he asked. "What kind of work do you need done?"
Taking another sip of her drink, Olwen caught sight of an elf walking up to her carrying his own drink before setting it down nearby. He had light golden skin and wore an assortment of beads and bones in his long black tresses, along with some feathers. Multiple piercings were all over his face too. He looked like some kind of street thug, albeit an elven one at that. But despite his rough and tumble look, he was also very sexy-looking.
At his question, the blood mage too set down her drink before replying. "I'm looking for able fighters to help go on a quest for my school." She offered by way of explanation. "We are to look for magical artifacts that my superiors want, more specifically a magical pendant, the only one of its kind and at least one of the runestones to be had. It is likely to be a very dangerous journey so myself and my fellow peer here need to hire as much help as we are able to."
Looking him up and down, she asked, "Are you up to the challenge?"
Faelis was aware of the woman looking him over, as he had a few moments before. AS she looked over him, the elf's eyes flicked to the young man accompanying the woman.
He was youthful in appearance, but Faelis knew he couldn't be any younger than twenty. He must have been at least somewhat wealthy, judging by his clothing. How he held himself led Faelis to believe he was somewhat haughty, not unlike Faelis himself.
"Am I up to it?" Faelis raised his eyebrows at the woman's question. "Most likely. I'm a considerable fighter, and can be incredibly stealthy, as well as having s few other skills. What kind of 'dangerous' are you talking about, anyway?" the elf asked, taking a drink of his ale. "Fighting monsters, wizards, curses?"
He wanted to know exactly what he was getting into before he agreed to anything. "And then there is the matter of my payment. . ."
And if he did accept the job, he didn't want to get cheated either.
"Monsters, traps, bandits, barbarians, wizards, curses, you name it, we might have to go up against it at some point." Olwen told him nonchalantly.
"The pendant is rumored to be somewhere in the Wester Highlands. Where exactly, well we need to talk to people to find out. And of course what to expect there. The runestones are scattered around the continent from what we already know and there are around six of them. However we only really need one. Maybe two. And don't worry about your payment." Olwen took a long drink of her ale then before she continued.
"I am to pay one hundred-fifty gold suns up front and then after the journey has completed, I am to pay each of you another fifty gold suns. Sound sufficient?" Raising an eyebrow at the elf in question.
Faelis listened as she explained the mission a little more. He was well equipped to fight monsters, bandits, barbarians, and he was an expert on traps. He wasn't as good with wizards or spells, but he knew how to defend and attack against such things.
He raised his eyebrows and nodded when she named the sum. It wasn't bad, in fact, it was pretty good, but he wouldn't let it show how good he thought it was. "That sounds okay," he said, after all if you said the fee was good, they may just try to drop it on you. Faelis would have none of that. "But how long do you suppose this journey will go on? A week? A month?"
Olwen rolled her eyes at his comment, but answered him nonetheless. "Depends on many obstacles we come across." Olwen didn't actually know this herself but she guessed it could take some time.
"I mean, considering we have to traipse around a good part of the continent, how long would you suppose it would take?" She shrugged. "Perhaps a month, I don't know. Unless we happen to run across one or more mages who can teleport and can shorten the journey for us." She meant this in a sarcastic way, although the prospect wasn't completely far-fetched. They were after all in mage country. Olwen herself being a mage, but she didn't possess the ability to teleport.
"So, are you with us or not?"
Faelis shrugged and took another drink of his ale, still leaning on the bar. "Sure, what the hell? I'm in."
He smiled crookedly at the woman and held out a hand. "Faelis." He didn't say his whole name, after all, he was a wanted man in some towns, though usually the thief did a very good job of not being seen during his jobs, there were those very few times he had slipped.
Olwen shook his hand in greeting. "Olwen." she stated, also only giving her first name. She didn't see a reason to give her full name, even though she was proud of it. "Good to have you on board."
