Chromeknight

Causes meta-enamoured in players?

Nerwen was about to reply to Nyx when the old warrrior, Lawrence bustled up. They seemed be catching up, whilst Barty hovered behind the helmet of the paladin, out of his eyeline. Nerwen left them to their conversation, reminding herself to speak to Nyx later. Turning to the Nord, Nerwen continued. The camp was not so much rough as sad. After the madness that drove the orcs toward Ennon abated they were lost and leaderless, hounded and persecuted. Many, especially the young, did not understand what had happened. And they were hunted by darker things too, things eager to reignite the red curse and drive the orcs to more destruction. The sacking of Harnram was a different matter. One of our own, an elf had delved into the magics of life. But used what he found there for his own twisted ends, raising an army of unalive things to do his will. His greatest grievance was against the masters at Harnram who had turned him away, denying him access to the city. My father fell there. It is a memory I do not need to meditate to recall. Nerwen paused, her face calm, but a sadness was visible in her eyes. As for the rest of my family, my mother is likely still at the White Towers, we have not spoken for a long time. My daughter is there too, last I heard. Her father, Lenwë is in Pantana, a waywatcher, guarding those on the roads from Goblonia and Baltarok. The other elf I was once partnered with, Elladan, is in Mistaria where he trades in gems. I understand leaving somewhere with unfinished words between people. But there are always new people to care for. And you have been invited to the theater? By whom?

Nerwen smiled at Haldor's misinterpretation of her elvish greeting and casual disrespect for the gods. The swagger and mug of ale proclaimed his outlook as eloquently as his words. He was refreshingly straightforward after so many sneaking rogues. She answered warmly. My apologies. For-edan is simply North-man in elvish. I sometimes lapse when speaking common. Eric has done nothing, I have not seen him since the end of our quest is all. We now own a ship together and I believe the other owner, the raider Guts, wanted to speak to him about it. But Guts has left on a quest now. As to where I am from, I grew up at the White Towers in the low kingdoms. I stayed in an orcish refugee camp on the border of Ennon for a couple of decades then lived for a while in Harnram in Primovia, before it was sacked. I have travelled as far as Njago in the west and the Mistlands in the south. I have been north, but was not there very long and know little of the cold-dwellers.

Nerwen nods at Sorrow's greeting. I am well thank you rogue. And yourself?

Nerwen gently moves the book from nearly under Haldor's feet on the table and slips it into Alexis' bag beside the table. Stars shine on us, Master Haldor. I am Nerwen Calmcacil. A shaman, as you also appear to be. And from the north if your clothes are any indication. Do you know the for-edan Eric? I recently quested with him. Do you know Mistress Nyx? indicating the other girl sitting at the table. Speaking to Nyx she said You have been very quiet, was you last quest difficult?

Thanks all. I've had a chat on the deadboard and I understand how I got myself lynched with bad play. Chalk it up to a lesson and I'll do better next time. Well played town! And Hinck too.

Nerwen sees Alexis lean away from her. She is silent for a while, pondering her words. You are young, you will find yourself in time. Of that I have no doubt. As to whether it is on this path, I cannot say. It is not my place to choose for you. But I am always here for you if you have questions about what you read. As I said, I have seen much and know one end of a lash from the other.

Nerwen leans a little closer And yet, you blush to speak of it. You need not fear that I would condemn or judge. I am a mother, and I have seen much else besides. There is no need for shyness or embarasment. Such things are a part of life. Although the short-lived humans obsess about it more than the 'Quessir, we do still enjoy the warmth of bodies together and appreciate the power that comes from passion and desire. And that is what this book will teach you. The power that comes from desire. The first step is seeing yourself as desirable. Nerwen's voice dropped lower carrying only to Alexis's ears And you are desirable.

Nerwen smiles I meant skill and experience with the topic of this book, seduction and pleasure. Such activities are not for the ... naive. As for putting this book into practice, do it well and the mere mention of your name will make some scream, others shiver and sigh, and still others wet their pants. Every man in Heroica will know of you and I am sure many will queue for your attention. That is a kind of love, no doubt. However, it will require a maturity I am not certain you possess. Have you lain with more than just the two men from Heroica? Nerwen speaks softly so that only Alexis, and possibly Nyx nearby would catch her words. Oxford comma ahoy!

Nerwen picks the book up of the table and leafs through it slowly. Some pages she nods. On other pages a slim eyebrow rises slightly. Well. That's very... informative. Humans are very inventive when it comes to that sort of thing. Do you feel a lack of skill on this area? Nerwen gently replaces the book on the table between them.

Second man? That is surprising. Although if they have both been here with Heroica, this environment is not the best for forming solid relationships. Having one or other going away for months at a time, having tense situations with other groups of people and building new bonds there is not good for pair bonding. Also, if you are with humans around your age, that is when they tend to be full of impulses and bravado. It makes them unstable and unreliable. Emotionally like foals, all gangly and uncoordinated. Again I say, patience. As one of the 'Quessir, you will find a dependable love in time. Nerwen paused, then asked curiously What is that book you have there?

Every living thing loves. That's what it is to be alive. And elves feel the heat of fiery love no less than the edan. Though humans, being brief in life, rush into things. We who live longer do not need to hurry. After all, it is the well banked forge fire that does work, not the pile of kindling which burns quick and bright. I would counsel caution and patience, but you are young and experience is a good teacher.

