The Apprenticeship - 01

[TheUdjat]

The sun is rising in the distant east when your small group sets out for Freiburg. In all, you number twelve, a number that one of the magi, Marten, deems fortuitous. The party is ostensibly led by the two apprentices, Joseph and Amalric, set upon their course by Master Leopold himself. Ever since the previous night, when he made his instructions clear, they have rung through both young men’s minds: they must take their sealed roll of vellum to Old Grigori at the edge of the Black Forest, near Freiburg, and then do as he commands. There is nothing more to be known by the pair—just the name, and the rough location, but surely this is part of the old magus’s test for them.

There is also the matter of supplies, but both apprentices recognize that this is more a task for their fellows than themselves. Why else should Elric, captain of the guard, be along on this mission? He carries the Covenant’s silver coins, a sign of his station, though all know that the true bartering will be left in the hands of Tawno, the mysterious gypsy that has taken up residence at the Covenant, or else it will be left in the hands of Arnaud, the troubadour recently arrived at the Covenant. Both have opted to accompany the little journey for reasons of their own. Perhaps they simply wish to have an escort in their travels.

Also along for the journey are Jakob, a woodsman known to all Covenant residents, a man skilled in tracking beasts and navigating the many dangers of the outlying woods. The young boy Rupert has also been conscripted with the task of managing the horses and taking care of other small chores—much the same role all are familiar with seeing him execute at the Covenant.

Besides all of these, there are also five guardsmen under the command of Elric. One drives the cart, two take turns walking beside it, and the others are mounted like their commander. Two horses drive the cart itself, laden with foodstuffs, wine, and fine cloth made at the Covenant, meant for trade in the town of Freiburg. The Covenant is impressively self-sustaining, but certain items are beyond the ability of their smiths and the surrounding land. The magi oft-times have peculiar demands for spices and herbs, and the lone blacksmith of the Covenant has not yet mastered the delicate art of fashioning hinges, springs, and other delicate metalwork. There are also requests for certain types of wood, jewelry, gems, and the precious vellum parchment that the magi do so much scrawling upon. All of this is contained in a list Elric himself carries, though he is unable to read it. Another reason to have the apprentice magi along for the journey.

There is no-one to bid farewell to the group, or to tell them when to leave, and all is left completely in the hands of the two apprentices to orchestrate the details of their journey—more testing. But soon enough they are off, knowing that the sooner goods are acquired in Freiburg and the matter with Old Grigori concluded, the sooner they might return and be proclaimed true Magi. Or so they hope.

It is yet two and a half days’ travel through the heavily forested hills and narrow paths of the region, Jakob assures the group. He has made this journey several times before on behalf of the Covenant, for every spring and autumn the magi deem such a trip necessary. There are closer villages and hamlets, but the freshly-established Freiburg has been a favorite of the magi since its establishment some years ago, mostly because its lax restrictions on bartering and trade attract merchants from all over. Only there can the peculiar items be found without a great deal more travel.

Halfway into the day, the winding road looms ahead, turning and shifting with the terrain, barely wide enough for the little cart. With any luck, it will be a long and dull trip...

SPOILER: Click to show

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[Welcome to the game, everyone! This will, god-willing, be a ‘Short’ adventure. We shall we what happens. This initial post is an opportunity to acquaint yourselves with one another, establish any relationships to other characters you would like, and to describe yourselves. Remember that most characters have been living together in the Covenant for some time, but this does not mean they know each other well. The Covenant is like a small village—they have some essential craftsmen, farmers, and herders, but the purpose of the settlement is always the magi and the magic they do, most of it hidden from the common folk.

If you had Ride as a trained skill, I gave you a horse. Everyone else is expected to ride in the wagon or walk alongside it. I also doled out weapons, but I thoroughly expect characters to have possessions in accordance with their professions. You can freely assume that.

Also, Bad* and Menatkhufu, my Wanderers—you have PMs.

Any questions?

(Character Status)

SPOILER: Click to show

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Amalric – Normal
Arnaud – Normal
Elric – Normal, Mounted
Jakob – Normal, Mounted
Joseph – Normal, Mounted
Rupert – Normal
Tawno – Normal

Guardsman 1 – Normal, Driving Cart
Guardsman 2 – Normal, Mounted
Guardsman 3 – Normal, Mounted
Guardsman 4 – Normal, Walking
Guardsman 5 – Normal, Riding Cart

[Yakumo]

"Keep the cart steady on the path men." Elric commands in a somewhat lazy voice, "Last time the cart tipped over and soem of the Covenant's trade was lost. That's why I got the job this time, I don't want to have to lose it after my first go." The traveling had been dull, but at least it beat training and staring out the walls for hours at a time.

Elric took in the hodgepodge group again, sizing up their value for combat. The guards he knew, he trained most of them. They were good men and reliable too.

Jakob the woodsman he was friendly with; on a regular basis he would see Jakob going in and out of town gathering wood for his craft. A fine bit of work the man did too, Elric actually had one of his nicer bows strapped to his back now. He could trust him to be able to handle himself.