Turning to her companion, she introduced him as well. "And this is Ellis."
"And for your payment, give me just a moment." she dug into her bag discreetly, searching for the promised coin.
Faelis nodded to Ellis. "It's good to meet you," he said to him and Olwen. Then he watched and waited as the mage rummaged around in her bag for the coin he was to receive.
Faelis hoped this quest would be worth it. He knew it would be dangerous, as she had said, but he hoped it was worth his time, and the money would be sufficient.
The young man extended a hand "Ellis Hargrove, Transmuter, and so very pleased to meet you." The elf was handsome and well-adorned. Ellis simultaneously admired and jealously reviled the stylish elf. He was used to being the prettier male.
"I'd meant to ask who our first lead was, Olwen," he went on. Ellis was almost a little suspicious. Or he hadn't paid much attention when he was briefed. "Touch alarming the pendant hasn't been seized if its location is known. I don't suppose you've any inklings?"
Getting out a small beige pouch filled with the promised coin of one hundred and fifty gold suns, Olwen handed it to the golden-skinned elf. "There's more where that came from." she winked at him, flirtatiously.
To Ellis, she frowned and said, "I don't know much more than what I've already said. Vague rumors are in fact, not very revealing as to exact details. As for our 'lead', Professor Jonas had done some scrying in his office and detected a powerful object there that might be what we're looking for. Plus a comrade of his had informed him he had spoken to a scholar somewhere about in the Wester Highlands. Where this scholar may be, the last the Professor heard from his friend was he had stopped at an inn near here, I believe it was in the capital of Altas Verde. But that was a few days ago already."
Finishing the last of her drink, Olwen added one more thing. "After we finish searching for mercenaries around here, I suggest we head to the province of Altas Verde and look for this scholar. His name was said to be Harris White. Hopefully we'll run into him."
Faelis took the bag and peered inside, drawing out a coin, he ran his fingers over, and then, satisfied that it was real, put it into the bag.
"So, where are we going to look for more mercenaries?" he asked. "I know a few places, we could go to one of them, unless you already know a place you could find mercenaries."
"Unstable magic's clinging to the ruins. I don't suppose you've anything to dampen it in that pack of yours? It looks ready to burst." He flashed a smile, "I might've accused you of over-stuffing it with clothes, though its a tiresome joke and you don't seem the type.
"And I don't think either of us know this game too well. This place was my one and only idea. Mostly rakes and gamblers and-" Ellis flashed a smirk. The elf probably was most of those things. "What's important is we have one sword-arm now. I don't suppose you know where we'd find more?"
The young man took a long sip of his wine and slid several coins across the bar.
"I don't have anything to repell the curse," Faelis said. "But I'm not a mage, so I would be able to go in safely."
He took another sip of his ale. "And I do know many places where we could fine more people to hire, ah," Faelis smiled roguishly and slid the coins back over to Ellis. "Keep your coins, you look like you might need them. I have money."
Faelis smiled through his thinly veiled insult, he had suggested that Ellis needed the money, because the other man didn't have very much. Faelis didn't think that Ellis was poor, but Faelis would insult almost anyone about nearly everything.
He slid his own coins across the bar.
"Ready to burst with healing potions." Olwen answered Ellis. "Besides I think it's time to spread out the load a bit." Opening her bag, she handed both of them five potions each of varying strengths. "Don't use 'em all at once though." she smirked, but added. "And I have more if you need them." The bottles were pretty small, about an inch and a half tall or so. "And no complaints about the taste either. But some of them work better if applied topically."
To Faelis, Olwen nodded. "Yes, any places you know of would help."
Opening her bag again, she got out a couple gold rings. At first glance they looked like ordinary rings, but there was a definite magical enchantment present in them that a sensitive mage could readily detect. "Rings of Protection." she stated, holding one in between her thumb and index finger, the other on the bar in front of her. "They should help to shield us from any unstable energies. Could work against Fell's Curse too. We can hope."
