Golfbag of Glaives

Lower Trades District, afternoon

The snow had settled into a steady sheet of white over the city. Yet like with all cities, it's pure white color had long since stained with the activity and hustle of the Trades District.

Not that it made Aelwyn any more pleased with walking along the cold ground, feet mostly exposed. The Dragoon, even at worst of times, had a distinct look to him with his flowing red ribbons and tall glaive - but now he had even more so, as he carried several of the long spears. Wrapped and heavily secured, the bundle seemed near ridiculous upon the ruddy and maybe-a-bit-short sith-makar. At least he got a lot of space that way.

Strolling through the Trade District his black cloak with emerald green and orange accents pulled tight around him his braided hair hanging down to his mid back his his black leather boots making a crunching sound in the snow as he walks his eyes scan the different shops, vendors, and stalls as he moves. "Gods where in the world is the damned leather worker's shop..." He grumbles to himself his hazel gold eyes darting back and forth over the shops.

Snow. Again. The only positive note that the term is thus, rather than 'still.' It is a sign that the season's grip is weakening. Verna makes her way along the peripheral shops: sturdy clothiers, leather workers, accessories and the like (as opposed to the heat and metallic sounds of the forges). Her gray cloak shields her and her green dress from the chill and a basket is tucked into her elbow.

Aelwyn holds up his bundle of glaives over his shoulders, grunting as he balances them - but then as he was about to pass Alfrik by, he pauses. Then starts to take few steps back, before stopping and lowering the weapons to lean against him. Tilting his head, he curiously looks at the man, with a tilt of his head. "Is Blackbraid lost?" The draconian then calls out with a flash of his teeth.

Alfrik glances to Aelwyn and raises a brow. "I'm Alfrik Serpentis, I am actually more trying to reacquaint myself with the area as I'm a native but took a year or two away as I was finding myself. Now I'm looking for the leather worker, or Armorer somewhere to get a good, quality, beautiful set of leather armor, and maybe another dagger or two, or something to add to my repertoire if that makes sense."

Verna notes Aelwyn's call first. Second, she notes the bundle of glaives. Third, she notes the man with whom the grand dragoon converses. Her perusing is paused for the present prior to her approach to the pair. "Are you preparing for a grand battle, Aelwyn?" she inquires before adding, "Also, good day to you both."

Culix simply appears. Or rather, steps out from a convenient patch of shade provided by a nearby awning. She tends to do that, and she's getting spookier about it all the time. The grey-skinned and silver haired goblin is wearing a pair of large round spectacles today, the lenses smoked almost opaque, to ward off the dazzling glare of the low sun. "More daggers is rarely a bad thing." she intones, interjecting herself into the conversation. She peers over Aelwyn's way, raising an eyebrow. "Let me guess, cold iron and silvered options?" she wonders of him.

Aelwyn's a grand Dragoon! Shame he wasn't told. He bows his head, introducing himself, "Aelwyn, a Dragoon." And then he stops with a 'Ah.' The draconian clicks his teeth, eyeing the robe wearing man. "This one apologizes, yet this one knows very little of leather armor." He gestures; even if he was wearing a fur-lined leather cloak, his most significant clothing underneath was a breastplate and a loincloth. "Yet this one can show the doors?" A flash of his teeth.

Turning his head towards Verna with a slight amount of surprise, he then bows his head deeply. "Mourner." Then as he straightens, he lets out an amused rumble. "Would it surprise her if this one was?" He lets out a long suffering sigh, looking at the bundle of glaives. "Discovering a new piece of oneself is a long process." Then he glances towards Alfrik, and gestures. "Serpent apparently has returned-" He stops as Culix appears. "... tch, Knives is starting to know this one well." He flicks his tail.

"No, I would not be surprised," Verna admits to Aelwyn before nodding to the appearing Culix. "Indeed." She does not specify whether she concurs on the number of sharp weapons or the materials of their construction. Perhaps both. "Such would, in fact, be prudent, given the current situation. I ventured her for my own preparations, although neither arms nor armor are my forte." She now looks to Alfrik. "That said, myself or others could certainly aid you in locating a purveyor of goods you may seek. It is always wise to be prepared."