The gypsy, while quite pretty, he didn't care for. She gave him a hard time when she first arrived at the Covenant gates and Elric has held a grudge since then. No good in a fight he concluded.

The wanderer was strange, He had probably picked up a trick or two in his travels and would be worthwhile in a fight. Elric admired him most of his education, he could read and write in several languages, something Elric wants to learn after he is done with his service to the guards.

Rupert, hah, the kid was great. Even if he was always causing trouble in town, it was never malicious and always good for a laugh or two and a short break in his usual hum-drum day. The kid was silly and young, but reliable. I wouldn't want him in a fight, but he was good at staying out of trouble so it shouldn't come to that anyway.

Then there are the Magi, Elric grimaced looking at them. Joseph was an alright guy, for one of them magic wielding odd balls. Joseph was the apprentice that would read war books to him when he wasn't training or studying. He liked him, but he could never shake the feeling that Joseph sometimes lied to him about what was in the books. That and he was always giving him odd looks, like Elric was some sort of bug or imbecile; at least that's what Elric thought. The other Magi Elric just plain didn't like. he heard that he had some sort of mind powers and right then and there Elric decided that he was trying to read his mind all of the time or planting thoughts in his head so whenever he dealt with him there was always a tinge of hostility in his voice. They were Magi though, so they could handle quite a bit if it came down to it Elric thought.

He went back to watching the road as they rode at a slow trot. As they went, Elric rode up alongside Joseph and showed him the list, "What's all this stuff here that we need to pick up Joseph? I don't want to mess anything up and have Master Leopold breathing down my neck, so no tricks."

SPOILER: Click to show

Big first post, sorry, I am just trying to establish a foundation for myself here. Glad that game is starting up, can't wait to see where it goes.

1.9.0.7

[Rojito]

Joseph stares into the sky at the start of the trip, hopeing for good weather, and willing to make sure it is if it isn't. When Captain Elric speaks to him he looks away from the sky and toward the list the captain has. "Good day to travel isn't it Captain? Lets see the list and find out just what we have been asked to retrieve." Joseph liked Elric, he seemed to be a plain-spoken, kind-hearted soul. Even if he did give Joseph some odd looks now and again. But he was born without the magic, and Joseph could never help but wonder what life would be like without it when he looked at Elric.

Glancing at Almalric to see what he would think of this idea brings on a different thought. Almalric was one of the brightest students in the entire school, but he knew it and didn't think much of anyone else. Didn't even seem to get along with anyone else. A waste, cause a friend like him would be a huge help with those tough spells.

Right behind Almalric walked Arnaud. He seems like a guy anyone could get along with. Maybe he could bring Almalric out of his shell. Joseph has never spoken to Arnaud, but he has heard him perform, once. Its hard to get enough time away from everything to listen to him. Sometimes though his music will float upon the wind, and thats what Joseph really likes.

Around Arnaud was Jakob... He isn't a really likable person. There is just something about him that makes it seem like he is good enough and doesn't need your help. Even when all you want to do is help. But he is very competant, which must be why they sent him on this mission.

Then of course there was Tawny. She was quite the looker, but there was just something about her that put Joseph off. Perhaps it was that book he had read about Gypsys, and that they have a form of magic all their own. Joseph doesn't know, but he isn't really all that comfortable around her.

Rupert is the kid in the group. Great with horses, and seems innocent enough, but there is just something... mischievious about that darn kid. Just gotta remember not to leave your important stuff out around him, curiosity you know.

Turning back to Elric he opens his hand for the sheet of vellum. "Lets have a look shall we?"

SPOILER: Click to show

First off thank you Yakumo for giving me a rough idea on how to figure out how my character feels towards everyone. Secondly i am sorry if anyone feels like i didn't do their character justice in my feeling of them. Remember though that we dont get alot of time together so i actually really dont know your characters.

7.0

[at]

Amalric smiled to himself as the guard captain approached his colleague for assistance, clutching instructions from the master. That the man did not like him, as was clear, was of little concern, so long as he fulfilled his obligations to the Covenant. No doubt Joseph would acquiesce to the captain's needs.

Still Amalric wondered what role he played in this test, this challenge set by Master Leopold. Looking to the gypsy and the troubadour he considered how their talents might be of value, some clue perhaps as to what lay ahead.
To send the huntsman too was curious, would this journey take them beyond the roads and towns.

The boy might know, at times Amalric had seen him in the shadows, believing himself unseen by the magi. Perhaps he had heard something of their travellers.

Raising an arm to the air he called silently to his familiar, Isabeau, who fluttered obediently down to land on his wrist as he took a step towards the boy. What was his name again...