Putting the one she held onto the middle finger of her left hand, she handed the other one to Ellis. "Just don't take it off." she warned him. "I've got a couple extra just in case though. We do need to give these back once the quest is through however."
The last of her drink now finished, Olwen stood up then. "Well, come on then. No time to dawdle."
Ellis' face briefly twisted into a frown at Faelis' intrusion. "Hardly my first free drink. I suppose my charms are irrestable.
"And thank you for thinking ahead with the rings," he slipped his on and flexed his fingers. "I was going to mention that potions might not be terribly useful to me - I tend to transform into things without fingers and can close a wound or two - best to spread the medicines around should we be separated."
Grudgingly content with Faelis' footing the bill, and hoping to death the elf's opulence meant he was living by the skin of his teeth, Ellis followed the others outside. "I suppose we're mostly berift of sword arms. Where to, Faelis?"
Faelis took the potions and put them into his bag before stepping outside.
"There's a place not far from here called 'The Everfill Flagon' I've seen many mercenaries there, I'm sure someone will be able to help you." He started off down the street. After about ten minutes of walking they came to a wooden building with a painted sign hanging out front reading 'The Everfill Flagon' in large lettering.
The place itself was fairly nice-looking, not a place where Faelis would usually go, but the thief assumed that Olwen wasn't really looking for other thieves or killers. They didn't even know he was a thief.
Faelis walked to the door and opened it, stepping into the tavern. It was not extremely bright inside, but not dark either. There was long bar to the right and tables scattered around.
"Keep what I gave you anyway." Olwen told Ellis, while closing her bag up tightly again. It was still bursting though, but at least a little leeway had been given.
As they moved about the streets to this Everfill Flagon tavern Faelis had mentioned, Olwen kept a lookout for mercenaries as well as holding her bag firmly in hand in the case of thieves who might try to make off with it. Many people milled about the streets but none were the type she was looking for.
Soon, they entered the well-to-do establishment. The place was pretty dim but not overly so, so Olwen headed for the bar and sat down, looking around. There were various types of fighters and sword-arms here and she spent a moment looking them over first, before making a decision. Her companions could keep themselves occupied in the meantime while she scoped the place out.
((OOC: Now's as good a time as any for
@Hakan and
@Aura to jump in!))
Avarosa normally kept to herself on her journeys but she had stopped at this town for two very important reasons. The first was that she had already traveled all day and needed a decent meal and the second was that after she bought that decent meal she would be almost completely out of money. That meant it was time to find some way to make money, whether it was looting bandits or taking an honest job. Which she didn't care. It was just a matter of what she came upon.
She entered the Everfill Flagon and walked immediately up to the innkeeper to request a meal. After the brief moment of him looking at her draconic features, along with the other patrons of the tavern, he smiled politely and nodded, heading off to prepare something for her.
She looked around the room to see what kind of crowd she was in. People passing her by for the first time kept giving her funny looks but she was used to that by now. For the most part she could tell this was a fine tavern. Thinking about her meal again her stomach rumbled. Hopefully it wouldn't take too much longer to prepare.
She noticed a few other people who appeared to be travelers, or at least from the looks of it about to be traveling. They carried many bags with them. It was an odd group to look at at first. There was a female with dark hair, who was not particularly large but seemed to have an authoritative presence. Then there was a small, youthful looking boy. The one who stuck out most particularly was the elf with his light gold skin and black hair with golden strands. They seemed to be together, though they appeared to have little to nothing in common.
Her meal came and she handed the innkeeper her money. Then she began to eat, taking her time and relaxing. She was waiting to see if anything came up that looked particularly interesting. If not, she would simply move on to another tavern after she ate.
Faelis noticed when the dragon/elf woman walked in, but not because of her strange appearance, no, Faelis was very used to seeing all manner of strange beings on his travels. He noticed her only because of his perceptiveness, his constantly alerted sensed, always paying attention, always knowing what's going on around him. She was quite attractive, despite her draconian attributes. He watched in his peripheral vision as she ordered some food and sat down.
