Patchwork Universe

Arnora · Average Joined: 29 Feb 2004 Posts: 18 Location: Yggdrasil

Arnora considered where it was she wanted to go with her enquiries. It would seem unduly hasty to have changed her mind about what she was looking for already but these were exceptional circumstances.

In the mean time she could at least reply to the good man's query. "Here would be fine if it is no trouble, there is nothing I would wish to say which would require more secrecy.
I have often in the past been required to seek out and inspire mortals of all the races, but especially men, to carry out quests on behalf of The World Tree - Yggdrasil. There are many actions required to balance the world and protect the tree that its servants cannot carry out directly and so we seek others. The strange circumstances I find myself in now where the tree has been removed from the worlds of men, giant and elf would seem to be one of the times when heroes should be sought. I am unsure this time of what kind of hero it is I seek. I am considering that the strange circumstances may require individuals different to those I would normally ask such a thing of."

Arnora paused to allow Jones some time to take in what she was saying. Usually the conversation leading up to such detail would have been considerably slower but she felt that she should not keep him from his work for too long. There were many other people here.

Jones · Posted: Mon Apr 12, 2004 11:29 am Post subject:

The tavern keeper considered Arnora thoughtfully. While he presented himself as a humble server of drinks, he was sometimes disappointed by how easily people accepted him in that role. This young woman was the first customer since Captain Isobel to consider him as a useful source of information and he rather warmed to her.

"Well, if you are questing for a hero, I would say you have come to the right place..." he began. "At least I would, were it not for the fact that my customer base seems somewhat altered of late. The Gods who've transported yourself and your tree, by which you seem to set much store, to this world are collectors of heroes. Most of the folk you'll change to meet in this world are counted as heroes in their own patch. Though many haven't adjusted well to the change in their situation."

He glanced around the room with a wry smile and then leant closer across the table, the tone of his voice confiding:
"I think me that there has been a change in the kind of folks the Gods have been bringing to this world. Not long ago there were such heroes as I might recommend to you but they've been strangely absent for some while. These latest visitors are most welcome after the lull in custom but none of them are folk I recognise."

Linking his hands together he continued:
"If on your travels you chance to find the Cardinal or his Chantry, Smight and his Red Fort or even Snark of the Dark Tower... they might be the type you seek. But of late they seem to have vanished as mysteriously as first they came. Perhaps you would do better to seek out Captain Isobel of the vessel Emaiches Justice. She is not the type of hero I am familiar with but she has a redoubtable will and a stern determination.. of that I am certain."

He paused and looks as if he might speak further, but then seemed to consider he had said enough already and waited instead for Arnora's response.

Arnora · Average Joined: 29 Feb 2004 Posts: 18 Location: Yggdrasil

Arnora considered what Jones had just told her. Especially his mention of the gods. She had thought she had met or known of most of the gods from the worlds of Yggdrasil and then she had met with the Gentleman Kao Sheng who was without doubt a god and not one that she had recognised. There was of course the chance that he had been Loki, or perhaps the chance that all of this was the work of Loki and his cohorts but something about it seemed to fit.
It was true that those who had been gathered did not seem to be your usual kind of hero but she was starting to see those who would get things done in their own way. Maybe some of them were heroes and maybe they could be persuaded to help.

"It is interesting, what you have just told me. I had wondered as to the nature of these places and who the God I had encountered was in relation to those Gods I was expecting. Within the worlds the Ash, Yggdrasil comes from the World tree is more respected even than the Gods but as a very different kind of being. Here the gods seem to hold Yggdrasil between different worlds and you say this is part of a desire to collect heroes to this place.
I have not yet met Captain Isobel but if you would recommend her as someone I should speak to I shall seek her out. "

Arnora considered other places she had been and heroes she had found for a moment.

"What is your place in this collection of heroes? You seem to know much about it for someone who would seem to be an inn keeper? And there are some things about the young lady who stormed out earlier that I recognise from youths I have talked to in the past. She wishes to be somebody I think..."

Jones · Posted: Mon Apr 12, 2004 4:52 pm Post subject:

Jones considered Arnora's words and glanced at the door to the side of the room through which Jane had departed. He looked briefly uncomfortable but the entry of a gentleman who approached the bar with clear intent gave him the opportunity to collect his thoughts.

Since Jessica was busy attending to Karl he excused himself with a brief words of apology and went to serve the newcomer. The gentleman appeared to want only to change a coin and his business was swiftly conducted. Karl had taken himself upstairs and Jack Jones had carved up the remains of roast boar and taken them out to the kitchen.

When the publican returned to Arnora's table, he and she were alone in the bar.
"Forgive me for that," he said. "I've set myself up as an inn-keeper you see and it's important to keep up with the trade. But we were speaking of heroes, were we not... and yes, I confess I've moe experience in that vein than you might think to see me now."

His powerful build, albeit clad in the simple clothes of a farmer, gave veracity to his statement. He shrugged his broad shoulds and smiled ruefully at Arnora, as if to dismiss the significance of his words.
"The world I came from was a dangerous place. Beneath the earth were level upon level of tunnels, inhabited by dangerous creatures and a demonic race of beings. There was treasure there for those that risked it and most everybody tried some different way to manage the monsters. Magicians we had a plenty, and knights and fighters. Us Joneses never bothered much with any speciality, we made out all right in the tunnels with our combination of talents..."

