Post/Author/DateTime	Post
spray paint affiliate 05-28-04, 05:56 AM	Please feel free to critique the following. the characters developing into a kinda cynical "urban wolf" maxing out on diplomacy, bluff, sense motive et. al. The wind wailed through the damp narrow cobbled streets, the municipal lanterns restless, recoiling against the squalls and drizzle. A pair of eyes were intently watching a shabby looking store, the faded signage barely announcing its enterprise, only the 3 tarnished orbs publicising it’s trade. A shadow detached itself from the half-light of an alleyway and glided silently across the street, reaching the entrance of the pawnbrokers in what seemed an instant. Only then did it pause, imperceptibly, before pushing the door and entering, the tinny peal of the doorbell lost forever in the whistling wind. Inside, the warm buttery light revealed the shadow as merely a cloaked and cowled figure, damp from the outside elements. The storekeeper, despite the forewarning of the bell, was hunched over the main counter, examining a gem, jeweller’s eyepiece lodged firmly over his right eye. Despite the stranger’s presence, he briefly continued with his inspection, until removing the lens from his aged features, and straightened, viewing the figure impassively. “And who do I have the pleasure of serving this foul evening sir?” enquired the proprietor, rubbing his eyes, as if to soothe away fatigue. Lowering the hood, the outsider revealed his face, fine droplets escaping the cowl and running in rivulets down his maturing features, finally settling in a subtle trimmed beard. “My name is Hildegard. I have something I feel its time to…….part with.” The weight of the pause itself felt significant, knowing. “Ah, I see.” The pawnbroker replied, a tone taking its cue from the connotation in Hildegard’s level voice. Hildegard’s hand retreated under the cloak, brushed aside to reveal the dull sheen of a mithral chain shirt, and deftly unfastened a belt pouch, producing an incandescent sapphire, as blue as the deepest ocean, and comparable in size to a fair-sized nectarine. As if to emphasise the ripe perfection of the stone, Hildegard dextrously rotated it in the palm of his hand, the polished facets refracting the captive light in a myriad directions. “I think……” Hildegard murmured “…..that this should reach a good price.” With that, and without warning, his flicked his wrist and lobbed the gem in the pawnbroker’s direction. Far from being surprised, the storekeeper caught the flying stone gracefully and shot an enquiring glance at Hildegard, gauging an expression that remained neutral. “There were no complications? No loose ends?” enquired the pawnbroker. “None.” Responded Hildegard. “The gem, if you please.” “A fine piece. Quite exquisite. Enough to…..” breathed the pawnbroker, words trailing off as he examined the jewel. “Then the debt has been paid? In full?” Hildegard pressed. “Oh yes, quite.” Replied the jeweller distractedly, lost in the flawless beauty of the stone. “You will inform the others?” pressed Hildegard. “What? Oh yes. Of course.” Countered the dealer. “Of course.” “Then it is done. My obligation has been satisfied and the council’s grip on my freedom has been relinquished.” Hildegard said, softly, re-buttoning his cloak and preparing himself for the elements outside. Catching the solemnity in his voice, the jeweller looked up at the departing figure. “It was just……..business Baric. The council don’t hold grudges, remember that. And know this; the guild looks after its own. Sometimes, that can make all the difference.” Baric/Hildegard paused at the door. “The guild are not obliged to me, nor I to them. That is the difference.” And with that, he walked into the dark deluge outside, and was gone. No one saw it, but the pawnbroker made a series of silent gestures towards the departed form, and then returned to his appraisal. Any thief worth his salt would have had no problem in understanding the gestures. After all, the message was simple and often used as a blessing, albeit with a slight difference. Follow in the footfalls of Olidammara apprentice.
Mysteria 05-28-04, 04:10 PM	Nice looking intro. :) Is there a background to it too somewhere? :) I presume that hide and move silently are on his skill list too?
Trydan 05-31-04, 07:16 PM	Excellent vignette. I really liked it. The only thing that I found off-putting was the name "Hildegard", which is a common female name; having it used with the masculine pronoun the whole time was really wierd.
spray paint affiliate 06-01-04, 05:48 AM	Originally posted by Trydan Excellent vignette. I really liked it. The only thing that I found off-putting was the name "Hildegard", which is a common female name; having it used with the masculine pronoun the whole time was really wierd. oops! just googled "hildegard" and i'm struck by the i) Teutonic and ii) Female etymology. thanx for the heads up on that one Trydan.
Khalon 06-01-04, 09:40 PM	I would really like to see more of this. Got any background? Writeup? Plans for the char? Loved the flavour in this little intro. Got to love them rogues, eh? So, at the lords pleasure, please sit down and tell us more of this mysterious Hildegard and his debt to the council?
spray paint affiliate 06-03-04, 07:19 AM	Originally posted by Khalon I would really like to see more of this. Got any background? Writeup? Plans for the char? Loved the flavour in this little intro. Got to love them rogues, eh? So, at the lords pleasure, please sit down and tell us more of this mysterious Hildegard and his debt to the council? after getting the skinny on 'hildegard' i've bumped that for ticotin, and i'll try and post more when i'm not juggling so many balls in the air. Y'know - Work, the buildup to euro 2004 etc. etc.