He wondered what her profession was, because if she was a bounty hunter or mercenary, having someone like her along on this quest would most certainly be helpful. Many draconian beings had strong magic, and even if this woman didn't, her wings, claws, scales and tail could be extremely helpful in a fight.
He tapped Olwen on the arm. "Over there, there's a dragon-woman, perhaps she would be interested in joining our escapade?"
As he spoke, he did not look in the direction of the dragon-woman or make any indication he was talking about her, and he spoke very quietly, so even an elf where the dragon-woman was sitting wouldn't be able to hear his whisper to Olwen over the noise the crowd in the bar was making.
Having spotted the dragon-elf woman soon after Faelis pointed her out, Olwen nodded and stood up then. "Let's go find out then."
Heading over to the draconic being who was currently eating, Olwen flipped her hair over one shoulder and cleared her throat to get the woman's attention. "Am I right to assume you're some type of mercenary?"
Ellis trotted after Faelis and Olwen toward Avarosa. He couldn't take his eyes off her. She wasn't his romantic taste, mind you, but a near-perfect fusion of elf and dragon. Blending aesthetic and functionality is the apex of any transmuter's craft. He'd have to ask if she was born or transmogrified... when it was polite.
The apprentice cracked a faint smile at Olwen's blunt greeting, and brushed the red tangles from his eyes. "Hopefully, your will be yes. I don't fancy the sort of dimwitted and homely farmboy-swordsmen we might have to hire... if you're not. We've a long journey ahead."
Faelis followed Olwen over to the table, his hands casually in his pockets as he sauntered over to the dragon-woman's table. Both Olwen and Ellis said something to the woman, be it a blunt question, Olwen, or a hopeful comment, Ellis, Faelis decided to say something as well.
"If you are, indeed a mercenary, and are looking for work," Faelis started, pleasent enough, then a mischievous smile bloomed on his face and a light sparked in his eyes. "I must say, I've just met these two, and I have no idea how sane, or insane, they are, so just be careful."
"Mercenary? That's not quite the word I would use, but accurate enough." Avarosa said as she looked this group over once more. "I do need some coin. If you're looking for someone who can fight, maybe I could be of assistance."
When the elf came over and made his comment, Avarosa grinned and let out a small chuckle. "I'm willing to take a risk on that one. Well, so long as the reward is promising."
She then turned back to Olwen. "So, what exactly is it that you need?"
At Faelis's comment, Olwen merely retorted back. "I'll have you know that I am plenty sane. Pretty elf boy." she added in as an afterthought, smirking his way.
"The three of us here are embarking on a quest for my school to find at least two magical artifacts, a pendant and a runestone. We have a vague lead as to where the pendant is located but we will need to find someone who knows more about what we're looking for. There is one such person in Altas Verde possibly who might have the information we seek. At any rate, the journey will be very long and dangerous so we can use all the help we can get. You will be paid for your services, don't worry. I trust a sum total of 200 gold suns is sufficient? You will be paid most of that upfront if you decide to accompany us. The rest will come later." Olwen explained to her.
"So, what do you say?"
Avarosa took a minute to think about the offer, not because she thought it was a bad one, but because she wanted to make sure she completely knew what she was getting into. Then with a shrug of her shoulders she smirked and said, "Why not? Sounds interesting enough."
"Why thank you very much, my dear Lady Olwen!" Faelis said, smiling and bowing to the mage and a very condescending way. When he straightened his eyes were still gleaming mischievously. "I definitely think of myself as extremely pretty!"
He looked to the dragon woman, the smirk still playing on his lips, as she agreed to come with them. "We shall be very glad to have you with us-? What is your name?" the elf asked. "I am Faelis."