Alfrik looks to Aelwyn and nods his head. "Long but meaningful topic." He says before raising a brow. "Oh the tattoo? Yes my bloodline for my magic is Serpentine, which kind of tracks as my surname is Serpentis. And the rumour about my magical bloodline is that an ancestor mingled with the ancient grand serpents that ruled the world long ago. And it just so happened to manifest in me many many many generations later. That said yes I need to find armor, and more daggers to balance my fighting style, or perhaps even...I don't know a Rapier or something." He chuckles before looking to Verna. "Well hello and good day to you as well, Alfrik Serpentis at your service." The Half-sil says with a smile before looking to Culix. "Daggers are definitely always something to have as many as one can carry." He smiles to Culix, and gives her a small bow of his head.

Culix nods along to Aelwyn's assessment, "Well, we've worked together a few times now." she says and shrugs, "'sides, You work at the TaRaCe, so we're bound to run into each other plenty." she adds, cracking a brief grin. "I need to get myself a new crossbow, I reckon. Had to ditch my old one in the volcano." she sighs and shakes her head a bit. She looks back towards Alfrik, "Good to meet you. I'm just Culix." she offers. The topic of ancestral magic does seem to interest her somewhat, though, and she says, "I'm not sure if mine's ancestral or a curse, but I got something similar going on. Only it's the plane of shadow nipping at my heels." she tells him.

Aelwyn gives Alfrik a long stare, then a tilt of his head. Then he flashes his teeth. "At least Serpent's weapon does not talk to him." He says, and slides his tail about. "Perhaps he should try a glaive - where serpents thrive, a particularly venomous fighting style was very well known."

The draconian's orange eyes then slide over towards Verna, and then to Culix and he gives a solemn nod to the former. "It is this one's intention, to see this one's blade find the true mark. Deep within, and with true finality." A low rumble leaves him soon though, and he reaches out with his tail to tap Culix's heels. "With Sharkie's attention? This one would have expected to see one far less." He flickers his tongue teasingly. "Perhaps she knows where Serpent can find the weapons they are looking for, without their purse being torn open?"

"Sage Mourner Verna," she returns the introduction to Alfrik. "A please to make your acquaintance. A distinguished bloodline, even one far removed, can be a matter of pride as well as power. While my own ancestry is neither distinguished nor as distant as I would prefer, I hold some familiarity with such inheritances of power. Less so of weaponry, much less those that converse... of which I have no regrets."

Alfrik nods his head giving each a brief smile before look to Culix first. "I'm glad to meet you too, just let me tell you, I happen to have a rather large appreciation for Gobbo culture even speak the language, had a Goblin mentor and teacher for my more physical qualifications." He says with a grin before looking to Aelwyn he grins. "Oh trust me my new draconic friend, I myself am rather venomous." Alfrik teases before looking back to Culix. "The shadows are my friend in a lot of instances, though I can't say I manipulate them or that they nip at my heels." Now looking to Verna. "Ah the pleasure is all mine, I'm glad to meet you as well. So is there a particular craftsman that's particularly skilled who makes quality products."

"Well, she does occupy a fair portion of my attention, that's true." Culix admits to Aelwyn, cheeks flushing a touch hinting at red blood beneath her otherwise monochrome appearance. "Speaking of, she thought you were dismissing that elf we met as a lost cause and got pretty upset. Dunno if you've spoke to her about it- I did try to explain things." she tells the Dragoon, and then shrugs. "So is that why you were reluctant to get some more glaives? Worried your weapon would get pissed at you for cheating on it?" she asks Aelwyn with a grin.

She turns her attention back to Alfrik and raises her eyebrows, "We have a culture?" she asks. "I mean, I guess if you count hoarding junk and random explosions, ten sure... as for crafters, there's Fidget- got a shop in the TarRaCe, for magical stuff. She's not bad. I mostly go for affordability over quality when I'm picking my daggers. Never know when you'll need to ditch them. But if you want something nice that'll last you a while, best bet is probably something Khazad-made."

Aelwyn's lips turn into a rather macabre looking grin, and he leans closer towards Alfrik. "And this one knows exactly how to handle a serpent with bite." He rumbles with a low playful growl and narrowed pupils, flickering his tongue out. Leaning away, he starts to pick up the bundle of the glaives, balancing them over his shoulders.

The words of the gobbo makes Aelwyn pause and he looks at her in a momentary confusion, then lets out a low sigh. "She does like to get upset at me," He mutters underneath his breath, before tilting his head back. "That elf did not act like a lost cause, but we should have been able to do better." He rumbles, then lets out a tch. He glances at the variety of glaives he was holding. His hand slides across the lot of them.

