[HQ Ignorance] Re : First Scene: Sog City, a rider comes from Riverjoin

[Nic Hughes]

His riding cloak flapped out behind him as Aalmon strode through the 
familiar streets of Riverjoin, the steady thump of his stave on the 
cobbles soothing his nerves at what he had just done. Navigating without 
thought towards the stables he stepped around the huddle refugees 
without noticing he was doing it, as he remembered the inquisitori.

 The priest had done the talking, the others sat quietly and watched – 
unsettling him with their steady gazes. “The reports are good enough I 
suppose but what makes you think he is up to this task, why do you 
believe him good enough to bear the good name of this city and our 
Church?” he had asked.

Aalmon remembered the stiffness in his back as he stood rigidly to 
attention, the knuckles of both hands white upon the stave as he gripped 
it waiting for his sponsor to speak.

 Sir Griftwald spoke in his usual gravelly voice, never deigning to look 
at or speak directly to the priest.

 “I speak for Aalmon the bastard. He rode Courier for my Riverjoin 
Lancers, dashing and yet faithful. With keen mind he won the crystal 
pieces in chess, with steady hand and the far gaze he drew fine maps. He 
was Sevened when with clever tactics he survived battle, yet then hated 
War and instead found peaceful ways with his Star Twin Barros the Piper. 
For cheating the demons I gifted him Blackwald’s Stallion and the 
Star-iron Axe, yet mostly his nose for trouble makes him worthy.”

 As he turned off the main street Aalmon allowed himself a wry smile, it 
had maybe not been the whole story but it had worked. He bounded up the 
stairs and stooped to enter the doorway, the warm animal smell of his 
brother welcoming him. Clapping his arm over Barros’ bare shoulder he 
laughed “Well what did you think of the show, have you packed for the 
morning? Its time you saw the filthy streets of Sog for yourself. After 
an ale or three, of course."

ooc:
The basis of the narrative is all there, however it is 20 words short. 
There are things perhaps Aalmon's patron is better off not knowing. I do 
not know what they are yet myself so if possible I'd like to keep those 
words in reserve while I think up something suitably juicy. Lev, should 
I email the annotated version of the narrative to you directly? I think 
the keywords are pretty clear although it may take a little adaption, 
other abilities I will underline. I think his cultural keyword will 
look  like  a modified Seshnelan one, the religious and occupational 
keywords are both Lunar in origin and can be pretty much as in ILH2.

You may also notice I seem to have slipped a beast-man in by the back 
door - we might yet hear of the scandal of their mother and how it came 
to pass that one twin is human and the other not. When I do the 
character sheet we will see that Barros is a satyr.

As I mentioned this is a bit of a peace-maker character (his magic 
helps, for its purposes everyone else will count as Barbarians) however 
there are a few obvious sources of conflict to work with
His heretical Lunar religion - especially if anyone discovers he is 
Illuminated
His family history - from what I read Jonatelans really don't like 
bastards.
His brother's behaviour. Mmmm, elf ladies are sooooo nice. Any ladies at 
all for that matter.

Nic