"Oh yes!" Olwen said, still smirking. "No doubt a certain boyish charm in an utterly prepubescent sort of way." she remarked dryly. "But never mind his trivial attempts at a graceful and elegant preamble of self. I am Olwen and I am very glad you've decided to join us." Casting only a cursory glance Faelis's way, before turning her whole attention on the dragon/elf woman.
"What kind of skills do you possess by the way?" she asked, while putting a hand inside her overstuffed bag to grab the pouch of coins she was to pay each hireling up front. Soon she located it and handed it over to the dragon lady. "One hundred fifty gold suns upfront as promised, the rest will be paid in full once the journey is complete."
Olwen also handed her some potions as well, further lightening the load in her pack. "Those are healing and restorative potions in case you need them."
Faelis only smirked at Olwen's comment, he wasn't perturbed, or irritated in the slightest. There would be plenty of time for returning jabs on this quest, after all, the mage assumed it would take a while to complete.
He waited to hear the dragon woman's answer to Olwen's question.
"Avarosa." She said with a small bow of her head, taking the pouch of coins in her hand. She shook it around so she could judge the weight for a second or two then put it in her own pack, which was a small black leather sack. Looking back up at Olwen, she grinned.
"Skills?" Avarosa said with a grin. "Well, I know how to fight. Dragon's blood courses through my veins, so my strength is far superior to that of a normal human or elf. Aside from that, I have powerful magic." With that, a spark of darkflame magic appeared in her hand before shimmering away. Then with a chuckle she added, "Though if you want a demonstration we have to go somewhere else."
After a brief pause she returned the question. "How about the three of you?"
"Well Avarosa, I'm sure you'll make for a great asset to our cause. After all, I can't refute your draconic qualities now can I? Dragons and the dragon-blooded are said to have great strength and powerful magics as it is, so I don't doubt that you have the same." Olwen responded with a grin tugging the corners of her mouth.
"I won't speak for my companions as to their skills, but as for my own, I am a blood mage. My blood magic takes three different forms, that of healing potions, harming spells and summoning rituals. The potions I have already given you some and yes, they do contain a bit of my blood in them. It enhances the healing properties of it all. The summoning rituals can only be performed in special summoning chambers at my school, yet I did bring with me a summoning stone my teacher and I had crafted to use on this journey if needed. So my main method of combat is my spells, fueled by own blood in which I use a ceremonial knife for such purposes." Olwen finished by showing her said knife.
"It should be an interesting journey if all goes well."
"As for my skills," Faelis started. "I am an accomplished fighter, using speed rather than strength most of the time, though strength is not something I lack, I fight with my daggers and am just as good with my body. I am stealthy, I would like to think, even for an elf." He smiled. "And not too bad in looks, wouldn't you agree?"
Olwen rolled her eyes. "Full of yourself, aren't you?" But he did have a point about his good looks, but the blood mage wouldn't tell him that. Let him squirm for a bit, she decided, although she doubted squirming was something the golden-skinned elf would do. He seemed much too conceited for that sort of behavior.
Now looking at Ellis as she waited for him to explain what he added to the group's repertoire.
"Ellis Hargrove, transmuter and transmogrifier. I can change my shape, and If you trust me I could make some adjustments to yours too," he flashed a playful grin at Faelis "you won't even need all that jewelry to be pretty."
I'd look just as good if I had a bunch of gold and and gemstones hanging off my skin! Ellis thought in a huff.
With that Ellis scurried in a half-circle around Avarosa. "Dragonsblood, huh? What sort may I ask? You've an unfamiliar hue. Firedrakes tend to take on a reddish usually, if I recall?"
Faelis would have replied, and with some pretty scorching comments, if Ellis had not then scurried off. But Faelis was not so insecure that he needed to insult Ellis back, though it would have been entertaining.
But instead Fealis just shifted his weight to one leg and crossed his arms, the whole time the same arrogant expression across his elvish features.