He sighed, his gaze nostalgic as he seemed to look back into the distant past.
"Me and my cousin Jennifer were down in the third level, not deep enough for the real nasties but you could find quite a few bits of kit lying about now and then. When we came up to the surface we saw the mists but only I could cross them. Well we thought it was the demon work at first, but when I discovered a bit more it turned out they call themselves Gods. Their tricky sorts though so I don't rightly know what they be."

He looked around the well-appointed bar room and the fire, dimming now in the wide hearth.
"Anyhow, I built a life for myself here, such as it be. And a family. But heroics run in the blood of the Jones as much as they did in any of the wizards and warriors back home. My eldest daughter and my son have settled down to this life alright, but my youngest is at a difficult age..." He nodded to the door Jane at left through.

"That was Jane, the girl you mentioned. And you're right she's got a mighty powerful need to be someone. But how she's to accomplish it I don't know. She won't listen to my ideas and she's outgrown what this little patch of land can offer her."

[ooc note: Timeslip over. This thread is now the new Public Bar thread.]

Arnora · Average Joined: 29 Feb 2004 Posts: 18 Location: Yggdrasil

Arnora smiled as Jones related his past. It would have seemed out of place if in this collection of heroes he had not also been a hero.

"I thank you for sharing your past with me sir. I am but another of your customers as an inn keeper and am honoured that you have shared more with me than just your Inn."

Arnora frowned briefly. "I have not had much experience with this mist between places but it seems a shame that there are those who cannot cross and travel where they please. There are boundaries of this kind where I come from, only heroes, gods or those of knowledge and will, can cross between the worlds but the worlds themselves are sizeable enough for all but the most curious of people. Indeed most of them are not fully explored by their inhabitants. The size of these lands between mists seems almost cruelly small - even a farmer or an inn keepers daughter could grow restless, family blood aside."

There was a brief pause while Arnora considered what it was she had learned of the nature of this place. Jones and his Cousin had obviously been here for some time, this did not bode well for the realms separated from Yggdrasil.

"In part these strange worlds separated by mists is something I would wish to know more about but I am worried about the realm that I come from. Those who would have crossed between the worlds can no longer, Yggdrasil the Ash, now in this universe, was the gateway between worlds. It was and in many ways still is also the source of much knowledge for those worlds. The Lord of all the gods of that realm, Odin, once hung himself from the tallest branches of the Great Ash for 9 days and nights in order to share the knowledge of the Ash. I wonder what will happen to the nine realms in the absence of the World Tree."

"I seek heroes in these worlds for the sake of those I have left behind. I will also help those here if I can. If there is a way I can be of assistance to you and maybe your daughter I will do my best."

Jones · Posted: Mon Apr 12, 2004 6:25 pm Post subject:

Jones had listened intently, nodding at Arnora's mention of cruelty. But when she reached the end of her speech he was smiling broadly, obviously well pleased with her reply.

"I'll gladly call you not just a customer but a friend then," he said. "Who knows, there might be something you can do to help. And perhaps there's more advice I can give ye on your quest."

He looked towards the window and at the darkness that had fallen outside.
"But it grows late," he said. "Can I offer you a bed for the night? We keep rooms for guests that I hope you'd find a comfort and perhaps tomorrow there might be more travellers come visiting that might be suitable for your quest. Perhaps too..." and here he looked hopeful. "You might have better luck talking to my daughter than I do myself, you seem to have a skill with would-be-heroes..."

Arnora · Average Joined: 29 Feb 2004 Posts: 18 Location: Yggdrasil

Arnora looked pleased and was in cheered by Jones' announcement of her as a friend. It had been a while since she had been out in the world and felt that she had the time to spend in a place for friends. It was difficult when life spans and tasks had to be considered.

"I am grateful for the offer of a room. This place does indeed seem good for meeting those who wander here. I will happily talk with your daughter if you wish. I'm afraid I cannot promise anything but I will talk with her."

Jones · Posted: Mon Apr 12, 2004 6:52 pm Post subject:

"Then let me take you up to the private parlour," Jones said. "And introduce you to the rest of the family." He looked towards the doors of the lobby and added: "It doesn't look as if there'll be much more custom tonight in any case."

A thought occured to him and he spoke thoughtfully.
"I notice you've had nothing to drink but water. Can I tempt you to a morsel of food as well. There's a goodly plenty..."

Arnora · Average Joined: 29 Feb 2004 Posts: 18 Location: Yggdrasil

At the mention of food from Jones, Arnora realised that she was actually quite tired. It had been a strange day.

"I would be glad of some dinner if there was still any available at this hour. If you wish to close up the bar I could eat in my room"

Jones · Posted: Mon Apr 12, 2004 7:54 pm Post subject:

"No hurry," Jones said, easily. "Let me get you a spot of something." Before she could protest, he had retreated into the kitchen, and before long had returned with a covered tray, a linen cloth keeping the food warm beneath it.
"Come up and take your bite of sup with us," he said. "It'll be lonely in the bar on your own. I've asked Juniper to prepare your room before she goes but it'll be a few minutes yet."

Holding the tray for her, he nodded to the door leading to the second floor.
"This way, if you'd be so good as to open it for me," he said.

[OOC NOTE: This thread now continues upstairs in the private parlor following on from 'A Boaring Conversation'.]