"A weapon like this is part of one's body-" Then another look is offered to Culix, "And this one likes long commitment." He flashes his teeth, before he turns towards the three of them. "This one shall head to the Colosseum. May the skies bless all three of them." He bows his head, and then starts to walk away, with that lazy rolling -and now struggling - gait of his.

Alfrik smirks at Aelwyn. "Well I hate ta break it to you, this Serpent prefers to bite females." He winks before leaning back and looking to Culix. "I see, I was speaking more about ya know leather crafters and who might sell the best leather armor around here, when I last lived here it wasn't exactly something I'd be looking for. But of course you have a culture any peoples who have a written and spoken language, and traditions passed down, have a culture." Alfrik teases.

Aelwyn has left.

"Yea that's what I told her." Culix tells Aelwyn and gives another shrug. "For what it's worth, that guy looked tough as old boots so I bet we'll find him again." she says, and then lifts her and to offer the dragoon a wave as he heads out. She stuffs her hands into her back pockets and leans back against the corner of a nearby vendor stall, pondering Alfrik's query. "Mmmm, I did have a jerkin, nothing fancy mind. But I've switched over to chain, these days." she admits. "I think... there's a decent oruch leatherworker around here somewhere." she says, and turns to crane her neck and peer down the street.

Alfrik smiles and nods his head. "I prefer armor that I have manoeuvrability in as well as stealth and quiet movement." He says with a laugh. "Never know when you may have to sneak up on or sneak away from an enemy yea?" He asks with a chuckle and a nod. "So who was he referencing might I ask?" Alfrik asks as the Half Sil tilts his head and nod gesturing to direction Aelwyn took off in. "Or rather whom ye two were talking about?"

"Well, true, it's mithral chain I got." Culix admits then. "I'm wearing it now, and you'd never even know. But leather's a decent start, sure. I don't remember the name, but the shop was on the Khazad side of the district if I remember right. Down that way." she pulls a hand out of her pocket to point. "And I know exactly when to sneak up or sneak away. Answer's pretty much always, it's always better to get the drop on someone or something than not."

Alfrik laughs and nods his head. "Ah none of my business as to whom you and the Draconian man were speaking of that he upset. No worries." He says with a smile. "My curiosity had me nosy. "Oh I'm sure I can afford Mithril chain. Just not sure if I can use it." He says with a chuckle. "Ah yes I agree with your assessment Ill never charge in headlong like some berserker. I prefer to use my stealth and sneak up for silent strikes and to kill my enemy before they know I'm there."

"Oh, that?" Culix says then. "Irshya, she runs the TarRaCe pub and bath house." Culix supplies, "Aelwyn works there and I'm a regular." she provides additional context. "Can't use it?" she wonders and tilts her head to the side a bit. "Are you a shaman or something?" she wonders. "I know some of the folks from the grove won't wear metal." she recalls. "Well, either way, there's more than a few leather workers down this road. You might also have some luck up in Mictlan, but that's quite a treck just for buying new armor."

Alfrik nods and ohs at what Culix says. "Irshya hmmm? I don't think I've met her yet. Though admittedly I've only been back home for a little while now." He says with a chuckle. "Pub and bath house...Hmmmm that sounds like it could get rather....frisky." Alfrik laughs a bit. "No no not a shaman, though my mother is a Druid but no I'm a sorcerer thats the magical arts I practice, but a Goblin trained me in certain stealthy arts as well." Alfrik winks. "So lighter armor is better for me for ease of movement you know?"

"You'd get kicked out." Culix says then. "No canoodlin' in the baths. They got a sign." she tells the man. "Yeah, I know." she says with a mild smirk. "That's kind of my whole gig, actually. Anyway, I'd better head on down to the bowyer and talk about getting this new crossbow put together. Feel naked without one." she complains, and pushes away from the stand she'd been leaning against. "Nice meeting you."

Alfrik balks and places a hand over his heart. "Oh no no you don't say, no canoodlin' in the baths?!? What a travesty how dare they have such a rule in a public venue!?" He asks in mock indignation but he bursts out laughing. "Crossbow you say, I was thinking of going that way or possibly..." He trails off and shakes his head. "You take care Culix, I should probably make the rounds to find my armor and such."

GAME: Culix rolls stealth+2+4: (8)+17+2+4: 31

Culix offers a brief wave and then steps away, "You too." she says, pulling her hood up over her head and stepping into a patch of shade where she simply disappears from sight seeming to merge with the shadows.