So Thalion is more like artillery than tank?

Concentrating on Alexis, Nerwen feels the room change as another looks at the elf also. With an imperceptible shift of her attention she sees a young man, another rogue by his appearance, looking at Alexis. Nerwen recalled him from Dastan, an eager mage named Arthur. He was friends with the short rogue, De'kra. Clearly there was something between him and Alexis. There was the trace of tears on his face. She spoke softly to her companion. What is between you and Arthur? He looks at you like you hold his heart.

Nerwen was a little taken aback by Alexis' admission she was only twenty. Where I am from twenty is only barely enough to be let out into the surrounding forests. Even then we still expected to be studying for another half dozen years. I know the short lived edan do things differently. They rush out into the world with less training and muddle through somehow. It is not a better or worse way, just different. But twenty... I could have a granddaughter your age. And I am not old among my people. If there is anything you want to ask me anytime, about differences between elves and men, please do not hesitate to. Nerwen paused, sitting back in the chair by the fire and taking time to study Alexis. Her attire and weapons, the set of her mouth and the way she carried herself. Stilling her thoughts and listening to the rhythms of heartbeat and breath, of stretch and fidget, Nerwen began to understand the lithe assassin a little better.

So Nerwen is all three as she stands. Is it better to specialize in one or maintain flexibility?

Nerwen replied to Alexis You must have left when you were quite young, I can see that, even though you are 'quessir, you cannot have seen more than fourty summers. As for my adventures, three times I have overthrown tyrants, twice I have freed the imprisoned. I have fought demons and monstrosities, I have fought man-folk, deluded and warped by power. I have travelled in time and had the hands of fellow heroes turned against me. I expect I am no different from yourself in all that. I have quested with a few assassins, a short rogue who speaks in clicks and another hooded one who was shattered by necromantic magic. You are the first assassin I have seen though, who does not shadow their face. Tell me, how much do you know of your people, of your gods and your birthright?

Saesa omentien lle, young one. No, We have not met. My name is Nerwen Calmcacil. I am a blood healer. I can see you are a ranger of some sort. Please, sit. Tell me about yourself. Where is your family from?

Nerwen steps down to the quest board and signs up fr quests #65 and #66 She then returns upstairs to the bar area and sits quietly near Nyx

Another issue tied to this is timezones and player commitments. In #58 I (Chromeknight) waited for Khorne to post which way he wanted to go and why. Unfortunately, it was one of those periods where he wasn't online for more than a whole day. I could have waited longer perhaps. For me, this was the second time Nerwen was presented with a fight/not fight choice and the fourth battle where one of her party members chose not to fight. Eric was stiffed on loot distribution only after I'd consulted with Khorne and we agreed it was the right thing characterisation wise. If anything he was gipped at the start where the quest he signed on for (rescue Reno) and the actual quest, (rescue Nemo, defeat one of Reno/Nemo) were different. Not that I'm saying the twist should have been publicised, but that it left Eric in a situation he might not have chosen to place himself in if he'd known. Ultimately, this is still a scripted game. The QM knows before hand who is going to be fought, and indeed, must know, in order to take photos and write enemy profiles. As such, the players (usually) have little choice about who they fight.

Stay safe also, raider. Replied Nerwen, though she had little reason to be concerned. After al, had she not seen his ferocity in combat? And his recklessness and determination. No doubt he would go into unsafe situations. And no doubt he would walk out the other side, barely scratched. As Guts left Nerwen looked around the hall. A boy wizard was on a table shouting, an ogre behind him placating him. Others were variously listening, arguing or ignoring him. She decided to do the same and pulled out parchment from her bag to begin writing a letter.

She replied gently to him I have not been avoiding you. I had some religious observances that I needed to attend to. And then I... Nerwen pauses, seemingly embarrassed. ...I got lost in the latest story circulating the markets, about a group of precocious children in a school, killing each other trying to find those who are possessed. But I have laid that aside. As for the ship, I had given no thought as to what to use it for. I understand it is a valuable thing, but after the events at the fort, I cannot imagine Lord Neron would be pleased having us skip lightly across his domain.

Nerwen returned from the marketplace. She had not bought anything with the money from selling the sword, she was uncertain about what the future held. Guts was back in his usual corner, except that rather than being surrounded by bottles, he had open books covering the table. She took a drink from the bar and sat down in front of him. 'Quel re, Master Holla. Learning a new trade? Are you leaving Heroica?

Reno had had his own twin brother kidnapped and was posing as Nemo. Even Nemo's wife did not realize and had sent us looking for Reno thinking it was he that was missing. We stopped Reno. Well, Guts and I did. The for-edan Eric did little to help as he wanted to side with Reno thinking that Uland's naval protection would relax some. Had he fought with us that blade would have been his. Nerwen paused, then stood. The raiders I quested with showed me the power of amethyst imbued weapons, I believe Elphaba is in the marketplace, I will see about acquiring such a gem with this gold you have given me. I am sure that I will see you around. That said, Nerwen left for the marketplace.

Nerwen nodded. Your offer is acceptable. And what have you been doing since Dastan?