[Badasterysk]

None too soon, thought the well groomed Frenchman whose cologne carried the subtle scent of exhilaration. Arnaud was happy to be leaving the small, cloistered hamlet. Though the Covenant had its own merits and interesting quirks, it rapidly became staid and oppressive for the troubadour. Certainly the people enjoyed and appreciated his talents, but they expressed their gratitude through means other than coin. And Master Leopold was a rather… abrasive man- not at all like Arnaud had come to expect from men of such station.

No sooner had the caravan lost sight of the Covenant when Arnaud, graciously accepting a seat on a wagon, drew his fiddle and began a light-hearted tune that promised good fortune and godspeed. As he played, he took stock of his fellow travelers- some he’d met, others not. An altogether drab assemblage, he had to admit, excepting Tawno, of course.

While he’d yet to approach the woman, she did strike his fancy -a large target, he had to admit. Not wanting the distraction, Arnaud had chosen not to pursue her…yet. Let the others make fools of themselves first, he concluded.

The pair of Magi were odd, each in his own way. It wasn’t that Arnaud didn’t like either of them; he simply accepted them with a great degree of nonchalance. The Magi served their purpose, and that was enough for the wanderer.

Captain Elric, on the other hand, was a likeable fellow, if a bit stuffy. He was certainly a dependable man with a respect and understanding of station and acceptable behavior, though Arnaud couldn’t help but suspect the man-at-arms was sizing him up, trying to determine if the Frenchman held the ‘necessary’ qualities.

The rest he’d barely been introduced to. Jakob, the woodsman, struck Arnaud as a reclusive type. And he wasn’t sure about the boy, Rupert. The thought crossed the troubadour’s mind to take the youth in as an apprentice, but that thought was quickly dismissed- such was not the purpose of this journey.

His song ended on a long, uplifting note, and Arnaud sat back as best he could in the discomforting wagon. The sky was bright and the birds sang, though their whistles and chirps were interrupted by the squeaks of the wagon and the ting of the armored escorts. Sighing, the troubadour recited a lengthy poem of journey and friendship…

[menatkhufu]

Tawno yawned and streched noisily, inhaling the fresh air deep inside her chest. The sun was caressing playfully, and she enjoyed the warm breeze. It has been a week since the gypsy had left the Covenant, and it was good to be on the way again. She took her doeskin shoes off, and sighed unintentionally as the refreshening moisture of the soil creeped up her spine. All was delightful in the opens today.

Excepting my travelling companions, though. Dull folks, she thought, lacking the divine gift of inspiration. Men lost in minor details. Unable the grasp the simplicity of nature and its grandoise beauty. She giggled at her own ideas, they should be the rantings of an arrogant scholar, not a simple gypsy woman. T’is well, she smiled, pretty folks should be arrogant.

She knew some of the people around her, through personal communication or the gossip table. She knew about their motivations, their intent, their superficial thoughts. Men were easy to read, as easy as the lots she cast.

She didnt care a lot for the warriors and their captain Elric. Their interests were different, their will focused on physical merits, and they didnt respect slyness. Which is why the captain frowned involuntarily when he looked at Tawno. Anyway, she knew better than to approach Elric, since he would be dumbly focused on his oh-so-important orders and nothing else through the journey.

The woodsman, a simple and honest fellow, would be nice to have around, if he had not the nasty habit of belittling women. Because he feared to be physically impotent, because he equated impotence with women, as the gypsy wisely put. Pity, she said to herself, if’n ever he tries to scorn me, a grand mockery of him I’ll make.

The child Rupert she didnt even notice coming with them. When he tried to tag along her and started inquiring, she thrust an apple in his hand and slapped him lightly on the ear.
''Git away, hex you!'' she snapped. She plainly disliked talking with children.

Suddenly music from the Frenchman’s fiddler resounded in the surrounding meadows, filling her with happiness, and she barely restrained herself from dancing to it. She silently chanted a prayer to the goddess of joy for her gift of music upon humankind. This journey wouldnt be that boring with the fiddle player around, after all.

Of the Magi, she disliked Joseph more. His expression emanated prejudice against her race, and he probably didnt meet a Romany before in his life. Stupid rookies spend their lives in front of dusty tomes and without mastery of real life at all, then they show up and pretend to know the whole deal better than you because they have read it in their accursed tomes. Amalric was better, silent and serene. But he was also unnerving to Tawno, being one of the few people that she could not build empathy with. He’s veiled to me, Tawno thought.

Why Leopold pushed half of the Covenant unto the road for want of a scroll was a mystery to her. They had trained pigeons for letters, and she knew that the Magi utilized the Art to speak with each other from afar. A party with a bard and a gypsy for the task was weird, if nothing else.

Well, she sighed, it is not right the question the Journey. The Journey has a will of its own, and while one is on the Way, she shouldnt look back. Such said the gypsy elders.

She quickly gathered her skirts and climbed up the cart, making herself comfortable between some loads of wool. She would cast her lots to divine if the weather will be good during the journey, then enjoy herself a few minutes of rest, accompanying the fiddle with a whistle, adding some gypsy melodies when he stops, to test if he is good with new tunes.